This tag is for questions about choosing the best word for a particular context or meaning.
1
vote
2answers
70 views
“Until you apologised” vs. “until you have apologised” vs. “until you apologise”
What is the most correct way of saying to someone that I won't speak to him before he has apologised.
I won't speak to you until you have apologised for what you have done.
I won't speak to ...
0
votes
4answers
235 views
what's the difference between “apparent”, “evident” and “obvious”?
I believe they are all the same, but is there any case in which not all of them are correct?
Here are the examples, from an English textbook:
1. It is (quite) __ that he took the wrong path.
...
-1
votes
2answers
125 views
Is “off to somewhere with a car” correct?
I wonder if the structure of the following sentence is correct:
I'm off to my place with my car.
I'm the one driving the car, but I prefer not to use the verb drive. Would the following ...
3
votes
5answers
153 views
Short expression for “If you are not 100% convinced yet, this last thing will seal the deal”
I'm writing a LinkedIn recommendation for a colleague of mine. I praised his abilities far and wide; now I would like to throw in one last (ironic and informal) punch line to top it all off.
Here is ...
-1
votes
1answer
106 views
A word to describe thing or activity that is usually happens with other people [closed]
For example:
The movie contains violent scenes, (that usually can be seen in) the Tarantino movies.
He barely know us, but gave us a warm welcome, (that's usually given by) close friends.
What ...
1
vote
2answers
175 views
A word to describe something that has a clear-cut purpose and consequently works out of the box
I'm looking for a word that would convey the idea of something that adresses a definite problem set and consequently lets you do so without much effort.
Here's an example:
Hammers are designed to ...
4
votes
5answers
263 views
A word to describe “work that is ready to be done”
I'm writing an application that generates a spec sheet for a publication. At the top there will be a list of the various components (ads, articles, etc.) and how many there are for each status type:
...
2
votes
2answers
109 views
“Crisis”, “drama” and similar words in the news
Today I read the economist headline:
On to the next crisis.
Automatic spending cuts took effect on March 1st; more drama is to come
I startled at the word ‘drama’. It would be regarded as ...
0
votes
4answers
109 views
How would you describe an operator which has no fixity? [closed]
Traditionally mathematical operators are either prefix, postfix or infix. All the three forms of notation are equivalent and can be converted from one to another.
Formal systems such as programming ...
3
votes
3answers
178 views
What's the opposite of Proof of Concept?
From an Information Technology perspective, what's the opposite of Proof of Concept?
I need to ask my client if they want us to build them a Proof-of-concept (app in its basic form) or a full-fledged ...
2
votes
1answer
57 views
Adjective antonym of “discriminate”
In biology, hierarchical clustering is used to separate studied samples into different groups, thus if successful, the clustering criteria can be seen to "discriminate" between group A vs. B.
I am ...
-2
votes
1answer
76 views
What is correct: “both sides of you” or “both sides of yours”?
Which is right?
both sides of you
both sides of yours
Example:
I know both sides of you(rs) and they make you the girl I love.
-1
votes
2answers
46 views
“Multiple” vs. “additional”
When you are adding or inserting additional people to a list, what is the correct word to use, multiple or additional? Example:
Multiple escorts can be added using the Add New Escort tab.
...
8
votes
8answers
1k views
What do you call a person who has never done anything wrong in their life?
What do you call a person who always speaks the truth, never does anything wrong, and treats everyone fairly?
I am looking for a word or name of a popular person who was famous for having similar ...
2
votes
4answers
112 views
“Put/value above” vs. “put/value over”
The company puts profits above/over safety.
The company values profits above/over safety.
Is it above or over?
0
votes
2answers
69 views
Difference between “value” and “valorize”?
Beyond the definitions of both words, I can't find which is best in which context.
If I mean giving impontance to something, which one should I use?
If I mean giving more value ($) to something, ...
1
vote
7answers
224 views
single word that means which can be constructed at home
What is the word that means “that which can be fixed up at home”?
For example, I buy parts from a store, bring the parts home, and then can construct the thing out of those parts by myself. What is ...
-2
votes
1answer
52 views
“Enrich” vs. “enriches”
Which is correct?
The profoundness of experiences, such and more, enriches / enrich me till date.
0
votes
1answer
184 views
The opposite of Archive
A colleague and I are writing some software and we're looking for some advice on the usage of the word "Archive". Currently, we're using archive as a marker to state that the entry in our database has ...
0
votes
3answers
138 views
Usage of “Which” and “What” [duplicate]
Which is your most favourite subject in school ?
What is your most favourite subject in school ?
Which one is acceptable? If both are acceptable, do they have any difference in meaning?
2
votes
1answer
77 views
Is there a word for motion that a bull makes when it kicks back with his legs before charging?
Is there a word for motion that a bull makes when it kicks back with his legs before charging?
Kind of like at 22s in the following video
http://youtu.be/pjM_67aOT3Y?t=22s
Even if it's not an ...
2
votes
1answer
275 views
Could I address someone by first name in business emails if he/she addresses me by first name?
I am really not sure about when it is appropriate to use someone's first name in business emails. If someone addresses me by my first name, but signs his email officially — full name, plus title, ...
2
votes
1answer
99 views
What is the most common name for the floor above the ground floor in Canada?
I think the floor above the ground floor, in public buildings, is either called 2nd floor (in which case the ground floor is the first) or 1st floor. This is quite confusing since you need to know the ...
-1
votes
4answers
116 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.
2
votes
5answers
98 views
What do we call one step in a resolution?
Lets say, I have taken a resolution. And there are 5 steps in the process of accomplishing the resolution. Is there a word for each of those steps? A word other than "baby-step", "target", ...
1
vote
1answer
61 views
Which pronoun should be used to refer back to actions?
Which word is better suited to reference an action? For example,
Setting appearance of each report component is too long process. It’s
easier to use styles for it.
or
Setting appearance of ...
2
votes
2answers
151 views
Referring to people from different parts of United Kingdom
I see four people in front of me. One is from Wales, one is from Scotland, one is from England and one is from Northern Ireland. I can say about each one "He is Scottish/Welsh/English". But, how do I ...
13
votes
7answers
1k views
What do you call an indoor water tap?
I always thought water sources were called taps in kitchens, bathrooms etc, but a Google search only returned outdoor taps.
So my question is, what are indoor taps really called? Like this one: ...
0
votes
1answer
67 views
“Quench thirst” vs. “still thirst” when “thirst” is used figuratively
Do I say "quenched my thirst" or "stilled my thirst" when I speak of something that I desire and not actual thirst? E.g. a thirst for a new car or something.
-1
votes
1answer
57 views
“Bridging X and Y” or “bridging X with Y”?
Which is the correct (or more correct) version of this phrase and why?
Bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary science
Bridging ancient wisdom and contemporary science.
0
votes
1answer
178 views
Looking for a position “with a stable company” or “in a stable company”?
I would like to know which of the following is correct:
I am looking for a position of Senior Developer with a stable company.
I am looking for a position of Senior Developer in a stable ...
3
votes
3answers
130 views
What tense should be used when looking at an old photo?
Commenting on a photo which was taken a few years back:
Question:
Is this you?
Should I reply:
Yes, this is a few years back.
or:
Yes, this was a few years back.
Which of the ...
4
votes
2answers
360 views
“Register” vs. “registry”
What's the difference in meaning between “register” and “registry”? Can both be used interchangeably when talking about an official (public) list of items, records?
-1
votes
3answers
70 views
“Move slower” vs. “move less”
What is the proper word to fill the blank?
The more cars there are on a given road, the __ the traffic will move.
The answer is slower. But I wonder whether less is incorrect.
-2
votes
1answer
103 views
“A position in which” vs. “a position where”
Given these two:
I’m seeking a position in which I could score many goals.
I’m seeking a position where I could score many goals.
Which one is better than the other?
-3
votes
1answer
62 views
What is the word to refer one third [closed]
if there are 2 parts, each one is called half, if 4 then quarter. Whats the word for 1/3.
-3
votes
1answer
139 views
What is one word for ''too good to be ideal''? [closed]
Something which is so good & ideal that anyone would jerk mockingly at someone who believes it to be true; either now or hopeful for sometime in the future. The adjective for this too good ...
2
votes
1answer
114 views
When would I use “once” versus “nonce”?
Looking at the definitions for once and nonce. they appear very similar to me.
Under what circumstances would one or the other be a more appropriate word choice?
4
votes
1answer
234 views
“Flammable” versus “Combustible”
In Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition (2003), the first definition of combustible is "capable of combustion," the first definition of combustion is "an act or instance of ...
4
votes
3answers
138 views
Collection of mathematical formulas
What is the correct term for a collection of mathematical formulas in the form of a (small) handbook? I'm looking for a translation of the German noun “Formelsammlung”.
Several dictionarys suggest ...
8
votes
13answers
818 views
Does English have words to describe the lowest rank member of society? [closed]
For example, in Indonesia we have "rakyat". In English we may have citizen but the word actually has power connotation rather than powerless connotation.
Another word is peasant. But that seems to ...
4
votes
4answers
181 views
Is “ass-wise” an acceptable English word? Is it a noun, or adverb?
I was surprised to see the New Yorker’s (February 26) article titled, “Boehner defends decision to remain on ass,” which was chockablock with the word, “Ass.”
“Minutes after telling the United ...
4
votes
3answers
203 views
Talking about skills level, which adjective fits better: “intermediate” or “medium”?
I thought "intermediate" was the appropriate label for the second of a three-level system of grading skills level, but I just saw a CV template on which the levels are defined as "basic", "medium", ...
-3
votes
2answers
81 views
What is the difference between “unrelenting” and “relentless”?
Which one do I use for a song that I'm listening in a loop?
I asked this on Quora but didn't get a satisfactory clear answer that would justify the difference.
4
votes
5answers
219 views
Looking for the opposite of “drill down”
I am a programmer working on a chart component that allows to drill down on selection of a node. Drilling down will show the details of that node (like its children etc.). But I am struggling to find ...
2
votes
2answers
88 views
Percent or per cent
How should I choose between writing "percent" and "per cent"?
For example:
He sold 42 percent of his stock in the company.
or
He sold 42 per cent of his stock in the company.
Are there ...
0
votes
1answer
176 views
Do “I guess” and “I would say” have the same meaning?
I often read sentences where the idea is "I would say" but it starts with "I guess". For example:
I would say he is not coming.
I guess he is not coming.
Do both have the same meaning?
3
votes
1answer
108 views
Who is ‘Brad’ who doesn’t want you to succeed in public speaking?
In association with my yesterday’s question about the meaning of ‘metaphysical impossibility’ of the chance of making speech at Oscar Award wining for most of us, I found the following sentence in the ...
1
vote
1answer
73 views
Is this usage of “however” with an adjective correct?
Is the word "however" correctly used in this sentence? If not, how could it be rephrased?
This program, however comprehensive, hasn't been updated for a long time.
Is there a better construct to ...
-4
votes
2answers
74 views
“Mr. Dill works ________ a big library” [closed]
I'd appreciate a clarification on when it would be best to complete this sentence with "at" and when with "in".
