English usage (again)

singist · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:00

So, are you one of these young people who insist on saying "can I get?"? .... I assume that it comes from USA but don't know for sure .... anyway, it really ****** me off! :eek:

almost, though not quite as much as using 'of' instead of 'have' when posting on the intarweb.

Youngsters walk into a bar and say "can I get ...." or on a bus ... "can I get a *** ticket?", sometimes I hear 'please' as well but more often than not, just the innane question. ......... surely, people who are at university should be able to use the language?

Yeah, it's been one of those days.

Tummy · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:02

I say "can I get a single to town please"

I've said this for years.

I don't quite understand you

Sankari · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:02

The correct answer to "Can I get a...?" is "No you can't, you little ****. Learn to speak English properly or keep your mouth shut" - and a smack round the ear. :mad:

Been one of those days for me too.

Mat · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:04

'Can', 'may', 'could' and 'would' are regularly used at the wrong times, I find.

semi-pro waster · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:05

Sorry, I'm not quite sure why you're objecting to that phrase, if you're requesting an item or a selection of them then it doesn't seem all that unusual.

antijoke · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:05

The correct answer to that question would be "Yes certainly, it's on the next bus."

Masterdog · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:06

I use 'Can I get' sometimes (naturally followed by a 'please'). Seems like an innocent piece of vernacular to me...

sniffy · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:07

It's hardly brutalising the English language. You know what they mean, stop being so anal

Mat · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:08

It should be "May I have...?"

"Can I get...?" is questioning whether it is possible rather than requesting the object of the sentence...

Edit: I use whatever comes to mind though, usually "Can I have...?"

Tummy · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:09

Mat said:
It should be "May I have...?"

"Can I get...?" is questioning whether it is possible rather than requesting the object of the sentence...

Can I get
Can I have
May I have
May I get

I don't see any difference, I wouldn't notice a difference in a spoken language.

People need to stop being so anal.

ScarySquirrel · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:10

I usually say:

"Can I have...xxxxx.....please?"

or

"Please can I have......"

Pestilence · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:10

CAN I GET AN AMEN!?!?!?

singist · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:10

Evangelion said:
The correct answer to "Can I get a...?" is "No you can't, you little ****. Learn to speak English properly or keep your mouth shut" - and a smack round the ear.

Been one of those days for me too.

I always knew that you weren't all bad

Sankari · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:12

*BLAM!* Right in the ear!

tibbsey · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:13

Pestilence said:
CAN I GET AN AMEN!?!?!?

anticonscience said:
"Yes certainly, it's on the next bus."

bushmins · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:14

Pestilence said:
CAN I GET AN AMEN!?!?!?

Hell yeh!

antijoke · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:20

That is some good quoting tibbsey. Got a genuine lol from me.

nex20 · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:20

You're making mounds out of mole hills there.

naffers · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:27

whats wrong with can i get?

Mat · 27 Apr 2009 at 16:32

naffers said:
whats wrong with can i get?

Q. "Can I get a ticket please?"
A. "Yes you can..."

Q. "May I have a ticket please?"
A. "Yes, here you are."

The difference is one will get you a ticket, the other will only tell you whether it is possible. It's quite simple really, if not a bit pedantic.