Tagged Questions
-2
votes
0answers
75 views
The heat makes the them to sweat a lot. A dusty wind blows on them [closed]
The heat makes the them to sweat a lot. A dusty wind blows on them.
I want to rewrite this sentence in one sentence. How can I do that? If you ask why, I'm trying to improve writing skill for ...
-1
votes
1answer
44 views
Conjunction vs comma for creative writing [closed]
Mark is crying, sitting in the middle of the hall.
Mark is sitting in the middle of the hall and crying.
I know both sentences are grammatically correct. But which is good for creative writing?
...
-1
votes
0answers
61 views
How to write numeral intervals where numbers are percentages? [closed]
If a numeric value is fluctuating between two points, we can write it as "between 10 and 20 hours" or "10-20 hours later". If these values are percentages, which one of the following is more proper in ...
-1
votes
0answers
63 views
Punctuations and “tumbles down the hill”
He jump but hardly reaches the stone and tumbles down the hill. He tries to catch some other edge or stone as he falls and catches a small hole with his two fingers in the left hand.
Something ...
0
votes
1answer
79 views
Avoiding repetition — “hallway” [closed]
In many forums, I have seen people keep saying to avoid repetition of the same word in a paragraph. But in the sentence like below, how do you avoid the repetition?
Suddenly, the dog stands up and ...
-2
votes
0answers
65 views
Order of the phrases matter? [closed]
I'm not a native English speaker. Which of the following is correct? My friend claims, the first one has schematic and logical mistakes and not the way a native English speaker would write. He claims ...
-1
votes
0answers
31 views
There's, He's, there're, you're, what're, they're, she's [duplicate]
There's, He's, there're, you're, what're, they're, she's
vs
There is, He is, There are, You are, What are, They are, She is
While writing a story, like novel, what is the rules in terms of following ...
0
votes
2answers
61 views
Introducing a character [closed]
JOHN MICHAELSON, in his late 40s, is sitting in a couch, reading a
book. He is lean and hard. His eyes look tired and depressed, and
there is a vacuum in his life; we see that in his face.
I ...
-1
votes
0answers
38 views
What kind of language should be used when writing a manual? [closed]
When writing a manual that customers who will be paying for, what kind of language is more acceptable?
Eg:
"You can click on this icon to create a file".
OR, the more indirect options,
"This icon may ...
1
vote
1answer
54 views
How to write in English for international readers? [closed]
How to write in English for international readers?
I'm not a native English speaker but I've been learning the language for many years in many fields (Mathematics, Physics, Mechanical Engineering and ...
-1
votes
1answer
138 views
What's the correct way to format a date range, time range, and days of week in a single line?
I'd like to write the date and time for an event that runs for one week. Currently I have:
June 3-7, 2013, 8:30am-5:30pm; Monday-Friday
Is this stylistically acceptable? Is there a better way?
...
4
votes
1answer
170 views
Is it necessary to begin a new paragraph after a person speaks?
When I was in school, I was taught to always begin a new paragraph after a quotation or after a speaker concludes a segment of dialogue. However, in recent years, I have seen authors abandon this ...
4
votes
3answers
200 views
Do I use “argued” or “argues”? Past or Present? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What (grammatical) tense to use when doing reference in a paper?
Should I use present or past tense when referring to a (scientific) paper?
“has been raised” or “was ...
0
votes
2answers
940 views
Is the abbreviation “etc.” or “and so on” acceptable in formal writing? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
On the usage of “etcetera”
Is the abbreviation etc. or "and so on" acceptable in scientific writing papers?
0
votes
0answers
78 views
can “love” be used in place of “like” [closed]
I am not a native speaker, and I am not sure whether this sentence is stylistically correct: "He loves to see his orchard bloom" meaning that he enjoys seeing his orchard bloom. Please help.
0
votes
2answers
236 views
Mixed tenses in a sentence [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
‘Had’ or ‘has’ to describe a past condition which is still present?
Tense change: previous actions on something that's currently true
The employee was injured while ...
4
votes
1answer
222 views
Term for Indirect Dialogue
There are two different types of dialogue I'm aware of, that for the moment I'll refer to as 'direct' dialogue and 'indirect' dialogue. However, I know these terms aren't the correct ones, and it's ...
0
votes
0answers
254 views
What does “Systematic analysis” mean? [closed]
I have a report due in soon and one of the pointers in the report guide is:
"Give a systematic analysis of the relevance of your placement to your degree programme, and vice-versa;"
Does anyone know ...
1
vote
1answer
745 views
Is it correct to combine multiple clauses into one sentence?
Is it correct to combine multiple clauses (sub sentences) into one?
For example, let us consider this sentence:
On managerial side, I am experienced in accounting software, have been working ...
2
votes
3answers
4k views
How should we write the phrase “one of a kind”? [closed]
I have seen two kind of written format of "one of a kind" phrase,
one of a kind
one-of-a-kind
I'm confused, which one is the proper way of writing "one of a kind" phrase?
1
vote
3answers
295 views
let you know a couple of facts OR bring couple of facts to your notice [closed]
Which of the following is more appropriate / polite?
I would like to bring a couple of facts (or things?) to your notice.
OR
I would like to let you know a couple of facts.
Please advise.
4
votes
2answers
1k views
“Hypothesize” vs “postulate”
When writing a scientific or engineering paper, how do we choose between hypothesize and postulate?
1
vote
2answers
201 views
Can I write different spellings of the same word in the same context? [closed]
Can I use "color" in one paragraph, but write "colour" in the next one?
Yes, I just did it. But is it acceptable to do so when not talking about spelling differences?
14
votes
4answers
685 views
What is it called when words are deliberately written wrong but pronunciation is kept unchanged?
For example,
Night -> Nite
Nite even appears in some dictionaries as having the same meaning as night.
What is it called when words are deliberately written incorrectly but the pronunciation ...
1
vote
1answer
338 views
Is it better to write without contractions? E.g. “cannot” instead of “can't” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Using contracted forms (“don't”, “let's”) in a formal text
Usage of contractions like “it's” and “that's” in textbooks
Should contractions ...
2
votes
3answers
598 views
Is the singular “they” acceptable in formal writing? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is there a correct gender-neutral, singular pronoun (“his” versus “her” versus “their”)?
I am linking to this post for reference.
...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
Name and origin of writing with period after each word
It may be limited to the web ecosystem, but I've read a lot of those sentences lately, where each word is followed by a period.
Examples:
Oh. My. God.
Best. Job. Ever.
No. F***ing. Way.
...
6
votes
4answers
477 views
Comma splices and fragments in novels
I have noticed that many authors incorporate the use of fragments and comma splices in their novels. Given that this is acceptable practice in a novel, is it acceptable to use a comma splice or a ...
28
votes
6answers
11k views
Use of “I”, “we” and the passive voice in a scientific thesis [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Style Question: Use of “we” vs. “I” vs. passive voice in a dissertation
When the first person voice is used in scientific writing it is mostly ...
5
votes
5answers
869 views
Is the phrase, “Use commas sparingly” a valid piece of advice?
I am currently in the process of collaboratively editing a research paper, and participated in a meeting about it today. During the discussion, the head of the group made a blanket statement about ...
2
votes
1answer
240 views
How do I refer to a number in an image in a scientific paper?
I'm note sure if this is the correct place to ask this, but if I have a schematic illustration that contains numbers to enumerate interesting details. How do I refer those numbers in a text that ...
16
votes
4answers
2k views
What did Old English writing (letters and formatting) typically look like?
I am wondering if there is a specific kind of writing that people would typically associate with Old English language. Are there well-known manuscripts that typically represent the kind of writing ...
7
votes
1answer
3k views
To hyphenate or not?
As a non-native speaker of English and an engineer by training, I always get confused about hyphenation and almost always end up referring to Google every time I need to make that decision.
Does ...
2
votes
5answers
857 views
“That my results are not reproducible” or “that my results are unreproducible”?
What is better to write?
that my results are not reproducible
that my results are unreproducible
How can it be re-written as positive affirmation (preserving the same meaning)?
Edit:
Do ...
6
votes
1answer
870 views
Question mark usage/position when sentence ends with a declarative quotation?
Who said "I am hungry?"
The quotation is not a question, but do I put "my" question mark there anyway?
This is related to, but not the same as Position of question mark when sentence doesn't ...
9
votes
3answers
3k views
Footnote marks at end of a sentence
I find it common in my writing to end up a sentence with a footnote reference mark. Should the footnote mark come before the stop or after it?
... this is some text1.
... this is some text.1
38
votes
9answers
3k views
Why, in old books, are dates often given with the years redacted?
silly question, and I'm not sure this is even necessarily the right forum, but it's the most appropriate on StackExchange, so here we are.
Why is it, in older books, that years are sometimes redacted ...
5
votes
4answers
16k views
Is an indentation needed for a new paragraph?
Is an indentation (Tab button in Word) needed for a new paragraph when you start one? I was told to do that a long time ago but 3 years after I stopped doing it and have done it since.
Are you meant ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Recommended books on writing well in English? [closed]
I keep "On writing well" close to me when writing something long. What other books would you recommend on the topic of good writing-style in English?
5
votes
3answers
1k views
When should you use “Title Case”?
Are there any guidelines for when you should capitalize titles/headings or not? Should you always do this in English?
I am referring to
A Capitalized Heading
vs
A capitalized heading
8
votes
0answers
404 views
When to use passive and active voice [closed]
When is it better to use passive voice in writing and speech?
When is it better to use active voice in writing and speech?
