Questions tagged [word-usage]
This tag is for questions about correctly using a word. The word has to be provided within the question. The question should be limited to the usage of one word. For the usage of complete phrases there is the tag phrase-usage.
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Treating the word "grammar" in proper grammar
Driving down the road I saw a state sign that was written poorly. I said, “That’s a bad grammar.’
My wife was offended I said “a” grammar.
I can’t find an answer to see if what I said is acceptable. ...
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1
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70
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Hook, line and sinker [closed]
I learned that "hook, line and sinker" is used to emphasize that someone has been completely deceived or tricked. I'd like to know whether it is appropriate to use the phrase in a formal ...
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3
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When did prince/princess come to mean "royal heir"?
The words prince and princess come to English from Old French and ultimately from Latin's "princeps". However, in both Latin and Old French, as well as historical Italian, "prince"...
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Should there be a comma if "though" is used mid-sentence?
In an effort to showcase my enthusiasm, all of my personal projects since graduation
relate to health in some form though I do have a distinct interest in the study of
behavior and the mind.
It's ...
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1
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73
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What is the etymology and exact meaning of "crockpot"?
I've been looking for a translation for Czech word Remoska (which means portable electric oven with a baking feature), and the best translation I could find was crockpot. Is it correct, if not, what ...
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"wouldn't touch it with a barge pole" is used only in UK? [migrated]
I understand that the phrase "would not touch with a barge pole" is used to say that you would not want to have anything to do with it. Some of my friends told me this phrase is only used in ...
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2
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37
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The bat smashed INTO my face
In the following sentence, why does the speaker add the word into?
The bat (baseball bat) smashed into my face with such force that it crushed my nose into a distorted U-shape.
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short form of "not only, but also" or different? [duplicate]
I read the following sentence in The Economist.
An obsession with control is making China weaker but more dangerous.
Is it an omitted form of "not only, but also" as in "making China ...
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22
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What's the proper way to use the word "depth"? Is it "at 15 feet depth" or should it be "at a depth of 15 feet"? [duplicate]
For example:
The phreatic surface is encountered at 15 feet depth.
or
The phreatic surface is encountered at a depth of 15 feet.
The first sentence seems to be easier to read.
2
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2
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Is the usage of "mitigation" restricted to (human) actors?
In the context of positive and negative feedbacks in the earth system and climate change:
I feel that mitigation is something that has to be actively done by someone, but since I am neither a linguist ...
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2
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Does the definition of "originate" allow it to apply to instances that happened independently of the first occurrence?
The expression "smoke test" originated in the electronics field.
When a circuit board is ready to be tested, the first thing one does it turn on the power.
If it immediately produces smoke, ...
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4
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Is there a difference between "gift card" and "gift voucher"?
Is there a difference between a gift card and a gift voucher?
I work for a company where we have our own gift card/voucher. I always called it the [company name] gift card, but I see on our sites we ...
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Can “standalone” ever be an adverb?
Is it correct to use word standalone as an adverb?
All the major dictionaries only mention that it is an adjective. However, I’ve seen many sources use it as an adverb. For example:
This program can ...
- 113
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What's the meaning of the phrase"while the fit is on us"?
I went up to the accountant's wicket and poked the ball of money at him with a quick convulsive movement as if I were doing a conjuring trick.
My face was ghastly pale.
"Here," I said, "...
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60
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Can you refer to a two-worded phrase as a "word"?
For example, could I say, "My favorite word these days is 'suburban wasteland'"?
Anything else seems awkward:
My favorite phrase
My favorite expression
My favorite term
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73
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Using “Of” or “For” in My Paper’s Title
I would like to consult with you regarding the wording of a title for a recent paper of mine. Specifically, the question is whether to use "of" or "for". In order to keep it simple ...
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114
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Is the word "serie" used in English? (as a singular of "series")
As a continental, I would normally use serie to describe a single set, and series to describe multiple sets:
I own a BWM 1 Serie, but I own a collection of 5 Series
My favourite TV serie is The ...
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1
answer
45
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The name of the end part of a film that contains contacts information [closed]
What is usually called the part of a film that comes at the end which contains contacts information ?
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1
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50
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A question about usage of 'right proper' or 'right and proper' in UK / US English
Am I correct in thinking that 'right proper' is a phrase used adjectivally, as in 'A Right Proper Murder', and 'right and proper' adverbially, as in the entries in Urban Dictionary?
right and proper
...
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How to say I am an interdisciplinary person
I am wondering if there is a way to describe a person who studies in interdisciplinary(e.g. art+science).
I want to make a sentence like "....becoming a XXX person"
Thanks
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254
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What is the meaning of "bruing/brewing conversation" or "bru/brew some conversation"?
I heard this in a talk show. But I couldn't catch the word. Like the man said -
I can't wait to bru/brew some exciting conversations.
I don't know, what does that mean?
I found on my research that &...
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1
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36
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How to respond to other's compliment words like "you are doing a great job" [closed]
For example, when a colleague says to me "You are doing great" ,Except "Thank you", I don't know what alternative expressions I can use to respond to other's compliments. I thought ...
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40
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"love" as a punctual verb [closed]
I'm familiar with the verb "love" as a durative and stative verb. It's common to say "I love you," for example. However, I am wondering whether it's possible for "love" ...
- 1,881
7
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1
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The origin of slang GOAT (in a field) for the "greatest of all time"
Lately, I have seen GOAT being used for people.
Like:
Lionel Messi is called the GOAT.
Muhammad Ali boxed his way into our hearts and will forever be known as GOAT.
John may end up being the GOAT.
...
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3
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60
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What is the difference between law and piece of legislation? [closed]
For example,
The Data Protection Act is a piece of legislation aimed at protecting the privacy of the individual.
A new law was passed to make divorce easier and simpler"
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346
views
Outward vs Outbound + Return vs Inbound in a trip in American English as well as British English
When you travel long distance, for example by train or in a plane, in other languages like Spanish (my native language) there are specific words that all the people use the same way: "ida" ...
- 101
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0
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"They've not" vs "They haven't" [duplicate]
They both mean the same thing. Is there a preferred context for either of them, and which should be used in which type of situation?
Some examples:
"They've not left the plane."
"They ...
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1
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53
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"Text size" or "font size"? [closed]
The "font" term is frequently used in "font family" meaning.
Like: - "Which font?" - "Arial".
But the "font size" definitely does not mean "the ...
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35
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Emanate from a place, not a source
Just a nuance question here:
The word "emanate", I know for sure it can be used in reference to a specific source, e.g. "a strange glow emanated from the lamp".
But can it also be ...
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Do you "warrant" or "warranty" your work (or a product/service)?
If I offer a warranty for a product or service, can it be said that I warrant that product or service? If not, what's the correct verb to use when trying to indicate you offer a warranty on something?
...
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Can we still use "detect" if there is only one subject
When we say we have detected the faulty model does it imply there are more than one model in front of us, and we want to pick the faulty ones? In other words, would it still be appropriate to use &...
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What is the meaning of "unpopular opinion"? [closed]
Please make me understand in easy words that what is the exact meaning of "unpopular opinion". Provide sone example please.
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Does one "use", "drive", or "ride" a motorcycle?
If a person is steering and opeating athe motorcycle/motorbike, are they using the motorcycle, driving the motorcycle, or riding the motorcycle?
I am asking because I read the following passage. Is ...
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Approval Process feature best wording for approve and decline
I'm a UX designer but not an English native speaker. I'm working on a web interface where some item types required an approval from a 3rd party.
So when the user clicks on a button named 'Approval' he ...
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Is it correct to use "versatile" in a sentence without mentioning which thing?
I have seen sentences like these:
He’s so versatile an actor.
She’s a versatile entertainer.
The potato is a versatile vegetable.
Can I use versatile in these ways?
She is so versatile.
She is very ...
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Does ‘the officials’ mean what I want in this context?
The country’s technological advances are often trumpeted by the
officials as a cause of pride.
By ‘the officials’ I mean the administration, the governors, relevant people in the government, or the ...
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1
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What does manifest or manifesting mean?
I found in my research manifest means "showing someone the facts about something/to make clear or evident to the eye or the understanding/to show something clearly, through signs or actions"....
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Should "kingdom" be capitalized when used alone to refer to a country whose name has the word in it (e.g., the United Kingdom)?
For instance, if I mention the United Kingdom early in my paragraph and then I want to refer to it as "the kingdom," should I uppercase "kingdom" in this case?
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Which is correct? This connective tissue is "fascia" or "a fascia"?
Developers are constantly stealing words from other disciplines. One we've recently acquired is fascia, which Michael Feathers explains in a blog post:
Each section [of an orange] is covered with ...
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come a long way
I understand the phrase "come a long way" to mean to make a lot of improvement, but in this context, what does it mean?
69' The hosts are putting a bit of pressure on. Another deep free-...
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Meaning of deny [closed]
What does "deny" mean in football context?
Could you explain what "deny" mean in football context?
51' SAVE! De Gea denies Maddison with a brilliant diving stop. The midfielder ...
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Use of "to" in "updates to come"/"more to follow"
I'm confused by the construction of "Noun + to infinitive". Is it short for "Noun is + to infinitive?" "Updates to come" becomes "update is to come". "More ...
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Meaning of finish
In football context, does "finish" mean kick?
59' A powerful finish from Anel to double our lead at the Lane! 💥
The centre back meets a Doyle corner on the volley and smashes past Lumley ...
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meaning of Kill the game
What does "kill" mean in the phrase "kill the game?"
Christian Eriksen
It hasn’t been beautiful for 90 minutes but we have three wins. We
want to do better but it’s a good start. ...
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"...based on other causes you support..."
"I'd like to have a discussion with you about something that, based on other causes you support, I think you'll be interested in."
There must be a better way I can phrase that sentence.
The ...
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2
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185
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When did "other" become a verb?
Other, one of the most common adjectives and pronouns, as verb means:
: to treat or consider (a person or a group of people) as alien to oneself or one's group (as because of different racial, ...
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Why is it called Compulsory education not Mandatory education or Obligation education? [closed]
I know it is called Compulsory education
Compulsory education refers to a period of education that is required
of all people and is imposed by the government.
Compulsory school attendance or ...
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1
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47
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Using “more” with both countable and uncountable nouns
The rules for using “less” or “ fewer” are clear (although often abused):
I have less money than you. (Uncountable noun)
I have fewer bank notes than you. (Countable noun)
Why then, is there no ...
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How could "attires" or "garbs" be used? [closed]
According to Google and Wiktionary both "attire" and "garb" have a plural noun of "attires" and "garbs", respectively. But how could you used either of these ...
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Can "distinguish" be used as an in-place replacement for "classify" or "categorize"?
By "in-place replacement" I mean to replace the word without changing the sentence structure. For example:
To distinguish narcotics as either soft or hard.
Can we say that?
In other words, ...
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