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If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Bert Lance
This statement has become a fixed informal saying in English, which you use when you want to say that if something works well enough, or is in a satisfactory state, there is no reason to try and change it.
Ain’t
Ain’t was originally used in England as the standard contraction of “am not”. It became non-standard in the early 19th century when people began to use it incorrectly as a contraction for “is not” and “are not” as well as “am not.” Nowadays it is widely used informally or humorously, as a contraction for:
- am not
- is not
- are not
- has not
- have not
Cf. Vocabulário: AIN’T
Cf. Contrações
Ain’t is also often used with two or more negatives, but with a single negative meaning.
- She ain’t goin’ nowhere. ( = She isn’t going anywhere.)
- I ain’t never done nothin’ to nobody. ( = I’ve never done anything to anybody.)
Innit (UK – slang)
In British English innit is used as a contraction for “isn’t it”, and is often used as a question tag at the end of a statement for emphasis.
- Great party, innit?
Cf. Como traduzir “INNIT?” para português?
Cf. Mais Frases Célebres
Referência: “Gems of Wisdom – Inspirational Messages to Enhance the Quality of Your Life and Improve Your English” de Jack Scholes – Disal Editora, 2007. Leia a resenha.
Wouldn’t it be “nowhere” instead of “nowhwere”?
Talita, tudo bem?
Obrigado! Já fiz a correção do erro de digitação.
Abraços a todos
Adoro suas dicas…
Tenho uma dúvida….O que significa badass,…li em um site de corredores….”I’m not trainig to be skinny, I’m training to be badass”.Obrigada.
Silvia.
Gostei. Estava mesmo querendo saber o que significava "ain't". Obrigada.