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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

It's not or it isn't

28 replies

timeserved · 07/01/2026 05:47

As per title.
To say:

It is not lunch time yet
It is not urgent
etc
if you like "it's not" vote UABU, or it isn't UANBU

OP posts:
echt · 07/01/2026 05:50

Either is fine.

Pepperama · 07/01/2026 05:54

Both ok

Hillarious · 07/01/2026 09:04

Depends where you want to put the emphasis.

Hillarious · 07/01/2026 09:05

You might also say “ ‘t’nt lunchtime yet”..

YodasHairyButt · 07/01/2026 09:05

It’s t’int in our house 😁

TittyGajillions · 07/01/2026 09:09

I only say "it is not" when I want the not to be really emphatic otherwise it sounds a bit Data.

Devilsmommy · 07/01/2026 09:10

I'd probably say it ain't lunchtime yet 😂

WalkDontWalk · 07/01/2026 09:13

“Not lunchtime it is.”

… but then I’m a tiny green wizened alien.

HeadyLamarr · 07/01/2026 09:14

Both are perfectly ok.

ZaZathecat · 07/01/2026 09:17

Do forget 'it ain't' (always follow with guvna at the end of the sentence for correct grammar)

InterestedDad37 · 07/01/2026 09:19

Can we please include b'ain't, as in "it b'ain't snowing yet round 'ere" (SW England) 😀

anothercut · 07/01/2026 09:22

I say it isn’t because when I say it is not I sound like a robot.

anothercut · 07/01/2026 09:24

anothercut · 07/01/2026 09:22

I say it isn’t because when I say it is not I sound like a robot.

Also I’m a robot sounds less like a robot than I am a robot

ChubbyPuffling · 07/01/2026 09:24

'tain't round here

And if b'ain't, followed by "be um?"
(Slightly "posh" part of SW here 😄)

Tiswa · 07/01/2026 09:30

Emphasis is the main one

so say someone asks you if it is lunchtime yet and it’s 11:45 you say no it is not because you are saying of course it’s not it is way too early. 12:30 would be no it isn’t because they is a far more neutral response.

can you do this task - again it would not no it’s not urgent because you are emphasising the fact there is no need to do the task right now.
do you need to do this task would be no it isn’t urgent

the majority of the time it is it isn’t it’s not is making a point (and that can be somewhat passive aggressive if used in a certain way)

KimberleyClark · 07/01/2026 09:33

Either will do. But if you want to sound outraged, “it is NOT!”

CautiousLurker2 · 07/01/2026 09:36

In spoken usage, contraction is normal. Same for written usage in speech marks, unless speaker is emphasising ‘not’ [eg ‘it is not lunchtime yet]. In written form, especially formal texts, then no contraction is the usual format.

There is no ‘preference’ - usage depends on context and whether written or spoken.

Odd thing to post about, really.

Garroty · 07/01/2026 09:39

Round here it would be 'it's no lunchtime yet' 😄

anothercut · 07/01/2026 09:39

CautiousLurker2 · 07/01/2026 09:36

In spoken usage, contraction is normal. Same for written usage in speech marks, unless speaker is emphasising ‘not’ [eg ‘it is not lunchtime yet]. In written form, especially formal texts, then no contraction is the usual format.

There is no ‘preference’ - usage depends on context and whether written or spoken.

Odd thing to post about, really.

Why is it an odd thing to post about? Odd remark!

Pippapotamus · 07/01/2026 09:52

Its T'ay where I am

MadamCholetsbonnet · 07/01/2026 09:54

Either is acceptable

CautiousLurker2 · 07/01/2026 09:57

anothercut · 07/01/2026 09:39

Why is it an odd thing to post about? Odd remark!

Not at all. A quick google enquiry would explain appropriate usage of contractions as would any online dictionary.

anotherside · 07/01/2026 10:03

Have lunch you will not.

takealettermsjones · 07/01/2026 10:05

I don't think OP is asking about not contracting i.e. saying "it is not" like a robot. She's asking whether you prefer to use the contraction "it's not" or the contraction "it isn't"

ErrolTheDragon · 07/01/2026 10:08

Either. Maybe one more likely than the other depending on emphasis but it’s not a distinction I notice in my own speech let alone other people’s.