-n't

See also not

Suffix

Suffix -n't

1. n't is used to negate a clause.

Usage notes

The suffix -n't can only be added to auxiliary verbs (also called helping verbs). The resulting word usually means the same thing as the verb plus not (for example, don't means do not, won't means will not). Some verbs change their spelling when -n't is added (for example, shall becomes shan't) and some verbs do not accept -n't (for example, am).

Related words

not ain't / aren't / weren't isn't / wasn't don't / doesn't / didn't haven't / hasn't / hadn't won't / wouldn't

can't / couldn't shan't / shouldn't mayn't / mightn't oughtn't mustn't needn't daren't

References

• Zwicky, Arnold M., & Geoffrey K. Pullum (1983) Cliticization vs. Inflection: English n’t’. Language 59, 502–513