For questions on how and why certain words are used in varying ways within various contexts.
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29 views
Use of the preposition “for” at the end of a sentence
I'm developing web copy for a government agency, but have run into a problem with a tricky preposition at the end of a sentence. I want to avoid using "for" at the end of the sentence below, but I'm ...
0
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2answers
25 views
“What is more”, “What's more” too informal for academic writing?
A coauthor of mine used the expression "what's more" in a scientific paper. My gut feeling was that this is not a commonly used expression in formal writing, but I could not find clear evidence for ...
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0answers
18 views
Look at /watch over my stuff?
Suppose I am in a coffee shop and I would like someone near to "watch over" my items while I leave for some time, what do I say?
I have beens saying, "do you mind looking at my stuffs?"
This ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
Slow to do and slow in doing
Is there a difference between "slow ( or quick) to do something" and slow ( or quick) in doing something? Various dictionaries list both uses but don't make any remarks as to their usages.
Do they ...
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1answer
37 views
Which of the following is the correct usage of: meteor/meteorite
I hope a meteor falls on your head.
or
I hope a meteorite falls on your head.
And why?
Definition of meteor:
1 : an atmospheric phenomenon (such as lightning or a snowfall)
2a : any of ...
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1answer
25 views
Correct use of the word 'extant'
Consider the following sentence:
"Is there anything you could say which would still be extant in 24 hours time?"
Does it make sense to use the word 'extant' to mean that some proposition would still ...
2
votes
1answer
60 views
What is a wash dish tongue?
In this article†, Edward Hibbert (who plays Gil Chesterton), describes his character:
Gil’s effete and affected with a wash-dish tongue.
What is meant by a "wash-dish tongue?
Note: Googling "wash-...
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0answers
26 views
What difference does a comma make here?
What is the difference between these two:
it will not perform well in using the common sense it has stored to solve problems.
It will not perform well in using the common sense it has stored, to ...
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0answers
32 views
When is omission of “the Mr” or “the respected” considered disrespectful or a serious omission? [on hold]
When is omission of "the Mr" or "the respected" considered serious in nature? The letter was sent to an investment company about my personal investment. In the letter the chief manager (Scale-4) ...
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1answer
22 views
The spirit helps us “in” our weakness?
I am reading some quotes in the Bible to find some wisdom saying on "blaming others" :)
But I came across this long quotes and have some questions.
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait ...
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0answers
27 views
Is there any website or dictionary where you type a word in and it gives you information whether this word formal or informal?
I'm preparing for an IELTS exam, I have a list of synonyms, for one word more than 10 synonyms. I can't determine all of their usages.
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2answers
16 views
Using Past tense words [closed]
This is a chorus of a song called "Exercises in Futility VI" by a band called Mgła.
Self crucified - missed the right tree. Tore the wrong eye
out. The hissing of hellfire. Self crucified - ...
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0answers
37 views
Are these sentences natural to use to you? [closed]
I'm recently studying about off. Please check the below is correct of using off or the sentences are correct (and how would you change them)
The sudden pull threw George off balance.
He got a ...
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votes
1answer
46 views
Why would one number one's paragraphs? [closed]
I understand this is done in formal letters (composed by government officials or lawyers).
1 I would love to congratulate...
2 You may wish ...
...
6 I look forward to meeting ...
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0answers
22 views
Is it correct to say “doing things that he is capable of and skillful at?”
Basically, I am writing a sentence,
"...who is engaged in doing things that he is capable of and skillful at (what if we added to it - interested in - is it possible? What rules do work here?)"
I ...
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votes
1answer
21 views
“all the more” usage
Is there any case where the phrase "all the more" can be in the begining of the sentence? If so, can anyone give some examples?
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1answer
22 views
Bring about racial justice
During this time,his efforts to bring ___ racial justice won him the support of both blacks and whites.
(A) up (B) about
Why is the answer not (B)？
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0answers
14 views
Punctuation at this moment in time
As I edit writing for other authors, I am struck as the 'sudden' lack of commas. Here's the question: Has the use of commas become passe. Are writers being encouraged to avoid using commas no matter ...
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0answers
22 views
Rent your house “for the long term” or “in the long term” or “for/in long term”?
what would be the correct as a tagline? I am talking to the house owner
Rent your house for the long term
Rent your house in the long term
Rent your house for long term
Rent your house in long term
...
2
votes
1answer
38 views
What's the difference between “aspects of” and “aspects to”?
I just wrote
There are two strange aspects of this situation.
Then I decided that
There are two strange aspects to this situation.
sounded better, but I don't know why. There are certainly ...
1
vote
2answers
57 views
'The origin of the problem' vs. 'The root of the problem'
If I want to say
To prevent such a thing from happening again, we should solve this issue from the root of the problem.
Can I say
from the origin of the problem
instead of
from the root of ...
0
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1answer
32 views
What's the difference between have/has been and was? [duplicate]
English is my second language and I have always been confused with 'have been/has been' and the idea that it could be replaced with 'was' in some contexts.
For instance, this is a part of an urgent ...
1
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0answers
39 views
When to insert the word “professor” in conversation? [closed]
What is the proper use of "professor" in a formal conversation with a professor? Assuming that this person is really strict on titles, do I have to add "professor" in every sentence? Does it have to ...
3
votes
3answers
143 views
Do native English speakers still refer to their teachers by the old-fashioned terms “sir” or “miss”?
In the Indian subcontinent (and some other surrounding areas), there's this practice of putting the titles "sir" and "miss" (not ms.—mind you) after the name of school-level teachers. For ...
3
votes
1answer
71 views
How many interrogative adjectives does English have?
Can anybody tell me exactly how many interrogative adjectives does English have? I have been researching for many days.
Some places say that there are only three interrogative adjectives: which, what,...
1
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0answers
27 views
help me understand “off” when it comes to phrasal verb , thank in advance [migrated]
I have seen those words on the internet
Based off....
Better off...
I thought "off" meaning get away from something
but why does "off" mean quite not the way I thought
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votes
1answer
20 views
Usage of 'consequently to' in a scientific article
In a scientific context, can you say "consequently to"? e.g....depicting a gradual re-organisation of these tracts consequently to the gradual loss of coverage.
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0answers
42 views
In Canadian English, are “this Sunday, next Sunday” used differently from their usage in American English?
I think that Canadians use "next Sunday" to mean the very next Sunday after the day you are speaking, while Americans use "this Sunday" to mean the very next Sunday from the day you are speaking, and "...
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0answers
3 views
What is the right way of asking someone to give the more detailed explanation of what he just said (or wrote)? [migrated]
I was told something. Now I want to get the more detailed explanation of what person just said (or wrote).
For example, the person wrote to me:
The key difference between the two definitions is ...
12
votes
2answers
1k views
What's the origin of the second-person 'we'?
I've often heard the phrase what do we have here to mean what do you have. And also, recently, I've heard a teacher ask one of his students struggling with an assignment: do we have a problem?, as in ...
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0answers
21 views
Usage of Noun or gerund
Generally when using “personnel” as an adjective, it is often used before a noun.
Is the following usage correct? Should it be motivation and drive or motivating and driving? Gerund or noun?
I ...
6
votes
2answers
761 views
Is “cute” used sarcastically in Scottish English?
In American English, "cute" is sometimes used sarcastically or to mean "clever." An example of the latter is the recent headline "Donald Trump tells Harley Davidson: 'Don't get cute with us'".
I've ...
1
vote
1answer
66 views
“every couple months” vs. “every couple of months" [closed]
Consider this sentence:
For most patients, he will monitor you once every couple (of) months
Which is correct: "couple" or "couple of"?
2
votes
2answers
54 views
The use of the preposition 'about' in a distinct sense
The ODE defines the preposition about in such a distinct sense that other dictionaries don't:
1.1 So as to affect.
I Just found one example of 'about' used in such a sense: 'there's nothing ...
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votes
3answers
109 views
Is it possible for an adjective to modify another adjective?
While I doubt an adjective can modify another one, I'm wondering if it may be possible. Here is the example: "An immaculate black three-piece suit." Most likely, I'd have to use the adverb ...
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votes
2answers
102 views
Sardony sarcasm, irony, satire, or what [closed]
What is the literary term or convention that best describes the following sentence:
"Socrates drank hemlock, therefore you should drink hemlock"
The term I seek is similar in form to sardony/...
0
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0answers
47 views
Which is correct, the use of “it” or “they” with the word “Audience”? [duplicate]
The Question is about the Sentence:
With the lighthearted tone of the play, the audience never doubts a happy ending, and it is never caught up in the tension of an uncertain outcome.
Is the use of ...
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0answers
26 views
It's not mine, though
I have given something for them to use and saying "It's not mine, though".
Is it correct to use this way?
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0answers
14 views
My inquisitiveness about my achievements [migrated]
Does "English language and usage" reputations and badges subsume reputations and badges of "English language and usage meta" because they have the same user number?.I do not know whether my question ...
1
vote
2answers
34 views
Type of usage/ commas restrictive appositive
Volunteer, Lucy has set out to arrange a charity run.
Jenny and her partner, Steven would instead be attached as potential owners.
Could you use two commas here instead of one ? What is the ...
0
votes
2answers
29 views
usage of words-round and around [duplicate]
The masters, many of them young men who agreed that Chips was hopelessly old-fashioned, rallied round him
Why is it round him and not around him?
What's the difference?
1
vote
1answer
23 views
''Save up to 50% of installation time'' vs. ''Save up to 50% on installation time''?
"Save up to 50% of installation time" vs. "Save up to 50% on installation time"
Using of seems incorrect to me. If you wanted to use of, it should be followed by 'your' or indeed leave out of ...
-4
votes
1answer
82 views
Consume versus Subsume? [closed]
After reading the definitions of both, I can't see how these words differ, however, given their prefixes, I assume they must.
Could someone explain to me the difference between 'consume' and 'subsume'...
1
vote
0answers
31 views
Did I use propitiate correctly in this sentence? [closed]
We feel we have done everything we can to propitiate your requests.
1
vote
1answer
80 views
“Objective” vs “Subjective”: what is the difference (really)? [closed]
I have trouble understanding the difference between these two words, especially when people use them while talking about aims and goals. Any help please?
1
vote
1answer
40 views
Punctuation to denote more interest/excitement than a full stop, but less than an exclamation mark
Is there a punctuation mark to express more interest/excitement than a full stop, but less than an exclamation mark? I ask this because it seems uncouth to end two sentences in a row with an ...
1
vote
2answers
29 views
How to concisely describe the act of engaging in pork barrel politics?
Is there a verb that means 'to engage in pork barrel politics'?
To give an example, suppose John, a legislator, tells the proponents of a bill that he will not vote for it unless they add a line item ...
1
vote
0answers
29 views
“I don’t have as much of an appetite”, could someone verify my explanation?
I've read these sentences:
In summer, when the weather is warmer, I don’t have as much of an appetite, so I’ll eat something lighter.
The part that confuses me is 'I don't have as much of an ...
5
votes
1answer
70 views
Meaning of race baiting
I was reading a CNN article titled "Is Australia becoming a more racist country?" The Race Discrimination Commissioner was quoted as saying:
"I take no pleasure in saying this, but, right now, it ...
0
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0answers
41 views
What is the difference between “continue” and “continue with”?
What is the difference between "continue" and "continue with" in these following sentences?
They continue with their tribal traditions.
They continue their tribal traditions.
