Hello there, English learner! 👋
Great question about the phrases “I could care less” and “I couldn’t care less.” These two sound similar, but only one of them is logically and grammatically correct. Let’s clear up the confusion once and for all!

✅ The Correct Phrase Is:

I couldn’t care less.

✅ Meaning:

You do not care at all—zero care is possible.

🗣️ Example:

• He’s mad at me, but I couldn’t care less.
  ➡️ = I don’t care even a little bit.

❌ What About “I Could Care Less”?

Technically incorrect, but still commonly used—especially in American casual speech.

❓ Why is it confusing?

• If you could care less, that means…
  ➡️ You actually care somewhat, right?

So saying “I could care less” literally means:

I care, and there’s room to care less.
👎 Which is the opposite of what people usually mean!

💬 So Why Do People Say “I Could Care Less”?

It’s likely due to:

• Sarcasm or irony
• Shortened speech in casual conversations
• Becoming a frozen expression in American English

Still, many native speakers don’t realize they’re saying something that’s logically backwards.

📊 Quick Comparison

📝 Example in Context

Correct:
She broke up with him, but he couldn’t care less.

Incorrect (but often said):
She broke up with him, and he could care less. ← Wait… so he does care?

💡 Learning Tip:

Pro Tip:
➡️ To express total indifference, stick with:
“I couldn’t care less.”
It’s clear, logical, and widely accepted.