Tagged Questions
2
votes
3answers
70 views
If I want to talk about a person, but not one in specific, should I use: “Subject”, “One” or “Persons”?
I'd like to use a noun to mention a person, but not a specific one, like generalising.
Should I say it like this?
It allows the subject to speak for themselves.
Or like this?
It allows ...
0
votes
1answer
78 views
I am looking for a word that is the same as “aspiration” but it's done
For example if you wish to do or have something, you can use aspiration. What word is the best to use for things that you have and done already?
I was thinking about accomplishment, but it only ...
1
vote
1answer
75 views
Hypernym for injured and dead
I'm working on some project that deals with natural disasters. I need to find the most proper word that can be used to refer to someone who either was injured or died in a disaster.
Can I use ...
1
vote
2answers
63 views
Meaning of the word “findings”? [closed]
I need to find a word to define the products you see in the capture.
The best match I've found is findings.
Is this word the correct one? Is there a better word for these products?
2
votes
1answer
81 views
Usage of “diary” and “calendar”
The difference between a paper diary and a paper calendar is fairly clear, though either may be used to record an appointmemt. However a computer application is less clear as, for example, MS ...
1
vote
4answers
102 views
“Cyclicity” vs. “cyclicality”
I can't find the difference between these two words. I want to describe the property of something that is repeating at a fixed period (don't ask me to use periodicity, that would be for another ...
0
votes
3answers
96 views
What is more common “table booking” or “table reservation”?
What is more common and natural, "table booking" or "table reservation"?
Is there a big difference between these two?
-5
votes
2answers
100 views
What is a person who hallucinates called? [closed]
What do you call a person who sees illusions or hallucinates?
Crazy?
Hallucinator? (Is this even a word?)
Insane?
Freak?
Something else?
5
votes
1answer
122 views
Pool or billiards in 1890s American South?
Which term is more likely to have been used in Georgia around 1893? I found a British website which explains the origin of the modern game known as American pool ...
2
votes
1answer
119 views
Does a truism need to be true to be a truism?
I frequently hear people quoting widely-used idioms or proverbs as if they are fact, simply because they are used frequently by many people. For example, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
Can ...
1
vote
1answer
107 views
“Choices” vs. “options”
Are the two words synonyms? Is it grammatically correct to say "you have two choices, this or that?" Isn't that one choice? Should it not be "you have one choice, this or that" or "you have two ...
1
vote
2answers
231 views
Difference between “meaning of life” and “purpose of life”
I have seen and heard both, but I cannot tell the difference between "meaning of life" and "purpose of life".
Could anybody explain it to me? When to use which?
3
votes
4answers
146 views
Word to describe a sensation of death coming over your entire body?
This is the context where I want to use the word:
He closed his eyes. The living did not come to mind, neither friend,
nor family—only the dance of death, plain to see. The dancing figures
of ...
2
votes
4answers
195 views
“Hot cakes” or “flapjacks” in 1890s American South?
Which term is more likely to have been used by my main character, a young man from a wealthy Macon, Georgia family, in 1893?
2
votes
1answer
73 views
Cologne or toilet water?
I am writing a novel set in 1890s Georgia (United States), and I am wondering whether the main character, a young man of eighteen, would refer to eau de toilette as cologne, toilet water, or something ...
-1
votes
1answer
51 views
Using 'show' with 'treatment'
Is it proper to say 'show special treatment' for example in "He showed him special treatment."?
I know it sounds more natural to say, "He took a special interest in him because of his background." ...
0
votes
1answer
294 views
“Man” vs. “guy” vs. “boy”
I am about 19 year old and go to college. Often I have to refer to myself in an introduction. What shall I call myself? 'Man' seems too old, 'boy' seems too young and 'guy' seems too informal. What ...
1
vote
1answer
109 views
Correct use of “proof-of-concept” [closed]
In writing a technical paper, I'm wondering about the correct use of proof-of-concept.
In short, the situation is that we have developed an application/tool to show the feasibility of a new approach ...
2
votes
2answers
191 views
Which one is more correct to say? “Sit” or “Sitting”?
The sit of her dress was perfect.
The sitting of her dress was perfect.
I didn't know that "sit" could be a noun form of the verb "to sit". I've been using "sitting" so far, but I came ...
4
votes
2answers
637 views
“Register” vs. “registry”
What's the difference in meaning between “register” and “registry”? Can both be used interchangeably when talking about an official (public) list of items, records?
4
votes
3answers
147 views
Collection of mathematical formulas
What is the correct term for a collection of mathematical formulas in the form of a (small) handbook? I'm looking for a translation of the German noun “Formelsammlung”.
Several dictionarys suggest ...
-1
votes
1answer
49 views
What is the difference between “Distribution Worker” and “Distributing Worker”?
I cannot differentiate when I should use a noun like "distribution" as an adjective to another noun, or when should I use an "-ing" participle as an adjective. Could you please clarify the differences ...
2
votes
4answers
105 views
“Distribution worker” vs. “distributed worker” [closed]
I cannot differentiate the meanings of the two words. Could you please clarify?
In general, when should I use a noun (distribution) or an adjective (distributed) for verbs similar to distribute, ...
2
votes
2answers
129 views
Is the word “dorm” acceptable in a thesis?
I'm writing a thesis about students living in dormitories and I would like to know if a dorm is an acceptable expression for a dormitory?
I don't live in GB nor in USA and the thesis is neither ...
0
votes
2answers
165 views
It is common to call washing machines “washers”? [closed]
According to Wikipedia:
A washing machine (laundry machine, washing machine, clothes washer, or washer) is a machine to wash laundry, such as clothing and sheets.
I think some washing machines ...
4
votes
3answers
105 views
Usage of “flavour” vs. “version”
Software systems undergo versioning when changes are made to them.
E.g.: "Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows RT etc. are some popular versions of the Windows Operating System."
Similarly, some software ...
1
vote
3answers
132 views
Need a word to describe book/academic journal as distinct from technical report
I am designing a database and I have an entity called Publication.
A Publication can be either a book/academic journal or a technical report.
So I need a word for book/academic journal as ...
0
votes
3answers
136 views
Is “setup” an acceptable noun in formal writing?
I'm editing a draft of a scientific paper which repeatedly uses the word "setup" to refer to the, well, experimental setup.
Example:
The dimensions of the setup are 250 mm × 250 mm × 50 mm.
...
0
votes
1answer
44 views
Use of “guarantee” in “What is the guarantee that…”
A: Are you going to invest in that plan?
B: I dont think so, it seems confusing and vague to me. What is the guarantee that my money will not be lost?
Is guarantee okay here? If not, what other ...
0
votes
0answers
9 views
“New customers” vs. “new clients” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What’s the difference between “client” and “customer”?
I am creating my portfolio where I am stating the following:
Once we understand your business and its goals ...
4
votes
5answers
176 views
What is the difference between “section” and “part”?
What is the difference between "section" and "part"?
The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English says for "section":
one of the parts that something such as an object or place is divided ...
2
votes
2answers
178 views
Is there a difference between “ascendants” and “ancestors”?
Without noticing myself, I've mixed the use of "ascendants" and "ancestors" in some documentation I've written.
In an arbitrary hierarchy (of either people or things), what would be the most correct ...
-1
votes
3answers
82 views
“Winter sales” vs. “winter discounts” vs. “winter offers”
We have a service, and we provide season discounts at this time of the year. Which of the following is the most preferable?
The winter sales started at "Company X"!
The winter discounts ...
4
votes
2answers
67 views
When would I use “transience” vs “impermanence”?
I was looking for the translation of the German word "Vergänglichkeit", and the most suitable candidates from the contexts I looked at seemed to be impermanence and transience.
I found the following ...
6
votes
2answers
134 views
Difference in usage between “expat” and “emigrant”?
Is there a difference in usage between expat and emigrant? I believe I encounter the former mostly in positive contexts, describing highly-skilled professionals ("expat guide to [country]"), and the ...
-3
votes
1answer
111 views
What's the difference between “rush” and “hurry”? [closed]
Both mean to move or act with haste.
Do the following sound the same?
I'm in a rush.
I'm in a hurry.
2
votes
1answer
131 views
“Irony” vs. “happenstance”
If I were to leave my country because there is a high chance that I will get shot here, and then got shot in the country I immigrate to, would that be ironic or a happenstance?
0
votes
1answer
93 views
“Arm stroke movements” vs. “arm stroke motions”
I have the following phrase:
This article analyzes freestyle arm stroke movements.
However I wonder if using motions wouldn't be better:
This article analyzes freestyle arm stroke motions.
...
0
votes
2answers
127 views
Noun for adjective “neat”
I need a noun for an adjective "neat" (or "cool") in the slang meaning "terrific". My logic tells me to use "neatness", but dictionaries don't seem to list the slang meaning for it. I don't mind any ...
4
votes
1answer
103 views
“Work” vs. “working” (noun)
What are the differences between work and working when used as nouns?
For example:
Advocates claim that work/working brings a lot of benefits for young people.
Which one is correct? I have ...
1
vote
4answers
461 views
“Particulate” vs. “particle”
What’s the difference between particulate and particle?
Should it be diesel particulates or diesel particles, and why?
Could you provide three or more examples where it should use particulate rather ...
2
votes
4answers
382 views
”Demand in/on/for something”
I am not sure whether to use in, on, or for after the word demand in the following sentence:
The continuing demand on high-quality software that is reusable and
easy to maintain and modify after ...
-1
votes
5answers
78 views
Alternative for “seats” in expressions such as “40% of the total seats are reserved for students of backward cast”
All of the leading educational institutes have 60% of their seats reserved for students of backward castes. It is a fairly common expression and a sad fact in India.
What would be an alternative to ...
2
votes
3answers
166 views
What's the difference between “rigor” and “rigorousness”?
What's the difference between rigor and rigorousness?
Which should I use in the following?
Rigorousness and clarity are not synonymous in pedagogy.
2
votes
3answers
91 views
“Tipster” in real estate terms
I'm trying to figure out what somebody is called who gives you (or someone else) a tip on real estate brokerage.
I've Googled (and Bing'ed ;)) along and found translations like "whistleblower" or ...
1
vote
1answer
90 views
Retire Vs Retirement
I am confused between the two:
My father is due to retire/retirement in a few months and is restless.
According to my understanding, retire sounds more appropriate. But I am not sure. Could ...
3
votes
1answer
102 views
Is “bulwarker” an acceptable word?
I'm well aware that bulwark refers to something used as a fortification or a defense. However, I was wondering if the word bulwarker is an acceptable word to use in English.
I know it's possible to ...
3
votes
5answers
418 views
Right word to describe “people working together”?
Please consider the below sentence:
Dean Shrivastava and his __ of twenty faculty members took care of the classes.
Which word of the below fits best into the above blank?
a. Gang
b. Team
...
1
vote
1answer
113 views
I was able to hear the sound/noise from here?
Given this question:
Dude the rock band was awesome.
Which one of sound or noise is correct here?
Yes, I know — I was able to hear the concert’s noise from my balcony.
Yes, I know — ...
7
votes
7answers
1k views
Word for “person that I supervise”
What is the best word to refer to the person that I (directly) supervise, in the context of a corporate workplace? The closest I can think of is employee, but that doesn't directly convey a direct ...
