Comments on: “Could Care Less” versus “Couldn’t Care Less”

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:56:46 +0000

The problem is that, while “I could care less” and “I couldn’t care less” may seem interchangeable, the first phrase is an irreducible unit, since breaking it down into its component words will give an incorrect interpretation of its meaning. The meaning of an irreducible phrase must be memorized.

The reason that the existence of many irreducible phrases is troublesome is that, in the long run, it exponentially expands the number of units a person must memorize to be fluent in English.

Imagine if we had to memorize a separate phrase for every idea we wanted to express! Conversation would be reduced to a few basic exchanges.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:52:06 +0000

And the American destruction of the English language continues…

By: MK

MK — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:16:09 +0000

Of course, in terms of logic, “couldn’t care less” is the only one that makes sense. But it doesn’t change the fact that “could care less” is a recognized and understood expression. And it’s been around before most of us were even born.

So when you are ‘correcting’ people, you really aren’t. “Could care less” is a colloquialism, just the same as all the other ones that aren’t your pet peeves.

Obviously, it is okay to use “couldn’t care less”, too, because that makes sense as a normal statement (but really it just seems like someone who is messing up the expression). Still, no problem.

But to go the extra step and correct and lecture someone who uses “could care less” is silly (and obnoxious).

By: coologuy1957

coologuy1957 — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:19:30 +0000

tbusby is correct. People are getting all worked up about something sarcastic that has nothing to do with logical or proper grammar! Besides, the more of you there are that get upset by it, the more I will say it to irritate you!!

By: tbusby

tbusby — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:21:25 +0000

What is most interesting to me is that so many people get worked up over such a silly little thing. I couldn’t care less if someone says “I couldn’t care less” OR “I could care less”. Life is too short to let something as petty as this get to you.