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Glite Dictionary
aren't

aren't

∞ 1.0
To be the short negative form of are used with you, we, and they in negative sentences and questions
  • auxiliary
  • /ɑːrnt/
  • Informal
: no son
  • Aren't you coming to the party?

Examples

  • They aren't ready yet.

  • Aren't you supposed to finish your homework before dinner?

  • They aren't interested in joining the club this year.

  • We aren't going to the concert because the tickets are sold out.

  • Aren't you going to help us with the project?

  • Aren't they joining us for the movie tonight?

  • If they aren't finished with their chores, they can't play.

Surface Forms

aren't infinitive
Aren't infinitive
arent infinitive

Morphology

aren't = are + not (transparent) = are + not

Aren't is a straightforward contracted form of 'are not' (and is also used informally for 'am not' in questions), so learners who know 'are' and 'not' can readily interpret it.

Etymology

Aren't is a short form of are not, made by joining are and not and using an apostrophe for the missing letter, just like don't for 'do not'. So, aren't makes the verb negative and means 'not', and it is used in negative sentences and in questions, sometimes informally for 'am not'.