I'm being sarcastic

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Used to tell someone that your previous remark was a joke and that you meant the opposite of what it seemed to say.

   Grammar: Stands as its own short sentence, usually right after the remark it explains: 'Nice weather.' 'I'm being sarcastic.'

   Patterns

   • I'm being sarcastic
   • I was being sarcastic
   • I'm not being sarcastic

   Great, another meeting that could have been an email. I'm being sarcastic, of course.

   When she didn't laugh, he added, 'I'm being sarcastic,' and explained the joke.

   I'm being sarcastic — the traffic was awful, not wonderful.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Used to state plainly that you are speaking in a mocking or ironic way, often because the listener has taken you seriously.

   Grammar: Can follow a serious-sounding complaint to clear up the tone: 'Thanks a lot for nothing. I'm being sarcastic.'

   Patterns

   • I'm being sarcastic about something
   • I'm only being sarcastic

   I'm being sarcastic about the food, by the way; it was actually cold.

   Don't look so upset — I'm only being sarcastic.

   He kept a straight face and said, 'I'm being sarcastic,' so nobody would think he really liked the plan.

Common combinations

I'm being sarcastic

'What a brilliant idea.' 'I'm being sarcastic — it will never work.'

I was being sarcastic

I was being sarcastic when I said the test was easy; it was terrible.

I'm not being sarcastic

I'm not being sarcastic this time: your presentation really was excellent.

said I was being sarcastic

She said I was being sarcastic, but I honestly meant the compliment.

just being sarcastic

Relax, I'm just being sarcastic about your cooking.

I'm being sarcastic, obviously

I'm being sarcastic, obviously — nobody enjoys waiting two hours.

Synonyms and how they differ

I'm joking

Says only that the remark was not serious; it does not necessarily suggest the mocking, opposite-meaning style that sarcasm does.

I'm kidding

More informal and friendlier than 'I'm being sarcastic', and it usually softens a tease rather than pointing out irony.

that was sarcasm

Names the device after the fact instead of stating your intent; it sounds more like a label than an explanation.

Opposites

Word family

sarcastic adjective

Describing speech that says the opposite of what is meant in a mocking way.

sarcasm noun

The use of mocking, opposite-meaning remarks; the thing you are doing when you are being sarcastic.

sarcastically adverb

In a mocking, opposite-meaning way: 'he answered sarcastically'.

Commonly confused: I'm being sarcastic or ironic? I'm being sarcastic or cynical?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “I'm being sarcastic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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