This tag is for questions about choosing the best word for a particular context or meaning.
3
votes
3answers
157 views
What's a word for “properly oriented”?
When editing and improving questions on the Cognitive Sciences site, I came across the following sentence:
Infants can detect an upside human face right after they are born
This sounded awkward ...
0
votes
0answers
13 views
property of words to infer its meaning
What allows us to use a word that we rarely use, or haven't looked at the definition for, properly in a sentence? I don't necessarily mean a specific usage, but rather we can substitute big words that ...
4
votes
1answer
28 views
Is there a word for selecting yourself as the target audience for an invention or product?
Let me explain this with an example. An inventor faces a problem, he decides to develop a solution for it. Initially, he is the main target audience for his invention.
I was wondering if there was an ...
0
votes
2answers
46 views
How would you apply the idiom “I'm $verb'ed out” to “eat”?
I've often heard people apply the suffix -ed after a verb to create phrase, "I'm $verb'ed out." They do this to mean that they've already done $verb, and don't intend to do it in the immediate future ...
8
votes
2answers
2k views
“Good bye”, “Bye”, “Bye bye”
I'm a non-native English speaker and sometimes it's hard for me to pick up the right word in some situations.
Could you, please, explain when it's better to use "goodbye" for ending a conversation, ...
1
vote
2answers
44 views
A summer house, a cottage or a cabin?
When I want to refer to a (rural) vacation home, what would be the most appropriate term in BrE? I know in American English cabin and camp are used for those, but what would correspond to those in ...
-1
votes
1answer
27 views
“Compute column last line” vs “compute column's last line” [closed]
Is "compute column last line" correct? Or should I write it "compute column's last line"?
Regarding a program which computes the last line of a given excel column.
3
votes
6answers
105 views
Word for the longest time in spent in a group
A friend and I were discussing what would be an appropriate word to describe the person that has been in a group for the longest. I suggested the word elder, but that seems to apply the age of the ...
0
votes
4answers
19 views
Short exclamation to mean: “This is driving me crazy.”
(Edit: The exclamation should be a "word" instead of a "sound" because it is the first human word uttered by the protagonist (the chimp). I don't really have much choice with the phrasing since it's a ...
1
vote
2answers
39 views
Is it correct to use the term paranoia when expressing overrated reaction due to fear of something?
I was discussing with someone who had this strong conviction that AI is a ridicule all through and neglected all of its uses. At a stage, the argument got heated, and I said:
I think you are ...
1
vote
0answers
20 views
What are some examples of adjectives expressing varying levels of intensity using the same root or unit word [closed]
What adjectives express varying levels of intensity using the same root or unit?
11
votes
3answers
842 views
In the context of family, what is the opposite of “immediate”?
In the context of family, the term "immediate" refers to member of the family connected by birth, adoption, marriage, civil partnership, or cohabitation.
Is t here a term that refers to the rest of ...
1
vote
3answers
23 views
Finish, complete, submit, or finished at the end of a short drag and drop word bank quiz that isn't graded?
What term's better for the finish or submit button at the end of a short, optional, test quiz?
The quiz is a drag and drop with a word bank, and the button I'm talking about will check their answers, ...
3
votes
2answers
382 views
Is ‘anything in a skirt” a popular idiom? Does it have special overtones?
I came across the words, ‘anything in a skirt” in the following sentence of Jeffery Archer’s “The Fourth Estate”:- Page 202.
“(Captain Armstrong is entitled to a car and driver) if the brigadier
...
5
votes
1answer
54 views
When the subject of a sentence is the same as the object of the previous sentence
What is it called when the subject of a sentence is the same as the object of the previous sentence?
For example:
I'm going to Freddy's house. Freddy lives down the block. The block is paved ...
0
votes
0answers
42 views
“All that is needing” vs. “all that is needed”
I've read the following quote from Game of Thrones:
Opening your eyes is all that is needing. The heart lies and the head plays tricks with us, but the eyes see true.
English is not my mother ...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
Try something by video? [closed]
There is a video of a dance and I want to say: I am going to try it in practice (preposition) the video? Would "by" work here?
16
votes
4answers
21k views
Which is correct: coming down the “pike” or “pipe”?
Is the expression "coming down the pike" or "coming down the pipe"? I've always used pike, but I've heard a few people use pipe recently. I can see how both could make sense, but which is correct?
9
votes
3answers
139 views
Make/take a photograph?
In English we say "take a photograph" whereas in some other languages one would say "make a photograph".
The French say "take" even though they "make" far more often than we do in English, and ...
0
votes
3answers
55 views
Does “an accordingly big army” sound awkward?
Is it just me or does this sound weird?
To protect such a big empire with wide borders, an accordingly big army is required
When I wrote it initially it seemed a bit off, but I read it again ...
2
votes
1answer
44 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 ...
2
votes
0answers
45 views
Macho for women [closed]
Is there a negative term to define women who are "overly" feminine, in the same way that "macho" is often applied negatively to certain male behavior?
4
votes
2answers
52 views
The proper usage of “putative”?
I'm trying to write the sentence,
Lower-grade soldiers made up two-thirds of the putative high quality army.
My original sentence was:
Lower-grade soldiers made up two-thirds of what was ...
2
votes
7answers
1k views
Injured vs wounded
I just saw a news report in which the reporter said: "They used the term 'injured' and not 'wounded'". I am wondering what is the difference between the two. Is 'wounded' used only when there is an ...
4
votes
9answers
4k views
Is there a word similar to “condolences” that doesn't involve death?
This is related to the recent entry in the web comic xkcd: http://xkcd.com/945/
I never say, "I'm sorry," because people interpret that as if I feel at fault, when I don't.
I've been simply saying, ...
0
votes
1answer
65 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?
I was thinking about accomplishment, but it only ...
-1
votes
1answer
52 views
Word meaning “to actively demonstrate knowledge”
I'm looking for a word meaning "to actively demonstrate knowledge or skill".
I think that "To flaunt" can have negative interpretation, where as a more neutral act such as "to showcase" may not ...
2
votes
1answer
58 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
vote
2answers
68 views
“It was still bright/light outside.” Is one of these incorrect?
If I want to say it's still somewhat early in the evening and it's not so dark outside so that you can still see things quite clearly almost like during daytime, which of the following sentences would ...
87
votes
15answers
6k views
Is there a correct gender-neutral, singular pronoun (“his” versus “her” versus “their”)?
Is there a pronoun I can use as a gender-neutral pronoun?
Each student should save his questions until the end.
Each student should save her questions until the end.
4
votes
4answers
2k views
“A good memory” vs. “good memories”
If I say, "I don't have a good memory of my childhood", would it imply that I cant recollect it or that I have bad memories (bad stories, unhappy) childhood?
I think that "good memories" implies the ...
9
votes
6answers
4k views
When is it appropriate to use “titled” vs. “entitled”?
When is it appropriate to use "titled" vs. "entitled"? For example, which is the correct word to use in the following sentence?
I really liked the conclusion to
rands’ latest blog post entitled ...
1
vote
1answer
88 views
Would you say “wanna” when you want something? [closed]
Would you say "wanna" when you want something? For example, "I wanna a new PC", instead of "I want a new PC"?
3
votes
2answers
2k views
“Pay attention” vs. “give attention”
Between 'pay' and 'give' I guess you are most likely to choose 'give' for the blank below. However, 'pay' sounds more suited for the second 'attention.' I wonder why. Is it because the second sentence ...
2
votes
2answers
525 views
Use of “is” vs. “are” when both singular and plural countable nouns follow
This is a question I've been wondering about for some time, and I finally came across an example today that I can quote. Consider this sentence (from):
No longer is the main primary exchanges the ...
1
vote
2answers
91 views
Why does “for” sound more appropriate than “during” in “I couldn't do anything for the rest of the day”?
I couldn't do anything for/during the rest of the day.
I know that for sounds correct, perhaps because "the rest of the day" is a finite chunk of time like "one hour" or "one week".
However, I ...
2
votes
3answers
98 views
Is it possible to use “Achieve” in negative sentences
I've noticed in IELTS reading that there was a sentence as below:
disappointing results were achieved by the Australian Academy.
I looked this verb up in Longman dictionary, It's been said that:
...
4
votes
8answers
2k views
Which is correct: “soda” or “pop”?
Depending on where you go in the world, some people will refer to a carbonated beverage as "soda" while others choose to use the term "pop." For example, "Can I get you a soda" vs. "Can I get you a ...
-1
votes
1answer
38 views
What word/title should I use in an email asking for updates [closed]
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
40 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 ...
5
votes
7answers
3k views
What is the difference between “probably” and “possibly”? [closed]
Recently I saw the movie "Pursuit of Happyness", which is actually quite good, and I noticed the actor (Will Smith) asking the difference between probably and possibly to his son. So I would like to ...
0
votes
1answer
265 views
“give me five” and “slap me five”, any difference?
What's the meaning of "slap me five"? Any difference between "slap me five" and "give me five"?
There is a book called Slap Me Five.
8
votes
4answers
22k views
“Paid” vs “payed”
I think I have always used these two words interchangeably without noticing until my professor was saying how some students misspelled the word and he was amazed.
Can someone tell me when I should ...
0
votes
2answers
51 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?
...
0
votes
4answers
10k views
What's the difference between “You have my word” and “I promise”?
What's the difference between you have my word and I promise?
8
votes
5answers
1k views
Is the verb “redouble” just a redundant way to say “double”?
A colleague and I were reading a corporate memo that contained the phrase 'redouble our efforts'. His claim was that the word redouble was equivalent to double and simply nonstandard. (Similar to, ...
13
votes
6answers
4k views
What is the difference between illegal and unlawful?
I often hear an unlawful act, so what is an illegal act?
0
votes
0answers
36 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
71 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
92 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 ...
