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Simi Posted 19 years ago
Vocabulary

Believe you me!

Should it not be "Believe me" rather? What does the original form mean?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Simi Should it not be "Believe me" rather? What does the original form mean? Thanks.

— Philip

  • Simi Should it not be "Believe me" rather?
  • What does the original form mean?
  • Thanks.
  • It's merely a fixed phrase that emphasizes the statement as you have offered it.
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6 Answers
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SimiShould it not be "Believe me" rather? What does the original form mean?

Thanks.
It's merely a fixed phrase that emphasizes the statement as you have offered it.
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Philip
Simi
Should it not be "Believe me" rather? What does the original form mean?

Thanks.

It's merely a fixed phrase that emphasizes the statement as you have offered it.
But why is it being emphasized this way? Its confusing and not that common either.
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Believe you me is a one-of-a-kind expression. Think of it as an idiom without trying to figure out the grammar. It's the only expression in English (as far as I know) that uses this structure. It means You can truly believe me. You should really believe me. I am telling you this in complete honesty.

CJ
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I've used this structure since the 19540' and '50s. I've always assumed it's an old-fashioned imperative form, like go ye or repentest thou.
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Anonymousrepentest thou
No. Repent thou.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thou

"In the subjunctive and imperative moods, the ending in -(e)st is dropped"

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