Megumi@Ibaraki
If you think about it vs. if we think about it Can these expressions be used for a similar meaning? Is it just that "if we think about it" sounds more inclusive?? e.g. If we think about it, there are so many conflicts in the world. If you think about it, there are so many conflicts in the world.
2020年6月8日 03:38
回答 · 6
Usually we would say "if you think about it..." because the speaker is implying a statement that they've already given some thought to, and invite the other person to also think about it. In some situations "if we think about it..." implies that the speaker also could use a little extra thought about something. Most of the time, people don't communicate this way. Someone is giving information, and someone is receiving it. If I want to talk about dogs, I may say, "If you think about it, there are too many dogs in shelters. People shouldn't buy a puppy from a breeder." I'm indicating that I've already thought about it, and that's my conclusion. Now I'm inviting the other person "to think about it". If we're in it together, the language might change to stick together in our thoughts. If I say, "If we think about it, how many billions of planets are out there? Why isn't it possible there's life beyond our own?" It implies that we can both sit and think about it, as it's something neither of us can fully comprehend. In all, I think it depends on how the speaker wants the other person to feel about "the thought". The I'm-with-you-let's-think-about-this-together is a little less patronizing as it includes the speaker with their audience on the subject.
2020年6月8日
"If we think about it" can be used if the person you are speaking to just isn't getting it. Depending on how you say it, it can sound condescending, almost making the other person feel like you are talking to them like a child. On the other hand "If we think about it" can also be used without the condescension, but only if you are working on a project or solving something with someone or with a group of people. If everyone is trying to come to a consensus, or trying to figure out a way around a problem, I could see the phrase being used as a way of bringing everyone together. Other than the two scenarios above, you will see "If you think about it..." It is much more popular and is versatile in its usage. I would gear towards using "If you think about it" 99% of the time. Keep in mind the thoughts expressed above are from my personal native experience with English, and doesn't reflect all dialects, regional differences, or sociolects that exist in the language, so it is quite possible what would sound normal to me would not be somewhere else, or vice versa. Hope this helps!
2020年6月8日
So, I think that if you want to add yourself in the conversation, you should use we. If you want to personalize it to the reader or a specific person, then you should use you. Another thing....what do you mean by conflicts? war? Also, you can leave so out of the sentence and you will derive the meaning that you want the reader to understand. It is not necessary but it is just used to emphasize the fact that there are lots of wars/conflicts in the world.
2020年6月8日
Edited, as I didn't leave it as an Answer and I can't delete this.
2020年6月8日
Edited, as I didn't leave it as an Answer and I can't delete this.
2020年6月8日
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