Which is correct, "I COULDN'T care less" or "I COULD care less?"?

Question

I always thought it was "I COULDN'T care less," as in, I care so little about it, I couldn't care any less than I already do. But I regularly see "I COULD care less" in print, so now I'm wondering...

Answer 1

I could not care less means that you care nothing.

I could care less means that there is some care, as it implies that the speaker could care about the matter even less but cannot be bothered to.

'Couldnot' is the more usual expression

Answer 2

They are both correct.  

1. I couldn't care less means I have no care for it whatsoever, therefore I couldn't care less.

2. I could care less implies the same meaning- I am careless when it comes to this.

It's written that way due to 2. being an older expression than the other.  I hope my explanation is not too complicated.

Answer 3

both

Answer 4

Yeah, saying "I couldn't care less" is a double negative, which essentially means that you "do care." The proper way to say it is "I could care less" but when you say "I couldn't care less" to somebody, they know that you really mean "I don't care"

Answer 5

I would agree with you, because " I could care less " doesn't seem to make any sense unless it is said dripping with sarcasm.

Answer 6

I couldn't care less is correct.  The purpose of the expression is to demonstrate total disinterest.  I could care less means you do care some.  I couldn't care less means you could not possibly be any less interested.

Answer 7

I couldn't care less is actually a double negative, so it's like saying you do care. The proper was it I could care less.  

Answer 8

Both are fine.

Your reasoning is correct for "couldn't", but the reasoning for "could" would be that right now you don't care about it, but if pushed, you'd really show that you don't even care as much as you currently do.

Answer 9

The correct one is "I could care less." This is correct because you CAN care LESS. Nothing could stop you. The other choice is incorrect because it means " I could NOT care less." Which means something is prohibiting you from caring any less. It's like saying " I must care" but instead it's " I couldn't care less."

BTW It's not a double negative, a double negative would be "I couldn't not care less" which would mean you could care less.