This tag is for questions about correctly using a word.
-3
votes
1answer
96 views
Usage of “yet” and “but” [closed]
I want to convey "Something is important. But it is hard to achieve". Can I use "yet" as in the following sentence?
It is an important yet non-trivial task.
Also, can I use "yet" to connect ...
-1
votes
2answers
86 views
Using the adjective “expressive” to mean an object allows for expression?
My intention is to say that systems of a particular type allow users to express ideas on them. I wanted to give the concept a more concise/general name, as a title for such systems.
I called them ...
2
votes
1answer
75 views
Can we use “commiseration” and “condolence” interchangeably?
On what occasions can we use these terms and are they perfect synonym for each other to use interchangeably?
Can we say to someone who has lost a friend "our commiseration to ..."?
1
vote
2answers
160 views
Difference between “to enhance” and “to improve”
What is the difference between the verbal synonyms "to enhance" and "to improve"? Do they have exactly the same meaning?
1
vote
1answer
49 views
Usage of the word 'warming'
I was just wondering how exactly the word warming is used with different sentences which actually gives different meaning.
For e.g.,
My house warming ceremony
Global warming
How it is ...
2
votes
1answer
76 views
“They perform” vs. “they are performed” in specific context
Our experiments include simulated falls by several subjects. They
perform in a user-independent setting, where, for each test video,
the subject appearing in the test video does not appear in ...
-2
votes
1answer
57 views
Is there a difference between 'eventually' and 'in the future'? [closed]
I was at a yoga class and the instructor said something about how a posture will 'eventually or in the future allow you to roll your spine out.'.
And then I wanted to know, is there a difference ...
-1
votes
1answer
74 views
Is 'promptus' a valid word? [closed]
I did a Google:define on Promptus and think it has Latin origin. But since I don't see it in the English dictionaries, I am not sure if I can use it at all in my conversation.
-2
votes
1answer
126 views
Is “regardless” a word I shouldn't use? [closed]
Is it true that "regardless" is a word I shouldn't use because it is obsolete? If it is, what shall I use instead?
0
votes
1answer
215 views
Use of “Pretty cool, huh?”
Would it be grammatically correct to use "Pretty cool, huh?" or would you need to use e.g: "Pretty cool, right?"
I think that the "huh" would be asking a "what?", although that doesn't make sense in ...
-2
votes
2answers
104 views
Each vs Every (Best way to make generalizations)
Example:
There is a specific school. Every student in that school can take an Art class. They have that right, but they may choose not to take.
What is the best way to say it by emphasizing that ...
0
votes
2answers
255 views
With “I bid you farewell” being a normal phrase, would the phrase “I bid you sleep well” also be correct? [closed]
I'm trying to pinpoint the correct application of the verb "to bid" in order to use it in unconventional situations
-1
votes
1answer
42 views
Usage of “flock” for a singular subject
Turned on by by his pheromones, she flocked to him.
Can we use flock when we have a singular subject?
What might be a better alternative to the verb? Something like ran, but with a connotation ...
0
votes
1answer
64 views
Is the phrase “refuse the idea” wrong?
It doesn't sound right, but I might be mistaken. A quick search shows that people do use it, but they could be wrong as well (I suspect the phrase is ok, and I am wrong).
0
votes
3answers
112 views
Is it right or wrong to use forms of words that aren't in any dictionaries?
I want to use the word ataractically in a formal piece of writing. A derived form of ataraxia, I'd like to use it in a sentence like this:
This is the most ataractically candid thing I've ever ...
-2
votes
1answer
48 views
Incentive Structure Biased [closed]
Can nonhuman things have bias?
Politicians are subject to an incentive structure biased toward the adoption of projects and programs with highly visible immediate benefits and well-hidden costs.
...
1
vote
2answers
89 views
Appropriate use of “littlest”
I recently had a debate with a friend about whether "littlest" was a word. I took the stance that it was not. I find now that basically every time I make such a claim these days someone can hold up ...
-1
votes
1answer
119 views
How do you stop using “you” in every question? [closed]
I post questions on stackexchange sites and I'd like them to sound more professional.
However, they usually start like this:
How do you....
How can I make my questions sound more professional?
...
2
votes
5answers
224 views
Is there a name for spelling differences in words like _grey/gray_, _color/colour_, etc.?
Is there a categorical name for differences in the spelling of a word when the word keeps the same meaning and the same sound?
-1
votes
1answer
271 views
“Overlaid” or “overlain” as an adjective [closed]
I have a set of three images, which I have put on top of each other in an image editing program and made transparent. I would like the filename to describe what I have done with the component images.
...
0
votes
3answers
344 views
Does “turning down the air conditioning” make it warmer or colder?
As the title says, I've heard two possible meanings for "turning down" the air conditioning: It could mean "set the target temperature lower" (i.e. colder) or "make it work less" (i.e. warmer).
...
0
votes
1answer
158 views
What should I say to people when I am passing them by?
I am talking about situations when you want to greet someone, without stopping to talk to them. In Russian, people usually say "добрый день" which means "hello." This is a greeting, not a valediction. ...
0
votes
5answers
175 views
Purchase vs. Order [closed]
What is the difference in meaning between Purchase and Order?
Is there a preference for Purchase vs. Order in some cases/regions/dialects etc.
Specifically in e-shops, when should we use purchase ...
0
votes
1answer
353 views
Difference between “zeros” and “zeroes” [duplicate]
Are there any differences between “zeros” and “zeroes”? Is any of them more correct, more often used, more modern? Are there differences e.g. between British English and American English in the usage ...
0
votes
2answers
2k views
Grammatically incorrect sentence?
I just appeared for GATE 2013. In its aptitude section, I was totally confused. The question was to identify the grammatically incorrect sentence. The sentences were:
1. He is of Asian origin.
2. ...
0
votes
2answers
80 views
Which is better, “customer number” or “customer count”?
I want to express the number of customers my company has. Is it better to use customer number or customer count?
2
votes
1answer
178 views
“situation where” vs. “situation in which”
In my mother tongue I can use the word where not only to describe something connected to a location, but also to substitute in which.
My question is: Is it correct to use where in a sentence like ...
3
votes
3answers
202 views
Is “outstaffing” a real word?
In Russia a lot of companies provide "outstaffing" services , but I am not sure whether it's used outside post USSR countries. Is "outstaffing" a real word?
Update: "Outstaffing" is when one company ...
3
votes
1answer
119 views
Is “much” used for emphasis in “much to your surprise”?
What is the main difference between these sentences:
To your surprise, he is alive.
Much to your surprise, he is alive.
Is much only used to emphasize your surprise?
Can I have a ...
-1
votes
2answers
55 views
Is “rightsayer” a word? [closed]
Is "rightsayer" a word that describes someone that believes themselves to always be right?
0
votes
4answers
134 views
How to make sense to “make sense”
ALL, I had met the phrase “make sense” many times, But I still can't understand its meaning and usage even if I had review it in some online dictionary many times, And I still be confused about it ...
0
votes
1answer
61 views
Is “goods” countable?
I am referring to goods as in services and goods provided. I came across this definition (emphasis mine):
tender document:
A written invitation sent to potential suppliers of a good or ...
1
vote
1answer
480 views
What does 'back-stopping' mean?
We have a tender document, and it lists how the offer should be proposed. Basically this is split into 3 sections:
Rationale
Strategy
Details of Proposal
Under section 2., there is the below ...
-1
votes
1answer
68 views
How to describe leaving an access of a server [closed]
How can I formally write a sentence meaning that I am not using the server now and I have exited it?
0
votes
2answers
154 views
It is common to call washing machines “washers”? [closed]
According to Wikipedia:
A washing machine (laundry machine, washing machine, clothes washer, or washer) is a machine to wash laundry, such as clothing and sheets.
I think some washing machines ...
6
votes
3answers
316 views
“Three quarters” vs. “three fourths”
To express a fraction of 3 out of 4, how and when would you use three quarters, and when would you use three fourths?
To me, three quarters is what I would have used all the time — but I'm not a ...
4
votes
4answers
171 views
“Most” vs. “most of”
During most of history, humans were too busy to think about thought.
Why is "most of history" correct in the above sentence?
I could understand the difference between "Most of the people" and ...
1
vote
1answer
56 views
“fraction of relevant instances that are retrieved”: Should it not be 'those are'?
I was reading a Wiki page which had this statement:
recall is the fraction of relevant instances that are retrieved
Shouldn't it be the following?
recall is the fraction of relevant ...
0
votes
1answer
75 views
Verb for creating an icon
I am having some difficulty wording a title for a paper of mine. I am going for something like, "Automatic text iconification". Which means an automatic method of giving text a symbolic ...
19
votes
4answers
775 views
Does “girlfriend” or “boyfriend” always indicate partnership?
My usual understanding is that someone's girlfriend is their (female) partner in an exclusive romantic relationship. Same for boyfriend.
Is this correct, or are there instances where girlfriend ...
1
vote
2answers
65 views
'The talk was about' vs. 'We were talking about'
I want to point someone about theme of conversation with another person. What sentence is correct?
The talk was about airplanes.
or
We were talking about airplanes.
I want to make accent ...
0
votes
2answers
220 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?
4
votes
3answers
71 views
Is the use of “-based” ending acceptable for two words expression?
When describing something as being based on a major element, one can use the "-based" ending. How does it work when the major element is an expression formed by two words, such as body tracking?
Is ...
2
votes
3answers
237 views
what is the difference between 'similarity to' and 'similarity with'?
I think of expressing that two things are similar by using the word of similarity. I know I can say 'A bears some similarity to B'. Can I also say 'A bears some similarity with B'? If both are ...
6
votes
5answers
417 views
Alternative definitions of wifebeater
I was a li'l nonplussed to find out that the word wifebeater can mean other things besides "a man who beats up his wife". Its definition reads:
One who (usually as a repeated practice) beats ...
0
votes
1answer
109 views
Can you “escalate down” on an escalator?
In a recent article in New York magazine, a reporter described an entourage of politicians preparing to leave a building
" . . . we headed for the exits, and as we were all escalating down to the ...
1
vote
1answer
56 views
Using “how” preceded by “of”
This is the sentence that is confusing me:
Thanks to this screenshot we have a better view [of how] this model is built.
In my language it is correct to use something like "of how" to introduce ...
1
vote
4answers
1k views
What better way?
With this sentence
What better way to celebrate the peace than with a fight?
Is "what better way to" an informal phrase? Would it be better to write
What is better than fighting as a way to ...
0
votes
0answers
46 views
“In accepting” vs. “to accept” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
When should a verb be followed by a gerund instead of an infinitive?
Part of the reluctance in accepting/to accept social arguments about human
nature lies in the ...
-4
votes
1answer
47 views
Can i say like that? is it grammatical? [closed]
I had been through a in-depth experience in the handling of any kind of crisis situation.
