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Advice to NEWBIES
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Zero



Joined: 08 Sep 2004
Posts: 1402

PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 4:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry, eye rolls and claims of solecism notwithstanding, "could care less" is an established American form rooted in sarcastic intent. Here's an excellent writeup:

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-ico1.htm

In the U.S., I'm sure the "could" form is at least 10 times as popular as the "couldn't."
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bulgogiboy



Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 803

PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 3:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Zero wrote:
Sorry, eye rolls and claims of solecism notwithstanding, "could care less" is an established American form rooted in sarcastic intent. Here's an excellent writeup:

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-ico1.htm

In the U.S., I'm sure the "could" form is at least 10 times as popular as the "couldn't."


A quote from the aforementioned write up:

Quote:
And because it is hard to be sarcastic in writing, it loses its force when put on paper and just ends up looking stupid.


Agreed!
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Zero



Joined: 08 Sep 2004
Posts: 1402

PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

OK, but the author is British, writing about English "from a British perspective." It looks stupid to people who are used to "couldn't care less."
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Prof.Gringo



Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!

PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 9:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Zero wrote:
Sorry, eye rolls and claims of solecism notwithstanding, "could care less" is an established American form rooted in sarcastic intent. Here's an excellent writeup:

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-ico1.htm

In the U.S., I'm sure the "could" form is at least 10 times as popular as the "couldn't."


Cool
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Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 10:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Zero wrote:
In the U.S., I'm sure the "could" form is at least 10 times as popular as the "couldn't."
That doesn't make it correct English.
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naturegirl321



Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home

PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 2:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think it's simply nitpicking Smile
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bulgogiboy



Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 803

PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 4:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

naturegirl321 wrote:
I think it's simply nitpicking Smile


So you could care less? Or you couldn't? Very Happy
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Zero



Joined: 08 Sep 2004
Posts: 1402

PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 6:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Glenski wrote:
Zero wrote:
In the U.S., I'm sure the "could" form is at least 10 times as popular as the "couldn't."
That doesn't make it correct English.


It very much does. Language changes by majority vote. That is, when enough people start saying it, it becomes the accepted and therefore the correct form. This is true all-around, but particularly so with idioms. Otherwise, what do you take as your authority for linguistic "correctness"? Some forgotten grammar book sitting on a dusty shelf? Why aren't you using "thee" and "thou"?
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naturegirl321



Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home

PostPosted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

bulgogiboy wrote:
naturegirl321 wrote:
I think it's simply nitpicking Smile


So you could care less? Or you couldn't? Very Happy


MM, how about, "I simply don't care" Smile
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Prof.Gringo



Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!

PostPosted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 10:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Prof.Gringo wrote:


Sometimes folks hate to hear the truth, but as a friend, co-worker and supervisor once told me:

If multiple people with no common background or knowledge of each other all give you the same advice on an issue or question, there is probably a reason...


Just thought I would remind newbies of that bit of golden wisdom Cool
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mimi_intheworld



Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 167
Location: UAE

PostPosted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 7:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dear Wise Givers Of Advice:

Can I just say thank you? I can? Good.

Thank you.

I honestly don't know how you do it, day after day, year after year, giving almost the exact same advice to a million-billion people who ask yet again, "Do I really need....? Can't I just....? Have you ever.....?"

I accidentally started a facebook group that has about 100 teachers and applicants in it now, and even though it's quite a small and new group, I am already tired of answering the same questions over and over again!

So what's your secret to remaining sane even as you type for the millionth time "You really need a CELTA/SIT/Trinity cert for XX country"?

It's decades of teaching and answering the same question day after day after day, isn't it?

Well, whatever it is, thanks.





From a newbie who's building her experience as an answerer of questions
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chaiplz



Joined: 20 Mar 2011
Posts: 108
Location: Boston, MA

PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 4:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

mimi_intheworld wrote:

Well, whatever it is, thanks.


I concur.. I try to make sure I'm not 'double asking' (I've been scouring the threads for some time now) but when I do, I appreciate the patience and time people take to answer my questions.
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CherieAT



Joined: 06 Apr 2011
Posts: 4
Location: coquitlam BC

PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 5:42 am    Post subject: Hey thank you so much!!! Reply with quote

I love feedback and advice!!! I take it all in. Thanks to the teachers taking the time to reply to all the newbies here. I appreciate it!

Cher
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Another Joe



Joined: 09 Aug 2011
Posts: 5
Location: Midwest US

PostPosted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 5:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My first post. Smile

As a noob, I appreciate the advice given here. As you can see I'm heeding the read before you ask aspect of it.

From the pooled wisdom and experience I've found here so far I've made my first couple of ESL contacts. I don't know if I'd ever have been able to filter all the info I was getting without the input I've been blessed with here.

Thanks for the patience and tips. If this noob ever comes across as arrogant or ungrateful, PM me and hold me accountable. Really, I could care a LOT less. Cool
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M.Andrew



Joined: 03 Sep 2011
Posts: 10
Location: Jeddah

PostPosted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 3:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the tips. I am really anticipating the advice and insight offered by senior members here. You are much appreciated for all your contributions!
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