texts:
There are several different verbs that deal with handwriting.

Write, Handwrite, sketch, draw... then there is Type, key-in... etc.

Is there a verb that means to write in calligraphy?  I have thought of the verb 'to pen' something, but many times that means to just write longhand. (or use a pen, or take a note...)

The sentence I found a need for the word was that a friend said he would write a note on a box in fancy handwriting. I expressed a thought that you could write underneath the word art, in parentheses '(you better like this, it took me 15 minutes to ________ the lettering)

A word that came to mind (not a real word) was something like calligriphate, or calligrafy.


texts: The information is processed 'separately' at 5 'different' planes

texts:
Is this sentence redundant?

  The information is processed separately at 5 different planes.

Can separately be used with different without adding any redundancy?


texts: Interesting sentences in English language

texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  Awkward sounding but grammatically correct sentences?

The following sentence is one eminent speaker

"It is difficult to use, three times consecutively, in a sentence the word because because because is a conjunction" - C. N. Annadurai

Please post the sentences that you found interesting


texts: Which is correct sentence? Use of verb with would

texts:
I am having little difficulty with the use of would.
Here are two examples that are making me confused about use of verb with would.

What would happen if he loses the match?
What would happen if he lost the match?

Which one of these two is correct?


texts:
I've found other threads (see example links below), but I still can't sort this one out on my own. Are these -ings gerunds or participles? And therefore should they be preceded by accusative, possessive, or nominative pronouns?

They stayed that way: he/him/his playing his guitar, she/her singing her songs.

Helpful Example Threads:

When is a gerund supposed to be preceded by a possessive adjective/determiner?)

What's the difference between a gerund and a participle?


texts: Phrase for an argument that has so little supporting evidence that it would lose without refutation, but is not self-refuting

texts:
Let's say, for example, that Joe and Bob are in a formal debate over whether the products used to clean stoves are safe. Joe starts the debate by arguing that the products are unsafe. He cites a few pieces of evidence that are anecdotal and are therefore likely to be disregarded by the judges. Joe bases most or all of his argument on this evidence. However, at no point does Joe offer evidence that serves to refute his argument.

So, essentially, it would be safe to say Bob has basically won the debate before he said anything.


texts: Correct term or phrase for "unidirectional gaga"

texts:
I'm not sure if such a figure of speech exists in English, and "unidirectional gaga" is certainly not correct.

But which wording expresses that a person becomes dumber from having exercised/performed something too frequently or in only one particular fashion.

It's an adverb or phrase that is usually applied to a person. But can also describe activities.
It primarily expresses "to make stupid" caused by a particular behaviour/performance.
The persistence or repetetion of past activites is implied to turn the person more dull / less open to alternative approaches.
Does usually but not necessarily have a derogatory meaning.

Possible alternative ways to express this:

to become stultified

from ingrained habits
through monotony

somebodys behaviour became dull

from tedious repetetion
ever the same approach

But of course I'm searching for a more catchy phrase or expression which coveres that sentiment.


texts: Hyphenate multiple modifiers to a single noun, or not?

texts:
Should I hyphenate the phrase "pedestrian detection algorithm" in the example sentence below? The algorithm is designed to detect pedestrians. However, I am worried that it could be misread as a pedestrian "detection algorithm", whereby the phrase "detection algorithm" is being modified by the adjective "pedestrian".

  The pedestrian detection algorithm detects the humans in the ROI using two-step (LBP-AdaBoost and HOG-SVM) classifiers.


texts: Use of "Tarpit" to describe a slow cumbersome process

texts:
In computer science Turing Tarpits are programming language that can theoretically compute anything but it is extremely cumbersome to do so.

In Networking a Tarpit slows down incoming connections to fend off malicious programs such as worms.

Can this be generalized?
I assume people would understand me if I said "This process will be like going through a tar pit" to describe that it will take long and will not be easy, but is it understandable or even common to just call such a process a tar pit?


texts:
I am here.

conveys spatial information.

How would I say the same about temporal information?

Say I were a time traveller, and to specify that someone/something is not “here” - in time.


texts: How do you parse the sentence "What is it about cheetahs that make them so fast"

texts:
I have been working through a grammar book, and I have learned a lot. However, I have trouble when it comes to question type sentences.

My best guess is that

"What is it about cheetahs" is a noun phrase?

"that makes them so fast" is another phrase?

I feel like the main verb is "makes", but I'm not sure about "is"

Also I'm not sure about the role of "that" does it just join the two phrases? It almost seems that there are 2 dependent phrases but that doesn't sound like it would make sense.

I'm just looking for help breaking this sentence down into its parts.


texts: Looking for another way to say 'someone is incompetent of carrying out an assignment"

texts:
Have you heard of the Peter principle?

  In an organizational structure, assessing an employee's potential for a promotion is often based on their performance in their current job. This can eventually result in their being promoted beyond their highest level of competence and potentially then to a role in which they are not competent, referred to as their "level of incompetence"

I want to know is there a word for the "act of occupying a position that you are incompetent in"?


texts: Is there an English word for a feeling of impending doom or dread?

texts: Is there a word for a feeling of impending doom or dread?


texts: A word referring to the state of being a loser

texts:
There are terms like:

survivor > survivorship
victim > victimhood

is there one for "loser"? and what is it?

I stumbled upon the word "defeatism" but I'm not sure if it is the same as "the state of being a loser" as per New Oxford American Dictionary, the definition is:

  a person who expects or is excessively ready to accept failure.

Regarding the usage, I'm trying to write some self-help style posts and just like discussing how to "move from victimhood to survivorship" and etc, I would like to be able to communicate how to "move from loser/-xyz/-ship/-hood/-dom to self-actualizer" – presuming one day I discover/be gifted the/some adequate ideas!

As far as I understand, though in general usage the opposite of "to lose" is "to win" but when it comes to individuals who are falling short of what they could/should/aught to have been in their lives and aren't, I believe the adequate opposite is "self-actualizer". Because in order to be considered a "winner" there is always, at least a hypothetical, jury that decides, gives score and etc regarding a certain set of criteria which may or may not relate to the individual.

Or maybe there is a term that actually refers to the ultimate opposite end of "self-actualization" that I should use instead of "loser"?

For example, in Mary-Elaine Jacobsen's book the vocabulary of choice is "everyday genius" and "false self" but given that neither these two term have made it into wide usage, not even as so much as "self-actualization", I guess they are not the right choice.


texts:
I am sorry if this has been asked before.

I read the following in a textbook:

  The examples are intentionally simple, so we can focus on the language features.

I thought that

  The examples are intentionally simple so that we can focus on the language features.

is correct.

Can someone clarify?


texts: What is difference between Annotations, Marginalia, and Side notes?

texts:
I am bit confused about the usage of the proper word (Annotations, Marginalia, and Side notes) in given sentence.

Example:  The revised version of my notes includes many useful ______ .

annotation: a note by way of explanation or comment added to a text or diagram.

side-note: a marginal note in a text.

marginalia: notes written in the margins of a text.


texts: What does "in the phrase of the period" mean?

texts:
From Charlie Chaplin biography book by Peter Ackroyd (page 3),

  He confided on occasions to his friends that he was not sure of the identity of his biological father; nevertheless he took the name of a successful music-hall artist, Charles Chaplin, who was for a while married to his mother. He once said to an assistant, Eddie Sutherland, that "I don't know, actually, who my father was. He may have been, in the phrase of the period, a love child"

What does "in the phrase of the period" mean here?

Thank you in advance


texts:
Is there an adjective for the word "dictionary"?

For example, the adjective for "book" is "bibliographical"; and "literature", "literary".

  A bibliophile may give you a literary definition; a logophile may give you a [dictionary] definition.

I know "dictionary" on its own can fit, but I would like to find an actual adjective.

The closest word I can think of is one that I have made up: "dictionarial".

Update: I've had a quick look on OED, and it seems "dictionarial" does seem to be a word. I'm still a bit uncomfortable about it, however. Is it a well-recognised word?


texts: What do you call a person who refuses the love of another?

texts:
In terms of courtly love, you have:

The lover (person in love)
The beloved (object of the lover's affection)
The courtier (the pursuer of the beloved; alt. term for a lover)

The lover or courtier would pursue the beloved, who would appear chaste in public but secretly swoon over the lover, and the two would profess their love in private. Most texts on courtly love also refer to the person "who scorns the lover's advances", but don't give this person (usually a woman) a title.

I am looking for a word that fits in this nomenclature to refer to this person (man or woman):

  the scorner of the lover's love.

The word that I'm using is "shrew", but that doesn't quite fit the gender neutral requirement. As well, a shrew is just a bad-tempered woman, not necessarily someone who scorns love. I don't like "scold" for the same reason.

What word could fit in this sentence:

His love wants a living kiss, but she is a _______ who will never requite.

I am happy with a neologism if it fits.


texts: Does "Fail to understand" have a negative connotation?

texts:
As from title, if I say:

  XYZ failed to understand the idea that was conveyed by the article.

Would you associate a negative connotation to this?

What I mean is: does the above sentence give you the impression that the person did not understand the article because he/she is stupid?

I want to imply that it may not have been his/her problem, but that it was possibly because the article was not completely clear (which I state before, I am just wondering if the use of fail gives a negative vibe to the sentence).


texts: The all too frequent conundrum involving "who" and "whom"

texts:
Sir Reginald Wingate, a British general, is said to have described the Bedouin as “an untrained rabble, most of whom have never fired a rifle.”

Should it not have been "who" instead of "whom" in that sentence fragment?

Google search for "most of who have" returns about 2,70,00,000 results. While a similar search for "most of whom have" returns about About 70,20,000 results. I understand though, from Laurel, that a more reliable approach would be to either consult the Corpus of Contemporary American English or Google Ngram Viewer.

The problem with the sentence fragment is that it does not sound right substituting "who"/"whom" with "he"/"him".


texts: What is the phonetic term for consecutive sounded vowels?

texts:
I am interested for the term used when instances of two consecutive vowels sounds are in different syllables, such as:

  thrOUGHOUt, abbrevIAtion, immedIAte, barrIER, cOExist, promiscUIty, crEAte, pallIAtive, amIAble etc


texts: What does "place oneself under the doctor" mean?

texts:
I was reading an article about a struggling postman where it quotes his solicitor explaining some trouble the postman was having:

  Mr Arthur ... told the court: "He was assigned a number of different walks. (delivery rounds). He struggled with those and he didn't complete the work. He didn't place himself under the doctor, he just didn't manage.

The phrase place himself under the doctor doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Is it suggesting that he could have taken sick leave? Or a doctor could have written a letter on his behalf to explain the difficulties? Is the meaning anything to do with a medical doctor?


texts: Is there any saying or idiom to describe the opposite of “blessing in disguise”?

texts:
Something that looks like a good thing at first, but has unforeseen bad consequences.

For instance, while irrigation schemes provide people with water for agriculture, they can increase waterborne diseases that have devastating health effects, such as schistosomiasis. (From wikipedia)

Major edit in body to provide a better example as requested in the comments. Saeid, please let us know if you disagree and this conflicts with your intent. -T.R.


texts: Is the phrase 'at your Beckon Call' marked with servitude or with politeness?

texts:
I recently entered into an argument with my Mom regarding it's apt use. Though traditionally, it implied servitude, but hasn't it's meaning changed over the years?
Basically, is using it to a Professor/Higher Authority convey servitude or politeness?


texts: Can I use the word "school" when referring to something that belongs to a university?

texts: For example, can I refer to the main gate of a university as the school's main gate? Or say school begins in September instead of university begins in September (especially in informal speech)?


texts:
I have seen both

  Set something on its ear

and

  Turn something on its ear

to mean make a surprising change in a certain area.

I've been looking for its origins, which google ngram registers as far back as the 1920s, but have come up dry. Does anyone have any knowledge--etymological or anecdotal--of where this came from and why "ear"?


texts: In a course of philosophy I heard “I mean it’s not like you’re going to fall asleep already, riddle me that”. My dictionary gives me only the noun’s signification “mystery”. but I guess it is used her as a verb. It’s mean something like “make that mysterious”?


texts: 'fraud' can refer to a person, what word can we use for a thing?

texts:
We can say: "that man is a fraud", what word can I use in "the theory of relativity is a...fraud"?

I am looking for a word that carries the same severe negative connotation


texts:
I am trying to come up with a term to represent human remains that have not been cremated; they will be buried in a casket. I tried casketed, but that's not actually word although it sounds good. whole just sounds like a strange and almost disrespectful word to use. Any ideas?

Edit: My specific usage is referring to a ceremony (burial at sea) that is different depending upon whether the person is cremated or not. For example, "only two of these locations allow casketed remains." The remains will not be buried in the traditional sense, because it is a burial at sea.


texts: Is it the "second half" or "second part" of the century?

texts:
I faced this problem when interpreting the transcript of records today.
The subject is: "European History of the second half/part of the XX century till today"
So is it better to say "part" or "half"?

P.S. does "till today" sound all right?


texts: I have got a car (Present Simple or Present Perfect?)

texts:
I was taught that ‘have got’ means 'possess, own, or hold' and you can also use ‘have’

[Present Simple]

I have got a car./I have a car

I haven't got a car./I don't have a car

Have I got a car?/Do I have a car?

For the rest of tenses it must be used ‘have’
[Past Simple]

I had a car.

I didn't have a car.

Did I have a car?

[Present Perfect]

I have had a car.

I haven't had a car

Have I had a car?

When I started learning the simple past and present perfect. I knew a lot.
I heard a song called ‘I got a car’ by George Strait. I recognize that 'got' is past simple.

[Present Simple]

I get a car

[Past Simple]

I got a car

If I make it in Present Perfect. It will be...
[Present Perfect]

I have GOT a car (I tried to give emphasis in GOT)

Now my confusion is. How can I talk about getting something that is intended, requested, or desired (the verb get) in present perfect? If ‘have got’ is reserved for possession, belonging or inclusion, with the direct object.

I have got a car. (In thr context of possesion, belonging or inclusion)

I have got a car. (Present Perfect of 'I get a car')

--
English isn't my first language. (I'm sorry if you see a mistake)  I asked that in another forum and I didn't get it.


texts: Anachronistic equivalent for regional disparity

texts: Is there an equivalent term to anachronistic when referring to regional disparities between concepts rather than chronological ones?


texts:
What's the word meaning the use of the wrong word?

For instance, calling a "theft" a "robbery".


texts:
Is there a difference between the words transform (noun) and transformation?

Let me describe my problem. I have a mathematical model which I can transform into a better model with help of a data matrix. Should I call this matrix a transform, or should I call it a transformation?

An example sentence where I would use this is:

  To recognize with the optimized model, first the transform(ation) is applied and then the likelihoods are calculated.


texts:
Even is one of those words with lots of meanings. It can mean divisible by two or flat/level.
But it can be used in a sentence such as this:

Are you even listening?
What time does the shop even close?

I realise how it makes a difference to the meaning of the sentence... but how? What does it actually mean something in this sentence? Does it even mean anything?


texts:
I would like to ask about respect level languages in English. I was taught to always use "would like to" instead of "want to" to express politeness and respect. However, I am not sure whether this applies to all subjects.

For example, when I write emails to Professor, I am not sure whether I have to use the words "would like" when the subject is the professor/older people. I am sure that this is correct : "I would like to inform you (professor) that I......". But I am not sure about this: "So if professor (or older people) would like me to do this, please don't hesitate to contact me".

What made me doubtful is this: if I put an older person as the subject and me as the object, shouldn't I have to say "want" instead of "would like" since I am younger than the subject? To me, this sentence sounds that I want the subject to say politely and with respect. Please correct me if I am wrong; sometimes I am confused when writing emails to professors.


texts: If monarchs have "subjects", what do caliphs have?

texts:
What is the usage in English (be it an imported Arabic transliterated word) for 'subject' as in 'the subjects of a monarch' but of a caliph?  In other words, what is a 'subject' of a caliphate called?
My context is Islamic (particularly Abbasid Caliphate) culture.  I would prefer to import the Arabic transliterated word into English rather than use an English word such as 'subject' or 'citizen'.


texts:
Recently I read a sentence -

  The French Rooms, at least until modern periods are reached, are a demonstration that in the sphere of aesthetics, science does not produce the greatest artists - that something other than intelligent interest and technical accomplishment are requisite to that end, and that system is fatal to spontaneity.

I am not sure if 'are' instead of 'is' should be used since it is referring to 'that something other' which seems to be clearly singular. So what should it be?


texts: Right format for time of day when corresponding with Germans

texts:
I'm writing to some German folks in English, and I'm referring to the time of day -- an event that starts at 10 o'clock in the morning.

I know that if I were writing to other Americans, I'd use 10 am, 10:00 a.m. or 10 o'clock.

But for Germans who have learned English there, what is the right format? I've seen everything from 1000 to 10h00m.


texts: Plural and singular items in the same list

texts:
Which is correct? The list contains a plural item, but it also contains singular items. So would I use "are" in this sentence?

"An applicant with an undergraduate degree in business is supposed to qualify for the one-year program if their grades, resume, and GMAT score are good enough."
"An applicant with an undergraduate degree in business is supposed to qualify for the one-year program if their grades, resume, and GMAT score is good enough."


texts: I don’t know why “The arguments is” not “The arguments are”

texts:
When I studied EIKEN Grade 1 which is one of English examination in Japan, I saw the sentence below.

  The arguments of these oppressive governments is that personal
  freedom must be sacrificed for public safety.

I think the sentence is wrong because the one is used “is” not “are”.
Is it correct?

  The arguments of these oppressive governments are that
  personal freedom must be sacrificed for public safety.


texts:
Do you agree with the punctuation in these examples? I'm using BrE style here.

I like his sentence 'Be good to yourself and respect your elders.'
(I say that the full stop goes inside the quote mark.)
The email stated 'The meeting scheduled for June 12 has been cancelled.' (I say that the full stop goes inside the quote mark.)
I love the adage 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.' (I say that the full stop goes inside the quote mark.)
Lou said, 'I heard Jonas say "Martha and Frank are getting a divorce." ' (I think the ending punctuation ." ' is good.)
Ernie said, 'I didn't like it when Nancy called me a "schlepp".' (I think the ending punctuation ".' is good.)
When Nancy screamed 'Shut the hell up and get out of my house!' she scared her children. (I think no commas are needed in this sentence.)
When Bob said 'Be careful what you ask for', Nicholas began to weep. (I think only one comma here, yes or no?)
When Rufus asked 'Where are the liquid refreshments?' his wife pointed to the fridge. (I think no commas are needed in this sentence.)
The sign said 'Shoplifters will be prosecuted.' (I say that the full stop goes inside the quote mark.)
The sentences 'Be careful what you ask for', 'Life is way too short', 'Always respect your elders', and 'No good deed goes unpunished' provided sound guidance to Nicholas. (I say commas go outside the quote marks.)
Mike said, 'Don't be disrespectful to your parents.' (Full stop inside, I say.)
'I will,' Joe said, 'provide an explanation when the time is right.'
(I say the comma and period go inside the quote marks.)
'I will provide an explanation when the time is right,' Joe said.
(Again, comma inside.)

Thank you.


texts: Noun to describe something which evokes emotion

texts:
Is there a noun that can be used to described an object or idea's ability to evoke emotion? I'm currently using 'inducer', but it feels a little off.

For example:

  As a universal inducer of emotion, music is a potent cure for loneliness.


texts: Meaning of different responses to a negative imperative

texts: Can you answer a negative imperative such as, "Don't forget to buy some milk" with a "I will" rather than a "I won't." If so, what would it mean ?


texts: Is there an idiom for when the source is "clean" but the product isn't?

texts:
I was thinking of having a sentence that goes like:

  This situation presents the paradox of ________.

Basically, I want to say that it's ironic that the worst human rights abuses can be traced back to World Bank but at the same time, World Bank declares the human rights issues to be completely out of their responsibility.

What World Bank is saying is that human rights is completely outside their mandate. At the same time, they're the source of the worst human rights abuses


texts:
Context

I'd like to ask a question in an email and I need to explain that I already speak two foreign languages fairly well. I don't want to seem overly confident as I know I still make mistakes, but I can keep a conversation going with anyone using these languages.

As the email I'm writing is quite long, I assume there could be one or two mistakes in it. I thought about adding the "judge it for yourself" phrase, but I'm not sure I'm using it correctly. A Google Search didn't show me relevant hits, so I'm even more inclined to suspect that the phrase might be a little off.

Question

  (... bla bla bla, I moved to Germany, but don't speak the language...)

  I already speak English and Spanish fairly well (well, judge it for yourself, though) and now I am learning German.

  (btw, is the double well awkward?)

Is this correct? Would you recommend me using another phrase?

PS. If I made any other mistakes in this post, let me know and feel free to point them out, because it's difficult for me to spot unidiomatic phrases.


texts:
So, just a few minutes ago we had this question asking whether one could substitute ongoing availability with continuing availability and what the difference would be, if any. Apart from the question looking like spam and being deleted, my gut feeling told me it should've been continued availability instead of continuing.

This made me wonder: are these two exchangeable as well? Is there any subtle difference in meaning that I'm missing? continuing availability just sounds wrong, but I can't seem to put my finger on it as to why.


texts: What is a stronger alternative to "avoid"?

texts:
In the command form, "avoid" seems to have a weak connotation. For example, the sentence "Avoid Macaroni and Cheese" almost seems to have the clause "if you can" in it even though it doesn't.

So, is my observation correct that avoid is a weak command or at least has the connotation? If so, what are some alternatives to it that might be stronger?

I considered "Stay away from," but I think the length and separateness makes it lose its emphasis, so I would prefer something shorter.

Perhaps my lighthearted example of "Macaroni and Cheese" mislead some people. My purpose in using "avoid" instead of a command form of "Do not" is because I do not want to specify the action. I want to use it in the context of something like "Avoid alcohol".

Instead of "Do not drink alcohol," "avoid alcohol" includes all sorts of other actions that I would otherwise have to specify (for example, using alcohol in cooking, staying in the company of those who drink alcohol, going to a place with alcohol, etc.)


texts: What does this archaic use of "fear never but you" mean exactly?

texts:
In Emerson's famous essay Self-Reliance there's this sentence:

  Fear never but you shall be consistent in whatever variety of actions, so they be each honest and natural in their hour.

I guess that this is a rather archaic and/or literary use of the word 'but', and that it's more or less similar to its use in 'It never rains but it pours'. (In which 'but' means 'without it being the case that'.) Is my hunch correct? If so, what does the sentence mean exactly? The combination of the imperative and 'but' makes this sentence difficult to follow.


texts:
What does it mean "to rock a coat"? Does it mean to wear it?

  Still rocking my J Crew navy peacoat. Thing is warm as f-k.

  Zara-man coat I bought in Copenhagen in 2008. Still rocking it, still holding up.


texts: Aren’t there English equivalents to Japanese word, Senpai (先輩) meaning a senior in school, career, or age?

texts:
In Japan, we call a person who is a senior in school, office, and social activity even a-year-ahead arriver “Senpai.” We address quite casually and lightly to a senior who entered school and office even a year ahead “Senpai!” in school, office, club and even on street.

The opposite of Senpai is ‘Kohai (後輩)’ literally meaning ‘late-coming (born) guy,’ but it is rare that the Senpai calls junior(s) ‘Kohai’ to his/her/their face(s). When we call somebody 'Senpai,' we don’t need to prefix Mr. / Ms, or even add the surname.

Though 'Senpai' can serve as a mentor to juniors and freshmen(women) in school, on sports, on profession in many cases, the nuance of the word would be just "Hey, my elder peer!" I understand Chinese have the same word / characters (先輩) besides "xiansheng (先生)" = Mr., literally meaning 'earlier-born'.

As I looked for the English counterpart of this word in Kenkyusha’s Readers Japanese -English Dictionary, it provided the following explanation:

  Senpai – One’s senior. There is no English counterpart to this word
  because the relationship between senior and junior is not regarded as
  so important in English speaking countries. It would be more natural
  to say “He entered the company (university) five years before me,” if
  you wish to say “He is my Senpai.” in English.

However, this explanation doesn’t address how with what to call / address to Senpai as a courtesy title or addressing word in school, office, and business, social, cultural circles.

Is it true that there is no equivalent or alternative to “Senpai” as addressing word in English?  If there are, how do you call?


texts:
Achieving goals like opening a business, buying a home or going on
  dream vacation, require a basic method of savings to make it
  happen.

My question is is this verb form correct? Or should it be requires instead?
What's the grammar topic here? Please explain.


texts: Why would someone say “the American consumer” instead of "the American consumers"?

texts: As in "The Survey of the American Consumer" or "The state of the American consumer". Why is the phrase singular?


texts: Word for the sacred limit of ancient Greek temple?

texts: There is a special word for the boundaries or limits of the sacred area of an ancient Greek temple. It is "tenemon" or "termina" or "telemon" or something like that. Does anyone remember?


texts:
Is "not unpleasant" a double negative, and hence bad grammar?  See the first answer (by Ham and Bacon) to this question, for the basis of this question:

  "Did you enjoy the movie?"

  "Well, I didn't not enjoy it, but..."

Are all "not un..." forms incorrect?  They are very widely used, much more so than the blatant "not not" or "didn't not", etc.


texts:
Is there a difference between lucrative and profitable? I found this explanation here:

  They are not quite interchangeable, although I just checked a
  dictionary and it defines "lucrative" simply as "producing wealth;
  profitable." Nevertheless, I think there's a difference.

  "Profitable" is a plain, factual, ordinary word and it's the one you
  should usually use. It simply means that the contract is expected to
  make a profit for the company. You can intensify it by saying "very
  profitable." "Lucrative" carries a sense of great, possibly
  excessive profit. I imagine it being used in a context like this:

  "Well, we got the contract! And I can't believe it, they just accepted
  our numbers for the second and third year without trying to negotiate
  them down!"

  "No kidding! Wow! Well, congratulations! I think we should go out and
  celebrate, that's going to be a lucrative contract for us!"

  By comparison:

  "Well, we got the contract. But we had to make some concessions,
  they're insisting on a 10% reduction for year 2 and a 20% reduction
  for year 3." "Hmmm. Well, that wasn't what I was hoping for, but it
  still should be profitable for us."

This dictionary suggests that they are the same


texts:
Today, the human population of Madagascar has surpassed 20 million.

Today, human population of Madagascar has surpassed 20 million.

What is correct 'the human' or 'humam'


texts: derivation of "riddled" as in "riddled with bullets"?

texts: How did "riddled" come to be used as in the phrase "riddled with bullets"? Most definitions only include the puzzle type meaning.


texts: Is there a word that means both "is compliant" and "is aware"?

texts:
For example, a person that knows a rule exists and is following that rule.

(sorry if I'm doing this wrong- first post in this StackExchange)


texts: What's the conventional style for writing a conversation taking place in another language?

texts:
I'm writing a story and I'm having a bit of trouble with styling conversations that take place in another language. I want the reader to be privy to this conversation, so it has to be communicated in English somehow. I've considered a few styles but I'm at a bit of a block.

Here are the styles I've considered:

Direct quote, in original script: Useless if the reader doesn't know the language, which in my case, they definitely wont.
Direct quote, in transliterated script, translation in footnotes: I do this for the first couple of sentences to introduce the fact that they're not speaking English, but this really makes the story unreadable for large amounts of dialogue.
Translated sentence, in unquoted italics: This is what I've been using since it acknowledges that the translation alters what they're saying and introduces inaccuracies/idioms/colloquialisms. However, in long exchanges it doesn't look like speech.
Translated sentence, in quotes: Flows most naturally and is what the reader is accustomed to, but I'm against quoting specifically because that's not what they're actually saying.
Passive speech (e.g.:"Foo asked Bar about Baz."): I'm also against this because it's hard to develop a character when it's entirely up the reader how the dialogue unfolds.

Is there a preferred style to how this is done?


texts: Is it acceptable to use digit and word form of numbers in the same sentence/paragraph?

texts:
To illustrate, this reads a bit awkward:

  In a country with 75 billion SMBs, at least seven billion of them should advertise.

What's the acceptable practice in such sentences ?


texts: "The distance is great" vs. "high" vs. "large"

texts:
I don't want to change the structure of the sentence. So please tell me which adjective works better in this sentence — great, high or large.

  Due to the resolution of cameras, vehicles are not visible in regions where the vehicles' distance to camera is great.


texts:
I'm looking for a word like "pondering", of "considering" which has the connotation that I am very likely to decide to do the thing I am pondering/considering.

Thanks!


texts: Must you be successful to be labeled an "assassin"?

texts:
Query triggered by this Globe and Mail article:

Headline: Malala Yousafzai assassin held, freed in 2009 by Pakistan military

First Sentence: The would-be assassin who shot a Pakistani girl in the head ...

As you can see, they are not in agreement. The headline should read "attacker", should it not?

TheFreeDictionary also seems to believe that one must actually kill the target in order to be an assassin.


texts: Is there a word for "stripped of ones essential weirdness"

texts:
I'm looking for a word like "emasculated" or "neutered" except here it would mean "stripped of one's essential weirdness".

You could use it in a sentence like:

  He was [stripped of his essential weirdness] so he just cried through his pants like a broken sea-monkey.


texts: He has just been offered or he was offered

texts:
What are the differences in meaning between these two sentences:

  He was just offered a well-paid job with Radio Four. (Past Simple Passive)
  He has just been offered a well-paid job with Radio Four. (Present Perfect Passive)

Both are grammatically correct, but what are the real meaning if I use #1 / #2?


texts:
In February 1825 he married Julianne Thiemer, daughter of a property owner and well-established glove-maker in Seesen. Heinrich, a cabinet maker without property, a Beiwohner(boarder), was marrying up. Together, he and his wife raised ten children in Seesen, a small city of about three thousand people six miles down the mountain from Wolfshagen. (Steinway & Sons by Richard K. Lieberman)

How does marrying up work in this paragraph? Is there any difference if you use past tense here?


texts: The relationship between and correct usage of the words Chronometry and Horology

texts:
Wikipedia for 'Chronometry' states:

  Chronometry applies to electronic devices, while Horology refers to mechanical devices.

While on 'Horology', Wikipedia describes it in more detail, creating an ambiguity I'd like to clarify.

  In current usage, horology refers mainly to the study of mechanical time-keeping devices, while chronometry more broadly includes electronic devices that have largely supplanted mechanical clocks for the best accuracy and precision in time-keeping.

While reading this, I'm unclear if this text is simply poorly worded or they are genuinely introducing the idea that the words have somewhat overlapping meanings and are interchangeable in some limited circumstances.

  ... chronometry more broadly includes electronic devices that have ...

Is 'chronometry' meant to be a more broad term encompasing both old 'horological' devices such as mechanical clocks and newer electronic devices?

What is the 'proper' distinction between the two terms?
Is the chronometry article completely correct or is it more complicated than that?

Also if they are distinct, completely separate terms for completely different sets of things, is there a word that means 'horological and chronometrical devices', or is 'the study of timekeeping devices' my only unambiguous option?


texts: What's the difference between these names of moving water?

texts:
What is the difference between these forms of moving water?

Creek
Brook
Stream
River

Are there other forms of moving water that I am missing?


texts: Is there an adverb that means "according to my knowledge" or "if I remember correctly"?

texts:
I find it useful to give such a disclaimer when stating something from memory or personal knowledge but which I would not guarantee to be correct.

However, saying, e.g., "according to my knowledge" or "if I remember correctly" is also wordy and can be distracting.

There must be a one-word adverb that has a similar meaning or connotation (to one or both of these prhases), and I would appreciate if you could point it out.

I tried looking up 'recallingly' [which would be somewhat analogous to 'allegedly'], but it seems the word does not exist.

Edit: Of course, one could say 'perhaps' or 'maybe', but that has a somewhat different meaning because one could say 'perhaps' or 'maybe' without having any personal knowledge or memory of the thing in question. I would like to convey that I am not merely speculating or opining in the moment but that I have processed the information and now am passing it on to others as I have it in my mind.


texts: relationship between an increase and decrease?

texts: so I am looking for a word that would best describe such a situation as; the popularity of A decreased because the popularity of B increased.


texts:
What do these quotes mean? These quotes came to me together as a compliment. Does it mean good luck or does it mean something bad?

Like dogs in a wheel, birds inside a cage, or squirrels in a very chain, ambitious men still climb and climb, with great labor, and incessant anxiety, but never achieve the top. What we actually learn, from any given set of circumstances, determines whether we become increasingly powerless or more powerful.

Edit: The two quotations as usually quoted or misquoted are shown below.

  Like dogs in a wheel, birds in a cage, or squirrels in a chain, ambitious men still climb and climb, with great labor, and incessant anxiety, but never reach the top. – Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, 1621, as misquoted and often misattributed to Robert Browning.

  What we actually learn, from any given set of circumstances, determines whether we become increasingly powerless or more powerful. – Blaine Lee, in The Power Principle: Influence with Honor


texts:
I'm writing in the past tense, but this sentence needs to be in past perfect. Is this correct?

"When they had the chance, they had fought their way out."

Or should it be: "When they'd had the chance, they had fought their way out."

Thank you for you time


texts:
This expression is from the show "True Detective" (Session 1 Episode 6) A guy buys a woman a drink when they have just met, then she asks waiter to "martini, extra dirty".
This is the first time I've heard this expression. How rude is this? Is this just from Texas and other southern states? I think "extra dirty" means to put some salt and oil in it but I'm not sure.


texts: Does 'climacteric' necessarily express a 'peak' after which there will be a 'decline'?

texts:
The Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Ben Broadbent, has apologised today after his use of the word 'menopausal' (to describe the current British economy) was criticised by Carolyn Fairburn, the Director General of the CBI, the Confederation of British Industries, as being derogatory to women.

Also, the TUC (Trades Union Council) general secretary Frances O'Grady said:

  There's no need to resort to lazy, sexist comments to describe problems in the economy.

It seems that Mr Broadbent was influenced by the wording 'climacteric' in relation to economics. And he has picked out the state of menopause (which 'climacteric' is sometimes applied to) and has misapplied the concept of 'decline'.

I think he has misunderstood both the concept of 'climacteric' and also its usage in the area of human physiology. He has then homed in on the word 'menopause' as if it meant a pinnacle followed by a nadir.

  Climacteric - 2. Physiol. and Med. Originally: of, relating to, or designating a period of physical (and, often, psychological) change occurring in middle age and believed to indicate the onset of senescence. In later use: spec. menopausal. Cf. sense B. 2b.

OED

But the measure of the word 'climacteric' is, in its other main usage, not viewed as a peak, after which there is a decline, but rather as a step-change in  progression :

  1993   N. G. L. Hammond Sources for Alexander Great i. v. 67   The other Alexander-historians did not mark the Battle of Gaugamela as such a climacteric event.

The criticism levelled at the use of the word 'menopausal' was that women were being viewed as 'in decline' simply because their time of natural fertility was past.

But I think Mr Broadbent has misunderstood the meaning of the word 'climacteric' which is applied to the time of menopause and also, it appears, has been used to describe economic periods.

My own understanding of the word 'climacteric' is that it denotes a significant period or an epoch. But I can see nothing in the origin or usage of the word that implies decline thereafter.

I and my social counterparts are in our sixties and I would strongly dispute that the menopause denotes a 'peak' of human progression after which there is a 'decline'. Much the opposite, for maturity ought to be a step in the progression of one's developing humanity.

And I would further dispute that the word 'climacteric' gives any indication of such 'peak' and 'decline'.

Is there any excuse in the dictionary for Mr Broadbent's faux pas ?


texts: How do you describe the 'darker side' of someone? Context given here

texts: Context: Foster child learns to manipulate people to make them love her. She meets a kind mother for once, and she doesn't need to revert to her 'psychopathic' (for lack of a better word) side. I am thinking 'alter ego'.


texts: Does "smug" imply anything about correctness?

texts:
My local dictionary supplies this definition:

  having or showing an excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements

I was recently told by someone that, "It is only 'smug' if it isn't literally true."

We had a lengthy argument but the dictionary definition above didn't clear it up for us since it doesn't talk about correctness. Can someone say something correct or literally true but still be smug about it?


texts: Word for willingness to change your mind

texts: Is there a word for a high willingness to change your mind/opinion/definition if proven wrong or shown a more accurate truth?


texts: what is the difference between "be required to" and "have to"

texts:
In this sentence,

  a candidate  for the post of a constable in London Metropolitan Force
  is required to/ has to be minimum six feet in height or an advocate  appearing  before the High Court  or Supreme Court  is
  required  to / has to wear gowns and  wing collars.

Is there any meaning difference when I change each other?


texts:
The class will be over in 10 minutes.
The class will be over after 10 minutes.

I know the first is correct but why?


texts:
In the following sentence, what does the phrase put up mean?

I watched her put up peaches and tomatoes, placing jar after jar of jewel-colored fruits and vegetables on the basement shelves.


texts: Shakespeare Use of present tense narrating a past action

texts:
in Macbeth, Acte III -scene 6,

In this portion of the scene:
«
Lennox- Sent he to Macduff?

Lord -  He did, and with an absolute 'Sir, not I,'
        The cloudy messenger turns me his back,
        And hums, as who should say 'You'll rue the time
        That clogs me with this answer.' »

Why does Shakespeare use present tenses : « turns » and  « hums » to narrate a past event ?

Thanks by advance,

Julien


texts: Is there a single word "synonym" for "synonym"?

texts: It appears that there is not a single word that is the equivalent word for "synonym" in general usage. Is this the case?


texts: What is the word for when somebody is lying, yet they believe someone else telling a similar lie?

texts:
For example - let's say that Guy A is actually a 45 year old in his basement, but he pretends to be a young girl on a chat site. He meets Guy B, who claims to be a young boy, even though Guy B is also around 45 and is doing the same thing Guy A is.

Guy A will believe Guy B's lie, even though Guy A is doing the same thing, and Guy B will in turn believe Guy A's lie.

What is a word that could describe this sort of situation, if there is any?


texts: The use of an article for a psychological type of a person?

texts:
If I want to draw a comparison between a person's behavior and a famous historical figure, how can it be done? For example, it's OK to say.

You are quite a Napoleon!

But what if I want to ask a person whether he/she thinks that he/she is like Napoleon. Can I say?

Do you think you are a Napoleon?
Do you think you are the Napoleon?
Do you think you are Napoleon?

Apart from that, if I want to make it clear that the person is not Napoleon (in the sense, that the person doesn't belong to the psychological type of Napoleon), shall I say?

You are not Napoleon!
You are not the Napoleon!
You are not a Napoleon!
You are no Napoleon!


texts: Apostrophe on plurals of a word abbreviated with a symbol?

texts:
I can't find any good resources on this topic. We have an application that will abbreviate words at certain screen sizes and uses nomenclature specific to our client's fields.

One question that popped up is whether or not words abbreviated by a symbol use an apostrophe when plural.

The word in question is "dollars", which is abbreviated with "$". It's usually referred to as "{entity} Purchase Dollars", and it's a title, so title-case.

Should the abbreviation be "Purchase $s" or "Purchase $'s"?

And yes, I agree that "Amount" would be better, but "Dollars" is the nomenclature and makes sense to our clients.


texts: Why an adjective is used instead of an adverb here?

texts:
The sentence is : They rest sixteen to eighteen hours a day and spend most of that unconscious.

It comes from a passage about koalas and why they are so lethargic. Well, the sentence is complete without 'unconscious,' so it seems to have to be followed by an adverb not an adjective. But, if the adverb, unconsciously, is used, I think, it specifies the manner in which the verb phrase is done; the way of their spending time is unconscious. But here, what is meant by 'unconscious' was the state of the subject, they, during their spending time. And thus, I think the adjective, unconscious, is the right choice. But I'm not a native speaker, so I just want to make sure if the alternative sounds really bad, which would be "They rest sixteen to eighteen hours a day and spend most of that unconsciously."

Also, at the same time, I'm in a position to explain about this sentence, but I can't think of grammatical phenomenon for this. The closest one that I can think of is what is called quasi-complements, like the adjectives at the end of the following sentences. He died young. Or, they arrived exhausted. In these examples, the adjectives young and exhausted specify the subjects after intransitive verbs. But I heard that these quasi-complements occur after these types of intransitive verbs, such as die, arrive, etc. Unfortunately, that is not the case with the sentence that I'm struggling with. Could you explain to me what grammatical rule made this sentence possible? Thank you so much for your help!


texts: Can I use "verbally" in a written context?

texts: Can I use "verbally" to refer to textual communication? For example, can I say "Verbally encourage this behavior" meaning "Encourage this behavior in writing"?


texts: What is the difference (if any) between common interests and interests in common?

texts:
Is there any difference between "common interests" and "interests in common"?
One can certainly ask:

  "Do you have any interests in common?"

Can you also ask:

  "Do you, guys, have any common interests?"

meaning exactly the same and if yes, do they both sound natural?


texts: When a word has both English and 'Latin' plurals, which style should I use?

texts:
Many 'Latin' words in English have both Latin-style plurals and English-style plurals:

  referendum – referendums, referenda.
  minimum – minimums, minima.
  gymnasium – gymnasiums, gymnasia.
  aquarium – aquariums, aquaria.
  amoeba – amoebas, amoebae.
  antenna – antennas, antennae.
  formula – formulas, formulae.
  index – indexes, indices.
  appendix – appendixes, appendices.

In technical language, generally, Latin-style is the only proper form of Latin plurals.

In all other contexts where both Latin-style and English-style are proper, which style of plural should I use?


texts: Adjectives that can used with certain nouns

texts:
Is there a limitation on the kind of adjectives that can be used with particular nouns? For example, can I use the adjective lovely to describe food in the following sentences?

The food was lovely, was it not?
The food cannot be lovely, can it?


texts:
Suppose that we have a sum, involving several terms.
Then, each term which participates in this sum is called a 'summand'.

Now, suppose that instead we have a mixture of entities.
Is there a word to describe an individual entity participating in the mixture?
Say, something like 'mixand'?


texts: What is the difference between Past perfect cont and present perfect cont?

texts:
Could you explain the differences between the two tenses? When should I use present perfect continuous and when should I use past perfect continuous?

"I had been doing before I was young"

"I have been doing"


texts: Do "multiple choice" questions always have only one correct answer?

texts:
In most dictionary definitions it seems that "multiple choice" questions actually refer to questions where only one "correct" answer among several choices is expected to be chosen (e.g. the definition from Oxford Dictionary and Wikipedia (Not such a good source, I know). However, some other sources online purport that "one or more answer choices" can also be allowed under "multiple choice" questions (e.g. the description of the GRE exam).

What would be the correct interpretation of "multiple choice" here? Is there any regional variation at play? If it mostly refers to questions with exactly one correct answer, how should the questioner avoid misunderstanding if the question explicitly expects more than one answers to be chosen?


texts:
I don't think I found this question on the site.
I read in a game tip "Most of the animals are not dangerous. Bears are not one of them."
Is it grammatically correct? It feels off, I would have said "Bears are not part of them." or "Bears are not of those."
Additional info: I'm french, and for the curious the game is Among Trees


texts: About the meaning of "light smattering of applause"

texts:
I expected "light smattering of applause" to mean "few applause" because "light" has the meaning of "small, not heavy".

However, the phrase seems to mean "a lot of applause" in the context. For example:

  The critics were so fulsome in their praise that
  Scheinhauer, a librettist known to become squeamish after a light
  smattering of applause, retreated from public view.

Does anyone know how to understand the meaning of light smattering of applause?


texts: Term or phrase like "pangram" for more general cases

texts:
I am looking for a word or phrase like "pangram" that signifies an example of something that contains all the allowable contents of that class of object:

"1,234.567809" contains all the generally-allowed symbols for a (US) number
"1 + 2 × (3 / 4)" contains all the basic arithmetic operations
Or an example sentence without the concrete example: "this program is a Python 'pangram': it contains usages of every allowable syntax of the language."

It seems to me that "pangram" itself might fit the bill, but this usage would stretch the definitions a bit:

pangram, n. (OED)

  A sentence containing every letter of the alphabet.

pangram, n. (M-W)

  a short sentence containing all 26 letters of the English alphabet

EDIT: although I was hoping there was a more general form of "pangram" for any case that is a "complete example" or something similar, the original impetus for this request was to describe a Markdown document that contained all examples of Markdown syntax to use as a complete test case for a set of CSS styles. Perhaps there is a name for this in the particular domain of programming/markup languages?


texts:
I am writing a mathematical paper. There is a certain sequence (3) in the paper. I write:

  Lemma 4.5.  The sequence (3) is exact.

Is that correct, or should I better write with the zero article, like this?

  Lemma 4.5.  Sequence (3) is exact.

EDIT: I write a formula of a special kind, that we call "a sequence of groups and homomorphisms". This formula has a number, in my case it has number 3. After I write this formula, I claim that it has a certain property: it is "exact". The question is: should write with the definite article "The sequence (3)" or with the zero article "Sequence (3)"?


texts: What to call a small, open stone or cement reservoir that supplies fresh water from a spring or other natural source?

texts:
In Spanish, this is called a pila or pilón.  It's built out of stone or cement near a natural source of water (a spring or a stream) to hold the naturally-arriving water to make it convenient for people to fetch some water for personal use.

I have also seen them in the Italian alps, but I don't know what they're called there.

What can they be called in English? (either a single word or an attested phrase)


texts: What is the meaning of the word "rain-maker"? How did this originate?


texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  To hyphenate or not?

What is the proper way to spell "side dish"?
Is it: "side dish" or "side-dish"?

Also,
Is it "ham-fried" or "ham fried"?

Basically, when do you use hyphens?


texts: A word for someone who is unwanted, a pariah, someone left to fend on their own?

texts: I'm writing a book and I need a word to call a character who is punished for becoming part of a group of people who are socially rejected and unwanted. They are left to fend for themselves on the street.


texts: What's another way to say "Keep it on the horizon"?

texts: What can be another way to say keep it before you  or keep it on your horizon?


texts: Where does the suffix "-tine" come from?

texts: Where does the suffix -tine come from? For e.g., Ovaltine, Creatine, etc. all have a -tine suffix. What is the meaning connoted to the noun attached?


texts: Comma Usage (is this a dependent clause?)

texts:
Is the comma usage in the second sentence correct?

  An alaunt with short grey fur emerged from the darkness baring its teeth. Shortly after, its master followed.

I understand that a comma should follow a dependent clause. I'm unsure if, "shortly after" is a dependent clause.

I would like the sentence to communicate that the dog's owner appeared after the dog. (Is the comma necessary?)


texts: Differences between "fortification nouns"

texts:
What are the practical differences between these nouns?

Fort
Fortress
Fortification
Stronghold
Citadel
Castle
Palace

Context

In Norway we have a lot of old stone buildings, typically built for war in the 1600s. Most of the their names are translated to English using fortress, but, sometimes, one of the other nouns are used.

I have looked up these words in different dictionaries, but I haven't been able to determine the differences between them. When is it appropriate to choose one over the other?


texts:
Is there a better word or way of saying give or take to refer to the possibility of inaccuracy? For example,

  I will be arriving in 30 minutes, give or take 5 minutes.

I want to indicate the possibility of arriving within five minutes of either side. So about or approximately are too vague.


texts: Difference between usage of 'to' and 'of'

texts:
What is the difference between the right to freedom of speech and the right of freedom of speech?

Secondly, since in India this right is a provision mentioned in the Constitution,  while writing it should one write it using the uppercase, like Right to/of Freedom of Speech?


texts: What is the best way to insert my age in the following sentence?

texts: "When I was 25yrs old, 25years-old / 25 year-old I entered a university building at night through an open window with the intent of burgling it as I wanted to get myself sent to prison". What is the correct way to insert my age in this sentence please? Thank you in advance


texts:
Does provide need the preposition with, or is it truly ditransitive?

  Kindly provide us with your best quotation
  Kindly provide us your best quotation.
  He provided directions.
  He provided us directions.
  He provided us with directions.


texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  “Each other” vs. “one another”

Those using Irish Sign Language, American Sign Language or British Sign Language, will not automatically understand one another.

or

Those using Irish Sign Language, American Sign Language or British Sign Language, will not automatically understand each other.

which one is correct?


texts:
I want to know how to use the verb "bet" for expressing a commitment to, say, a new form of society. The reason why I'd rather use "bet" is because I need to express the sense of risk that would represent such a commitment, and the fact that such a bet can be lost. These are sentences where I would like to express that idea:

1. My bet is for/on a new society.

2. The bet for/on communism is a very risky one.

3. We are placing our bets on democracy rather than on totalitarianism.

For each of these cases (and maybe others), I'd like to know whether I should use "for", "on", or other preposition.


texts:
I have a question regarding how the rules of commas apply in a particular sentence. I cannot seem to work out what rules go with the following excerpt:

  The desert savanna of the Neolithic Period, with its flora and fauna, gave way to increasingly arid conditions, and rainfall alone was never adequate for agriculture.

I understand the two independent clauses rule and the interruption rule about making sense if you take out the middle sentence between a pair of commas.  This has four clauses, doesn't it? And so what rules should one use here?


texts:
I would like to know the difference between "a view of" and "a view from". I have found a sentence related to it.

We've reserved a double room for you with a view of the ocean.

So, couldn't you say "a view from the ocean" instead of "a view of the ocean"?


texts:
The printer only works with expensive, blue ink cartridges.
and
He found a tarnished, gold coin on the beach.


texts: Difference between to many people and for many people

texts:
I know that there is a duplicated post here:
https://www.google.com/search?q=to+many+people+or+for+many+people&oq=to+many+people+&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57.7519j0j4&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

However, it does not help me a lot. Could anyone tell me which is correct in the following sentences:

1.We understand that to many people, animal welfare is a secondary priority in their busy lives.

2.We understand that for many people, animal welfare is a secondary priority in their busy lives.


texts: Why use "would have to" in the past tense?

texts:
I was watching Bird Box and there was a sentence I didn't quite understand which was this:

  They took us outside and they forced our eyes open so that we would have to look at the creatures.

He was only explaining what was happening to him,  but why would he use "would have to"? It's not like "would" means "used to" here.

Can somebody please explain it to me? I just can't seem to find an answer to it.


texts:
a view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.

(Oxford Dictionaries)

This basically says that it is based on personal belief (i.e. "personal opinion") so can it be "right" or "wrong"? Or is it based on the content/phrasing of the opinion? For example,

  I like Vanilla, and I dislike Chocolate

vs.

  Chocolate is the worst flavour, Vanilla is the best


texts: Usually the prefix "a" means "not" or "without", for example: atheist, anarchy. But, in "amaze" it's not the case, since the word maze means "confusing" or "labyrinth" and "amaze" means "surprise". Is there another meaning to the prefix "a"? Or, is it not a prefix in this word?


texts:
If synecdoche represents when a part of a thing or person refers to the whole, what is it called when the whole is used to refer to a part?

For example, we often hear about what "The American People want". Yet such claims usually refer to what a segment of the people support. What is that rhetorical device called?

Another example, "The students were devastated to hear that the beloved football coach had died." All students? Even those who did not know him? Even those who never watch football? Is this just plain old exaggeration, or is there a word for when the whole is used to refer to a part?


texts:
Recently I have come across a sentence: “A token funeral is held. There is nothing to bury.” I couldn’t find an explanation what a token funeral is.

This is all the context that there is about the “token funeral”. I assume it means a funeral, without the remains, as they cannot be found.


texts:
We all know that the -al suffix creates the meaning of "pertaining to" or "relating to" or "of the kind" with a noun, e.g. social, fictional etc....
What I am looking for is a word for pertaining to personality. as I know the word "personal" means relating to person so that wouldn't be the answer. This sentence may be an example: "... The truth is that recent efforts have largely been focused on positive ethical and (pertaining to personality) characteristics..." where the context is moral psychology.
Any help is appreciated.
Regards


texts: What is the correct pronoun for mixed gender antecedents?

texts:
Neither John nor Mary thinks (pronoun?) will lose their race.

Probably the best solution for this sentence is to recast it as "Both John and Mary think the other will lose their race," or something along those lines, but I'm curious to know if there's a consensus on what pronoun best fits mixed gender antecedents in a case like this.


texts:
I am looking for an idiom that can be used for this like "if you were me you would have done the same thing "
 OR something like empathy , think from my sight, is there any idiom for such scenerio?
I tried to figure out but couldn't find that

I found something like, see through my eyes, but thats not appealing at all.
I thought of "be at my place" but I dont think it gives correct meaning


texts: Should an apostrophe be used in this context?

texts:
Should an apostrophe be used in the word "individual's" in the sentence  "... may disagree with some individual's worldview"?

I'm unsure if the word "individual" is possessive in this context.


texts: Why did 'y' disappear as an internal vowel in English spelling?

texts:
Why did the character 'y' disappear in favor of 'i' in English spelling? I've often noticed this replacement when merchants try to sell or advertise something as archaic or old-timey, writing wife as wyfe, for example, or time, as tyme.  I think this quote from Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex, well illustrates the phenomenon:

  I amongst other have indured a parlyament which contenwid by the space of xvii hole wekes wher we communyd of warre pease Stryffe contencyon debatte murmure grudge Riches poverte penurye trowth falshode Justyce equyte dicayte opprescyon Magnanymyte actyvyte foce  attempraunce Treason murder Felonye consyli … [conciliation] and also how a commune welth myght be ediffyed and a[lso] contenewid within our Realme. Howbeyt in conclusyon we have d[one] as our predecessors have been wont to doo that ys to say, as well we myght and lefte wher we begann.

Any particular reason?


texts: Does one say “playing in” or “playing at” in “Children are playing [‘in’ or ‘at’] the playground”?

texts:
Which preposition should I use here, in or at?

Children are playing in the playground.
Children are playing at the playground.


texts: What part of speech is "turn" in the phrase "it's my turn"?  What's its origin?

texts:
Hey! It's my turn!

This is a very acceptable usage of the word turn. It seems to me that in this sentence, turn is a noun, because it's something that I own. Now, I could be really wrong here — that's why I am asking you folks — but doesn't that seem rather a strange usage when compared to all the other ways to use turn?

Does anyone have any insights into this?


texts:
Ok, this is pretty popular in Asia but not in Western countries.

In Asia & especially in many traditional families, members in the families often help each other when 1 of the member got some difficulties in their life.

For example, in a family, a brother made some mistakes & now I owe a big money (maybe 50K USA). Now, the siblings in that family will support him so that he can pay off his debt.

So, Is there any expression in English that express the assistance among members in a family?


texts: Tense agreement in conditional statements: "I could do whatever I want" vs. "I could do whatever I wanted"

texts:
Consider the following sentences:

  If I had my own place, I could do whatever I want.
  If I had my own place, I could do whatever I wanted.

  She said I could do whatever I want.
  She said I could do whatever I wanted.

Which ones are correct and why? Is the answer different in a conditional, or does that not matter?


texts: What does "the deed is done, the doers undone" in a headline mean?

texts:
The New York Times’ Theater Review of ‘Macbeth’, being performed by John Douglas Thompson at the Duke on 42nd Street, starts with the headline, “The deed is done, the doers undone.”

What does this line mean? Does it mean that players performed their role, but just in mediocre way? Is Ben Bradley, the writer, being critical about their performance? Just for a taste, the beginning part of this article reads:

  See that big guy over there? Almost Herculean, isn’t he, with his sinewy arms and swelling chest, the kind of man you can easily imagine as a master of war and of women. But look again, closely. There’s doubt in his face, too, as if he were not always sure of what he’s doing or even who he is. I bet you this Hercules could crack. You sure wouldn’t want to fight him, but then you wouldn’t want him on your team, either.”


texts: Etymology of seemingly weird collective nouns

texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  Terms for collections of animals

In the collective names unkindness of ravens, shrewdness of apes, murder of crows, I cannot find any remote relation to a group. What is usually the reason for such collective names to have originated?


texts: What happens when there is a quotation within a quotation within another quotation?

texts:
For example: Kevin said to Ms.Russell: "Sam was mocking Dave by saying 'My name is Dave!? I'm so smart!?'"

*note that the question marks are what I'm wondering what I would put there

**note that Kevin is speaking


texts:
For giggles, I often go back to this post’s responses and comments, but tonight I realised that I actually don’t know what twangitude means.

Google gives me only five results (although that’ll probably soon be six due to this post) of which the top one is the comment in question.

Y’all’dn’t’ve the twangitude to help me out here, would you?


texts: Several sites (e.g. englishforums.com) state that there is no difference in meaning between "cross arms" and "fold arms". I was wondering whether this also means that both expressions are used equally frequently, or whether one prevails in everyday language.


texts:
Given:

John was causing obstruction: the act of preventing passage or progress.

or

The doctor said: "you need medical attention".

What do the constituents of these phrases look like?

Given that the clause after the colon is elaborating on the head noun 'obstruction', does this mean that the entire sentence is a noun phrase? or is it the case that there are two separate noun phrases, one before ':' and one after?

If not, are there any circumstances where ':' forms a noun phrase?

Does the same reasoning apply to semicolons (';')?


texts: Does the word “maven” have negative connotations?

texts: I’m interested in using the word maven to describe someone as being an expert, but don’t want to seem condescending. Does maven have any negative connotations?


texts:
"An appropriate and dramatic end to a singular and yet typical case," said Thorndyke, as he put down the newspaper. "I hope it has enlarged your knowledge, Jervis, and enabled you to form one or two useful corollaries."
"I prefer to hear you sing the medico-legal doxology," I answered, turning upon him like the proverbial worm and grinning derisively (which the worm does not).

[From The Case of Oscar Brodski, by R. Austin Freedman.]
What does a 'proverbial worm' refer to in the above sentence? If it is just a worm, why does Freeman use the word 'proverbial'?


texts: Why is "delight" spelt and pronounced the way it is?

texts: This as everything probably has something to do with the GVS, but how?


texts: It will be the first time I have flown to America - why not just present simple?

texts:
I have been reading a long discussion about another grammar thing and stumbled upon the following:

  It will be the first time I have flown to America.

I wonder why there is present perfect tense and not just present simple?

  It will be the first time I fly to America. //probably incorrect

I do not understand it as the speaker is talking about the future, he is not there yet and neither is he on the plane...so why use present perfect?


texts:
Seeing the light despite the darkness

I got this "headline" from the Guardian newspaper. But as far as I know, it's not possible to use "see+gerund" when see does not mean visit. Then, why did the writer use "seeing" here? It's not the first time I've seen this. I have seen it in many places.


texts: Words like 'maybe', 'possibly', 'might' 'likely'

texts:
What is the technical term for words that indicate probability?
For example:

You might mean this, but possibly that instead.
And some such words can be tagged on the end, maybe

I thought of 'filler' to start with, but that's more like, 'like', and um, 'um'.
I'm pretty sure there is one, but it's gone from me.


texts: Is there a term for reversing phrases, usually for comedic effect?

texts:
For example, I say to a roommate, "I wish I could get caught up on my homework so I can start dating again," to which he replies, "I wish I could get caught up on my dating so I can start doing homework again."

We thought it might be hysteron proteron, but weren't quite satisfied with its definition.


texts: Should a timeframe within parentheses after a sentence, include punctuation such as a period? See example

texts:
I have a survey and the survey has an estimated time to complete. The sentence structure is as follows.

This quick survey assesses your perceptions of hazing. (10 minutes)

My question is, because the end of the sentence is after "hazing." Should I write the sentence like this?

This quick survey assesses your perceptions of hazing (10 minutes).

Or should it be:

This quick survey assesses your perceptions of hazing. (10 minutes).

Because it is an estimate of time to complete a task, i wasn't sure if it was part of the initial sentence.


texts: What does "can/could shake a baguette at" mean?

texts:
Could you please explain me what does "can/could shake a baguette at" mean?

  More fromage than you can shake a baguette at.

or

  There were robot barbers, picturephones, and more flying machines than
  you could shake a baguette at.

or

  It took a glossy US reboot for Battlestar Galactica to turn the Cylons
  from villains to protagonists with more existential issues than
  Jean-Paul Sartre could shake a baguette at.


texts: Idiom for unacceptable request wrapped in what seems to be a nice offer

texts: Is there an idiom for an unacceptable request wrapped in what seems to be a nice offer?  For example, an offer for peace and not getting killed if one agrees to be a slave.


texts:
I'm developing a database and coming up with the statuses for a given account with regard to their Glassware Deposit. ($$ paid upfront, but refundable at the end)

I have

Never Paid
Paid
Refunded
Kept

Is there a better way than Kept to describe the opposite of a deposit refund? (i.e. They broke their glassware and don't get a refund)


texts: Antonym of operational in the sense of larger scope, and non-recurrence but not military

texts:
I'm looking for a word in that is an antonym of operational in something other than "does it function" and the online dictionary/thesaurus don't have it.  Can you help me find the word, and tell me how you did it so I can find it myself later?
How I would like to use it:

The enumerated operational deliverables are one, two, and three; while the enumerated _______ deliverables are exx, wie, and tzee.

Webster gives the following definition for "operational":

My purpose uses it in the sense of day-to-day operations.
It goes on to enumerate antonyms and synonyms as follows:

These are really on the "does it work vs. does it not work" spectrum.  They are not on the "day-to-day, recurring, small scope, tactical operations as contrasted against serving a non-recurring, larger scoped, more strategic goal."
Options that don't work:

strategy vs. tactics: It is primarily military terminology about the execution of war, or about very high (CEO-scale) corporate jargon.  I think of operations as the things that keep the factory lights on, place clean and operating properly, the machines supplied with their inputs, and with room to output their outputs.
Functional vs. non-functional.  This is about scope, not about functionality.
Deliverable.  It could be argued that a deliverable encompasses both operational and the word that I am trying to find.
Material.  I work with folks who will view it as input to a production process and not as an outcome of a particular type of work.

(update) About what should work:

it is a kind of deliverable, but deliverable is too broad, and material gets confused with the 5M+E/Ishikawa input.  It tends to be one-off instead of recurring.  Balancing books is operations, but making the certification tests for the new mark-3 widget isn't the same thing.
it is an antonym to operational, as in not sweeping floors or keeping lights on. It is about scope of functionality, not whether or not function exists.
it is more strategic than tactical in terms of scope, but the word isn't strategic because of the baggage that comes with it.  Sometimes it is tactical, as in local goal oriented.  Mostly it serves strategic goals.


texts: "Punchline" is to "joke" as ----- is to "scary story"

texts:
When telling a short scary story, there's often a "punchline" that triggers the fear the story is trying to create. You know, that moment when your audience gets wide-eyed and gasps.

Is there a better way to refer to this than just a "punchline" in the context of a scary story and not a joke?


texts:
I'm looking for a word that conveys the idea of the utter and sudden end of all life in a large region (e.g. a city).

I'm thinking of an event in which all living things in that region suddenly die at the same time while inanimate objects remain intact.

Preferably, I'd like a word that means specifically that; words like "cataclysm" are too general.


texts:
Which of the following sentences is correct?

  In the last two weeks I didn't have much time.
  In the last two weeks I haven't had much time.

If both are correct, are they different in meaning?

I think that option 1 seems to be correct since the auxiliary verb 'did' helps to make present perfect when the main verb 'have' doesn't show possession.


texts: Is there a word for people who are oblivious of the atmosphere around them?

texts:
For example, is there a word to describe a little girl who just sits on the sofa watching tv happily while her parents are fighting — as though she were in her own "happy place" and behaving normally?

This is for an art assignment. I have to draw a picture illustrating a word. I want to draw a scene similar to the one I described, but I don't know any words that would fit.


texts:
I was reading the following sentence on the Internet and did not understand the usage of "being" in it:

  They might have been being thrown away.

"They" refers to spoons here. I guess it is the passive usage.

Can someone elaborate and give more examples?


texts: How do you show possession with the word "year" ("year's" vs."years")?

texts:
So, I develop for a company that does workplace-surveys. And one of our report-formats has just been translated into English. And with it a description on how to read the reports. This description contains the following sentence

  When historical reporting is included, the column for this year's survey will be thinner, and the column for last year will appear behind it in grey.

Is this the correct spelling of year's in this context? I'm not a native English speaker/writer, but I do consider myself fluent, and this spelling tickled something in the back of my brain.

If it matters, the report format only displays a maximum of two years at a time (this year, and last year).


texts: Equivalent for the Russian idiom "to write into the drawer"

texts: There is following idiom in Russian "to write into the drawer" which is being used to describe situation when writer or scientist writes (sometimes prolifically) without publishing anything. Are there direct equivalent or some other idiom/expression which conveys the same idea in English?


texts: What do you call this viewpoint or position?

texts: I need to search for some pictures taken from angle like below picture. what do you call this viewpoint or position the photo is taken from?


texts:
The scenario: I have a problem Z that I’m tasked with solving by my boss. However, before I can complete Z, I must first finish tasks Y and X. However, X depends on tasks W, V, U, and T. And so on, ad infinitum.

There is a term in either the field of computer science or just in English in general that describes this situation and I, for the life of me, cannot remember it. Any help?


texts:
I have the following statement:

All the actors are girls. All the girls are beautiful.

The conclusions are given below:

Conclusions:

1)All the actors are beautiful.

2)Some girls are actors.

My text book says that Both (1) and (2) conclusions follow's from the given statement. There is no doubt in (1) conclusion. But how come the second conclusion will become true. If it's become true then it indicates that if a statement is given in form All X are Y. Then Some Y is X is true. Is it so?

In what all cases does this contradicts?


texts: Why does "enjoy" (almost) not have a causative sense?

texts:
Its etymology confirms that the en- is the same prefix as in enshrine, encourage, encircle, etc., which would normally suggest a causative sense. But rather than "to give joy to", the predominant sense is "to take joy in", opposite from the supposed direction. To be sure, besides the idiomatic to enjoy oneself in, I can't come up with any current causative usages of enjoy.

Stranger still, at least to me, to joy without the prefix does (or used to) have the causative sense of "to gladden":

  It joys me to see that he is safe.

So I'm not sure why the following is unacceptable:

  *It enjoys me to see that he is safe.

What's the story behind enjoy? Did it undergo some semantic change long ago? And if so, why, when en- seems to be such a strong causative marker?


texts: Is it "the position of particles" or "the positions of particles"?

texts:
Having many objects (particles) with one property (position), what is grammatically correct?

the particles' position
the particles' positions

It should be noted, that it is possible for one particle to have many positions (over time). And it is also possible for many particles to have one position (if they are considered to be clustered).

But I want to express the case, where many particles are distributed wildly across space at a specific point in time.


texts:
I have always thought that startlement is a word in the lexicon. But one day when I was writing in a google doc, I saw it underlined like a typo. I googled it to see if it was indeed a word, or a construct of my imagination, and I found very contradicting answers. It wasn't listed as a word in the following dictionaries:

Dictionary.com

CED

These two dictionaries are much used, yet they do not have this word.

But then I found the two dictionaries below, both with startlement in their databases.

ODO

Collins

Even Scrabble Dictionary has it listed as a word, yet when you google startlement no definition pops up. It's even underlined with a red line on this site, a site about the English language!

Why do some dictionaries have it as a word, and some don't? Well the word is quite rare, Collins dictionary says so. But a graph at the bottom of their page says a bit more. It shows massive drops and increases in the usage of the "word". So for something that has been used a bit, even in recent times, why isn't it listed as a word in many dictionaries? I am starting to believe it isn't an actual word, and just slang, which is the case with brung, something I learned a while ago. So, is startlement a very rare word, or very rare slang? And why has there been so much up and down in the usage of the "word"?


texts:
Does provocation always imply that the provoker intender to provoke?

Is there such a thing as "accidental provocation"?

Is the 'deliberate' in "deliberate provocation" a redundant word?


texts: Why is poetry called a 'literature in metrical form' or 'a composition forming rhythmic lines'?


texts: Time in past simple and simple present grammar in these sentences

texts:
I have some issues to understand these two sentences, why the first is wrong and why the second the verb didn't change.
In the sentence "Kim goes on a date with David the last night but didn’t call him afterwards."
Why "the last night" is wrong at the sentence?
In this following sentence "Agatha hates when her little brothers leave toys in the living room",
Why is "leave" and not "leaves"?


texts: can I look the same meaning of "combination"&"platter"?

texts: As I am working in the restaurant,I 'v always heard customers saying "dinner platter" instead of saying "combination plate" which is written in our menu.so I'm a bit unclear about it or confused .Can anyone help me about it ? thanks.


texts: What does one call this kind of Japanese toilet in English?

texts:
This was a warning notice placed near a Japanese toilet, containing one of those inimitable Japanese Engrish expressions.

But as these toilets start to become popular in western countries, what is the name for them. the concept is that of a bidet and toilet combined. I should mention that the top-of-the-range type include hot air dryers too!


texts:
Definition of taxi:

  To ride or travel in a taxicab

Definition of cab:

  A taxicab.

Since the definitions don't show many differences, is it okay to assume that there is no difference between taxi and cab?


texts:
What does "suite" mean in the "C-suite?"
I understand the meaning of C as follows but want to know what the word "suite" mean in this context.

C-Suite gets its name because top senior executives' titles tend to start with the letter C, for chief, as in chief executive officer, chief operating officer and chief information officer.


texts: Can the words "With Less" mean "with less money" without adding the word "money"

texts:
I am trying to write an ebook about the things you can make yourself with less resources and money. The title with be something like "Build it yourself with less".

My question is: Do I have to add the word "money" at the end of the title to let people know that I mean "with less money". The reason I am asking this is that I don't like having the word "money" on my title.

Thanks.

UPDATE

Does "Make it yourself for little" give better meaning than "Make it yourself with less" that I mean money?


texts: Past tense of “to lie” versus past tense of “to lay”

texts:
This part I understand clearly:
present past    past participle
-------------------------------
lie     lay     lain
lay     laid    laid

I already understand that and so am not asking how to conjugate these two different verbs: I do already know how to conjugate both of them. Rather, I just don’t know how to remember how to conjugate them so that this sticks in my brain.
Both Professor Malcolm Gibson's Wonderful World of Words
and Grammar Girl offer mnemonics for the present tense — so I again stress that I am not asking about that! However, they offer nothing for the past tenses. Grammar Girl even confesses:

I tried and tried to come up with a mnemonic for this, but I couldn’t do it. [. . .]   Practice will help, and truthfully, I still have to look them up every time I use them.

How can I come to grips with this confusing conjugation, in order to intuit or assimilate it as far as possible, and to help me remember?

Footnote
I was inspired to ask this by Kosmonaut’s laconic remark:

Most people don’t even know the correct paradigm for conjugating these verbs [read: lie and lay].

Is there such a “paradigm”?


texts:
I always understood 'address an issue' to mean fix or solve an issue. However, a colleague of mine questioned this today and after doing a web search it seems that the more correct or common meaning of this phrase is 'to bring under discussion'.

What is the accepted meaning/usage of this phrase?


texts: Is "because" a preposition & "for" a subordinator?

texts:
CGEL included a wide variety in the category of preposition (but not "BECAUSE").  But  some people say that 'for' can be a subordinating conjunction (subordinator) as 'meaningless marker of subordination' while 'because' is a preposition with a distinct meaning, which can take a subordinate clause as prepositional complement.

"I bought the book because I wanted to read it."

Here, 'because' is a preposition introducing a subordinate clause "because I wanted to read it."  (I doubt it)

We can write this sentence using the subordinator 'for'  :

"I bought the book for reading it". ("reading it" : gerund-participle non-finite clause).

Is 'because' a preposition or a subordinator? Can we write the sentence with the subordinator 'for' introducing a finite subordinate clause?

(Edit : "Reason clauses are most commonly introduced by the subordinators 'because' and 'since'. . . . " (CGEL, Quirk, Greenbaum, Leech Svartvik, Page : 1104.)


texts:
I am writing on a write up of how i obtained my sample from a large population. But I am contemplating whether I should categorize them under 'data filtering' or a 'sampling process'.

Any idea what is the difference between 'data filtering' and 'sampling process'?


texts: Do I lose the subject of the sentence by adding a preposition?

texts:
The following second sentence, continues the first, but I wonder whether using the word in causes the second sentence to no longer have a subject, or does it remain from the prior sentence by way of the conjunction And?

  The mat is an effective fall break.  And, where linked together, in a series of adjacent linked mats provide an effective fall break.

Should I just drop the bolded word in?


texts:
How would the word "example" be abbreviated? I think "ex." is reserved for "exercise"; what about "expl."?

To be clear, I am asking about the word "example" specifically, not an abbreviation for the phrase "for example".

If I cite a book, let us call it BK, I would write [BK, Example 1]. But I do not want to write "Example" but an abbreviation of it.


texts: Does anyone have a suggestion for a gender-neutral alternative to the phrase "Who's the go-to man?" The go-to person feels stylistically awkward.


texts: Are we to use any with plurals or singulars?

texts:
What are the circumstances in which any can be used with a singular and with a plural?

  Do you have any car?
  Do you have any cars?

For example, commenters have indicated both

  You cannot use any with a countable singular. You can use it with a plural, or with a mass noun — “do you have any milk,” for example.’

  "You don't have a Ford. You don't have a VW. You don't have a Chrysler. Do you have any car?" is perfectly reasonable.

Clearly the rules are quite complex.


texts:
In Maureen Orth's "Vulgar Favours" she writes about serial killer Andrew Cunanan:

  He didn't really care whether they actually believed him or not, as
  long as they went along with the conceit. And while many found this
  charade harmless fun, psychologist Elizabeth Oglesby, who came to know
  Andrew well, as her next-door neighbour and housesitter, didn't think
  it was funny at all

I'm wondering about that last sentence. Would it have been better to write this?

  as his next-door neighbour and housesitter

The original sounds wrong, to my ears anyway.


texts:
Is there a single, more generic term that can be used to describe both a row and a column?
In English, we can refer to a line as being horizontal or vertical, but unless we say ‘a line of something’, that implies a one-dimensional line—it doesn't communicate a row or a column of things. So what could we say instead…? A horizontal or vertical _______?


texts: Is there a word for an explanation that is simple but wrong?

texts:
Here's an example:

Child: "Why are trees so tall?"
Mother: "So we can have a good shadow in summer".

The answer is adequate in the specific context by being simple and [superficially] valid. However, it probably does not resist a more academic or biological analysis.
Is there a name for such type of answer?
I found the word "sophistry" but I'm not sure it applies exactly to this.


texts: What is the process of finding the remainder in division called?

texts: Is there any one word for the process of calculating the remainder (division)?


texts: What is a word to describe when someone is upset that someone else thinks little of themself?

texts:
I'm writing a story and the characters have just got to their love confession and I'm trying to think of a specific word to capture their feeling, but I can't remember it.

Character A: "They're not my type. You are."
Character B: "Me?"
Character A gives B an [insulted] look, "Yes, you."

[Insulted] is where I'm trying to fit the word in.

It's driving me bonkers, because I'm positive there's a word for the feeling of basically being insulted on another's behalf. I've already looked up affronted and indignified, but neither I believe is the correct word.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


texts:
If I say, "I will go skiing Nonna....." By default are the words preceding Nonna being addressed to Nonna? Or can I argue that my words preceding Nonna are not being addressed to Nonna, but rather, I say the word Nonna to get her attention so that she listens to what I say after her name.
Basically my question is- if we follow a sentence with someone's name while we are speaking, by default, are all the words preceding a person's name addressed to this name? Or is this too broad of a conclusion to make? I am asking because my character has Tourette's and has a habit of saying Nonna after speaking. Can I make the case that by saying Nonna or anyone's name after making a statement, you are not automatically employing the vocative comma and you are not 100% by default stating that the words preceding Nonna are being addressed to Nonna? How can I make this argument or is this argument even valid?


texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  Which one is right? He works at XYZ company or in XYZ company?

I always get confused while using prepositions.
Should I say" It doesn't matter whether you work in X company or ..."
or "" It doesn't matter whether you work at X company or ...."


texts: Should the words "much needed" be hyphenated or not?

texts:
Here's an example of what I mean:

"It's time for some much needed rest and relaxation."

Or should it be:

"It's time for some much-needed rest and relaxation."


texts: What is the correct pronunciation of i18n?

texts:
Is i18n pronounced internationalization or eye-eighteen-n or both?

For background on i18n, quoting Wikipedia :

  In computing, internationalization and localization (AmE) or internationalisation and localisation (BrE) are means of adapting computer software to different languages, regional peculiarities and technical requirements of a target locale.
  [...]      The terms are frequently abbreviated to the numeronyms i18n (where 18 stands for the number of letters between the first i and the last n in the word internationalization, a usage coined at Digital Equipment Corporation in the 1970s or 1980s) and L10n for localization, due to the length of the words.


texts:
Can we make up such a sentence which means "start liking something"?

  I get to like this pastry.

And also should it be "get to like" or "get liking"?


texts: Like a talisman or charm but not an object

texts:
What is the name for a magic word/phrase that is meant to give the bearer supernatural power or protection. It's the same idea as a talisman or charm, but not an object.

An example would be saying "bless you" when someone sneezes (which was originally meant to keep the person's spirit from leaving their body). Another example would be an exorcist commanding demons to come out in the name of Jesus.

"He used a ... to exercise control over the demon."


texts:
Is there a rule for creating abbreviations for words that have none?  For example, I would like to abbreviate the street name "Briannas Nook"  into three letters for use in our office.  My thought would be to take the first letter from each syllable "B"ri "A"n "N"as "Nook

This gives us 4 letters, but coincidentally the last two are both N's so I would just drop one and end up with "BAN".  I think this seems logical, but not sure if it follows any rules.  We currently have someone in the office who thinks the name should be abbreviated "BRN".

Any help would be appreciated - thank you!


texts: How could i convert this sentence into an question?

texts:
"What i did was cheating."

Is 'Was what i did cheating?' right?


texts:
Your money is not sufficient enough to buy my heart. (self-made)

Is it redundant or simply incorrect  to use sufficient and enough together?  Or is it acceptable?


texts: Phrasal verb with meaning "put into a bin"/"categorise"

texts:
I am looking for a phrasal verb to describe the act of putting (something/someone) into a bin, or categorising them (perhaps crudely, according to some heuristic/characteristic). "To bin" is as close as comes to mind, but doesn't quite capture the meaning I'm after.

More broadly, I need this for a sentence in which I'd like to cast doubt on that very characteristic that's being used for the classification.

This is my first post on this site, I hope it makes sense!


texts: When do we know "not to use comma" before "which"?

texts:
To my knowledge, we do not put comma before which but I have seen some sentences putting comma before which.

i.e. I don't like stories which have unhappy endings.

i.e. The heavy use of automobiles in urban areas, which could lead to a serious air pollution problem in cities.

Why the former one doesn't have comma before which but the latter one does?


texts: No question mark after reported question

texts:
I am not sure if this was asked before since I don't know if there is a specific terms for this usage.

Is it fine not to put a question mark at the end of a sentence like this?

He hadn't gone to toilet for a week so he told me that he could no longer
resist and may he go now.


texts: where to put the comma between two distinct quote?

texts:
Where should I put the comma and the quotes in such a sentence?

  The comments were significantly focused on my being “engaging, patient and extremely helpful,” “very coherent and easy-to-understand,” or "clear and straight to the point".

My question is whether I can do something like this "bla," "bla" - meaning, a simple space between two quotes and the comma before the first one.

Thanks!


texts: When describing rhetorical appeals, 'ethos' can become 'ethical,' and 'logos' can become 'logical.' But what about 'pathos'? The closest I can come up with is 'pathetic,' but some research tells me that using the word pathetic to mean 'relating to emotions' is an archaic definition. I was also considering using 'pathetical' to differentiate from the piteous connotation of 'pathetic'. Is there a more fitting word that I could use?