How and why certain words are used in varying ways within various contexts.
8
votes
1answer
304 views
Data is/are in a global context
I have been commissioned to script a series of brief videos on the importance of data accuracy and consistency. The videos are directed to employees of a company with offices around the ...
-1
votes
2answers
558 views
In Moderation, In Revision
1 The forum comments are under moderation.
2 The forum comments are in moderation.
3 The book is in revision.
4 The book is under revision.
Could 1 & 2 be the same? Could 3 & 4 be the same ...
5
votes
4answers
502 views
How do I formally speak dates?
How are dates formally spoken? Are there any differences in the British and American versions?
16
votes
5answers
5k views
“How dare you” vs “How do you dare”
I know that dare is a semi-modal verb. I just don't know when to use it like a modal auxiliary verb and when to use it like a normal verb. Given the following examples:
How dare you ...
How do ...
7
votes
3answers
478 views
When is it appropriate to use “scare quotes”?
For example, is putting scare quotes around "scare quotes" appropriate? Wikipedia says the term means usage of quote marks "to indicate that [a word or phrase] does not signify its literal or ...
2
votes
1answer
312 views
“Thus” vs. “Thusly”
I read an article that used "thusly" and was wondering if there is any grammatical credence to it.
The quote:
The issue started when Sokolowski quickly ran out of storage capacity in his 32GB ...
10
votes
1answer
1k views
“I can't help it.” Why help?
Why do we use the verb help in sentences such as the following to mean something like refrain from?
I try not to eat junk, but I can't help it.
I couldn't help laughing.
I can't help but admire her ...
5
votes
1answer
323 views
Frequency of word use vs number of words
Let's consider a partition of the words in the english language according to respective use frequency.
Looking at the frequency graph it should be easy to find classes of words with approximately the ...
5
votes
3answers
670 views
English usage: Every vs all?
Today I was writing a simple message to be shown to the user whenever at least one field was not supplied.
Every/All fields must be supplied.
I'm in doubt about the usage of Every vs All, which ...
2
votes
1answer
109 views
Should I say “I make a living by teaching” or “I make a living teaching”? Which one is correct? Is the preposition 'by' necessary?
I am confused about the correct usage of the phrasal verb, 'make a living'. I don't know whether I should add the preposition 'by' at the end of it.
I looked up several dictionaries, most of which ...
1
vote
2answers
5k views
“Is equal to” or “equals” [closed]
Are both is equal to and equals similar in meaning? Which is the more natural?
For example, one plus one equals two or one plus one is equal to two.
0
votes
1answer
130 views
Under which cases should an article (a/an/the) not be used? [duplicate]
The current machine has been repaired.
Current machine has been repaired.
Which is more natural? What are the subtle differences between them?
Under which cases should an article ...
0
votes
0answers
82 views
Loose And Tight [closed]
In one dictionary, the definition (5) for the adjective "loose" reads:
5 : not stiff or tense : flexible or relaxed
▪ He walked with a loose stride. ▪ loose muscles ▪ I never relaxed that day; ...
0
votes
3answers
108 views
Is it possible for the words “exorbitantly grateful” to be interpreted as a bad thing? (or over the top)
Normally I use the word exorbitantly to describe an excess in a negative sense, however this time I used it to express an abundance of appreciation and gratitude.
Could a critical reading of "I am ...
0
votes
1answer
56 views
Is it correct to write “backup” as a noun? [closed]
I was about to create a folder to keep an archive my important files in. This question got stuck in my mind while renaming it.
How do I have to rename that folder?
Back up
Backup
Back-up
Are all ...
-1
votes
1answer
57 views
Possessive Ambiguity: sharing a house [closed]
Could this:
Jason shared Michael's house.
be an acceptable shortened version of this:
Jason shared Michael's house with Michael.
?
-1
votes
2answers
275 views
Complaint of vs Complaint for [closed]
Another one of vs for question, here for would be the right choice, because its use denotes the function of purpose as I think it's the case here, right ?
When customers complaint of an error ...
-4
votes
2answers
112 views
X Shared Y's Something [closed]
I was looking up information about popes and then I found this:
found here
Pope Julius III (1550–1555) was alleged to have had a long affair with Innocenzo Ciocchi del Monte. The Venetian ...
