Why is the phrase “why am I not” abbreviated “why aren't I” (i.e. a complete replacement of the...
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The other day I saw the following (written) phrase being used in an American TV series episode:
"Why aren't I on the list?"
Even though I know this "sounds right" (I'm a relatively fluent, although not native, English speaker), this struck me as weird, since "am" is the normal form for "I" in all/most other situations ("I am", "you are", "he/she/it is" etc), i.e. without abbreviation being used, the correct phrasing would be "Why am I not on the list" (rather than "Why are I not on the list").
So, what is the origin of this strange special case, and are there also other similar ones like it in the English language (i.e. where the abbreviated word is at the same time replaced by a completely OTHER word or word form, effectively not just being abbreviated, but rather also substituted at the same time)?
abbreviations
asked Dec 5 at 2:35
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up vote
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The other day I saw the following (written) phrase being used in an American TV series episode:
"Why aren't I on the list?"
Even though I know this "sounds right" (I'm a relatively fluent, although not native, English speaker), this struck me as weird, since "am" is the normal form for "I" in all/most other situations ("I am", "you are", "he/she/it is" etc), i.e. without abbreviation being used, the correct phrasing would be "Why am I not on the list" (rather than "Why are I not on the list").
So, what is the origin of this strange special case, and are there also other similar ones like it in the English language (i.e. where the abbreviated word is at the same time replaced by a completely OTHER word or word form, effectively not just being abbreviated, but rather also substituted at the same time)?
abbreviations
asked Dec 5 at 2:35
QuestionOverflow
1291
New contributor
QuestionOverflow is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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2
Possible duplicate of "I'm right, aren't I?"
– Robusto
Dec 5 at 2:47
2
I don't think this is really a duplicate. That question doesn't ask about the origin of aren't I, only whether it's acceptable. Only one answer there addresses origin at all, and it merely quotes a brief passage from Wikipedia. It seems likely that this question could generate more comprehensive answers.
– 1006a
Dec 5 at 5:17
"likely that this question could generate more comprehensive answers" provided it's backed by the asker's own homework.
– Kris
Dec 5 at 5:52
1
I agree with @1006a and I think the New Contributor has done all that might be expected. +1. This is interesting.
– Nigel J
Dec 5 at 8:50
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
The other day I saw the following (written) phrase being used in an American TV series episode:
"Why aren't I on the list?"
Even though I know this "sounds right" (I'm a relatively fluent, although not native, English speaker), this struck me as weird, since "am" is the normal form for "I" in all/most other situations ("I am", "you are", "he/she/it is" etc), i.e. without abbreviation being used, the correct phrasing would be "Why am I not on the list" (rather than "Why are I not on the list").
So, what is the origin of this strange special case, and are there also other similar ones like it in the English language (i.e. where the abbreviated word is at the same time replaced by a completely OTHER word or word form, effectively not just being abbreviated, but rather also substituted at the same time)?
abbreviations
asked Dec 5 at 2:35
QuestionOverflow
1291
New contributor
QuestionOverflow is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The other day I saw the following (written) phrase being used in an American TV series episode:
"Why aren't I on the list?"
Even though I know this "sounds right" (I'm a relatively fluent, although not native, English speaker), this struck me as weird, since "am" is the normal form for "I" in all/most other situations ("I am", "you are", "he/she/it is" etc), i.e. without abbreviation being used, the correct phrasing would be "Why am I not on the list" (rather than "Why are I not on the list").
So, what is the origin of this strange special case, and are there also other similar ones like it in the English language (i.e. where the abbreviated word is at the same time replaced by a completely OTHER word or word form, effectively not just being abbreviated, but rather also substituted at the same time)?
abbreviations
abbreviations
asked Dec 5 at 2:35
QuestionOverflow
1291
New contributor
QuestionOverflow is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Dec 5 at 2:35
QuestionOverflow
1291
New contributor
QuestionOverflow is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Dec 5 at 2:35
QuestionOverflow
1291
New contributor
QuestionOverflow is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Dec 5 at 2:35
QuestionOverflow
1291
asked Dec 5 at 2:35
QuestionOverflow
1291
1291
New contributor
QuestionOverflow is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
QuestionOverflow is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
QuestionOverflow is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
Possible duplicate of "I'm right, aren't I?"
– Robusto
Dec 5 at 2:47
2
I don't think this is really a duplicate. That question doesn't ask about the origin of aren't I, only whether it's acceptable. Only one answer there addresses origin at all, and it merely quotes a brief passage from Wikipedia. It seems likely that this question could generate more comprehensive answers.
– 1006a
Dec 5 at 5:17
"likely that this question could generate more comprehensive answers" provided it's backed by the asker's own homework.
– Kris
Dec 5 at 5:52
1
I agree with @1006a and I think the New Contributor has done all that might be expected. +1. This is interesting.
– Nigel J
Dec 5 at 8:50
add a comment |
2
Possible duplicate of "I'm right, aren't I?"
– Robusto
Dec 5 at 2:47
2
I don't think this is really a duplicate. That question doesn't ask about the origin of aren't I, only whether it's acceptable. Only one answer there addresses origin at all, and it merely quotes a brief passage from Wikipedia. It seems likely that this question could generate more comprehensive answers.
– 1006a
Dec 5 at 5:17
"likely that this question could generate more comprehensive answers" provided it's backed by the asker's own homework.
– Kris
Dec 5 at 5:52
1
I agree with @1006a and I think the New Contributor has done all that might be expected. +1. This is interesting.
– Nigel J
Dec 5 at 8:50
2
2
Possible duplicate of "I'm right, aren't I?"
– Robusto
Dec 5 at 2:47
Possible duplicate of "I'm right, aren't I?"
– Robusto
Dec 5 at 2:47
2
2
I don't think this is really a duplicate. That question doesn't ask about the origin of aren't I, only whether it's acceptable. Only one answer there addresses origin at all, and it merely quotes a brief passage from Wikipedia. It seems likely that this question could generate more comprehensive answers.
– 1006a
Dec 5 at 5:17
I don't think this is really a duplicate. That question doesn't ask about the origin of aren't I, only whether it's acceptable. Only one answer there addresses origin at all, and it merely quotes a brief passage from Wikipedia. It seems likely that this question could generate more comprehensive answers.
– 1006a
Dec 5 at 5:17
"likely that this question could generate more comprehensive answers" provided it's backed by the asker's own homework.
– Kris
Dec 5 at 5:52
"likely that this question could generate more comprehensive answers" provided it's backed by the asker's own homework.
– Kris
Dec 5 at 5:52
1
1
I agree with @1006a and I think the New Contributor has done all that might be expected. +1. This is interesting.
– Nigel J
Dec 5 at 8:50
I agree with @1006a and I think the New Contributor has done all that might be expected. +1. This is interesting.
– Nigel J
Dec 5 at 8:50
add a comment |
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QuestionOverflow is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
QuestionOverflow is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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2
Possible duplicate of "I'm right, aren't I?"
– Robusto
Dec 5 at 2:47
2
I don't think this is really a duplicate. That question doesn't ask about the origin of aren't I, only whether it's acceptable. Only one answer there addresses origin at all, and it merely quotes a brief passage from Wikipedia. It seems likely that this question could generate more comprehensive answers.
– 1006a
Dec 5 at 5:17
"likely that this question could generate more comprehensive answers" provided it's backed by the asker's own homework.
– Kris
Dec 5 at 5:52
1
I agree with @1006a and I think the New Contributor has done all that might be expected. +1. This is interesting.
– Nigel J
Dec 5 at 8:50