Could or couldn't?
A small dilemma... well I thought dilemna was the correct spelling but Google and several online dictionaries say no it is not the correct spelling. As I am typing the word dilemna is underlined in red, meaning misspelled. So I learned something but that wasn't the dilemma that I was going to discuss at first. I always wondered why the n was after the m in the wrong spelling of dilemma. But anywho...
I use the expression I couldn't care less but I have mostly heard it used I could care less ( probably like most of you reading this post) but again I would like your opinion. When I say I couldn't care less, I really mean that I could not care if my life depended on it. It means that little to me. It has absolutely no value whatsoever in my life at the present time. On the other hand when someone uses I could care less; TO ME it is saying, I could think about it or I may give it some consideration. I will evaluate it to see if I could care even less than I do now.
What do you think COULD OR COULDN'T? As always a like and a response would be greatly appreciated even if you couldn't care less:)
Great Day
Enjoy your time
Marquette
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IT really should be: I couldn't care less because if you read or listen to the context of what it refers to; you really can't!
Its part of some of the other things that are said and really do not make sense, such as: (have your cake and eat it too Vs eat your cake and have it too)
Thank you Mickey, I have always thought of have your cake and eat it too as not being to have it both ways. But what if you just ate a little bit of your cake and save the rest for a little later. ...I don't know in my case the cake would be all gone:)
Hi Marquette,
I cheated and search the net....your logic is in alignment with many grammar sources. Couldn't wins out......good morning exercise. Thanks. Debbie
Well Debbie, I guess I cheated too. I typed in dilemna and it was wrong. I have always spelled it like this. I am glad to know how to spell it now. Thank you for your response and you are welcome.
I guess saying, "I don't give a damn" combines the "n" in dilemma and "couldn't" issues into one thought.
The English language can be very perplexing, especially those darn double negatives!
That was a fun thought twister to start the day!
Thank you for your post!
You are welcome. Your response made me laugh out loud. That takes care of it all. Yes this language keeps you on your toes. I do like your response and put the n in the right word. Thank you, Susan.
Great Monday morning question, Marquette! Like the others have said, the term is "couldn't care less." Ahh, the complexities of the English language. :)
Sue
Honestly, if I'm not interested in something, I'll just say, "not interested", "I don't care", or, my all-time favorite "whatever". But in terms of your question, I believe the correct term would be "couldn't care less"...but with the English language the way it is, I could (couldn't?) be any more wrong, lol.
Thanks for the Monday morning brain-teaser, Marquette!
That's funny! I actually have used that in a while; there was a time I think I used it too often like for every 10-20 words spoken would be followed by "whatever". I had to do a purge from the word for a while...I think it may be time to invite it back!
You are welcome, Veronica. I use to use whatever to some of my smart alec students in its proper place. They thought I was trying to use verbiage for the young. Whatever for them from me meant get back to work I am done with your discussion. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
I like it to as a comeback for young people who use it but don't like it when it is used towards them.
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Hello, Marquette. I think that you have to consider the double negation in this case. Double negation is an affirmation. So it has to be: I couldn't care. I could care less mean that you have to care but not that much as you are doing now. Marquette, have you Grammarly installed on your computer? If you don't have it installed on your computer you can do it and it is for free if you use it through Google Chrome.
Hi Nelson,
Yes double negative cancel each other out leaving you with an affirmative or affirmation. I don't have Grammarly. I can sure use it. I will check it out. Thank you.