Questions about spoken English.
5
votes
1answer
865 views
Punctuation of direct speech, edge cases
I recently learned that I have developed a consistent, but entirely wrong approach to punctuating direct speech in fiction. I am in the unenviable position of trying to relearn.
Previously I wrote ...
10
votes
6answers
5k views
How should one say times aloud in 24-hour notation?
A couple years ago, I switched all my personal clocks 24-hour notation. I live in the US, and 24-hour time is used very, very rarely. So, I haven't been able to listen to anyone say times aloud.
...
4
votes
1answer
419 views
Punctuation within quotes
When I was at school I was told that a quote should end with a comma. For example:
"The car is on the road," said Tom.
"No it isn't," replied Dick.
"He's right — it's over there!" said Harry.
...
23
votes
7answers
1k views
What makes “like” and “so” popular?
So, I was like, why does everyone say like and so in every sentence? Where did this trend come from, like, what started it, and is it actually grammatically correct to like, insert like into our ...
8
votes
0answers
404 views
When to use passive and active voice [closed]
When is it better to use passive voice in writing and speech?
When is it better to use active voice in writing and speech?
7
votes
3answers
741 views
Why do some people say “the reason is is that,” with “is” twice in a row?
Does anybody have any conjectures as to why this quirk is so common? For an example, see this TED talk by Kevin Slavin.
4
votes
2answers
443 views
Simple present vs. present continuous
What is the difference between saying:
Are you still working there?
Do you still work there?
Which is more common in spoken vs written English?
Google books returned results for both of ...
35
votes
5answers
4k views
What term can be used to describe Yoda's speech?
What is Yoda's speech called? Is there a particular name for it (such as "dangling...")?
11
votes
12answers
4k views
Why are movies so hard to understand (and what can you do about it)?
I have been learning English for many, many years now and think I have acquired quite some mastery. Yesterday I saw just another English (American) flick and thought it was a different language, but ...
12
votes
9answers
2k views
American vs. British English: meaning of “One hundred and fifty”
I've noticed that Americans do not say "and" when speaking numbers: for example, 150 would be pronounced "one hundred fifty".
I and most other British-English speakers would pronounce it "one hundred ...
19
votes
12answers
2k views
Just how offensive are the terms “retarded” and “gay”?
My college-age son and his friends use the terms "retarded" and "gay" pretty much interchangeably to mean substandard, bad, lame (in the sense of ineffectual or weak) or just plain wrong. I've ...
2
votes
1answer
5k views
Films/Series that are extremely good to understand (and that are not…)
Some time ago I asked "Why are movies so hard to understand (and what can you do about it)?"
To my surprise even many native speakers answered that they had difficulties understanding some movies and ...
5
votes
6answers
2k views
Do native speakers understand all the words in songs? [closed]
I'm wondering if native speakers understand all the words in songs? For me it is very very difficult, as I can understand only 30% of words and phrases in songs usually. While listening to people's ...
9
votes
4answers
405 views
Intention of rising pitches
I have been wondering about the rising pitch used in almost every sentence, by especially young Americans.
What is the purpose/intention of
rising pitch except in questions?
Is it friendly and ...
4
votes
5answers
707 views
Is it bad behavior to add filler words such as “so”, “um” in business speak?
Sometimes when I speak with my fellows at work, I start my sentences with "so" or "um". I don't know if this a bad behavior in business speak or not? If so, how can I get rid of those filler words?
3
votes
1answer
445 views
In which accent does Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) speak?
I don't know if Stack Exchange is the right place to ask this question but I am very keen to find out:
Which accent has Brad Pitt adopted in the movie Inglourious Basterds for the role of Lieutenant ...
3
votes
2answers
457 views
Usage of “to be done” [closed]
The following is a transcript of the well-known recorded lecture by Prof. Michael Sandel of Harvard University (the cited portion starts at 43:36):
The only argument this painter makes is that the ...
