texts: Is "Positions will be filled starting from August 1st, 2015." unambiguous?

texts:
This is from a job listing for multiple positions, with a submission deadline of May 30th. Does this have an unambigious meaning? I can interpret it in two ways:

They will decide upon the suitable candidates in August 2015.
After May 30th they will decide which candidates are suitable and the candidates will (if accepted) begin work from August 1st.


texts: How was ‘only’ (‘onely’) pronounced in early modern English?

texts:
I have noticed in some older English literature, that ‘only’ is written ‘onely’. Was this merely an example of historical spelling, or does it reveal an earlier pronunciation not as modern /ˈəʊnlɪ/, but rather as /'wʌnlɪ/? An example:

[…] because it is upon a misinterpretable subject, I have always gone so near suppressing it, as that it is onely not burnt […]
―John Donne, in a letter of 1619 to Sir Robert Keer, as quoted in Al Alvarez: The Savage God, Weidenfeld and Nicolson, London, 1971, p. 133.

Later, in the same quote, the spelling is ‘only’, though I do not know whether this is a clerical error by Alvarez or whether Donne actually did use both spellings in the same letter. Given my (very minor) knowledge of 15th- to 17th-century English documents, and the same with Scandinavian and German documents, finding two different spellings of a word in the same document is not only plausible, but expected. Further, given what effort Alvarez has gone to to represent old texts correctly in his work, I assume it is in fact correct.
Earlier and later examples are presented by the OED:

But the affeccion of the publique well may auoyde your singuler disordinate reule yf the voluntees ben conyoined all in oon onely desire to the comon saluacion.
c1475   tr. A. Chartier Quadrilogue (Univ. Coll. Oxf.) (1974) 245 (MED)

What cannot onely Sons with Parents do!
OED: 1672   J. Dryden Conquest Granada ii. iii. ii. 109

The power was retained; with this onely difference, that [etc.].
OED: 1741   C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero I. Pref. 35

Onely, Onerly, lonely, retired. ‘This is an onely platt to live in’.
OED: 1828   W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2)

Mon, aw’m one-ly when theaw artn’t theer.
OED: 1856   E. Waugh in Manch. Weekly Examiner & Times 21 June (Suppl.) 3/3

However, the modern spelling ‘only’ is also listed as early as 1483:

I that am an only sone to my fader and moder I shold depose theyr olde age with heuynes and sorow to helle.
1483   W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 77/3

In addition to this, you of course have other older spellings, like ‘anli’ and ‘oonly’. But the later usage of the spelling ‘only’ – ɔ: after the great vowel shift – I would presume would either represent (as per my question) either: a historical pronunciation or a representation of actual pronunciation. Hence my question: How was only/onely pronounced in Early Modern English? And further: In Early Modern English, are we dealing with an historical spelling, or an actual representation of two competing pronunciations?
Note: I may be mistaken in what I understand to be Modern English, so if there is a need for me to update my question (considering the original quote), please do advise me on this.


texts: Can anyone help me interpret this phrase "collided with the dirtiest stain on Europe's conscience"?

texts:
Can anyone help me interpret this sentence? I don't understand its meaning.

  But these ideas now collided with the dirtiest stain on Europe's
  conscience.

... Their revolutionary version of the Enlightenment, the equality of man, was also spreading beyond Europe. But these ideas now collided
 with the dirtiest stain on Europe's conscience. ...


texts: What does "happy the man who changes Emma for Harriet" mean?

texts:
From Emma by Jane Austen, Chapter 31, the last paragraph:

  "There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart," said she afterwards to herself. "There is nothing to be compared to it. Warmth and tenderness of heart, with an affectionate, open manner, will beat all the clearness of head in the world, for attraction, I am sure it will. It is tenderness of heart which makes my dear father so generally beloved—which gives Isabella all her popularity.—I have it not—but I know how to prize and respect it.—Harriet is my superior in all the charm and all the felicity it gives. Dear Harriet!—I would not change you for the clearest-headed, longest-sighted, best-judging female breathing. Oh! the coldness of a Jane Fairfax!—Harriet is worth a hundred such.—And for a wife—a sensible man's wife—it is invaluable. I mention no names; but happy the man who changes Emma for Harriet!" [emphasis mine]

What does the last sentence mean? Does it mean "I wish the man who changes Emma for Harriet to be happy" or does it mean "The man who changes Emma for Harriet is happy"?

What does "changes Emma for Harriet" mean? Does it mean "make Emma a better person for Harriet"?

And if you've read the book, who does "the man" refer to? My guess is Mr. Elton because he made Emma see some very good sides in Harriet and appreciate her much more. But I'm not sure if this was what the author meant.

Thank you!


texts: Is it correct from a function's perspective to say "a piece of diamond"?

texts:
I'm designing a test for EFL students, basic level, and one item that refers to uncountable nouns was the following: "When I travel, I only take a piece of _______ for my security." My distractor was "diamond"
—Thanks in advance for your answers.


texts:
what's the meaning of "While this debate is ever unfolding"?

While this debate is ever unfolding, there is yet another boundary, the economic boundary, which divides and develops border identity


texts: Formal equivalent / synonym for the phrase/idiom "winging it"

texts:
I am currently drafting a critical analysis, evaluating the performance of a project I was involved in. One team member on the project was, for lack of a better word, winging it.

They did not understand what their role required and did not follow any established theories, methodologies or principles to achieve their role. They simply turned up each day hoping for the best.

I do not wish to use the phrase "winging it" in my report; is there perhaps a more formal equivalent that I could use or, if not, a formally succinct way to say the same thing?


texts:
What does "in over-the-top mock-sci parody" imply? the excessive parody of Hirst's work of scientific models? My main problem is with the complex word mock-sci in this context.

  Some of Hirst's work was shown at the Gagosian Gallery, New York in 2000 at an exhibition called, in over-the-top mock-sci parody, Theories, Models, Methods, Approaches, Assumptions, Results and Findings.

From Art and Science (2005) by Siân Ede.


texts:
I am really clueless about this one:

  By the time he got his saggy ass to the doctor, he was already lying
  seven with a marshal up his ass.

Can somebody help?

They were talking about golf in this film before. Not sure if related here, though. They are talking about a terminally ill person. But what does that phrase mean?

Thanks so much!


texts: Is there an existent terminology for ironically replacing a word in a phrase with something related that does not sound similar to the original word?

texts:
This is mirrored to the question: "Jokes where you replace a word with something unrelated but similar sounding" (Jokes where you replace a word with something unrelated but similar sounding).

Basically, instead of employing a pun to jokingly exploit words that sound alike but have different meanings, is there something of an anti-pun that exploits words that have the same functionality but do not sound alike?

I became curious while watching my friend's Snapchat story, in which she posted a video of the sky with a song called "Flamin' Hot Cheetos" playing in the background, then a few videos later she posted a video of herself feeding carrots to a horse. The thumbnail of her story was a carrot, so I thought she was going to make a _______ (not a pun... not quite a snowclone... maybe an eggcorn... still something of a joke, but there must be a more accurate word) about "Flamin' Hot Carrots," but she didn't.

(also, in the question, the relation to which I am referring could even simply be due to the nature of its replacement in the phrase, like the fact that Cheetos and Carrots do not sound similar not share similar meanings/functions aside from those highlighted in the joke/pun/snowclone/eggcorn/wordThatIAmTryingToFind)


texts: A single word or phrase when someone pretends to be so close to you

texts:
I know that I came from a country where inventing words or phrase for something is common. I always hear this phrase when they say it:

  you're so feeling close

to denote that someone pretends to be your close friend or vice versa. I'm not just that confident that the usage of this phrase is valid. I believe that we're the only one who used this.

A singled word or phrase will do.


texts:
I know the difference between these verbs, however, I want to know if there are any other words meaning: to approach someone by chance / to stumble upon someone.

I once used confront like this:

  I confronted two Japanese fellows today. (I met them by chance)

And my American friend noted that confront (and also accost) are in an aggressive manner; and that I ought to use approach instead.

Are there any other verbs or expressions with the same meaning, except for  approach, come across, and bump into?


texts:
"Voivode" - is this word used commonly in English? Also others like 'voivodeship' (e.g. for a road)?
Which I personally, as a native Polish speaker, would like to use in the modern context as a reference to provincial roads.


texts: Is the plural form of ID spelled ID's or ID?

texts: How to write or tell that collection of Email ID's has been attached.


texts:
What are the differences between these sentences?

  1) If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.

  2) If I win a lottery, I will buy a house.

  3) If I were to win a lottery, I would buy a house.

  4) If I had won a lottery, I would have bought a house.


texts: What do you call a person who has a relationship with a much younger adult?

texts:
What do I call someone who marries or has a sexual relationship with someone much younger than themselves? Their partner is someone who is at least 18 years old.

The term paedophile is not the correct word, because it refers to minors.


texts: Word for when a problem goes away as soon as you have a solution?

texts:
Is there a word for when a problem goes away as soon as you have found a solution for it?

For example, I finally thought up a counterattack in a hypothetical game, but now none of my opponents are giving me the opportunity to use it.


texts:
I can't remember the president or politician who famously pronounced America as "Amurrica".  I hope someone else can.  As in

  This is Amurrica.

Also, is there a standard, or at least better, way to notate it?

Edit:  Would appreciate first citation and alternative spellings.


texts:
What's the best word (or words) to describe rubber's 'gripping' property that is the opposite of oil's slipperiness?

It's not 'rough', since rubber grips without necessarily being rough.


texts: How would I punctuate the phrase "making that which needs to be better better"? Is this phrase grammatically correct?

texts:
How would I punctuate the phrase "making that which needs to be better better"?

I'm guessing that the phrase is grammatically correct, and that the punctuation is as follows, along with an example sentence this phrase might be a part of:

  I have spent my entire life making that which needs to be better, better.

Is this correct?


texts:
The following passage is from All's Well That Ends Well:

Shee is young, wise, faire,
In these, to Nature shee's immediate heire:
And these breed honour:

According to the research I did on Cambridge dictionary heir is countable. If so, why there is no article before heire? Likewise,
The French finance minister is heir to a tradition of central control that goes back to Louis XIV.


texts:
This post is make of a few related questions.

Q1. Which structure is more preferred?

This method is hard to understand for students.
This method is hard to be understood by students.

Q2. Which structure is more preferred?

This method is hard to comprehend for students.
This method is hard to be comprehend by students.

Q3. In very formal writing is comprehend preferred over understand?

Q4. Is comprehend = understand always (as far as it is related to understanding a method)?


texts: How can I rephrase my sentence and make it a bit shorter?

texts:
Do you have any suggestion on how to I shrink this sentence and write it more concisely?

For instance, each year, during Christmas and new year's holidays, our company integrates its default salary scheme with a bonus salary scheme (called FunPlus) to further stimulate its employees to work harder.


texts:
Consider these occasions where I don't know what word should I use :

  Keep on giving part of your income to charities. It will give your
  money ... and causes your wealth to increase.

and

  Letting disabled people to work for your company will give your wealth
  ... and brings more fortune to you.

I'm not a preacher but I want to know what is a proper word for these situations. Is there any very suitable word to fit into theses sentences ?


texts: Is this a grammatically correct line in a poem: “Will he roll the dice, and follow it to Vegas?”?

texts:
I want to use the following line in a poem: "Will he roll the dice, and follow it to Vegas?"

A couple of things to note; firstly, obviously I'm using "roll the dice" in both a figurative/idiomatic sense (as in taking a risk), and in a somewhat more literal sense (painting the image of the person actually following the dice that have been rolled to Las Vegas). That being said, my confusion here is if I can get away with using "follow it" or if I need to say "follow them" .... As I've read online "dice" traditionally refers to more than one die (i.e., the plural of die), but in the modern usage, "dice" can also be used to refer to the singular (i.e., just one die).

So, it seems like if I was referring to the image of just one die, then the way I phrased it could be correct. However, the image I'm trying to paint is the one usually associated with the phrase "roll the dice" (i.e., rolling two dice)...

So could "follow it" still be considered acceptable in this sense... or would I need to use "follow them"?... And if not referring to the dice themselves, could using, could the "it" be taken to refer to the act of rolling the dice, or would that not work either? Thanks so much in advance!!


texts: The noun that describes the object that is targeting

texts:
I'm looking for a word that I can't seem to find, and I'm struggling with how to find it. I'll use a blank in the place of the word and compare it other grammar to demonstrate what I actually mean:
Take predators and prey for instance:
The predator preys on the target;
The prey is predated by the predator.

Comparing this to the word I'm looking for:
The [blank] targets the target;
The target is targeted by the [blank]

I'm looking for a general word for something that does the targeting. Maybe I'm searching for a word that doesn't exist for a reason?
EDIT
In response to suggestions of 'targeted': it's for a paper, so I wouldn't use a word that isn't in the dictionary. The exact context that I'm trying to use this word in is (in response to 'aimer'):
"There was a strong correlation between the length of the gene and the number of miRNAs that targeted it."
"There was a strong correlation between the length of the gene and the number of targeters it has". This works, but as it doesn't technically exist, and also sounds horrible, it won't suffice.


texts: What is a single word to denote up-to-date-ness that would work in this context?

texts:
I want to add a word to the following list in my sentence to denote "up-to-date-ness" but am struggling to find the word:

  ...and addresses the accuracy, reliability, relevance, <up-to-date-ness> and completeness of data sources...

The best I can think of is "currency", but I'm not sure if there is a better term (that doesn't get confused with a money system).


texts:
While in a conversation about a place xyz which is facing water scarcity, if another place abc is also having water scarcity, which sentence would be correct:-

I know xyz has water scarcity, but is abc too having water scarcity?

I know xyz has water scarcity, but is abc having water scarcity too?


texts: Could someone explain the origin and correct meaning of the phrase "wax and wane"?

texts: Waxing and waning is a phrase less used now but more used many years ago


texts: Why is it "Till death do us part" and not “...does…”

texts:
Why is the verb "do" used in the phrase, Till death do us part, and not "does"?

I also looked in The Free Dictionary, but it didn't explain why

  till death do us part
  A common phrase used in wedding ceremonies indicating that the marriage bond is be intended to last until death. Taken from the marriage liturgy in the Anglican Communion's Book of Common Prayer, the phrase refers to the fact that marriage is seen in the Christian faith as insoluble except by the death of one of the partners. (Also worded as "till death us do part," which is how it is written in the Book of Common Prayer.)


texts:
What does the bold part mean?

  Haeckel’s fabulously illustrated book Art Forms in Nature still
  resonates with delight at the marvels of creation.

Art and Science, by Sîan Ede


texts: When I watch the show Bojack Horseman S01E08, there's a sentence: "Herb Kazzaz, the show's creator, was caught tonight in an LAPD sting on public indecency. " What's the meaning of the word "sting" in this context?


texts: What does "a" and "the" mean before "Billlion" in these contexts?

texts:
I have read two examples about "Billion" word and I got confused with why are existences "a" and " the" in these context. Is it mentioned "definite" and "indefinite" meaing ? I usually see one billion, a million,2 million also ...

Examples-

The Clinton administration last winter assembled the $50 billion emergency bailout package to ease a financial crisis in Mexico.( From Cambridge dictonary )
It is estimated that UK business could save a further $3 billion if they made the effort. (From my book)


texts: The Historical Development of Nouns and Adjectives

texts: Historically speaking, were nouns derived from adjectives or were adjectives derived from nouns?  That is to say, as verbal communication developed which came first:  the noun, or the adjective?


texts: What kind of figurative language is “Clifton loomed like hulking animals.”


texts:
The following paragraph is from the story of Billy, Sally, and Joe:

  Billy and Sally were inside a dark room.
  - Billy yelled "Boo" and scared Sally.
  Then, Joe came in.
  - Hey, boo, come over and sit here with me.

In the first line, I understand that Billy was trying to scare Sally, but in the second line, what was Joe trying to say?


texts:
I'm trying to figure out how to use the word plaintext when it comes to cryptography.

I see different variants of it. Some people use the single-word variant: plaintext.

Others type it as plain text, 2 words.

What is the correct way to use it? Should it be 1 word or 2? And why is this the case?

Does the same go for ciphertext?


texts: Single Word Request - What do you call a person who can drink a lot?

texts: Is there a single word for someone who CAN drink a lot? He is not necessarily an alcoholic, but when he drinks, he can drink everyone under the table.


texts: Is EndDate higher, or later than StartDate?

texts: In technical documentation, where you have two variables, StartDate and EndDate, how do you say that the EndDate must come after StartDate? Do you use the lower-higher or sooner-later comparison? Or is there a more intuitive and understandable way?


texts:
This is an example of simple past usage I stumbled upon on YouTube:

"Sarah and David talked for two hours"

It is not clear to me why present perfect or past continues are not used here instead of past simple or can all of these tenses be used correctly? "For two hours" specifies a duration of time and "for" is also a signal word used in present perfect tense and past continues tense. I thought past simple is used for finished actions, but in this example, the action was in progress. So why is this sentence correct?


texts: "To [put a] boot in the ass to do something" — uncertain meaning

texts:
Could someone explain the meaning of the "to [put a] boot in the ass to do something" idiom? Cambridge Idioms Dictionary only mentions put the boot in as "to make a bad situation worse" and I'm not really sure if this is what I need.

Edit. More precisely, I'm thinking about such an example:

  Does Google need a strong engineer to put boot in ass in developing the next XXX ...


texts:
I'm writing a speech, which has a sentence to the effect of:

Even as COVID-19 continues to cause people to leave the region for cheaper pastures, resulting decreases in expected salary for remote work often underestimate actual decreases in cost of living.

I'm trying to express that one quantity follows another — in this case salaries and cost of living, respectively — but the former often doesn't follow the latter to quite the same magnitude.
Here's a phrase from the sentence above, and a few possible rewordings to better specify the meaning I'm looking for:

decreases in expected salary often underestimate actual decreases in cost of living

as cost of living decreases, so does expected salary, but not as much

as expected salary falls following cost of living, it doesn't decrease to quite the same degree

Non-words that approximate the meaning I'm looking for are:

underproportionalize
underfollow
lagproportion

Trails gets close, but indicates time lag rather than "underproportionalizing".
Is there a word for this, or something close?


texts: What is the meaning of 'Instagrammification' and 'instagrammify'?

texts: I read some post saying Instagrammification. What does it mean? Which situation is it used? Also, what is the meaning the similar word 'Instagrammify'?


texts:
from my Marine Corps days, I recall that "casualty" implies the basic idea of removing a Marine from being an active combatant. This can occur through severe injuries, death, capture, going UA, etc.

The term casualty, then, can apply to deaths and all those other things, lumped into the phrase "non-fatal casualty." Is there a single word that captures that same meaning? I feel that there is, but can't remember! Or, I could simply be wrongly remembering that there was a single word... in which case, curses on getting old.


texts:
I heard someone describing another as "a high and fine person". I couldn't find this phrase online. It is certainly not high and dry as it doesn't fit the context of their conversation. I wonder if it is American slang and what is the meaning of it?

My guess on high and fine is a person with integrity and admirable personalities?

There was an answer posted by a member with quoted Google Source: The O'Ruddy. I don't know why the answer was deleted. I think that answer fits right. High and fine shares the same meaning as well-bred.

Consolidated the sources provided by members for easy reference. Seems like high and fine is used with a positive connotation.

Google Source: The O'Ruddy -- provided by @Mari-Lou A and @Justin

  The crowd was too high and fine; many of the people were altogether too well bred.

Google Source: Mark Twain -- provided by @Mitch

  “High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water; but everybody likes water.” -- Mark Twain

Google Source:

  The commission may issue a liquor retailer's permit only to a high grade club, restaurant, or hotel, which has a high and fine reputation for decency and law obedience. In no case shall a liquor retailer's permit be issued or stand unrevoked if the owner, manager, or management of the establishment is not a person of strict integrity and high repute, or if the premises have been padlocked.


texts: English equivalent of Argentine "persiana"

texts:
While on a mission in Argentina, I encountered a type of window blind system there called a "persiana."  It looked like this:

You tug on the nylon belt to the right to raise and lower the blinds, which are usually made of plastic.  There are holes between the slats to let the air through without letting in lots of light.  They are notorious for being difficult to operate and breaking often, as this one here (the case is missing, probably because we were trying to fix it).

Is there a word for this kind of blind system in English?  I thought about "louver" but that doesn't seem quite right (according to Google Images/Wikipedia).


texts: What is the correct word/term/phrase for "publishing rate"?

texts: If a magazine is published weekly, what is that called? Its "publishing rate" is one week? Its "rate of publishing" is one week? It all sounds wrong.


texts: What does " hand-me-downs of talk" mean ?

texts:
for you to know the context, I am submitting a sentence..
" the collection of more modern hand-me-downs of talk can be found in.... "
what is the meaning of "hand-me-downs of talk" ?


texts: The usage of "but" in non-shift sentence

texts:
I have found a sentence:

  He returned several times to India briefly, but only returned permanently early in 1915.

I believe this sentence does not contain any shift. We can say that

He returned several times to India briefly, and only returned permanently early in 1915.

I do not which know one is correct and why.


texts:
Is there a single word or phrase which can describe a person who is always slightly unsatisfied?

Update: To provide more context, This person is slightly unsatisfied with all things of life. Does too much work and still thinks he is doing less. Takes up a hobby and quickly lose interest wanting more.


texts: Is there a phrase for when a teacher uses an example that they think should be obvious. but the students get it wrong. So the teacher is disappointed in that they've wasted all that time and need to reteach the basic principles again.


texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  where should we use has/have been and had been?

  [Company] had spent previous years a few blocks away from the new location.

This sentence uses "had spent", but to me it looks like "has spent" is grammatical.

What is grammatically correct in American English?

Let me know if any other information is required to answer this question correctly.

Can you provide some example that which one is correct in which case and when? A generic help even if a link to online resource will be helpful.


texts: In "Please find attached invoice number A123", what is the part of speech of "number A123"?

texts: The title says it all. Thanks in advance for any information!


texts:
Is the semicolon in the following sentence misused?

  How can I miss you; we've never met?

I feel that the sentence, to be grammatically correct, must be split into its individual parts.


texts: Is 'similarly' okay in this sentence? On my matura exam only 'similar' was accepted. I think that both are correct

texts:
Several governments have now begun treating the selfie as a serious threat to public
safety, leading them to launch public education campaigns (21) ________ to those
against smoking and binge drinking.


texts: What do you call a set of objects that trigger a sequence of events?

texts:
I really have no idea how to address it, but basically it is when someone, for example, makes a track for a ball, which leads to the ball hitting a standing hammer, which upon contact, swings around a pivot, smashing a bucket of glass, which pours water into ... etc.

Is it a machine? Sometimes it doesn't service a purpose. Actually, most of the time, it's just for amusement. What do you call that thing?


texts:
In the sentence:

  That was my very first phone.

should the words "very" and "first" be hyphenated?

I've read that "first" and "ever" should be hyphenated, but what about "very" and "first"?


texts: Why did the word "Internet" change from a noncount to count noun?

texts:
I remember a time back in 1993 - 1994 for a couple months at our university the Internet was used as a noncount noun, so we would say:

  Do you have Internet at your university?

In fact, the Internet has a lot of similarities to electricity and we would say:

  Do you have electricity in your house?

But gradually other people just started to say "the Internet" and so our little group at the university followed suit and never thought about it again.

Does anyone remember any official journalistic decision on this, or was our group just an early anomaly?


texts:
I've recently been having diarrhea and may be calling in sick to work tomorrow.  I work at a small company, so typically this involves emailing my manager and team with something like this:

  Hi team, I seem to have caught the flu that's going around my son's day care.  I'll be working from home today so I don't get anyone else sick.

In this case I was looking for a similar way to communicate with my manager/coworkers without grossing them out, but still making it clear that it's really in everyone's best interest for me to stay home.


texts:
When writing a message on a plaque using multiple lines to communicate the message, is it appropriate to capitalize the first word of each line, even if the line is a continuation of a sentence shown on the prior line?  Example:

  To Management and Staff of ABC Company,
  For your valued partnership and
  Creativity in development of new
  Technology that will improve the
  Lives of transplant patients all
  Around the world, we express our
  Deepest gratitude and appreciation,
  On the occasion of ABC's 20th Anniversary.
  Presented June 5, 2013, in Los Angeles California

Additional question:  Would "Anniversary" be capitalized since it is an event being recognized?  And, would there not be a comma between Los Angeles and California?
This is similar to wording I received from management to use on an appreciation plaque—I'd like to get it right, whether I'm right or they're right.


texts: "Britain’s recovery outstrips the world"

texts:
The title of one of the leading articles in today's (London's) Times is:

  Britain’s recovery outstrips the world

Shouldn't it be Britain's recovery outstrips the world's?


texts:
I just published a "read me" file with a piece of software I wrote. In the file, I describe an interaction between the user and the computer:

Simply run:
tpot http localhost:8080
and you shall be greeted:
tpot connected | https://nz2v6g7o.tpot.sgnl24.com

My friend believes the word "with" is necessary between "greeted" and the colon. I believe it is not.
Is it, and why or why not?
(Also, I'm not entirely sure what tag is most appropriate.)


texts: If 1 is primary, 2 is secondary, 3 is tertiary, what is 0?

texts:
As the question states: 1 is primary, 2 is secondary, and so on.

Given this pattern, what is 0? I've heard zeronary and nullary but I have no idea which is correct (if either). I've heard zeronary used in software documentation to refer to a set of data points equal to zero but never in actual conversation, and I'm struggling to think of when you'd even be able to use it.


texts:
What does the word down-level mean?

I read an article here and it says:

  But the versions for some browsers (like IE 10) aren't within those
  ranges any more. Therefore, ASP.NET sees them as unknown browsers and
  defaults to a down-level definition, which has certain inconveniences,
  like that it does not support features like JavaScript.


texts: Is there an adjective, stronger than "simplistic", that would fit here?

texts:
The IHO stated: “Courts in the Second Circuit have uniformly held that an ‘adverse effect on a student’s educational performance’ encompasses only academic performance and does not encompass social/behavioral functioning.”  But it would be _____________ to assume that every historically important legal precedent applies equally to every student.

Simplistic isn't judgmental enough.  I need something stronger.


texts: What is a better word for "works with" or "supplements"?

texts:
Situation: A device does not require other special devices but works with standard equipment (and requires it to function properly). It is more that the device supplements the other devices.

I am now looking for a different way to express something like this:

  ... and does therefore work with standard equipment.

Is there any better word for this?


texts: Need help constructing consistent sentences, and naming parts

texts:
I'm a software developer and I'm trying to write a consistent "grammar" for an audit log feature. An Audit log is basically a list of actions that happened in the past.

As it's a part of the database I need consistent naming for the parts of the sentences. Now I'm not natively english, so I could use some help.

In each example sentence below I appended a number to some words. Each of these words should be of the same "type" (e.g.: subject, object, ... other).

Anna[1] created[2] the_comment[4] on the_article[3]
Mark[1] voted[2] on the video[3]
Jessy[1] signed_in[2]
John[1] added[2] Jessy[4] to the list[3]
Anna[3] was blocked[2] by Dick[1]
Louis[1] replied[2] to the_conversation[3] with his_message[4]

I'm pretty sure 1: is the subject, and 2: is the verb.
However I don't know how I should name 3 and 4, and I have a suspicion some sentence constructions should change.

Could you help me out?


texts: Single word to describe "fixed" and "variable"?

texts: In economics there are things such as "fixed" and "variable" costs. In math there are "fixed" and "variable" slopes. Is there a single word that's best to describe both of the terms at once? I've come up with measurability, gradient, and quantifiability, but I don't feel super comfortable with any of them. An example in Economics would be "The ____ of the cost is fixed."


texts: Is there a word for the decoration on top of a building?

texts: Is there a word that means "the thingy on top of the building"? Like the crescent on a mosque or the cross on a church or the weather-vane on a barn?


texts: An idiom meaning a thing that was costly to create and is now costly to maintain.

texts:
Example usage:

  This project is something of [noun] - we spent six months building it, and now it's functional, but there are several things that require tweaking and maintenance to make it really professional.

I don't necessarily mean that the project is overall a waste of resources - just that it's costly.


texts: What is the meaning of " intrajudicial"?

texts:
I'm using the website Vocabulary.com to enlarge my vocals. Here is the question I really stuck on:

  Fill the blank

  An intrajudicial spat highlights a debate over the right to privacy and the ________ of cameras in the courtroom.

  (1) Defiance

  (2) humility

  (3) propriety

  (4) breadth

The right one is (3)propriety.

Here is my confusion:

(1) What is the meaning of "intrajudicial"?

Google works for  "extrajudicial"   which means:
(i)  not forming a valid part of regular legal proceedings

(ii)  delivered without legal authority

I know there must be something opposition between two words but I still can't guess a appropriate meaning for this one and so get no idea what "intrajudicial spat" stands for.

(2) Please tell me the whole meaning of sentence.

Thanks in advance


texts:
What's this reportedly AmEng usage of fracture to mean go beyond the limits of (as rules); violate (M-W), as in "This writer fractured the English language with malaprops"?
How does this word differ from violate?
e.g.

I merely fractured/violated copyright law.

Also, can it be used interchangeably as a noun for violation; transgression; infringement? (See synonyms for breach)
e.g.

It is a "fracture" (violation) of international law to use evidence that is the product of torture in a UK criminal prosecution.
She had said that the "fracture" (transgression) was all the more shocking because the official was charged with enforcing federal laws against sexual harassment.
Necessity is the plea for every "fracture" (infringement) of human freedom.

fracture

: U.S.: enfreindre (la loi, etc.) : Eng. contravene (the law, etc.)
fractured the law Google Search
fractured the rules Google Search
Many of them drink before they are twenty-one, and thus violate the law of most states, but often their liquor is served to them by their parents or their parents' friends. The debutante parties given by the leading citizens of society fracture the law spectacularly in this particular regard. ABA Journal

Source: Harrap's New Shorter French and English Dictionary, Ed. 1985

: to disrupt or destroy as if by breaking: fractured the delicate balance of power.
: to abuse or misuse flagrantly, as by violating rules: ignorant writers who fracture the language.
fractured the language Google Search

AHD

:  to go beyond the limits of (as rules) :  violate : fractured the English language with malaprops — Goodman Ace
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE January 26, 1995 Page 8 of 10
SENATOR AL BISHOP questioned why anyone under 21 was not at the hearing testifying about their rights. Ms. Agather stated that this is final week in Kalispell so the young adults who wanted to be at the hearing with her could not attend. SENATOR BISHOP questioned whether Mr. Campbell was saying that the Constitution should not be changed for any reason. SENATOR BISHOP felt that the Constitution is a document that should grow along with the people. Mr. Campbell stated that all people should be treated equally under the Constitution. He would rather see all gambling banned instead of fracturing people's rights. SENATOR BISHOP maintained that in 1972 we did not have legalized gambling in Montana. Mr. Campbell stated the Constitution banned it completely. There was a side issue asking whether the people wanted the legislature to regulate gambling or not. The people said "yes". courts.mt.gov

M-W

: to violate or abuse : This writer really fractures the language
syn. abuse, misuse, pervert - change the inherent purpose or function of something

WordNet by Farlex


texts: Difference between "will now be" and "is going to be"

texts:
What is the difference between "will now be" and "is going to be"?

Just to provide you some contest:

  The memory will now be deallocated.

vs.

  The memory is going to be deallocated.


texts: Any idioms that describe actions now that will benefit yourself in the future?

texts:
In regards to the concept of caring about your future self, a simple example being not staying up late drinking so in the morning you don't/your future self doesn't feel awful for work. Is there some phrase that handily captures or illustrates this? Especially if its something that somehow emphasizes the building of the habit and return over time (the more you don't stay up late, the more consistent/reliable for work you are).

The closest I could think of was someone I once heard using "cast your bread upon the waters" and describing how the waves bring it back. Presumably you could consistently cast bread and so receive consistent bread returns at opportune moments but who wants soggy bread (or maybe I don't appreciate this phrase well enough).

To be clear I'm not thinking in terms of literal investment, or at least basic savings/interest idioms don't seem to suit. "A penny saved is a penny earned" for example doesn't quite seem to fit, but if there's something relatively broad that's similar I'm open to it.

This is also not a one time thing like What is it called when you do something once and benefit from it for a long time or forever


texts: Does it mean that you no longer want someone, or that you have to leave someone, like it or not?


texts: What is the best English translation for "Mittagsmenü" (German)?

texts:
I've been looking around but it seems there is no single word or phrase which translates "Mittagsmenü" - at least not literally.

"Mittagsmenü" - as I understand it - is some kind of "special offer". It's not a la card thus it's cheaper. Usually those "Mittagsmenüs" are for working people who just go out for lunch.

If I had to guess I'd go for "lunch menu" but it does not seem very common. The reason I ask is because I am trying to optimize my website for search engines and it can be advantageously to have describing URLs. That's how I arrive here.


texts: Dropping articles: "I have a little brother and little sister." - is this correct?

texts:
I teach ESL online through a company which provides materials. One sentence given is
"I have a little brother and little sister."
When I read this aloud to the student, I automatically added "a" little sister. Can anyone tell me if it is ok to drop the second article "a" in the original sentence?
Edited to add: I wonder if there is any US English / British English distinction here? I'm British.
(I've googled this question but can't find any info on it, it's hard to define the problem. But I searched for both sentences in quotes and the one with two articles has about double the number of search results as the original with the missing article.)
thanks, Rob


texts: What's a word for someone being a tease or playful?

texts:
Is there a "clean" (non-sexual) word for someone who acts all playful and provocative just so they can get your attention and your compliments?

I guess coquettish comes close, but its meaning seems to be sexual in nature (akin to "tease").


texts: What's a word for someone who goes past their limits?

texts:
My friend and I have been struggling to find one word for this trait!

Essentially it's someone who goes past their limits, thus experiencing intense burnout and potential consequences afterwards. They may or may not be aware of their existing limits, but they nevertheless push past them, perhaps in the heat of the moment.

As an example, take the person who is experiencing intense burnout because they partied too hard for their body to handle, so they're needing to take the next day to recharge and rejuvenate.

I know words like rash exist, but they seem too broad for this phenomenon.

Thanks!


texts: Have I not understood what "several" means?

texts:
This figure can be derived by assuming that out of the 42 million bitcoin wallet addresses on the blockchain, several are no longer in use and that many users occupy several wallets.

Emphasis mine. This is just one example of countless where I've seen "several" used in a bizarre context.
42 million addresses and "several" are no longer in use? Um... What? When I hear or read "several", I think "two, three or maybe four". Not millions upon millions as must be the case here. In fact, what do they even mean by "in use"? You are supposed to use one receive address for each transaction. That's how Bitcoin is correctly used. Re-using the same one twice is considered fundamentally breaking the protocol, although it's still done by extremely careless people, or when it's necessary due to technical restrictions, such as it being printed in a magazine for accepting donations.
Can "several" mean "any number" now? Has that always been the case? Why do they use "several" when they mean "tons" or "many"? It really pisses me off to hear words used all wrong like this, but I'm still wondering if it may be right and I've just fundamentally misunderstood the word?
Note also that they then use "several" properly just a few words later...
Several people are alive on Earth. Several stars exist in the universe. Several rocks are found around mountains.


texts: What do you call a sentence fragment when it's appended to an independent clause?

texts: For example, in a sentence like "He spoke softly, his voice barely audible over the dull roar of the ship's engine" what do you call the thing that comes after the comma? Is this even grammatical?


texts:
When speaking of gangs of people like vikings, should the word be capitalized? For example:

  In the 8th century, the vikings sacked Lindisfarne.

Should the word "vikings" be capitalized in the sentence above?


texts: Origin and exact meaning of "taken to the cleaners"

texts:
I know the meaning of this phrase by context, but the German analogs are no literal translations of this phrase and very dissimilar metaphors, meaning roughly:

  being tricked into something being pretty unprofitable for you (deal, duty or else)

A short Google search didn't show in-depth explanations. What is "cleaners" referring to here? Is this American or British English and in which branch arose this phrase?


texts: What or who does 'the rick-thatcher' refer to in Middlemarch by George Eliot?

texts:
Here is the full quotation:

No matter what a man is—I wouldn’t give twopence for him”—here Caleb’s mouth looked bitter, and he snapped his fingers—“whether he was the prime minister or the rick-thatcher, if he didn’t do well what he undertook to do.


texts: Using colours as noun - are these sentences appropriate?

texts:
I'm trying to be a bit artistic with my descriptions and am trying to use the below sentence constructs. Although I'm not sure how correct they are.

A black streaked in the distance
To mean - A crow/raven flew across his field of vision.

and

The fighter held a silver which shone like the edge of a blade.
To mean - The fighter held a weapon similar to a sword but not quite
so.

I have tried to search for similar sentences but have not found any proper matches.


texts:
There are a number of colloquial expressions common to my area (see here, for example).  I'm relatively recent to the area, so there are a number of expressions that just sound unnatural to me.  However, I'm not certain of this one.

I'm used to saying "I'll be done soon," or "will you be done soon?"  Yet the phrasing I hear most often around here is "will you be soon done?" or "I'll be soon done."  Which is grammatically correct?  Is one a colloquialism?


texts: I am writing scientific paper and try to explain to reviewers that the range of velocities is getting smaller(2820-5620,then 3000-5400). How to say this in a proper manner?


texts:
In the King James Bible, Matthew 24:7 states:

  For nation shall rise against nation,
  and kingdom against kingdom: and there
  shall be famines, and pestilences, and
  earthquakes, in divers places.

What does the term 'divers places' mean?


texts: Should the modal verbs be written in lowercase or uppercase in a title?

texts:
Let us take this title for example, " The Cars should Be sold in Three Years".
If lowercase or uppercase rules are from the Chicago Manual of Style, the word should is lowercase or uppercase?

I have browsed this website and seen Which words in a title should be capitalized?, but the answers there do not mention modal verbs.


texts: Where do people use a state, city format instead of a city, state format for written locations?

texts: I have received a number of emails in which the sender says they are from “state, city”. It strikes me as odd since the convention in most English-speaking countries is “city, state”. In what countries is the “state, city” format common?


texts: What do you call a person who is utterly independent and a loner?

texts:
I was just in the midst of writing a description for a story I am writing, and I'm trying to describe one of the characters, or more rather think of a word I could use to describe them.

They are independent, they do everything by themselves, they enjoy solitude, and believe that friends or socialization is unnecessary and causes nothing but issues. They are quite egotistical and quite narcissistic because of this, but I'm looking for a word that explains their need to do everything alone.

If this helps, my sentence is as follows, or something along those lines:

  Marina is a proud _____, she believes that buddies are for weak people, and she could very well cope on her own.


texts: Indefinite article with fuel and pleasure

texts:
Is food fuel or pleasure for you?

Do we need indefinite article in the question?
Can we really count pleasure/pleasures or fuel/fuels?
Your considerations please!


texts: They were astoundingly popular in the 18th Century. They were clunky and not at all comfortable, I'll bet, those shoes. But that's not the point. The point is, what is this type of heel called?


texts:
If a woman keeps her maiden name what is the proper way to address her?

Mrs, Ms, or Miss?

I have seen it done multiple ways, but am unsure what is the proper way.


texts:
I have just seen the following sentence fragment in some new internal technical documentation:

  ... thereby meaning the Logging thread(s) ha(s/ve) less work to do.

I've highlighted the part this question is about. This pattern appears a number of times in the documentation. While from a technical standpoint it makes sense as it enumerates all the possible permutations, it seems less readable to me.

The target audience is technical but don't all have English as a first language so I would like to make it as easy to read/skim through as possible.

What is the best way to deal with this situation? Always use the plural form? The singular? Something else?

A little clarification based on some of the answers/comments so far: the application in question is multi-threaded and the degree of parallelism is configurable (so one to n). Also Logging was given only as an example. There are other parts that are equally capable of being parallelised, so answers shouldn't focus on the feasibility of multiple logging threads.


texts: The relation of a person you share a half-sibling with

texts:
My parents, Bianca and Ivan, are currently married and have always been since I was born.

Bianca had a previous relationship with Henry with whom she had a son named John, thus John and I are half-brothers. John has two other half-brothers named David and Santiago, they all share the same father but I do not have any parents in common them.

Ivan (my birth-father) had a previous relationship with Alicia and they have two sons named Frank and Ernst, so Frank and Ernst are my half-brothers. Ivan also had a relationship with Katy and they have a daughter named Pamela, so Pamela and I are half-siblings. Pamela also has a half-sister named Merari because they have the same birth-mother.

Merari, Santiago, and David and I are not blood-related, but they share the same half-siblings with me.

Is there a name for this relationship? I’m just curious.


texts: "Committed to achieve"? (from Instagram bio of WHO)

texts:
With all that's going on right now (i.e. the COVID-19 pandemic), Instagram has decided to promote a few accounts whose information it deems factual. One such account is that of the World Health Organization. Such a large and pertinent organization could be reasonably expected to ensure that their social media content is grammatically sound, right?

Here is their bio:

  We are the #UnitedNations' health agency. We are committed to achieve better health for everyone, everywhere.

My ears, my mother, and Grammarly all tell me it should read:

  We are the #UnitedNations' health agency. We are committed to achieving better health for everyone, everywhere.

Is it possible that both are correct, or do the social media managers for the WHO need some English lessons?

Relevant Ngram


texts: About the word "race" when talking about bike headset

texts:
I can't find any definition of "race" in its use for example on this page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headset_(bicycle_part)
on Cambridge or Oxford dictionaries...
Someone can tell me where this word comes from ?


texts: I think in the phrase "a professional climatologist whose talents reaches far beyond that field" should be "whose talents reach" or "whose talent reaches." Am I right? If so, what is the grammar rule in play here? Thanks!


texts:
For this:

  google book
  "With one hand on the small of her back, and another just a bit lower, he urged her against him again. The woman was melting his resolve and calling into question his honorable intentions."

What is "urge her against him"?  Dictionaries don't say anything about "urge against".


texts:
How is the correct way in written English language: +100 or 100+?
Thank you


texts: Use of singular they for specific person

texts:
The following quotes are from the Wikipedia article.
It seems to me that they all use "they" for a generic person.
For example, in the Chesterfield's example: "If a person is born of a . . . gloomy temper . . . they cannot help it.",
"a person" appears to be singular but it represents any person.
It is essentially plural.

'Tis meet that some more audience than a mother, since nature makes them partial,
 should o'erhear the speech."— Shakespeare, Hamlet (1599);

"If a person is born of a . . . gloomy temper . . . they cannot help it."— Chesterfield, Letter to his son (1759);

"Now nobody does anything well that they cannot help doing"— Ruskin, The Crown of Wild Olive (1866);
"Nobody in their senses would give sixpence on the strength of a promissory note of the kind."— Bagehot, The Liberal Magazine (1910);

"I would have every body marry if they can do it properly."— Austen, Mansfield Park (1814);

Caesar: "No, Cleopatra. No man goes to battle to be killed."
Cleopatra: "But they do get killed"
—Shaw, Caesar and Cleopatra (1901);

"A person can't help their birth."— W. M. Thackeray, Vanity Fair (1848);

"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another . . ." —United States Declaration of Independence;

My question
Is the use of singular they in the following passage grammatically correct?

Someone was approaching my room.
I could see that they were alone judging from their footsteps.
They knocked on my door. I didn't answer. They knocked again. I still didn't answer so they left.


texts: What would be an appropriate phrase that indicates something has been used too much

texts:
For example, let's say someone describes a simple physical theory and uses mathematics heavily in their description, in such a way that it makes the whole description quite confusing.
I want to say something like, "s/he has beaten the shit out of mathematics in her/his description" to indicate they have used mathematics unnecessarily much.
What would be possible phrases that can be used in such a situation.
I'm looking more for slang than formal language.


texts: Do I need to repeat the preposition "for" to keep this sentence parallel?

texts:
Option A: Several Pentagon contractor firms are working on a new class of ventilator masks, not just for emergency and cleanup workers but to prepare for outbreaks of dangerous viruses and for still another growing threat: the accidental releases of nanoparticles, the infinitesimal and engineered fibers.
vs.
Option B: Several Pentagon contractor firms are working on a new class of ventilator masks, not just for emergency and cleanup workers but to prepare for outbreaks of dangerous viruses and still another growing threat: the accidental releases of nanoparticles, the infinitesimal and engineered fibers.
Is the "for" necessary? Can it be omitted?
Thank you!


texts: What does one call the twisting of a proper name into a pejorative?

texts: For example, in politics one sees Obummer, John Boner, Mittens R-money


texts: "Having Too Much Feather in His Brain"--H.H. Asquith's Remark About Gen. Sir Ian Hamilton

texts: Prior to Sir Ian Hamilton's appointment by Kitchener as Commander-in-Chief Dardanelles Campaign, P.M. H. H. Asquith said Hamilton 'has too much feather in his brain'. I think it's related to Hamilton's reputation as a scholar/soldier who spoke several languages, dabbled in art, poetry and music--an officer not cast in the usual military mold of the time, and therefore suspect. I'm wondering if this is what it means and if the phrase is in current use.


texts: I have always thought the word went indicated, more or less, something purposely done; yet, it is now used when there is no idea how something disappeared.


texts:
The expression is so common I thought there was a word for it.

I was surprised to find none on Thesaurus (none of the words are related to "giving new information").

Is there any word for "bad news"?


texts: Comma Galore. How do I punctuate “however” in this sentence?

texts:
The importance of this piece, however, is probably better demonstrated in how much it has assisted me to be a photographer.

Maybe it should be like this?

The importance of this piece, however is probably better demonstrated in how much it has assisted me to be a photographer.


texts: Do we ask for check or cheque in restaurants?

texts:
I know there is a related question asked here. But its slightly different than it and seeking more information.

I live in India, I have been to America couple of times. In my first trip it was surprising to see people asking for "check" instead of "bill". I have been told by my friend that here (in America) they call it "check". I assumed may be it arosed from "check-out".

After some days another friend told me that it's "cheque", not "check" and he elaborated that just like how a banker pays money in return of cheque.

After reading few answers/question and links given in the relative question, I really made a conclusion that which one is correct to use because I doubt only one has to be correct and remaining evolved by misinterpretation because "check" and "cheque" sound the same?


texts:
Recently my preschooler's teacher started teaching kids that they should be "brave of" something and not "afraid of" it. Maybe it is simply because "brave of" is never used, but that syntax strikes me as off. Unfortunately, I can't quite articulate why. So, I would like to know:

Is that syntax incorrect?
Why is it incorrect/incorrect?

My guess is that the implication of "brave of" is that the item is the cause of bravery (thus "brave of the dark" actually means, "brave because of the dark"). Perhaps because "of" can mean "from"?


texts: What is the difference between "How long would" vs "How long will"?

texts:
What is the difference  between
1-"How long would a train take to arrive here?"    and
2-"How long will a train take to arrive here?"
In what situation should I use the above sentences? These sentences just came into my mind so I can't provide you their context. If you know in what context I should use them, then feel free to provide it.


texts: What is the tense of the verb that goes in "I wish I would do something that ..." ? (I wish I would buy him a present that he likes/liked.)

texts:
I was watching a TV show, and this girl said:

  I just wish that once, I'd bring a guy home that they actually liked.

Shouldn't it be like this? :

  I just wish that once, I'd bring a guy home that they actually like.

Didn't she mean 'I wish they'd like my future boyfriends'?

I think this is OK:

  I just wish that once, I brought a guy home that they actually liked.

But the way she said it sounds strange to me.


texts:
What is meant by "failed of late" in the following:

"How is your mother, Diana? Dear me, but she has
failed of late. She looks terrible run down."

?


texts: I don't understand the phrase "Just as . . . so."

texts:
Here is my example (from an SAT question):

  Just as Ireland has produced many famous writers and the Netherlands an abundance of famous painters, so Finland has provided a large number of famous architects

I don't understand the use of "so" here, could someone please explain what the use of this phrase means? Thanks


texts: An adjective to describe a question with an ostensibly simple answer

texts:
In other words, the correct answer to the question is actually NOT the simple answer that first comes to mind.

I remember coming across the word a few years back but have forgotten it since. If memory serves, the word begins with "in-". But I could very well be wrong.

Would be grateful to have your suggestions. Thanks! :)


texts: What's the exact meaning of "make to a budget"

texts:
The sentence is as follows:

This isn't just an Apple tablet made to a budget

Am I correct in assuming it means:

This isn't a cheap tablet made within certain budgetary constraints so that you can buy it for exactly ... dollars?


texts:
Can the word realpolitik correctly be used to describe how a country deals with its citizens, or only between countries to describe a form of diplomacy?

If not, what word best describes my example?


texts: I know that proof readingis when someone read an article over and over again to fix grammar mistake(s) and or spelling error(s). But I am somehow confused that what the difference is with copy-editing? Is there something additional in copy-editing or is it something entirely different?


texts: What would you call in English a forbidden or restricted language?

texts:
In some cults or religions only the upper echelons are allowed to use a particular parlance, usually arcane, sometimes truly ancient and long since dead.

Spanish, French and Italian have fairly satisfactory adjectives for such a language, respectively "iniciático", "initiatique" and "iniziatico" (close relatives). German uses somewhat less efficiently the prefix "Initiations-".

The closest term I could find in English so far is "initiatory", whose definition though seems to diverge slightly from the meaning I'm looking for, allegedly referring to something leading to the initiation rather than something you achieve only once you become an Adept.

Can anyone suggest a better word?


texts: Is "that" necessary in the following case?

texts:
If there's wasn't a mess in the morning, it would indeed mean (that)
  she'd been sleepwalking.

Do I need the that there? Why or why not?


texts: Can "fornicate" be used as a transitive verb?

texts:
(I’m asking this for someone else who doesn’t know about this site (yet).)

Could fornicate be used as a transitive verb, as in

  We have to keep A from fornicating B.

I don’t believe it can.


texts:
The directions for use and warnings are printed on the tube or in the tube?
Which one, on or in is correct?


texts: 'If only youthness may come back a day so I may lament to it the grayness'

texts:
Arabic poetry
يا ليت الشباب يعود يوما، لأخبره بما فعل المشيب

If only youthness may come back a day, so I may (complain/unbosom my feelings to it/tell it/lament to it/open my heart so it may sympathise with me/feel what I am feeling) what the grayness (signifies being old) has done.'

I just want to note that it's so eloquent in Arabic and so colourful because youthness is (Shabab meaning the youth) and grayness is (Masheeb). There's a similarity in the way it is pronounced and written. Gives it an extra spice. Maybe as english speakers, you can't see it but in Arabic it's extremely colourful.

Any idiom, proverb or piece of poetry suchlike?
It's said as a lamentation about what being old has done, limiting one's options & not being able to do and enjoy what one used to do in dint of ailment or inability. It may also be said as a yearning to something pleasurable that happened in the past & is now unreturnable.


texts: If multiple people each have a first child, are those children collectively referred to as first children or first childs? The former seems more consistent with the usual plural of child, but the latter also seems plausible, since a given person only has a single first child.


texts:
The discussion-topic/chatter/buzz that has everyone interested or excited but is also constrained to a certain location.

Examples:

  After winning the super bowl, the Eagles were the talk of the town in Philly.
  The new statue in the park is the talk of the town.

A single word preferably, but not necessarily.


texts:
What is the meaning of the expression "as for others" in the sentence bellow:

  God does not have such a love for them
  as for others


texts:
A book divided in several chapters/topics, can also be considered to be divided in categories (or have categories)?

Not sure if category can be used in this case, or if it should only be used in the context of category theory.


texts:
Vegetarian, non-vegetarian and in-between...?

Is there a word in-between "vegetarian" and "non-vegetarian"? Is there a different type of style of eating?

I want to know the word in English.


texts: "He was playing when he fell" or "he fell when he was playing"?

texts:
Which one is correct?

  He fell down when he was playing in the field.
  He was playing in the field when he fell down.

Why?


texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  “The news is good.” Why?

Does one ask "What are the news" or "What is the news"? Or are both correct in different situations?


texts: How could I simplify or shorten this compound sentence involving "for which"?

texts:
I'm cannot figure out how to express a sentence I am writing. I want to tell my school they should have received my transcript since another school has and I ordered for both schools at the same time.
Here's how it goes.

The transcript was ordered awhile ago and another institute for which I ordered a transcript at the same time has received it last Thursday.

The sentence sounds incorrect, lengthy, and confusing. I'm not against splitting it into two simpler ones. I'm curious as to how one could write it beautifully.


texts:
I've noticed that some people use words or phrases like can, could, seems like, it's likely, some people think, etc when they're talking and this makes it harder dispute what they're saying or arguing. In a way, they're much less likely to be wrong since they're not committing that much to what they're saying. I was wondering if there is word to describe this behavior.

For example, let's say you believe in some statement A. Instead of saying "A is true", you say "A is very likely to be true". This way, if someone says "A is not true because X, Y, Z" you can say "I didn't say it was true, I said it is very likely to be true. Therefore I wasn't wrong". This way you can get the same point across and not risk being wrong.


texts: What is the short phrase meaning: "an accent dulled due to living abroad"?

texts:
I lived abroad between the ages of 12-17 and due to regular "Could you repeat that?"s, my otherwise broad accent became more posh so that I was understood more easily.

Now people usually still know that I'm from Newcastle, UK, but often comment that my Geordie accent isn't particularly strong.

I'm sure there's a two-word phrase to describe this phenomenon, but I can't put my finger on it. I recall the phrase being armed-force-related since this might often happen to families posted abroad. Something similar to "army accent", but that doesn't sound quite right to me.

What is the short phrase meaning "an accent that has become less pronounced due to living abroad" please?


texts:
How does "would" work in the following sentences? Is "would" tentative or hypothetical situation here?

Any advice that you give would be appreciated.

-Regarding the "Glorious is God" example. The term for this would be copular inversion (the inflected form of "to be" is the copula).


texts: What does it mean?: "no land mammal lives longer"

texts:
Does this mean that any mammal lives longer? What does it mean by "no land mammal," then?

  Graunt’s book is a glimpse of the suddenness and terror of death
  before modern medicine. It came early, too: until the 20th century,
  the average human lived about as long as a chimpanzee. Today science
  and economic growth mean that no land mammal lives longer. Yet an
  unintended consequence has been to turn dying into a medical
  experience.

How to have a better death, April 29 Issue, The Economist
http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21721371-death-inevitable-bad-death-not-how-have-better-death


texts: StackExchange's tag "synonyms" aren't. What should they be called?

texts:
StackExchange sites use tags to help users sort, search, group and filter the large volume of questions and answers.

Sometimes there are cases where a tag has a common misspelling, or a meaning similar to another more common tag, or describes a (non-useful) subset of the things described by another tag.  Because SE wants tags to be as useful as possible, and used as uniformly as possible, it provides a mechanism to automatically turn the less useful of a pair of tags into the more useful of that pair.  StackExchange calls these tag pairs tag synonyms and provides a user interface where high-rep users can propose new synonyms for a tag.  Here's an example of the current user interface (from the Computer Science StackExchange).

Personally, I can't tell whether it has been proposed that notation be used instead of terminology or that terminology be used instead of notation.  And apparently no-one else can figure it out either, because this user interface is used wrong-way-around about as often as it is used as intended.  Part of the problem is with the use of the term synonym.  A synonym is

  a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language [Google].

That is, synonymity is an equivalence relation.  In particular synonymity is symmetric.  Given a pair of tags a and b, "a is a synonym for b" implies  "b is a synonym for a."  But that's not how StackExchange tag "synonyms" work.  The system is supposed to either automatically convert b into a (always) or automatically convert b into a (always).  That is, it's a hierarchy.

What term(s) should StackExchange be using here?

(Just for the record there is apparently another place, in the StackExchange moderator tools, where they use non-symmetric terminology, but it is still not clear which way the replacement is intended.  See https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/142891/fixing-the-sucktastic-merge-ui-for-tags.)


texts: In English language acquisition, is it really important to stick to any standard accent?

texts: English, as a global language, has unavoidably a lot of varieties. When we learn English do we really have to stick to one specific variety ? If yes why and which?


texts:
The following is a dialogue of an animated movie (A bug's life), I don't understand why one of them says "Is too" instead of saying "it is". Is a this a natural way of responding and insisting on what you're implying?

  -Oh, being little's not such a bad thing.
  +Yes, it is.
  -No, it's not.
  +Is too!
  -Is not.
  +Is too.
  -Is not.
  +Is too.


texts: What does it mean? "obtaining the correct papers"

texts:
I think it should be an idiom or sth like that. It has been used in the answer of this question:
What is difficult when living in a different country?


texts: Can I end a sentence with "not on a par"?

texts:
Can I end the below sentence with "on a par"?

  Researchers have the ability to get all the data, however, the ability to make conclusions using that data is not on a par.

I intended to say that researchers have powerful equipment for data mining, but they do not have the necessary skills to use that data in research.

Can I end it as shown above or should I change it to "not on a par with..."? Please help.


texts: Are there other words in American English that use the same vowel sound as the "as" in "Pasta"?

texts:
Obviously, pasta is a loanword, but generally loanwords are pronounced with the closest vowels which already exist in the language.

In American English, the "a" in pasta is the same vowel that I hear in RP British English words like "grass", "fast" and "arm".  Which is strange, because that isn't how Americans pronounce words with a long a sound in RP such as "fast", "last" and "bath".

In British English, "pasta" has a short A. In my dialect, there is no trap-bath split, so I pronounce "pasta" the same as I would words such as "past" and "cast".

I asked in the original question if pasta had the same vowel as "lost" and "mop".  The answer seems to have been no, but that it is the same vowel as father.

This is a little confusing, and I understand that most American accents have a "father-bother" merger, so it's confusing to me that pasta does share a vowel with father, but not with lost

In order to narrow it down, in terms of their vowels,  how does the following list fit together in the majority of American Accents (I've grouped them based on my accent)

  calm
     father

  bother
     mop
     lost
     on

  fast
     pasta

(I've left out "caught" words, as I don't think it's relevant here, but if I'm wrong and should have chosen some different words, then please do correct me).


texts: What's the correct form of this verb, "speculated"?

texts:
in this sentence, how do you analyse the correct form and meaning of the verb "speculated"?

The police speculated that the young elk might have been disoriented....

I thought it was intransitive, but now I'm not sure...how does the "that" work in this sentence? Thank you very much.


texts: Should I use "the force applied on" or "the force applied to"?

texts:
My question is about prepositions used in a scientific context. When we are talking about forces, it seems natural to me to use the well-established phrasal verb "apply to", as in the following sentence:

  "The force applied by object A to object B is 20 N."

However, I do not know whether or not the following is correct:

  "The force applied by object A on object B is 20 N."


texts:
Can someone help?

"Dave killed Peter."

Dave asked Susan, "why was Peter here?"

Susan said, "Maybe he would have told you if you hadn't have killed him."

Would there have been any difference if she had said "Maybe he would have told you if you hadn't killed him"?

According to my understanding, Susan wants to emphasise the fact that Peter would have told Dave why he was here if Dave hadn't killed him first. Right? Meaning, Susan thinks Dave would still kill him anyway, before or after Peter told Dave why he was here.


texts:
I am looking for a phrase similar to bluster. Something like “he saw her ???? fade away”.  I'm looking for a phrase that describes fake arrogance or sizing somone up and trying to show them that they don't meet your standards.

I am male, but I believe the situation is similar irrespective of your gender preferences. I want to describe a situation where I approach a girl and ask her to accompany me on a date. She looks at me like I'm a talking turd. She may like me, but she puts on a facade showing that she has better things to do, than listen to me. In hip hop slang, she may be said to be "fronting". Whats the proper English phrase or word to describe "fronting"?


texts: Is “harebrain” used commonly as a verb or adjective?

texts:
I found the word, “harebrain” used as a verb in passive form in the following paragraph of today’s New York Times’ editorial titled “How not to plan for future”.

  The agreement between Congress and the White House to virtually eliminate money for high-speed rail is harebrained. France, China, Brazil, even Russia, understand that high-speed rail is central to future development. Not Washington.

As I was totally unfamiliar with the word harebrain, I checked online dictionaries, and found the following list of the synonyms of this word in Define.com dictionary:

  birdbrain, crackbrain, crank, cuckoo, ding-a-ling, featherbrain, featherhead, flibbertigibbet, giddybrain, giddyhead, kook, lunatic,   nut, rattlebrain, rattlehead, and so on.

Then here’s my question, what is the exact meaning of “money for high-speed rail is harebrained”? Is harebrain used as a verb in passive form or an adjective in the above text? Is it common to use this word, which I thought to be a noun, in this way?

Incidentally, we have a phrase “a person with the brain in a match box size” as a Japanese counterpart to “harebrain,” which was actually applied to one of our former Prime ministers.


texts: What is the difference between "a cornucopia of" and "a lot of"?

texts:
Can we use a cornucopia of the same way we use a lot of?

From what I can see in Cambridge Dictionary, a cornucopia of refers to amount/supply. Nevertheless, my research shows it appears in the context of countables as well. (eg. cornucopia of options/videos/constraints, etc.)

Having said this, how flexible can we get with this phrase?
Could it be used interchangeably with a lot of?
Would we lose points if we do so during Cambridge English exams?
Is it an obscure term or  is it okay to use it in a casual
conversation?


texts:
I'm aware of English's unpredictable nature in wording, but this phrase got me thinking.

What is the origination of the phrase word up... a lot of times shortened to just word!

I understand the meaning of the phrase to be:

Great!
Alright!
Ok!
I agree!
That's awesome!

, but how did word end up being a synonym for these?


texts:
What are possible verb forms or more proper forms for the word didactic? I know that didact is only a noun, although audiologically it sounds as though it could be a verb. The sentence I am trying to fit it into is:

  The advertising industry attempts to [didact] this specious ideal of beauty to women.

One of the main reasons that the word didactic really drew my attention was it is defined as intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.


texts: Separating countable and uncountable nouns in a sentence

texts:
an editor has revised a sentence of my article. I would like to figure out the reason for the changes. Please see the sentence below.

Original Version
This operation has been a fundamental cause of the exacerbated wage disparity, excessive investment in property, abnormally high leverage rate and asset  bubble.

Revised Version
This operation has been a fundamental cause of the exacerbated wage disparity, excessive investment in property, and abnormally high leverage rates and asset bubbles.

(Changes he made)
(1) He added a 's' for the countable nouns 'rate' and 'bubble' (2) and then added the conjunction 'and' before them.

Is this because he would like to separate these two plural countable nouns from the preceding abstract nouns, 'disparity' and 'investment', which are in uncountable form? Is this necessary, and is it grammatical to put 'and' before the second last noun rather than before the last one? Please kindly advise. Thanks!


texts: Is there a proverb to the effect of "Ignorance is not bliss"?

texts:
Suppose you discover you have a brain tumor. You are terrified by the sudden danger -- you thought you were in perfect health!

While having the tumor is certainly bad, discovering it is certainly good. Now that we know about it we can treat it. That is much better than not discovering until it suddenly kills you.

Is there a proverb to capture this idea?

Edit: Changed the title to be more specific. I am looking for something to the effect of "While knowledge of a bad thing might bring grief, it is better to know the knowledge than spare yourself the grief."


texts:
I am very uncertain about when to use "most of whom," "most of who," or "most of which."

Please give concrete examples instead of only rules like, "this is the subject, so you should..."


texts: Origin of -(e)s in present indicative third singular

texts:
I'm aware that it comes from a Northern dialect of Middle English as in:

  He sing(e)s

With the full Northern conjugation being:

  Ik sing(e)
  Þu/ou sing(e)s
  He sing(e)s
  We/ye/they sings

But in Old English and other West Germanic languages, there wasn't -s or -r in the 3rd-person singular indicative present.

I know that many Northern dialect words come from Old Norse, and a little grammar.

The Norse Conjugation of mæla is:

  Ek mæli vér mælum
  Þú mælir þér mælið
  Hann mælir þeir mæla

And the rune used to write the ending -r in Norse was originally used for the s sound and it remained the rune even when the sound changed, meaning that it was likely originally hann mælis. And there were many Vikings in Northern England.

Is Old Norse a reasonable origin for the third singular -(e)s? Is my little theory sound?


texts: How do I compose an imperative sentence that tells a parent to "Ask" a child?

texts:
We are putting together a kit of picture books and a narrative on how parents can use the books to help a child with early literacy. We want to use an imperative sentence to tell the parent to ask the child some specific points about the book. For example, when explaining how a parent should interact with the child when reading "Little White Rabbit,' we want the parent to ask the child questions. This is how we word it now....

Ask: What is the little rabbit afraid of?

Is the sentence formatted correctly? How should the sentence be worded?


texts: "in his spare time" or "in my spare time"

texts:
I have a short description of myself but I'm not sure whether I should use "my spare time" or "his spare time"

  Hey! I'm an embedded software engineer who enjoys making discord bots in his spare time.

Coming from German this is how I would say it, and how it sounds correct for me. But someone mentioned to me that it should be in "my" spare time instead. What version would be correct?


texts: appositive relative clause or adjunct of reason/cause?

texts:
In the syntactic analysis of the following sentence I doubt:

"They then took the matter to a three-person jury of appeal, specially convened to hear the protest"

The last part in bold (speacially convened to hear the protest) could be 1) an adjunct of reason/cause since it is seprated from the main sentence by a comma. Or on the other hand it could be 2) an appositional relative clause that is post modifying the noun head "jury".

Can you help me? Thanks in advance!


texts:
Assuming you are the interviewer and would you ask the candidate:

  How would you rate yourself on the scale from 1 to 10?
  What would you rate yourself on the scale of 1 to 10?

Which sentence is more appropriate (is it how or what)? I want to know the right way.

In a way, what sounds more appropriate than how, but how is used more often (from Google stats).


texts: Word to indicate the naming process of something due to an oft repeated name not originally pertaining to it

texts:
A word that describes the naming process of something, because it was so much repeated, like a nick name.

Presently, The Company,(city) _______(Named thus by a general saying of a name) was a show of lights, very different from its former self.


texts:
I just read the discussed topic "look here vs. look at here": Which one is correct? "Look here" or "Look at here"? It's got me wondering.

What is the reason for not using the preposition at before here?

Is it because here is an adverb and it is wrong to use a preposition before an adverb?  What if we use here with its nominal meaning, as in "get away from here", or "It's really hot in here", and then say "Look at here" meaning "Look at this place"?

If it is wrong and there is some other reason why at here is incorrect but in here and from here are correct, what is it?


texts:
What does this statement mean?

  A non-refundable tuition deposit will be required each following year to secure a place.

Does it mean that the deposit will need to be paid every year or every alternate year?


texts:
Sarah Michelle Gellar shares latest 'SMG Tip Of The Day' about hilarious drinking game parents can play while quarantined.

What does "smg" means here?


texts: how to end a non-interrogative sentence with a question? Is question mark necessary?

texts:
Given the fact that the court’s decree is binding and peremptory (paragraph 1 of article 94 of the charter and articles 59 and 60 of the court’s constitution) and the fact that temporary agreement of the court according the court’s view in the June 27, 2001 regarding the LaGrand case was considered binding and the advisory vote of the original court has no requirement for the requesting component and countries, it should be considered what guarantees do exist for implementing any of the above decisions?

The sentence is not interrogatory when it starts, but a question is appended to it. Should this question be in interrogative form i.e. made using auxiliary do in the beginning and a question mark in the end or should it be written as follows?

  ...it should be considered what guarantees exist for implementing any of the above decisions.


texts: What's the rationale behind the expression 'Air-mile-heavy'?

texts:
I came across this bit today at The Guardian:

"And by giving Mr Johnson such an air-mile-heavy job she gave him plenty of time-consuming activities, all of them well away from Westminster."

I assume 'air-mile-heavy job' means 'a difficult job' in this context, but I can't quite understand the connection between something so abstract and light as an 'air-mile' to something being arduous.

Any idea on how common this expression is?

Does anyone know where does it come from?


texts: Phrase meaning an evolving chain of tasks

texts:
I've heard this phrase but can't remember it--something like "[verb]ing the [noun]".  Something to describe a working on a task that began with a simple task but turned into a long string of working on requisite tasks, maybe circling back to the original.  "Last night a light bulb in my bathroom burned out and I didn't have a spare on hand, so I decided to start replacing my bulbs with LED ones, so tried to research the best ones but my Internet connection was down, so I tried to power-cycle my cable modem but couldn't see the back of it to plug it back in, so went into the bathroom to find a hand mirror but it was dark in there."

The circling back part might be called a deadlock, but that's not what I'm looking for, just the multiple-sidetrack situation.  Also not looking for "down the rabbit hole" which I think of as something different.


texts: Where did the practice of using quotation marks to discredit an opponent ("scare-quotes") come from?

texts:
This is a practice extremely prevalent on conspiracy theory blogs and social media (a.k.a., conspiracy theory blogs), but where did the concept of discrediting opponents with quotation marks come from?

The quotation marks are often put around the nouns referring to one's opponent, or sometimes to parts of their view.

For example:

  According to "scientists", vaccinations are the number one way to prevent disease, however...

or

  This guy I hate "knows" that that thing I hate is such and such...

I've now learned that this tactic is referred to as "scare-quotes". My question isn't about the origin of the phrase "scare-quotes" (this question), but rather, when did the tactic of using scare-quotes become a common practice?


texts: Is it gramatically correct to omit the preposition "on" when talking about events occuring on a certain day?

texts:
I'm taking this online course on technical writing. It suggests that you can omit "on" from

  The meeting happened on Monday

to turn it to

  The meeting happened Monday

The second one seems wrong to me, and I haven't seen it being commonly used either.


texts: Is there an expression that you could use when you feel really disappointed because no one appreciates your favor and kindness, and they usually upset or hurt you instead. An expression that suggests this usually happens to you (Not 'bite the hand that feeds you')


texts: I've  loaded first Harry Potter book, and want to translate it , but first sentence in this book, and I don't know what meaning it have .. Is it about that Harry survived , or it is about some past time which harry had in his life and chapter will be about it ? I mean I don't know what meaning lived has here


texts:
In this answer on Stack Overflow, the term "several" is used as an indeterminate number, the actual value of which is literally in the quintillions:

  Zero is one of several values that can be represented exactly.

To my ear, this is an exceedingly strange use of "several", which led me to believe that the writer was confused.

I realize that trying to truly pin down "several" is probably a hopeless task, but I'm curious if anyone else would use it for such an immensely vast quantity, and if there's regional variation in the usage.

So: How many is "several"? Would anyone else use "several" for "quintillions"?

This question addresses similar issues, but doesn't seem to have the answer I'm interested in (much of the discussion mentions lower bounds for "several", but not upper bounds).


texts:
Which sentence is correct?

1) The arrangements had been made and then the guests have arrived.

2) The arrangements had been made and then the guests arrived.

If I use "then" the time is somehow determined, so I should use past simple. Am I right?
Is past perfect justified here?


texts: Why is it that the "ow" in now makes the /aʊ/ sound while "ow" in snow makes the /oʊ/ sound? Has this always been, was it spelled differently and then changed, or was it spelled this way but the sound changed?


texts: Does the following need a comma? "You must post 'precautions for usage, etc.' where applicable."

texts:
This is for a poster regarding the treatment of dangerous chemicals in a lab. I have the generally feeling that after the "etc." there should be a comma, and I'm not sure if 1) it is necessary and 2) where it would be placed (between the period and quotation mark? after the quotation mark?).

Thanks to all of you fine folks for your help.


texts: Word for a goal that is not being actively pursued

texts:
I am looking for a specific word for a goal that a person has, but is not currently attempting to reach.

For example, if I want to run a marathon someday but almost never exercise, running a marathon would be a ____.

I have considered "pipe dream" but I don't believe it quite fits because usually a pipe dream is just not possible. This word describes an aspiration that could be achieved with some effort, but the person is not focusing on it.

Thank you


texts:
In the following sentence, can I use both phrases?

Many families are struggling against/with poverty and hunger.

What I think is:

struggling against means struggling to overcome the situation,

struggling with is to have a hard time in life because of poverty and hunger.

My teacher said that the correct one is struggling against, but I wonder if struggling with also makes sense.

I'm not sure if I get it right. Can you clarify the meanings?

Thank you!


texts: What's the similar word for Answer Sheet?

texts: There is a quiz section on my blog, and a list of quiz result. I need a title for the list of quiz results. I prefer not to use "Replies" because I've already used it up in forum discussions. "Submission" sounds not good enough because it feels like "surrender".  "Answer" is close but it's been used up in other part of the blog, too. Is there a single word for this?


texts: The definite article usage in a sentence

texts:
Please have a look at the sentence below:
This is the popular song of Taylor Swift.

To me, if there isn't any specific song related to that singer known as "popular", the usage of the here is not correct.
The refers to the construct "popular song" here but more to the word "popular". And since apparently there isn't such a specific song known as "popular", we should use an indefinite article: This is a popular song of Taylor Swift.

Using the definite article can be optional in some cases but in this sentence, it's not.

Do you guys agree with me?


texts:
Which of the forms is correct: patients were of higher age or older age?

Could both forms be used?

I am asking for a formal use in medical scientific journals.

The most suited form here would probably be patients were older, but the question is if other forms are also acceptable.


texts:
Is it a possible sentence?

Leaders Lead By Solutions.


texts:
Once in a while, new artists come around that completely change the game that there’s no other choice but to sit down and be captivated by what they bring to the table.

I think it means when new artists who completely change the game come around we can only just sit down to enjoy the great works they bring us. But I don’t think that a result clause can begin with "that". Seeing that there’s no "so" in the sentence, it’s not a "so...that..." construction. Is this sentence grammatically correct?


texts: ( Did with verb ) or ( had with verb+ed )

texts:
I'm confused with rules .

My question : what is the different between this examples :

Did you finish your homework before you went to the cinema ?
Had you finished your homework before you went to the cinema ?
The waiter served something that we didn't order .
The waiter served something that we had not ordered .

Are the sentences correct? If it is not, what is the mistake?

Thank you .
Nouf .


texts: Is the term "Break Glass Policy" or "Break Glass Procedure" used outside the healthcare field?

texts:
One of the defining questions of the Healthcare IT site  uses the term "break glass policy" and from  this link I understand what it means in the given context.

My question here is, if this term is used in other fields not related to fire alarms and emergency breaks.


texts:
I was studying sentence patterns and I came across the following sentence in a mini test after the explanation on the same website.

  Hockey players are careful but they still get hurt often

The site labels the sentence as compound but I have a sentence in my book which is labelled as simple which is the following:

  She cooks very well and has a lovely cafe.

I can understand the sentence in my book why it is a simple sentence since the subject is related to two verbs, which is called compound verbs.

But I cannot understand the sentence in the test which I think it seems to have similar pattern that one subject, players, and there are two verbs, be and get .

If the website is correct ( the sentence is compound) , is it because the verbs have different tenses and types..

Can we make the sentence simple but only changing verbs?

For example:

  Hockey players are exhausted but they still are careful.

  Hockey players play carefully but they still get hurt often

Are they now simple?

Another reason for asking this question is I become mostly unsure if I should add the subject again after the conjunction.

For example:
In the answer of @Nothing at All the sentence  "She cooks very well and has a lovely cafe"  is separated  as

She cooks very well  . and has a lovely cafe.

In this case " and has a lovely cafe" is  obviously incomplete.

But I am a bit concerned if it is grammatically %100 wrong  if I write the sentence by adding "she" after conjunction as in the following.

  She cooks very well and she has a lovely cafe.

or if I omit "they" as in the following

  Hockey players are careful but  still get hurt often.


texts: What is the meaning of "less a function of" in the following sentence

texts:
Given such a view of thought and rationality, human performance and experience
  that take form in nondiscursive modes of conception and expression are
  regarded as nonrational, somehow less a function of human intelligence
  and clearly having little to do with knowing or understanding.

What is the meaning of the bolded part?


texts:
A colleague and I are having a disagreement over the slang meaning and usage of "do over"

Does it mean

(a) beat somebody up

or does it have a sexual meaning of

(b) screw someone i.e. hump someone


texts: Can you use "a" before "1/4" when there is no unit following?

texts:
I know you can say things like "a 1/4 inch hole" and similar, where the article belongs to the noun and not to the quarter. A colleague of mine is about to publish something like "a 1/4 of the people voted for...". I'm not a native speaker, but my feeling is that an article is built into "1/4", and that you could simply write "1/4 of the people voted for...". Am I correct? I googled and searched on here but could not find any rules about this.

Also supporting my approach is that if you read "1/4" out as "one fourth" rather than "[a] quarter", you'd get "a one fourth" when including the article which obviously doesn't sound good.

On the other hand, if you need a definite article, you'd have to say "The 1/4 that voted for...", which might support the inclusion of the indefinite article in the other case.

EDIT: I should have mentioned that using "1/4" in this case was for stylistic reasons, for use on an infographic, but I would think that some grammar rules would still have to be observed.

EDIT 2: I looked up the actual example now, and it was "In a 1/4 of countries..." which hardly makes it any better, but at least the article can now be scrapped without beginning the sentence with a numeral.


texts: "The book I've read that feels closest to this book is..."

texts:
Let's say I'm talking about a book, and I need to refer to some other book I've read, which I consider to be, of all the books I know, the one that is closest to the book that's under consideration. I would say:

  The book I've read that feels closest to this one is...

But this just feels wrong. I can't find any way of phrasing this that seems right. The issue I keep running up against is that I have to do three things:

Refer to all of the books that I've read.
In that set, single out one specific book.
But also somehow apply the superlative "closest" to it.

If you drop the last requirement, this isn't hard. "The only sad book I've read" is easy, because the criteria that singles out your book isn't a superlative. The problem seems to be that I have to single out one book, but once I've done that I can't meaningfully apply a superlative anymore.

Why does the above sound wrong, and what would be the best way of phrasing it?


texts:
I am trying to give this meaning  “they wanted fewer bugs, fewer blue screens, and fewer viruses.”, but with fewer words.

The first attempt “They wanted fewer bugs, blue screens, and viruses.”. Does not work. To me it reads “They wanted fewer bugs, they wanted blue screens, and they wanted viruses.”

Is it possible to punctuate so that it can be done without increasing the word count?

I can do it in speech. “They wanted fewer «long pause» bugs «short pause» blue screens «short pause» and viruses.”, but can't figure out the written form.


texts: Is there a word for a road or river that runs almost "vertical" in the map?

texts: Is there an adjective to describe a road or a river whose orientation is nearly north to south (e.g. looks vertical in the map)? An example sentence would be, "the [word] highway between Foopolis and Barville forms the western border of the State of Ipsumia."


texts: A term for providing irrelevant and hiding relevant information

texts: For example, you're doing a research for a car to purchase. You get a list of cars with engine number, city where a car was assembled, and a color. What's missing is make, model and price.


texts:
Two solid waste drawers, with containers that accommodate biohazard bags, are accessed at the front of the instrument. or..

Two solid waste drawers, with containers that accommodate biohazard bags, are accessed from the front of the instrument.