Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (91 page)

I doubt that
.
I do not believe that what you just said is so.
B
OB
: I'll be there exactly on time. S
UE
: I doubt that
.
J
OHN
: Fred says he can't come to work because he's sick. J
ANE
: I doubt that.

I expect
.
Go to I guess.

I expect not
.
Go to I guess not.

I expect (so)
.
Go to I guess (so).

I got it
!
I'll do this!; This is my task!; I'll do it! (Often literal in a ball game.)
S
AM
(moving ahead of Jane to open the door): I got it!
The ball was hit way up over center field. John shouted, “I got it!” as he ran backwards with his eye on the ball.

I guess
AND
I expect; I suppose; I suspect 1
.
a phrase that introduces a supposition. (Frequently, in speech,
suppose
is reduced to
'spose
, and
expect
and
suspect
are reduced to
'spect
. The apostrophe is not always used.)
B
OB
: I guess it's going to rain. B
ILL
: Oh, I don't know. Maybe so, maybe not
.
A
LICE
: I expect you'll be wanting to leave pretty soon. J
OHN
: Why? It's early yet
.
2
.
a vague way of answering yes.
J
OHN
: You want some more coffee? J
ANE
: I 'spose
.
A
LICE
: Ready to go? J
OHN
: I spect.

I guess not
.
AND
(I) don't think so.; I expect not.; I suppose not.; I suspect not.; I think not
.
a vague statement of negation. (More polite or gentle than no. Frequently, in speech,
suppose
is reduced to
'spose
, and
expect
and
suspect
are reduced to
'spect
. The apostrophe is not always used.)
B
ILL
: It's almost too late to go to the movie. Shall we try anyway? M
ARY
: I guess not
.
T
OM
: Will it rain? M
ARY
: I 'spect not.

I guess (so)
.
AND
I believe so.; I expect (so).; I suppose (so).; I suspect (so).; I think so
.
a vague expression of assent. (Frequently, in speech,
suppose
is reduced to
'spose
, and
expect
and
suspect
are reduced to
'spect
. The apostrophe is not always used.)
T
OM
: Will it rain today? B
OB
: I suppose so
.
S
UE
: Happy? B
ILL
: I 'spect. S
UE
: You don't sound happy. B
ILL
: I guess not.