Not "I amn't ready." — say "I'm not ready.". With I, the no-form is I'm not — there is no "amn't".
Try it: Lars says, "Hello, Amina!" Sofia says, "Sorry, ___ Amina. I'm Sofia." (I'm not / I isn't / I aren't) Answer: I'm not — I'm not Amina. With I, the no-form is I'm not, never isn't or aren't.
isn't
To say no with is, add not: isn't = is not.
He isn't here.
She isn't here.
It isn't here.
Not "He not is here." — say "He isn't here.". The not joins onto is → isn't, not before it.
Try it: Sofia ___ here. (isn't / aren't / not is) Answer: isn't — Sofia isn't here. Sofia is one person (she), so the no-word is isn't, not aren't.
aren't
To say no with are, add not: aren't = are not. You always uses are / aren't.
You aren't here.
We aren't here.
They aren't here.
Not "They isn't here." — say "They aren't here.". we, they and you → aren't, never isn't.
Try it: They ___ students. (aren't / isn't / not are) Answer: aren't — They aren't students. They is more than one, so the no-word is aren't, not isn't.
Where does not go?
not comes after am / is / are.
I am not ready.
She is not ready.
They are not ready.
Not "She not is ready." — say "She is not ready.". First the verb be, then not.
Try it: We ___ ready. (aren't / isn't / not are) Answer: aren't — We aren't ready. We is more than one → aren't. The not joins onto are.
Short forms: I'm, you're, he's, it's
isn't and aren't are short forms. am, is and are have short forms too: I am → I'm, you are → you're, he is → he's, it is → it's. The apostrophe stands in for the letter we drop.
I'm Amina.
You're happy.
He's tired.
It's a book.
Try it: Amina says, "___ ready." (I'm / Im / I'am) Answer: I'm — I'm = I am. The apostrophe takes the place of the a in am. "Im" forgets the apostrophe, and "I'am" keeps the whole word am, so nothing gets shorter.
What are the common mistakes?
Incorrect
Correct
Why
I amn't ready.
I'm not ready.
With I, the no-form is I'm not — there is no "amn't".