Grammatical errors drive me bonkers. I realize that I don't have perfect grammar, but I do believe that I notice more errors than the average individual and I always have to suppress myself from correcting people/things. It's always been easy for me to understand and figure out grammar and so I've always enjoyed it! However, I've recently been mulling over the correct way to say a certain phrase and I need your input! Tell me which phrase you think is correct:
1) I couldn't care less about Johnny's broken shoelace.
2) I could care less about Johnny's broken shoelace.
I have always used version number two because it sounds better. I am beginning to notice, though, that most everyone uses version number one. So...what better place to ask than on my blog!! What do you think? Which is correct?
(This would be the point where any English majors could step up and show their skills. Ahem...BA Turtle. :o)
12 comments:
Well, actually... I have to say I think that #1 is more accurate.
"I could not care less." = I care so little that there is no way I could care any less.
*grins
(I'm an eagle too. Woo!)
Leilani
Ooooh I love these kind of questions... tho I am not one of many answers! However I agree with Leilani. What helps me is thinking "I could not possibly care less." vs " I could possibly care less.
I think it's #1,too. I'm glad you don't correct my errors. It would keep you too busy. mom
It actually depends on how you care; for instance if you were the person making statement #1 you are telling me you could NOT care less, therefore you are caring more than the person stating #2. Person #2 COULD care less about the object in question. So, if I assume correctly that you care less, than statement #2 is correct.
- just an interested lurker
Sorry dear, I'm pretty sure it's version #1 as well.
For example, reworded version #2 might sound like this: "I guess I have SOME interest in Johnny's broken shoelace, because I COULD care less".
Versus a reworded version #1: "There's just no way I could care any LESS about Johnny's stupid shoelace!"
Thanks for the fun question. I'm a grammar freak too and I love discussing these things. Shall we start a Grammar Freaks Club? Whoo-Eee, that'd be a fun one, wouldn't it? No one would want to associate with such nerds. =)
Yes, I agree with all the rest about the logic behind choosing to say #1.
I have the same problem with rampant grammatical/usage errors. For example, there is a sign in my FAVORITE coffee shop about the soups that reads "Todays soups." I have told the clerk about it, but nothing changes . . . Sigh.
My comment was going to read almost verbatum to 'andy & michelle''s. I went to a grammar class for work and that made me even worse about noticing other people's grammar. My own, not so much!
the 'ol woodtick frum 'sconsin figgers all ewe peeple makin komints bout this quesshun gots way two el mucho el timeo on yer hands!!maybee yer time kuud bee better spended triin two figger out what the heck iz a jumbo shrimp?? iz it a jumbo or iz it a shrimp?? beem me up enterprise!!
All of your grammatical professionals are of the same thought I am. It's #1 for all of the listed reasons. I "dew luck duh jokester ferm 'sconsin tho!"
The "jokester ferm 'sconsin" would be my dad. :o)
I agree with #1. What drives me nuts is...when people say "also, too" back to back in a sentence. I thought we were taught that too means also. One person at work says it quite a few times a day and I have heard several people say it lately. "I was going to go also, too." (or something along that line) Am I crazy or is this redundant?
To accurately convey what you actually feel (I care so little that there is no way I could possibly care less.), you would use option #1.
The reason it sounds wrong, I suppose, is because it contains a double negative (couldn't and less). As English speakers, we are taught that double negatives are incorrect grammar. So, there's a little insight into why #2 feels more correct. When I thought about it, I realized that I say, "I could care less," too, but I had never thought about it before.
From one grammar freak to another,
Nancy
:)
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