Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner1]

Hello,

"I am tired of eating the same food every day."

Could we use 'fed up with' instead of 'tired of' here? Do they have same meaning?

Many thanks.

[CP]

Not exactly the same meaning. If I am fed up with something, I have had as much of it as I can possibly stand. I can't take any more. I've had it!

If I'm tired of something, I might want a change, but I haven't yet gotten to the point of rebellion.

I might say I'm fed up with people taking cell phone calls during movies. I'm fed up with drivers who don't signal before cutting in front of me. I'm fed up with government wiretaps.

I could also say I'm fed up with eating the same thing every day, but I probably wouldn't, because it's a little strange to be fed up with eating. I'd probably choose something else: I've had it with eating the same thing every day. I'm through with eating the same thing every day. I am sick and tired of eating the same thing every day.
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[learner1]

Hello CP,

Thank you very much for your clear explanation.
These expressions you gave like:
[I've had it with eating the same thing every day.
I'm through with eating the same thing every day.
I am sick and tired of eating the same thing every day.]

Do they all have the same meaning as 'I am tired of...'?
How about 'be sick of something'? Does it have the same meaning as 'be tired of' or 'be fed up with'?

Many thanks.

[wintersweet]

I think it comes down to how harsh/strong you want to be. For example, imagine that I am visiting my sister and she has fixed my favorite breakfast, french toast, every morning for a week. On the eighth day, she says, "How about french toast again?"

I could say something like "I'm a little tired of french toast, actually! Why don't I fix us some pancakes?" (It's just expressing a feeling.)

But I would not say
"I've had it with eating french toast!" (It's obviously a complaint, and I sound angry.)
"I'm through with eating french toast!" (I sound angry, and I'm saying that I will not eat any more french toast no matter what!)
"I'm sick and tired of french toast!"/"I'm sick of french toast!") (Again, I'm angry and complaining. Even if you say "I'm a little sick of french toast," it sounds like complaining.)

If my sister was mean to me and was serving me my most hated breakfast, liver and onions, then I could say "I''ve had it!" or "I'm through!" because I'd actually be angry at her.

Anyway, those are my opinions. I think it's possible to say "I'm a little tired of..." with an apologetic smile without offending someone (especially if you add "but it was delicious!" etc.). The others are much closer to complaints and angry statements.
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wintersweet

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[learner1]

Hello wintersweet,

Thank you very much for your detailed explanation.