All Questions
18,018
questions
186
votes
7
answers
78k
views
How do the tenses and aspects in English correspond temporally to one another?
Non-native speakers often get confused about what the various tenses
and aspects mean in English. With input from some of the folk here I've
put together a diagram that I hope will pro...
- 151k
374
votes
22
answers
132k
views
Is there a correct gender-neutral singular pronoun ("his" vs. "her" vs. "their")?
Is there a pronoun I can use as a gender-neutral pronoun when referring back to a singular noun phrase?
Each student should save his questions until the end.
Each student should save her questions ...
- 3,907
99
votes
13
answers
183k
views
Are collective nouns (and in particular companies) always given a plural verb form, or are certain ones treated as singular?
I'd say Microsoft have a way of bending the rules and I know that McLaren have won the championship. While this sounds strange, I believe it is correct English (sorry, I'm not native).
But when it's ...
- 1,864
156
votes
10
answers
56k
views
What’s the rule for using “who” and “whom” correctly?
I can never figure out whether I should use who and whom. Most people use who for both colloquially, but some people say this is not correct.
What’s the rule for using who and whom correctly?
- 2,102
68
votes
9
answers
36k
views
Are there any simple rules for choosing the definite vs. indefinite (vs. none) article?
I can’t for the life of me figure out where to use a and where to use the — and where there is no article at all. Is there a simple rule of thumb to memorize?
The standard rule you always hear:
“...
- 5,073
139
votes
7
answers
55k
views
When should compound words be written as one word, with hyphens, or with spaces?
Some compound words are written without hyphens (nonaggression, nonbeliever), some with hyphens (well-intentioned), and others with spaces (post office).
Is there a rule or good guide as to which ...
- 58.9k
67
votes
5
answers
33k
views
When is a gerund supposed to be preceded by a possessive adjective/determiner?
I assume that the following sentences are all acceptable:
He resents your being more popular than he is.
Most of the members paid their dues without my asking them.
They objected to the youngest girl’...
- 21.6k
143
votes
17
answers
189k
views
When should I use "a" vs "an"?
In the following example, is it appropriate to use a or an as the indefinite article, and why?
He ate __ green apple.
I know that in the case of just "apple", it would be "an apple," but I've ...
- 4,980
168
votes
12
answers
44k
views
When is it appropriate to end a sentence in a preposition?
Like many others, I commonly find myself ending a sentence with a preposition. Yes, it makes me cringe. I usually rewrite the sentence, but sometimes (in emails) I just live with it. To, with... ...
- 1,815
88
votes
7
answers
102k
views
Are there rules about using "that" to join two clauses?
He will understand that I was not joking.
He will understand I was not joking.
Which of the sentences is correct? Are there any specific rules about the use of "that" in the sentences I ...
- 58.9k
258
votes
10
answers
252k
views
Do you use "a" or "an" before acronyms / initialisms?
99% of the time, I'm clear on when I should use "a" versus "an." There's one case, though, where people & references I respect disagree.
Which of the following would you precede with "a" or "an," ...
- 3,906
158
votes
6
answers
412k
views
"My wife and I's seafood collaboration dinner"
I just stumbled upon a Reddit post titled:
My wife and I's seafood collaboration dinner. How does it look?
Sure enough, the top comment immediately points out that it should be "my wife's and my". ...
- 97.1k
181
votes
12
answers
1.0m
views
When to use "If I was" vs. "If I were"?
If I was...
If I were...
When is it correct to use "If I was" vs. "If I were" in standard English?
- 2,041
300
votes
6
answers
143k
views
What is the rule for adjective order?
I remember being taught that the correct order of adjectives in English was something along the lines of "Opinion-Size-Age-Color-Material-Purpose."
However, it's been a long time and I'm pretty sure ...
- 97.1k
144
votes
14
answers
20k
views
When to use “that” and when to use “which”, especially in relative clauses
When is it appropriate to use that as opposed to which with relative clauses?
- 4,980
62
votes
4
answers
55k
views
When should a verb be followed by a gerund instead of an infinitive?
Some verbs are followed by ing, e.g. I enjoy swimming. We can't say I enjoy to swim. Likewise, some verbs are followed by to, e.g. I decided to make a plan.
Which particular verbs are followed by ...
- 35.5k
102
votes
3
answers
156k
views
What is the correct possessive for nouns ending in "‑s"?
What is the possessive of a noun ending in ‑s? Are these both right, or is the second one wrong?
the boys' books
the boss' car
- 58.9k
44
votes
3
answers
103k
views
Which singular names ending in “s” form possessives with only a bare apostrophe?
Many questions already ask about this topic (What is the correct possessive for nouns ending in "‑s"? , When did it become correct to add an “s” to a singular possessive already ending in “‑...
- 697
49
votes
4
answers
12k
views
How should I punctuate around quotes where the punctuation required by the quote interferes with the punctuation of the sentence?
The American convention in quotations is (typically) to place punctuation inside quoted text. But I always run into situations where the punctuation of the quote interferes with the punctuation of the ...
- 2,002
21
votes
2
answers
18k
views
Agreement in "[Singular Noun] Is/Are [Plural Noun]"?
My fish's native habitat is rice fields.
My fish's native habitat are rice fields.
Which one is correct? I'm pretty sure it's the first, since 'is' modifies 'habitat,' but it still sounds weird...
- 687
54
votes
3
answers
38k
views
Why is the subject omitted in sentences like "Thought you'd never ask"?
"Thought you'd never ask" is "I thought you'd never ask" with "I" omitted.
"Hope this helps" is "I hope this helps" with "I" omitted.
In English grammar, normally every sentence should have a subject,...
- 1,134
22
votes
7
answers
5k
views
"He didn't know where New Jersey was"
I know the past tense carries the past tense in every dependent clause, but referring specifically to places or to things that are eternal, like the Earth, seems a bit weird and therefore we sometimes ...
- 1,063
46
votes
6
answers
88k
views
I <verb> and am <rest of sentence>
I sometimes find myself writing something like this:
XXX is a project I admire and am very interested in.
The "I <verb> and am <something>" feels strange here. It somehow sounds more ...
- 1,111
231
votes
13
answers
496k
views
Which words in a title should be capitalized?
Are there any concrete rules that say which words (parts of speech) in a title should start with a capital letter? What would be a correct capitalization for the title of this question?
- 5,073
69
votes
9
answers
280k
views
When do I use "I" instead of "me?"
From some comments in the answers for common English usage mistakes (now deleted, 10k only), there's confusion around the usage of I vs. me:
While the sentence, "the other attendees are myself and ...
- 1,874
32
votes
5
answers
39k
views
"There Is"/"There are" depends on plurality of the first list element or not?
It seems I put a stick in the anthill at ELL.
Bounty assigned by outside party, two lengthy, reference-citing answers, one "-1" (awarded the bounty), one "-2", two others scored "0" and "-2" ...
- 11.4k
160
votes
16
answers
445k
views
Should I put a comma before the last item in a list?
Should I put a comma before the last item in a list?
I would like crackers, cheese and some soda.
I would like crackers, cheese, and some soda.
- 12.4k
50
votes
2
answers
118k
views
A number of questions "has been" or "have been" asked?
Formally, is it correct to write:
A number of questions has been asked here.
or:
A number of questions have been asked here.
As a non-native speaker of English, I would prefer the former: the ...
- 739
111
votes
15
answers
1.2m
views
Which is correct, "you and I" or "you and me"?
When the phrase is used as an object, why so many native speakers are saying "you and I" instead of "you and me"? I'm not a native speaker but I thought "you and me" is correct. Not sure if this falls ...
- 3,654
15
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Agreement With Compound Subjects Joined by And
I was surfing the internet the other day when I found this phrase:
Instead your precious time and attention is wasted.
To my ears, it sounds wrong. But I'm not a native English speaker, so I consulted ...
- 795
27
votes
5
answers
116k
views
User’s Guide vs Users’ Guide
I’ve been looking over what has been posted regarding the use of ’s.
I used to be a Technical Writer (years ago). The title of one of our training documents was Users’ Guide. Once, a coworker said ...
- 279
27
votes
5
answers
8k
views
"Nikki's and Alice's cars" vs. "Nikki and Alice's cars"
Which option is grammatical? The noun (phrase) can of course be varied:
There will be readings from Nikki Giovanni’s and Alice Walker’s writings.
There will be readings from Nikki Giovanni and Alice ...
- 2,216
61
votes
14
answers
60k
views
I can run faster than _____. (1) him (2) he?
Consider the sentence "I can run faster than 15 miles per hour." Its meaning is clear and to my eyes obviously grammatically correct. Now let me present some variations that have given me ...
- 4,421
307
votes
10
answers
227k
views
What is the correct way to pluralize an acronym / initialism?
For example, if I wanted to write the equivalent of
There are many automated teller machines in this city.
Would it be
There are many ATMs in this city.
or
There are many ATM's in this city.
(...
- 7,424
73
votes
5
answers
920k
views
Should I put myself last? "me and my friends" vs. "my friends and me" or "my friends and I"
I've always been taught to put myself last when referring to myself in the same sentence as others but the usage of "me and..." seems to be everywhere these days. The misuse of the word "me" instead ...
- 1,453
20
votes
1
answer
4k
views
When are attributive nouns plural?
If I want to say:
"development of special weapons was
the first point in Hitler's
program..."
I will say this (a better form):
"special weapon development was..."
OK...
is it
&...
- 335
54
votes
4
answers
136k
views
How to answer a negative question without ambiguity?
I faced a problem to answer a negative question, for example, when someone asks you:
Don't you have any money?
It's a yes/no question but how should one answer the question without ambiguity?
...
- 5,284
42
votes
6
answers
68k
views
"Who wants ice-cream?" — Should I say "(not) I" or "(not) me"?
With the enthusiastic question of "Who wants ice-cream?", what is the more correct response?
(Not) I.
(Not) me.
Neither response is a sentence. The first response of "(not) I" sounds ...
- 560
31
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Is it correct to hyphenate with compound premodifiers? If so, where is the hyphen placed?
For example, "file system" and "related". Is it "file system-related"? It will appear as if it is a compound of "file" and "system-related", won't it?
- 3,428
25
votes
3
answers
58k
views
Comma after introductory words, phrases, clauses: unacceptable, obligatory or optional?
I am no native speaker and always confused about the comma in introductory phrases, in particular in prepositional phrases. Is there any hard rule when a comma must be set? If I make a google search ...
- 353
20
votes
1
answer
118k
views
Which is correct: "has died" or "died"?
To me, using Present Perfect form means the event can occur again. So, saying
someone has died
may not be grammatically correct.
Also, I noticed (it might be just coincidence):
passed away
...
- 428
8
votes
4
answers
7k
views
"Everybody's using a cell phone nowadays" vs. "Everybody's using cell phones nowadays"
The usage of singular and plural has always been confusing for me.
I often see sentences like these
People are using cell phones.
People are using a cell phone.
Does the first sentence ...
- 181
138
votes
2
answers
917k
views
"Which" vs. "what" — what's the difference and when should you use one or the other?
Most of the time one or the other feels better, but every so often, "which" vs. "what" trips me up.
So, what's the exact difference and when should you use one or the other?
- 1,531
123
votes
14
answers
278k
views
When should I use "a" versus "an" in front of a word beginning with the letter h?
A basic grammar rule is to use an instead of a before a vowel sound. Given that historic is not pronounced with a silent h, I use “a historic”. Is this correct? What about heroic? Should be “It was a ...
- 1,381
38
votes
4
answers
20k
views
Pluralization rule for "five-year-old children", "20 pound note", "10 mile run"
Why are year, pound and mile in the singular form in the phrases below?
five-year-old children
20 pound note
10 mile run
Is that because they're acting as adjectives, which are always invariable in ...
- 21.6k
44
votes
6
answers
61k
views
Correct position of "only"
Which is grammatically correct?
I can only do so much in this time.
or
I can do only so much in this time.
user1784
4
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Do you pluralize the singular possessions of / items or people associated with individual members of a plural group?
In a situation where say a group (or at least a plurality) of men is being addressed — for example on a sign passed by many married men — which is correct?
"Remind your wife."
or
"...
- 447
104
votes
11
answers
530k
views
What is the correct way to use infinitive after the verb "help": with or without "to"?
What is the correct way to use infinitive after the verb "help": with or without "to"?
For example:
Please, help me to understand this.
or:
Please, help me understand this.
- 10.2k
18
votes
3
answers
13k
views
What is a noun modifying clause?
This is actually a question that came up when I was studying Japanese. Unfortunately my grasp of the technical language of syntax is very limited, and I never fully comprehended the idea of a noun ...
- 283
315
votes
1
answer
388k
views
When should I use an em-dash, an en-dash, and a hyphen?
I generally know how to use a hyphen, but when should I use an en-dash (–) instead of an em-dash, or when should I use a hyphen (-) instead of an em-dash (—)?
- 58.9k