Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[nawee]

Hello,

Does "no kidding" always have to imple surprise or no surprise (when used sarcastically)? And does it always end with (!)?

And what does "I bet" really mean? What does the speaker feel when he says it?

Which is better here?

A: How are your classes this semester?
B: Great courses. And I'm taking some of them online and am really enjoying this different way of studying.
A: __________. How are online classs different from normal classes?

Thank you,

Nawee

1) I bet
2) No kidding

[CP]

Both "no kidding" and "I bet" can be used sincerely or sarcastically / ironically. The context and the tone of voice tell which way it is used any given time.

As for punctuation, you can use "?" when "no kidding" is used as a question, and you can use "!" for surprise or emphasis. (Although in everyday writing, the exclamation mark is used much less frequently than in ESL exercises.)

A: How are your classes this semester?
B: Great courses. And I'm taking some of them online and am really enjoying this different way of studying.
A: No kidding? [Oh, is that so?] How are online classs different from normal classes?
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[nawee]

Does "I bet" work in this dialogue? As in, 'I bet you are enjoying your classes.'? But I actually don't know what the speaker really mean or feel when s/he says "I bet". Is s/he just agreeing with the interlocutor or just acknowledge what the other speaker say without really meaning anything?

Thank you,

Nawee

[CP]

"I bet" can mean so many things, it is not surprising that you aren't sure what the person intends. As I said at first, it can be used sincerely, ironically, or sarcastically. It can also be used as a neutral comment, a filler answer that seems to say something without saying anything. You have to puzzle it out by the context.

I think I preferred "No kidding?" to "I bet" in your example because it was followed by "How are online classs different from normal classes?" The person is a little surprised and wants to know more. I'd have preferred "I bet" if it had been followed by something else. For example:

"I bet. You always did like variety. Good luck!" Sincere.

"I bet. Maybe you'll get some passing scores that way." Sarcastic.

"I bet. You wear the same clothes and eat the same food every day, and now you want to try going to school online?" Ironic / disbelieving.

"I bet. Let's play tennis." Bored / filler answer.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[nawee]

I noticed you used (?) after "No kidding". Is it because it's short for "Are you kidding?"?

And in the dialogue, the full stop is used, which is why I chose "I bet", although I think "no kidding" works better semantically. Can you use a full stop after "no kidding"?

Thank you,

Nawee

[CP]

"No kidding?" = "Is that so?" = "Oh, really?"

When said sincerely, it often comes out as a question. When not, not.

"So this is your fourth husband?"
"Fifth. But this time I've really found my soul mate!"
"No kidding." [Flat voice; dull stare; disbelieving.]
"No kidding?" [Enthusiastic voice; smile; happy to hear it.]
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb