This tag is for questions about choosing the best word for a particular context or meaning.
0
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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
415 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
72 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
72 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
96 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
81 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
58 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
90 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
182 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
118 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
69 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
67 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
170 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
96 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
118 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
61 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
90 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
131 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
85 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
46 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
109 views
A water circle of few radius is around the park
Look at the below image. Do you see the water in few feet radius around a land? How do you describe this? Let's assume that the land is a park and there is no fountain. Can I express it as "A water ...
0
votes
1answer
111 views
Synonyms, Antonyms, and “Neutralnyms”
Two words A and B are synonyms if they mean the same thing, and antonyms if they mean opposite things. But is there a word to describe the relationship where A means "neither B nor its opposite"?
...
0
votes
0answers
70 views
“Instructions on” vs. “instructions for”
Which of the following is correct?
Instructions on how to do this will be provided in the User Manual.
Instructions for how to do this will be provided in the User Manual.
0
votes
1answer
49 views
“In the roads” vs. “on the roads” [duplicate]
He is driving in the roads of the mountain.
He is driving on the roads of the mountain.
Which is correct, "in the roads" or "on the roads"?
2
votes
3answers
112 views
What is the word for the person who dislikes “Phony” people?
I want to know the word which can describe the personality trait of disliking "Phony" people. Misanthrope is too extreme and generalizes hating human race.
P.S: Any word which can suit personality ...
0
votes
1answer
67 views
Should I use “even though” or “although” in the following sentence?
Even though we were becoming closer and closer, we remained just as
friends.
Although we were becoming closer and closer, we remained just as friends.
Which is the one above correct?
0
votes
3answers
68 views
what's an antonym of 'monolithic' as in 'monolithic architecture'?
I want to describe an architecture/system that is composed of diverse and modular parts. What's a good antonym for monolithic architecture to describe a technical system?
1
vote
2answers
85 views
“A dream where I was walking” vs. “a dream when I was walking”
I often find it hard to choose between "where" and "when". For instance:
One time, I had a dream when I was walking...
One time, I had a dream where I was walking...
Should I use when, ...
1
vote
2answers
66 views
How to express “some place for children to play in restaurant or other public”?
I found some translations but am not sure if there are better and shorter alternatives:
"children playground" — I am thinking about a small place inside, not a large playground;
"corner for ...
0
votes
0answers
128 views
To Whom It May Concern, what's the best way to address a group?
I write emails to groups of individuals from time to time, and when I don't/can't address anyone in particular, I will begin the letter with
To Whom It May Concern,
Is this the best way to ...
1
vote
1answer
55 views
Origin and meaning of “Action item”
Where was the term "Action item" was first coined, and isn't just a fancy and euphemistic way to say "task"?
1
vote
3answers
42 views
How can I say that I'm in progress of become a security analyst on a headline?
I would like to state on my LinkedIn's headline that I am in progress of become a security analyst.
How could I say it without use that sentence, because that is a sentence not a headline. I had ...
0
votes
3answers
85 views
What is more common “table booking” or “table reservation”?
What is more common and natural, "table booking" or "table reservation"?
Is there a big difference between these two?
5
votes
1answer
145 views
Is the phrase, “a bloody altercation” an accurate way to describe the Officer’s killing at the MIT campus?
I was caught up with the word, “the bloody altercation” in the following statement of New York Times (April 25) article titled “Officer’s killing spurred pursuit in Boston attack.”
...
3
votes
1answer
32 views
Any difference between “protest” and “protest against”?
I've looked up in my Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary and New Oxford American Dictionary, it turns out that the difference (if any) between "protest sth" and "protest against sth" looks very hard ...
-1
votes
4answers
59 views
What's a word I can use to describe “putting a collar on a pet” in a comical way? [closed]
I thought of something like "stick a collar on" but "stick" doesn't satisfy me. What are my other options?
Anything with some "edge" will do if comical is too hard.
3
votes
3answers
100 views
What is a word for a gap that is too large to close?
What is a word for a gap that is too large to close?
I don't like insurmountable because that is a mountain and impassable just doesn't do it for me.
Any ideas?
2
votes
2answers
162 views
Which word is technically correct in English: debrick or unbrick?
With certain electronic devices if you make a mistake you can brick (used as a verb) the device, so it ends up in a defunct state. So the device ends up being bricked.
What is the correct term to ...
3
votes
1answer
63 views
If I go to a Language School, do I go to school?
My friend, aged 21, has just started taking classes at a language school, and will shortly be doing 4 hours each weekday there. It feels very odd to be saying "How's school going?" – we finished ...
0
votes
3answers
54 views
“Above” or “later” when referencing a range of versions of software
Which is correct when referencing an operating system version "OS X 10.6.x and later" or "OS X 10.6.x and above"?
Bonus points for providing the why.
1
vote
1answer
75 views
Is there a word for “a point in time”?
I'm looking for a simple word for a point in time for the name of a database column. The column is for "datetime" objects and it feels wrong to call the column "date", since that implies that the ...
-2
votes
1answer
64 views
The ironic correlation of the words “Ineffable” and “Circumlocution”
Both the word "Ineffable" and "Circumlocution" are contradictory by definition. For context;
first The very existence of the words shows defies its definition; so should one say "indescribable" as ...
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 ...
-5
votes
2answers
92 views
What is a person who hallucinates called? [closed]
What do you call a person who sees illusions or hallucinates?
Crazy?
Hallucinator? (Is this even a word?)
Insane?
Freak?
Something else?
1
vote
0answers
26 views
Which one is correct, 'I like this more' or 'I like this better'? [duplicate]
I feel that using 'I like this name more' is more correct than 'I like this name better'. Since English is not my mother tongue, I am not sure.
0
votes
1answer
47 views
Objectivity vs. Objectivism vs. Objectiveness [closed]
What are some clear-cut distinctions between objectivity, objectivism, and objectiveness?
