Why do we say 'you know' in conversations?

Question

I mean, why do we say it, when the other person does not know what we will be saying. So why the need to say 'you know'?

That's why every time a friend or someone says it to me, I will reply with a "No, I don't know."And that doesn't mean I don't pay attention to what they are saying.

And thanks guys, for the explanation. Now I do know. :)

Answer 1

simply to get the to aknowledge that they are listening to you...when you usually say "you know"...you will definately get a nod ...it ensures that the person you are talking to you is listening to you and not just dreaming while you are talking...it is a very good way of bringing someone into the conversation.

Answer 2

This falls into the realm of Psychology and Culture where people do things without always knowing the origin. For example, some people are unaware of how the word "ain't" came into existence.

"Ain't" is a hybrid of "Aren't" and "Isn't." People began using the term and it stuck in society.

When people say "You know," it's a truncated version of "Do you know?" Because people don't want to say all those words and it's a given, people shorten it to "you know?"

It's the same with people who say "Right?" They're really saying, "Am I right?" However, because it's easier to just say that one word with one syllable, you can drop the rest.

The other part of your question is why people say it even though the other person doesn't always know. That's because some people make a habit of using "Filler Words." Filler Words are "uh" and "like."

When people are on stage, they get nervous and aren't used to uncomfortable silence. So they naturally fill the void by saying "Uh" all the time. "I, uh, was talking to, uh, Becky the other day, and, uh, I had a great time."

"Uh" doesn't serve any real purpose.

People joke about Valley Girls that always use "Like" in their words. "So, like, I was going to the mall, like, yesterday and couldn't decide on, like, the red sweater or the blue one."

Then you've got people who swear using the "F" word. "That concer was f*cking awesome. It was f*cking off the chain." That tends to grate on the nerves of Grammar Nazis.

You know? :)

Answer 3

some people say it out of habit. like some others who start their lines saying , 'see,...'
i think this is their way of attracting the attention of the other person. or 'sort of ' emphacising their point.
people , who are not confident of their ability to hold the other's attention , generally use this style, i guess. watch the telephone interviews in TV. the TV people will not use this style but the person on the otherside some time will use , 'you know...'
in your question , the part ' I mean ' , is also not necessary , right? ( last 'right' was also unnecessary !! lol )

Answer 4

It is usually a way of getting the persons' attention or of maintaining it or of asking for a brief agreement that they're on your wavelength and you on theirs. It can be a way of 'punctuating' what your saying before moving on thereby letting the person know that you are moving on, [but with their agreement]. It is often accompanied by a slight nodding to show this agreement, though we are often unaware that we do it.

Answer 5

I don't say "you know" and it drives me crazy when I hear other people say that after every phrase. I think it makes the person sound ignorant and as if they need validation for every thought that they have.

Answer 6

I could never figure out how or why we say that either. People who are learning English say it , so I will guess it originates from shear repetitiveness and is a quirk that has developed in us all.

Answer 7

I would put this question to the language blog author at the URL below. If he doesn't know, some of his online community do.

I would like to know the answer to that one, too. You know?

Answer 8

i dont now but i say that alot to people likw i know what the other person knows what im talking about its just a bad habbit

Answer 9

Me think it is juz 2 capture ur attention. It should be a short cut 4 "now u know" or "do u know".....Singlish!!!

Answer 10

yu use this to increase the curiosity of the listener; he would gape at yu while listening to yu, expecting some exciting news when this is used. 'yu know' would also come in a cheekily interrogative mode