This tag is for questions about choosing the best word for a particular context or meaning.
12
votes
3answers
13k views
“Can hardly wait” versus “can't hardly wait”
This has been bothering me for a while and I'm finally at a forum where I feel like I might get an answer. I have heard people say "I can hardly wait for summer to get here" and I've also heard "I ...
12
votes
3answers
2k views
When must one use “should” and when should one use “must”?
I tend to use should when it's a suggestion I don't have a strong opinion on, i.e. it could be done in many other ways than the one I'm suggesting and it can still happen.
You should stop by that ...
11
votes
2answers
2k views
Can “anyways” be used at the beginning of a sentence?
For example, is it acceptable to say “Anyways, I love Stack Exchange" or should "anyway" always be used?
10
votes
8answers
2k views
What's a good word for a person that's being followed?
Wondering what the correct word to use for a person who is being followed. All I can think of is a followee, which doesn't seem correct. It's being used in a twitter like system of followers and ...
10
votes
2answers
677 views
What is the correct usage of “while” and “whilst”?
When should whilst be used instead of while?
For example, should I use the first or the second sentence?
They don't do this whilst they do that.
They don't do this while they do that.
What ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
“Ironic” vs “ironical”
I just read something where a phrase was described as ironical. To me the word ironical jars terribly. It just doesn't sound right at all. I would have said ironic.
Is ironical a feature of American ...
8
votes
5answers
2k views
What's the difference between “big” and “large”?
What's the proper way to say: a large family or a big family? What's the difference between them?
8
votes
2answers
436 views
When to use 'an' and when to use 'a' with words begining with 'h'?
Some h-words need 'an' for the indefinite article (I will be there in an hour).
Other h-words need 'a' for the indefinite article (It is a history of sadness).
What is the general rule?
7
votes
6answers
547 views
What colloquial word is used when you don't remember a word but you want to use something for it?
I checked some dictionaries and found out the following words to be used for objects whose names are forgotten:
whatsis, whatchamacallit, thingummy, dohickey, dojigger, doodad,
doohickey, ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
How should I use “eponym”, “eponymous” and “namesake”?
I was in London and visited the Tower Bridge. Afterwards, I went to a pub called The Tower Bridge. Just to be clear, the pub is named after the bridge.
Which of the following are correct?
The ...
6
votes
5answers
712 views
“all that” vs. “all what”
I’ve heard somebody say:
All what is needed is …
I thought the correct way to phrase it was:
All that is needed is …
However, thinking about it more, the former doesn’t sound too ...
6
votes
3answers
741 views
Are “like” and “such as” completely synonymous?
"Like" and "such as" seem to fit the exact same sentences:
I want a cookie like that
I want a cookie such as that
There are plenty of variations where they differ:
I like cookies
...
6
votes
5answers
1k views
“In orbit” vs. “on orbit”
When should one use something like "conducting experiments in orbit" vs. "conducting experiments on orbit"?
6
votes
3answers
3k views
Should I say “Your order is now complete” or “Your order is now completed”?
When a user finishes an order on my website, what's the correct way?
Your order is now complete.
Your order is now completed.
6
votes
3answers
7k views
“In the last 3 months” vs “in the past 3 months”
What's the difference between in the last 3 months and in the past 3 months if there is any?
5
votes
2answers
5k views
“Expected of” vs. “expected from”
It is expected of/from you to find the solution.
Such rude behavior was not expected of/from you.
I am quite sure that from is the correct usage in both cases, but of could be used in the ...
5
votes
6answers
2k views
“Told” vs. “said to” somebody
I told him that you hate him
I said to him that you hate him
I was choosing between these two options, and I can't help thinking about the subtle differences.
For example, "I told him ...
5
votes
2answers
194 views
“Lyrics to a song” vs. “lyrics of a song”
I've seen both being used interchangeably. Are both valid? Is only one correct?
Lyrics to a song.
Lyrics of a song.
5
votes
1answer
115 views
“Got it at” or “Got it in?”
If someone asked you where you bought something, you could say,
I got it at Walmart.
but what if instead of referring to a store you were referring to a city?
Would you say,
I got it at ...
5
votes
7answers
4k views
“based in” vs “based out of ”
I have seen people use both forms below. Which is correct? If both are, in which situation is each better used?
I am a software engineer based in New York.
I am a software engineer based out ...
5
votes
6answers
2k views
When to use “Elven”, “Elvish” and “Elfic”?
Well, these are three adjectives for "something from the elves". But I'm spanish and in my language there's only one adjective for these (élfico), and I can't understand what's the difference.
5
votes
5answers
434 views
To add someone “to” Facebook or “on” Facebook
Which one is correct and why:
It was the first time a girl asked me to add her on Facebook
Or
It was the first time a girl asked me to add her to Facebook
4
votes
1answer
7k views
“On time” vs. “in time” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
“In time ” versus “on time”
I don't know if there is any difference. Which of the following should I use?
I'll be on time to catch the ...
4
votes
5answers
476 views
“Comic” vs. “comical”
I am confused between these words. Dictionaries say they are similar, but I vaguely remember my schoolteacher apprising me of a difference between them. I would love if someone could elucidate.
4
votes
4answers
3k views
Someone who sleeps during the day
People are sometimes said to be a morning person or a night person. I also know that the term for something related to night is "nocturnal".
Is there a specific word for a person who sleeps during ...
4
votes
4answers
278 views
What does “Japan-lite problems” mean?
It’s pity to learn our own country is viewed as a bad example for other countries not to follow. I found the word “Japan-lite problems” in the article of Time magazine (August 25 issue) titled “Six ...
4
votes
5answers
13k views
“Movies” vs. “Cinema” vs. “Theater” — what's the difference?
What are the differences between going to "the movies", "the cinema", and "the theater/theatre" (ignoring the fact that theaters are also for plays and not just movies)?
Personally, "movies" sounds ...
4
votes
4answers
459 views
Is there a better noun form of “unreasonable” than “unreasonableness?”
I simply can't bring myself to use unreasonableness, but can think of no synonym or alternate form with comparable meaning.
I'll restructure if necessary, but wonder if I'm missing a suitable ...
4
votes
4answers
324 views
Can snow be dry?
Disclaimer: There are a lot of questions packed in but their answers are interdependent.
Different textures of snow can be described as "wet" and "dry". Considering that water is the quintessence of ...
4
votes
3answers
901 views
“Do it very quickly” vs “do it ASAP”
What is the difference between these phrases?
Please, do it very quickly, since the deadline is approaching.
and
Please, do it ASAP, because the deadline is approaching.
4
votes
3answers
1k views
What is wrong with “I don’t like these kind of things”?
The New Oxford American Dictionary reports that
USAGE
1 Kind of is sometimes used to be deliberately vague: it was kind of a big evening; I was kind of hoping you’d call. More often it reveals ...
3
votes
3answers
100 views
“Run on an OS” vs. “run under an OS”
What is the correct way to specify the operating system you are targeting or using?
Is a program running on or under an operating system (OS)?
Is a machine running an OS or under an OS?
3
votes
1answer
171 views
Do we use “which” or “that” when referring to the preceding main clause as a whole?
Sorry, I don't think I can use all the grammatical terms right, so I'll illustrate:
Peptide
adsorption curves may cross [...] results in the inversion of peptide
elution order.
I've found a ...
3
votes
2answers
575 views
“Would you have liked to have been” vs. “would you have liked to be”
I was interested in the following sentence which appeared in an article titled “No Rest for the Weary” in The New York Times (February 15, 2008).
Would you have liked to have been president from ...
3
votes
5answers
185 views
“The lyrics to the song” vs. “the lyrics of the song”
Do you remember the lyrics to the song?
Do you remember the lyrics of the song?
I'm more familiar with the second sentence using the "of". But what I don't know is, how would you ...
3
votes
4answers
409 views
A word with a wide range of meanings
Is there a better alternative to ambiguous for a word with a wide range of meanings, difficult to find, because they become different in connection with person's opinion.
3
votes
1answer
6k views
“Participate in” or “participate on”?
Which is the correct preposition in the sentence below? Why?
Participated in/on producing quality software solutions for leading global insurance and reinsurance companies.
3
votes
1answer
776 views
“Go XXX” or “go to XXX”
Sometimes I see go XXX (go home) and sometimes go to XXX (go to school, go to work). Is there any specific rule about this?
3
votes
2answers
8k views
“Angry with” vs. “angry at” vs. “angry on”
Which is the most appropriate/correct usage?
Are you angry on me?
Are you angry with me?
Are you angry at me?
3
votes
4answers
528 views
Is “between A to B” considered good grammar?
I looked at "Between A and B vs from A to B", but it didn't mention a third variation I've been hearing more often, recently.
Even on the Australian national broadcaster, the ABC, I've heard ...
3
votes
2answers
3k views
Pants — “is it” or “are they”?
This question has come straight from this great question title: Pants — why is it plural?
I just thought that if somebody hadn't already edited the title, it is either written right, or all editors ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
What's the difference between 'allow' and 'allow for'?
To be precise, I know that allow means to permit, and allow for is more like to make something possible, to enable, to make a provision for, but I'm still in doubt when I have to decide whether to use ...
3
votes
2answers
694 views
“Instant” vs. “instantaneous”
What is the difference between instant and instantaneous? Which is correct in this sentence?
It had an almost __ response time.
3
votes
2answers
2k views
Correct use of “consist”
Which one of the following two sentences is correct?
We are only concerned with crystal systems which consist of an inversion center.
We are only concerned with crystal systems which consist ...
3
votes
6answers
2k views
Fishing terminology: What phrase describes a fish getting caught on the hook?
I know nothing about fishing, but I need to describe what happens when a fish snaps at the bait and gets hooked. Specifically, what does the hook do? Does it catch? Does it burrow? Does it seat ...
3
votes
3answers
344 views
“End with” vs. “end in”
I'm writing up some documentation, and I'm unsure which phrase to use:
Option X: Find all strings ending with foo.
or
Option X: Find all strings ending in foo.
Are both correct? (Google ...
3
votes
2answers
3k views
What's the difference between “successive” and “consecutive”?
What's the difference between "successive" and "consecutive"?
3
votes
2answers
4k views
Classify into 4 categories or in 4 categories?
Which is more correct?
I am going to classify these faults into 4 categories.
I am going to classify these faults in 4 categories.
I am going to classify these faults as 4 categories.
...
3
votes
0answers
290 views
“Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
“Is become” vs “has become”
This is a famous quote from J. Robert Oppenheimer after the successful detonation of the first nuclear weapon. The ...
2
votes
1answer
82 views
Is 'quantitate' a synonym for 'quantify' or just a misnomer?
I have always used quantify, but have been encountering quantitate more and more in scientific literature. Is quantitate a "valid" verb and a synonym for quantify? Otherwise is there a subtle ...
