It depends on the situation ITSELF.

[Ashraful Haque]

I was asked, "Do you think sudden changes in our lives are always positive?" I started my answer this way:

"It depends on the situation itself. For example, if you win a lottery it's obviously a positive thing. But....."

I don't know why I said 'itself' here. If it's correct, what does it exactly mean?

 

[teechar]

I don't know why I said 'itself' here.

I also don't know.
You don't need it there. You can say "It depends on the situation" or even just "It depends".

 

[Tdol]

You don't need it, but it is not an error.

 

[Ashraful Haque]

You don't need it, but it is not an error.

That's exactly what I wanted to know. If it isn't incorrect, it must mean something right?

 

[emsr2d2]

It simply emphasises "the situation" and, I would say, suggests that it doesn't depend on anything else. I would disagree with that suggestion. There are usually several factors involved in most things that happen in life.

 

[jutfrank]

That's exactly what I wanted to know. If it isn't incorrect, it must mean something right?

Well, since you're the one who used it, perhaps you might have a go at telling us what you meant.

 

[Tdol]

We do have empty language, but I would put this down to emphasis.

 

[Ashraful Haque]

Well, since you're the one who used it, perhaps you might have a go at telling us what you meant.

As a non-native speaker I've picked up a lot of words and phrases without any conscious effort. For example, when someone asks a question I often say "Well....." before starting my answer even though I'm not exactly sure what it means. But I hear people saying it all the time.

 

[emsr2d2]

As a non-native speaker I've picked up a lot of words and phrases without any conscious effort. For example, when someone asks a question I often say "Well....." before starting my answer even though I'm not exactly sure what it means. But I hear people saying it all the time.

"Well" really is just an empty filler word. It gives the speaker a second to think about their answer. If you ask someone a straight "Yes/No" question, you won't hear such fillers. It's used more when the speaker wants to consider their response a little but doesn't want a weird empty silence while they do so.

Do you like cheese?
No.

Have you seen The Godfather?
Yes.

What do you think of the fiasco at the Australian Open?
Well, ... I suppose I can see why some of the players are upset but some of them are just behaving like spoilt children.