This tag is for questions about choosing the best word for a particular context or meaning.
0
votes
1answer
28 views
Meaning of “How'd you know?”: “would”, “did”, or “do”?
Does the question "How'd you know" mean:
How do you know?
or
How did you know?
or
How would you?
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Would like a specific word that describes a feeling or thought
I have a friend I have not seen for some time. We email quite often. I share a lot of funny stuff that cracks him up.
Here is my problem: This is strictly platonic, but we want to see each other ...
-1
votes
1answer
27 views
What word/title should I use in an email asking for updates
I would like to contact my recruiter (via email) asking for updates on my application.
What should I put in the title so it is informative, but also at the same time does not sound like I am too ...
0
votes
2answers
34 views
Which one of these words is more suitable for “having” or “accomplishing”?
I want to express the achievement of a goal such as "Buying a car", or "Learning a Skill".
Can I say:
"I obtained a new car."
or
"I obtained piano playing skill."
Is there a word better than ...
0
votes
0answers
48 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 ? For example I was thinking about accomplishment but it ...
2
votes
1answer
51 views
Is it ok if I start an opinion composition with the word 'Indeed'?
I was just wondering, is it's OK to begin an opinion composition with the word 'Indeed' in the first sentence? For example: Indeed I believe people's consumerism is one of the main causes for our ...
-1
votes
2answers
47 views
from and by differences [closed]
I have some questions.
"I'm tired from the hard work".
The function of this "from" is kind of reason, right?
What's the differences between from and by.
by is also changeable in this above sentence?
...
-1
votes
0answers
29 views
“Across the top” vs. “on the top” [closed]
Which one of the following sentences is correct?
Command buttons across the top of the screen are common to all screens.
Command buttons on the top of the screen are common in all screens.
...
1
vote
1answer
68 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
1answer
65 views
Is it correct to say “I would like to inquire about something?”
When I make a call to get some information regarding a matter, I generally start the conversation with "Hello, I would like to inquire about something."
Is this a correct usage? If not, what would be ...
2
votes
1answer
62 views
Term for “utilize for commercialization”
I'm making a résumé right now and I need a term for "utilize for commercialization" as in:
I have learned how to [use for commercialization] the concepts learned in school.
Or something like ...
-1
votes
1answer
32 views
who or whom in this context? [duplicate]
I am unsure which is the grammatically correct one in the following context:
...trying to find a programmer with who / whom I could collaborate.
Which one is the correct usage?
0
votes
1answer
59 views
“A snap on the back” vs. “a snap at the back”
I have the hat which has a snap on/at the back of the hat.
Which preposition to use here?
This is the sort of thing the sentence refers to:
2
votes
4answers
192 views
“In a while” vs. “for a while”
I recently got a message that says
Haven't heard anything from you in a while.
I always thought that the right way to say this would be to use for insdead of in. Are both versions correct? ...
-1
votes
2answers
33 views
Correct usage of commitment [closed]
What is correct?
The recorder must serve a minimum of two-year commitment. OR the recorder must serve a minimum of two years.
0
votes
2answers
64 views
What term sums up the following situation?
What term sums up the situation in which a person does not feel (s)he has to weigh into (or put much effort) into an argument because the implications will not affect them?
Thus, person X debates for ...
4
votes
2answers
108 views
Use of majority to refer to quantity
Is it correct to use 'majority' to refer to quantity? For example: More than half the garbage in our city is recycled . The majority of garbage is recycled.
If this is incorrect, why?
1
vote
2answers
67 views
“Approach mathematics like/as a creative activity”
Given the sentence:
Teachers in this country have generally been trained either to approach mathematics like/as a creative activity or that they should force students to memorize rules and ...
-2
votes
0answers
56 views
How to describe the closest enclosing element? [closed]
Say
<hello name="hello1">
<hello name="hello2">
<myTag/>
</hello>
</hello>
I wish to say the hello element (which is the hello with name "hello2") that is closest to ...
0
votes
2answers
59 views
“Committed to supporting X” vs. “committed to support X”
I'm trying to edit a speech and found a commonly used phase which I'm not sure if I should amend it or not. The sentence goes like this:
[a subject] is committed to supporting [a project].
...
-2
votes
0answers
30 views
“Develop a process for” vs. “develop a process on”
Which one is grammatical?
Develop a process on handling incoming material...
Develop a process for handling incoming material...
2
votes
1answer
83 views
“To go so far as to” — suitable for academic writing?
Is using the phrase "to go so far as to" in an academic context (e.g. in an article in humanities journal) acceptable?
New Example:
I do not know why Mister X went so far as to assert that Mister ...
1
vote
1answer
71 views
'I am nice, thank you'? [closed]
I would like to know whether, if someone asks me "How are you?" and I reply "I'm nice, thank you", is the word 'nice' grammatically correct?
1
vote
2answers
55 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?
1
vote
1answer
110 views
Is there any other word meaning “prick” with initial onsets “pr-” except prick?
This is my edited question:
I look up in the etymological dictionay about prick, and find that prick is not a word derived from Proto-indo-european etymon.
Meanwhile, I find a lot of words meaning ...
2
votes
1answer
55 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 ...
0
votes
0answers
38 views
Stipulated, mandated, ordained, required - w.r.t a law [closed]
Suppose a state's labor law requires that, say, every sign bigger than 1 square meters
Now, complete the following sentence: "The client shall obtain the necessary sign posting permit as ____ by ...
6
votes
3answers
359 views
better word for a “delivery guy”
What's the alternative of saying "delivery guy" or "UPS truck driver" if, for example, you are leaving a note and you want to make it sound less menial? I guess you can say "UPS truck operator" but ...
0
votes
1answer
66 views
use of has been and have been [closed]
I read a sentence which goes like this:
david who is one of such students in the class who _________ working very hard.
could someone let me know what suits the blank the best: has been or have ...
0
votes
3answers
65 views
What is the opposite of “emerging markets”?
I'm writing a corporate presentation in which I explain how our sales and operations network across the globe enables us to benefit from the opportunities offered by both emerging and "old" markets:
...
0
votes
1answer
92 views
Phrase for “suddenly wake up of a dream”
What is a natural thing to say when you suddenly wake up of a dream?
The impression I have in mind is of something like burst/tear apart or escape from the dream scene by waking up.
0
votes
1answer
79 views
What is the term for a photo used to advertise a business such as a firm?
I'm looking for the word that describes the portrait style photos used to advertise yourself to the world. You often see these in the context of a law firm or theater artist profile. Would profile ...
-1
votes
0answers
54 views
“Take you in the sky” vs. “bring you up to the sky” vs. “get you in the sky” — which one is correct?
If I have got a pilot licence, I will take you in the sky/bring you up to the sky/get you in the sky. Which one is correct?
0
votes
2answers
89 views
Is it wrong to use “The Albatross is now on the sky”?
Is it wrong to use "The Albatross is now on the sky"?
Is it like we should always say "The Albatross is now in the sky"?
I would like to get an explanation for this. Thanks.
1
vote
3answers
159 views
“worse” vs. “less better”
What is the right way to convey the meaning that I want to say?
Your job is worse than mine, so I am not going to quit my job.
Is there a better choice to say this? Should I use less better than ...
2
votes
3answers
112 views
Is it correct to use the comparative adjective “blacker?”
You can find "bluer," "redder," "greener," and "whiter" in the dictionary, but not "blacker." This seems mystifying. In his "El Paso" song, Marty Robbins sang, "Blacker than night were the eyes of ...
-1
votes
1answer
65 views
Is “encrusted with dust” correct? [closed]
A big black vehicle rumbles through the streets of the slum. Its battered exterior is encrusted with dust.
"Encrusted" means that water or oil has been combined with dust (or something) and then ...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
how to use “in” and “on” different things [duplicate]
There is a really big confusion in me when it comes to using "in" and "on". If I am describing a position of an object I know how the two words differ, but when it comes to other things it really ...
1
vote
1answer
62 views
“Firstly, secondly” vs. “Firstly, lastly” when listing just two points
Normally, if we which to illustrate our points, we can use firstly, secondly, lastly (or last but not least or finally).
There are a few pieces of information we need to notice:
Firstly,
...
-5
votes
0answers
64 views
What does “wanna” means? [closed]
I have some problems with the definition "wanna". What does "wanna" means? When I shoul use "wanna" and when I should use "want"
They want to get me?
or
They wanna to get me?
0
votes
3answers
156 views
Use of “though” versus “however”
Consider the sentence
E-books are on the rise, but they haven't suppressed paper books though.
This usage seems to be quite common, but when I learned English I was taught to use "however" ...
-2
votes
1answer
63 views
Usage of 'not different'
Take a look at this sentence.
Many apps are not good. Even some of Apple's
own apps are not different.
I intend to mean some of Apple's own apps are not good. Is this correct?
-2
votes
0answers
59 views
“Аmple innocence”, “enough innocence” or something else? [closed]
Is the phrase "enough innocence" valid? Or is it "ample innocence" or something else? I am looking to translate the Russian "достаточная невинность".
1
vote
1answer
95 views
“My late friends” — they're not dead!
Context: We're discussing about how we used to get penalized in school for being late to classes, many years ago.
I wanted to say:
In my old school, it was hilarious to see my late friends get
...
0
votes
1answer
96 views
“For example” vs. “just to name a few”
How would you explain the differences between using "for example" and "just to name a few" in the following multiple choice:
Your smartphone might give you a wake up call, send you emails, help ...
2
votes
2answers
59 views
“Starting with” vs. “starting from”
I would like to ask about the difference between the two phrases starting with and starting from.
Take the following two sentences for example:
Please give me all the names starting with A.
...
0
votes
2answers
84 views
Can we say “probable” where we have to say “possible”?
Can we say probable where we have to say possible?
What is the exact meaning of that? I have searched this, but I didn't get the perfect example of that.
2
votes
2answers
123 views
How to say hello to a group of people?
When entering a place or meet a group of people or starting a speech, how do you say hello to the audience (from a few to thousands of people). I know that this depends on the situation. I think it is ...
1
vote
4answers
79 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 ...
-2
votes
1answer
45 views
Is the use of “ignorantly” correct in the context? [closed]
Person A ask a question person B.
B answers something.
A argues with B.
B ignorantly says (thinking its no issue arguing person like A) hm, people like you won't understand.
Is ignorantly ...
