paledin
Aug 12, 2013
Grammar, Usage / The so called word "irregardless" [5]
I have a problem with an expression that I often hear in Massachusetts. It is the word "irregardless". It is used in the same sense as a phrase like, "in any case" meaning something like "If we consider this discussion topic in any other context, our conclusion will still be the same". My problem is the the difference between the word "irregardless" and the word "regardless". For me the intended meaning is still the same. That is, "without regard to that distinction". But "irregardless" with the double negative, "ir" and "less" suggests to me that it is trying to say "without without regard to that distinction". To me, that conveys the meaning "regarding that distinction". So the word, when I think about it, does not work in the way that it is intended. I have used it many times in just that way but when I sit down and think about it, it's a train wreck. Am I making sense?
We have to review different politician's speeches and the speech that I chose uses the word "irregardless". I think I should point out that she is using a word that does not mean what she intends it to mean, even though I have used the same word as well.
I have a problem with an expression that I often hear in Massachusetts. It is the word "irregardless". It is used in the same sense as a phrase like, "in any case" meaning something like "If we consider this discussion topic in any other context, our conclusion will still be the same". My problem is the the difference between the word "irregardless" and the word "regardless". For me the intended meaning is still the same. That is, "without regard to that distinction". But "irregardless" with the double negative, "ir" and "less" suggests to me that it is trying to say "without without regard to that distinction". To me, that conveys the meaning "regarding that distinction". So the word, when I think about it, does not work in the way that it is intended. I have used it many times in just that way but when I sit down and think about it, it's a train wreck. Am I making sense?
We have to review different politician's speeches and the speech that I chose uses the word "irregardless". I think I should point out that she is using a word that does not mean what she intends it to mean, even though I have used the same word as well.