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Obama uses it when speaking without a script, right? In that circumstance it's a kind of time-filler while he arranges his next sentence in his head -- he often
by gabrielroth 18y ago
Obama uses it when speaking without a script, right? In that circumstance it's a kind of time-filler while he arranges his next sentence in his head -- he often uses a long, drawn-out 'Aaaaand' in the same way. At least it's better than 'uh,' which is what most people (including me) use.
But in written English it serves no purpose.
- tptacek 18y agoIt serves the purpose of imparting a conversational style with minimal effort.
- davi 18y agoThat's right. Now, that being said, it begs the question of whether or not the style imparted is any good.
- atarashi 18y agoIf you're going to focus on style, you should use "prompts the question" or "raises the question." http://begthequestion.info/ http://begthequestion.info/
- bdr 18y ago"Prompts" sounds stilted, "raises" is an extra syllable.
- davi 18y agoYes, "begs the question" is misused all the time. "Now, that being said, it begs the question of <whatever>" -- the sentence was tongue-in-cheek. I was illustrating, in a mocking way, the style I don't like. Sorry for the troll.
- atarashi 18y agoNow I see. I totally missed that...