Tagged Questions
0
votes
1answer
90 views
Goodbye - is it very formal?
I'm writing about cultural differences - not for scientific purposes - and am trying to find out about more and less formal ways of saying goodbye in English.
On a scale of formality (from least to ...
4
votes
7answers
248 views
What is “plaice” in the US? Would love a good fish and chips
When we went to the market, at the fisherman's counter we asked for plaice with which we would make fish and chips. Now here in the States when we ask for plaice, they don't understand what we mean. ...
4
votes
1answer
97 views
“Exercise” but not “exercize”
Many words are spelled with -ise in British English and -ize in American English:
realise/realize
sanitise/sanitize
scrutinise/scrutinize
But exercise can only be spelled with -ise, never with ...
2
votes
1answer
166 views
Why is there a difference in the adoption of “Kindergarten” in American and British English?
As someone living in the US, I've heard the term "Kindergarten" used quite frequently. However someone from the UK was mentioning to me that the term is really not used that much in British English. ...
5
votes
1answer
129 views
Are constructions like “That's me out, then” primarily British rather than American?
Prompted by comments to this question on English Learners (about "That's you done"), I've been searching Google Books for similar constructions of the general form that's [pro]noun adjective (for this ...
-1
votes
1answer
162 views
Where can I find a list of words whose pronunciation is irregular? [closed]
Most words in English follow certain rules of pronunciation for vowels (for example: "o" in a closed syllable is usually pronounced /ɒ/ while in an open syllable it's usually /əʊ/).
From time to ...
-3
votes
2answers
82 views
Parenthesis and quotations having punctuation before AND after them [closed]
I'll have to come up with some examples to show you my question:
I know if a sentence is inside either, the punctuation is inside (I also know I use a lot of comma splices. I think of the way the ...
0
votes
0answers
27 views
English phonetics References [duplicate]
What are some great references on English pronunciation practices?
The book The Big Book of Beastly Mispronunciations was mentioned in an answer on this site.
Is it considered authoritative? What ...
-1
votes
1answer
155 views
Is this a polite way to ask questions? [closed]
I want to send questions to someone, I want to ask you if this way is polite and if there are better ways:
I want to ask you questions, your answers would be appreciated
I want to ask you ...
8
votes
1answer
356 views
“courgettes” vs. “zucchini” under a historical perspective
In this TimLymington's answer it is said:
Interestingly, there is another vegetable with the same identity problem; what the British call courgettes and the Americans zucchini.
What is the ...
2
votes
3answers
99 views
What word describes the shape of a whirlwind when seen from above?
What word describes the shape of a whirlwind when seen from above?
Swirl
Whorl
Radial
The shape they make when seen from above resembles a radial pattern or even a whorl.
-1
votes
1answer
109 views
Interpretation of 'have' as stative or dynamic
Please bear with me. It's been a long time since I looked up grammatical concepts.
The sentence is:
I can quite clearly see the bewildered looks you will be having on your faces on reading this. ...
3
votes
2answers
176 views
Have American English speakers always used the term “last name” instead of surname?
I am aware that speakers of British English generally use the term "surname" and AmE speakers use "last name." What I want to know is how long it has been this way, i.e. if AmE speakers ever used the ...
-1
votes
3answers
75 views
“Testification” in US English
The usage of Dieter Wisclieceny’s statements and testifications from
the Nuremberg Trials as the basis for the interrogation and trial of
Eichmann is also accurate.
In Microsoft word, the ...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Software to change American punctuation to British [migrated]
My apologies if this is off topic.
American and British writing have different punctuation styles. Is there any software that can change American style punctuation to British? I am referring to ...
-2
votes
1answer
110 views
“Cant fight no more”, is this grammatically correct? [duplicate]
"Cant fight no more", is this grammatically correct?
If not, what is the correct way of saying this?
Thanks!
0
votes
2answers
109 views
whiskers vs sideburns usage in UK vs US English?
Is the word whiskers more like UK English and "sideburns" more like US English? I see the term originates from "Ambrose Burnside" who was American so the word "whisker(s)" can be older than the word ...
2
votes
4answers
270 views
“Fall term”, “autumn semester”, “autumn term” or “fall semester”?
Please clarify which is UK English, American English, and where and when to use which:
Fall term (American English?)
Autumn semester (UK English?)
Autumn term (wrong?)
Fall semester (wrong?)
5
votes
1answer
160 views
Cardinal British Dates - A Kiwi Original?
I had never heard the use of cardinal numbers in dates when speaking until I moved to New Zealand. It seems particularly prevalent in TV and radio advertising, but doesn't seem to follow either ...
-1
votes
1answer
155 views
Why are there differences between US and UK English? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Where do accents and dialects come from?
I have heard a lot about US and UK differences in spellings and their accents but then why are there differences? What's their ...
3
votes
2answers
125 views
“Go shut the door” or “Go and shut the door”: AmE/BrE difference
The usage you put the verb (in its infinitive form) right after "go" is used in AmE but not in BrE, as I heard. For example,
Go shut the door.
However, I doubt this is true and want to know the ...
6
votes
2answers
343 views
Why do American and British English use different quotation marks?
American English uses double-quotes, while British English uses single-quotes:
"This is a quote."
'This is a quote.'
Why do we use different quotation marks? When did this difference ...
3
votes
1answer
91 views
“Tabled”, US vs UK [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the meaning of the expression “We can table this”?
Here's an example snippet for some context.
Ann had an idea. We tabled her idea.
In the UK this means ...
16
votes
3answers
1k views
Why does “corn” mean “maize” in American English?
I keep hearing "corn" as a synonym of "maize". This is widely popularized worldwide by popcorn. However, this is American English! In British English, "corn" can mean any type of "grain", especially ...
2
votes
1answer
276 views
Mixing British English and American English [closed]
I'm a non-native English speaker and as such, I was taught one variety of English In school--in my case, American.
However, I've also been extensively in contact with British English, and now I ...
-3
votes
1answer
79 views
Can I use the verb “rise” transitively, as in “rise its fame”? [closed]
I wanted to express this concept:
"In Brazil a new football star has born. Will you be able to rise its fame to superstar?"
Is this correct? Or is there an alternative and better way to say ...
6
votes
2answers
604 views
Wedding invitations in British English
I'm an American calligrapher living in France, designing a suite of wedding invitations for a Spanish bride living in London! Complicated enough? I can't really go to the bride with questions ...
3
votes
3answers
167 views
He considers that X is Y. vs He thinks that X is Y
The following verb in sentence 1 strikes me as strange when it has the same meaning as in sentences 2 and 3 below.
He considers that blue cheese is delicious.
He thinks that blue cheese is ...
1
vote
2answers
363 views
Is there a difference between British English phrases and American phrases? [closed]
My goal is to learn British English because I'm going to study there. I've found a good book about English phrases. However, the book is originally from the US.
Is there a difference between ...
0
votes
0answers
18 views
punctuation when addressing a person's name [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is it proper to omit periods after honorifics (Mr, Mrs, Dr)?
Should I use a full stop after Mr. or Mrs. as in Mr. Smith or Mrs. Smith or should I write Mr Smith and Mrs ...
11
votes
2answers
747 views
How and when did American spelling supersede British spelling in the US?
Considering that Webster published his first dictionary in 1806, is there a recognised tipping point (year, decade, etc.) that marked the move from traditional British spelling to Webster's American? ...
6
votes
4answers
507 views
Different Meanings of 'Jumper' (Transatlantic embarassment)
I'm originally from Wales, now living in the USA, and as the cold weather is approaching I'm determined, this year, to start using the word sweater to describe the item of clothing I'm wearing, as ...
1
vote
1answer
49 views
Alternative names for a place of trade [closed]
I am wondering what alternative names or nicknames there are for a place of trade. I know of market but I am hoping for others.
1
vote
1answer
245 views
What is the origin of “odds and ends”?
There's already a question (and answer) for "bits and bobs", which I believe is a Britishism, but what is the origin of "odds and ends"? "Odds" I have some reckoning for (as in, "odd items", meaning ...
7
votes
4answers
834 views
What's the equivalent phrase in the UK for “I plead the fifth”?
In the United States, a person under examination on the witness stand may "plead the fifth" to avoid self-incrimination. In other words, a person asserts his or her Fifth Amendment right.
Citizens of ...
6
votes
5answers
278 views
Is to “tell off” a particularly British expression?
I'm translating a short story from Spanish into English. A small child says (literally):
Why don’t we knock?” I asked. “They’re gonna tell us off.”
(The Spanish is: Nos van a regañar.) I've ...
2
votes
3answers
127 views
how to handle EN US/UK differences [closed]
If you are from Great Britain, or other English speaking country (except US), or even most of European countries where you learn british-english
and are working for an American company
would you ...
-1
votes
1answer
708 views
“Three-hundred forty-two” or “three-hundred and forty-two”? [closed]
So on this answer here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/12699791/finding-the-word-version-of-a-number/12700097#comment17146082_12700097
We were having the argument whether it is “three hundred and ...
2
votes
4answers
333 views
US and UK English: queue or waiting line?
What do you usually say, depending on the context and depending if it's US or UK English?
wait in line or queue
8
votes
3answers
259 views
“A similar hat to Jane” vs “A hat similar to Jane’s”
Of late I have noticed British people using the following sort of construct:
John and Jane make such a cute couple because John always wears a similar hat to Jane.
To my ear, that is ...
6
votes
2answers
793 views
Using “to my mind”
English is not my native language.
I am curious about the usage of "to my mind".
Is it a British English phrase?
Is it used in American English?
Is it formal/informal?
I've found an interesting ...
0
votes
1answer
276 views
“your heart just shrank” vs. “your heart just shrunk” [closed]
If I say:
Your heart just shrank two sizes too small.
Is the verb shrank correct as is? Or should it be in participle form?
Your heart just shrunk two sizes too small.
Which one would be ...
3
votes
1answer
253 views
“s” vs. “z” in BE vs. AE
I have trouble understanding why some words change "s"-es to "z"-s from BE to AE and some not. For example:
analyse -> analyze
characterise -> characterize
hypnotise -> hypnotize
But:
compromise ...
4
votes
2answers
299 views
Does modifying a collective noun with a number make the subject plural?
The word dozen is a collective noun, i.e., singular when we think of them as groups and plural when we think of the individuals acting within the whole. So we might say:
Talking about eggs: "A ...
10
votes
4answers
390 views
Ambiguous connotation of “just” - How do natives interpret these?
First of all, these questions are a bit related but not what I'm actually asking about:
Is “I just spent all my money” grammatically incorrect?
“I just ate them” and “I've just eaten them” - What's ...
13
votes
3answers
500 views
Difference between styles of English in technical communication
I have a collaborative software project with two other users. Nearly every technical report and documentation written goes through the following editorial changes to some of the sentences (examples ...
-2
votes
1answer
182 views
Pronunciation of 'Superman'
How do you pronounce the word, Superman?
For example the pronunciation of man seems equal in American and British English. But this is not the case for Superman. It seems that in American English, it ...
0
votes
3answers
551 views
Use “underway” or “under way” as an adverb?
Is it proper to use underway as an adverb? Or should under way be used?
Merriam-Webster defines underway as an adjective and under way as an adverb.
The Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & ...
4
votes
3answers
683 views
Why is American English so wedded to the subjunctive? [closed]
In the sentence 'She suggested that they go to the cinema' there is no way of telling from the sentence in isolation whether it means that the speaker gave advice on attending a moving picture show, ...
7
votes
1answer
444 views
Why is “fulfil” spelt as “fulfill” in American English?
In this answer, simplification is stated as one reason for spelling variations in American English. But unlike in color and favorite, the number of letters to spell the word in fulfil increases in ...
