Could you care less, or could you not care any less? That is the question. This mistake has been going on for as long as I can remember. Here is a bit of clarification for when to use either, and which one you probably mean to use. The “I could care less” and “couldn’t care less” debate: debunked.

“I could care less”:

You could care a lot, you could care a little. Either way, you at least care a little bit—enough that you could make that care dwindle. You could be caring a small amount or a large amount, but the bottom line is, you care.

“I could not care less”:

The care you have is so minuscule that you cannot care any less than you already are caring. You are caring the absolute minimum, to the point where no more can be taken away.

What you probably mean to use:

Sorry to those of you who say it wrong, but you probably mean to use “I could not care less.” The first one only makes sense when emphasizing certain words, but I have never heard someone actually emphasize those words properly. Some day-to-day examples and how to use:

“Wow, I think you look ugly in that outfit.”

“I could not care less what you think.”

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“Can you answer a question for me?”

“Since I could care less about your knowledge, I can. I care even a little bit, so I would want you to have your answer. However, if I could not care any less, I would not answer it.”

Here is a lovely image to finally summarize: