Answer: "Are you trying to make me laugh?" versus "Don't make me laugh!"

[achacunsagloire.livejournal.com]

badtzphoto would like to know:

“What is the difference between "Are you trying to make me laugh?" and "Don't make me laugh!"?

There is little difference between the two besides the fact that the former is in question form and the latter is in command form. Both express a level of disbelief and mockery that vary according to the context and tone of the person who speaks them.

The mood of “Are you trying to make me laugh?”, however, holds a crueler undertone as its wording suggests that the person whom it addresses is doing so poor a job at something that the attempt itself is a failed joke. For example:

“Venus Love-Me Chain!” shouted Sailor Venus as she cracked the glowing chain at Prince Demande.

He raised his hand and shot forth a white beam of energy, deflecting the chain. “Are you trying to make me laugh?” he said.

Compare that to the same situation in which Demande uses the gentler “Don’t make me laugh!”, which implies that the attempt was at least successful as a joke:

“Venus Love-Me Chain!” shouted Sailor Venus as she cracked the glowing chain at Prince Demande.

He raised his hand and shot forth a white beam of energy, deflecting the chain. “Don't make me laugh!” he said.

Depending on the speaker’s tone, “Don’t make me laugh!” can be used to amiably tease the person at whom it is directed. For example:

“If you study one extra hour each day, you’ll be able to pull this grade up in no time,” Ami told Usagi with a smile as she handed her back the English quiz. “You just have to keep at it!”

“Usagi, study? Don’t make me laugh!” said Rei.

In the end, the mood of the phrase depends on the tone of the speaker.

Comments

[badtzphoto.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. I could tell there's a subtle difference but I didn't know that the former "holds a crueler undertone." I appreciate the examples and clarifications.

[achacunsagloire.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. I'm glad I could help. :)