SO! This how I start Every Sentence

[jonny jeez]

Is it just me or is there a growing tendency for people to start their sentences with so. Every news interview goes the same way: " What are your party going to do about the NHS?" "So, we will blah blah blah" It really pull my chain!

I've noticed it a lot too. In particular when academic types are being interviewed. I'm convinced that in their case its simply a way of speaking inherited from lecturers who remove themselves (and emotion) from the answer by starting with "so", almost as if they are answering in the third person.

It also seems to illustrate genuine consideration, which is why I suspect political types are adopting it.

I use it myself as a deliberate vehicle when confirming facts and setting actions in meetings...it seems to make people listen almost like saying "right, now this is the Interesting bit".

Its all about the inflection on the word, its a passive "so" not an assertive one.
Its a "so... if I understand correctly" not a "so, therefore I command you..."

 

[Dan B]

Yep, having said that, what has one said?

I'm not saying anything, I'm just saying.

 

[Dan B]

One my husband hates..."at the end of the day"

At the end of the day, it's bedtime

 

[ScotiaLass]

At the end of the day, it's bedtime

I usually say something like.."At the end of the day, it's your choice.."

 

[Glow worm]

"I have to say" is my bugbear. Former turnip turned Radio 5 football pundit Graham 'I have to say' Taylor says it all the time.

If you have to say it Graham just bloody say it without the preamble !

 

[Sara_H]

In terms of annoying figures of speech, it gets on my tulips when people overuse the phrase "in terms of".

 

[Sara_H]

What I would say to that is, that people who begin a sentence with the phrase "what I would say to that is" are about to say something unpleasant whilst at the same time distancing themselves from their own opinion.

 

[Mireystock]

So...I guessed you've watched that film a fair few times to remmeber that then ? Cool.

 

[Brandane]

[QUOTE 3529031, member: 259"]It's not just confined to English speakers. French people say "Donk".[/QUOTE]
D'accord; oui d'accord!

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

[QUOTE 3529031, member: 259"]It's not just confined to English speakers. French people say "Donk".[/QUOTE]
I would have compared it more with ''Alors...'' and, though my German isn't very strong, with ''Also...''

Once they're in the language, it's quite hard to imagine them going away. For the moment it seems to serve notice that a fairly elaborate argument or at least structured thought is to follow. The more it's used, though, I think it will lose that connotation and will no longer mean anything more than if the phrase began with ''Right....'' or ''Ok....''

 

[Doseone]

Australians seem to start their sentences with "look".

 

[Markymark]

"So I turned around and said..."

"Woah, stop, you were facing the other way??"

 

[hoopdriver]

I usually say something like.."At the end of the day, it's your choice.."

Sounds like an interesting day...

 

[gbb]

Politicians that have just been asked a (no doubt very scritped) question on a news program for instance, you'll often hear them reply...'Thats a very good question...blah blah blah'
No....I'll decide wether its a very good question...not you matey boy

 

[mr_cellophane]

Over use of the word "more"
"It's more faster than it's predecessor"
or worse
"It's more slower than it's predecessor"