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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Linguist here- what about “might could”? Anyone use that, and for the grammar mavens, does that grate, too? As in, I might could go to the store (meaning, Maybe, I’m the future I might…”). [/quote]

I knew two people who used it regularly, one from Maryland and one from North Carolina.

The Marylander was in my graduate English program, and I once heard her talking to an undergraduate about how to revise a paper: "Well, I was going to suggest that you X, but you might could -- to use the vernacular of my youth -- try . . . ."  It didn't bother her enough to stop using it; I think it falls under the heading (or rubric, to borrow some pretension from my past) of "Wrong but useful."

The people I knew who used it meant it in the sense of "Here is an option you should consider, but I'm not telling you you have to do it."[/quote]

But might or could already achieve that. "Might could" is redundant. Just pick one, the meaning is the same (the people who use it).[/quote]

It adds nuance. That's one of the most amazing things about the English language (tho let's be honest it's really three languages in a trench coat) is the complexity of construction and massive, nuanced vocabulary. I also LOVE regionalisms, slang, creole etc etc. Loosen up and don't be a prescriptivist[/quote]

+1. I use these constructions (they're called "double modals"), I grew up in NC, and they have subtly different meanings for me. This is especially true for ones using "ought" "I might ought to do that" (which I say pretty often) doesn't mean "I might" or "I ought," it means it's possible that doing that is the correct thing to do.[/quote]

I've actually never heard someone say this in the wild but I don't see the nuance. It means the exact same thing. I don't know why people are splitting hairs and insisting there is a meaning change.[/quote]

Well, I explained the difference to you, so I'm not sure what else you're looking for?

"I might go to the store" means that it's possible that I'll go to the store
"I ought to go to the store" means that it's desirable or correct for me to go to the store
"I might ought to go to the store" stacks the meanings; it's possible that going to the store is the correct thing for me to do (but I'm not sure)

Most people I talk to understand that meaning. You don't I guess, but it seems weird to go around insisting that something is a waste because you don't understand it. I'm probably not talking to you.[/quote]

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