0
Angliholic Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

It serves you right.

A: I got a speeding ticket on my way home from work.

B: It serves you right. I've told you again and again that you drive too fast.

I doubt if You deserve it conveys the same concept as It serves you right.

For curiosity's sake, what are the alternatives of the same idea? Thanks.
  

Top answer

You got what you deserved. Note that "serves you right" has a negatives sense. You wouldn't say that to someone who took first place in a competition.

— BarbaraPA

  • You got what you deserved.
  • Note that "serves you right" has a negatives sense.
  • You wouldn't say that to someone who took first place in a competition.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
You got what you deserved.

Note that "serves you right" has a negatives sense. You wouldn't say that to someone who took first place in a competition.
0
0
Grammar GeekYou got what you deserved.

Note that "serves you right" has a negatives sense. You wouldn't say that to someone who took first place in a competition.

Thanks, GG.

Just to make sure, do your version and mine have a negative sense? That is, you got what you deserved/you deserved it.
0
0
This is highly idiomatic in terms of whether it's negative or not.

In the following two, context tells you:

Congratuations! You took first place. It's nice to see that you got what you deserved after working so hard. (Positive)
So your girlfriend finally left you? The way you treated her, you got what you deserved! (Negative)

However, you deserved wh
0

Related Questions