Questions tagged [expression-choice]
Choosing the best phrase FROM A GIVEN SELECTION for a particular context or meaning.
0
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0answers
24 views
“Guide within” or “guide to within” [on hold]
Imagine a point in space, and a circle defining a region where that point must go. If I apply a force that pushes the point towards the circle, and the force ceases to exist after the point enters the ...
-1
votes
0answers
16 views
Can't bear to do,can't bear doing? [duplicate]
Can you tell me the difference between can't bear to do and can't bear doing?
Here is the example
I couldn't ...... the sadness in the child's eyes.
couldn't bear to see
couldn't bear ...
-3
votes
0answers
11 views
Does “to turn oneself something” mean what I want it to mean to a native speaker? [migrated]
Is this sentence correct English?
You turn yourself listless.
Would you know what it means? Is this how you normally phrase this expression? Is the tense of the verb right? Is that a commonly ...
0
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0answers
28 views
They went on playing (but/though) it started to rain
They went on playing ... it started to rain.
A) though
B) because
C) but
D) despite
The answer is C but I am wondering why A doesn't work in this case.
1
vote
1answer
49 views
in southern Wales, in the south of Wales, in the southern part of Wales? [closed]
Can you tell me which one is correct? And if there is a difference in meaning between them, can someone explain it to me?
and here is the example of the sentence
Cardiff is the capital and the ...
-1
votes
1answer
41 views
“abuse of which he was subjected” or “to which…”?
I am writing a paper and I can't figure out which of these is correct:
"...the neglect and abuse of which he was subjected..."
or
"...the neglect and abuse to which he was subjected..."
The ...
0
votes
2answers
86 views
What’s a catchy phrase that means get the most out of your dollar? [closed]
I’m trying to finish a speech, and I was thinking of a catchy last idiom to wrap it up. It was on the tip of my tongue and it I think it mean get the most out of your dollar or something like that.... ...
-1
votes
1answer
17 views
How to describe a customer's business [closed]
Which sentence is the most relevant for your point of view:
A client has a retail business consisting of lots of shops
distributed all over the world.
A client has a retail business that includes ...
0
votes
3answers
45 views
An expression for the trigger of something that was inevitable [duplicate]
I'm looking for a way to describe the thing that finally triggers something after rising tensions. For example, some isolated incident triggers massive protests, but the protests are really due to ...
0
votes
2answers
31 views
“Keep” vs “Record”
we have a meeting with our customers and I have to take the minutes of the meeting.
but can I say the sentences below to express I take the minutes of the meeting?
1. "I have to record the content of ...
0
votes
2answers
46 views
Question about the proper word choice
I would like to ask you a paricular question. Recently I had a job interview which, as far as I am concerned, went great. However, I might have made a stupid mistake and I would like you to tell me ...
0
votes
1answer
82 views
Which tag question is right for this sentence? [closed]
Nowadays the only thing people seem to be interested in is earning more and more money, ____ ?
a) don't they
b) isn't it
c) don't you
d) will you
Please explain which is the correct tag ...
1
vote
0answers
11 views
can the expression “by car” be used in the sentence below?
We are on the way to church by car.
Is this a correct sentence?
I am not sure if it is ok to use the phrase "by car" other than go, come, reach, get to or arrive?
Thanks.
1
vote
1answer
42 views
Using “proximity” to imply “next to each other”
I am currently writing the introduction to my thesis and I want to say that two genes are next to each other. I would like to use the word "proximity" without saying "close proximity" but am unsure ...
0
votes
1answer
796 views
Alternative sentence of “May I come in, please?”
What do you usually say in the UK when you come into the class while the teacher is teaching. Is it ok to say "excuse me, sir or miss" or "May I come in, please"? are there any other ways to say this?
1
vote
1answer
22 views
“Not just a XYZ” or “Not only a XYZ”?
Which expression is preferred? I found in writing the expression
"Not just a ___."
but maybe it is better to write
"Not only a ___."
What do you think? Does it even matter? The context is a ...
1
vote
1answer
91 views
It seems something … vs something seems to be
What’s the difference between it seems something ... and something seems to be (or any other verb)... ?
For example, This bottle seems to be very popular in Japan. Vs. It seems that this bottle is ...
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votes
1answer
32 views
He had problems learning and me too or He had problems learning and also I did [closed]
I want to write it as the second way but I'm not pretty sure if it is the correct way.
0
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3answers
52 views
“Some of the [superlative adjective] I've ever been” — another way to phrase this?
I can't seem to find a non-awkward way of expressing this sort of sentiment: suppose you want to tell a friend about some time you were really, really cold, but it wasn't the coldest you've ever been. ...
3
votes
3answers
275 views
What is the expression for sofa or cushion “go down”? [closed]
As we usually sit on the sofa or use cushion, it is not the condition of the first one. The part we usually sit become sunk(?)/ go down.
Then how can I say this?
Sofa [went down?].
16
votes
5answers
3k views
What is the third option beside 'accept' and 'reject' on a ballot?
Members of Parliament (MPs) in most countries have three options while voting for a law proposal. The third option means neither 'accept' nor 'reject', but recorded for quorum.
'Accept'
'...
0
votes
3answers
65 views
How to express that a decision has developed from a thought?
Good evening from Germany!
I'm currently writing a personal statement for my UCAS application and have got a problem concerning one of my sentences. Originally, I wrote:
The decision to study X ...
0
votes
2answers
2k views
“What is your hobby?” VS “What are you into?”
My British English teacher told us that the expression "What is your hobby?" sounds childish so use "What are you into?" instead. Is it true? If so, why does that sound so?
Thanks!
1
vote
1answer
49 views
How good an experience vs. How good of an experience [duplicate]
Which one of these sentences is considered to be more correct?
1) You cannot imagine how good an experience that has been.
or
2) You cannot imagine how good of an experience that has been.
4
votes
3answers
283 views
Word for ironically embracing own stereotypes?
For example, I came across a picture on Twitter of an African American gentleman holding a piece of fried chicken in one hand, watermelon in the other, while pulling the exaggerated smiling face ...
0
votes
1answer
2k views
Can I say “it was a pleasure meeting you” after a phone call? [duplicate]
Is it possible to say "it was a pleasure meeting you" after the phone call? Or should we better say ""it was a pleasure to talk to you"?
0
votes
2answers
592 views
Word or phrase for “shooting an arrow with a bow”
What's the right way to refer to the act of using a bow and an arrow to shoot?
Imagine a situation, in which Jack gave a bow and an arrow to John and asked him to shoot. John did, but since he had no ...
0
votes
2answers
187 views
words other than “performance” to describe a player's outcome?
I am writing a post based on various sports players and their performances, and would like to know which alternative words or phrases can be used instead of repeating the word "performance".
For ...
0
votes
4answers
83 views
Science to combine words the right way
Is there a "science" (or a tool/website) that allows us to combine words the right way?
For example, if I write "fixing a problem", the tool will suggest "solving a problem". Another example: "fixing ...
1
vote
1answer
363 views
Do we say “as it” or “as if” to say “as it is right now”?
In casual speech, take this conversation, for example:
Person A: Here's the message: "Hi, my name is [...] Cheers"
Person A: Do I send it as it is right now?
Person B: Yeah, no problem ...
0
votes
1answer
55 views
Does this sound natural? “We'd like to have any opportunity”
We'd like to have any opportunity we can to perform on stage.
Does this sentence sound natural and idiomatic?
And if you have any, please suggest me a better alternative. Thank you so much.
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votes
1answer
66 views
ending an email in relation to answering a job vacancy
I would like to end my email in relation to answering a job vacancy as
"I look forward with anticipation"
Kind regard
Jackie
(my CV will be attached)
Or should I say
"looking forward to hearing from ...
-5
votes
1answer
111 views
Why isn't traverse-able a word? What else could I possibly use? [closed]
Dealing with animation, I often want to described a surface that can be generally traversed as "traversable," but every time I type that word anywhere, like MS word or including stack exchange, it ...
-1
votes
2answers
85 views
Expression used by Dale Carnegie in his book: How to stop worrying and start living [closed]
I looked on the Internet for this expression:
There is no tomorrow. The day of man's salvation is now. Waste of
energy, mental distress, nervous worries dog the steps of a man who
is anxious ...
0
votes
1answer
435 views
What can I use instead of “in case”? [closed]
What expression can I use instead of "in case" in the following sentence?
In other words, in case the plants suffer from a small period of water stress, plants grown on the new substrates will not ...
0
votes
1answer
13k views
How to reply when someone says 'It means a lot'?
In a scenario where you have encouraged someone but haven't helped them physically or with your time and they say "It means a lot". Just for the words you said. How should would one respond?
0
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0answers
22 views
Is “translation motion” correct grammatically?
It looks like it should be "translational motion". But I discover that "translation motion" are appearing as well in some technical publications. Is "translation motion" correct term ?
1
vote
1answer
48 views
Expression for 'to persist through a situation unwillingly'
I want to express exactly that, i thought 'to grind sth through' was a valid expression but Google says no. So I am wondering how to express to see through an endeavor unwillingly.
2
votes
2answers
2k views
“The past hours” or “The passed hours” which one to use?
Imagine the following situation :
You've arranged a meeting with a colleague at a specific time ( say at 6:00 PM ), but he didn't show up until 8:00 PM ( 2 hours have passed ).
If I were to refer to ...
1
vote
3answers
5k views
“Be Best” - is the grammar right?
On May 7th 2018, Melania Trump unveiled her new First Lady platform and the slogan for the campaign is Be Best. The aim would be to focus on physical, social and emotional health, she said. (source)
...
0
votes
1answer
294 views
Is there any difference between “there is no possibility to do something” and “it's impossible to do something”?
If the context is important, I'm building a website along with other people. One of my colleagues wrote the following error message:
There is no possibility to edit invalid something.
It sounds a ...
0
votes
0answers
35 views
Can you explain the difference between “straightaway” and “just then”?
For example, "Straightaway, the car suddenly stopped." or "Just then, the car suddenly stopped." What is the right sentence and why?
0
votes
1answer
857 views
Expressions of time: “…by the time” vs “…the moment”
I phoned her_____ I heard the news.
minute
during
by the time
the moment
I know that correct answer is "the moment"; yet I don't comprehend why it is right answer. Can we ...
0
votes
1answer
63 views
Using so on in sentences to avoid repeating a word
I would like to explain something without repeating words. I try to do that using _so_on. However, I do not know whether this is acceptable in English or not?
For example,
The first drawer is used ...
1
vote
2answers
3k views
better expression for telling about your uncertain schedule
I am responding to an email where another person is asking about when I will be available next week?.
Now, I am not yet sure about my next week schedule. It depends on couple of important must-have ...
1
vote
1answer
2k views
What would you say vs. How would you say [duplicate]
I want to ask a question what someone would say in or about a certain situation.
Here's a question.
"How would you say when you had a great time?"
And I'm expecting the answer,
"It was fun."
...
0
votes
1answer
59 views
expression or phrase using bridge noun and take verb
I would like to use 'be the bridge that takes someone' or 'be the bridge takes someone'.
i.e: Company A wants to be the bridge that takes you to success.
However, I am not sure if the expression ...
2
votes
1answer
80 views
The grammatical explanation of “After 10 minutes of me nagging her”
Can you please explain to me the reason of using "me" instead of "I" for the following sentence:
"after 10 minutes of me nagging her".
0
votes
1answer
56 views
Repair, renovation, overhaul
Which expression or word should I use to describe "light" surfaces repair in room or house such as walls painting, plastering etc. As I understand overhaul means complex repair of house, but I need a ...
0
votes
3answers
11k views
Complemented with or complemented by
I read the sentence, "the food was complemented with an array of musical bands."
My question has two parts:
Can food be complemented with music?
The difference between complemented by and ...
