So

[Champagne]

It really bugs me when people end their sentences with 'so'. Why do people do it? A couple of examples for you:-

Person A: "Have you been busy at work then?"
Moron: "Well we've just been awarded a contract to fit-out a chain of major High Street stores, so..."

Person B: "And you say you've never played the piano before?"
Moron: "No, but my Father was a piano mover, so..."

It's bad use of the English language and leaves a conversation open with no direction. Does anybody agree?

[ali_alic]

Not as bad as "ya know" or "like"

[Kay]

Or " I sort of" I-E.... I saw some money and sorta picked it up,or we sorta laughed.Arrgghhhh.

[Drusilla1S]

Yes, I do agree, Champagne. Know wot I mean!!!!!

[Postdog]

Honestly can say I have never heard anyone say that.

[David H]

Bad, but not as bad as 'innit', especially when it's used as a full stop regardless of what went before, eg "I'm just off to the shops, innit"

[Kuolema Nox]

'Tis annoying, but I can see why they do it: it's to show that there's an obvious outcome to their sentence and allow you to work it out. At least it's not like peppering the conversation with "like" or "yeah".

[spacechimp]

I must admit that "erm" every odd word is five times stretchificated.

[THECORBYLOON]

When did "bug" replace "annoy" or "irritate?"

[JustSia]

Whatever we do there is always going to be something that would annoy someone else. I try not to complain about anyone�s use of English too much simply because I am bound to slip and make mistakes myself, well maybe not �so� at the end of the sentence but I may let �like� creep in every now and then.

What annoys me is when people complain about other people�s English without actually knowing them. You know, constantly correcting their mistakes with an air of superiority. People have a right to express their opinions no matter how good their spoken or written skills are. There might be plenty of reasons for the mistakes.

In one of the old threads someone moaned about foreigners in forums and their poor English. I just shake my head at that. At least these people are trying, whereas Brits are well known for their lack of interest in foreign languages. They complain about accents, Queen�s English, chav�s English, txt English, English being judged in the science exams, too much grammar, too hard a punctuation, there is always something wrong with it.

Well, the way I see it is as long as the person can express him/her self properly and I understand them alright, who cares. There are more important things in this world to be stressed about.

S. (one of those bloody foreigners, who never studied English)

[spacechimp]

I speak French; does this give me the right therefore to be critical of other people's English grammar? Often poor grammar is a sign of laziness in school; surely we can criticise laziness?

[JustSia]

spacechimp, good for you. You can criticise education system, even parents for not encouraging kids to improve their English skills but as for laziness, you need to be 100% sure before you can accuse anyone of being lazy. Who are we to judge anyhow? The best we can do is have high standards for ourselves and be an example to others instead of attacking people for their grammar or calling them morons for saying �so� at the end of the sentence. There are better ways to encourage change in people.

How about starting an English Tutorial Forum?

S.

[spacechimp]

The sort of person who would take an active role in an English tutorial forum is probably not the sort of person whose use of 'so' or 'like' is annoying.

[DaSwede]

Well spoke, JustSia. (Just wanted to let you know that someone agrees with you. I recently fought the same battle in another thread. Won't be doing it anymore, it's too dispiriting.)

[Champagne]

Bug buggety bug bug bug!! (just to annoy CORBYLOON...)

Good answers, JustSia. Wise words of clarity were precisely what I needed to put things into perspective. You're right of course. I'm in no position to judge others on a minute issue that bugs me when I am probably just as guilty.

[lankeela]

Why do people, when asked a question such as how are you, answer 'yeah' I'm fine'. They do it on Eastenders a lot, but I was born in the East End and lived in North London most of my life and I don't remember hearing it used.

[ali_alic]

Sorry - double negatives has got to be one of the biggest sins!! I aint got no money!!

People saying Bold in stead of Bald and vice versa

Crutch instead of crotch

Using was when were is correct, or vice versa.

I must admit I do correct the step kids and their friends when they do it, but I would never criticise any foreigner for their poor english. As you say JustSia, at least they are trying. More than most British do (me included in that!!)