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 #2 (permalink) Sun Jun 04, 2006 20:39 pm You don't say! |
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You can use this expression when you are surprised at what someone has said. You could also say: "Really?" |
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Conchita
Language Coach
Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 2826
Location: Madrid, Spain
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| #3 (permalink) Sun Jun 04, 2006 21:46 pm You don't say! |
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Hi Conchita,
| Quote: |
| when you are surprised |
surprised... but negative or positive?
Does 'You don't say so!' mean that a person, who exclaims, has some doubts about what he/she was talked (and voices the doubt)?
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It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water… |
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Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK
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| #4 (permalink) Sun Jun 04, 2006 22:43 pm You don't say (so)! |
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| Tamara wrote: |
Hi Conchita,
| Quote: |
| when you are surprised |
surprised... but negative or positive?
Does 'You don't say so!' mean that a person, who exclaims, has some doubts about what he/she was told (and voices the doubt)? |
Yes, that's right, Tamara. You can also say that when you find something hard to believe. Sometimes it is used ironically, as well. |
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Conchita
Language Coach
Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 2826
Location: Madrid, Spain
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| #5 (permalink) Sun Jun 04, 2006 23:00 pm You don't say (so)! |
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Thank you, Conchita, for the answer (and for told)
So, as I understand, it would be generally inappropriate (not polite) for a pupil to exclaim it when talking with a teacher. For example.
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water… |
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Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK
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| #6 (permalink) Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:36 am You don't say (so)! |
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| Tamara wrote: |
Thank you, Conchita, for the answer (and for told)
So, as I understand, it would be generally inappropriate (not polite) for a pupil to exclaim it when talking with a teacher. For example. |
It would probably depend on the relationship between teacher and student, on the tone with which it is spoken, on the teacher’s sense of humour, perhaps on their ages, etc. But, basically, I agree with you that it might not be a good idea to say that to a teacher — and definitely not if it is said with irony :) ! When students question something the teacher has said, they should express their doubts openly, I think. |
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Conchita
Language Coach
Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 2826
Location: Madrid, Spain
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| Functions of Infinitive | Differences between CFR, CPT, DAF and DDP and its menaing |
Tom