Anonymous
Post 10/25/2021 09:42     Subject: “They need cleaned up”
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: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…”).


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."


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


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
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2021 09:34     Subject: Re:“They need cleaned up”
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don't mind slang and regional speak, but I don't like this phrasing, because I get confused at what's being said. Past tense, present tense? I wouldn't know what to think.


It's future imperfect continuous.


No way dude it's Subjunctive


Without to be, it is subjunctive. With to be, it is future imperfect continuous. OP isn't familiar with the subjunctive and needs a familiar tense to process the sentence.


Oh I see what you are saying. I also enjoy the construction I heard from someone in NC "Oh I used'ta could" meaning I used to be able to do something.


I'm the original PP and I love when a grammar "argument" breaks out. I'm in STEM and don't have a deep understanding of some of these tenses so I'll be looking them up. And to the person who asked if I wouldn't understand what was meant if someone handed me a dish, yes I would, but I think my brain would freeze for a moment, before I took the dish. It's just my familiarity with the phrase.
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2021 09:31     Subject: Re:“They need cleaned up”
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At the hospital I work at (Carroll county) all my coworkers say “they need tested” when talking about covid testing. Drives me bonkers.


Your bad grammar would drive me insane.


Sorry. I no be English major.


NP. Which am why correcting you should not. Stone throw house glass not first.
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2021 09:06     Subject: “They need cleaned up”
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: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…”).


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."


But might or could already achieve that. "Might could" is redundant. Just pick one, the meaning is the same (the people who use it).
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2021 08:23     Subject: “They need cleaned up”
Anonymous wrote: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…”).


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."
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2021 08:21     Subject: Re:“They need cleaned up”
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At the hospital I work at (Carroll county) all my coworkers say “they need tested” when talking about covid testing. Drives me bonkers.


Your bad grammar would drive me insane.


Sorry. I no be English major.
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2021 07:11     Subject: “They need cleaned up”
Anonymous wrote:Please help me understand this one: DH drops “with” from phrases like “I’m done dinner” or “I’m done work”
I haven’t heard this one before. Where’s the linguist? Come back! I need to know!
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2021 06:56     Subject: Re:“They need cleaned up”
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know someone from South Carolina who says this. Also “we might could..” instead of “maybe we could” I like it!


Of all the regional poor grammar, "might could" is kind of useful. One syllable instead of 4 in "be able to".


My mom's family is from NC and I came here to make this correction-- "might could" =/= "maybe we could." It means "we might be able to." There's a subtle but important difference. And as I keep telling DH, it doesn't just mean "might!"

But I'm with the people saying it's not "regional poor grammar," but dialect. It's just not Standard American English.

There's no such thing as "regional poor grammar," because if it's regional, that implies that it's mutually understood and in community use. Linguists know.
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2021 06:43     Subject: “They need cleaned up”
Please help me understand this one: DH drops “with” from phrases like “I’m done dinner” or “I’m done work”
Anonymous
Post 10/24/2021 21:53     Subject: “They need cleaned up”
I am from Alabama and we say “might could” and “useta could”. We also say “and them”…e.g., “Larla and them are going to the movies.”

Does anyone else say “tump over”? As in, “Larla, did your milk tump over? Better grab an organic recycled towel to clean it up.”
Anonymous
Post 10/24/2021 20:31     Subject: “They need cleaned up”
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My husband from the Midwest sometimes says things like this, and it really grates. “The washer needs fixed.” Ugh.


Please do not blame the midwest. My mother was an English Professor in the "dreaded midwest" + would have cringed at this. I am guessing it is a class thing.


Ok? It is super common in the Midwest. My English teachers spoke this way. And it is not the dreaded Midwest. DH and I are both from there.


I'm in the Midwest (raised here.) I haven't heard this before. Is it more rural?


Ohio/western PA
Anonymous
Post 10/24/2021 20:31     Subject: “They need cleaned up”
The words "to be" and the "ing" form of verbs do not exist in the language spoken by Pittsburghers.

"Or not. Dat's da qweschun."

-Hamlet was say'n at, en at.
Anonymous
Post 10/24/2021 20:30     Subject: “They need cleaned up”
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you use any of these so called regional colloquialisms in my presence I will immediately file you under uneducated rube.[/quote

Of course you will. Do people who use these regional shortcuts know (or care?) that they come across that way?


I know what people think about it. I don’t really care. It is how I speak. If you do not like it, avert your ears.
Anonymous
Post 10/24/2021 20:25     Subject: “They need cleaned up”
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I’m a linguist and when people use these things I love it! The samification of American English is a drag. Give me more regional oddities!


Look up "Pittsburghese," and to hear it in action, watch some of the videos from the Pittsburgh Dad. He's hilarious, en at!

http://www.pittsburghese.com


"Or Not. Ats da question." - Hamlet

Anonymous
Post 10/24/2021 20:21     Subject: “They need cleaned up”
Anonymous wrote:I’m a linguist and when people use these things I love it! The samification of American English is a drag. Give me more regional oddities!


Look up "Pittsburghese," and to hear it in action, watch some of the videos from the Pittsburgh Dad. He's hilarious, en at!

http://www.pittsburghese.com