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SJ88 Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Comma in "what do you mean"

Sorry, i know i've asked this before, but i would like to clarify again, phrasing it differently this time.

Which is more correct:

What do you mean, you dont know?

What do you mean you dont know?

Is the comma necessary, optional, or just plain wrong?

Thanks=)
  

Top answer

Hi, I think the first maybe is better this way: "What do you mean? " is ok, but I'm not completely sure. " - I don't know?

— Kooyeen

  • Hi, I think the first maybe is better this way: "What do you mean?
  • " is ok, but I'm not completely sure.
  • " - I don't know?
  • - What?
  • What do you mean you don't know?
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3 Answers
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Hi,
I think the first maybe is better this way: "What do you mean? You don't know?"
I think "What do you mean you don't know?" is ok, but I'm not completely sure. I think it means "What do you mean by saying that you don't know?"

- I don't know?
- What? What do you mean you don't know? You mean you never did anything like that?

I'm not sure though, maybe it should be
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What do you mean, you dont know? - this means 'am I understanding you correctly? Are you telling me that you don't know?'

What do you mean you dont know? - this is criticising you for not knowing. I think you should know. How dare you not know!
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I see. Thanks, both of you! =)
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