All Questions
129,965
questions
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How should a (North American) Native English Speaker prounounce the word 'Afrikaans'?
I've always had trouble with the word 'Afrikaans'. I could say it the way South Africans say it, but then I'm not sure if I'd just be saying the word with a South African accent. After all, I don't ...
- 151
3
votes
4
answers
13k
views
What is the meaning of the phrase "a man of the world"?
The name of one of the Ernest Hemingway's short stories is "A man of the world". It seems to me that I understand the meaning of this phrase out from the context of the short story. But all the same ...
- 10.2k
21
votes
6
answers
12k
views
Can "real" be used as an adverb to describe an adjective?
Is this correct?
That is a real cool answer.
I learned that that was incorrect, since "real" is an adjective which can describe a noun, e.g. "real answer" but it is not an adverb which can ...
- 14k
32
votes
5
answers
76k
views
Punctuation around abbreviations
I always stumble when using abbreviations in a sentence, as they inherently contain a period in them. How do I use a comma or a semicolon after an abbreviation? How about a period?
E.g. (This is an ...
- 4,012
47
votes
7
answers
35k
views
Are the endings "-zation" and "-sation" interchangeable?
What is with words that have forms that end both in -zation and -sation, such as localization and localisation?
Many spell checkers recommend -zation.
- 615
95
votes
13
answers
93k
views
Which is correct: "could care less" or "couldn't care less"?
What's the deal with the phrase "could care less"?
Whilst growing up, I've always known people (parents etc) to use the phrase "couldn't care less", but I've also come across people who use the ...
- 1,541
10
votes
3
answers
242k
views
Are both "in regards to" and "regarding to" correct?
Do in regards to and regarding to imply different meanings or is it okay to use them interchangeably?
Example:
This mail is in regards to your inquiry.
This mail is regarding to your inquiry.
- 7,288
13
votes
3
answers
153k
views
Does the phrase "fine with me" have a negative connotation?
I have always thought that you could answer "it's ok with me" or "it's fine with me" when you agree with something that somebody proposed, like a meeting time.
But apparently the phrase can have a ...
- 21.6k
92
votes
12
answers
122k
views
Is "I'd've" proper use of the English language?
While reading a book, I came across the word I'd've, as in:
I'd've argued against it.
While it was obvious what it meant, it left me puzzled. Is I'd've a proper word?
- 1,613
52
votes
10
answers
11k
views
Is "rather" shifting to become a verb?
In colloquial English, I constantly run across sentences of the form:
I rather my [noun] [verb]
A quick Google search returns tons of examples:
I rather my opponents don't find out.
I ...
- 97.1k
2
votes
2
answers
19k
views
When should one use the "recent past"? How much time should have passed?
When we can use "recent past"? How much past time qualifies for "recent past"?
- 615
85
votes
12
answers
201k
views
"Synced" or "synched"
Which is correct: synced or synched? Is one of these American and the other British spelling or are they interchangeable?
I have only ever seen sync used in the computing industry.
14
votes
7
answers
10k
views
How can I practice differentiating between the /æ/ and /ɛ/ sounds in English phonology?
For a non-native English speaker like me, it's always been hard to sound /æ/ and /ɛ/ differently. For example, "salary" and "celery" are two words that I tend to pronounce ...
- 35.5k
10
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Why am I always compelled to begin a response with "Well, "?
Because of a certain 140 character limit I've learned where I can trim characters on responses but even after all this time I still reply with "Well, so and so . . ." and I go back and have to delete ...
- 1,135
16
votes
5
answers
36k
views
Is it correct to use 'Forgot password' or 'Forgotten password'
Many websites use the phrase 'Forgot password?' when prompting users to renew their login passwords. Is this correct usage or should it be 'Forgotten password?'.
- 339
10
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Is it okay to say and write "ain't" yet?
Over 10 years ago saying "ain't" was discouraged but it was gaining momentum. What happened? Seems like it's still discouraged. Maybe in another 10 years?
- 1,135
5
votes
1
answer
6k
views
What can I use to remember the difference between "well" and "good"? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the difference between “good” and “well”
Okay, I actually have no idea when it's okay to say well or good but once again I vaguely remember a ...
- 1,135
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
8
votes
3
answers
10k
views
What are the correct ways to express parenthetical comments?
I've seen parenthetical comments that are inserted mid-sentence (like this) and I've also seen parenthetical comments that are inserted after the terminal punctuation symbol of a sentence. (Like this.)...
- 1,101
15
votes
11
answers
295k
views
Is there a more modern way to say "it's a pity"?
Is it okay nowadays to use the phrase "it's a pity" in the everyday conversation in the contexts like in following example:
"Please how do I get to airport?"
"It's a pity, I don't know."
If not,...
- 10.2k
34
votes
8
answers
3k
views
What is the best way to explain how to choose between "its" and "it's"?
Probably one of the most frequent grammar mistakes in the English language is:
The dog sat on it's mat.
Since spelling checkers don't catch it, and it is even logical, since you would correctly ...
- 14k
10
votes
4
answers
56k
views
"Before" vs. "in front of"
Especially in speeches I often hear a sentence like
I stand here before you...
However during my English classes in school (I'm German) we were told that before should only be used if you're ...
21
votes
3
answers
7k
views
How should I end sentences with a URL as the last word?
For example,
The website I was referring to is hosted at http://english.stackexchange.com.
How should I place the fullstop at the end?
- 2,577
15
votes
6
answers
19k
views
"Don't got" — how common is it in American usage?
I often hear the usage "don't got" in American English as spoken on TV programmes. Recently I was watching season four of "Prison Break" and one character, an Asian computer wizard, repeatedly used "...
delete
13
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Why did the word "Internet" change from a noncount to count noun?
I remember a time back in 1993 - 1994 for a couple months at our university the Internet was used as a noncount noun, so we would say:
Do you have Internet at your university?
In fact, the ...
- 14k
28
votes
8
answers
39k
views
Should the words "internet" and "web" be capitalized?
There seems to be some inconsistency on whether people capitalize the words internet and web (as in World Wide Web) as proper nouns. What is the official ruling on when or if these words should be ...
- 7,434
21
votes
5
answers
52k
views
Should I refer to "Section 2.3" or "Subsection 2.3"?
When writing a document that is divided into numbered sections and subsections, sometimes I would like to refer a certain subsection that has been numbered 2.3, for example. Here the 2 represents the ...
4
votes
3
answers
7k
views
"For president" vs "for presidency"
Why is this statement correct Someone for president 2012 and not Someone for presidency 2012?
EDIT: So far my understanding is that neither of these statements are grammatically wrong. However, at ...
- 7,288
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
24
votes
7
answers
146k
views
How can I explain to people that the phrase “off of ” is grammatically incorrect? [closed]
How can I explain to people that the phrase off of is grammatically incorrect?
I‘ve heard this phrase used a lot, especially by Americans (though they aren't the only ones).
In my understanding, ...
- 399
37
votes
6
answers
548k
views
Which is correct: "the below information" or "the information below"?
I frequently see statements that refer to something later in the text that use a phrase such as "the below information". Is it more correct instead to say "the information below" (or "the following ...
- 3,201
25
votes
7
answers
583k
views
"I'm well" vs. "I'm good" vs. "I'm doing well", etc
The greeting How are you? is asking How are you doing in general?
—
How are you?
I'm well. [Misunderstood the question.]
because well as an adjective which means:
in good health especially ...
- 14k
8
votes
5
answers
5k
views
Is it correct to say "the 'following' customer"?
It happens all the time. You are in line at the grocery store, Starbucks or anywhere cashiers are employed. Having finished a transaction, one will cheerily offer to help "the following customer."
I'...
- 181
25
votes
5
answers
10k
views
Is it really incorrect to start a sentence with "and"?
I know it's wrong, but I do it all the time or else my sentences would go on forever.
- 1,135
6
votes
4
answers
968
views
How to pronounce abbreviations by prefix part?
For example, how to pronounce the following:
dir (directory), deer or /də:/?
char (character), /kær/ or /tʃa:r/?
def (define), deff or diff?
mic (microphone), mik or mike?
var (variable), vaar or /...
- 5,145
98
votes
7
answers
331k
views
"Compared with" vs "Compared to"—which is used when?
Is only one of them correct? Are they used in different situations? Or are they interchangeable?
- 1,119
266
votes
7
answers
107k
views
24
votes
21
answers
54k
views
What is a less offensive synonym for "retarded"?
I occasionally use "retarded" when chastising myself or other friends. I know it's not Politically Correct, but am I only allowed to say stupid? How long before we can't say that anymore?
Other ...
- 1,135
22
votes
6
answers
34k
views
Is "inactivate" really a word?
At my business most of the employees use the word inactivate frequently. Is this proper grammar? I've always used deactivate.
- 608
7
votes
3
answers
14k
views
What is a better way to write: only three people signed up: you, me and "thehulk66"
It is better to write this:
Only three people signed up: you, Jim,
and I.
than this:
Only three people signed up: you, me,
and Jim.
Because "I" is a subject and not an object.
But what if ...
- 14k
6
votes
4
answers
39k
views
In the format of A.B. Name, which is the given name and which is the family name?
For example, Bill Henry Gates, which of following is right?
Bill H.Gates
B.H. Gates
H.G. Bill
Gates Bill
B. Gates
H. Gates
BHG
HGB
GHB
- 5,145
58
votes
6
answers
47k
views
Where does the phrase "dry run" come from?
I've heard the phrase "dry run" being used with the meaning of rehearsal, experiment or test exercise in various contexts. For example:
They did a dry run of the demonstration before showing it to ...
- 21.6k
2
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Is it correct to say "...of guys got fame..."?
When reading a post I've seen this comment:
Stupid idea from a bunch of guys got fame for helping people steal stuff – now they want to help you beg for money.
I think these guys have high ...
- 176
54
votes
10
answers
191k
views
Is there a standard ordering for the question mark and the exclamation mark used together?
We've all wanted to express certain questions, rhetorical or not, with annoyance, excitement, surprise, frustration and so on. What better way than with both a question mark (?) and an exclamation ...
- 1,101
21
votes
4
answers
114k
views
How do you use "i.e." in a sentence?
How does one properly use i.e. in a sentence?
I'm not referring to Internet Explorer.
- 795
110
votes
8
answers
24k
views
Which is correct: "__ is different from __" or "__ is different than __"?
As someone who learned English later on in life, I was taught that different from is the correct grammar to use: this is different from that. However, it seems these days everyone uses different than ...
- 1,313
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.
(...
- 7,434
17
votes
6
answers
6k
views
Should nouns borrowed from Japanese be pluralized?
As someone who has watched a lot of subtitled Japanese animation, it seems odd to hear a word such as ninja (used in the plural) in the dialogue and see it transliterated as ninjas.
It somehow seems ...
- 2,587
59
votes
6
answers
42k
views
Is there some rule against ending a sentence with the contraction "it's"?
I heard this lyric in a song the other day and it just sounded so wrong that I assumed it must be incorrect grammar, but I can't find any specific prohibition that applies.
That's what it's.
That ...
- 7,434
10
votes
3
answers
8k
views
"Pretty" as an adverb
How correct/common/proper is "pretty" as an adverb? It is hard for me to see, since it's my native dialect, but I say "pretty often" pretty often, and "fairly often" fairly rarely. Does "pretty" mark ...
- 1,152