Tagged Questions
1
vote
1answer
48 views
The correct word for adoption of a law by the National Assembly?
Since I am not a native English speaker I am not sure what word should I use for adoption of a law. The closest to my language is "adoption", but "promulgate", "enact" or some other word may be more ...
1
vote
2answers
122 views
A better, more academic way of saying 'whether or not'
This is my sentence, and I was hoping to make it sound more academic:
The aim is to ascertain whether or not the actors from the two films analysed can be considered to be heroes
Is there a ...
-1
votes
2answers
56 views
Which “one” should I use?
I'm having a hard time picking between
These are one of the foundations of....
and
These are ones of the foundations of..
Or is there a more idiomatic way to express it?
-1
votes
4answers
117 views
What is one word for - endlessly spread in all directions?
What is one word for - endlessly spread in all directions? It may be in context of a forest.
-1
votes
2answers
278 views
The Present Perfect vs The Past Tense in English [closed]
Would you agree that the present perfect is used more than the past tense by native speakers to emphasize the situation at hand? Some languages, like Arabic and Japanese, use the simple past much ...
0
votes
0answers
163 views
Poetics of the Word Beautiful and its Implications [closed]
Background:
Let us say that a couple is looking at the sunset. The man turns to his wife and says, "Beautiful." That is, although he could be referring to his wife, he is referring to the sunset.
...
0
votes
2answers
219 views
Polite Compliments
Is a "polite compliment" necessarily a redundant statement when used in a group of people as opposed to a one-to-one situation?
-2
votes
3answers
91 views
I need an expression or a different group of words for "long list of reasons I am unworthy/ a failure [closed]
I'm looking for another way to say: I couldn't help but ponder the long list of reasons I am unworthy/ a failure.
11
votes
9answers
1k views
Is it “Check and mate” or “Checkmate”?
I found the expression “Check and mate!” in the following sentence describing furious exchange of words between CNN host Piers Morgan and rightwing radio host and anti-gun-control propagandist Alex ...
3
votes
3answers
175 views
If someone thinks like you, can he or she be your 'alter ego'?
Wikipedia explains alter ego thus:
An alter ego (Latin, "the other I") is a second self, which is
believed to be distinct from a person's normal or original
personality. A person who has an ...
5
votes
3answers
343 views
What is the behavior where one closes their nose with their lips to elude foul odour called?
I have seen this question, and it is not exactly what I'm asking. Sometimes people (most especially in developing countries) raise the tip of their lips to cover their nose when a foul odour is sensed ...
1
vote
5answers
125 views
“stars on heaven” vs “stars in heaven” [closed]
Which expression is correct?
stars in heaven
or
stars on heaven
I want to express that something comes in really, really large numbers. For instance: "There are more Blabla than stars ...
3
votes
2answers
150 views
How to call the wall behind him?
It's the wall when the suspect is taken a shot. I don't know how to call it so It's hard for me to find picture about the wall itself.
4
votes
2answers
92 views
'submerged' in this particular moment [closed]
How can I say this sentence more properly? Suppose I am with my girlfriend, and I say
"I want my whole life to be submerged in this particular moment".
I don't think that submerged is the right ...
6
votes
6answers
283 views
The usage of “the same…as…”
Which one of the following two sentences is more correct?
We use the same space as is specified in Chapter 1.
We use the same space as specified in Chapter 1.
0
votes
3answers
108 views
Better phrase for “lengthy date” [closed]
Is there a better phrase or word to use than lengthy date? For example:
We give this lengthy date to accommodate the dispute respecting the Hermas who is the author of the Pastor.
This seems a ...
1
vote
2answers
114 views
“check out” vs. “look at”
Consider the following:
Check (out) the portfolio and let me know if you are interested via e-mail.
or
Look at the portfolio and let me know if you are interested via e-mail.
Can I use ...
2
votes
1answer
158 views
Which adjective to use for a hour that has already started?
I am having a hard time with wording of a simple agreement (just as an exercise, not a real thing, of course).
I am trying to express that for each hour the person spends on some task, he will get ...
1
vote
2answers
224 views
What do you say when a person/an idea/… is crazy to your mind?
What does one say or do if they think that a person's idea, behaviour, etc. is crazy to their mind?
For instance:
In Germany, when someone dangerously passes you, you will show them by tipping your ...
1
vote
2answers
176 views
Take my photo, take a photo of me
Please tell me, is there any difference when saying take his photo and take a photo of him? To me, the first one sounds awkward.
1
vote
2answers
191 views
Can I say “acquiesce” and be acquiescent?
Can I say "acquiesce" and be acquiescent, or by saying the word do I then imply a protest, negating my acquiescence?
Example: "I acquiesce to your request."
To me, it seems that speaking the word ...
-1
votes
2answers
51 views
What should I use? “The ways of something” or “The path of something” [closed]
I am always learning stuff about computers and I switch between saying "The Path of the Computer Knowledge" and "The Ways of Computers" every time.
When I use those expressions I want to express that ...
1
vote
5answers
3k views
Better way of saying “Go-to man”?
Does anyone have a suggestion for a gender-neutral alternative to the phrase "Who's the go-to man?" The go-to person feels stylistically awkward.
0
votes
3answers
355 views
What's the best way to say: “which one is more true or more accurate”? [closed]
What's the best way to say:
"which one is more true or more accurate" when talking about 2 words?
0
votes
0answers
93 views
English use in Adventure of a Bystander by Peter Drucker [closed]
Since English is not a native language and I have only a little experience to read books in English, I don't know if my impression is right to the point. This question may be very silly to the ...
3
votes
1answer
120 views
Use of the word “lore”
Should I use the word lore when speaking about knowledge that is connected to a specific domain, or would it be better to use the expression "professional knowledge"?
1
vote
7answers
2k views
A Good Phrase to Replace “Get To Know”
This is what I want to express:
I want to get to know more algorithms that have been created.
I have thought about changing the sentence into
I want to gain a better insight into algorithms ...
4
votes
3answers
66 views
“Connections”, “network” or…?
Suppose I know a lot of people in a particular place — let's say, Singapore — and they can help me.
How can I express it through a short sentence to let someone know that he has found the right ...
1
vote
5answers
452 views
Can I say “reduces the proximity to zero” to describe 2 objects being very close?
When I say "reduces the proximity to zero", does it mean that the distance between two objects are extremely close?
My intention is to describe that the distance between two objects gets very close ...
2
votes
4answers
106 views
Something causes a lot of initiatives [closed]
I’m translating a movie about basic income, from French to English. In this movie, someone says that basic income would make people do a lot of new things, that it would create a lot of initiatives.
...
5
votes
3answers
468 views
After losing weight, how do I say I can wear my belt tighter?
So, yes, I have been losing weight, so far down 4kg and 2 to 3 inches in waist.
I am happy and when I was trying to say to someone that now I can wear my belt tighter, I don't know how to say it ...
1
vote
1answer
129 views
Can “to revolve around” mean “to deal with/pertain to”?
... around which the book revolves.
Can I use this expression to say that the book is dealing with a subject, addressing an issue, or talking about something?
I'm open to suggestions if there is a ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
“All but convinced” as a way of saying that one is, in fact, convinced? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
“All but” idiom has two meanings?
It seems kind of counterintuitive, but saying that:
I'm all but convinced that ponies eat leprechauns.
means
...
6
votes
3answers
183 views
“Institution” and “facility”
Do you use institution for a university building?
There are three institutions in this campus.
According to Longman Dictionary, an institution is "a large building where old people, ORPHANs, ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
What does “programming in a vacuum” mean?
I'm not sure what that exactly means. Why do people use the term vacuum like this? Please advise.
3
votes
1answer
2k views
Why are the “hands” of a clock called “hands”?
Why are the hands of a clock called hands? To me, this makes little sense; they do not resemble hands in any way, and if anything body-part related, they should be arms. So why are they called hands?
5
votes
3answers
444 views
Determining which good sentiment to wish at each holiday
Is there any rhyme or reason to how we wish people sentiments for various holidays. For example:
"Merry Christmas", "Happy New Year", "Happy Birthday"
are all acceptable sentiments but if we ...
3
votes
1answer
202 views
“What exactly” vs. “Exactly what”
What are the differences between these two phrases?
For example, how would you qualify the difference between these two sentences: "What exactly is that book about?" and "Exactly what is that book ...
15
votes
3answers
1k views
Short Sleeves or Shirt Sleeves
I've always referred to a shirt that has short sleeves as a "short sleeve" shirt. However, I've also heard it be referred to as a "shirt sleeve" shirt or "wearing shirt sleeves." This seems like a ...
3
votes
2answers
146 views
How do you call “gift CDs” that you select music for manually?
Is there a special word or phrase for a CD with a carefully picked playlist you made for a particular person, often given as a gift?
5
votes
6answers
1k views
What is a word or expression to describe anxiety about the passing of time?
What is a word or expression to describe a feeling of anxiety about the passing of time?
I am not referring to boredom which refers to not having anything to do or being dissatisfied with what I'm ...
2
votes
2answers
682 views
“Forbidden to” vs “Forbidden from”?
Which sounds better (and where do you live?) I am American, and I think "forbidden from" sounds better, although both "forbidden to" and "forbidden from" are considered standard usage.
"The banks ...
3
votes
3answers
207 views
“Agreed” or “agreed to”
Should agreed or agreed to be used in the example below?
The member countries agreed the bailout package for the sovereign. NATO will enforce the sanctions agreed in May.
The member ...
1
vote
3answers
568 views
Is describing someone as “higher-educated” awkward?
I’m updating my résumé and would like to convey in a condensed manner the fact that I have a Masters degree in a particular branch of the humanities (politics and society of the Middle East, but ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
Is “very less” correct English?
Is using very less correct English? My friend suggests it should be very little. Are they both correct, or is there a difference?
0
votes
3answers
367 views
Word for “a sudden death”
A neighbour of mine died last week a moment after reaching his climax during the sexual intercourse with his young partner. He was 79 years old.
Is there any available English word to describe his ...
2
votes
2answers
393 views
How does “very much” fit in with “thank you very much”?
I would never say, "I am sorry very much" or "You're welcome very much", why is it that it fits well with "Thank You"?
2
votes
5answers
5k views
Is it “as God is my witness,“ or ”as God as my witness"?
I have seen both "as God is my witness", which makes sense but sort of puts God in a supportive role, and "as God as my witness", which sounds wrong to me but I don't know, might be an olde tyme ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Usage of “not comparable”
Can the phrase "not comparable" be used in a negative context?
For example, if someone says the latest pirates movie is not comparable to the previous versions, can it mean it is so bad?
1
vote
5answers
243 views
How would you say “written for a Latin population”?
I want to say that the author wrote for the Latin people (common folk of 1200 in Italy) as his main audience. That is, for the wide audience of general populace and not just for the scholars.
My ...
