Monday Grammar Minute (on Tuesday): I Could(nt?) Care Less

 

I missed my weekly Grammar Minute Monday blog post this week.

Why?

Well… Monday.

Sometimes the day gets away from you. Sometimes your to-do list looks like it was written by someone who clearly has no idea how many hours are actually in a day. And sometimes, despite your best intentions, Monday simply says, “Not today, grammar girl.” 😂

So here we are. Grammar Minute Tuesday. Because apparently, grammar doesn’t care what day it is.

Today’s Grammar Pet Peeve: “I Could Care Less”

Let’s talk about a phrase that makes editors everywhere twitch just a little:

“I could care less.”

If what you mean is that you do not care at all, the correct phrase is:

“I couldn’t care less.”

Why?

Because if you couldn’t care less, you are already at the absolute bottom of the caring scale. There is literally no less caring available.

If you say, “I could care less,” you’re technically saying that you do care at least a little—because there is still room for you to care less.

Now, will people understand what you mean when you say, “I could care less”?

Of course.

Will an editor notice?

Oh, absolutely. 👀

And yes, language evolves. Informal expressions change, and “I could care less” is common enough that it has become an established phrase in everyday speech.

But if you’re writing a book, professional email, article, essay, or anything else you want polished?

I couldn’t care less. 😉

And that’s today’s Grammar Minute—one day late, but grammatically on time.

See you next Monday…

Unless Monday has other plans. 😂