Questions tagged [writing]
This tag is for questions specifically related to written English. PROOFREADING essays, emails, abstracts, etc. is strictly OFF-TOPIC.
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Improve English writing by oneself without human feedback? [migrated]
I was born in China and currently live and work in Hong Kong. English is my second language. My IELTS writing score (academic module) is in the 6 - 6.5 band range.
I have always wanted to write good ...
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1answer
22 views
Using Quotes On Rhetorical Questions
I'm stuck in my high school essay. Should I use quotes when I'm asking readers a rhetorical question? In this case I wrote,
The restrictions that many may, or may not be considering, are they ...
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1answer
36 views
Can this sentence be grammatically correct?
Can I say, “He was one of our favorite students among us the teachers”? I want to say that all of us the teachers were counting him as one of our favorites.
Thanks.
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1answer
64 views
What kind of punctuation marks to use in writing this?
We have something called dhikr in Islam.
We repeat the same word hundreds or thousands of times, e.g.
Subhanallah subhanallah subhanallah subhanallah subhanallah subhanallah subhanallah ...
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32 views
Does English have written words for each letter in the alphabet? [duplicate]
In Spanish or in Catalan (not sure if also true in other Latin languages) we have a word for each letter in the alphabet. For example, letter "H" is written as "hache", in Spanish or "hac" in Catalan. ...
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52 views
Can we start a heading with a preposition or to-infinitive?
This is a use case wherein a subheading of technical documentation.
Is it correct to start a heading with a to-infinitive or preposition (to; for) in technical writing aspect?
Example:
[With to-...
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1answer
34 views
I need to write my expectations from a job [closed]
I`m looking for a job as a developer, so I need to write my expectations for the job. Am I right grammatically writing this into my CV?
I am looking for opportunities for professional growth and ...
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1answer
117 views
How to write from this, to that, to that, to that
For example, if I were writing the menu options for a restaurant, how would I write something like this?
Restaurant ABC offers many different dishes. From pizza, to burgers,
to shakes, to fries, ...
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16 views
About cases you don't use the article “the” and “a” | Would anybody be able to tell me why there is no article in this case? [duplicate]
I read an article of the link below:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/hong-kong-protester-shot-1.5303783
My question is why the subject "Hong Kong protester" in the title has no article "a" and ...
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0answers
19 views
Should it be “there was supposed to be donuts” vs “there were supposed to be donuts”? [duplicate]
I'm probably overthinking this, but I can't decide if it should be "was" or "were" in this case. Can someone explain to me which is correct and why? I think part of my problem is that, assuming were/...
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43 views
Does this exemplify bad writing?
As a non-native English speaker, I have trouble determining whether some ways of phrasing or using English expressions in writing are 'natural' or not. The other day I came across an article written ...
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1answer
59 views
Why is it hard to convey tone of speech through text? [closed]
People often say it is hard to convey emotions through text (phone text) and it is best to communicate serious matters face to face.
Can I get some examples where a piece of text can have completely ...
3
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1answer
195 views
Is there a word or short phrase used to describe being impressed with someone's accomplishment while also clearly expressing a lack of understanding?
(This is my first time on this forum, so I apologize in advance if I fail to articulate my query effectively or break site etiquette out of ignorance. I'll endeavor to be as thorough as possible here ...
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0answers
47 views
Is “aim for” a formal structure?
When I'm writing a very formal academic article or a text at work, I make use of "aim at" in it. My question is: Can I use "aim for" as alternative formal option in my texts?
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1answer
35 views
Can I use 'I' in an essay? [duplicate]
Can I use 'I' in an essay, can I address myself and explain things from my perspective ? (without twisting or bending facts of course)
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2answers
44 views
Should you capitalize incomplete proper nouns?
In my book, a character is falling asleep while trying to speak, so is having trouble getting her words across.
She says "Aley and Om" (Ashley and Tom).
Should "Aley" and "Om" be capitalized?
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1answer
64 views
What is the proper name for a 'conspiracy wall'?
From time to time in popular media, someone fills a whiteboard or bulletin board with many small notes, documents and pictures. Often, red lines (pieces of string) are pricked on there as well, ...
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0answers
38 views
17th Century term for Mother [duplicate]
I'm writing a story where my main character calls out for her mother, and I'm having trouble with what word I should be using.
The story is set around the 1660s London, my main character is of low ...
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1answer
36 views
Can you guys correct the errors in my essays? I am practicing writing for the IELTS exams . Thanks a lot [closed]
Question: The presence of technology in the classroom has become more and more apparent and offers students tremendous resources with which to supplement their education. Given time , technology will ...
2
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2answers
872 views
NORMINAL — normal or with nominal mistake?
At the very end of the live-stream for the nominal SpaceX STP-2 mission, the presenter places what appears to be a baseball cap onto the table. It reads "NORMINAL" (sic).
My first thought was how ...
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1answer
60 views
Alternative ways of saying “in a question”
Recently, I've reported back to my customer representative and got stuck when I needed to say that some task will be solved in some ticket.
I usually play around with Language and try to diversify ...
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0answers
15 views
Is this a dialogue tag?
Lately, I've been pondering about this question.
First of all, we already know that dialogue tags consist of a noun or a pronoun followed by a verb like "said," and "ask."
"Like this one," I ...
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1answer
48 views
Should commas really be put in the beginning of a sentence if I put something in front of the subject?
I am currently a student at a school with a fairly low english level. I live in a non-english country. I am bringing this up not becuase it really changes anything, but rather to clarify that the ...
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0answers
26 views
Can this be considered a dialogue tag?
Lately, I've been pondering about this question.
First of all, we already know that dialogue tags consist of a noun or a pronoun followed by a verb like "said," and "ask."
"Like this one," I ...
1
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0answers
30 views
(n-1)st/th: n minus oneth or first? [duplicate]
Should I write (n-1)th or (n-1)st
Relatedly, is it "n minus oneth" or "n minus first".
Thanks!
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1answer
45 views
Should a comma be included when listing age?
When listing age under someone's name for reference, does there need to be a comma between "age" and the number?
My company is running an ad for a beauty supplement featuring our brand ambassador for ...
1
vote
1answer
117 views
What is the correct way of writing a reference to file types / extensions?
I am a data scientist and regularly refer to various file types when writing to others.
My question is this: what is the correct and/or proper way to refer to a file type and which of the following ...
0
votes
1answer
66 views
Colloquial sentence endings like “is all” and “is how”
I'm writing dialogue for a short story and I want to 'transcribe' the characters' colloquialisms in a way that best adheres to the rules of written English (I'm an ESL speaker). My protag ends some of ...
0
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1answer
66 views
Should I use passive voice in academic writing? [duplicate]
Yesterday I learned that it is better to use active voice instead of passive voice in writing.
Well today I had an academic essay test and I used active verbs throughout the whole essay.
She told ...
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0answers
44 views
Can I use it is time to go back to in a formal academic essay?
First, The Islamic revolution occurred in 1979, bringing a whole set of radical conservative changes to a once liberal westernized Iran. Second, One of these changes was the enforcement of veils and ...
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votes
1answer
54 views
Should I capitalize “the” if it has a comma preceding it in a title?
If I am citing a resource and "the" comes before the main title, should I put the "the" at the end with a comma preceding it?
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2answers
48 views
Comma before and
Is it wrong?
I 've read this at the Journal New York Times. We should be using a comma before and just when we have two independent clauses. That growth is connected to "expanded" of the first ...
2
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1answer
47 views
Should I use the plural form when i refer to a feature in different things?
I confront the following situation so often in many different cases:
Assume that I want to write about the cars of two persons, then which of the followings is correct?
I asked them about the model ...
0
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1answer
171 views
“This chapter describes” or “This chapter WILL describe?”
My question is about the use of the present or future tense when describing what the current project being written does/will do:
Should it be "This thesis will investigate whether...," or "This ...
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2answers
430 views
What is recasting in a sentence?? how do you recast a sentence cannot move forward in access course until I get past this?
I have failed this section of my course three times and just cant get it into my head, I thought it was rearranging a sentence, or adding context always wrong!!
Please could a kind person write me a ...
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2answers
57 views
Are there any references that the English language is written and read from left to right and from top to bottom? [duplicate]
What is the basis this?
I have practically done hours of research and I couldn't find any source or reference about this.
I AM NOT ASKING WHY. I AM ASKING FOR A REFERENCE.
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1answer
57 views
What is a regular font? [closed]
Here is the context: "Write your essay in a regular font".
What does it mean by "regular font"? What classifies as a regular font?
Thanks!
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1answer
62 views
What is the definition of dig? If someone begins to cut into a surface is it considered that they have dug something? if not, why not?
According to the following extract:
Mrs. Baker wanted to go ice fishing. She read several books on the subject, and finally, after purchasing all the necessary equipment, she went onto the ice. ...
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2answers
2k views
Can we use “id est” in lieu of “i.e.” in academic writing?
In an academic, format context, can we write id est instead of its abbreviated form (i.e.)?
Compare:
‘a walking boot which is synthetic, id est not leather’
with:
‘a walking boot which is ...
1
vote
2answers
490 views
Is “commerical” a valid and different word from “commercial”? [closed]
Googling, I see many places using the spelling commerical, but I don't see that spelling in any dictionaries at all. Is it a mistake for commercial, or are these two different words?
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1answer
26 views
Italics in Formal Essays
I want to say this quote in my essay:
"Jefferson is in every view less dangerous than Burr". I want to emphasize the word "every", so can I italicize it?
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2answers
176 views
How certain we are that runes were shaped as we present them
Specifically I am wondering about the A, F, H, J, L, and T. There are others I'm interested in but I don't want to ask too much at once, and these ones are straightforward.
The image I am looking at ...
1
vote
2answers
74 views
When to use mid-sentence commas when adding a formal name
Where is it appropriate to insert a comma when putting a persons name in the middle of a sentence, such as when writing an email or letter. Is it really before AND after?
Examples:
Thank you for ...
-1
votes
1answer
46 views
How to write this properly?
"If you ask someone why they rewarded someone else, they will tell you
that they deserve it."
I think that the intended meaning is pretty clear, but how do you say that properly without falling ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
Is there an inversion in the clause？ [closed]
The noise was like an English fox-hunt only better because every now and then with the music of the hounds was mixed the roar of the other lion and sometimes the far deeper and more awful roar of ...
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1answer
212 views
When should I use “Figure out the rest” vs “figure the rest out”? Does it matter?
I'm writing something where a character tells someone else vaguely something that that she did in the past and then tacks on "I'll let you figure out the rest" at the end.
Then some of the notes of ...
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2answers
180 views
Is there a word for writing and not looking at it (while writing)?
"Writing while looking at something else" -- your hand is still moving, your writing is still legible, but your eyes are elsewhere, such as reading from the source material being copied.
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2answers
144 views
AmE/Writing: AN _hors d'oeuvres_ tray, or A _hors d'oeuvres_ tray? [duplicate]
The general rule I was given as a youngster was that if the initial sound of the noun is that of a vowel, the correct indefinite article is “an”, while if it started with a consonantal ...
3
votes
1answer
184 views
Enumerate reasons after because [closed]
Is it correct to enumerate reasons of something after "because" in a sentence? For example:
This product is popular because: (1) It is inexpensive. (2) It has
two-year warranty. (3) It is made of ...
3
votes
1answer
368 views
What is the history of the cursive p?
A friend of mine (relevant detail, he grew up and learned cursive in India) recently remarked to me that he missed the way that cursive "p"s used to be written. An example of this can be seen in the ...
