-3
votes
0answers
50 views
why do some people pronounce th as f ? [closed]
I have noticed that some people, british in general pronounce th as f.
And by the way why do black people say aks instead of ask ?
-1
votes
0answers
33 views
“It would be lovely to see you if you have time” [closed]
"I will be in Paris 13 and 14 July, and it would be lovely to see you if you have time."
Is this sentence correct in English?
Or is there something wrong which I, as a non-native speaker, cannot ...
0
votes
1answer
43 views
How to use “that is”?
My question involves the usage of "that is." I would like to use this construction in such a way that it will provide further qualification to the previous passage or sentence.
An example might be ...
3
votes
1answer
92 views
Is ‘on a tear’ unpopular idiom?
I was drawn to the phrase, ‘on a tear’ that I heard in audio in this week’s Barron’s magazine (June 6) reporting the good sales and profit performance of U.S. sneaker chain, Foot Locker:
It says:
...
2
votes
3answers
95 views
How to refer to the part of the desk where one usually puts the speakers?
Here's a picture of one:
Is there a simple but clear way of referring to it?
-3
votes
1answer
43 views
Construction 'How many X' [closed]
How do you use the construction "how many X" correctly? For example, are these right?
How many political parties in Ukraine?
How many deputies in Ukraine?
How many condoms in your ...
2
votes
2answers
72 views
'too dangerous to let live' or 'too dangerous to be let live'?
I was writing something down that came to me in a passing while I was watching TV, and I found myself discombobulated with the way one should phrase the notion of letting someone do something in the ...
0
votes
1answer
65 views
What's the difference between “I see nothing” and “I don't see anything”?
What's the difference between "I see nothing" and "I don't see anything"? In what condition each of them is more appropriate?
-1
votes
1answer
36 views
is there any simple explanation for active voice and passive voice
What is exact difference between active voice and passive voice ..
When should use the active voice and passive voice. Why we need to use this voices
I have following example .. You can specify ...
2
votes
2answers
82 views
perfect continuous or simple perfect in negative sentences
I want to know the difference between present perfect continuous and present perfect in negative sentences. My textbook says (namely, English Grammar In Use, 2nd edition) 'use simple for negative ...
-1
votes
0answers
26 views
Where and why were capital letters first used in English headlines? [duplicate]
The words in headlines are capitalized. I'm interested in the history of this.
Where and why were capital letters first used in headlines? Where is this practice of capitalization of words in English ...
-2
votes
0answers
25 views
“life's work” or “lives' work”? [duplicate]
If I am referring to the life's work of a scientist, how would this change when referring to two scientists? I am caught between "their lives' work" or "their life's work".
0
votes
1answer
38 views
“Impromptu field hospital”?
All the usage examples for impromptu I could find in a couple of dictionaries involve actions (impromptu speech, wedding, etc.) Is this a general rule, or can I talk about an "impromptu field ...
-1
votes
1answer
50 views
Someone who goes to medical school? [closed]
What should I call someone who goes to medical school? A medical student?
3
votes
1answer
61 views
Meaning of '-onomy', '-ology' and '-ography'
I have always wondered about the similarity of the two words
Astronomy and Astrology
that describe two very different things but have their beginning in common and are sometimes confused in ...
20
votes
2answers
892 views
“How does it look?”
Formally, in my English education, I have learned to ask for the outward appearance of something using the expression:
"What does it look like?"
Since my mother tongue is German and we say "Wie ...
-2
votes
1answer
111 views
Does “Okay. That's fine.” have negative connotation? [closed]
A teacher asked me by voicemail if a time for a lesson worked for me. I responded several hours later by text message that I could not make it at that time. He responded,"Okay. That's fine." Is he a ...
-2
votes
1answer
49 views
“How can you say it” or “How you can say it” [closed]
Just a simple question, which one is right? How can you say it or How you can say it. It's not a question. Thank you, guys!
2
votes
1answer
84 views
When do we use “of” rather than “ 's” to show possession? [duplicate]
It is a very simple word but I am quite confused when I write formal documents.
I do not know exactly when to use the of rather than 's. For example:
The value of the mean or The mean's value.
...
-1
votes
0answers
26 views
Alternatives to the phrase “lesson learned today”? [closed]
I would like to have your opinions for alternatives to this phrase "lesson learned today".
As you may understand, I would like to create a cause that I will post a lesson I learned that day. But my ...
4
votes
1answer
62 views
In English what's the difference between forward and toward [closed]
I would like to know which sentence is correct, regarding the difference between the usage of forward and toward.
Should I write:
I'm looking forward to September.
Or,
I'm looking toward September?
...
1
vote
0answers
42 views
Idioms for strongly disagreeing to the point of seeming a lie [closed]
I was thinking today about the term "hogwash", which I would define as an idiomatic term meaning something along the lines of "I disagree so strongly, I suspect you may be lying". This is also the ...
0
votes
1answer
26 views
The meaning of “the” in a standalone “the greater”
Often I read that "X's quality Y was the greater by virtue of Z", which makes perfect sense as a result of me being used to this form of expression, but not when I am now trying to understand what is ...
-1
votes
1answer
48 views
Use of “to be having”
I am confused with the usage of "to be having".
He is assumed to be having the diamonds.
or
He is assumed to have the diamonds.
Which one is correct?
1
vote
0answers
83 views
How can we differentiate between past and present just by pronounciation when the word is followed by d- or similiar sound?
I want to know how can we distinguish, for example, these 2 sentences just by listening the pronunciation:
1- they first kill the trees
2- they first killed the trees
When pronouncing "kill ...
1
vote
1answer
43 views
Difference between nation and folk/a people
I'm not sure if this questions belongs in the philosophical forum or here, but I'll give it a try anyway: what is the difference between nation and people? Is there an overlapping meaning or do they ...
4
votes
3answers
169 views
Is there a better way to write 'do-it-yourselfer'?
I find English punctuation wholly unsatisfactory in times like these. I want to add an '-er' to the phrase 'do it yourself', to refer to someone who does things himself instead of hiring out the work ...
-2
votes
0answers
31 views
A case of “May be able to”? [closed]
According to your text, I may be able to choose the chapters of 9, 10, 16. Please tell me that if is there any mistakes in this sentence? My case is, I had chosen already some chapters from a book, ...
1
vote
1answer
37 views
Use of the word 'lawmaker' when referring to elected representatives
Over the last few years I've noticed more news stories referring to elected representatives as 'lawmaker' rather than Senator, Congressman, Member of Parliament or whatever specific title they might ...
4
votes
0answers
94 views
Where and why were capital letters first used in headlines?
The words in headlines are capitalized. I'm interested in the history of this.
Where and why were capital letters first used in headlines? Where is this practice of capitalization of words in English ...
0
votes
0answers
25 views
Formal way to wish and reply on Phone [closed]
What is the best formal way to greet on phone & what is the best ethical reply I can give (Needless to say I am non native english speaker & to hold conversation with my client this means alot ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views
What would be an alternative to using “disappear” transitively? [closed]
For reasons which are beyond my understanding "disappear" can be used transitively. But - I want an alternative. That is, I'd like to replace the word 'disappear' in the following sentence:
He ...
-1
votes
0answers
21 views
Difference between “no” and “not” [migrated]
Please tell me which of the following sentence is correct and why?
It is no good asking him for help.
It is not good asking him for help.
Please explain the usage of no and not. Are they ...
0
votes
1answer
46 views
Is ‘smart alec (aleck)’ a gender-neutral noun?
I happened to find the origin of the word, ‘smart alec (aleck / alick)’ as I was checking the spelling of the word in a dictionary.
Merriam Webster English Dictionary defines ‘smart alec (aleck / ...
3
votes
1answer
42 views
Word for when people hallucinate because of emotions
Is there a word for when people(usually insane) hallucinate things based on their emotions.
Kind of like Synaesthesia but emotion to sense rather than sense to sense.
for example in "The Tell-Tale ...
-2
votes
1answer
42 views
What does literature mean to you? [closed]
I know I got stupid question but I badly need your ideas.
Our teacher asked us to write an essay about "what literature mean to us".
0
votes
1answer
40 views
Do you need commas setting off a “when” clause in a sentence?
As an example:
In Quantum Physics when particles are observed their behaviour changes in relation to the fact they're being watched.
Does this sentence require a comma before when and a comma ...
2
votes
3answers
95 views
The opposite of “magnum opus”?
According to the online Oxford English dictionary, a magnum opus is
a work of art, music, or literature that is regarded as the most
important or best work that an artist, composer, or writer ...
0
votes
1answer
41 views
Is “ Let me know your opinion” correct?
What are the possible structures that follow the phrase: let somebody know. For example, is "Let me know your opinion" correct?
-3
votes
0answers
27 views
Asking “is … or” questions [closed]
Which ones are correct:
Is your favourite colour red or blue?
Is red your favourite colour or blue?
Is red or blue your favourite colour?
1
vote
1answer
43 views
Administer or administrate? [duplicate]
I'm writing a book, and I'm having trouble wording this:
"I have a forum to __," he said as he walked out the door.
Should the blank be filled in with administer or administrate?
1
vote
1answer
53 views
Which expression is older: “London Royal Parks” or “London's Royal Parks” ? And why is it Hyde Park and not Hyde's Park?
London Royal Parks
and
London's Royal Parks
Both phrases are used, and I understand that "London" in the first example is acting as an adjective. Whereas in the second, "London", is used ...
0
votes
1answer
40 views
Сonstruction “Do you mind”
Your room mate asks: “Do you mind if I smoke?”.
But, you HATE smoking. What would you say? “Yes” or “No” ?
I think correct answer is "Yes".
My answered correctly?
5
votes
1answer
76 views
Origin of dead giveaway [duplicate]
I was answering a question at ELL and used the phrase "dead giveaway" and thought that it might not be clear to a non-native speaker. This thought lead me to wonder, where did we get that phrase. I ...
2
votes
2answers
72 views
Is “is when” acceptable while linking two objects or ideas?
In a grammar class I'm enrolled in, one of the diagnostic tests contained the following question:
"Blocking" is when a television network schedules a less popular program between two popular ones
...
-6
votes
0answers
33 views
Is there any good usage example for “Did I told you”? [closed]
As far as I can tell, simple past, rephrasing Wikipedia, draws attention to actual occurrence of the past action or event, as opposed to its present consequences (present perfect). But isn't asking ...
-1
votes
3answers
39 views
What word or phrase can I use to replaced the word “stopped” in the following text? [closed]
This is the text:
Erin scanned the room for a moment. She suddenly stopped, and
went over to the bookshelf. Then, as if she were searching for a secret
passage, she examined each book ...
7
votes
5answers
307 views
what is the adjectival form of the word “noun?”
What is the adjectival form of the word 'noun'?
Every result I get is for the adjectival form of a noun, not the word 'noun' itself.
4
votes
2answers
53 views
Does the phrase “don't even pass the laugh test” pass as an idiomatic expression, or only a set of words?
I was intrigued to the phrase, ‘the argument doesn’t pass even the laugh test’ in the following statement of Bruce Schneier, a security technologist on the debate about whether Edward J. Snowden who ...
-1
votes
2answers
38 views
Using quotations and commas in a list format [duplicate]
Is this correct ...
... accustomed to phrases such as: “War”, “Random Searches”, “Security Checkpoints”, “Weapons of Mass Destruction”, and “Acceptable Losses”.
or should it be ...
... accustomed ...
