Tuesday 5 August 2008

Just wondering

Here are two sentences:

"I am excited for the weekend"

"I am excited about the weekend"

I don't know why, but whenever someone says they're excited* 'for [certain event]', I never think it makes sense. Why are you excited for it? What's it doing? Do you love to see the event's happy, smiley little face? If the event's happy, are you happy too? Surely if you're excited for something, you're excited on it's behalf?

On the other hand...If you're excited about something...then it's like hell yeah, we gonna have a party and it's gonna be gooooooooooooood! That's what I'm excited about! WOOP!

I don't know. I woke up thinking about this grammatical question this morning and it's started to bug me. Am I imagining things or does being excited for something not make sense?

Help. What do you say? I always say about.

I'm confused. I shouldn't be thinking about this first thing.


*doesn't have to be excited. this is just the word I see used the most.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree with you....about is the right way to go

Anonymous said...

The "for" thing is just too American for my liking.

Bah!

Anonymous said...

You've been reading too many Facebook/Twitter updates haven't you?!

I agree though, I think about is the right way.

Although I'd rather say 'looking forward to...' than excited about (yes, I know I have to be awkward!).

AFC 30K said...

I would say about, but aren't you the one with the English Masters??

Rol said...

I agree completely, but I'm a grammatical pedant.

James Ink said...

Yeh I think I'm an 'about' person too. People just don't think about what they're saying.

I know some things I say make no sense when I stop and think about it.

James Ink said...

p.s. I just listened to this post via vozME, which made you sound even more neurotic.

Anonymous said...

I get excited FOR people (e.g. when they announce pregnancies) but excited ABOUT events. I've never heard anyone use the expression "excited for the weekend", but it ranks up there with "I'm lovin' it" for sheer proud-to-sound-stupid hideousness.

weenie said...

I used to think I was good at English but I think net and text speak has changed English as we know it! I bet kids don't even do long hand joined up writing at school any more! God I'm sounding old!

Anonymous said...

ABOUT sounds pleasing to this American's ears.

Unknown said...

About.

Huh. Unanimity. There's a rare thing.

Please Don't Eat With Your Mouth Open said...

My thoughts exactly, Hannah. Look at everyone singing in agreement, ahh, the sweet sound of unity!

I swear I see so many blogs with people writing "I'm excited for the party" etc...mostly Americans I'll give you that, but yes...the odd facebook status thing and message as well.

I did a google search for the above sentence to check I wasn't imagining things as well. Geek I am.

and James, I had a listen as well, god I sound weird as a man.

Anonymous said...

I am actually excited about this coming weekend.

That is how I would say it.

And I actually am too :)

Anonymous said...

If you're excited FOR something or someone, you're excited on their behalf.

If you're excited ABOUT something, it's on your own behalf, and you're looking forward to it.

So we're agreeing and it's not being anal! It's having standards!

*nods smugly*

My friends call me the Grammar Nazi. No, really. They do.

James Ink said...

"and James, I had a listen as well, god I sound weird as a man."

Er... I did at listen let you be a female... did you not see that option?

James Ink said...

replace listen with least and my last comment my make some sense.

James Ink said...

replace my with might and my last comment about my last comment might make some sense.

*goes for a lie down*

Please Don't Eat With Your Mouth Open said...

Oh no I saw the female option, I just thought I'd go for the manly one.

Ps. There are a lot of spelling mistakes here. Have you given up blogging in exchange for crack?

 

Blog Template by YummyLolly.com - RSS icons by ComingUpForAir