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5
votes
2answers
579 views
Why are the “donkey” and the “butt” both named “ass” the same? [closed]
Is there any similarity between them that they have the same name, or is the reason something different of having a physical similarity?
I found different meanings for both, but none of them ...
21
votes
6answers
1k views
Are “Fish in a barrel” and “Sitting ducks” similar?
Do the phrases "Fish in a barrel" and "Sitting ducks" convey the same thing?
In my opinion, they have the same tone and express something to be an easy target.
Eg: Out there, they are just fish in ...
2
votes
3answers
438 views
Is it okay to say “in their own terms”?
As far as I know, it is valid to say "they can produce music on their own terms" when you want to say that a group can produce music without having to answer to anybody but themselves.
Is it also ...
2
votes
4answers
417 views
What is a word to describe a person who wears several masks?
What word best describes a person who is deceitful and very complicated to understand? As they say, he wears several masks.
-4
votes
4answers
920 views
It's not proper.. no such thing as “unseeming(ing)ly”? [closed]
I'll keep it simple, as I've learned - the hard way - that schtick does NOT go over well, around here. So....
unseemly |ˌənˈsēmlē| adj.
(of behavior or actions) not proper or appropriate: an ...
7
votes
4answers
569 views
What's the difference between “efficacy” and “effectiveness”?
I usually use the word "effectiveness" in conversation, but sometimes I use the word "efficacy" then self-correct with "effectiveness" . Is there a practical difference between them?
4
votes
2answers
327 views
Is the expression 'more alike' awkward or does it work in an interface?
I want to create a button on an interface that will show me more items (cars) of the same kind (or similar in characteristics).
I was thinking of 'more like this' but this is a bit too long and the ...
4
votes
2answers
780 views
Subsequent, Consequent… Presequent?
Imagine the following:
A -> B
B is consequent (and subsequent) to A, because A implies B.
How might one describe A relative to B? "Presequent" gets a few search results... but perhaps there's ...
3
votes
1answer
134 views
supplant : replace :: snatch : take
The title is an analogy appeared in the GRE verbal test, and I yet can't find the analogy in it.
"Snatch" means to "take" hastily or eagerly, but I don't see if "supplant" is a more hasty motion than ...
-3
votes
3answers
1k views
“Rank” and “ranking” [closed]
What is the difference in meaning between rank and ranking, as in "an officer with high rankings" and "a high-rank officer"?
I know perhaps there might be a difference in usage, but my question is ...
0
votes
1answer
255 views
Are “rhyme” and “rhythmic” related words? [closed]
When I look at these words, it seems that they should have something in common. The concept behind both is also related. They both denote the concept of patterns of sound.
Are they related ...
3
votes
5answers
671 views
Difference between “size” and “magnitude”
Following the comments to this answer to another question, what is the difference between size and magnitude?
I know there's a difference, but can someone put it in a nutshell for me?
19
votes
4answers
2k views
Difference between “artifact” and “artefact”
Is there any usage preference between artifact and artefact?
My understanding was that an artifact was properly applied to physical, historical objects, while an artefact was more correct for more ...
3
votes
1answer
138 views
If I change the part containing “conceivably”, does this sentence still have the same meaning?
I found a sentence in my programming book:
Note that the delimiter does not have to be a bracket and could be conceivably any character.
If I extracted the part:
could be conceivably any ...
0
votes
2answers
338 views
What does “life plays tricks on him” mean?
What does this statement mean?
Life plays tricks on him.
Is it similar to
He has a twisted fate.
4
votes
2answers
771 views
“Intent” vs. “intention”
How are intent and intention distinguished in terms of usage?
My guess after checking my pocket dictionary is
Intent is used to mean a bad purpose.
Their intent to kill the boy is crystal ...
0
votes
3answers
166 views
A word similar to lofty [closed]
I'm looking for an adjective that means lofty, intangible, hard to incorporate into every day life, not down-to-earth. It would describe an idea or concept.
ETA: Example of sentence I would use it ...
1
vote
3answers
261 views
Phrases similar to “what would you do?”
I'm looking for common phrases similar to "What would you do?" I'd like any phrase that signifies the call to action to make a difficult hypothetical decision. For example, "Take your pick" is a ...
4
votes
4answers
437 views
Word similar to “farewell” but with negative connotation
I am looking for a word that is similar to the meaning of farewell or goodbye except that it has a negative connotation.
I find it hard to choose an appropriate word when I close communications with ...
17
votes
7answers
3k views
Is there a difference between “innocent” and “not guilty”?
I have always thought the antonym of "guilty" is "innocent", but apparently it's just "not guilty". Even juries seem to agree.
But why? Aren't they antonyms? Or is there a subtlety I'm missing here?
...
8
votes
7answers
956 views
Simple sentences that demonstrate differences among similar-looking words [closed]
While searching online for the difference between "sometime" and "some time", I stumbled upon this page. At the middle of the page you can see these two sentences that demonstrate the difference:
...
1
vote
2answers
915 views
Any website to look up words with similar pronunciation or spelling?
Is there any website(s) to look up words with similar pronunciation or spelling?
For example: stack, steak, stake, stick.
(It can help me as a non-native English speaker to learn confusing words.)
4
votes
5answers
814 views
Which thesaurus best describes the differences between several similar words? [closed]
Which thesaurus (online or paper) best describes the differences between several similar words? As a non-native English speaker, it is often difficult for me to distinguish the slightly different ...
4
votes
4answers
2k views
Are “not uncommon” and similar phrases double negatives? Should their use be avoided?
When I think of double negatives I think of phrases that grate on the ears, like:
I'm not going to do no homework.
I'm never going to not go visit Graceland.
There are some phrases that ...
8
votes
5answers
2k views
What is a word for words that rhyme or sound similar?
You may say "node rhymes with toad", or "the words load and toad rhyme", but what about the relation of rhyming?
The relation between "node" and "load" is purely ____ - they just sound similar.
...
1
vote
5answers
1k views
Similar words that change from “-ter” to “tre”
I just found out that luster in British English was actually lustre. This was something that I did not know before.
Are there any other words that behave like this? Why? (According to what?)
1
vote
1answer
321 views
“Let's”: similar contractions
First, I'm aware of this question.
What I want to know is if there are other similar constructs, done by contracting a verb with "us".
5
votes
10answers
1k views
What's a word similar in usage to “diatribe,” but not as harsh?
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a diatribe is defined as a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something. I had previously understood it to mean something more along the ...
8
votes
2answers
1k views
What is the difference between “proven” and “proved”?
My question concerns when to use what of the above.
