This tag is for questions specifically related to written English.
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.
...
10
votes
1answer
2k views
Is there a proper name for the 3 asterisks that are used to suggest temporal discontinuity?
For example, when some long prose passage ends, this appears:
* * *
Then some new prose passage begins. The three asterisks dividing the two prose sections are understood to divide the two ...
0
votes
4answers
571 views
How can I explain why the following sentence is poorly written?
I came across the following sentence in some instructions and it almost seems like a double negative to me, yet there are not two negations in it that I see, so I am wondering how to explain what ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
Usage of “just”, “only” and word-order [intended meaning]
I've got these sentences, which meanings are correct (my interpretations are in brackets):
Use of only:
(1) Only in 1996, Ford sold a rebadged Mazda 626 GV over here as its rebranded Japanese ...
0
votes
2answers
67 views
Have or Hold Open House
Could you guys tell me which one is correct?
We are having an open house.
We are holding an open house?
6
votes
2answers
217 views
Why is a story not called a “-logue”, though it has a prologue and an epilogue?
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines -logue as:
indicating speech or discourse of a particular kind.
I understand that -logue is a combining form noun, but it has always struck me as odd that ...
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 ...
11
votes
5answers
1k views
What do you call a slip of the tongue in writing?
Is there any phrase or word that can be used to describe a slip of the tongue that happens in writing?
Calling it a slip of tongue directly feels awkward, especially when the written text is never ...
10
votes
3answers
382 views
Do listeners understand different adjective orders?
I found Adjective order,
but I keep wondering if listeners actually understand what I mean when I don't follow that order. For example, if I say, "a lovely long white coat," I may change it to "a long ...
0
votes
1answer
423 views
Which expression to use to express anger? [closed]
I am angry now.
I am in an anger now.
I am furious now.
I thought Kerry was nice and kind. Hobbs, it turned out it wasn't. I hated myself, so I stated something as above but I don't ...
3
votes
4answers
377 views
Is it normal in English to talk about oneself in the third person in these cases?
A Japanese person said that it is often normal to talk about oneself in the third person in English. This is what he wrote:
For example, when you write a CV or an introduction of yourself, the
...
8
votes
2answers
2k views
Origin of the word “duh”
What is the origin of the word "duh" as in the interjection:
— It's hot in the desert.
— Well, duh!
If it is of onomatopoeic origin and only appears in modern English as some sites suggest, I ...
8
votes
5answers
741 views
Is it OK to add a question mark to show inflection?
When asking a question you generally have to raise your voice at the end of the sentence, is it okay to stuff a question mark in order to show inflection?
A couple examples:
'That really happened?'
...
0
votes
5answers
3k views
“By the way” in formal writing
Can I say "By the way" in an official document or professional meeting and other important/formal times?
I never saw any film which would include these words.
3
votes
2answers
189 views
Is the “How to … ?” question phrase acceptable?
Is the following sentence acceptable in semi-formal or formal written speech?
How to adopt a lifestyle that consumes less?
Or ought it be rephrased? For example, to the following?
How do I ...
0
votes
2answers
2k views
How should a date be written? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Date formatting in written English
Which of these is the correct way to write a date?
1- Wednesday 5th of June, 2010
2- Wednesday 5th June, 2010
3- Wednesday the 5th of ...
9
votes
4answers
1k views
Should there be a period after an equation?
This isn't a pure English question, but it is about writing style: Sometimes entities that aren't words end up being in sentences.
I know that when mathematical expressions are inline as follows:
...
2
votes
4answers
268 views
Face up or head up?
My 7 years old daughter is doing her English homework. She wrote the following sentence:
"My parents are face up looking at the cool sky"
I reckon it does not sound right. I would have said "My ...
16
votes
4answers
5k views
“you” versus “You” as polite form of writing
Is it correct to write "You" with a capital Y as a form of politeness?
If yes, should I use that form throughout the entire letter/document, or only at specific places?
1
vote
5answers
701 views
Casual writing to express that someone is thinking of something?
In casual writing we often use the colon to express that people are talking. Example:
Tom: hi
Mary: hi
I'm wondering what about if it is Tom thought of something instead of Tom talking? Like ...
12
votes
2answers
442 views
The usage of “sic” in writing
I have seen many articles that use quotes from players like:
We gonna [sic] be working hard over the summer cause we gotta [sic] get better.
What is sic? Where does it come from?
2
votes
2answers
3k views
“these days” - what is the correct usage/meaning?
Recently whilst writing a report I typed the following sentence:
"Funerals still represent a celebration of the life of the deceased, but these days families and friends often use the time to ...
6
votes
3answers
524 views
Is it incorrect to use a sentence fragment to answer a question?
In an English essay, I wrote:
What am I looking at? People enjoying themselves?
I lost points for using a sentence fragment. Is it truly incorrect to use a sentence fragment this way?
4
votes
2answers
693 views
Should “vice versa” be treated as an independent clause?
I know "vice versa" more or less means "conversely," but when it is used by itself, should it be punctuated as if it were an independent clause?
Dogs don't like cats, and vice versa.
or
Dogs ...
0
votes
1answer
2k views
How to use “supposed to”, in particular while writing official letter to ask for leave
How do we use supposed to? In particular, should I use this while writing an official letter to ask for leave?
1
vote
10answers
210 views
“High Accident Intersection”
I was challenged recently to solve this problem. An accident takes place on an intersection on a high road. However, if I was to write about this as taken place in a "high accident intersection" it ...
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 ...
0
votes
3answers
1k views
Is there any rule for differentiating between the endings “th” and “ht”?
Some words end in th (length, width), and others end in ht (height, fight, tonight, caught).
I sometimes have difficulties in spelling such words because I don't know which ending to choose.
Is ...
7
votes
2answers
301 views
Is it acceptable to use “just as well” in an academic paper
The title pretty much sums it up: is it permissible to use the words "just as well" in a formal academic paper?
For instance:
The exchange might just as well have taken place in Abu Dhabi.
10
votes
6answers
3k views
Why are numbers sometimes spelled out and then numerals specified as well? [closed]
I'm referring to the peculiar habit I sometimes see in formal documents, where a number is given numerically after it's spelled out. It seems quite redundant:
I need five (5) kumquats, stat!
...
5
votes
5answers
871 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 ...
4
votes
8answers
2k views
Are contractions like “didn't” forbidden in written English? [duplicate]
Possible duplicate of:
Using contracted forms (“don't”, “let's”) in a formal text
Usage of contractions like “it's” and “that's” in textbooks
Should ...
12
votes
7answers
13k views
Can “hence” be used at the beginning of a sentence?
Can the word ‘hence’ be used at the beginning of a sentence? For example:
Hence, I am not feeling well, I am unable to work.
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 ...
6
votes
4answers
562 views
What is wrong with this sentence, and how should I fix it?
I am proof-reading a short CV that details an employee's volunteer achievements. It will form part of an application for a committee position. The following sentence makes my brain itch, but I am ...
4
votes
5answers
568 views
Can you use “(sic)” in other contexts?
In Polish you can use sic to indicate not only erroneous spelling (uncorrected for editorial reasons), but also to note that the sentence should be as it is when it comes to its meaning (e.g. "The ...
2
votes
3answers
692 views
Usage of abbreviations in semi formal written conversation
Some people always tell me to avoid using abbreviations that often used in forum talk, AKA "Internet Slang", in semi formal written conversation. Of course, I would never use the phrase TTYT, TTYL, ...
7
votes
4answers
453 views
Is lolspeak bad English, or just a different English?
Is lolspeak / internet speak (such as "plz send teh codez") bad English, or a different English?
I can't really describe what'd be "bad", but a lack of consistency would be an indicator it's bad.
6
votes
2answers
12k views
How should I write a whip sound?
Is it crack? Snap? Wh-tch? Whop-eesh?
Alternatively, if I don't use the actual noise. Do I write: The whip rang out? Cracked?
0
votes
4answers
1k views
What are differences between an “opposite” and “antonym” to a word?
What are the differences between an "opposite" and "antonym"?
3
votes
3answers
525 views
How should wireless technology names be hyphenated and capitalized?
How should wireless technology names be hyphenated and capitalized?
"a wireless g network"?
"a wireless-g network"?
"a wireless-G network"?
"a wireless G network"?
none of the above?
Does a formal ...
14
votes
4answers
5k views
How do I emphasize a word using the standard punctuation system?
I've seen people on the Internet stressing a certain word using "*":
I do not *like* it, I *love* it!
I think there is no such punctuation as "*". So I'm wondering if I can use some other way to ...
1
vote
1answer
401 views
A Good Resource (Book, …) For Literary Techniques/Devices? [closed]
What's a good book (Or resource) on Literary Techniques/Devices in English Literature?
7
votes
1answer
405 views
What name for bowdlerisation with asterisks (e.g., “f*ck”)?
I have always been intrigued by the English use of asterisks to replace vowels in words considered as offensive, and the reasons it seems somewhat language-specific. My (very related) questions on ...
2
votes
1answer
522 views
“TV”: is it formal or informal?
I would definitely say that the term TV is informal (while television is formal), however I have found "TV" in some formal compositions.
3
votes
3answers
2k views
Is it “a SSD” or “an SSD”? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicates:
an SQA or a SQA?
Do you use “a” or “an” before acronyms?
Since SSD (solid-state drive) is pronounced es-es-dee, I'm wondering whether one ...
3
votes
5answers
7k views
How to add contextualizing text to a quotation?
How do you add text which provides context to a quote?
For example, consider if I were to quote someone as having said:
This is unacceptable!
Were that the whole quote, can I add any text to ...
2
votes
4answers
354 views
What's the recommended way to refer to the September 11 attacks in formal writing?
September 11 attacks, September eleven attacks, September eleventh, Nine-eleven? None of the above?
What's recommended for formal writing?
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
191 views
Jig or template to hold a workpiece
Technical English for a foreigner - please correct and rephrase if you can come up with better alternatives.
A machine in manufacturing usually is fed material or a workpiece to be processed. ...
