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Since "amn't I" is so clunky, is "aren't I" grammatically correct? Or is the only way to say this "Am I not"?

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@waiwai: The linked question does not address whether "aren't I" is considered grammatically correct. All it establishes is that "aren't I" and "ain't I" are preferred because they're easier to say. – Daniel δ Jul 15 '11 at 17:38
I suggest using the "flag" option (if available) to bring issues like this up to moderators directly. Waiwai probably just skimmed the related question before closing this one (I know I have done that a few times myself) without realizing that this question asks something not addressed in the other. – nohat♦ Jul 15 '11 at 17:49

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The NOAD reports that aren't is the contraction of are not, and am not; in the latter case, it is used only in questions.

Why aren't I being given a pay raise?

The Collins English Dictionary says the same, but it says that using aren't as contraction of am not is informal, and chiefly British.

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up vote 1 down vote

Aren't I? is standard English as the negative interrogative of I am. So it is correct.

Ain't I? is also common though regarded as a lower register. Am I not? sounds far too picky. I am, init? is also used, though I hate it. Amn't I might be logical, but only seems to exist, if at all, in Scottish or Irish dialect.

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Could you cite an authority on the subject? – Daniel δ Jul 15 '11 at 18:09
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/… has a discussion – Henry Jul 15 '11 at 18:14
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I'm sorry, but it's still not clear. Are you saying that it is correct grammar? – Daniel δ Jul 15 '11 at 18:21
@drm65: he said that "Aren't I?" is correct grammar (accepted in formal and informal settings), but that "Ain't I?" is appropriate only in a very, very informal setting (i.e. not correct for writing, but it is exactly what people say in certain informal contexts). – Mitch Jul 15 '11 at 19:30
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@drm65. Aren't I? is correct grammar, indeed standard. Init? is London youth vernacular adopted from immigrants, used as a universal negative question word, derived from isn't it? but used for all three persons, singular and plural, and something I discourage. – Henry Jul 15 '11 at 20:30
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