"I'm Done that"!!

Question

0For the third year in a row, my son's elementary school teachers have used the phrase" "When you're done that" or "when you're finished that". The first time my son told me "mom, I'm done my homework" I almost lost it!  When I questioned his teacher about this, she insisted that it was proper grammar and said that she had even verified this through the english department! We live in Pennsylvania and I believe it's regional but I have to say, I'm from East Tennessee and know better!02br02br00Anyone know if I am wrong about this?  Thanks0-

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

0Well, literally speaking, that sentence would mean "I am done that", which makes no sense at all.02br
02br
00Next time just say this: 'What is a 01i00done that02i00?'02br
02br
00Must be a regional thing, or the school needs a new english department.0-

Cool Breeze · Answer

0In Helsinki English your examples are wrong - but Helsinki isn't Pennsylvania.05002br
00CB010id1

Yankee · Answer

0 Hi02br
02br
00How would you say it in East Tennessee? Is it just that you'd add the word 'with'? 02br
00(i.e. "01i00I'm done/finished with my homework.02i00")02br
02br
00I'm in Connecticut and it is also quite common to hear such a sentence without the word 'with' here. So, it appears to be more than just a Pennsylvania phenomenon.0-

Anonymous · Answer

It is definitely a Philadelphia-area thing. None of us here even notice it, but upon going to college I realized that no one else used that phrase construction. While it is technically incorrect from the traditional grammar standpoint, there is no real reason (other than personal ones) that it shouldn't be used. After all, language is in a constant flux and little changes like the "I'm done my homework" phrase are just evidence of it.

CalifJim · Answer

Language may be in flux, but I'm done my homework is barbaric. Period.
Said to the wrong college professor it will reduce your child's chances for that future scholarship, whether the people of Pennsylvania find it grammatically correct or not!

CJ

BarbaraPA · Answer

I've lived near Philly for almost six years now, and although I still hear the way they say "water," I may have grown immune to other idiocycracies. Even so, I don't recall hearing this. On the other hand, Amy has an incredible ear, and if she hears it, then it must be so. "I've done it" maybe?

I know when I lived in Maine, the phrase "it come out good" was standard there, instead of "came." (Only in that exact phrase.)

Viva la difference, I guess?

Yankee · Answer

Grammar GeekI've lived near Philly for almost six years now, and although I still hear the way they say "water,"

You mean "wooder"?

I spent almost my entire childhood in South Jersey -- about 15 miles from Philly. Barb, have you also noticed the way the O is pronounced in words such as "coat"?
(And have you become a scrapple fanatic yet?)

BarbaraPA · Answer

I think that's why I drink so much Diet Coke. I don't trust the wooder.

Re: scrapple - *** no!

Goodman · Answer

I'm done my homework" doesn't sound right but "I'm done [with] my homework" sounds ok to me!

Just like:

For once, I am done with my taxes before the deadline

I am done picking up after you!

I am done with wasting time on the dating scene.

Avangi · Answer

It seems like I've heard it, but I can't be sure. It has the feeling of a preposition:
When you're done your homework, come and see me.
When you're over the flu, come and see me.

I've heard stranger things.

"I'm Done that"!!

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