texts: Is this correct usage of the word "spoil"?

texts:
Is the following statement appropriate?

  A concerned expression starts to slowly spoil his looks.

I am trying to say that a person's expression saddens within a minute or two while pondering over something, but not instantly as would be the case when caused by shock


texts:
I encountered a gap-filling sentence like this:

  I'll wait __________ until you are ready.

The answer in the book is "for". Does such a phrase exist? If it does, what is the difference between "wait until" and "wait for until"?

Thanks in advance.


texts:
What usage is the following abbreviations?

  ‘Not boskiest bow’r,
  When hearts are ill affin’d,
    Hath tree of pow’r
  To shelter from the wind!’
                   from The Woodlanders by Thomas Hardy


texts:
Is "of" always supposed to be pronounced with the v sound (like "ov")? Or does it depend on the region (e.g. US, UK) or maybe on the word that follows the preposition?

For example, how would you pronounce the title of this question?


texts: Raper vs. Rapist; Why the shift in suffix?

texts:
I’ve always been vaguely aware of raper as an alternative to rapist, as a vaguely wrong sounding, possibly archaic formulation.

Nowadays, it’s most often heard from speakers of English as a second language, for whom the construction is slightly irregular compared to other similar verbs.
But I’m also aware that I've seen the -er version of the word in older texts.

Well, today I happened to be curious while sitting at a computer and fed it into an ngram, and...

That is not the sort of graph I expected to see; the use of -ist appears seemingly out of nowhere after over a century of dormancy in the mid 20th century, and by the mid 1960s has skyrocketed in usage. Now I would expect an increase in general at this time due to the rise of feminism and increased attention to sexual violence, but I'm curious as to the specific choice of the -ist form over the -er variant; particularly in light of the sharp increase in the latters usage during World War II in 1940, presumably connected to growing reports in the west of the Japanese atrocities at Nanking.

Is there any documentation or research explaining how the -ist formulation came to be dominant in current usage? What could be the reason for that sudden shift?


texts:
Which expression is preferencial?
It is going to be the year of horse next year.
It will be the year of horse next year.


texts: It is about Gerunds and present participle

texts:
Please clarify if what I have mentioned below is correct.

I like painting. - Gerund?

I like painting pictures. - Present participle?


texts: What does "liquidated" mean in this sentence?

texts:
What does the word "liquidated" mean in the following snippet taken from Readings in Social Research Methods? :

  When society becomes industrialized, a peasant becomes a worker; a
  feudal lord is liquidated or becomes a businessman.

Dictionary.com shows 5 possible meanings for liquidated, but none of them seems to suit the passage:

to pay a debt
to determine the amount of
to convert into cash
to kill
to do away with


texts: Why does 'dead on' mean 'very accurate'?

texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  Where does the phrase “dead simple” originate?

According to Wiktionary, the phrase 'dead on' means 'very accurate' or 'exactly at'. This is also how I have used the phrase.

But why? What's the connection there?


texts: Is it necessary to use a vocative comma in an email, specifically a professional email?

texts:
I received an email this morning from a candidate for an Executive Director position.

Thanks Kim.

This is how the email began. It immediately made a negative impression and caused me to feel this individual does not possess the writing skills I believe are essential for the position. It also could be a sign that she does not pay attention to details.  She was the number one candidate for the position.  I do not feel the same after receiving this email.  My husband, however, began an intense discussion regarding the use of the comma in such a sentence.  He believes it to be unnecessary, and possibly incorrect to include a comma.  He does not feel it should have an impact on my decision. Times are changing.  I still prefer 2 spaces between sentences!  The fact the applicant is over 60 adds some support to my concern regarding her eye for details.  Should this impact my decision?


texts: Does a word (or short phrase) exist to represent an enemy becoming an ally?


texts: "Answer to the question" vs. "answer for the question" vs. "answer of the question"

texts:
The answer to the question.
  The answer for the question.
  The answer of the question.

Which is grammatical? What are the differences? And what is the preferred usage?


texts: Is it correct to use an apostrophe to indicate something that belongs to an object?

texts:
I'm 18 years old, & I'm working on a new blog.
I'm trying to get all of the help that I can get with English.
This is the title that I'm planning on using for the first post:

  Reasons for this blog's existence

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to use an apostrophe or not
to indicate something that belongs to an object.

Here's the questions that I need answers for:

Is it correct to use an apostrophe to show something that belongs to an object?
Or are you only supposed to use apostrophes to show something that belongs to a person?
Is "Reasons for this blog's existence" acceptable, or is only the form "Reasons for the existence of this blog" correct?


texts: What is the origin of the phrase "Put one in the wood for him"?

texts:
I'm curious about the origin of the phrase "(Put) one in the wood (for him)" meaning ‘reserve a pint of beer to give him when he arrives’.
I live in west Kent, UK and hear this phrase fairly often.
This is the only reference I found.


texts:
Scenario: 'Are you stressed by his threat?' Answer: 'I'm not that concerned.'

What is the grammatical function of 'that' in this sentence?


texts: Asking a question with "have" without do-support: "What symptoms has Anne?"

texts:
The context is that a doctor is asking about somebody's child's symptoms of influenza.

Is this question correct: "What symptoms has Anne?" If it's incorrect, then why?

It looks strange to me, I would rather ask "What symptoms does Anne have?" but don't know why.


texts:
I'm writing about natural causal chains and would like to use 'pathology,' but that word appears to only include diseases or abnormalities.  For example, when someone is attracted to something, there is a series of biological and psychological causes-and-effects that typically occur, with possible branches depending on specific circumstances.  I would like to say, "the pathology of attraction is typically..." for not only what's already happened, but also what's likely to happen next given specific circumstances and choices made.
The reason for wanting to use the word, pathology, is because I study neural pathways (involuntary), and figurative paths people can choose (voluntary) toward living a better life for them and the people the care about most.  And as a counselor, understanding how someone comes to believe and value things follows a specific path (past) that causes people to do what they do (future/involuntary) unless they consciously choose otherwise (voluntary).  'Ology' is the study of, and 'path' is literally what happens inside someone's head, and builds the content (understanding, beliefs, values, etc.) that runs their life.
I'm not stuck on pathology, but I'd prefer something better than, "the causal chain...."


texts: An expression for "Lying on your stomach, kicking your legs and feet up in the air"

texts:
What is a concise way to describe the following action?

  Someone lying on their stomach, kicking their legs and feet up into the air behind them, looking sexy.

The description should be pretty self-explanatory; just need a brief way to say it, preferably in as few words as possible.


texts:
Kindly grant me leave from 14/4/2017 to 20/04/2017 for this I highly obliged to you
Thanks &Regards
Is this the correct sentence to take leave from bos


texts: Can the verb "to participate" be used for an object (and not a person)? For example: "This equipment will participate in a qualification test." Is this correct?


texts: Is there a word for the towel on a waiter's arm?

texts: "Napkin" or "towel" seem so...ordinary. Is there a better word for it?


texts: "When" and "Where" when we talk about hypothetical situations

texts:
When you need something between a comma and period, use a semicolon.
Where you need something between a comma and period, use a semicolon.

From a logical point of view, both sentences are correct, but the second one doesn't look idiomatic to me. (I could be wrong.)
On the other hand, Where possible looks better than When possible.

When possible, use a period, not a semicolon.
Where possible, use a period, not a semicolon.

Are these observations correct?
Generally, which word (When or Where) would be "better" to use in such cases? (Of course, it may be that there is no simple rule here.)

P.S. I don't consider If as a third option because it will change the meaning.
Edit: It seems plainlanguage.gov prefers when over where:

Use the word if for conditions. Use when (not where), if you need if to introduce another clause or if the condition occurs regularly. - https://plainlanguage.gov/guidelines/organize/place-the-main-idea-before-exceptions-and-conditions/


texts: What do I do to a door knob to open the door?

texts:
I want to know the verb that describe the action that rotate or move or twist a door knob to open the door. I talked to my friend and said "please press the button before move it (the door knob)" and it sounded incorrect to me.

What word should I use to describe this action?


texts:
So, I was like, why does everyone say like and so in every sentence?   Where did this trend come from, like, what started it, and is it actually grammatically correct to like, insert like into our speech in just about any position in a sentence?
Reward for anyone who can tell me the cause of its origin (i.e. cartoon, or star, or artist who uses these terms frequently and popularised its usage in this manner). And prove that overuse of any word is grammatically incorrect, or prove that there is no such rule for overuse.


texts: I don't understand drama "Madam Secretary" dialogue

texts:
guys. I am whatching American Drama "Madam Secretary" season1, episode 13.
And there are some dialogue I can't understand.

Pat: It's a little fancy for a civil  servant, but then, you came from a  horse farm.

Elizabeth: Certainly does smell better here. It's  true.

Pat: With D.C. politics, you must get your  share of crap.

Stivie: She dishes out plenty, too.

In this dialogue, what is the meaning of last two sentence?(Pat and Stivie's line) I am very appreciate if somebody know this drama help this.

Thanks!


texts: Which lexical class does "wont" fall into in this sentence?

texts:
As he is wont to do.

Is "wont" an adjective, noun, verb, or something else in this context? How would you determine which lexical class wont falls into in any given sentence, since it can be used as an adjective, noun, or verb?


texts: My brother's ridiculous English homework

texts:
So my brother got the following ridiculous question as his English homework.

"There are mistakes in the following sentences. Apostrophes may be missing and they may be in the wrong place. The nouns may also be spelt incorrectly (e.g. childs instead of children)/
- Identify the error(s)
- Work out whether the noun needing an apostrophe is singular (e.g. boy or child) or plural (e.g. boys or children) Put an (S) or a (P) after the sentence.
- Re-write the sentences correctly.

The following we got stuck with:
2) All those little mouses' home are blocked up ( ) _____________________________
3) All three of the knifes blades are blunt ( ) _________________________________

Because it says "Apostrophes may be missing", then it says "Work out whether the noun needing an apostrophe" which confuses me. Can anyone offer any help on how this should be done? The brackets after the question is for the (S) or (P), the ____ is for the re-writing of the sentence.


texts: When is it okay for a colon to precede a dependent clause that is not a list or example?

texts:
While browsing through an ACT study guide, I have encountered the following sentence (as part of a discussion of old signs seen along the highways):

  After all, there they are: advertising products and businesses that no longer exist.

The study guide claims this sentence is grammatically correct.  However, most grammar guides seem to insist that the clauses on either side of the colon should be independent in such cases.  The post-colon clause in this example is definitely dependent.  How is this okay?


texts:
when the phrase "I understand you" is pronounced, does the palatalization happen in fast/connected speech? In other words, does the D+Y sounds more like a J sound as in Joke).

Here's the way I pronounce it https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1924024/understandyou.wav with that J sound. I need to know if it's correct and commonly used way to pronounce it.


texts:
The traveller, being weary, sat by the woodside to rest.
My book says the present participle being weary (passive) is used absolutely in the sentence with the noun The traveller. But it's separated by a comma and the sentence makes sense without the participle. I think the the book is wrong and it's a particle phrase or adjective phrase and it's not used absolutely with the noun the traveller. The noun the traveller is attached to the independent clause and being weary is a participle or adjective phrase separated by the commas. Am I wrong?


texts: If "xylophonic" is the adjectival form of "xylophone", what is the adjectival form of Tuba?


texts: "While" followed by simple past/past continuous

texts:
I'm currently reading "Molly Fyde and the Parsona Rescue" by Hugh Howey.

Here's a short passage with my problem zone and the subsequent question:

  ...Well, I'm going to go do more Officser sstuff," Walter said
  haughtily. "The sstorage lockerss in the bilge are almosst done," he
  added with pride. While she waited for Walter to pad away, Molly
  noticed how close her face was to Cole's. The nav screens were hard
  to see clearly from an angle. ...

Why is the simple past used and not the past continuous as in

  While she was waiting for Walter to pad away, Molly noticed how close...

I thought "while" contains the element of duration and hence requires a progressive form?

2.1 BTW, is the above question even grammatically correct? Or should it have been

"I thought while contained the element of duration and hence required a progressive form?"

I read something about verb tense consistency within a sentence and to not switch from one tense to another unless the timing of an action demanded that you did. Is this the case here?


texts: Is there a word/phrase for "reliable in the long run"

texts:
Was wondering if a word or phrase that would fit in the following context:

  Global warming is an increasing threat to us today and forest conservation is the reliable in the long run way to combat it.


texts: Is the usage of the word "about" correct?

texts:
I've come across this sentence recently:

  All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you.

Is this a correct sentence? "All around you" would seem more standard to me. Of note this sentence is part of an example on the importance of punctuation, so maybe it's not the most natural wording, but I'm not sure whether it's even correct.


texts: Word for when a country has a huge rich/poor divide, so people are deprived despite the prosperity

texts:
Examples of such countries are

India (they have immense wealth, despite the pictures of the slums)
Romania (only good jobs are in criminal gangs)

Where the country has riches, but the people there don't have viable jobs they can take.

I wouldn't call the countries deprived, but they are something.


texts:
We're doing a Dutch translation of an English play and having a disagreement about how to translate "I don't like her, but that's not half the point".

Some want to translate "half the point" literally while I think "half the point" has a special meaning in English that's lost in a literal translation. Unfortunately I can't find the expression "half the point" explained online. Can anybody explain this expression, preferably with a reference?


texts: it's a visual effect that originates from a pack of cigarettes, which shows the pack of cigarettes on the packaging, and it goes on and on forever. basically "recursive"


texts:
I want to say that math improves the 'ability to reason' and 'elasticity of mind'. This is what I would say in my language (Italian).

After a Google search I see that 'ability of reason' is an existing periphrasis and instead of elasticity of mind I find 'mental agility'. I never heard anyone use these words in English, so I was wondering if they are not correct in this context. Is there something else you say instead to express the same concept? What do school teachers tell students?

Thank you


texts: What is an English term for grouping bills and credit notes?

texts: I'm wondering if there is a generic term to talk about bills and credit notes, in other terms, the money I'll receive and the money I owe.


texts: Adjective for "something in which you always find something new"

texts:
Or alternatively, "something in which you're always able to find/discover something new".

An example:

A book, which you read multiple times, and every time you read it, you

see a whole new aspect of something, e.g. about the plot,
notice some detail that you haven't noticed before,
understand some joke you haven't understood before.

... and other features that make a book more rereadable, or timeless.

Another example:

A computer game, which you play over and over, and you always seem to

discover new possibilities about what the game allows you to do,
find new locations in the in-game world that you haven't found before,
notice some intentionally hidden message or joke, i.e. an Easter egg.

... and other features that increase replayability.

Is there a single adjective describing this property?


texts: Role of a person in charge of the casting of a film

texts:
Let's say this is the information related to a film:

  Written by: John Doe
  Produced by: Mary James
  Casting by: Peter Smith, Sarah Jones
  ...

Then:

John Doe is a writer.
Mary James is a producer.
Peter Smith and Sarah Jones are ... ?


texts: In "proof of concept" is the concept proved or proofed?

texts:
That is, after a successful proof of concept would you say "the concept was proved" or "the concept was successfully proofed".

I'm thinking the latter based on the definition of to proof as "to test; examine for flaws, errors, etc." and because proved implies a higher standard (truth); however, proved (or proven) sounds better and to prove has a similarly applicable alternate definition: "to give demonstration of by action."


texts:
Translating a short story, I'm totally stuck with this sentence:

  (the landowners) plied the land for energy leases

The story happens in an unnamed small city in the Unites States, and though there is no mention of the date, I guess it is some time around 1980.

Now, wherever I looked, I couldn't find a proper definition or description for Energy Leases.
What can it mean in a context like this?


texts:
In my childhood, there was a spongy (ie full of bubbles) glass of a pale-green shade which was placed covering the stone-bounded graves in more than one of the church grounds near me, is there a name for this?  It's a semi-transparent (the bubbles make it so) chip of glassy substance, but the sharp edges are not so sharp as to cut skin, they seem to have undergone some sort of foaming process to make them less dense than glass and have visible surface pits that appear to be part-spherical - as of bubbles of gas that existed before the glass set.

  The graves had their usual scattering of pale-green ".......", the older ones with the darker green of weeds popping
  through....

The comments have lead to a perfect suggestion of an image by @KannE.

-Attribution indeterminate: Possibly Leo Reynolds 2019

A generic term, be-it colloquial or slang rather than a brand name is preferred.

Most recent edits:

The chips were loose as-such, not cemented together, as I now gather terrazzo is.


texts: Difference between "technical criteria" and "functional criteria"

texts:
What is the difference between technical criteria and functional criteria?

  Website architecture is an approach to the design and planning of websites which, like architecture itself, involves technical, aesthetic and functional criteria.


texts: I am recently writing a proposal titled "Evaluating and Optimizing (the) Utility of Explanations". But I am not sure if I should include 'the' before 'Utility' in the title. Actually this question has always been bothering me. Is there any difference in the use of 'the' in titles v.s. bodies?


texts: Is there a word that describes something cheap, reliable and simple?

texts:
An example might be a car like this:  or a laptop like this:

Both of which are simple and cheap yet reliable. If something breaks down, replacement parts are also cheap or even free.

Is there a word that describes what they are?


texts: Why are there multiple verbs in this sentence?

texts:
You will have classes with the rest of your
House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend free
time in your House common room.

This is from Harry Potter. I think "have", "sleep" and "spend" are verbs in this sentence, while I don't understand how does "sleep" exists here as a verb without a conjunction? I guess that means it's also not a participle.


texts: “To enable him to escape” vs. “to enable him escape”

texts:
I have been coming across this kind of sentence more and more:

  She gave him a key to enable him to escape capture.
  She gave him a key to enable him escape capture.

Which sentence is correct? My understanding is that the preposition should be repeated as both enable and escape are verbs.


texts: 3 in 1 is a Trinity. What is 2 in 1, 4 in 1, 5 in 1, N in 1?

texts:
Background

The use of the word "Trinity" occurs frequently in Catholicism when referring to God's nature, 3 persons in 1 God.  What words would describe a being that is 2 persons, 4 persons, 5 persons, etc.?


texts:
I have read the few questions about punctuations in parenthesis, but I think none of them answers my question. I've looked at:

Where does the question mark go — inside or outside the parentheses?
In which cases is a comma/period placed inside or outside of parentheses?
Continuing a sentence in a parenthesis and then starting a new one inside the same

If I have the following sentence structure (modified from one of the earlier question), is the following punctuation correct? Should I put the period within the parenthesis since it is a full sentence, or don't put it because it is still going on with the main sentence?

  This morning I was distracted by a plane (or was it Superman? I'm not very sure.), so I tripped.


texts: Where does it comes from "pull the other leg, it's got bells on"?

texts: What is leg and bells mean in the phrase "pull the other one, it's got bells on"


texts:
How should we report sentences including "future time clause?"

  We will have dinner when your father gets home.

Do we have to change the tense of 'future time clause' or leave it in the original form?:

  My mother said we would have dinner when my father got home.

OR

  My mother said we would have dinner when my father gets home.


texts: What does "level of douchery" stand for?

texts:
I was reading an article about the language use in specific area of the States. Can anyone explain what is the "level of douchery"?

This whole sentence is

  Something is reaching a whole new level of douchery


texts: Example of describing scientific transition process involving a third state in-between

texts:
Assume a process that goes strictly from state A to state B to state C. I would like to emphasize the endpoints (i.e., A and C) and indicate that state C is probably reached only via state B.

To do so, I used the following sentence, which drew substantial criticism from co-authors for using the phrase "via the mediation of":

  ... revealed that several independent transitions from state A to state C occurred, probably via the mediation of state B.

What other phrase would you use to portray the correct relationships?


texts:
In a recent post, I was trying to describe Spanish vowels succinctly to an unsophisticated participant, and used the Canadian "eh?" as an example.  A participant from the U.S. (California, to be specific) commented, 'I thought Canadian "eh" is pronounced "ey", as a diphthong.'

Question 1a: How do Canadians pronounce "eh?"?
Question 1b: Is it a reasonable approximation of the Spanish pronunciation of the vowel e (as in, for example, bebé)?
Question 2: Is there a better way to explain this (succinctly!) to an unsophisticated participant?

Edit:
For an unsophisticated ELU participant, who is asking, approximately, "Hey, why do non-native English speakers talk different from me?", a very simplified way of explaining that Spanish speakers (the example he gave) pronounce their vowels differently from us.  Even if the Canadian "eh?" is not identical to Spanish e as in bebé, is it different enough from the vowel in the English word day to get the point across?


texts:
I read this a few days ago:

... individuals who log on and float either instead of or in addition to scheduling hours.

I suppose it sounds awkward to me because I tend to think that in a sentence of the type "either X or Y" both X and Y ought to be nouns.

So, does this sentence is written in good English and it is only my faultfinding bone what is trying to make me see something that is not there?

Let me thank you in advance for your attention and support.


texts:
I would like to know how /v/ is pronounced when it comes after /p/.
For example: upvote

My lips come close to each other in order to produce /p/ and after the puff of air from my mouth, it becomes harder to produce /v/.

Could you please tell me how you produce /v/ after /p/?

Thank you.


texts: More professional word for "day to day task"

texts:
I’m looking for a more professional term or phrase to describe “day to day task” or a task that is very common for a particular role of work.

Thanks in advance!


texts:
I am confused about the pronunciation of "harass". Dictionaries list it as

ˈherəs
həˈræs
ˈhærəs

Is it about BrE and AmE difference? Which one is more prevalent?


texts: Is it right if I say "how could you act such inhuman?" or "how could you be so inhuman?" Thank you in advance.


texts:
I came across this word, and couldn't find it in any dictionary.

Example #1: he is willing to allow logicious cavillers and snarling critics to say what they please

Example #2: somewhere and someone 'neither logicious nor musicious'

Example #3: Was this a divided heart, or only, as the logicious say, an undistributed middle?


texts: Could the "pseudo" adverbial phrases modify the real adverbial phrases?

texts:
1)A woman fell 50 feet down a cliff.

2)The project was finished 10 days ahead of the schedule.

3)Emma is 10 years older than Sophie.

4)I finished the project 10 days ago.

1)50 feet/10 days/10 years/10 days

I think of them as Noun phrases.

2)down a cliff/ahead of the schedule/ago

They are considered as the adverbial phrases.

Is it right?

I know that the noun phrase can’t modify the adverbial phrases, but in this cases, they are not only closely related to the adverbial phrases above but also  semantically seem to qualify the latter.

I remember Noun can function as the main elements of subjects of verbs (A dog just barked), or of objects of verbs or prepositions, except for compound noun phrase. Someone tells me that the noun phrases is used as the adverbial phrase here, so they can modify the latter.

Suppose that he is right. Then, is it also correct that the "pseudo" adverbial phrases should modify the real adverbial phrases?


texts: "Accepted" not correct for legal document

texts:
Could someone suggest a good word to use in the sentence given below? It is for use in a legal operational protocol manual and should fit within context. I'm currently using "accepted", due to a lack of terminology. What I'm trying to say, is that something is automatically accepted. Before criticizing my word usage or syntax, please know that English isn't my language of choice.

  The revision information at the bottom of the list below is accepted as the latest review.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks!


texts:
A friend has just told me that "terror" used to be a good thing, as opposed to the negative thing it is today:

ter·ror  (trr) n.

Intense, overpowering fear. See Synonyms at fear.
One that instills intense fear: a rabid dog that became the terror of the neighborhood.
The ability to instill intense fear: the terror of jackboots pounding down the street.
Violence committed or threatened by a group to intimidate or coerce a population, as for military or political purposes.

He claims this is why we have the English word "terrific". I also know that the French word "terrible" means "great".
Is he right, and if so when did it change?


texts: Is there a term for this kind of wordplay (rhyming slang)?

texts:
Swapping the phonemes of often used phrases while keeping them the same size and structure, for example:

Washing the Dishes -> Wishing the Dashes / Dashing the Wishes (or even Flushing the Fishes)
Making Breakfast -> Braking Makefast
Go to the shop -> Sho to the Gop (dictionary words not required, but preferred) / Flow to the Drop (completely removed from original)

I did not find a match on this list of forms of world play. I'm guessing it might be a form of rhyming slang?


texts: An idiom or proverb to describe the ability to identify the best one when given a plethora of choices

texts:
I'm looking for an idiom or proverb that emphasise the availability of choices and the ability to identify the best/correct one. The ability is the result of experience, skills and knowledge.

For instance

With a plethora of tools in the market, a seasoned craftsman is able to quickly assemble a right set of tools to solve a particular problem. A less experienced craftsman may fail to identify the right tools to solve the problem with the same level of efficiency.

With that many selection of hair products in the market, an experienced hairstylist can quickly distinguish the better quality products from the mediocre ones.

An experienced person will be able to identify which are the time-wasting activities while an inexperienced person may have to go through each one of them to find out.


texts:
When someone asks 'how are you?', can I say 'I'm very fine'?

When I was in Oxford, Uk, they said it sound awkward because FINE does not go with VERY here,but I found the sentence on my kid's English textbook, which was written in the US.

Is it just a regional difference in the usage?


texts: Since when has "a hot minute" meant a long time?

texts:
The term a hot minute can be found all over blogs and in casual speech, meaning essentially, "a long time."  The term is mostly slang, but seems to have become popular enough to appear on sites as reputable as PBS.org.

Delia pretends to be mad about it for a hot minute but gets over it pretty quickly because the love of her life is finally home.

PBS (blog)

I can't find it defined in reputable dictionaries, but The New York Times confirms the meaning in this article about slang uses of the word "hot."

Hottie is still bandied about on campus by not-quite-with-it seniors, and a hot minute is defined as “a long time.” There is life left in the cleaned-up meaning of hot mess, which has come to mean “disheveled” or “incompetent,” as in “I was a hot mess this morning before I hit the shower.”

"Hot's not cool." The New York Times, 2008.

The term reminds me of "A New York Minute," which means the exact opposite, "a very short time."
So what is the origin of the term "a hot minute," and how long has it been around?  How exactly did it come to mean "a long time?"

Here are a few more example uses:

Sony Pictures made the exciting announcement on their Twitter on Friday with Hardy sporting a Venom T-shirt for the occasion. It's been a hot minute since he was playing a comic book villain

Bustle

That’s a task easier said than done, but this is crunch time and while winning championships isn’t easy, it’s expected at LSU and it’s been a hot minute since they’ve last done it.

And the Valley Shook

Of course, it’s been a hot minute since we last saw the head of Cat Co. Worldwide Media. If we’re being honest, neither Supergirl or National City have been the same since she left.

Fansided


texts:
I know there are already many posts on still and yet, but I really find it difficult to use them as conjunction as in following sentences:

  It's a small car, yet/still it's surprisingly spacious
  He has a good job, and yet/still he never seems to have any money
  The weather was cold and wet. yet/still, we had a great time.

So my question is when should I use yet and when should I use still, when using it as a conjunction, and what is the correct option for sentences above?


texts: When did Lancastrians stop saying *by gum*?

texts:
I distinctly remember from my youth in  the 1950s, the folk of Manchester and surrounds who came on holiday to Norfolk, and their expressions of bye jove and by gum - polite forms of by God.

But in the last fourteen years since I have been coming to Manchester to visit my daughter I have seldom, if ever heard them. Where have they gone?


texts: Are there any Germanic cognates to "lithe"?

texts:
When winter first begins to bite
               and stones crack in the frosty night,
          when pools are black and trees are bare,
               ’tis evil in the Wild to fare.

In this time of the sun’s greatest ebb when our hearts are gladdened knowing that with Midwinter come and gone, winter is now half over, my thoughts are drawn to Midwinter yule’s warmer twin, Midsummer’s lithe.

In Tolkien’s writings, lithe was the name for the days around Midsummer’s Day when the nights are shortest, just as yule was (and still is) the name for the days around Midwinter’s Day when the days are shortest.

Lithe is today’s spelling of Old English līþa. But outside the Shire, lithe is now a word almost unknown to most of us. It seems to have no children in today’s English, nor did I find any words kin to it in our sister-tongues. The Wiktionary link I have given above tells no more than this little-trusted tale (bold mine):

  Apparently related to liþe (“mild”)’ probably cognate with Serbo-Croatian ljeto, Czech léto, Polish lato, Russian лето (léto, “summer, year”).

How could an Old English word about summer come to us without kindred words in any tongue nearer our own than in the far-off speech of our cousins’ cousins’ cousins?

Are there any that are nearer to us than those?


texts: Why The New York Times no longer capitalizes "E-mail"

texts: Why isn't E-mail capitalized like it used to be in The New York Times?


texts: What do you call the receiver of friendship?

texts:
I came here from a question on ELL: a person who is willing to give up their life for others.
A friend is

Someone who is not an enemy and who you can trust -Cambridge dictionary

At that question, @Void commented:

'Friends' are often selfish, aren't they?

Which is quite true, although this is often seen as a bug, not a feature, of friends.
Cambridge's definition does not exclude selfish people; you would hardly trust someone who is reliably selfish, but a spot of egomania here and there is often accepted. As Honore de Balzac is supposed to have said, "Nothing so fortifies a friendship as a belief on the part of one friend that he is superior to the other."
Anyhow, while friendship is often seen as reciprocal, and certainly should be a two-way street, it may sometimes be one-sided. Take this example of Dirk Willems, who helped someone who was definitely not his friend:

Willems was held in a residential palace turned into a prison, from which he escaped using a rope made out of knotted rags. Using this, he was able to climb out of the prison onto the frozen moat. A guard noticed his escape and gave chase. Willems was able to traverse the thin ice of a frozen pond, the Hondegat, because of his lighter weight after subsisting on prison rations. However, the pursuing guard broke through the ice and yelled for help as he struggled in the icy water.[1] Willems turned back to save the life of his pursuer, thus being recaptured and held until he was burned at the stake near his hometown on 16 May 1569. (Wikipedia)

In this story, it can be said that Willems was a "friend in need" to his pursuing guard. So if Willems was the guard's friend,
What was the guard in relation to Willems?
A giver gives a gift to a reciever.
An employer employs an employee.
A speaker talks to a listener.
And a friend loves a _________.
A noun or noun phrase is preferred.
Related:

The opposite of "gift"
What do we call the receiver of a distribution


texts:
Would any one let me know the correct usage of instead of?

Here, I have written an example.

  In this example case, if we traverse from vertex 2 to 3, in stead of vertex 2 to 4, the problem can be solved.


texts: What is the origin of the phrase "triple threat"?

texts: "Triple threat" means things in different contexts. For performers, it refers to someone who excels at acting, singing, and dancing. In basketball, it refers to a person who has the option to pass, shoot, or dribble. When, and in what context, did this phrase originate? What was it first used to describe?


texts: Which is correct? "my life work" or "my life's work"

texts: Which is correct? to say "my life work has consisted of..." OR "my life's work has consisted of..."


texts: A personal, perceivable watershed moment

texts:
How would one describe an event in their life positively redefining their future in a significant way?

Further, how would one explain that this "watershed moment" was also perceivable at the time?

As I understand it, a watershed moment cannot really be perceived in real time, but needs a background of events for a reader to understand why the moment was significant.

Example:

  She perceived a turning point when she interacted with the scientists.


texts:
I'm walking in a direction and there is someone who is ahead of me and walking in the same direction as me. I'm trying to catch up with him. If I say:

  If I speed up, I might be able to beat the distance between me and him.

Does beat the distance make sense? Should I say something else to explain this kind of situation? If it's okay, is there any other phrase I can use in this kind of situation?


texts: Is "dissatisfactorily" the correct adverb for not satisfying?

texts:
I want to express something like this:

  She had asked him why he had done it, but he had replied dissatisfactorily; he said that he didn't know.

I also thought, maybe "dissatisfyingly?"

I'd like to keep the stem "satisfy" to express this.


texts: Is there a word for the room adjacent to an office where the secretary sits?

texts: E.g. "I arrived after 5:00 P.M. and waited in his asdfasdf for a few minuntes before being called to his office"


texts: Should a taunt, which is grammatically correct as a question, be treated like a question or a taunt

texts:
I am confused if a question which is placed like a taunt can be taken like a question or like a taunt.

Examples:

  Are you saying so because you built it?
  Is it too much to ask for?

These are grammatically correct questions, but do they sound provoking? Are these necessarily questions, not just grammatically but the way they sound?


texts: Is there an equivalent word for "discourse" signifying not a way of speaking but a way of thinking?

texts:
Normally "discourse" is used academically to describe the way a social group speaks about a particular subject. But is there an equivalent for how a social group thinks about that subject, even if it is not directly spoken about?
Thank you in advance.


texts: Better terms for "Investigative Abilities" and "General Abilities"

texts:
I'm writing a roleplaying game based on the Gumshoe system (I swear this is a language question rather than one for rpg.stackexhange.com!).

Characters in this games have a set of Investigative Abilities and a set of General Abilities.

The two sets of abilities function in very different ways and have very different purposes, and in playing the game previously, there was some confusion because they're both described as "abilities" despite featuring different rules.

Investigative Abilities are things like forensic science, evidence collection, research - things that allow the characters in the game to find clues. They always succeed.

General Abilities are things like driving, fighting, pick-pocketing - things that don't in and of themselves lead to clues, and that also might fail.

Is there a better way of describing these two sets of abilities that more clearly delineates them?


texts: Is this 'inversion' common in spoken English?

texts:
While I was listening to a guided meditation by Jon Kabat-Zinn (who is a Native English-Speaker) I bumped into an expression that appears to contain a sort of inversion in an affirmative sentence.
I've looked it up in the Cambridge Grammar Reference online and it seems this is something not linked to the presence of be likely to.

  Only if you know, or even suspect that it actually does, are you likely to have enough energy for the discipline of formal practice.


texts: Idiom for a situation or event that makes one poor or even poorer?

texts: Is there any idiom or expression in the English language that describes a situation in which the budget goes tight(er) and one becomes poor? In my mother tongue, they say "X happened and their bread gets thinner/smaller," implying on a situation in which the individuals should eat less as the result of economic hardship. Is there any phrase similar to this in the English language?


texts: I will drive into town... but I can't drive

texts:
My girlfriend messaged me earlier to say "I will drive into town with my mother". I thought this was odd, since she doesn't have a licence. Turns out she meant that her mother will be driving, and she pointed out that it is perfectly fine to say "I will drive" in that case, citing the second usage of the verb from here.

I guess she is right then. Really though? I drive, can also mean I will be in a vehicle that somebody else is actually driving?


texts:
Do we always use the definite article with inventions?

The paper and the gunpowder were invented in China. (an example from my student's book).
Paper and gunpowder were invented in China. (I've seen this sentence in quite a few British and American scientific articles).

Thank you!


texts: A word for distracting a person's attention from their numbness or lack of sensitivity

texts:
Numbness is the absence of physical sensation. What single word might be used for "distracting" from it, for diverting a person's attention from their numbness or lack of sensitivity?

Bert found that stroking his elbow was the best way of ____ himself from his numbness.

Bert winked at her to ____ her from her numbness.


texts: What would be an apt technical term for the fear of eating cat food?

texts: If there were a technical term for the condition in which a person is irrationally and intensely afraid of inadvertently eating cat food, what would that term be?


texts: How current is the use of "but" to mean "except for"?

texts:
I am  aware of the use of but to mean except for.

My question is: how current is this usage?

Is it appropriate to use it in contemporary documents that are not literature production? (for example: technical documents)


texts: "And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio?"

texts:
Here's from Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 2
(The Arden Shakespeare edited by Harold Jenkins)

Hor. Hail to your lordship.
Ham. I am glad to see you well.
Horatio, or I do forget myself.
Hor. The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever.
Ham. Sir, my good friend, I'll change that name with you.
And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio?
Marcellus.

I'm wondering what is the subject of the sentence:

And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio?

Is it "what" or "you"?
It seems to me that "what" is the subject, because Horatio answered:

A truant disposition, good my lord.

However, I wonder why the "make" is not "makes" in that case.


texts: Are there any other English syllables without vowels, besides "thm"?

texts:
As far as I knew*, all English syllables have a vowel sound and all of them are spelled accordingly, except for "thm" as in rhythm and algorithm.  Are there any others?  And are there any etymological reasons why this / they exist(s)?

* See JSBang's answer.


texts: Difference between individual and standalone

texts: I am wondering what is difference between these two words. My dictionary says that they both stands for the same thing. Is that true? I do not think so. Please can you explain me usage of both of these words? Thank you a lot.


texts: Using commas before and after he/she said.

texts:
"People here are doing there best," he said, "We have to support them."

My coworker told me that I shouldn't use commas between "he/she said". Is there any truth to that?

Sorry for my ignorance. I'm not a native speaker.


texts: How can I describe the age difference between myself and my sibling?

texts:
I'm having trouble trying to find a way to convey that I am x years older or younger than one of my siblings.

For example, if I had a sister that's four years older than me, the first thing that comes to mind is:

  Among the visiting family members was my four-years-older sister

Which just seems incorrect. The only other thing I can think of, however, is:

  Among the visiting family members was my sister, older by four years.

... which also sounds strange.


texts: duration and period for observation settings

texts:
I have a question on which to use "duration" or "period".
I would like to use the word for settings of some observations using a sensor.
I searched on the Internet and found the following.
http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic3594.html

Duration means the length of time something lasts: the duration of the flight - the duration of the war - the duration of the parliament. Period refers to a particular time in history/the past as in the classical period in music the romantic period in poetry.

From the above, the "period" seems the thing of the past. The "duration" seems the word to use.
On the other hand, on page 23 of the following, I found "Period" for "Schedule > Measurement speed".
http://rbr-global.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/RUG-LL-0000703rev7.pdf
From Merriam-Webster, I found

Period 6a: a portion of time determined by some recurring phenomenon
Duration 2: the time during which something exists or lasts

Question: Which shall I use for the settings of observations by a sensor?


texts: Correct hyphenation of "ever-more-connected"

texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  When is it necessary to use a hyphen in writing a compound word?

What would be the correct way to hyphenate the phrase "ever-more-connected"? Does it even need hyphens?

An example sentence:

  They were excited about the new possibilities in their ever-more-connected world.

My instinct is to hyphenate it as I have here, but I'm not 100% sure and searching the internet turned up no specific explanations.


texts: What do you call a person who is in some danger and needs help?

texts: A person who rescues someone in danger is called a saviour. What is the person who needs help from this saviour called?


texts: Is this sentence ambiguous? ("it is not" followed by -ing)

texts:
English is not my first language. I found the following sentence:

It is not having fear that is the problem.

Am I right thinking that it is ambiguous? I can think of the following different meanings:

"It is not having fear that is the problem." -> The lack of fear is the problem.

"It is not having fear that is the problem." -> The lack of fear is not the problem.

"It is not having fear that is the problem." -> The subject "it" is something that is different from "having fear that is the problem", where "that" refers to something else.

"It is not having fear that is the problem." -> The subject "it" is something that is equal to "not having fear that is the problem", where "that" refers to something else.


texts: What do you call someone who exploits people and their confidence using ‘clever speech’?

texts:
I am referring to someone who makes people ‘buy’ what he says and gets things done by them through nothing but clever speech – something one can describe as crafty or beguiling, but not fraudulent.

I pondered over con man and con artist for a while but those terms seem to hold a hint of crime, so those terms won’t fit in.

I am wondering if there is a more suitable phrase or word.


texts:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/506txfpwodov9fp/untitled.wma?dl=0

Can a native speaker help me with this soundbyte?
I think the word I'm looking for is 'wanted' but all I hear is 'wonted'.

The accent sounds a bit weird to me, I want to make sure I'm hearing the right word.

The best and most [?]... thing we should respect the most.


texts:
People of Generation Y have the nickname millennials, because many of them graduated around the year 2000, the millenium.

People of Generation Z are sometimes called centennials. "Centennial" means "100th anniversary," and I don't see how this generation has anything to do with the number 100.


texts:
What is the meaning of the lyrics of well know song by Enya - May it be
?

  May it be an evening star shines down upon you.
  [...]
  May it be the shadow's call will fly away.


texts:
I can't understand the meaning of this sentence -
"But she knew it was unfair of her, given that she barely saw her father, given that she continued to measure out her contact with him, whether to deny herself or to deny him, she could not be sure."

What is the meaning of "measure out"? I guess it means to measure. But again I am not sure what it means "to measure out her contact with him"
What does it mean "to deny herself or to deny him"? It does not sound complete. Deny him what?


texts: Is this an independent or dependent clause?

texts:
Look at the following example

'But she was so tired, she did not finish painting.'

Is the first clause an independent or dependent clause?

If it is an independent clause, should I remove the comma to prevent a comma splice?

fyi,
'So' is used as an adverb of degree, so the latter clause is a result of the former.


texts: What's the meaning of flex in that case?

texts:
I just saw a comment from YouTube, but don't know what its meaning is.

After checking the dictionary, I couldn't find a matching meaning for the above sentence.

Who can give an explanation, Thanks.

  I just realized. He is not flexing on us, he is flexing on his ex wife.

From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX96I7PO8YU


texts:
What's the difference between "that which" and "what"?

Which of the following sentences is correct, and how (if at all) do they differ?

  We only want to free technology from that which makes it inhuman.
  We only want to free technology from what makes it inhuman.

(example from Return to Order ch. 10, penultimate ¶)


texts: "That said," "That having been said," or "That being said"?

texts:
That said, the game is over.

That having been said, the game is over.

That being said, the game is over.

Are all equally acceptable?


texts: Which is correct, "all night" or "all-night" and why?

texts:
The sentence is, "...we've been up-all-night writing reports..."
Is it all night or all-night, and could someone explain why?


texts:
New York Times (August 6) reported under the title, “25 years after Gardner Museum heist, video raises questions” that Federal officials released a video tape recording a guardsman, Richard Abath’s actions on his duty at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in the morning of March 18, 1990, the day 13 artworks including three Rembrandts and a Vermeer were stolen from the Museum. It reads:

  In 1990, Richard Abath, a 23-year-old who, while moonlighting as a security guard, allowed two thieves posing as police officers to enter the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum here. For 25 years, his decision to buzz in the men who carted away $500 million worth of art has been largely treated as the hapless act of a rookie watchman who fell for a bluff.

I can understand “fall from a bluff,” but I don’t know what “fall for a bluff” means. By Googling, I barely found “fell for a  bluff” in the Sport Rack's article (March 15, 2015):

  “The Stormers finally surrendered their unbeaten record when they were defeated 28-19 by the visiting New Zealand side, the Chiefs, in the Super Rugby match at Newlands on Saturday afternoon. After the match, Stormers captain Duane Vermeulen said his side fell for a Chiefs bluff.”

I don’t find “fall for a bluff” as an idiom in English dictionaries at hand, nor its currency on Google Ngram. What does it mean? Is this a popular English idiom?


texts: Does "neath" have any standalone meaning?

texts:
Beneath and underneath both indicate similar concepts, and since under- is a free morpheme in many contexts, is neath a bound morpheme or does it derive from a standalone root?

I bring this up since many instances of underneath and beneath can be replaced with under.

  "Where were your keys?"

  "They were under the couch." / "They were underneath the couch." /
  "They were beneath the couch".


texts: whiskers vs sideburns usage in UK vs US English?

texts: Is the word whiskers more like UK English and "sideburns" more like US English? I see the term originates from "Ambrose Burnside" who was American so the word "whisker(s)" can be older than the word "sideburn".


texts:
I remember that there was a way to say "do as you please" and it was something like "do as you thou".

The last word was something like tho/though. I just remember that it started with "th". Can anyone suggest a phrase that might fit this?


texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  Origin of the idiom “go south”

My understanding is that "go south" means something fails. I would like to have a post with the title:

  My job opportunities have gone south, again.

Is it correct? Is there a better way to put it?


texts: "as" or "than" in comparative constructions

texts:
Is it usually as or than that is used in such constructions as the following?

Twice as many men said they liked action  movies as/than comedies.

Twice as many customers ordered pizza as/than Caesar Salad.

There are very controversial answers on the web.
Thanks!


texts: Expression for "a regular bencher" in sports?

texts: How would one describe a player in a team that is not playing much, and is usually just on the bench for most of the games?


texts: Schoolchildren population or schoolchild population?

texts: Although we are taught to use singular adjectives to modify nouns, "schoolchildren" population seems to be a more commonly heard and searched (Google) option than the true singular "schoolchild" population. Is popular usage defeating correct grammar?


texts: Why is the pronunciation of 'ch' different in chamber and chameleon?

texts:
Sometimes ch is pronounced as /k/, as in chorus/chameleon. Sometimes as /tʃ/, as in chamber/chalk.

Why is it so?


texts:
What is the origin of the idiom in “A hair-raising story”?

hair-raising: causing excitement, terror, or thrills
American Heritage® Dictionary


texts: Comma after "said"? The sign said "Keep off the grass"

texts:
The sign said "Keep off the grass".

Questions
(1) Comma after "said"? The sign obviously didn't speak, so omit comma?
(2) There was no terminal punctuation (full stop) after "grass", so full stop goes outside ending quotes?
(3) If the sign did have terminal punctuation, period goes inside like this, right?
The sign said "Keep off the grass."

And, would a comma follow "read"?

The sign read, "Keep off the grass".

Thank you.


texts:
is the following a comma splice?

  The more important idea belongs in the main clause, the less important in the clause introduced by the subordinate conjunction.

I know the first part before the comma is an independent clause, but I wasn't sure about the part that follows: "the less important in the clause introduced by the subordinate conjunction"


texts: what does this mean: Said General Custer to his horse

texts:
I came across the phrase 'Said General Custer to his horse' in this Dilbert comic.

But I have no idea what it means.

I searched the internet to find what it means but all I could find were pages about George Armstrong Custer some include his horse but none give a really good explanation on what the phrase means.

So what does "Said General Custer to his horse" mean?


texts: What’s the difference between “there’s someone doing something” and “someone is doing something”?

texts:
They are lines from Chicago.
There’s Bernie lying on the couch.
I come back, open the door, and there's Veronica and Charlie doing number 17, the spread-eagle.
Do the two constructions have different emphasis?


texts: What are the grammatical parts of "You idiot!"?

texts:
I've heard native English speakers say "You idiot!".

However, is it considered grammatically correct?

If so, what are the grammatical parts?


texts: What single word (verb) means 'to realize as a moral norm' or 'to bring into being as a moral norm'?

texts:
Imagine that the term "grrfumblezig" is a verb, defined as "to realize as a moral norm" or "to bring into being as a moral norm".

An example sentence using this term is: "The architecture of the societal systems within which the ancient Greeks were forced to interact grrfumblezig egoism."

Another example sentence using this term is: "The narrative myths of ancient Chinese culture grrfumblezig collectivism."

A third example sentence using this term is: "Their unconditional commitment to disbelief of all assertions, even in the presence of amply sufficient evidence, grrfumblezig nihilism."

What term could replace grrfumblezig in this sentence, to mean "to realize as a moral norm" or "to bring into being as a moral norm"?

NOTE: This question asks what I intended to ask here:
What single word (verb) means 'to assert as a moral norm' or 'to support as a moral norm'?


texts: A name/word suggestion for person who travels the world and collects rare items of decor/furniture

texts:
For a project that I am doing, I need a name or word suggestion.

The premise is that a individual is an explorer, or a traveller on adventures to far flung places, and collects & finds unique items. More specifically furniture/decor items.

Any suggestions would be great!


texts:
"In response to the growing pressure from people living in developing countries to be allowed to migrate and work in developed countries many governments have now imposed harsh restrictions on immigration."

I wonder what kind of clause of the bold part? I found a similar sentence in another website:here

But I'm not sure that it's a complement clause. Please help me solve this problem


texts:
"times" is the preposition equivalent to "multiplied by".
what is the preposition equivalent to "divided by"?


texts:
I am editing a safety manual at work and am having a hard time figuring out comma placement.  Many sentences are complicated and technical, which I'm not used to editing.  Below are general examples of where I get hung-up.

Would I place a comma after visitors, or leave as-is?

Asbestos awareness training for employees, subcontractors, and visitors may be necessary depending on the concentrations of NOA present.

Is the comma after device(s) appropriate?

The switch, valve, or other energy-isolating device(s), will then be initiated to ensure that the equipment is isolated from its energy source(s).


texts: Modified version of an object, use of articles

texts:
What article should I use when referring to a modified version of an object?

For example, I try to shorten "a modified version of Dijkstra's algorithm" and I'm not sure which of the following are correct:

I intend to use the modified Dijkstra's algorithm.
I intend to use a modified Dijkstra's algorithm.
I intend to use modified Dijkstra's algorithm.

I googled these and there does not seem to be a consensus: 1980 results for the,
1710 results for a. Do the usual rules for using articles apply here?


texts: Using adjectives as adverbs and the use of the comma sign

texts:
Often, when I see an adjective following a verb I see the use of a comma, to make it clear it's an adjective and not an adverb:

Ale laughed, surprised

In some languages like italian you have what they call "adjectives that act as adverbs". I don't know in English and I was wondering if I can write something like that, without comma:

Ale laughed surprised

Another example is in the direct speech:

"Incredible!" said Ale, amazed.

Can I say as follow?

"Incredible!" said Ale amazed.


texts: I'm looking for a word that means "Intended for particular use"

texts:
I am trying to come up with a word that means something is intended to be used with something else, like "proprietary" without the legal connotation, for example after-market car parts. They're not proprietary, but they will only fit an '89 Cutlass, etc.

"Intended" is too broad, "integrated", "co-engineered", "related", "matching", "custom" all miss the mark.

"The Widget Co fasteners only work with these hinges, they're proprietary".

Edit more info:

Thanks FumbleFingers for "dedicated to/specifically made for", that is the right idea. I want to boil it to one word (if it's out there) to use in as a bullet point or - if I'm lucky - a mnemonic.


texts:
I remember taking special reading classes in 5th and 6th grade for this, but basically I have trouble pronouncing words that use the letter 'r'. I don't really know why this is as I am fine with all the other letters. But whenever I say a word that has a strong 'R' to it, like 'Rural', it's extremely hard to pronounce. I think this isn't normal because my family and friends never heard of this issue, and I have looked online but with no luck.

Also, for some odd reason when I do pronounce these words my mind adds emphasis to the 'R' sounding, and I feel like I am really screwing up the pronunciation. I don't know how else to explain it. But I feel like if I subconsciously talk without thinking (or talk really fast) I don't even notice the 'R' sound.

My problem is, since my brain does add that emphasis, it has a negative affect on me. It makes me feel like I am mispronouncing the letter/word and just doesn't feel right.

I'm wondering if there is anything I can do as an adult now to help with this? It doesn't happen when reading, only when speaking out loud.


texts: Can we use "this is" as a main clause? And can an independent clause start with the word "then"?

texts:
This is because they have already gone home.

In this sentence "because they have already gone home" is an dependent clause of independent clause "this is". Here my doubt is "this is" a main clause?

  2.We went to the movie and then we went to restaurant near the theatre.

In this sentence "then we went to restaurant near the theatre" is an independent clause. Here my doubt is, can we start independent clause with "then"?


texts: What do you call a note that gives preliminary information before the main part?

texts:
I'm looking for a single word (if not, a natural phrase) for a note that you write before starting the main article/part/question etc.
It can give preliminary information (in general). However, it can be a mild warning (but I would like to avoid calling it a "warning" which is too strong) or a reminder (thus, we can call it a "reminder" but I want a more general word).
An example context would be, when you are posting a question on stackexchange sites, you put a note in advance that people read it before the question and you make them think twice before posting an answer, you remind them that the question is (not) about this or that etc.
For example:

_____: This question is not only about finding a single word. I would like to get a detailed answer that addresses all the related questions.
<< Main question... >>

I considered the word note itself but I want to distinguish it from the notes that you write after or during the main part.
Then, advance note1 came to my mind as a phrase but it also has another meaning and can be confused with advance notice.
Prenote2 could be a nice word but it does not sound that natural and dictionaries list it as a verb only.
There are of course words like preface and prologue but they are usually too formal and comes before longer written works like novels.
Caveat3 is similar to warning but it might give special instructions. Can it be the word I'm looking for? I might have seen it used in this way on EL&U but it is used in law also.
I might be over-thinking and the answer might be very simple but I wanted to give as much information as I can. You might also talk about differences between words that fit to similar settings.

1 a draft on owners or agents of a ship drawn by the master for the benefit of a sailor usually for one month's advance wages [MW]
2 trans. To note or mention previously. [OED]
3 an explanation or warning that should be remembered when you are doing or thinking about something [MW]


texts: Example for "so" as a subordinating conjunction

texts:
On a webpage called Daily Writing Tips there is a list of 25 subordinating conjunctions including so. The example they're giving is this:

  “So sure were you of your theory about them, you ignored evidence that you were wrong.”

Isn't that an adverb here?
Isn't the first clause in fact the main clause while the following two are dependent?


texts:
I am making a piece of software which has the ability to send out Emails and SMS messages.

My boss has asked for both facilities to go under the same heading in a dropdown menu. But I can't think of a suitable work that encapsulates both.

Any suggestions?


texts: Negative form of "satisfy", correct usage of "such", difference between "quick" and "fast"

texts:
I just did an English test on the Internet because I have an entry exam tomorrow and I wanted to recap. I got 91% right, but I wanted to find out why I made these mistakes and what the correct way to answer the questions is.

First exercise I got wrong said: "Choose the negative form of the words in:satisfy – (= feel that something is not as good as it should be)". I chose "unsatisfy", even though it sounded wrong, and I got it wrong. It obviously is dissatisfy, but could you let me know why it is that way? and how to make the difference?
Second one was: "Which of the following is not correct: He was ..., he could do 10 km and not even sweat!". I chose "such a fit runner" and the rest of the answers were "so fit", "so a fit runner" and "such fit runner". Now when I think of it, "fit runner" sounds rather awkward. Is "so fit" the actual answer? If I were to answer with "such", would I still use an "a", like in the example?
The last question was "Which of the following is not correct: The train was ..., it went from Tokyo to Osaca in two and a half hours!". The possible answers were "such fast", "such a quick one", "so quick" and, the one I answered, "so fast". I got it wrong. A train is fast. Why would the answer be different?

Thank you very much in advance for helping me out!


texts:
There was the following passage in the New Yorker's (August 27) article titled, “A scandal at the C.I.A. May be.” :

  In January I (David Shafer, novelist) filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the C.I.A., asking for any information relating to my grandfather and Thomas Whittemore and the events of June 1950. They took two months to give me bupkes. But to give me bupkes, they were required to invoke a FOIA exemption, and the exemption that C.I.A. involved were (b)(3), which means the records are protected by another federal statute, and (b)(1) ---

Though I was unable to find the definition of “bupke” in OED (10th ed.), OALD (2000), and Collins Cobuild (4th ed.) at hand, I happened to find its definition at bageldrive.com, which says “bupke” is;

  A mini-bagel deliciously baked to perfection with fully functional USB 2.0 flash memory and a shmeer. It’s the world’s first electronic bagel. The Bagel Drive is ideal for storing files, photos, video, music and all of your digital tchochkes.　The site also shows photos of USB attached to plastic bagel models.

What does bupke mean? Is it a flash memory in a bagel shape as described in bagldrive com.? Does it pass as the generic term of flash memory?

Beside, I wonder why CIA takes bother of using such a funky shape of all flash memories to provide data to the requester.


texts: Good English expression for sorting this between ourselves?

texts: If there is a problem at work and I want to convey to others at a similar level to me, that I would like to solve the problem "between ourselves" and not involve the boss or management - is there a good phrase or expression for that?  Usually I would use something such as "keep this between ourselves" or "sort this out amongst ourselves" or "figure this out ourselves", but I cannot help but feel there should be a good expression to use.


texts:
. . . alibis . . . appetite . . . rather . . . Mark . . . [audio source]

The first two a’s are different in their phonetic symbols in the dictionaries from the other two, but I can’t differentiate. What’s the difference between /ӕ/ and /ɑ/?


texts:
I am looking for a word that can replace "unfortunately". The context is an email to reply to a query on the award of project.
Example: someone emails and asks if we have heard any news on the award. My reply would go like
"Unfortunately, we have yet to receive any update from the client...". However I feel that unfortunately is a bit too strong. Is there any other word that can be used here?


texts: Why is "no" used instead of "yes" in this conversation?

texts:
Monica: Is he not cute enough for you?

  Rachel: No!

  Monica: Does he not make enough money?

  Rachel: No, I'm just....

The conversation is taken from Season 1 Episode 24 of the sitcom Friends.

Rachel is worried that she and Monica's brother Ross might not work out. Then Monica is asking why.

Both of Rachel's responses are No's. Judging from the context, it is obvious that Rachel thinks Ross is cute enough and does make enough money.

But, why does she answer with two No's instead of two Yes'es?

To me, No means no, he is not cute enough in the first answer and no, he does not make enough money in the second answer, which is absolutely NOT the intended interpretation.

No is more likely to mean "No, that's not my concern".

Am I correct? Anybody is equally confused as me?


texts:
Link to the sound in question

Another example of the sound

I'm trying to write a sword fight scene where a swordsman is able to predict his opponent's next swing. And every time he does, he hears this sound. The best I can think of is something along the lines of "screeching metal". But that's not what I'm looking for. It doesn't fit.


texts:
I’m hoping someone can give me some feedback/advice on the dash below.

  The site also supports a mobile
  version that allows you to easily
  check whether a book is in your
  collection—a feature inspired after
  purchasing already-owned books one too
  many times.

I guess I could also split this into two sentences.

  The site also supports a mobile
  version that allows you to easily
  check whether a book is in your
  collection.  This feature was inspired
  after purchasing already-owned books
  one too many times.

Is the first version is correct, and if so, is it preferable to the second?

This link makes me think it's correct, but I thought I'd ask the community; I always seem to get fantastic feedback here.


texts: "I bought (or) have bought all their records after the concert"

texts:
I have bought all their records after the concert.
I bought all their records after the concert.

Which one is correct?
I understand when we use the present perfect and when the past simple, I just wanted to know if the expression 'after the concert' could also mean the period of time since the concert and up to the present day?
Would that allow the use of the present perfect?


texts: How to diagram or breakdown the sentence : "What you think is right is not right"

texts:
I'm very confused.

Is this correct.
And between 'think' and 'is' which one is the main verb?

Thank you


texts: How to politely request to be called by first name instead of Mr. Surname?

texts:
Let's say that somebody from a partner firm with whom I've never spoken before starts an email to me with "Dear Mr. Rossi,".

When a reply to her, I think I will then have to start with "Dear Ms. Her-Surname," to not sound disrepectful. But I would like to make this email conversation less formal next time.

Is there any better alternative to the sentence below?

  Dear Ms. Her-Surname,

  First of all, feel free to call me
  Ivo. Regarding your...


texts: Proper tense for 'to be' in non-if conditional clauses

texts:
You will receive your money back under the condition that the product (is / be / will be / ?) returned in the original packaging.

This method removes the constraint that the batteries (are / be / will be / ?) fully charged at the time of activation.

Is any of the options correct? If so, why it and not the others?


texts: Is there an English equivalent to this French idiom : "Brasser du vent"?

texts: This idiom means "Talking a lot without significant results". I was wondering if there was a specific idiom to say this. So far, I have found nothing but "hot air merchant".


texts: Sublime: I think my understanding of this word is a little off, help please?

texts:
When I was introduced to the word sublime in a philosophy class, what I heard, which now I am realizing may not be the case, was that sublime meant so beautiful that it crossed the line of pleasure into pain, ache, and incomprehension.

What I see from online dictionaries is that it is more of an elevated beauty, possibly transcending, but no mention of pain.

So my question is, all those years ago, did I have a filter on that day in class?
In other words, can sublime include pain or ache, beauty that is beyond pleasing (e.g., sublimely beautiful)?

If not, is there such a word?


texts: Take this as an example: "school volleyball team". I wonder why it isn't school's volleyball team? Could anyone tell me when it is better not to use 's for possession?


texts:
What is the origin of the expression stop-gap?

  stop-gap: A temporary way of dealing with a problem or satisfying a
  need

Where and how did this expression originate?


texts:
Here is a sentence:

We would like to import auto parts from your company on a regular basis, provided your prices compare favorably with those of others.

Is the sentence right? I think the word "compare" in the sentence should be replaced by "are compared", for in my view COMPARE is a PASSIVE statement. Can anyone tell me which one is right? Thanks!


texts:
Which one is correct to say OR what's the right way to say -

Each one of us thinks about oneself all the time.

or

Each one of us thinks about himself/herself all the time.

or

Each one of us thinks about ourselves all the time.


texts: Where do commas fit in with regards to a list of inquiring/exclaiming quotations?

texts:
If one were to list several exclamatory quotations within a single sentence, where and how do commas fit in?

For instance;
   "When children are on my lawn I like to yell, "Get away you mangy kids!", "I'm going to call the police again!", Here comes the garden hose!", "I know where you live!", or something to that effect."

Do the commas belong outside the quotation marks, inside following the exclamation mark, or do they not belong at all?


texts: Interpretation of "what is the probability of having offspring that are male with blue eyes"?

texts:
I'm not sure if this is asking for:
The probability of your child being both male and blue eyed?
or
The probability of your male child having blue eyes? (If you have a male child)


texts:
Well it is summer time and I have to lose some weight so I have chosen the cardiovascular activity to do that jumping rope. While digging on some information I have asked myself a few questions:

Why do they call the jump rope skipping rope in England? Do they call it skipping rope or jump rope in the States as there are World Rope Skipping Federation (WRSF) and The United States Amateur Jump Rope Federation (USAJRF)? What is the etymology of "skipping rope" as you are jumping not skipping? What is most common to use nowadays as I have heard both? See this NGram.


texts: What is a good idiom for deceptive smile?

texts: Is there a good idiom that implies fake happiness in the same way 'crocodile tears' imply fake sadness?


texts: What's the more common way to refer to a road with 180° curves?

texts:
A hairpin road is a road with hairpin turns or bends.

According to Wikipedia:

A hairpin bend , named  for its resemblance to a hairpin/bobby pin, is a bend in a road with a very acute inner angle, making it necessary for an oncoming vehicle to turn almost 180° to continue on the road.

Such turns in ramps and trails may be called switchbacks in American English.

I've always thought, as it appears from the article above, that the common expression to refer to such a curvy road is "hairpin road" and that "switchback road"  is a less common AmE variant.
But checking with  Ngram "switchback road" turns out to be the more common expression both in BrE and AmE.
Question:
What is the  the above described road more commonly called in BrE and AmE?
Are there alternative expressions to refer to it?


texts:
In terms of word count, what is the longest phrasal verb in the language? (The longest that I can think of is only three words long, but there must be longer ones, right?)

Take "bend over backward" for instance. It's my understanding that "bend over backward" is a phrasal verb, because "over" and "backward" are not simply functioning as adverbs—the three words combined have a meaning that is distinct from any definition of the word "bend."

The winner of this competition shall earn the title Honored Champion of the Phrasal Verb.


texts: What's the meaning of "mean" in "in the mean time"?

texts:
As I understand it "in the mean time" means "in the time between now & a specific future occurrence."  What's the meaning of "mean" here?

I assume it has something to do with "average" but it's not clear to me exactly what.


texts: What does "anyone is ever" mean in this sentence?

texts:
Only in words is anyone ever omniscient.
which one is the correct understanding:

Only in words anyone could be omniscient
Only in words anyone was at least one time omniscient


texts: Is this parallel? "He's not only the Hair Club president but also a client.'

texts:
Are the following sentences grammatically parallel?

"He's not only the Hair Club president but also a client." (No comma.)
"Not only is he the Hair Club president, but also he is a client." (Comma.)
"He not only is the Hair Club president but also is a client." (No comma.)


texts:
What does the word "monetise" mean here?

NexTable will give Zomato another service to complement its listings, and potentially better monetise them.


texts: When to choose "with doing this" or "by doing this"?

texts:
Governments should enact laws to restrict drivers' behaviors in some areas...........

With doing this, we can create a safer community.

By doing this, we can create a safer community.

Which one is correct and formally suitable to writing?


texts:
Does English “sludge” relate to “slough” (swamp)? They both of uncertain origin.

"sludge" means mud and "slough" means muddy.


texts: What do we call the receiver of a distribution

texts: I know that the person who is distributing something is called a distributor. what do we call the persons to whom the distributor is distributing.


texts: The ways to indicate a state or an action which lasted and then ended at or before some point in the past?

texts:
I feel quite confused. If I want to say that something was true or was happening for a while before some point in the past, what ways does English give me to express that?

If I want to express that some state was true for a while before some point in the past, which English tense should I use?

  "They had been married (Past Perfect) for a while before they divorced
  in 2019"

  "They were married (Past Simple) for a while before they divorced in
  2019"

Are the sentences above correct and do they express the same meaning? Or do they have slightly different meanings?

And what about the following two?

  "I had been explaining (Past Perfect Progressive) this rule to you for half a lesson before I
  gave you a test"

  "I explained this rule to you for half a lesson before I gave you
  a test"

Do they both have similar meanings?
In contrast, these two sentences are not about a state ("Being married) but they are both about an action, namely - "explaining".

Do I understand correctly that they both seem correct to native-speakers because they are both about an action in the main clause and not about a state? And if there was a state in the main clause, would it be in Past Simple?


texts: "Reserved SQL words are written in uppercase" or "reserved SQL words are written in uppercase letters"?

texts:
Reserved SQL words are written in uppercase.
  Reserved SQL words are written in uppercase letters.

Would the first sentence be understood? Would the second sentence be preferable, or more correct?


texts: What is the correct way to say that the electricity has come back after a power outage?

texts:
English is a second language for me. If I translate literally from my native language, I'll say, "The electricity has gone." and "The electricity has come".

For the first sentence, we say things like

The power is out.
The electricity went out.
We just experienced a power outage.

What is the correct way to express what I am trying to express the second sentence?


texts: Past or present perfect in: "The ball fell down" or "The ball has fallen down"

texts:
I dropped something onto the floor just now. What verb tense would be appropriate to describe the situation right after falling?

The ball fell down
The ball has fallen down


texts: Can the word 'formatting' be used as a noun?

texts:
Can the word formatting be used as a noun like in the following sentence:

Consider the formatting of this JavaScript code...

Or is it a gerund which should be used without an article:

Consider formatting of this JavaScript code...

Here is the context of the example sentence.


texts: Correct or correctly: "I got them all correct / correctly"?

texts:
I just answered a battery of test questions, and posted the following comment:

"I got them all correctly."

Should I have said "I got them all correct."?


texts:
Can I write 'think + object + to infinitive'?

"He is thought to have stolen the money."

Is this sentence correct?


texts: Is there a word to call the second rainbow above the first?

texts:
As is known, a double rainbow is formed when there are two reflections inside a raindrop and a second rainbow, which tends to be fainter than the first, is distinguishable above the first.

Since in 'Shakespeare's Non-Standard English: A Dictionary of His Informal Language' by Norman Blake I found that, as an instance, 'water-gall' means 'small rainbow which at sea precede a storm', I began to wonder whether there is also a word to call that second rainbow. Is there?

Yes, I know that second rainbow or secondary rainbow or even faint rainbow can be used, but I'm looking for an informal or slangy name.


texts: Word for meaning across the solar system

texts:
Is there a single term in english that means "to cross or to traverse a solar system"?

For crossing the Atlantic we have transatlantic, to cross the continent we have transcontinental and even to cross a galaxy we have trans-galactic (admittedly the last one is a hyphenate) But as far as I can tell we dont have any single word for traversing a solar-system.

My first instinct would be to say trans-solar-system. But, a double hyphenate feela awkward and the sound of it also seems incorrect.

My reason for asking is that I'm writing a paper describing satellite transfer paths that span the solar system and a single term would let my writing flow slightly better.


texts:
I'm having trouble understanding the sentence "in which old associations and the fair young hermit, now within those walls, bore a nearly equal part" in the following paragraph from The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Who's this white hermit she's talking about? Please help.

  While I thus stood, leaning on my gun, and looking up at the dark gables, sunk in an idle reverie, weaving a tissue of wayward fancies, in which old associations and the fair young hermit, now within those walls, bore a nearly equal part, I heard a slight rustling and scrambling just within the garden; and, glancing in the direction whence the sound proceeded, I beheld a tiny hand elevated above the wall: it clung to the topmost stone, and then another little hand was raised to take a firmer hold, and then appeared a small white forehead, surmounted with wreaths of light brown hair, with a pair of deep blue eyes beneath, and the upper portion of a diminutive ivory nose.


texts: 'Authority of Incumbent ' what does this phrase mean in Job description analysis

texts:
'Authority of incumbent' in job description
Job description
A job description is a written statement of what the jobholder actually does, how he or she does it, and under what conditions the job is performed. There is no standard format for writing job descriptions, but most descriptions include sections on:
•   job identification
•   job summary
•   relationships, responsibilities, and duties
•   authority of incumbent
•   standards of performance
•   working conditions
•   job specifications


texts:
Sentence:
Don't worry, I've bought an extra ticket for the show should you decide to come at the last minute.

In this sentence, is 'if you decided' also right (instead of 'should you decide', obviously)? Or do you have to use the inversion form with 'should'?


texts: Generally being open source is a description for software and computer programs. What should be called a hardware device, robot, etc. that people could freely take benefits of that and manipulate its operations, algorithms and control mechanisms?


texts: "if" in the past, but is it still a conditional?

texts:
It's my first post here, so please be gentle with me.

I had a situation where I exchanged couple of emails with another person couple of day ago. Then after the exchange I don't remember if the person called me by the phone, so I'm trying to write an email with a question about that to this particular person.

This is what I'm trying to come up with, but it became super complex to me:

  I think I missed your latest email on Friday, or did I ? Could you please remind me if we had spoken by the phone after you had sent me an email ?

Especially I'm interested in the part of the sentence after if.

I think the sentence is incorrect because sending the email part should be more in the past then the phone call conversation, but there is no more past in English.

Any help greatly appreciated!


texts:
If you cut or rip something off somebody (I know it must seem a little strange to ask a question about this context, but I am writing a rap song and want to be sure about this phrase) and you want to say: 'I rip your head off', could you also say the following?

  'I rip your head off you'

Would it still make sense or just sound weird?


texts: Should there be a comma in "Tell   says hi."?

texts:
I just wrote to someone,

  Tell Alivia Wyatt says hi.

Am I missing a comma?  It seems like there almost has to be one between the names.  I find it a strange sentence to punctuate.


texts: What's the word for the small square indicating a right angle in a geometric figure?

texts:
I'm talking about something in geometry notation and/or drafting, I think. It's the mini right-angle shape you can draw within an angle to indicate that it's ninety degrees.

E.g., the mark denoting angle C:


texts: How should one punctuate a bulleted list in the middle of a sentence, not at the end?

texts:
There have been many posts about the proper way to punctuate bulleted lists, but I have not found any that specifically deal with how to punctuate such lists when they appear within a sentence instead of at the end. Example:

"However, individuals who are:

employed by ABC Inc. on a temporary basis (, ; ?) or
seconded to ABC Inc. by service providers on a temporary basis (, ; ?)

will not be required to comply with the obligations set out in Section 7 hereunder unless their initial contract is for a period of at leat 3 months on a full-time basis, or unless the position warrants earlier compliance."

In this context, I am not authorized to merge the bullet points into the sentence.

How should this list be punctuated?

Also, is there a name for this kind of list in the middle of a sentence?

Thanks.


texts: Food and equipment becomes or become expensive. I am not sure if I should use become or becomes in this sentence.


texts:
In the following sentences, does 'small' function as an adverb or an adjective?

  Visitors will be astounded at the amazing exhibits; one of these is a small sliver of moon rock that visitors are allowed to touch. The rock has been worn smooth by years of visitors reverently touching a piece of the moon.

(My students and I can't tell if 'sliver' or 'moon rock' functions as the noun/noun phrase... any help or reasoning much appreciated, this has been going around in my head for a week!)


texts: How to research the expansion of the meaning of "wildlife" to include plants?

texts:
Washington State USA has a law that requires counties to designate and protect "Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas." The legal rules for implementing this statute include language strongly suggesting that rare native plants fall within the statute's protection mandate and some counties have done this. The county I live in disputes this, maintaining that "plants are not wildlife.". The standard rule in law is that if a term is undefined in the statute where its used resort is made to a dictionary. Indeed, out of 30+ definitions of "wildlife" I found by googling "wildlife definition" about 2/3 are not limited to only fauna (animals). I would like to trace the expansion of the meaning of this word. Is there a way to do this without resorting to physically visiting numerous libraries to see the word's meaning in multiple editions of different dictionaries at different times? Any suggestions are appreciated.
-Steve, Whidbey Environmental Action Network
wean@whidbey.net


texts:
The following is a dialogue between Alex and Haley appearing in episode 11 of Morden Family season 6.

Haley: I just wish there was something that you could teach me.

Alex: Uh-huh.

Haley: Wait, what about your Judo stuff?

Alex: Uh you're not interested in that.

Haley: No! No! I am! Come on! Karate-chop me or something!

My question is whether the Haley's "No! No! I am!" response is grammatically correct or not.

I'm not a native English speaker and according to what I have learned so far, I think she should have said "Yes" to express that she is interested.


texts:
I am looking for one single word to replace the phrase fierce passion. The entire sentence is:

  I found in myself a fierce passion to understand the language of man.


texts: is "I bring that statement to contest" grammatically correct?

texts:
My question is if the sentence

  "I bring that statement to contest"

is grammatically correct and in a logical sequence of words that can be understood. Also, I would like to know if that is a correct way to use contest as a transitive verb when meaning to "To dispute" or "Call into question".


texts: When listing things like goals, do you use semicolon or colon?

texts:
For this project, I have two goals: make it more efficient, and give it more exposure.
There are two goals I want to accomplish; I want to make it more efficient and give it more exposure.

Which one is incorrect or are both of them wrong? If not wrong, then which one is more common to do?
Thank you!


texts: Is it permissible to omit "of them" in the following case?

texts:
I spotted a rottweiler while walking on the trail. What was one (of them) doing in a forest like this?

Is the of them necessary? Can it be omitted?


texts: What does it mean when someone says "your brain must be full"

texts:
Today I had a discussion with my colleague and I was telling her that I am thinking of these 1-2-3 items to do for a long while but couldn't do because of my bad time management. She replied that "your brain must be full".

Could you someone please explain what does it mean when someone says "your brain must be full" in above context?


texts: Usage of English definite article when referring to generic word

texts:
My mother language does not have articles, so I still struggle to choose when to use the indefinte and definite article. The other day, I learned:

"The dog is an animal" is acceptable.
"The iron is a metal" is not acceptable. (By the iron, I mean the metal, not the device.)

Is that true? If so, could anyone explain why?


texts: Word for individual who tips the balance

texts:
Suppose there are two vice presidents vying for influence/supremacy within an organization.

One vice president is admittedly weaker than the other, so he forms an alliance with a powerful underling who can tip the balance and make him (his team) the stronger.

Is there a word for this third person, the underling on Team B, whose involvement would tip the balance?

I'm thinking of a politically-charged word like "power-broker", but in a more subservient role. (Power brokers pull the marionette strings, whereas this fellow is talent.)

Note: I would create the tag "mot-juste" but I presently lack the required rep.


texts: What's the word for "doing useless things while you don't have anything to do"?

texts:
Can anybody tell me what the word for "doing useless things while you don't have anything to do" is?

Let's say I am surfing on the web, reading some articles, etc. while I don't have anything to do.  It is not computer related. I am looking for a broad term.

I've checked the synonyms of "killing time" and these are what I've found:

dawdle
hang around
idle
kill time
lark: (v) play boisterously
mess around
play around

It seems lark can work for this case.


texts: I am looking for a word that means "to use whatever is available as a resource"

texts:
The word would mean "to use whatever is available as a resource".

For example,

  If I do not have a ruler, I will just ______ to anything that is straight.

What is this word?


texts:
I am not a native English speaker, hence please bear with me.

I understand that fanny means mess around and waste time. Can someone suggest how I might make a sentence which uses fanny, as an equivalent to

  Don't waste my time.

Also, it would be great if someone can explain under what circumstances we can replace wasting time with fannying about.


texts:
In one of the episodes in the TV-Show "Rick and Morty", Rick uses the word "schwifty" when he is singing.

Obviously, this is just a made-up word. But my question is how is such a made-up word categorized? For example, I know some would argue that it is a "neologism". However, it is not really an accepted or mainstream word yet. So I assume it has to be called something else.


texts: Origin of the phrase "on the wrong side of history"

texts:
I've been hearing the phrase "on the wrong side of history" a lot lately, most recently today when President Obama said that Russia was on "the wrong side of history" for its actions in Ukraine.

There is already a question about the meaning of the phrase, but I'm wondering about the origin.  When was this phrase first used, and where did it come from?


texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  Can 'revert' be used as a synonym of 'reply'?

Is it correct English to refer to replying to someone or giving feedback as "reverting back"? People in my workplace are using that term more and more. It sounds completely wrong to me.

Here are some examples:

  We will investigate and revert back as soon as possible.
  Will reschedule and revert back!
  Please let me know who will be able to go and who won’t by COB tomorrow so that I can revert back to her.


texts: Regarding whether to add a preposition in infinitive phrase served as attributive

texts:
The two sentences I encountered when I read grammar book are as follows:

I had no place to live in.
A good place to eat is the Sichuan restaurant around the corner.

Regarding the 1st sentence, the grammar book says the infinitive phrase to live in serves as attributive to modify place. The sentence can be changed into: I had no place in which I can live. And there must be a preposition in to form the phrase to live in the place.

Thus, if the rule of the grammar book is right, there should be a preposition at right after eat and the sentence will be A good place to eat at is the Sichuan restaurant around the corner for the 2nd one, which makes up the
phrase A good place at which we can eat.

So, what do I want to know now is which one is right or both of them are correct?


texts: Is there a word for tangible progressive action towards a conscious goal?

texts: Progressive action as opposed to speculative or hopeful action (daydreaming, prayer, etc.) Doing something in the present to actively contribute to your goal.