nervous2 wrote:
Unfortunately, it has in recent years become a part of the "American" English lexicon. It is a speech habit that is pretty annoying to more educated speakers of the language, just as the habitual use of the phrase, "you know" (or worse, "don't you know") became common decades ago. It's use alerts others that the speaker is now going to say or ask something. If my father were still alive, he would do all in his power to make sure I didn't start verbal thoughts or questions with the word. Typically it is more common in spoken than in written language usage.
Unfortunately, it has in recent years become a par... (
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I have not noticed it much. I may use it in narratives. For "pure" English you'll have to look to Canada, Hong Kong, or Great Britain for the King's English. America is full of regionalisms. I've always lived in CA my parents were from NY state. Even those of us with Teaching Credentials are not perfect. But my major was Biology, not English. The UHH is international, live with it!