Requests for lists of words, phrases, or other information.
13
votes
1answer
2k views
When should a verb be followed by a gerund instead of an infinitive?
Some verbs are followed by ing, e.g. I enjoy swimming. We can't say I enjoy to swim. Likewise, some verbs are followed by to, e.g. I decided to make a plan.
Which particular verbs are followed by ...
21
votes
3answers
2k views
Can anyone provide me with a list of English words that are their own antonyms?
I am looking for a list of all English words that are their own antonyms. Off the top of my head, I can only think of "either", "fast", "to dust" and "to lease", but there must be dozens more. Can you ...
47
votes
20answers
98k views
What are some expressions that can be used to end an email?
At the end of every email, we use ending expressions like
Best regards,
Kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
Yours faithfully,
What other expressions can be added to this list?
Which ones should ...
33
votes
6answers
2k views
What is wrong in Strunk & White's “Elements of Style?”
I was reading the comments on this answer where several users claimed that Strunk & White's "Elements of Style" was "misinformed, hypocritical, and wrong" and "flat-out wrong or totally ...
15
votes
24answers
2k views
Favourite untranslatables [closed]
What are your favourite words and idioms in other languages that don't have good, succinct equivalents in English?
(The issue of whether there is, or could be, a sentence on one language whose ...
5
votes
5answers
1k views
What are some uncommon but valid portmanteau words that people use?
What are some uncommon but valid portmanteau words that people use?
Example: Turducken is a portmanteau of turkey, duck, and chicken or hen. People outside US are not familiar with this.
13
votes
7answers
3k views
Words for meat differ from the words for the corresponding animal
In English we have:
"beef" for "cow", "cattle"
"veal" for "calf"
"pork" for "pig"
"mutton" for "sheep"
I'm not aware of this separation for "fish", "goat" or "chicken" (Spanish has "pollo" and ...
4
votes
6answers
750 views
City names with articles
Typically we don't use articles with city names, e.g. "Seattle" and not "the Seattle." I know at least one exception though which is The Hague. Are there any other city names which we use with the ...
16
votes
4answers
1k views
Does America have its Versions of U- and Non-U English?
In Britain and most of Europe, some form of U-speak exists: old-money language has certain features that distinguish it from other language. In Dutch, it doesn't really have a name, but it is still ...
-1
votes
1answer
258 views
List of truncated words [closed]
I don't know if I'm in the right place, but I was wondering if anyone knows where I can find a list of truncated words (and if possible the complete word). For example, tho ⇒ though.
