Are you done criticizing me?

Question

Hi,I wanted to know if "done" can be used to tell someone I am tired of their behavior and I wish they would quit it, so I'm complaining...Are you done criticizing me? I'm starting to get sick of you all...Are you done leaving your clothes everywhere? Look, it's a mess, as always!Are you done calling me in the middle of the night? Can't you call me earlier, like normal people do?Additional question: Can I use the same construction when I'm not angry or complaining, but I'm just asking if someone has finished doing something? Example:Are you done eating dinner? We are going to the movies in a few minutes, we were wondering if you wanted to come along...Thank you

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Generally, yes, and yes, Kooyeen.

Shreksbro · Answer

No, this is informal and bad English. You should really say, 'have you finished...'.

Even if it were correct to use done in that context (and I don't think it is - a task can be 'done', but I'm not sure that a human can be 'done') then the question 'are you done?' would be a complete sentence in itself. If you wanted to qualify the question then some punctuation would presumably be required, for example, 'Are you done? Criticizing me, I mean.'.

BarbaraPA · Answer

Well, perhaps it's an American thing, but "Are you done picking on me?" or "Are you done with dinner yet?" both sound completely normal in conversation, as Mr. M. says.

Are you through...? and Are you finished...? are both also used.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Yes, Shrek-- you're way off base on this one.  Informal is not bad-- it is just informal.

Kooyeen · Answer

Thanks everyone! [y]

CalifJim · Answer

Are you done criticizing me?

No. Not quite yet! LOL.

(No rest for the wicked!)

criticizing and eating (activities) seem to go better with this expression than leaving (clothes around) and calling (at night) (habits). That's the way my ear hears them anyway. It seems easier to conceive of an immediately on-going process being done than a series of habitual actions. It's rather like the difference between finishing and stopping. Have you finished criticizing, eating? vs. Are you ever going to stop leaving clothes around, calling me at night?

CJ

Kooyeen · Answer

CalifJim
Are you done criticizing me?
No. Not quite yet! LOL.

Dammit! LOL

You mean that "Are you done picking on me?" is ok, but "Are you done calling me in the middle of the night?" sounds odd? Or is it ok but not likely to be used?
In case it's not ok, what's the usual emphatic way to say "Stop doing this thing you keep on doing"? Is it "Won't you stop calling me?", or "Won't you stop leaving your clothes on the floor?"
Thanks

CalifJim · Answer

"Are you done calling me in the middle of the night?" sounds odd?

It sounds odd. In addition to Li'l Ruby Rose's and Grammar Geek's suggestions, you can say

If you don't stop [calling me in the middle of the night / leaving your clothes on the floor], I'm going to ... (some sort of appropriate threat).

CJ

Kooyeen · Answer

Ahhh, thank you.
So you could now say "Kooyeen, are you done asking questions?", and I would answer "What makes you guys think I'm gonna stop?" LOL

Seriously, I see "Stop calling me" or "Just stop calling me" are fine, but GG also suggested "Would you stop calling me?", and I was wondering if "Won't you stop calling me" was ok too. Remember we are always talking about complaining and criticizing and not politely asking someone to do something.
Thank you.

CalifJim · Answer

This may strike you as puzzling, because you were probably taught that would can be used as a polite form of will. Nevertheless, Won't you ...? is much more polite -- much too polite, really -- than Would you ...? in these circumstances -- maybe because of the negative. I think what you want is Will you stop ...?

Won't you ... (Wouldn't you ...) -- in these situations -- is begging.
Will you ... (Would you ...) -- in these situations -- is commanding.

CJ

Are you done criticizing me?

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