When people incorporate the term if you will in a sentence what are they trying say and were did this start? Seems the term is getting more popular and im not quite sure its being used right.
2006-11-24 01:42:40 · 3 answers · asked by edgarrrw 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
It seems to be multipurpose.
Sometimes it's tagged on at the end of a mixed metaphor, oxymoron or clumsy analogy, to signify "Okay, I acknowledge that's not quite the best expression, but you know what I was trying to get across". Sort of like "...if you will excuse the faulty expression for the sake of brevity."
I've also head it used in the same context as "if you please", as a way to show respect or consideration.
I'm guessing that in other languages, "if you will" might be used quite rampantly for any number of situations, and when these speakers learn English as a second language they may naturally use the phrase in whatever context they would in their native language. Perhaps this is how it's gaining popularity, and why sometimes it seems a little jarring in its application.
2006-11-24 02:09:45 · answer #1 · answered by joseph_strummer 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I consider it a verbal tic, like "you know" or "like".
Basically, it is just buying time until that actual thought arrives, if you will!
2006-11-24 09:53:24 · answer #2 · answered by JaneB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Come-on! Now U only started and U are asking who started this. Jocking ! ah... ah.....naughty youuuu..
2006-11-24 09:50:49 · answer #3 · answered by villager 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋