ESL Blogs

AIn't Gonna Happen!

Posted by Katie Adler on June 20, 2014

At englishwithkatie.com I focus on five ways to say the same thing. This week is "Ain't gonna happen".

If, for example, your friends want you to join them for some Saturday night fun and you have a deadline coming up:

A) Hey! Saturday should be fun.

B) Yes. Katie's going aren't you, Katie?

C) Sorry. No, I have a deadline coming up.

A) Oh, come on Katie.

C) Ain't gonna happen. Have fun!

I hope this was useful!!!

Cheers,

Katie

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Comments

Katie Adler June 30, 2014 2:10

Hi, Bob,

We are on the same page and yet it is used a lot playfully in the press!

http://espn.go.com/blog/peter-bodo/post/_/id/708/aint-gonna-happen-...

http://www.cgdev.org/blog/squeezing-iran-submission-why-it-ain’t-gonna-happen-way

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/us-congressman-stands-...

U.S. Congressman stands up against proposed border toll: ‘It ain’t gonna happen’

Sincerely,

Katie
Katie Adler June 30, 2014 2:08

Hi, Estanis,

There are many ways to say it. I would say--in a formal situation: "I'm sorry, At this time I don't think that is possible."

Sincerely,

Katie
Estanis June 29, 2014 14:09

Thanks for sharing Katie and Mr. Bob.

Could you please tell me the formal way to say 'ain't gonna happen'? ( I could't find it in your webpage Katie)
Mr. Bob June 29, 2014 13:11

Long ago Louisiana was behind many states in education when I was a boy. But there was one thing my teachers were pretty well united on and that was in banning the use of ain't. I think they were working to overcome a stereotype of ignorance (now with the Duck Dynasty folks that is a lost cause too) which at the time seemed to be personified by "ain't". Times changed and simply using or not using ain't is no longer the issue as we have people with serious gaps in their education. Louisiana is rightly seen at or near the bottom in education.

That said, as you pointed out the word has become pretty common in usage these days. My parents and teachers were surrounded by lots of bad grammar and were trying to bring the populace up to standards they had learned in university. That was a battle they lost with the word ain't because it has become acceptable for very informal use.

I think it is ok to use among friends and family but naturally not with the boss or clients. It is good that you are making such expressions available to EC members. I teach some slang too because my students have to deal with Americans and May well encounter these words.

Comments

U.S. Congressman stands up against proposed border toll: ‘It ain’t gonna happen’