If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

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Jack Scholes

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 brokeAin’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.

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.

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Talita
Talita
10 anos atrás

Wouldn’t it be “nowhere” instead of “nowhwere”?

Silvia
Silvia
11 anos atrás

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.

Jéssica Esther
Jéssica Esther
12 anos atrás

Gostei. Estava mesmo querendo saber o que significava "ain't". Obrigada.