But I Just . . .
I can’t think of many phrases I hate hearing more than “But I just . . .”.
Any sentence that starts with “But” is most likely an argument or a whine. I don’t want to hear either. If the phrase is injected in the middle of a sentence, the person saying it most likely assumes that you don’t want to do something, yet is still attempting to justify their request.
Argument example:
Homeless man: “Got a dollar?”
Me: “No”
Homeless man: “But I just need . . . ”
Whine example:
Tristan: “Can I stay up 10 more minutes?”
Me: “No”
Tristan: “But I just . . ”
Assumption example:
Law student: “I know you’re at lunch, but I just need . . .”
I really can’t think of an example where you could use the phrase “but I just” in a statement that I want to hear.
“I’m sorry, but I just . . .” (they aren’t really sorry)
“I know I shouldn’t, but I just . . .” (they knew they shouldn’t)
“I don’t mean to interrupt, but I just . . .” (they meant to interrupt)
I initially planned to write more about my least favorite phrase, but I just have better things to do.
