Thread: omitting 'I'

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?

Usually here you would hear something like: "Whatta you doing?" or "Where ya going?" -- just kind of mashed together/incomplete words.

Originally Posted by Seventh-Monkey

Don't you do the same thing in Russian with things like "я не знаю" -> "не знаю"?

Не знаю. Подумаю.

My favorutie one's "Whatchamacallit?" You use it, don'cha? So many omissions!

Originally Posted by Barmaley

"Whatchyou talkin' 'bout, Willis?" is a famous catchphrase from American television?

Isn't that Gary Coleman from the 1980s? I don't even know what the show was - I can barely remember it!

Originally Posted by Seventh-Monkey

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"?

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.

Usually here you would hear something like: "Whatta you doing?" or "Where ya going?" -- just kind of mashed together/incomplete words.

Same thing in Russian. That's why it's always hard to understand informal conversations. They're full of mashed together/incomplete words.

Originally Posted by Rostova

Is it common to omit "I" in the sentences like "Can't see what you mean"and others?

I think it is best never to omit the "I".

BTW: It's "whatcha talkin' 'bout"

Originally Posted by kwatts59

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!

Originally Posted by Rtyom

Originally Posted by Seventh-Monkey

Don't you do the same thing My favorutie one's "Whatchamacallit?"

what does that stand for? looks whack!
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

Originally Posted by kamka

ohh, thanks, Kalinka

It's also synonomous with:
-thingamajig
-thingamabob
-dohickey

Originally Posted by Barmaley

Usually here you would hear something like: "Whatta you doing?" or "Where ya going?" -- just kind of mashed together/incomplete words.

What about "how you doing"? I think it's alright.

Originally Posted by net surfer

Originally Posted by Barmaley

Usually here you would hear something like: "Whatta you doing?" or "Where ya going?" -- just kind of mashed together/incomplete words.

What about "how you doing"? I think it's alright.

Better yet: "How you doin'?" in your best tough guy voice. Are you lookin' at me?

Originally Posted by Barmaley

Originally Posted by net surfer

What about "how you doing"? I think it's alright.

Better yet: "How you doin'?" in your best tough guy voice. :wink: Are you lookin' at me?

Is there a difference in pronunciation doing/doin'?

[quote=net surfer]

Originally Posted by Barmaley

Originally Posted by "net surfer":3rggsye5

What about "how you doing"? I think it's alright.

Better yet: "How you doin'?" in your best tough guy voice. Are you lookin' at me?

Is there a difference in pronunciation doing/doin'?[/quote:3rggsye5]

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'?