I do not need

English translation: I do NOT need....

11:15 Aug 31, 2001

English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary

English term or phrase: I do not need

ONLY NATIVE AMERICAN ENGLISH SPEAKERS, PLEASE.

I would like to get as much information as possible on this phrase: " I do not need to get a high water bill..."

Context:
"How long has the water been running? I do not need a high water bill"
An ADULT guy is asking his ADULT sister not to use too much water.
Is this phrase authoritarian or disrespectful? Or is it a common, simple way of asking someone to be careful when watering the garden? Both the man and his sister are supposed to have the same rights in the house where they live , apparently, together.

Thanks to all who take the time to answer.:)
BS

Bertha S. Deffenbaugh KudoZ activity Questions: 287 (1 open) (3 without valid answers) (4 closed without grading) Answers: 3088 United States
Local time: 23:40

Selected answer:I do *NOT* need....

Explanation:
The fact that the speaker says "do not" instead of the typical contraction "don't" implies that he is speaking in an emphatic tone of voice, with the tonal stress on the word "not". He's pretty ticked off. *grin*

Selected response from:

Bryan Kampbell (X)

Grading comment

Brilliant! Thanks. And thanks to Melanie too.:))I wish I could have awarded Kudoz to both of you.
BSD
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

na +1

My guess is....

Melanie Sellers

I do *NOT* need....

Bryan Kampbell (X)

I do not need to get a high water bill.

Phlebo

Answers

19 mins peer agreement (net): +1

My guess is....

Explanation:
that the brother is paying the water bill, it sounds as if the brother is concerned with having to pay a high water bill. These two siblings seem to share the responsibilities, yet the brother seems to be the only one responsible for paying the water bill. It sounds rather demanding to me.

Hope it helps ;0)

Melanie Sellers
Local time: 08:40
Native speaker of:

German

46 mins

I do *NOT* need....

Bryan Kampbell (X)

Grading comment

Brilliant! Thanks. And thanks to Melanie too.:))I wish I could have awarded Kudoz to both of you.
BSD

1 day 21 hrs

I do not need to get a high water bill.

Explanation:
I agree that this is a firm tone of voice, but I disagree about his level of anger. Usually when people are really ticked off they shorten words and phrases to express their anger faster, due to their impatience with the person. When someone does not use a contraction they are wanting the listener to hear and understand very clearly the point they are trying to make. In this case the point and the discontinuance of a certain behavior is more important than the expressed anger.

Phlebo

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