Do these all work?
1. It makes me angry when you don't try your hardest.
2. It makes me angry to see you not try your hardest.
3. It makes me angry to see that you don't try your hardest.
4. Any other better ones?
Thank you.
angry that...
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fluffyhamster
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It makes me angry...to see you not trying your hardest.
The -ing form could be subconsciously a little less judgemental - it perhaps lacks the implications of finite verbs in ascribing a definite laziness; that being said, saying 'You're not trying' doesn't sound much better than 'You don't (even) try'! (and the addition of 'I am angry with you', in so many words, isn't helping much either).
So, a bit too direct/blunt, and not exactly motivational; asking what's wrong, and offering encouragement and advice would probably be more effective in getting the person to work at it harder. They could just be stumped or lacking in confidence.
The -ing form could be subconsciously a little less judgemental - it perhaps lacks the implications of finite verbs in ascribing a definite laziness; that being said, saying 'You're not trying' doesn't sound much better than 'You don't (even) try'! (and the addition of 'I am angry with you', in so many words, isn't helping much either).
So, a bit too direct/blunt, and not exactly motivational; asking what's wrong, and offering encouragement and advice would probably be more effective in getting the person to work at it harder. They could just be stumped or lacking in confidence.
Thank you.
Thank you very much for the detailed explanation.