# If you'd like to omit non-matching lines from the result; add ';d' to the end of the expression.
sed -E 's/^a\..*?\Kain't/is not/gmi;t' <<< "For instance, if in the text below I wanted to replace \"ain't\" with \"is not\" for lines beginning \"a.\" but not \"b.\":
a. This ain't a worm.
b. No, it ain't.
a. Ain't a snake, either.
b. No, ain't one of them.
a. ain't multiple ain't and more ain't
"
Please keep in mind that these code samples are automatically generated and are not guaranteed to work. If you find any syntax errors, feel free to submit a bug report. For a full regex reference for SED, please visit: https://www.gnu.org/software/sed/manual/html_node/The-_0022s_0022-Command.html