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Eagle2l84 Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Ordering with "Don't you ..."
While watching X-Files I stumbled over expressions like
Don't you follow her.
Don't you lie to me.
Now, those sentences would still be correct if omitting "you":
Don't follow her.
Don't lie to me.
My questions are:
1. Am I right, that the versions with "you" are more intense?
2. And if so, what is intensified, the order as it is or that it is directed to the person addressed by "you" ?
cu
Don't you follow her.
Don't you lie to me.
Now, those sentences would still be correct if omitting "you":
Don't follow her.
Don't lie to me.
My questions are:
1. Am I right, that the versions with "you" are more intense?
2. And if so, what is intensified, the order as it is or that it is directed to the person addressed by "you" ?
cu
Top answer
1. Yes, with "you" the intensity is increased. 2.
- 1.
- Yes, with "you" the intensity is increased.
- 2.
- It's not clear what is actually intensified.
- I would put it differently.
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1 Answers
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1. Yes, with "you" the intensity is increased.
2. It's not clear what is actually intensified. I would put it differently. Without "you" the command is neutral. With "you" there is a combination of command and warning, as if to say, "or I'll make you regret it if you don't obey this command".
3. There is yet a third level of intensity. "Don't you dare follow her". "Don't you dar
2. It's not clear what is actually intensified. I would put it differently. Without "you" the command is neutral. With "you" there is a combination of command and warning, as if to say, "or I'll make you regret it if you don't obey this command".
3. There is yet a third level of intensity. "Don't you dare follow her". "Don't you dar
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