Phrases and Formality – Alternatives to the Phrase ‘I Was Like…’

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In recent times I have encountered the phrase ‘I was like…’ a lot. Examples include

  • He told me something, and I was like dude really?
  • I was going along the street, and suddenly something happened, and I was like WTF!

Is this a correct form of English? If not what do you think is a more refined way of conveying the same meaning and feeling.

Best Answer

I was going along the street, and suddenly something happened, and I was like WTF!

It could mean, "I was going along the street, and suddenly something happened, and I said WTF!"

However, usually the person did not say those precise words. "I was like ..." is more a way of relating a reaction or even an emotion.

So it could mean, "I was going along the street, and suddenly something happened, and I thought/felt WTF!"

He told me something, and I was like dude really?

This translates as, "He told me something, and my reaction was 'dude really?'

Sometimes it could refer to verbatim speech but usually if someone wants to relay the exact words they spoke, it will go as follows:

'He told me something, and I actually said to him, "Dude really?"'

This emphasises a precise memory of what was said.

The expression is very informal and would not be expected in a business meeting or similar.

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