Doesn't "I just got through" or "I just finished" sound so much better than "I just GOT DONE".

Question

You hear so many people use the phrase,"are you done?" or "I am done with it!" and it sounds so crude and supposedly these are educated and erudite people. I thought something being "DONE" had to do with it being thoroughly cooked!

Answer 1

i agree

Answer 2

Your second example,,,as stated by many is grammatically incorrect, and your first example may not be much better,,,it's actually an incomplete thought/sentence. Finished in a sentence allows more to the listener/reader that something has been accomplished, though they may be unclear as to "what" still.

An aside: Am old Theater quote,,,"Done is better than good"

Rev. Steven

Answer 3

According to Dictionary.com, "done" can mean "to be cooked thoroughly," but it can also mean "having been carried out or accomplished; finished." So technically, you could say that when people use "done" in that manner ("I just got done...blah blah blah), it's a correct way of using "done." I agree with you that our people have gotten "dumb" over the years, and one way that "dumbness" manifests is in their speech. I try to be mindful of using words properly. I'd rather use a short, two-cent word properly than use some abstract, profound-sounding word and look stupid, you know?

Answer 4

"I just got through" would mean you have just passed a certain point or level. its like getting through a hole or an audition or a hurdle. Its in between getting over and getting under. if you say "im through" it means you're done. pairing the word "through" with other words like "get" would alter the meaning of it. to pair it with the word "with" like in "got through with" would bring it to the thought of something being done.

"i just finished" is an incomplete thought making your listener to question "you just finished what?"

"i just got done" connotes something or someone did something on you.

you can not make the word "done" to be associated with cooking only. how about when you say "i had my hair done". it doesnt mean you cooked your hair. The word DONE means the accomplishment of a task. When you say "well done" pertaining to a meat or steak, it means the meat is well cooked. what is there to do with the meat but to cook it. When you say "well done" to a project, it means the project is well made.

for me, "I'm done" is still better. it is like saying, i have accomplished the task.

"i'm done with it" means you are over it.

English can be so complicated sometimes because of idioms. Idiomatic expressions combine words to give it another meaning. and there are also phrasal verbs to complicate it even more.

im not an english speaker myself. maybe im wrong but i hope you appreciate my opinion.

Answer 5

When I was about 17, I held a waitress job. And once a week, this man would come in for lunch. He was very rich, very neat, and very classy. Older gentleman if you will, great tipper... anyway after he was finished with his meal, I went up to him, and said, "are you done"? And he said, (as he grabbed my hand) "darling when I am done I will be dead, however I have finished."

I'll never forget that!!

Saying are you done is not appropriate, period!!

Answer 6

Well, IMO (in my opinion) we can blame the media for that. As a population, we're deteriorating fast, especially our grammar and speech. Soon, it won't even be those words, it'll just be Done. or Done yet? Shorter and more impolite will our ways of asking and answering be.

Answer 7

Its perfectly appropriate to ask some one if they are done, its just a way of asking if they are finished. Just as asking someone if they are finished is a way of asking them if they are done. However it doesn't sound as nice when making a statement as when its a question.

Answer 8

I agree with your premise. Our language is being dumbed downward toward mediocrity as our culture descends to new depths.

Phases such as "Where you at?" instead of "Where are you?"

Or "Me and Johnny went down to the pier." when the correct phrase should read, "Johnny and I went down to the pier."

My pet peeve is improperly using the word 'PRESENTLY' when people are describing action that currently occurs. The correct term to use in that case is 'AT PRESENT.'

The term 'PRESENTLY' describes action that has not yet happened, and will take place in the near future.

Answer 9

I agree. Hooray! Someone who speaks proper English. Well DONE!! hee-hee

Answer 10

yes
i got done sounds like someone killed u or u died or something
im done
or maybe like ur some kind of steak and ur well done
ugh

Answer 11

I agree with you. I had a teacher in school who told us to use the word chose instead of pick (he hated the word pick--he cracked me up!).