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Hi dear teachers,Situation (1)A friend of mine says 'congrats' to me, but doesn't mention what he congrats me for. In response, should  I say?What are you congratulating me for?Or Congrats? For what?(Dear teachers, I'd like to know if the above two sentences - said by me - are correct or should I say something else to express that idea/in that situation? Is there any other better way to express that idea?) Situation (2)A friend of mine said "sorry' to me, but again I didn't know why he said that. Now, If I want to know why he said 'sorry' to me, what should I say?Should I say "What are you sorry for?" Or "what are you saying 'sorry' to me for? Or "Why did you say sorry to me?"Also, could you kindly provide me a list of words that comes in the pattern below?Here's the pattern which I am talking about:What are + person + _______  + for?Let me give you few examples to make more clear what I want to ask you above:-What are + you + sorry + for ?-What are + you + thanking me + for ? Situation (3)Let's say, my girlfriend's been avoiding me for some time.I go to her and say...  "Why are you doing this to me? Haven't I been loyal to you? Don't I mean anything to you now?(My question is:  What does 'Don't I mean anything to you now' mean?)Thanks a lot, teachers!

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

LaboriousWhat are you congratulating me for?Or Congrats? For what?

Both are fine. The second is more casual in style.

LaboriousShould I say 1 "What are you sorry for?" Or 2 "what are you saying 'sorry' to me for? Or 3 "Why did you say sorry to me?"

1 is good. Brief and to the point.
2 is better as "Why are you saying 'sorry' to me?"
3 is good. "to me" is unnecessary. This one seems most appropriate to me.

Laboriouskindly provide me a list of words that comes in the pattern below ...
What are + person + _____ + for?

This is not the sort of list that a native speaker would carry around in his head.

Neither is it the sort of list that you could find online. Here are some that I can think of.

What are you [looking / sorry / thankful / thanking me / congratulating me / asking me / praising me / blaming me] for?

LaboriousWhat does 'Don't I mean anything to you now' mean?

You said it to her and you didn't know what it meant? That's probably not a good idea.

It is roughly Don't you love me anymore?

to mean something to someone ~ to be held in high regard by someone; to be the object of someone's affection.

She means a lot to him.

Also in response to actions:

It was very kind of you to do that for my father. It meant a lot to me.

CJ

Laborious · Answer

Thank you very much, Mr. CJ, for your reply. You've always been a great help for English learners like me.

I have one more question, but It is about reporting verbs in indirect speech. Should I start a new thread or could I ask that here?

Thank you once again, CJ.

Ozzourti · Answer

LaboriousI have one more question, but It is about reporting verbs in indirect speech. Should I start a new thread or could I ask that here?

I think you should start a new one.

CalifJim · Answer

ozzourtiI think you should start a new one.

Definitely.

CJ

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