“You’re not wrong.” That statement appears everywhere now. Everyone is saying it. And I’m so tired of hearing it. Yes, “you’re not wrong” is another of my pet peeves.
You’re not wrong. Does that mean you’re right? By and large, if someone says “you’re not wrong”, then yes, they mean you are indeed correct, or right. Then why can’t they simply say that? Let’s practice:
You’re right.
You are right.
You are correct.
See, it’s not that hard. Making a positive statement is shorter. It is fewer words, and less work for the brain to comprehend than the double-negative of being “not wrong”.
Yes, there will be the odd occasion where someone may not be wrong, but simultaneously may only be partially right. Then it’s certainly acceptable to say “you’re not wrong” and expand on the limitations of when/how they are right. Or if you have an ongoing rivalry as to who is right most often, then sure, I can see admitting the other person is right is just too hard to do. Especially if money is on the line. Have fun with it.
But most of the time, the other person is simply right. So why is everyone saying “You’re not wrong?” Is it a trendy catch-phrase that everyone is picking up on? If so, let’s get rid of that double-negative and make our communication more straightforward and efficient. You’re right!
Or is it so difficult in today’s society for someone to admit that somebody other than themselves is right? Is it so difficult to admit that you, yourself, might be wrong? In a society that is becoming more divisive, let’s be a bit more gracious and have the self-confidence to directly acknowledge when someone else is right. Tell them “you’re right!” We need more kindness in the world.
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