81
submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by TootSweet@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

It bugs me when people say "the thing is is that" (if you listen for it, you'll start hearing it... or maybe that's something that people only do in my area.) ("What the thing is is that..." is fine. But "the thing is is that..." bugs me.)

Also, "just because doesn't mean ." That sentence structure invites one to take "just because " as a noun phrase which my brain really doesn't want to do. Just doesn't seem right. But that sentence structure is very common.

And I'm not saying there's anything objectively wrong with either of these. Language is weird and complex and beautiful. It's just fascinating that some commonly-used linguistic constructions just hit some people wrong sometimes.

Edit: I thought of another one. "As best as I can." "The best I can" is fine, "as well as I can" is good, and "as best I can" is even fine. But "as best as" hurts.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Kernal64@sh.itjust.works 9 points 4 months ago

What really gets me agitated is when people don't use the helper verb "to be." Examples include, "The tea needs strained," or "The car needs washed." No, you miserable cunts. The tea needs TO BE strained. The car needs TO BE washed. Nothing presently needs the past tense of an action. I know there's parts of the US where this sentence construction is common but those entire regions can honestly fuck off. People say it's a dialect or something. I don't buy it. Not knowing basic rules of your native language isn't a dialect. It's just you being dumb. I hate it so much!

You know what else I hate? "It is what it is." Of course it is, you dense motherfucker! If it wasn't what it was, it would be something else, which would then be what it is! It's the most nonsensical phrase I've ever heard and it pretty much exists so you have something to say when you have nothing even remotely worth hearing to say.

[-] AmidFuror@fedia.io 16 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

"it is what it is" makes sense to me. Yes, it's tautological. But it's just emphasizing the point that whatever it is cannot be changed by the people ~~discussion~~ discussing it.

[-] Kernal64@sh.itjust.works -1 points 4 months ago

There's any number of better ways to make that point without sounding like a clown.

[-] Kazumara@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

I know there’s parts of the US where this sentence construction is common but those entire regions can honestly fuck off.

Also bits of Nothern England. My Geordie friend uses that all the time. It feels really wrong.

[-] Hugh_Jeggs@lemm.ee 5 points 4 months ago

Wait till you get to parts of northern England where they say "The car wants washing" 😂

[-] wjrii@lemmy.world 3 points 4 months ago

That's just it. Neither of the phrases is "wrong;" they are just a dialectical feature some people don't share. There's a systematic conjugation there, the lack of the helper verb is completely irrelevant if the person uses the construction consistently, and meaning is communicated successfully without it. The only reason to avoid it is as a social choice to avoid being judged by people who would call you a miserable cunt, or maybe to prove you completed a needlessly strict course of instruction in English grammar that proves you're not a miserable cunt.

[-] PatMustard@feddit.uk 2 points 4 months ago

"The car wants washing" is fine, thankfully I've never heard anyone north or south say "The car wants washed", which was OP's concern

[-] Default_Defect@midwest.social 1 points 4 months ago

A former boss of mine was a frequent user of "it is what it is" and now I just associate it with shit decision making and people that manage to fail upward.

[-] Kernal64@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 months ago

Yeah, I've noticed something similar. It's always the worst people who use that phrase to paper over their shit ideas or decisions.

this post was submitted on 05 May 2024
81 points (85.8% liked)

Ask Lemmy

26290 readers
1328 users here now

A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions


Rules: (interactive)


1) Be nice and; have funDoxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, and toxicity are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them


2) All posts must end with a '?'This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?


3) No spamPlease do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.


4) NSFW is okay, within reasonJust remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either !asklemmyafterdark@lemmy.world or !asklemmynsfw@lemmynsfw.com. NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].


5) This is not a support community.
It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions. If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email info@lemmy.world. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.


Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.

Partnered Communities:

Tech Support

No Stupid Questions

You Should Know

Reddit

Jokes

Ask Ouija


Logo design credit goes to: tubbadu


founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS