Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[el7jake]

Why

I'm not right, AM I?

But,

I'm right, AREN'T I?

Thanks!

Jake

[Suzanne]

Hi, Jake,

The speaker is asking if he or she is correct. Each question has a positive portion, and a negative portion.

I'm NOT right, am I? [In this question, the negative part comes first.]

I'm right, AREN'T I? [Here, the negative part comes second.]

Both questions have the same meaning.

Does this help?

[CP]

If I understand your question correctly, you are asking whether aren't I is the correct negative of am I.

This question has come up before. To me, aren't they is fine as the negative of are they, but not for am I. I think either am I not or ain't I is correct for the negative of am I, but most people think ain't is always wrong. In any event, aren't I is always wrong, as far as I'm concerned.

I'm sure other people have other opinions.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[pugachevV]

I'm not right am I?
does not mean the same thing as:
I 'm right, aren't I?

I'm not right am I?
Means the same as: I'm wrong aren't I? (OR...am I not?)

As CP says, I'm right, am I not ? is the same as I 'm right, aren't I?