The word "ain't".

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It seems to carry more emphasis.

"ain't gonna happen".

I was taught that it's not a proper word. It's a word you had better avoid using. It makes the user somehow uneducated. So it's ok to use it if you are uneducated.

Considering that it's not a word, I perceive it as an expression of emotion in a statement or opinion; as the OP said. I seldom use it unless I'm quoting someone, or if indeed it feels right to use it in expressing an opinion. I think it's OK for an educated person to use "uneducated" words or slang; if in the proper context, and with the understanding that they are not words.


Charles

It is a word, it just isn't correct grammar. Educated people use it, as well as uneducated people. It's perfectly fine to use it in everyday conversation but not when you need to make a good impression on someone. There are actual degrees of incorrectness when using the word "ain't". An example would be "ain't got no" which is incorrect because it's a double negative.

"Ain't" is part of regional dialect and is acceptable in some places and from some speakers but not others. In the Deep South it can be used in casual conversation by just about anybody. I've heard doctors and lawyers say it. I've also heard bums and convicts say it. It's accepted down here without implying that the speaker is uneducated of lazy, but if someone were to say it in New Hampshire or South Dakota or Arizona or Oregon etc, then the speaker would more than likely be seen as having less education.

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Well, I believe it's probably a part of the language at this point, as everyone seems to understand what it means. At the root, as long as people can tell what you're trying to say it should be alright...

It is a word. It's just not considered proper grammar. I rarely use it myself. It can however give more emphasis, compare "it's not gonna happen" and "ain't gonna happen". The second seems to have more emphasis.

It is slang.

I ain't gonna care

Of course "ain't" is a word.

Only class snobbery keeps out ouf the lexicon.

Its just a contraction of "am" and "not".

It's like "it's", and "isn't", and "won't".

Dont go using it on a resume'.

But there is no real reason to think anything is wrong with word.

One problem though.

"Ain't gonna happen" is still ungrammatical even if you tolerate the use of "ain't". Because "aint" means "am not".

You can say "I ain't gonna do it". But you have to say "it won't happen", or "it isn't gonna happen", or even simply "not gonna happen".

I always feel weird whenever anyone uses the word " ain't " around me in a conversation. It never seems right to me, and I get shivers down my spine every time I hear it.

Ain't ain't a word and I ain't gonna use it...
I remember kids saying this when I was in 1st grade.

I believe it was originally old English.
It's now in the dictionary so it is a word.
It was originally haint.
Since I am an ignorant Southerner, I ain't gonna stop usin' it.
Heard people use that that may have been uneducated, but were by no means stupid.

I agree that words (even those that aren't proper) are rich/deep in connotation.

I don't have a problem with using it because some people will criticize you for "putting on airs" if you speak too formally (got that one a lot when I was in junior high & high school) and other will criticize you if you don't speak properly. There's no pleasing everyone, so screw it and do what you like, I say.