What Does "I Second That" Mean?

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Learn to use this common phrase in conversation
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You’ve probably heard someone say “I second that” or “I second that motion” before. But what exactly does this common English idiom mean, and what’s the correct way to use it in conversation? If you’re interested in the answers to these questions, look no further! We’ll go over the definition of the phrase “I second that,” explain how to use it, and provide some synonyms and alternatives to use. Keep reading for everything you need to know!

“I Second That” Meaning

The phrase “I second that” means you agree with what someone has said. It’s a way to express support for an idea they’ve proposed, or acknowledge that you share someone's opinion about something. For example, if your friend says, “We should grab dinner to celebrate our grades on the test,” you could reply, “I second that!”

Section 1 of 3:

What does “I second that” mean?

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  1. It means that you agree with something that someone else has said, or that you support an idea they’ve proposed. The phrase can be used in informal conversational settings, and it can also be used to offer formal support during a meeting or official proceeding. [1] You can also use the slightly expanded phrase, “I second that motion,” which means the same thing. Here are some examples:
    • Person 1: “We’ve studied enough today. Let’s call it a night.”
      Person 2: “I second that!”
    • Person 1: “I move to adjourn this meeting of the board of trustees.”
      Person 2: “I second that motion.”
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Section 2 of 3:

How to Use “I Second That” in Conversation

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  1. If someone makes a suggestion or expresses an opinion that you agree with, say “I second that” to show your support. [2] The phrase is essentially a synonym for “I’m on the same page as you,” or “I’m on board with that.”
    • Person 1: “We should take Emily out for drinks on Friday to celebrate her big promotion.”
      Person 2: “I second that! We totally should.”
    • Person 1: “We should review the presentation again before the meeting tomorrow. I think we’re still missing a few key ideas.”
      Person 2: “I second that. We need to add a few more slides.”
    • Person 1: “I think the movie was actually a little bit disappointing. It wasn’t bad, but I expected more from this director.”
      Person 2: “I second that! It just didn’t resonate with me the way that their previous work did.”
  2. The phrases “I second that” and “I second that motion” are often used to express agreement for ideas put forth in professional settings or official proceedings. For example, if the chairperson of a committee proposes a motion, one of the members of the committee could say “I second that motion” to formally declare their support. [3] Here are a few examples:
    • Person 1: “I move to name Kelly the new secretary of this council.”
      Person 2: “I second that motion.”
    • Person 1: “I propose that we focus on the issue of the annual budget during this meeting of the board of directors.”
      Person 2: “I second that.”
    • Person 1: “I move to adjourn this meeting of the student council until our return to school on January 4th.”
      Person 2: “I second that motion.”
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Section 3 of 3:

Alternatives to “I Second That”

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  1. Like “I second that,” the phrase “I concur” means that you agree with someone or share their opinion about something. [4] You can easily substitute “I concur” for “I second that” in most situations. For example:
    • Person 1: “I suggest that we focus on Chapter 7 during this study session, since it’s the chapter most people seem to be struggling with.”
      Person 2: “I concur. Let’s look at Chapter 7.”
  2. The phrase “I couldn’t agree more” is a way to express your strong support for an idea. [5] It has a very similar meaning to the phrase “I second that,” but it also has a slightly more enthusiastic and passionate connotation.
    • Person 1: “I think we all need to be more aware of the negative effects of excessive social media use.”
      Person 2: “I couldn’t agree more. I know so many people who have struggled with anxiety as a result of social media.”
  3. “We’re on the same page” means that you share someone’s opinion and agree with what they’ve said. [6] This phrase is a good alternative for “I second that,” especially if you’re looking for a more conversational, informal way to show your support for something.
    • Person 1: “I hate to say it, but I think we need to go over the flash cards one more time before calling it a night.”
      Person 2: “We’re on the exact same page. I don’t feel solid enough in those definitions yet. Let’s go over them again!”
  4. The phrase “I couldn’t have said it better” is another informal, conversational way to express your support for a statement. It means that you wholeheartedly agree with something that someone else has said. [7]
    • Person 1: “Okay guys, I think we’ve rehearsed this routine as much as we possibly can. Now we just need to get on stage and give it our all.”
      Person 2: “I couldn’t have said it better myself! We’ve got this, guys.”
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/second
      2. ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second
      3. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/second
      4. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/concur
      5. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/couldn-t-agree-more
      6. ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20same%20page
      7. ↑ https://www.yourdictionary.com/i-couldn-t-have-said-it-better-myself

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