a damn that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a damn that" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express indifference or lack of concern, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "I don't give a damn that you were late."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Drilling in Alaskan wildlife refuges, the oil man denying global warming and denouncing Kyoto: belching America didn't give a damn, that was the Bush global message.

The Guardian

For all the talk of emotional computing, machines will never give a damn – that is the true reason for their superior intelligence compared to humans; we just care too much, and caring too much can muddle our judgement.

Harvard Business Review

With that said, when it comes to kids, 50s Men understand, on a deep, fundamental level (if they are worth a damn, that is), that kids come before everything else in life, including ourselves.

Huffington Post

'Ten Belgians are dead, so you don't give a damn that thousands of Africans are about to be slaughtered,' he said.

The Guardian

Likewise, if you think it quaint and tolerable that your workplace head honcho, in 2015, in a General Election year, still doesn't really "do" the internet, or indeed give a damn that a vast amount of work memos are communicated in an obscure patois developed by Eton College alumni circa 1693, then the House of Commons is for you.

Independent

Will consumers give a damn that the desktop is exiting stage Windows RT?

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

That means I've been alive for a quarter-of-a-century. Damn, that's a crazy thought.

Huffington Post

Damn, that was a long time ago.

TechCrunch

I mean, damn that was a cool-looking suit.

Huffington Post

"God damn that is a dirty ass team," he said, via Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.

Huffington Post

Where does he even get shoes?!?!? Damn, that is a LOT of people!

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and correctness, consider using alternative phrases like "I don't care about that" or "that's a damn shame" instead of the grammatically questionable "a damn that".

Common error

Avoid using "a damn that" as a standalone phrase to express indifference or dismissal. It often sounds awkward and can be misinterpreted. Instead, incorporate it into a complete sentence, such as "I don't give a damn about that."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a damn that" primarily functions as a fragment expressing indifference or dismissal. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically incorrect and lacks clear meaning, suggesting the need for rephrasing for correct usage. Its presence in media examples shows a colloquial usage, although not grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a damn that" is used to express indifference or dismissal. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect. It is common in News & Media. When clarity and correctness are important, rephrasing with options such as "I don't care about that" or "that's a damn shame" is recommended. Consider the context and formality level to choose the most suitable alternative, as well as remember that, the source authority, in this case, is not the major parameter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's a damn shame

Replaces the general phrase with a more specific expression of regret or disappointment.

that's a damn lie

Replaces the general phrase with a more specific accusation of falsehood.

that's a damn good question

Replaces the general phrase with a more specific acknowledgement or agreement.

i don't care about that

Explicitly expresses indifference or lack of concern regarding a specific topic.

i couldn't care less about that

Emphasizes indifference or lack of interest in a particular subject.

that's not important

States directly that something lacks significance or value.

that means nothing to me

Highlights the lack of personal relevance or impact of something.

i don't give a hoot about that

Replaces "damn" with a milder expression of indifference.

that is of no consequence

Indicates that something has no significant effect or importance.

that doesn't matter

Simply states that something is not important or relevant.

FAQs

Is "a damn that" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "a damn that" is not grammatically correct and doesn't convey a clear meaning in written English. It's better to use phrases like /s/I+don't+care+about+that or /s/that's+a+shame.

What does "a damn that" mean?

The phrase "a damn that" is often used to express indifference or dismissal. However, it is not standard English. It is more common to say "I don't give a damn about that".

How can I use "a damn that" in a sentence?

While "a damn that" is not standard, you can rephrase to create grammatically correct sentences such as "I don't give /s/a+damn about+that" or use alternative phrases like "that's a damn shame".

What are some alternatives to "a damn that"?

Alternatives include "I don't care about that", "that's not important", or stronger expressions like "I couldn't care less about that".