texts: How to determine if a complement is a predicative complement or a locative complement?

texts:
(1) She is out and will be back in soon.
(2) She is out and will be conscious soon.

Is out a locative complement in (1) but a predicative complement in (2)?
If so, is the distinction between the two complements purely semantic?
Is there any reliable way to distinguish the two kinds of complements?


texts: The meaning of the Middle English word “king”

texts:
Why was the word (?verb?) "king" used in this (page 63) Mk.2:6 part of the Wycliffe Bible?
The King James Version
Mk.2:6
But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts

Furthermore the ordinary Middle English spelling of this word ('as a noun') in this source is "kyng".


texts: "A dual nationality" vs. "dual nationalities"

texts:
Which one is correct?

  He has a dual nationality.
  He has dual nationality.
  He has dual nationalities.


texts: Is British English Outdated in Technical Writing?

texts: I learnt English as my second language right from my school level and for the British colonial history of my country, my education was mostly in British English. In fact, during my school years, American spellings were somewhat frowned upon. However, recently I am writing a few academic papers for IEEE and some of my colleagues and reviewers seem to be very much against British expressions. Words like Colour (as compared to Color), Maximise (as compared to Maximize) etc. are being pointed out as inappropriate in an academic paper. Are all these just biased opinions or general  trends in the publishing community?


texts:
Why do people use bottled drinking water instead of bottled drunk water?

I am puzzled by the two sentences.

  I am drinking some water.

  Some water is being drunk.

I know they are the same meaning, within just one family of objects and subjects.

Clearly, water can only be drunk, it cannot be drinking.


texts:
Is there a way to imply I didn't see a person earlier using "saw" instead of "see" or "seen"?

edit:
I'd go with

  I never saw you

as suggested by Rathony in the comments. I would've upvoted/accepted it had he answered it rather commented. Thanks though. :)


texts: someone who can't admit mistakes or is always right? slang

texts: A word for someone who refuses to admit to being wrong or mistaken about anything, even as minor as a typo?


texts: Proverb about the origin of the English language

texts:
Is there a nice proverb that highlights the foreign (e.g. German and French) origins of the English language?

I remember that I've once read something like

  English is the bastard child of a German mother, French father and...

But I can't seem to find the source.


texts: Is it safe to say, "The inclusion of the saxophone has changed the dynamics of the band" or is this one correct "The inclusion of the saxophone has changed the dynamics of the music"?


texts:
I have the following two sentences which I would like to confirm the difference in meaning for.

I am proud to be a nurse.
I am proud of being a nurse.

I'm mainly wondering about the difference in the current status of the person saying such sentences.

The way I read it, 'I am proud to be a nurse' = I am a nurse now, and 'I am proud of being a nurse' = I was a nurse previously, but not anymore.

I'm looking for confirmation because of the use of 'being' in the second sentence and how that relates to time in this phrase.

Thank you.


texts: Difference between "flip through" and "flick through"

texts:
I have always heard the expression flip through a book, but recently I came across the similar flick through a book.

The Oxford Dictionary of English gives the meaning of the phrasal verb flip through as look quickly through (a book, magazine, etc) and surprisingly the meaning of flick through is given as the same.

What is the difference between flip through and flick through? Are these two expressions really identical in meaning?


texts: "Thumbs-up/thumbs-down" vs "give the finger"

texts: Why is the noun thumb in "give the thumbs-up or thumbs-down" always in the plural and the noun finger in "give the finger" always in the singular?


texts: How to say "not affected whether we use A or B" in a short and elegant way?

texts:
I want to say:
Whether we use site A or site B in the analysis, we will get the same results. Both A and B are anatomical sites (or topographies) in the human body. So the results of the test will be almost identical whether we use the data from A site or B site. Now I want to express the whole idea in short form using phrases in bullets to be used in a seminar meeting, the nearest phrases which came to my mind are these two:

The test is robust, cost-effective and cross-topography.

Or:

The test is robust, cost-effective and topography-invariable.

So my question is: what would be the best way to express this idea?  Thank you in advance.


texts: What is single word or phrase/idiom for "someone speaks alot but works very-very slow"

texts:
What is single word or phrase/idiom for "someone speaks a lot but works very very slow"
for example.... someone said/planned he would do 100 task but actually finished less than 10 task


texts: "with the case of using" or "in case of using"

texts:
Should I use with the case of using or in case of using in the following paragraph?

  We have demonstrated its identification ability and compared its performance with the case of using central finite differences from Matlab for the gradient calculation.


texts: Losing power in the UK vs US: what's more common?

texts:
Which of the following is more common in British English vs American English?

Power cut
Power outage
Power failure
Blackout


texts:
I saw this sentence in comments

  I would recommend going through the Help Center

What is the difference between 'I recommend' vs 'I would recommend'?
Is that only for making sentence more polite?

It can be seen as very easy one to people whose first language is English but in my country, there is no exact elucidations for this.

Many thanks.


texts: Can I use both "a/an" and "the" to point out same thing?

texts: How can I use the indefinite article "a/an" to point out something and, to accomplish the same thing, use the definite article "the"?


texts: Meaning of "take a stab at doing something"

texts:
I was wondering what "take a stab at doing something" means? For example

  I'll take a stab at answering these.


texts: Racial connotations of the word "uppity"

texts: I was told that the word uppity has some racial connotations originating from the times of segregation in the South.  I never thought of it as such.  I kind of like the sound of the word but was wondering if it should be avoided in the presence of black people.


texts: "whoever" vs "whosoever" - when should I use which?

texts: What's the rule for choosing between "whoever" and "whosoever" as a subject for a sentence? Even if they have the same semantics (of which I'm not sure), I'm assuming there some contextual or stylistic considerations for choosing one over the other.


texts:
What is a word for the feeling you get when you watch a sad movie, the feeling that you are about to cry?

I am looking for a single word that describes the feeling/state.


texts: How to express you are quite familiar/a little bit familiar/totally new to a word?

texts:
I'm not a native speaker. I'd like to use three words (or phrases) to describe that somebody is quite familiar with, a little bit familiar with, or totally new to an English word. It will be used in an English-word test system.

Anybody give me a clue?


texts:
Why is emphasizing in the following sentence an adverb?

  Americans draw smileys emphasizing the mouth.


texts: Definition and Etymology of "Diplasiology"

texts:
Reading Benjamin Jowett's translation of the Phaedrus of Plato, I have come across the word diplasiology:

  And there is also Polus, who has schools of diplasiology, and gnomology, and eikonology, and who teaches in them the words of which Licymnius made him a present; they were to give a polish.

What does this word mean? What are its constituent Greek roots?

Am I correct in assuming that di- is the common binary prefix (from δίς)?
Plasi- is the stem I am completely ignorant of.
I know of course that -logy is from λόγος.


texts: Adjectives to describe a legal system that has a number of limitations

texts: Im finding an adjective describing a judicial system that has many limitations like the system has lax regulations and sanctions are not harsh enough. Looking forward to your replies.


texts: What is a term for the long-term emotional "climate" of a relationship?

texts:
I am looking for a word or phrase to describe the overarching "mood" of a relationship across its existence, rather than at one specific time. For example, if the "mood" of the relationship at a given time is analogous to the "weather" in the sense that it describes the immediate, how can one describe the emotional "climate" that spans a longer time?
From NOAA:

Whereas weather refers to short-term changes in the atmosphere, climate describes what the weather is like over a long period of time in a specific area. Different regions can have different climates. To describe the climate of a place, we might say what the temperatures are like during different seasons, how windy it usually is, or how much rain or snow typically falls.

Example sentence: At that moment, the mood between them was tense, even though in general the ________ of the relationship was carefree.


texts: What's another way of saying 'Now that I am approaching graduation'?

texts:
What's another way of saying 'Now that I am approaching graduation' want to plan for.......?

I don't think the 'now that I am' sounds very smart.


texts: "Tail over teakettle" is one of several similar phrases to describe a tumble or fall. But where/how did this originate? A few web searches give me pages where people use the phrase, and one of the results included a page from Oxford Reference for Green's Dictionary of Slang (but more information requires a subscription). I've been unsuccessful in discovering the etymology of the phrase, though.


texts: Which is correct word - lockdown, quarantined or isolated?

texts:
As coronovirus has spread so much my country has gone into something called lockdown (I suspect if that’s the Law/Legislative term). But in newspapers I usually find things written like

  25 people under quarantine by Police.

“Quarantine” is somewhat a medical term, I think it’s a kind of isolation which is prescribed by the Doctors.

Now, there is a third term, “isolation”. People in everyday life say

  I will live in isolation during these coronovirus pandemic.

But “isolation” is kind of a strong word, many times it is used for the people who are shunned or someone who has deliberately went away from society and started living in isolation.

If I’m not infected with Corona till now and I’m staying in my home all the time then which of those three words is the most suitable for describing yourself? For example if someone asks me (on phone or chats) how I am then should I say “I’m under lockdown” or “I’m quarantined” or “I’m in isolation” ?


texts: Is it less than $100 or under $100? Is it more than $100 or is it over $100?

texts:
I am building a web site and need to clarify something for a non-U.S. customer.  It's whether to use "less than/more than" or "under/over".

items less than $100.00
items from $100.00 to $500.00
items more than $500.00

Or should it be

items under $100.00
items from $100.00 to $500.00
items over $500.00

Is there one that is blatantly wrong?


texts: Can the word "capsize" be used for cars?

texts:
Is it possible to use the word capsize for cars? As an example,

  The car has been capsized and hit the wall.


texts: What is the difference between “metaphorical”, “allegorical”, and “figurative”?

texts: What is the difference between metaphorical, allegorical, and figurative?


texts: The usage of "that" as a relative pronoun

texts:
Under what condition should we use "that" as the required and ONLY relative pronoun?
Please give some examples.
Thanks!


texts: Do I need to add "the" in front of "reluctance"?

texts:
Do I need to add the in front of reluctance? Is the use of others right?

  The problem that this study addresses is that the reluctance of newly educated nurses to make their careers in hospitals causes the shortage of nurses. Others have done about the problem the researcher has identified. Hassmiller (2006) performed a regression analysis to determine whether reluctance of nurses to make their careers in hospitals caused the shortage of nurses.


texts: I'm a native speaker. There is this sentence "an epiphany a long time in the making." Now it's technically an incorrect use of the word "epiphany," which is essentially something sudden. But what kind of mistake is it? What is the specific term for that kind of mistake? It's not a malapropism or a solecism. The closest thing is a "yogi berism" (No one goes there nowadays, it's too crowded). It's a phrase that's inherently contradictory. My question is, is there a name for this? I don't think it qualifies as an antithesis. Any linguists out there who could help?


texts: A phrase for the opposite of "getting over" something

texts:
I was speaking to a friend today.
I jokingly told her: "Yes, I should speak Spanish, but I don't. Get over it."

She attempted a witty response:
"Get over it? I am. It's like I was never under it."

She was not satisfied with the use of "under" in this comeback however. What she intended to do was to state the opposite of "to get over" something in a quick, jesting manner, but she submitted to me that there does not actually exist a clever and short enough phrase to make an effective comeback of that sort with respect to me not knowing Spanish.

I told her that I bet this stack exchange can provide an acceptably witty and short variation of that comeback. Can it?

I can think of some examples where a similar "reversal-of-phrase" comeback is made successfully:

Example 1:
Person 1: "You really need to forget about your ex-boyfriend/girlfriend and move on."
Person 2: "Forget him/her? It's like I never even met him/her."

Example 2 (this is different but maybe plays on the same tone):
Person 1: "Just pretend like this conversation never happened."
Person 2: "What conversation never happened?"

Example 1+2 (for the lols, maybe unrealistic):
Person 1: "You really need to forget about your ex-boyfriend/girlfriend and move on."
Person 2: "Who are you talking about?"


texts: Why do we use back and forward instead of backward and forward?

texts:
In some English language user interfaces, both virtual and physical, the words back and forward are used instead of backward and forward.

An easy example is the web browser, where the buttons to navigate the history of a tab are labelled back and forward. Why is it back and not backward?

In French, the words are "précédent" and "suivant", which means "previous" and "next" and are opposites contrary to back and forward.


texts: Is a question mark needed at the end of a question if the sentence ends with a period or an exclamation mark?

texts:
For example, in the two sentences below, are you supposed to end with a question mark?

  Which of Shaw's plays has the line "If only parents would realize how they bore their children!"

And

  Is the next board-meeting going to be held in Washington, D.C.

Edit: Why do I ask? Because the Webster's New World College Dictionary (3rd edition) that I have at home says if two marks of punctuation are needed at the same place within a sentence, 'only the stronger is usually retained'. And they give the first sentence as an example, omitting the question mark. I made up the second example. There's nothing said about how to decide which is stronger.


texts:
And so Smiley, without school, parents, regime or trade, without wealth or poverty, travelled without labels in the guard's van of the social express, and soon became lost luggage, destined, when the divorce had come and gone,
  to remain unclaimed on the dusty shelf of yesterday's news.

Source: Call for the Dead (John Le Carré)

I understand that guard's van refers to a carriage occupied by guards on a train. Does social express here refers metaphorically to society as a train?


texts: Argumentation fallacies: Impossible to prove the non-existing

texts: "It is impossible to prove that something does not exist, it is only possible to prove that sth does exist." - Is there an english term or does there exist a known argumentation fallacy to describe this?


texts: What is the correct verb that follows "as well as?"

texts:
Which of the following sentences (1, 2, both, neither) is acceptable?

He as well as they are in the wrong.
He as well as they is in the wrong.

Reopen note:

Two things are troublesome about this. Although some usage guides say that singular verb forms should be used here, the sentence above sounds extremely awkward with a singular verb form. Secondly, there seem to be many examples around where this "rule" prescribed by these guides isn't followed. Is as well as definitely parenthetical here?


texts: What's another way of saying "to hell with it"?

texts:
How do you express displeasure and disregard over something (e.g. To hell with that new policy _____'s office has come up with! I'm going to do whatever the hell I want) without sounding crude?

I am convinced that there are always more eloquent ways of saying something, so we all don't spiral down into vulgarities, but I can't think of a more polite way of saying it.

To clarify: Is there a suitable synonym for the phrase "to hell with it" that is also an idiom? Or is there another figurative way of saying that?


texts: Proverb, quote or phrase which convey that the approach, ideas that are meant to improve the system or process are the onces which fail them

texts:
I am looking for a proverb, quote or phrase describing the  processes (or structures or ideas) which are supposed to bring in efficiency, enhance the gaps and increases in-efficiencies, but instead prove to be the reason for the decline of a system.
Explanation with example

Big external agencies were hired in order to define the efficient way to improve the system. However, these agencies do not understand the system and do all sorts of
trial and error methods to innovate the process for years, yet not only
do they waste company resources but are paid a ton of money so as to fix what can be done internally.


texts: What is the name for a very old oven that heats up a house using burning gas?

texts:
Like this one:

The gas goes through the tubes and you light some paper on fire in the oven.
It will slowly heat up a brick that later releases the heat.


texts: What do adverbs modify and can it be ambiguous?

texts:
I have two questions, but first consider the following sentence:

Cutlery includes any hand implement used in preparing, serving, and especially eating food in Western culture.

Does adverb 'especially' refer to 'eating food' or to 'eating food in Western culture'?
My intuitive reasoning would be that, if the writer intended to give the latter meaning, the sentence would have ended with 'eating food especially in Western culture'. What do you think the meaning is (or is likely to be)?
I tried to search for adverb placement rules but they never consider these complicated cases.
If a rule exists at all, can you point me to some authoritative source explaining cases such as this one?


texts: it's a kind of impossible... Argument with teacher

texts:
So i'm arguing with my teacher about this one phrase on my writing exam.
I've written:
"It's kind of impossible not to like her."
And she corrected it to:
"it's a kind of impossible not to like her."
we both don't know for sure who is right about this any help is very welcome :)


texts: Become / get, successfully / effectually, together / common / united

texts:
Currently I'm looking for a product name. The goal of this product is that everyone can get successful with the power of a network (together, united)

But I don't know which combination makes sense:

Get successfully together?
Get together successful?
Become together successful?
Become successfully together?
....?

Thanks for any hint :)


texts: Connotation of terms regarding one's profession

texts:
I'm wondering if there are more-commonly-than-not held connotations for terms regarding occupation that would differentiate between one's own personal experience in a field versus the description of the field as a whole. E.g. I am an engineer at company A, this is my job, but engineer is my profession.

The example is arbitrary.

To me I associate job, occupation, and career with a more personalized representation of employment while profession or vocation are less so.

NB: I am trying to model certain relationships in code and want to choose the best names for some objects in the hierarchy so that it is at least somewhat evident by their names what the relationships are. I understand that there may not be any one "right" answer to this question.


texts: "The extension of the voting franchise that began in England in 1832 with the Great Reform Bill..."

texts:
I cannot understand the first sentence in the following passage. Its structure and meaning contrasts with the rest of the writing.

Firstly, why is the word initiated being used after the Great Reform? What I got from the sentence is that the Great Reform initiated / caused the extension of the voting franchise. So would it better if it was written in this way:

The extension of the voting franchise ( that was) initiated with the Great Reform  began in England in 1832.

Secondly, my sentence would be:

The extension of the voting franchise, that was initiated with the Great reform,  began in 1832, albeit slowly (even though it was progressed slowly) a process of liberalization seen in the history of the British Parliament.

or "albeit slowly"  means  " any progress was not made even slowly "

  The extension of the voting franchise that began in England in 1832 with the Great Reform Bill initiated, albeit slowly, a process of
  liberalization unseen in the history of the British Parliament.
  Previously, power rested in the hands of the few aristocrats with
  enough property and wealth to pass a relatively high property
  requirement for voting and holding office. Yet while the lowering of
  the wealth prerequisite provided an easy target for modern liberals
  when arguing for the democratization of Parliament, this
  democratization at first did not extend to the working class.


texts: "for + noun phrase" vs "of + noun phrase"

texts:
presumptive (adj) 1.1 Law
  Giving grounds for the inference of a fact or of the appropriate interpretation of the law.

Would someone please explain why of precedes the second noun phrase (the appropriate interpretation of the law) ? Why not 'for' again, which precedes the first noun phrase? Why doesn't 'for' apply equally to the second?

Afterword: A comma would've elucidated the confusion, that I now insert as [,]:
Giving grounds for the inference[,] of a fact OR of the appropriate interpretation of the law.


texts: What is the person called whom you give a recommendation?

texts:
If person A gives person B a recommendation, can you call A recommender and B recommendee— or are these words made up?

I've seen both forms used in everyday language (e.g. magazines), but never in a dictionary or grammar book, or in literature.

Also, what is the process of creating recommendee or recommender out of recommendation called?


texts: Idiom for dividing something into steps instead of doing it all at once

texts:
I initially thought it's something like "pacing it out", but after googling it that doesn't seem to be the case.

Example:

  You have a whole bunch of photos and you post them one a day instead
  of dumping them all at once.


texts: How can I refer to the Winter Bash event in a shorter and more descriptive way?

texts:
I am writing an essay about Winter Bash, and I want to find a shorter way to say that Winter Bash is an event that repeats annually during Winters.
I have already thought about several ways to call this event, but I think they are not good.

Temporary event (It does not show reoccurrence)
Seasonal event (It seems as if the Winter Bash is reoccurring every season, but it only happens in Winter)
Annual event (It again may cause confusion)

Do you have any suggestions to help me shorten and convey my message (bolded above) in a better way? What do you think about my own thoughts?
===
I know I can always just say Winter Bash, but I look for a way to generalize and indicate the nature of the event in a more descriptive manner.


texts:
I have encountered the word proffer a few times and most of these times I find the word to be completely interchangeable with offer.

When and why is this word used? Am I misunderstanding the word?

Google translate supports my interchangeability position, so I'm not native speaking.

Edit: The proposition that proffer is built as (pre-)offer (as in first), is not at all appealing to me as a non-first offer would be a counter-offer.


texts: Mister Rogers song goes “won’t you be my neighbor”. I was always told that Won’t is derived from will not. So to check it’s correct usage if you can substitute will not and it makes sense then won’t can be used. Thus Mister Rogers’ use is incorrect in that “will not you be my neighbor” does’nt make sense. True?


texts: What Are Some Pejorative Terms for the Words "Boat" or "Ship"?

texts: There should be dozens of them, but I'm stumped here. Nothing other than "tub" and "frying pan" comes to mind. If someone witty wished to insult your boat, yacht, or ship, what would he or she call it?


texts: Why is it “the worst round one care to remember”?

texts:
I am interested in the usage of “care to infinitive verb” in the following sentence in Jeffery Archer’s fiction, “Kane & Abel”:

  “By the time they reached the eighteenth, Alan was eight holes down,
  and was about to complete the worst round he cared to remember. He had
  a five-foot putt that would at least enable him to halve the final
  hole.”

Oxford Dictionary and another dictionary at hand define “care for/to do something” as “like or be willing to do or have something.”

It sounds somewhat logically uncomfortable to me. We want to erace unpleasant memory by human nature. If it is the worst round (or thing), don’t we hate to remember instead of ‘care (willing) to remember,’ and in Alan’s case, “Alan was about to complete the worst round he’d never care to remember?

Or, is this just the same logic with the expression, “It’s the last thing I hope,” meaning 'I never hope it.'


texts: Is 'Apart from by...' grammatically correct

texts:
While writing a news report, I found myself phrasing a sentence like this:

"Apart from by the managing director, the report would be reviewed by three specially constituted teams."

Though I immediately changed the sentence into active, I wondered if "Apart from by..." was grammatical.

I searched for the exact phrase in Google. It turned out about 222,000 results. But I could not find any 'reputable' source (at least not in the first few pages).


texts:
I've seen that some words in English are pronounced with the /ɪ/ sound when the vowel is not stressed.

Some examples include: pocket /ˈpɒkɪt/, comet /ˈkɒmɪt/. But hundred /ˈhʌndrəd/.  Is there any pronunciation rule here when the words end in /t/?


texts: Equivalent of “collocate” but for time rather than space

texts:
I'm looking for a word that can be a drop-in replacement for collocate, but referring to things existing or occurring at the same time as opposed to at same place.

I've considered cotemporate but it sounds made-up.

Example usage:

  I will collocate the two meetings so that they start and finish at the same time


texts: It will take a while until/before the change takes an effect

texts:
Which is correct or sounds better to you?

It will take a while until the change takes an effect.
It will take a while before the change takes an effect.

Thank you


texts:
I’m envisaging something just like your avatar or profile picture but for a blog entry. Each blog entry has a single picture which will be displayed as a small thumbnail for each item on the list.

I mean can I use the word avatar for this representation of a single blog post, like 5 different blog posts will have 5 different avatars?

Or should I call it a blog avatar, or are there any other words to describe it correctly?


texts: Does this sentence require the pronoun 'they'?

texts:
I have the following sentence:

  There were several dominoes—some so precariously placed that I'd
  swear should have toppled over.

I believe it's correct, but when read quickly or out loud, it sounds kind of funny, almost like a "they" is missing.

  There were several dominoes—some so precariously placed that I'd
  swear they should have toppled over.

My reason for thinking that the first sentence is the correct one is that if I strip the sentence to its essentials, the "they" definitely doesn't fit.

  There were dominoes that I'd swear should have toppled.

Am I right in thinking that "they" is not required, or is there something incorrect happening here?


texts: Wondering whether adverb 'quickly' can be inserted between the verb and the object

texts:
I've been so curious about whether the adverb 'quickly' can be inserted between the verb 'turn out' and its direct object 'the light'.

For example, is it grammatically correct?

  He turns out quickly the light

I have been learning that in terms of syntax an adverb cannot interrupt the close bond between the head and its complement.


texts: How can you describe someone who gives up too easily?

texts:
A friend of mine said that he was a cynic. I had told him that he was giving up too easily. In this situation, the worst case outcome was rejection, which logically speaking, was equivalent to not trying in the first place.

I want to say, "No, you aren't cynical, you are X," or "No, you aren't a cynic, you are a(n) X."

The closest I can come up with is unmotivated or intimidated.

What word describes a person who gives up too easily?


texts: Transforming words as in CAE tests (Cambridge Advanced English)

texts:
I am doing a Cambridge Advanced English test this weekend. The free online test they provide online lets you transform words like this, from nouns to verbs to adjectives, back and forth.

•   Come > overcome
•   Fit > fitness
•   Endure > endurance
•   Benefit > beneficial
•   Able > disability
•   Strong > strength
•   Type > typically
•   Severe > severity

Personally, I made the mistake in this one, writing "severeness" instead of severity. Are there any rules on such transformations or is it all about actually knowing the correct word? Can you recommend any resources to practice this?

PS: please suggest me better tags for this post


texts: is "nor" applied into "were" and "was" in this sentence? "Nor were these practices confined to the decadent phases, was utterly subservient to style."

texts:
now I'm confusing about nor with "were" and "was" in parallel structure in sentence.
full sentence is that

Nor were these practices confined, as some scholars insist, to the later and supposedly decadent phases of the art Material, then, was utterly subservient to style.

I understood first meaning in parallel structure which is

Nor were these practices confined to the the later and supposedly decadent phases of the art Materials

but I confused second content.
which is right between two meaning?

Nor was this practice utterly subservient to style (using 'nor' with 'was')
this practice was utterly subservient to style (not using 'nor' with 'was')

and second questions is why they use "was" instead of "were" at second parallel structure even though subject is "these practices"?


texts: Which is correct, "shot with an iPhone" or "shot on an iPhone"?

texts: I have used one of these variations (with/on) in a published video. Now one of the industry critics is saying that it should have been the other. So would highly appreciate if the correct preposition is established for the benefit of the entire English-speaking human race for centuries to come. Thank you! :)


texts:
Imagine I have been writing a story for several years and then my copybook in which I was writing it disappeared. How can I put this 'pointless effort' in one word?

"Well, that was a ..."


texts: What do you call someone who acts like they're doing you a favor?

texts: Say you go in for a job interview and you're nervous and the person interviewing you makes it seem like they're doing you a favor or like an obligation they must gratefully oblige, what would that person be called? I know there's a term for it but I can't think of it.


texts:
What is the meaning and grammar of “them as can’t” in the following text:

  "Them as can, do; them as can't, teach." Alas, more teachers fall into this category than ever before


texts: guinea in guinea pig referring to the coin?

texts: In the Narrative of [the sailor] William Spaven it is mentioned that lads, who pay for their entrance into the service of the East India Co. are called Guinea Pigs. An obvious synonym for g.p. would be "test animal", since etymological explanations are all zoological. However, I am not sure whether guinea pigs were used in an experimental context already in the 18th century.


texts: What is right sentence construction of "same as"?

texts:
This is the same car that you bought me. (Does it mean only one car exists?)
This is the same car as the one you bought me. (Does it indicate
to two cars? One is the current one we are looking at, and the other is one you bought me?)
This car is the same as mine. (Is it correct? Does it indicate to two  cars?)
This is the same car as you bought me. (Is it correct? Does it indicate to only one car?)

Actually the usage of same as seems very crucial to me. I have mentioned some other constructions below. All the followings options confused me. All they mean same to me. I cannot decide how they differ from each other. Is it possible to explain which options among the followings are correct, and how correct options differ from each other in terms of meaning?
a) This car is the same one that you bought me.
b) This car is the same that you bought me (one is omitted).
c) This car is the same one you bought me (that is omitted).
d) This is the same car you bought me (one that is omitted).
e) This is the same car as you bought me (as has been used instead of one that).
f) This car is the same as you bought me (Verb order is changed).
Now I need to change the subject. It will give us some other options.
He has the same car as me.
He has the same car as I do.
His car is the same as mine.
Are these three options equally correct?


texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  Words with most meanings

For example:

  in·se·cure [in-si-kyoor]adjective

  subject to fears, doubts, etc.; not self-confident or assured: an insecure person.
  not confident or certain; uneasy; anxious: He was insecure about the examination.
  not secure; exposed or liable to risk, loss, or danger: an insecure stock portfolio.
  not firmly or reliably placed or fastened: an insecure ladder.

We find the word "insecure" has four distinct definitions. Which English word has the greatest number of distinct definitions?


texts: Addressing a person by their last name only

texts:
I've seen a couple of instances where someone is addressed exclusively by their last name (not like "Mr. X" but only "X").

The most prominent example is perhaps MacGyver, whose first name (Angus) is never used to address him. It's always his last name, even for good friends.

So I'm wondering: Does this occur often in real life? What are the typical situations where someone would only use his last name?


texts:
I found the following example on oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com. This is from the first entry of the verb feel. A pattern 'feel something' is given under this entry, while the verb 'feel' is listed as a linking verb. Does it mean a linking verb can be transitive? (There is also a sense which is explicitly listed as transitive.)

  1 linking verb
  to experience a particular feeling or emotion

  + adjective
  The heat made him feel faint.

  feel something
  He seemed to feel no remorse at all.

  ...

  3 [transitive] (not usually used in the progressive tenses)

  feel something
  to become aware of something even though you cannot see it, hear it, etc.
  Can you feel the tension in this room?


texts: Ambiguous meaning of NAmEng sense of "skill" in Harrap's English-French Dictionary

texts:
Harrap's New Shorter English-French/French-English Dictionary, Ed. 1982, states,

  skill

  n

  1. habileté f, adresse f, dextérité f; technical skill, habileté, aptitude f, technique; compétence f technique; skill in doing sth, (i) talent m, habileté f, pour faire qqch.; (ii) art m de faire qqch.; lack of skill, maladresse f, inhabileté f.

  2. North American: métier; art m pratique.

Question is, considering that "métier" carries quite a lot of nuances in French (as you can see in the links below), and that "art pratique" (lit. "practical art") is a vague phrase and, as such, sounds kind of confusing as to what is actually meant, what exactly is that North American meaning of "skill" supported here by British Harrap?

Also, if that second sense of "skill" actually is specific to North American English, what would be the British English equivalent for it?

métier

  Littré

  Exercice d'un art mécanique. Le métier de cordonnier, de tailleur, de serrurier, de tisserand, etc. Apprendre, savoir, avoir, exercer un métier. Il est maçon de son métier.

  (Practice of a mechanical craft. The trade of shoemaker, tailor, locksmith, weaver, etc. Learn, be proficient in, have, follow a trade. He's a mason by trade.)

  Habileté d'exécution, mais rien de plus, en parlant de la peinture, de la sculpture ; le talent acquis de vaincre facilement la matière. Avoir du métier.

  (Skill of execution, but nothing more, with reference to painting, sculpture; the acquired talent to easily vanquish matter. To have skill/technique.)

  CNRTL

  A. − Activité manuelle ou mécanique nécessitant l'acquisition d'un savoir-faire, d'une pratique.

  (Manual or mechanical occupation requiring the acquisition of a savoir-faire, of a practical skill.)

  D. − Par métonymie. Habileté, savoir-faire dans la production ou l'exécution manuelle ou intellectuelle acquise par l'expérience, la pratique que confère un métier ou une activité permanente.

  (By metonymy. Skill, know-how in the manual/intellectual production or execution acquired through experience and practice in a regular trade or occupation.)

skill

  The Free Dictionary

  n.

  a. Proficiency, facility, or dexterity that is acquired or developed through training or experience: painted with great skill.

  b. A developed talent or ability: improved his writing skills.

  c. An art, trade, or technique, particularly one requiring use of the hands or body: the skill of glassmaking.

  Synonyms: skill, art, craft, expertise, know-how, technique
  These nouns denote great ability in doing or performing that is attained especially by study or practice: a shortstop legendary for his fielding skill; mosaics rendered with exquisite art; pottery that reveals an artist's craft; a woodworker with special expertise in parquet floors; mechanical know-how; played the violin with impeccable technique.

  American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2011

  n

  special ability in a task, sport, etc, esp ability acquired by training
  something, esp a trade or technique, requiring special training or manual proficiency

  Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014

  n.

  the ability, coming from one's knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc., to do something well: Carpentry was one of his many skills.
  competent excellence in performance; expertness; dexterity:
  The dancers performed with skill.
  a craft, trade, or job requiring manual dexterity or special training in which a person has competence and experience: the skill of cabinetmaking.

  Random House Dictionary, © 2011


texts: Looking for a synonym, when something is dedicated to something, like a movie

texts: To elaborate, when a movie for example borrows heavily from something, when you could call it a love letter to that something. It's on the tip of my tongue, and been killing me for a while now. Thanks in advance.


texts: What Is the Origin of the Word "Sherpa"?

texts:
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Subscription-only says:

Sherpa n. a Himalayan person who is often employed to guide people through mountains and carry their equipment
Word Origin
Date: 1800-1900
Language: Tibetan
Origin: sherpa 'someone who lives in an eastern country'

Online Etymology Dictionary (http://www.etymonline.com) also says:

Sherpa 1847, from Tibetan, literally "dweller in an eastern country."

However the word itself sounds very much Persian to me, in which sher means lion and pa means foot/leg, and the combination altogether (similar to other two-word combinations in the language) can indicate someone who has strong legs and feet that makes it easy for them to climb up the mountains.
I was talking to another linguist recently and they had the same opinion on the word, and that encouraged me to look further more into the word. As I can see, Tibetan is not even something related to Persian or any other Indo-European languages, and belongs to Tibetic (Sino-Tibetan) languages.
Is there any further information on the origin of this word?


texts: What's the meaning of "for he/she was..."

texts:
(...) for she was a young woman.

What's the exact meaning of "for she" in this context? "For her(self)"? "Because"?

Is it formal? How often is it used in colloquial register?


texts:
Does "un-work" imply "to be null and without action" in the following contexts?

  So art’s function within the context of urbanity is to facilitate, as
  Kwon puts it, a ‘critical unsiting’. In other words: a being put to
  un-work in the city.

  community is neither a community of subjects, nor a promise of
  immanence, nor a communion of individuals in some higher or greater
  totality. It is not, most specifically, the product of any work or
  project; it is not work, not a product of projected labour, nor an
  oeuvre, but what is un-worked, d´es-oeuvre’.

  (Art and the City)


texts: "When I'm sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead"

texts:
In "How I met your mother" TV series, there is a character Barney Stinson, who is the author of this semi-popular quote:

  When I'm sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. [sic!]

Obviously, this is grammatically incorrect, because infinite form of the verb can't be used this way. However, I would like to understand why is it phrased this way. After googling a little, I found a few places where people were saying that it is slang.

One of the best (in my opinion) comments also mentioned that

  What he meant here was "I stop being sad and choose to be awesome instead." If he said "I become awesome" it would change the meaning. He does not mean that he stops being sad and begins to work on growing more awesome, but that he is awesome.

which, based on the character, seems very plausible. Now, what I really want to know is:

is this really some kind of slang, or is it just something the scriptwriters invented?
how would a native speaker understand the meaning of the phrase without any context?


texts:
Was looking at my CV and wondered if this sentence is correct:

  Establishment and development of Microservices architecture and
  department-wide web infrastructure services following department’s
  architect guidelines & instructions.

The first part about "Establishing" or "Developing" an architecture sounds a bit off (English is my third language).

Explanation: "Microservices architecture" is a logical/abstract design pattern in Web Development, where you split your services into small, independent and single-purpose units that communicate with one another in order to provide a business service.

If more info needed, will gladly provide.


texts: Use (or misuse) of the phrase "romantic rival"

texts:
In a recent episode of the CBS show "Bull" staring Michael Weatherly as the lead character "Dr Bull", the "Episode Details" are something like this (slight variations depending on source):

  Episode title: "Separate Together"
  Staring: Michael Weatherly, Freddy Rodríguez, Geneva Carr ...
  Air date: 01/14/2019
  Season 3, Episode 11.

  Bull and his romantic rival, Diana Lindsay, join forces to create two defense teams when Diana's niece and her husband are charged with armed robbery; Bull's reunion with Diana is strained by his new post-heart attack regimen.

The use of "his romantic rival" here seems totally wrong to me.

Bull owns a trial consulting firm, and the character Diana Lindsay, is a defense attorney, I gather a rather highly paid defense attorney, and I think she could probably also be described as a "fixer" of sorts (but not the "Ray Donovan" type of fixer). They are not "rivals" to each other in a business sense.

Bull and Diana are on-again, off-again lovers. Neither of them has an alternate love interest (to my knowledge).

So why is "she", his "romantic rival"? It seems like his "romantic rival" in relation to her, would be her husband, or perhaps her long time boyfriend, lover, or partner.

Am I correct to say that "romantic rival" used here is a misuse?


texts:
What does the highlighted part of the sentence mean? It doesn't parse for me:

  This "primal You" becomes the wall off which the ball can
  bounce, the subject to which paired qualities can stick, the framework on which the full-fledged Other will be built.


texts: Is there a word for practicing in secret to surprise or impress?


texts: What term means the "non-fiction information found in a fictional story"?

texts:
When one reads a fictional story, one can still learn about non-fiction things. I do not necessarily mean in "creative non-fiction", but this is nearly found in any realistic fiction. For example, by reading one of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's fiction novels, one can discover what society was like in his place and time.

The nearest word I can find to describe this is "subject matter", but I do not know if this accurately fits.

Is there a term used to describe this "non-fiction information" that can be taken from a story?


texts: What does “doing press” mean in the following context?

texts:
From this scan of Paul we were able to turn him into a 3D printable figure.

  Some of you may already have seen photos of the figure. Paul had them with him whilst doing press for the 'Hope For The Future' single in November, and we teased them in the December newsletter.

  Source: "Print Your Very Own 3D Paul," a blog posting at PaulMcCartney.com


texts:
I am trying to find any vocabulary that has some examples of the subj.
I am interested in using the "call" as a noun, not verb.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/call
https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/call

Everywhere I see "call to" (i.e. "a call to technical support"). And if I want to express that I had a chat with some person, is it correct to say "I had a call with "?


texts: Word for when proper nouns are whole phrases

texts:
I've been trying to find a word to describe when things like people's names and place names are whole phrases.
I'm not sure how creditable these are, but I've often seen names in literature like this — especially when used by groups like Native Americans or in fantasy contexts.
In Tui T. Sutherland's book series Wings of Fire (specifically in the latest installment, The Dangerous Gift), there are multiple villages named like this: Where-the-Terns-Fly, Hamlet-That-Worships-the-Whales-Who-Sing-at-Night, Where-the-Whales-Leap-at-Dawn, and Among-the-Evergreens.
I'd looked into names like these and I did find various other forms of this in places like England (Sutton-under-Whitesontecliffe), France (Germain-de-Tallevende-la-Lande-Vaumont), and Italy (Pino sulla Sponda del Lago Maggiore) (in this case, these are all place-names).
I'm an editor for the Wings of Fire Wiki, where we are trying to create a section on an article that describes the naming patterns of the villages within the Ice Kingdom (where these villages are located) — technically, we don't have confirmation that these names actually relate to the village itself. We can just speculate that Among-the-Evergreens is, well, among evergreens; however, speculation isn't allowed on this wiki's article pages. Ergo, the best we can really do is describe the syntax of the village names and not much else.
In total, I'm looking for an adjective that describes these names or a noun that represents these names. Compound words and phrases are acceptable.
Thanks in advance!


texts: Which is more correct: “skewen” or “skewn”?

texts:
Which spelling for the past participle of skew is more correct: skewen or skewn?

(I recognise it is not the more common spelling of skewed, but regionally and personally skewen is more in use in Quebec.)

Also, out of curiosity, is skewn even a word? Or was it ever a word?

I’m thinking of strew/strewn and sew/sewn and am wondering whether skew ever matched to skewn at any point over the course of its usage.


texts: "For most" vs "of many" Idiomatic Language

texts:
For example, which choice of idiomatic language would best serve the meaning of this particular sentence?

  My friend Allan is typical for most / of many programmers today in that he ponders for hours on the computer.


texts:
Under the arching heavens of the afternoon swift passing, and the
  voices of children and women,

  The many-moving sea-tides, and I saw the ships how they sail’d,

  And the summer approaching with richness, and the fields all busy with
  labor,

  And the infinite separate houses, how they all went on, each with its
  meals and minutia of daily usages,

  And the streets how their throbbings throbb’d, and the cities pent—lo, then and there,

  Falling upon them all and among them all, enveloping me with the rest,

  Appear’d the cloud, appear’d the long black trail,

  And I knew death, its thought, and the sacred knowledge of death.

From "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d" by Walt Whitman.

What is the meaning of pent here?

Lexico says it is an adjective and another term for pent-up, means:

  unable to be expressed or released.
  Closely confined or held back.

And Webster:

  shut up : CONFINED, REPRESSED


texts: Which is better, "customer number" or "customer count"?

texts: I want to express the number of customers my company has. Is it better to use customer number or customer count?


texts: Word for people older than the speaker in school?

texts: I'm looking for a word for what you'd in the workplace call 'seniors', i.e. "My seniors told me where the cafeteria was in Building 1." But in college, 'senior' has a different meaning, and "upperclassmen" doesn't quite work. How should I refer to students in the years above me?


texts: Why do nouns and verbs which are stressed differently all exhibit the same variation?

texts:
I recently stumbled upon an interesting quirk regarding words that are both nouns and verbs. They seem to all follow the same stress pattern. Here are a few examples:

NOUNS

I have a really long address.
There is a huge contrast between winter and spring.
Not a single object is blue.
I'm not very good at creating produce.

VERBS

Make sure you address him properly.
I try to contrast the two twins in my head.
He will object to any change you propose.
Produce the paper right this instant!

Why do the nouns have stresses on the first syllable and the verbs have stresses on the last syllable? Is there a good reason for this, or is it just coincidence?

These are just the examples I thought of - I'm sure there are more. There are also some "noun/verb"s that have the same stress:

That was a huge surprise! Next time I'll surprise you!

But I've yet to find a counterexample - one where the noun has an ending stress and the verb has a starting stress.


texts: Phrase to describe the phenomenon of a minority group that becomes the majority but keeps its minority mindset?

texts:
See title. I don't want to get political in this forum so please don't take the examples too seriously. This would be in a situation like how Christianity went from a persecuted regional sect to the main religion of the Roman Empire, or maybe a labor union that accumulates enough clout that it starts to oppress the company that contracts it? But even though this once-oppressed group is now in power, it may continue to have the mindset of and pursue goals in the manner of an outgroup.

"Tail wagging the dog" would be on the right path, but not correct because the tail remains a small and secondary part of the dog. In that metaphorical world I'd want something more like "Tail becoming the leash". "Cart before the horse" isn't quite right either; "cart driving the horse" would actually be pretty close, but that's not an existing phrase.

I'm hoping this is a phenomenon that has a technical name that I could research, but I'd settle for an idiom.

Edited after reading Erin-Kate Sousa's answer.


texts:
Your child might do better if she got/had a different teacher.

Your child could do better if she got/had a different teacher.

Q: Are 1) and 2) both pure second conditionals or is sentence 1) a mixed 1st/2nd conditional?


texts:
When I describe my hobbies, should I write

  I play piano

or

  I play the piano

Are both forms acceptable? And how would you handle the phrase

  I am an amateur musician, playing the saxophone, guitar and piano.

Should there be three "the" or only one? or none?


texts:
I've heard on some American TV shows "I'm starving" instead of "I'm starved".

What is the correct usage of both sentences?.


texts:
How is the causative form of fall used in English?
In the present tense, often enough,

  A tree falls in the woods, but a logger falls trees as well.

but in the past tense,

  A tree fell in the woods, but the logger felled a tree.

However, if it's not a tree, or if it's not a person's normal course of work to fall trees, then fell is used to mean "cause [some structure, regime, etc.] to fall."

  Someone will fell that evil dynasty one day.

As far as I know "falled" is not a word, and "fell" is not a past-tense form in the causative sense.


texts: "call someone/something" vs. "call someone/something up" for "make a phone call to someone/something

texts:
What's the difference between call and call up to mean make a telephone call to? Is the latter any more informal than the former, or is it mainly a regional thing?

call someone or something up
To telephone someone or something: As soon as I heard the news, I called up my broker and told her to sell the stock. I called him up to ask if he was free for lunch.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs
call someone up
(especially North American English) to make a telephone call to someone
Oxford Learner's Dictionary
call (someone) up or call up (someone)
chiefly US : to make a telephone call to (someone)
I haven't spoken to her in years, but I called her up last night and we talked for hours.
Call me up when you get back from your vacation.
I called up my doctor and made an appointment.
Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary


texts: I have an issue with /æ/ sound. There is no such vowel sound in my native language, which is Russian, so it's quite problematic for me to master this sound. The main problem is I can't even HEAR it as the same sound in different words. For example, word "can" sounds to me more like there is /e/ sound, but in word "back" it sounds closer to the /ɑ/. I can clearly hear difference between "man" and "men" but when it comes to words with different consonants around /æ/ (like can/back) I hear completely different sounds.


texts: What is the word for two-part phrases where the second (or first) half drops off?

texts:
I remember some time ago learning a word for phrases where, over time, people forget the second (or first) half. So for example, the phrase "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" is often shortened to "When in Rome" — which makes no sense by itself, but the meaning of the phrase is still understood. While "do as the Romans do" is still fairly widely known, many of the examples provided were ones where the full phrase is not actually known — only the root of the phrase remains, keeping its original meaning from context.

Does anyone know what the term for this is?


texts: Word for people who enjoy contributing to open / free projects

texts:
I enjoy contributing to open, free projects like Wikipedia, Stack Exchange, and open source software development. I'm curious if there is a word for people who make a hobby of participating in such free and open projects that offer no payment or reward for contribution, except for reputation, satisfaction, or personal amusement.

The word "altruist" is the first that comes to mind, but it is a much broader term, and there are cases where it doesn't seem to be a perfect fit. For example, if you're answering this question, you are helping me and potentially others, but you may be motivated by reputation or fun, as opposed to merely a desire to give something away for free.

I'm not necessarily looking for a commonly used word, I'm more curious if there is a term out there for people who find enjoyment or satisfaction in participating in free communities.

I'm especially interested in a word that implies participation in open communities for enjoyment or as a hobby, as opposed to "charity," "reputation," or "ego."


texts:
with "not ... anywhere":

(1a): I've ordered some food for us. Can I ask you not to go anywhere until a courier has brought it?
(2a): Okay. I am not going anywhere.

As far as I'm aware, (1a) and (2a) are both correct.

with "nowhere":

(1b): I've ordered some food for us. Can I ask you to go nowhere until a courier has brought it?
(2b): Okay. I am going nowhere.

As far as I'm aware, (2b) is correct, whereas (1b) is not.

By what rule can we replace "not ... anywhere" with "nowhere" [as in (2a) and (2b)] and by what rule not [as in (1a) and (1b)]?
Thanks!


texts: What's the word for "unclassily direct about money"?

texts:
In typical American culture, and likely in many others, money is supposed to be something we don't discuss too directly and well-mannered people are expected to use words that maintain a few feet of distance between them and the actual concept of dollar bills. When you discuss it too directly, this word describes such a situation.
Examples:

Walking into HR and saying "I need more money". Eek, too direct. Maybe discuss adjusting "salary" or "compensation" instead
A bank having pictures of bars of gold, diamonds, or stacks of hundred dollar bills on the walls
An executive driving a Ferrari around on a daily basis
Golden toilet seats
Pulling out a wad of hundred dollar bills at the grocery store checkout and openly counting through them without any attempt at hiding how much money you have from onlookers
An investment firm calling themselves Cash Firm

These are all examples of cultural faux-pas, being too showy or direct with discussions of money, both among those who have money, and among those who wish to be perceived as having money.
Here are some similar words:

ostentatious - doesn't really apply to cases in which money is mentioned but not used
"new money" - doesn't capture the whole story, and only includes those who actually have money
unclassy - not very specific, includes many other behaviors as well

Is there a word that captures the idea of being too visible with money, not putting enough physical and metaphorical distance between the concept and how it's discussed?


texts: "from which this town was created" or "from which this town was created out of"

texts: I have a phrase "which indicates the city from which this town was created". The idea is that the town was created from, or out of (carved from) the city. I am not sure if this is grammatically correct. I was also thinking maybe "which indicates the city from which this town was created out of". Kindly help.


texts: Term for public holiday that isn't the same date every year?

texts:
I just need the term for a public holiday or event that changes it's date every year. So for example Christmas is always on December 25 but Labour Day will change so does Easter every year.

TIA


texts: Singular or plural verb after a list with multiple "every"s?

texts:
Which sentence is correct?

Every apple, every orange, and every pear is good for you.
Every apple, every orange, and every pear are good for you.


texts: Definite article with proper nouns, titles followed by a common noun

texts:
Over time I developed this rule where if a title or a proper name is followed by a common noun that represents the class of the entity I am referring to, then I use the definite article. In Example 1, the title of a publication in the first sentence is followed by the noun "whitepaper", thus the definite article in front of it. Is this a valid rule?
Examples:

The "Advanced programming in Java" whitepaper was an excellent read.

vs. "Advanced programming in Java" was an excellent read.

The Microsoft Office 2010 product was released last year.

vs. Microsoft Office 2010 was released last year.


texts:
What is the difference between prospective, contingent and tentative offer?

Can you make some sentences using the word prospective for better understanding?


texts: Is is possible to say these sentences in a formal context in British English?

texts:
Has he not got his new bicycle?

  Have you not got your book yet?

I think that the above ones are the same as these in informal context:

  Hasn't he got his new bicycle?

  Haven't you got your book yet?


texts: How are Old English participles declined to English participles? (both present and past)

texts:
I'm trying to learn about differences between English and Old English, and I found that there are some noticeable differences in the use of participle markings. I think that participles were declined historically, but I want to get to know more details about the changes. (Are there any rules related to the changes?)

For example, Ic hæbbe ge-fręm-ed (I have performed.) -use of past participles. And Ic drīf-ende (I has driven) -use of present participle

Also, if anyone knows of good books for Old English grammar with great examples, please recommend them to me!
Thank you


texts: Is 'can' an appropriate substitute for 'may' to indicate possibility?

texts:
One definition of can in Merriam-Webster Online is:

  c —used to indicate possibility < do you think he can still be alive> < those things can happen> ; sometimes used interchangeably with may

But in The Elements of Style written by William Strunk, Jr., it says:

  Can. Means am (is, are) able. Not to be used as a substitute for may.

This contradiction makes me confused. So in what situation can can be used "interchangeably" with may, and in what situation it cannot?

EDIT: The two sentences in The Elements of Style make me feel that the author permits only one use of can (be able) in the first sentence and proscribes the other use (may; to indicate possibility) in the second sentence. Did I misinterpret the author's meaning? Or the text is ambiguous?


texts:
Given this sentence:

  Frankly, I was deeply offended the instant you left me.

This web page covers the sentence

  the instant I heard it

which is grammatically similar to the above sentence, in the Translations section, so the construction looks legitimate. I'm not sure, though.

Is the use of "the instant" correct in my example sentence?


texts: He wears blue jeans vs. He has blue jeans on

texts:
Hello dear English friends,

I just wondered whether the expressions "He wears blue jeans." vs "He has blue jeans on." differ in meaning. To my mind the second sentence sounds kind of wrong.

I mean I can say "I put my jeans on." but would someone say "hey guys, how are you I have my new jeans on, did you notice?"

Thanks


texts: Definite and indefinite articles when referring to generic abstract objects

texts:
My classmate wrote a text about zoos in general, and the word "zoos" in plural form is mentioned many times in it. Later in the text he uses singular form "zoo" two times with indefinite articles, and both times he still refers to an abstract zoo, not to specific one.
He wrote:

The place where animals can obtain shelter is a zoo.
You can take the kids to a zoo.

I'm having trouble in figuring out whether it is correct or not. I think that he should have used a definite article the second time, because he already mentioned a singular abstract zoo, but he argues that he refers to "two different singular abstract zoos".
So which article should be used in a second sentence?


texts: Semantical difference between "must not" and "not allowed to"

texts:
Both forms express an obligation not to do something (although one phrases it by declaring that permission is missing).
I figure that must not sounds a little more urging but what I am interested in is this:

Are both phrases semantically interchangeable or are there situations in which only one will work? If so, why?


texts: Is there a version of brunch for a meal between dinner and lunch?

texts: Brunch has become quite a common word in the English language. Is there a similar word for a meal in place of dinner and lunch? (A phrase will also do).


texts: Is "For example, he brought it, and she stacked in the shelves?" correct?

texts:
I need to combine the following sentences into one.

For example, he brought it.
He brought it, and she stacked in the shelves.

How do I combine these? Is the following combination correct?

For example, he brought it, and she stacked in the shelves.


texts: present perfect and help to understand sentences

texts:
What is the particular use of "been" in present perfect /i i often noticed been is used in some sentences  of present perfect but not in some; what is the reason?some examples are given below. i want to know actually when been is used in present perfect then mean process is ongoing or not.

 . It has been deactivated
 . It has deactivated


texts: The difference between 'purview' and 'remit' (BrE/AmE)?

texts:
I noticed, on YouTube, that Trey Gowdy in his congressional confrontations used the word 'purview' but never 'remit'. I could not find 'remit' as a noun in Merriam Webster, only the verb, and wondered if the sense of 'remit' as 'scope of responsibility' is maybe BrE not AmE.

Then I found, indeed, that OED gives :

  b. Chiefly Brit. A set of instructions, a brief; an area of authority or responsibility. Frequently in within (also beyond, etc.) one's remit.

Presumably AmE has no use for 'remit' perhaps ?

Or does BrE distinguish in usage between 'remit' and 'purview' ?

  Purview , noun, 2. In extended use: the scope or limits of anything (as a document, inquiry, scheme, subject, occupation, etc.); remit; intent.

[Note: The other noun from 'remit' is 'remittance' but has an entirely different meaning to 'remit'.]

OED


texts: Comma or semicolon for genuine "thank you" at the end of a sentence?

texts:
I have the two following cases:

It does help, thank you.
It does help; thank you.

It seems to me that the semicolon more appropriately conveys the genuine "thank you". Using the comma seems like it would almost be sarcastic/condescending: It does help, thank you.
Related


texts: What are other ways to refer to water suppliers?

texts:
I am not native english speaker and I'm currently writing my PhD thesis on economics. The research question is whether water suppliers are minimizing their costs. However, my problem is that I seem to repeat the phrase "water suppliers" too much, and I'd like to introduce some variation.

So far, I've been using these names:

Water utility companies
Water suppliers
Water utilities
Water companies

I'm not entirely sure that all of them are correct. What other names would you recommmend me to use?

Also, I often use the words "firm", "enterprises", and "company" once it is clear they're water suppliers. Are these terms correct in the context of water suppliers? Take this phrase, for instance: "the prices faced by this firm are smaller than the rest of the companies." It feels a bit awkward for me to say that phrase when talking about water suppliers.

I am still on an early stage of the writing, so I can change the style completely if needed. Thanks in advance for your responses.


texts: What is the difference between "Part of" (without 's') and "Parts of" (with 's')?

texts:
Example phrases:

Part of the company is very efficient.
Parts of the company are very efficient.

Google search for 'parts of' has 2.5B results.

'parts of' has 650M Google search results, with many pages referring to the concept of 'parts of speech', but others as the everyday word. But it did have at least one such usage here on the phrase "Parts of New Jersey boom with incentives, others struggle"

Is there a difference in meaning between the two, or situations in which one is preferred?


texts: What does "a curious mix of a man" mean?

texts:
Context

The top-secret American operation to build and use the atom bomb would challenge the humanitarian values on which democracy is built. It was led by one of the most intriguing minds of the 20th century. J Robert Oppenheimer was a curious mix of a man. He was fascinated by other cultures and the religions of the east, and, in politics, a man of the left. In fact, he even flirted with communism before the war, and so you might think a strange choice to head a project like this. But he was a brilliant theoretical physicist and a charismatic leader.

Source: History of the world by Andrew Marr - Episode 8.


texts: what is one word meaning two people who are of the exact same age?

texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  Word for two people who are the same age

I notice this discussion was closed back in February but I need to re-open it because I heard the answer on the radio today. It was on NPR, the show "Says You!" Unfortunately, I didn't hear the first part of the discussion, when they spelled it. The pronunciation though sounded like, "yeeling." It made me think of the word "yearling," but with a definite long e in the middle. I went to the "Says You" website to try to get the spelling but their site is woefully behind: the latest episode is June 2012.

I tried entering "yeeling" in Google Chrome's search engine but got no good hits.

Did anyone else hear Says You today and know how to spell this word?


texts: How to use 'good of a' followed by a noun?

texts:
Can you please point out which ones are the correct usage of the phrase good of a? I know we use kind of a or kinda but not sure about this one.
1. He's not that good singer.
2. He's not that good a singer.
3. He's not that good of a singer.

4. He's not that good person.
5. He's not that good a person.
6. He's not that good of a person.

7. He's not that good doctor.
8. He's not that good a doctor.
9. He's not that good of a doctor.

P.S. I've added 3 examples just to find out if the profession has any effect on the phrase.


texts: How to say that something is doing two "parallel" actions A and B?

texts:
I have a slight lexical problem - I would like to emphasize that an agent is doing/achieving two "parallel" actions/goals A and B.

My intuitive idea to say this was to use both, like in:

  S both As and Bs (E.g.: I propose this method as it both solves the problem and requires less efforts...),

however, this doesn't sound right. My next attempt was:

  S does both A and B (E.g.: I propose this method as it does both solve the problem and require less efforts...),

which sounds even worse.

I've also tried to come up with some alternatives, for example - changing both with simultaneously, which alters slightly the meaning, or:

  S not only As, but also Bs (E.g.: I propose this method because it not only solves the problem, but also requires less efforts...),

but neither of them has been better.

I feel already that I am overthinking it, thus, I would be very grateful if anybody shares their opinion regarding the above conundrum?


texts: Words that have same spelling, different meaning, and different amounts of syllables?

texts:
Is there a term for words that have the same spelling, different meanings, and different amounts of syllables for their pronunciations?

The only example I can think of is resume and résumé. The only problem with this example is it technically isn’t the same spelling though since there are accents in résumé. But resume and résumé do have different meanings, and different amounts of syllables in their pronunciations. Are there any other words that someone can think of that have same spelling, different meanings AND amounts of syllables. And is there a term for these words?

Update: another “heteronym with varying syllables” I just thought of: blessed (used as a verb) would be pronounced “blest”, as in, "Uncle Joey blessed our Thanksgiving dinner", while blessed used adjectivally may be pronounced “blesid”, as in, "He loved his blessed freedom."


texts: Meaning and acceptability of "One fifty" when speaking of dollars

texts:
I was watching Errol Morris' ‘11 Excellent Reasons Not to Vote?’. At some point, the dialog goes this way:

― If I could sell my vote, I probably would.
― How much?
― How much? Psssh... Aaah... Like, one fifty? One fifty?
― Hundred fifty dollars?

Have I listened right? Did she said "One fifty" meaning "One hundred fifty"? In my native language, if one says "one fifty" referring to money this would unequivocally mean "one dollar and fifty cents" so I am not sure I got it right. If I listened correctly, how common and acceptable is this idiom?


texts: Is the term "downforce" exclusively used to describe the aerodynamics phenomenon?

texts: When describing a literal, physically applied "downward force", would it be improper to use "downforce" rather than "down force" (or some variant of)?  And if so, should it be hyphenated, i.e., "down-force", or is there a term that fits better altogether?


texts: A word for something that is antiquated but still in use

texts:
This word can be used in the following scenarios

Old laws that would seem funny if passed today, are still in use today.
A form of speech spoken that would sound Shakespearean today.
Holdover from a time before now.


texts: Difference between Approximate and Proximate?

texts:
So I searched and a few questions that mention variations of this word but none that asked what the difference was?

I have heard:

Approximate & Proximate

Approximately & Proximity

But never:

Approximity or Proximately

  I live within close proximity to the bus stop.

OR

  It was approximately 5m.

How does the prefix "ap" change the word?

NOTE (for the fans): The words I typed as "never heard" coincidentally came up with red lines for spell check...


texts: Is the term 'everyday people' derogatory?

texts:
I came across the term 'everyday people' in an unpublished essay. It strikes me as derogatory just because it is referring to people rather than to things and makes them appear common. But then there is 'common people' or 'commoners' to contend with, so I'm not very sure.
It was used like this:

Everyday people trooped to the theatre to see the show.

Okay, so here is the exact sentence in its original context (it's from a short book review):

The book is brimming with stories of everyday people who in spite of
the curves life threw at them were able to come up strong and better.

What is the authoritative word on this?


texts: When to use "lessen", when "decrease", and when "reduce"?

texts:
Is it appropriate to say this:

  I need to reduce the amount of money I spend per month.
  I need to lessen the amount of money I spend per month.
  I need to decrease the amount of money I spend per month.

I don't understand when to use "reduce", "decrease", and "lessen". Can you explain it, please?


texts: Where did the phrase "Holy Toledo" come from?

texts:
I was reading online and noticed this phrase in the comments.

  Holy Toledo

What is the origin of this phrase?

It appears in Max Shulman's 1951 collection of stories, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis:

  "Holy Toledo!" said Petey reverently. He plunged his hands into the raccoon coat and then his face. "Holy Toledo!" he repeated fifteen or twenty times.

But online explanations of its origin disagree, and dictionary coverage of the phrase is hard to find.


texts: How does 'Bull I' Th' Thorn Inn' translate into standard English?

texts:
I am currently staying briefly in Stockport. Among the vast array of historical education that the town offers, is a most refreshing feature, given the current heat wave in North-west England. That is Robinsons' Brewery. I note from their museum that one of the their pubs, at Hurdlow in Derbyshire is called the Bull I' Th' Thorn Inn.

I feel certain that @Edwin Ashworth will be able to explain that.

http://www.bulliththorninn.robinsonsbrewery.com/contact

Of course I am supposing it means 'Bull in the thorn'. But interestingly the letter 'I' is written as a capital in the pub name.

And what might be the precise pronunciation in the Derbyshire accent?


texts: Are "The laptop display shows a message." and "The laptop displays a message." equal in meaning? (And grammatically correct.)


texts: Is there any particular difference between "moving" and "poignant"?

texts: Both are defined as "making you feel strong feelings of sadness".


texts: Particular verbal inflection classes in "The Proclamation of Henry III"

texts:
I'm reading a document about "The Proclamation of Henry III", in which the text is presented and a short commentary and glossary follow.

I'm interested in the survival of some of the distinct verbal inflections classes of Old English.
In particular, I'm referring to the verbs "swerien", "makien" and "werien": I noticed that these particular verbs ends in -ien, while the usual suffix of the infinitive/subjunctive verbal forms in the text is -en.

In the glossary, I came across some dictionary-like entries, such as this:

swerien, 4, swear, 3 p. pi. subj. after hoaten ; ags. swerian
inf., swerion subj. ; ge. sweren; p. 85. Str. 560.

Can you help me to find out what is special about these verbs?


texts: How to cite critic reviews in-text but as standalone?

texts:
Let me explain after trying to Google, I cannot find information on how to quote a review/testimonial from a critic at a publication outside of the main text. The testimonial/reviews are listed at the end, sort of what you may see on posters for plays or customer reviews on a business flyer, but I don't know if that is the proper way. It's for a brochure, if that helps. Normally, I would incorporate a quote in-text, but in this case, I cannot.

Edit: I am finding customer testimonials have many examples such as here
ex1, but in the case of critic review from a magazine for example, I'm lost.

Example:

  Main text
  blah blah, CEO stated, "some quote" (citation here).
  . . .
  end of main text
  .
  .
  .
  .
  .

  "Softest mattress ever! O-M-G!" (John Doe, The Herald, 2010).

or is it written like an epigraph?

  "The ennui killed me. Thumbs down!" --John Doe, The Herald
  "Oh boy!" --Amazon Customer


texts:
Yamaha is an old-fashioned bike that it's not worth buying.
Yamaha is an old-fashioned bike, so it's not worth buying.
Yamaha is such an old-fashioned bike that it's not worth buying.

I am confident that the sentence (2) and (3) are correct. But the number (1) seems to be wrong to me. But I don't know why. Could anyone tell me about these 3 sentences. What do you think?


texts: Is "educated" an egotistical word in this scenario?

texts:
Here is the scenario:

  Somebody asked a question about Catholicism. An Atheist responded with the correct answer. I was impressed and asked if this person was Catholic. This person said, "No, I'm just educated".

In this context, would the word "educated" mean that the person has an inflated opinion about himself or herself?


texts: Is there a hypernym for acidity and basicity?

texts:
I was wondering if there was a single word for what the pH scale measures, with no particular bias to either the acidic end (acidity) or basic end (basicity) of the spectrum. From Wikipedia:

  In chemistry, pH (/piːˈeɪtʃ/) is a numeric scale used to specify the acidity or basicity (alkalinity) of an aqueous solution

I could not find a single word term that encompassed both acidity and basicity (or alkalinity) in the article or elsewhere , which could be used as follows:

  In chemistry, pH (/piːˈeɪtʃ/) is a numeric scale used to specify the _______ of an aqueous solution


texts:
I have a recurring event, i.e. at 9:00 every Sunday.
If I change one of these future events to be at 10:00 instead of 9:00, then what would you call this event? a "time-varied event" perhaps?


texts: "He tells Reince and I" sounds wrong, doesn't it?

texts:
The following is quoted from The Washington Post of yesterday:

“If you think they’re going to give you your country back without a fight, you are sadly mistaken,” Bannon said in reference to the media and opposition forces. “Every day, it is going to be a fight.”
He continued, “And that is what I’m proudest about Donald Trump. All the opportunities he had to waver off this, all the people who have come to him and said, ‘Oh, you’ve got to moderate’ — every day in the Oval Office, he tells Reince and I, ‘I committed this to the American people, I promised this when I ran, and I’m going to deliver on this.’ ”

Towards the end of this quote, Bannon says, "he [Trump] tells Reince and I, ..."
Is this grammatically acceptable? Shouldn't he say instead, "he tells Reince and me, ...?"


texts: In English, do people say "the Jack" or "the Donald" to specify someone special?

texts:
I heard Donald Trump had the nickname the Donald. So I'm curious, can I say

  Did you see the John?

or

  Did you see the Michael?

Do people say it? What if there are five Michaels at a workplace? Would it be normal to use "the name"?


texts: Difference between "to be not" and "not to be" recommended

texts:
Are both to be not recommended and not to be recommended the negation of to be recommended?

Or is there a difference? For example, not to be says that something should not be recommended, as in the act of recommendation is discouraged. On the other hand, to be not says that the object itself is not recommended.

I would like to use recommended and not recommended as adjectives where otherwise I would use the verbs should and should not.


texts: Different pronunciations of "Pakistan" versus "Afghanistan"?

texts:
Should there be any difference in the pronunciation of (the suffixes in) "Pakistan" and "Afghanistan"?

I noticed that Obama treats the words quite differently, pronouncing "Pakistan" like PUH-KIST-UHN, but pronouncing "Afghanistan" in an American way, with the end syllable "-stan" as in "stand" or "stance".


texts:
Kindly explain the second part of the sentence.

Inspectors are very serious about enforcing this, and keep a close eye on daily bread discard credits in the system.
— Saurin Patel on Quora

I looked through this page, Meaning of "credits", but I am not sure how to make further research.


texts:
When an abbreviation serves as a verb, the past participle generally takes an apostrophe followed by a d:

KO'd
ID'd
OD'd
OK'd

What is the proper present participle? If

KOing
IDing
ODing
OKing

is correct, then why should the past participle require an elision? It seems to aid readability, so should the -ing form be

KO'ng
ID'ng
OD'ng
OK'ng

???


texts: Can we say "Electronic dictionaries are useful IN looking up words?

texts: One of the teachers at my school asked me this question. I believe the answer is NO. We can use FOR or WHEN but I don't believe IN is workable. Am I right and why?


texts:
Between 1990 and 2000, the number of people living in the UK had increased from 10 million to 50 million, whereas that in Africa had decreased by 50%.

or

Between 1990 and 2000, the number of people living in the UK increased from 10 million to 50 million, whereas that in Africa decreased by 50%.

(A graph that shows information regarding the world population between 1990 and 2000)


texts: Is there a word for "the application of ointments/creams to oneself"?

texts: I know there's a word for "the washing or cleaning of oneself, for personal hygiene, or the ritual washing or cleaning associated with religious observance" which is "ablution", and there's also "lavation" which has a similar meaning. These words got me wondering whether there's a word for the act that usually follows: to apply ointments, creams, etc. to oneself.


texts: What is a word for someone who is in pain but puts out a tough image?

texts: This person acts strong when really he is going through a hard time. What's an original word for this?


texts: How is tense handled in a parenthetical clause before a verb?

texts:
She will (or already has) leave for Jamaica soon.
She will leave (or already has left) for Jamaica soon.

I'm uncertain which of these (if either) is more correct. Should I simply not use this language construct, opting for this instead:

She will leave for Jamaica soon, if she has not already.

I find the previous constructs, despite being awkward, do a better job of conveying the uncertainty of tense. Is there a better way to construct the parenthetical version to avoid tense conflicts?


texts: What is the correct preposition for "ask"?

texts:
While the verb "ask" is usually followed by an indirect object and therefore doesn't take a preposition, it is sometimes the case that we want to emphasize the person who is supposed to answer the question. For example, if we were to change the sentence "We asked Robert the same question" to a passive voice, which sentence would be correct?
A: "The same question was asked from Robert."
B: "The same question was asked to Robert."
C: "The same question was asked of Robert."
D: "???"
I also need to point out that we are talking about a question out of curiosity (such as "What would you do if you won the lottery?"), which I think rules out "of" and "for" since they are used for "favors and requests". Also, "by" is not what I'm looking for either. Robert is not asking the question. He is supposed to answer it.


texts: How do you form the plural of an elided/contracted noun?

texts: The noun, without elision, is "beatings". Singular, elided, is "beatin'" (note the apostrophe). So what's the plural? I considered "beatins'" (note the apostrophe) and "beatin's" but neither of them seem correct.


texts: Usage of the abbreviation of a specific-type short phrase

texts:
Could you tell me how to abbreviate few-word phrases as in the use of "mobile" for "the mobile business" in the sentence

  "Company A's lagging position in mobile is the most pressing challenge?"

When I come across such an abbreviation, I wonder why it should be "mobile," but not "mobiles" nor "the mobile" (shorthand for the mobile business).

I would like to know the rationale behind this particular type of abbreviation.


texts: Why aren't degree modifiers complements?

texts:
As far as I've been able to figure out, in the CaGEL* framework, complements are items that are licensed by some other element (generally the head), so that if an item has to be licensed, it is per definition a complement. But if I've got this right, then how come degree modifiers aren't complements? I mean, they elaborate on a feature that is only found with a subgroup of heads, just like any complement?

*Huddleston, R., and Pullum, G. K., 2002. The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.


texts: Word stress with noun and negative + noun

texts:
I have two sentences:

I'm in a hurry. [aɪm_ɪn_ə ˈhɜri]
I'm not in a hurry. [aɪm nɑd_ɪn_ə ˈhɜri]

I linked the words together (consonant + vowel). I use the flap T in the second sentence (I marked it with a /d/ sound. I know, some people say it's a different sound, but this is irrelevant now).

In the first sentence, the primary stress is on the noun. Am I right? The first part "I'm in a" doesn't need to be stressed. Right?

In the second sentence however I introduced the negative (not). Does this change the word stress. I mean do we need to use secondary stress on NOT? or is it not necessary?

Thank you!


texts:
I am a Korean English teacher.
I have encountered a strange sentence like the following.
In the first sentence, you can see “looking” instead of “looking like” even though the word “look” is an intransitive verb.  Please help me to teach correct English, will you?
If it is grammatically correct or incorrect, would you explain why?

  But when I came downstairs, he was dressed, sitting by the fire, looking a very sick and miserable boy of nine years. When I put my hand on his forehead, I knew he had a fever.


texts: Word for saying a common expression wrong, but it still makes sense?

texts:
I'm pretty sure there is a word for repeating a common expression wrong but in saying it wrongly the expression undertakes a whole new meaning.  For the life of me I cannot recall the word and no matter what I search I only get click-baity lists of common expressions said wrongly.

There is also a related word for when that expression doesn't make any sense at all, bonus points if you can answer with the words for both.


texts: When to use "me and my __" and "my __ and me"?

texts: When is it correct to use, for example "me and my wife" and "my wife and me", which is correct and what's the difference?


texts: Difference between "isolated" and "insulated"

texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  Difference in meaning in “insulation” vs. “isolation”?

What is the difference in meaning between isolated and insulated?


texts: How to "spread some words about" or "spread some word about"?

texts:
Sorry for the dumb question.

If I have couple of sentences that describe my idea, should I use the first or the second phrase or neither of them ;)

Any insight and grammar references are very welcome!

Context

  My friends and I are doing this service. We use it every day and want
  to spread some words about. I want to help you to understand the main
  idea of the service and give an insight on how to start.


texts: Usage of "screened for" in the context of a study sample

texts:
One of my friends, who corrected my manuscript, said this sentence wasn't immediately obvious to her.

  The sample was screened for birth defects and major disabilities.

It's supposed to mean that the final sample/result of screening process didn't contain any people with birth defects and major disabilities, because we checked for it and rejected anybody who had such disabilities (to preclude alternative explanations for our findings).
Now I find that the word is less clear than I thought based on what I read in scientific papers (can mean both selecting AND rejecting).

I'm not sure if "screened for" is already clear enough (from the article context it should be obvious that we weren't interested in birth defects) or if I can use another preposition to be able to keep this simple sentence and still let everybody know that the final sample didn't contain any people with birth defects etc.


texts: How should I interpret "it did not seem fantastic"?

texts:
I read a sentence in a story in my book which was:

  The little girl, (not so little anymore; the bumps her feet made under the covers, were half way down the bed, their big double bed that they let her be in for naps and when she was sick) had at last arranged herself, and from the way her fat face deep in the pillow shone in the sunlight sifting through the drawn shades, it did not seem fantastic that some magic would occur, and she would take her nap like an infant of two.

Should I interpret the highlighted part as meaning that "the occurring of the magic had become so common that it did not seem fantastic anymore" or does it mean that "as she has grown older, the imaginary magic wouldn't happen and thus the fantasy is not worth having"? Although I strongly believe that the former should be right, seeing the premises I started having second thoughts?


texts:
All normal verbs can be conjugated in the future tense.

  e.g. I know, I will know. I do, I will do.

But I have noticed that we cannot conjugate the modal verb can in the future tense.

  can, I will can?

Although we are able to conjugate the phrase be able (that has approximately the same meaning of can) to will be able, we cannot conjugate can. Is there a way to express can in the future tense without using the expression to be able?

Additionally, need and dare are sometimes utilised as a modal verb.

  I need not. Need I not? I dare say. Dare he do it?

Are we able to conjugate these verbs in the future tense as modal verbs?

If need were used as a ‘normal’ verb, an example of it in the future tense would be I will need to do it. Can we write that sentence by making need a modal verb?

Thank you.


texts:
I was told here that not using diacritics (specifically the cedilla) is bad usage for those who know — I assume — their diacritics.

Is that correct?

Is garcon a correct spelling, in English, of the French loanword garçon? That is, is it valid to drop the cedilla?

In general, what do style guides and other authoritative sources say about using diacritics in English? Are there contexts — again, in established English words, loanwords or otherwise, not in quoting foreign texts or proper nouns — where:

the consensus among authorities is that diacritics must be used?
diacritics were once used, but are no longer in widespread use, even by professional typographers¹?
diacritics once in widespread use are actively discouraged today?

What is the general disposition of diacritics in modern English in professional writing and typesetting, taking into account prestigious sources in both print and online?

I'm more interested in proper orthography than in effective typography, but I'd appreciate perspectives from both fields².

I would like answers from a range of authoritative sources, like style guides (Chicago, AP, etc) or house styles (The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The New York Times, etc).

¹ For example, coöperation, belovèd of The New Yorker?

² Bonus points: what about ligatures? When debating this topic with my friends, should I cavil about diaeresis or diæresis?


texts: "Let me confirm your name." Is this sentence grammatically correct?

texts: While you are on a customer service call, how would you clarify the name? Is it grammatically correct to say, " let me confirm your name"?


texts: Synonym / Terms for "learned" and "not learned"

texts:
I need to describe two conditions in an experiment. In condition a) a child was given a list of words and explanations and later asked for their meaning. In condition b) a child was not given a list of words, but nevertheless asked for their meaning subsequently.
How would you label these two conditions. I don't like "learned" vs. "not learned" because it implies learning which must might not have taken place.


texts: What degree of status does the label "office lady" imply?

texts: I'm wondering whether or not "office lady" is commonly used in English-speaking countries? Does it carry a derogatory sense or stereotype women's jobs like "pink-collar worker" does?


texts: What does "sliders" mean in this context?

texts:
I am reading the book "Moneyball" by Michael Lewis and in Chapter3 - The Enlightment, there is a paragraph:

"His teammates might as well have been a different species than the high school kids he was used to playing with. They had hair on their backs and fat on their stomachs. They smoked before games and drank after them, a few had wives. And all of the pitchers had sliders."

Based on the context, I am guessing sliders here might mean something like girl friends or unstable relations with female? or it is some baseball terminology? I checkout urbandictionary but couldn't find a good answer?

Can you share with me what does sliders mean in this context?


texts: English equivalent of komorebi (木漏れ日) — "sunshine filtering through leaves"

texts:
Is there an English equivalent of komorebi (木漏れ日), which means the sunshine filtering through the leaves of a tree (or trees)?

It is made up of three kanji and the hiragana particle れ. The first kanji 木 means ‘tree’ (or ‘trees‘), the second one 漏 refers to ‘escape’ and the last one 日 is ‘light‘ or ‘sun‘.

Komorebi can also be seen as a light curtain which is more visible after the rain because of the reflecting light from the water vapor:

Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Forest-sun_01.JPG

It is also mentioned as the interplay between the light and the leaves which is observed especially on the ground. Additionally, there is a rare phenomenon when the light of the crescent sun during a partial solar eclipse is dappled on the ground in crescent shapes (which is circular normally):

Source: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/125678645821705633/

Sunray and sunbeam come to mind but they are too general. Of course, the word is the result of Japanese culture and aesthetics influenced by the nature. But there might be a colloquial usage or scientific term regarding the phenomena related to komorebi.


texts: Are the words "whine" and "wine" pronounced the same?

texts: These two words sound exactly the same to me.  Are we assuming the "h" in "whine" is silent?


texts: What do you call a registered taxpayer with no tax obligations?

texts:
What do you call a registered taxpayer with no outstanding tax-liability?

I'll explain my hesitation with the term taxpayer: I take that payer means someone who pays money, so a taxpayer is someone who pays their taxes. If they have completed all of their tax responsibilities then there is nothing left to pay, so that they are not in the position as a taxpayer anymore, until in another future time when they have a new tax obligation to pay for. In the meantime, they are just a registered person in the state tax department's database.

What do you call a person or organization in that position? Is there a term for it?

Edit: The context here is income tax. Registered taxpayer in this context means those who already have taxpayer identification number. By outstanding tax-liability I mean the liable tax the taxpayer need to pay when filing his tax return form.


texts:
What should I say?

The file foo.txt is 350 kB.
The file foo.txt is 350 kB big.
The file foo.txt is 350 kB in size.
The file foo.txt has a size of 350 kB.
The file foo.txt measures 350 kB.
Something else?

I would prefer a reference to some reliable source if possible.