Is it common to omit "I" in the sentences like "Can't see what you mean"and others?
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Is it common to omit "I" in the sentences like "Can't see what you mean"and others?
Yes, people do that all the time but only in informal conversations.
Examples:
I don't know > Don't know.
I think so > Think so. (Unless you're using it as a question and it's clear what was said before).
It's really grammatically incorrect when people drop other words like 'What you talking about' when it's 'What are you talking about'.
I wouldn't say that people drop "are" in an example like that last one, just that it slurs together into something like "wha'r'y' talking about?". A bit like "warrior" in my accent :).
"What you talking about?" might be an obnoxious American phrase though, like "where you at?" <shudders>.
Don't you do the same thing in Russian with things like "я не знаю" -> "не знаю"?
"Whatchyou talkin' 'bout, Willis?" is a famous catchphrase from American television? :lol:
Usually here you would hear something like: "Whatta you doing?" or "Where ya going?" -- just kind of mashed together/incomplete words.
Не знаю. Подумаю. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Seventh-Monkey
My favorutie one's "Whatchamacallit?" You use it, don'cha? So many omissions!
Isn't that Gary Coleman from the 1980s? I don't even know what the show was - I can barely remember it!Quote:
Originally Posted by Barmaley
Yes, you're right that we do the same thing in Russian. But as far as I know, such things are grammatical in the Russian language, whereas they aren't grammitically correct in English.Quote:
Originally Posted by Seventh-Monkey
Same thing in Russian. That's why it's always hard to understand informal conversations. They're full of mashed together/incomplete words.Quote:
Usually here you would hear something like: "Whatta you doing?" or "Where ya going?" -- just kind of mashed together/incomplete words.
I think it is best never to omit the "I".Quote:
Originally Posted by Rostova
BTW: It's "whatcha talkin' 'bout"
I'm too young to remember it really -- I've just seen/heard the clips. I will therefore defer to your older age and greater intellect! :wink: :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by kwatts59
what does that stand for? looks whack! :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Rtyom
is it "what do you want me to call it?"?
It is simply a word to use when you don't know the name of an obejct.
- Bob, please get me... that thing... whatchamacallit.
- You mean a Spankulator?
- Yeah that.
ohh, thanks, Kalinka :)
It's also synonomous with:Quote:
Originally Posted by kamka
-thingamajig
-thingamabob
-dohickey
:D
What about "how you doing"? I think it's alright.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barmaley
Better yet: "How you doin'?" in your best tough guy voice. :wink: Are you lookin' at me?Quote:
Originally Posted by net surfer
Is there a difference in pronunciation doing/doin'?Quote:
Originally Posted by Barmaley
[quote=net surfer]Is there a difference in pronunciation doing/doin'?[/quote:3rggsye5]Quote:
Originally Posted by Barmaley
The proper way is "How ya doin'?"
Yes, there is a difference between doing and doin'.
I think the tough guy drops the "are" in "You lookin' at me?".....punk!
and I would say, "whaddaya doing?"
DDT, it's your turn to make a recording!
Here is a recording.
How ya doin'?
How are you doing? (personally I rarely say this)
Whaddaya doin'?