"I Could/couldn't Care Less" ????? by greatmartin on Blogster

I have always said I need a good editor as my grammar and spelling is not the sharpest (and now as I get older I found myself grasping for a word.) The phrases above have puzzled me for awhile.

I have zero interest in rap music--wouldn't it be correct to say "I couldn't care less" as how much less interest could I have??

On a scale of 1-10 my interest in soccer would probably be a 2 (hey, the bods aren't bad! LOL) so I would think "I could care less" would apply here.

Am I right or what am I not understanding?

I would really appreciate feedback on this so I can understand when to use which--especially if given examples.

Hey, I'm never too old to learn!!

16 comments on "I Could/couldn't Care Less" ?????

jondude said 11 months ago
Root for it is "I could have cared less," which is a very bad grammatical statement. Just state "I don't care." Or, "I didn't care." Keep it simple. Avoid subjunctives and you won't ever run into it in your writing. Delete: could, would and should from your language.
greatmartin said 11 months ago
But how could I care less if I don't care at all?!?!?!
I've already eliminated 'try', 'can't', 'never' from my vocalbulary--I'm going to be running out of words--especially when you consider I don't remember those I ned to now!! :O)
PS I don't use either unless I do it without thinking.[LOL]
thepirateinthecity said 11 months ago
I could care less! [SMILE]
greatmartin said 11 months ago
But how could I care less if I don't care at all???
elkhound said 11 months ago
I would say, I couldn't care less. whether its correct or not is anyone's guess. [WINK]
greatmartin said 11 months ago
I'm with you![WINK]
southwesterngrad said 11 months ago
"I couldn't care less", irregardless of how it is used, has a connotation indicating total disinterest. So, to avoid the negative connotation, one might rather say, "That does not interest me at this time."[THUMBUP]
greatmartin said 11 months ago
Yes, I usually avoid using either one, also![LOL]
jondude said 11 months ago
I meant when writing. The grad schools advice is to avoid ever using subjunctives. Ever. So far as could vs. couldn't, the problem is a vulgar one... vulgar in semantics means "street language." The statement is a slang, vulgar one, and has no place in literature or journalism. I believe you quoted it from a rap tune, so I rest my case.

An aside: I had a platoon sergeant who said: "I'm here to tell you I could not give and good goddamn less!" LOL
ChihulahuaLover said 11 months ago
Same here I couldn't care less.[LOL]

Jenn
kevinhere said 11 months ago
your one of my mob ---could't care less---bloody ell johdude says- root -hope where thinking about the same meaning, cause here we would say barrack ---but then ---i could't care less
tammybleu said 11 months ago
As you and I know, Martin..in the SOUTH..we just say it however we want to anyhow. [LOL]

tammybleu[HEART]
elfie33 said 11 months ago
Don't look at me...I can't spell [TONGUE]
alfredo said 11 months ago
I could not care less Martin.[LOL][LOL][LOL][LOL]If you do not care at all why bother say anything.Take it leave it.They both mean the same thing of what you are trying to say there.Would not lose any sleep over it.
[LOL][LOL][LOL][SMILE]
greatmartin said 11 months ago
I don't lose sleep over ANYTHING!!!!![LOL][THUMBUP]
panthurdreams said 11 months ago
not sure so sorry