View Single Post
Old 04-30-2009, 02:31 PM   #13
ilovejedd
hopeless n00b
ilovejedd ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ilovejedd ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ilovejedd ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ilovejedd ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ilovejedd ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ilovejedd ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ilovejedd ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ilovejedd ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ilovejedd ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ilovejedd ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ilovejedd ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
ilovejedd's Avatar
 
Posts: 5,110
Karma: 19597086
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: in the middle of nowhere
Device: PW4, PW3, Libra H2O, iPad 10.5, iPad 11, iPad 12.9
Quote:
Originally Posted by vivaldirules View Post
Another common word usage I dislike is "A, if not B". For example, what does it mean when someone says "The attorney's behaviour in the hearing was questionable, if not criminal"? Is the speaker trying to suggest that the behaviour fell short of being criminal? Or is he trying to insinuate that it might be criminal without actually having to say so? Or is he confused with this word usage and he's really trying to say that it was criminal? I can never tell and, if I care, I have to question the speaker for his intent. I am finding no single intended meaning to be dominant for this construction.
At least this one's still a valid structure. I'd say the speaker's trying to insinuate that it might be criminal. Keyword being might. He's not actually sure if it's criminal or not so he's trying to cover his behind by not saying it outright.
ilovejedd is offline   Reply With Quote