texts: Why did the use of "hello" temporarily plummet in the United States?

texts:
According to Google Books Ngram View, the appearance of the word "Hello" in its U.S. corpus dropped by more than 50% from the early 1940s to the 1960s before returning to its earlier level in the 1990s. No such decline appeared in the Great British corpus.

As someone who lived through the second half of this period, I am baffled by the change in usage, which I hadn't noticed. Can anyone explain it?


texts:
The preposition of “by” is used to indicate how something is done as in: “We are going to travel by car” and “He made history by becoming the first man to sail around the world.”

Now, how about sentences like:

  (1) “The image of the particles was taken by an electron microscope.”

or

  (2) “The absorption curve was measured by a spectrometer.”

I was told in school that "by" cannot be used to indicate a tool with which you perform some activity and would personally use “with” for the first sentence and “on” for the second but I see people write sentences like these all the time and am not so sure any more.

Can anybody shed light on this issue? Would you say sentences (1) and (2) are acceptable?


texts: Show I use "lay," "laid," or "lain" in the following passage?

texts:
The ground was ice-cold, no hint of anyone having lay/laid/lain there
  at all.

Which one is the correct option?


texts:
By freeing ourselves from conventions, we see things more clearly.

By freeing ourselves from confinement we embrace freedom.

Do both of these require the comma.
Do these form complete sentences? Why?

Heard this stunt left the man barely alive.

Never liked it when the girl dies at the end of the movie.


texts: Single word for someone who prefers to work without timelines

texts: Is there a word for someone who works on a particular task without worrying about the time that he spends on it. Someone with an attitude of "it'll take as much time that it has to take". But he is persistent with the work, but doesn't like the idea of timelines.


texts: Word for slowly blowing air through an open mouth

texts:
Is there a word for slowly exhaling through an open mouth like when it's cold and you're trying to warm up your hands?

As in;

He [word] into his hands but failed to warm them up.


texts: Alternative colloquial expressions for "I thought"

texts: When expressing how we misunderstand the others's expressions we often say "I thought ...". But, out of curiosity, I want to know are there any other expressions equivalent to the meaning of "I thought" and colloquial?


texts:
I have a sentence where I'm unsure about the necessity of a comma before "which":

  The description is supplemented by practical examples and a
  documentation of member functions[,] which can be extended depending on
  the needs of the user.”

I am trying to imply that the member functions can be extended (not the practical examples!)


texts: avoiding an oncoming vehicle -- what is the specific term for this in English?

texts:
Is there a specific term to refer to what you need to do in the following situation?

  You are driving on a road and an oncoming vehicle is moving towards
  you in the same lane you are using. If neither changes course, you
  will collide. You need to change lanes/avoid the oncoming vehicle to
  avoid the crash.

What is the most idiomatic way to describe what you need to do? "Steer clear"? "Veer clear"? Some other term? thanks!


texts:
I am writing a paper for a conference, and I am a bit worried about correctness of the title that I chose.
The title is "Energy Functions of X and their Existence Conditions"
Where X is long scientific term.

The meaning that I want to convey is as following: We defined energy functions for X, and we also investigated existence conditions for those energy functions.

Does the title convey the same meaning, or is it ambiguous?


texts:
I love to emphasize. Here I'm emphasizing "determination." Is it the right way to do it?

"If one word can sum up his career, it is determination—determination to fight back and do the impossible."


texts:
As the title shows, can anyone tell me what is the word for strength of will?

For example,

  Her strength of will was extraordinary.


texts:
These same perspectives may contribute to a 'glass ceiling' prohibiting relationship-oriented (i.e. feminine) leadership behaviors from being integrated into organization management structures.

I copied this sentence directly from my textbook, and I wanna ask if this sentence is grammatically wrong? Shouldn't 'prohibiting' be 'that prohibits' or shouldn't there be a comma between 'glass ceiling' and 'prohibiting' ?
Btw I'm a Korean high school student


texts: What does "To join in marriage by me" mean?

texts:
Right now I'm translating a marriage license and I'm not sure how to translate the phrase "To join in marriage by me".

Fuller context:

  I hereby certify that, in accordance with the above license, the persons herein mentioned were joined in marriage by me,

Does this mean the parties attended a ceremony?
Who is "me" in this context? What does he do for the couple?
(The document is signed by a magistrate)


texts:
I won’t and I’ll not are both short forms of I will not. Both are used in English.

Are there any situations where one is preferred over other?


texts: Word meaning "convert a variable value to a constant value"

texts:
Perhaps this belongs on stackoverflow, but since it could have some applicability to non-tech contexts, thought I'd post here.

Is there a word that means "make something that is variable constant"?

For example, in programming, I might have a variable queueSize that could be set to different values for different queues. Later I decide to make this a fixed (constant) value for all queues. What is a word to describe this conversion?

Edit

A real-world (non-programming) example is converting from a variable tax-rate to a flat (constant) tax-rate. I proposed below that, in light of this example, the word flatten could be used to answer my question. However, this word does not conventionally mean "to make constant", and has other meanings in the context of several programming languages.

Edit

To be clear, I'm not looking for a word/expression the means changing a variable from one type to another (casting). Rather, I mean keeping the type the same, but changing a field from a variable to a constant value.


texts: clothing should be pronounced as /ˈkloʊ.zɪŋ/ or /ˈkloʊ.ðɪŋ/?

texts:
Ok, I checked up some dictionary and found that most dictionaries pronounce "clothing" as /ˈkloʊ.ðɪŋ/  Cambridge, Oxford, M-w

However, when checking the voice, Cambridge & Oxford seem to pronounce like /ˈkloʊ.zɪŋ/ while M-w pronounce like /ˈkloʊ.ðɪŋ/.

Seem like /ð/ is assimilated into /z/ in this case right?


texts: What is the difference between "condescending" and "patronizing"?

texts: When would you use each? I understand "condescend" has another meaning of "voluntarily lower oneself" (Babylon definition). But in the "look upon other" meaning, which would you prefer in which situation?


texts: 'A book is not always a good book just because it is written by a famous writer.' Is this acceptable?

texts:
When I read the following sentence, I was filled with uneasiness. Is this construct possible?

A book is not always a good book just because it is written by a famous writer.

The original sentence is found here, which looks like a collection of past exam questions for Japanese high schoolers.

I immediately thought I say:

It is hard to determine if a book is good just because it was written by a famous author.

I’m not comfortable of using narratives when the purpose of communication is to give an exposition. The original sentence is in a style of giving a definition of a book, while the speaker is arguing a value of a book.


texts:
I just want to understand the difference between "Following up on & Following on from". Is it exactly the same meaning?
Here you have an example:

Following on from your email below
Following up on your email below

Is there any difference between them?
Thanks in advance.


texts: Are BrE “colour” and AmE “color” two different orthographic words?

texts:
According to The Longman Student Grammar of English (Biber et al., 2002 Pearson Education ESL), “orthographic words” are words

  that we are familiar with in written language, where they are
  separated by spaces

The authors then give an example:

  They wrote us a letter.

which contains five orthographic words.

What about words that have the same meaning yet different spelling? Are the examples provided in the title of this question, color and colour, therefore two different orthographic words?


texts:
I asked a question on the origin of the word aforementioned. To me, it would seem that this word should be beforementioned instead. Why does it begin with afore-?

Also, does this mean afore can be used as a substitute for before?


texts: Is this usage of "however" with an adjective correct?

texts:
Is the word "however" correctly used in this sentence? If not, how could it be rephrased?

  This program, however comprehensive, hasn't been updated for a long time.

Is there a better construct to say that a good attribute of an object is outweighed by a drawback?


texts: Did noted 17th century poet Katherine Philips make a grammatical error?

texts:
Does the last line of the first stanza of Katherine Philips's poem, To Mrs. M. A. at parting have a grammatical error?

It's surprising that a renowned poet and translator at that time would use the wrong pronoun to fit the rhyme.  Or am I mistaken here?

  I
   HAVE examin'd and do find,
  Of all that favour me,
  There's none I grieve to leave behind
  But only, only thee.
  To part with thee I needs must die,
  Could parting sep'rate thee and I.

Would the poet's contemporaries have seen the construction as ungrammatical or non-standard (though acceptable in a poem) or was it more generally acceptable then than it is now?

If you think the subjective first-person singular pronoun
"I" was only used in the last line due to "poetic license," please post that as an answer and provide evidence that the structure was considered ungrammatical outside of poetic contexts at the time the poem was written.


texts:
Can anybody  suggest phrases or sentences I can  use instead of "I think" when it comes to  giving opinions
Thank you.


texts: What do you call equipment delivered as parts to be assembled on-site?

texts:
I'd like to know what word I should use for an equipment/any item that comes in various pieces to be assembled on-site by the workers, instead of coming as a fully assembled (or one seamless body without multiple parts) product from the factory.

I think prefabricated is the word for structures so I guess that's not the correct one.


texts: Word for someone who loves to create and organise noisy, lively, chaotic events

texts:
Some people love creating or fostering the creation of events that are noisy, chaotic and fun, such as parties, arguments, reunions, etc. Sometimes there's a negative connotation to this (like in provoking an argument), but sometimes there is not (like in organising a big, noisy party).

The word I'm looking for would be the English equivalent to the Spanish armadanzas, just in case this is helpful.

Any ideas?


texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  What's the Difference in Usage Between Using Single and Two Quotation Marks/Inverted Commas?

I know that they are used inside double quotes for a quotation within a quotation, but when else should they be used?  I've seen them used in all sorts of syntactical situations, but where do I find a comprehensive guide to its proper usage?


texts: "Behaves similar to" or "behaves similarly to"?

texts:
I wrote the following comment in a programming forum:

  Objects in JavaScript behave similar to a regular associative array.

This is how I would use the word "similar" in normal conversation. However, the dictionary says that "similar" is an adjective, and "similarly" should be used in this context instead:

  Objects in JavaScript behave similarly to a regular associative array.

Both constructions look grammatically correct to me, but the second one sounds weird. Searching the internet, I see both "behaves similar to" and "behaves similarly to" are used.

So are both considered grammatically correct?


texts: In conversation if someone pitches something to you but you're not entirely convinced, can you ask for more details by saying "intrigue me"?


texts: Is "I believe x does not equal y" the same as "I don't believe x equals y"

texts:
Given x and y could be any phrase, do these phrases always mean the same thing? If not, what's the difference?

I believe x does not equal y
I don't believe x equals y


texts:
“I wouldn’ say no teh a bit o’ yer birthday cake, neither.”

  “He usually gets me ter do important stuff fer him.”

                 —Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Hagrid’s pronunciation of to is spelled ter in the book, so teh seems to be an article, at least according to Wiktionary.

However, it seems to be an uncommon usage, so I would please like to know its meaning, plus when this particular usage may be safely adopted.


texts:
There is a proverb in Telugu language which is as below.

అన్నం లేకపోయినా, పట్టుబట్ట కడతా అన్నాడట

It translates to someone who doesn't have a morsel to eat but insists on wearing expensive clothes. In short, a person who likes to show off but is disproportionate to his means.

What is the English equivalent proverb or idiom which conveys a similar meaning?


texts:
“The wild gander leads his flock through the cool night,
  Ya-honk he says, and sounds it down to me like an invitation.”

Quote by  Walt Whitman, Song of Myself.

What does the writer mean by "sounds it down to me"?
I can read this sentence in two different ways.
1. It (Ya-honk) sounds - or seems - to him like an invitation.
2. It (the gander) sounds it down like an invitation to him.

Which one is correct?


texts: Is there a colloquial word/phrase for data that can not be used to show a quality of an object?

texts:
Let's say I've not shown up for my linear algebra class for four months. I now have to cram for the final in the last two days, which we can say is stressful.

Now, this could not be used as evidence to show that the class is difficult.

How would I describe that? I could say "That's your fault, me, -not evidence that can be used to ascribe a quality to a class-." How would I restate the content in the --?

I think "That's your fault, you can't take that to mean the class is difficult" is pretty close, but I think there may be a better way to say it.

Thank you!


texts: What do you call someone who chooses another way to see things?

texts: I'm writing about a character who is unique and prefers not to settle when it comes to a certain perspective. She chooses another way to see things. Is there any word to describe this?


texts: How do I refer to the top few contenders in a tournament?

texts: For example, how do I refer to the top three or four participants in a tournament. The victorious doesn't apply; would finalists be the best choice here?


texts:
In the sentence:

  He just called me to confirm everything with his father and also they have selected which company they will contact

"he" is a third person pronoun and "his father" is the father of "he". So "they" is "he & his father". What troubles me is the preposition "with" in this context. Does it mean: he called me to confirm everything together with his father, or does it mean that his father also confirms everything?


texts: Adjective meaning something has been said with a lot of authority

texts:
I'm looking for an adjective qualifying something said with a lot of authority, i.e. that the person saying it is very qualified for or familiar with the subject.

I want use it in a sentence such as "I don't fully understand your answer but [due to its many complicated and technical terms] it seems to be very <insert adjective here>."


texts: "The idea of the X came from Y" vs "The idea of the X raised from Y"

texts:
I'm confiused a little bit in a correct usage of the word idea in sentences. Wich one of the following correct?

  The idea of the system design came from the knowledge acquired in literature review and analysis of the current trends of workplace learning.

or

  The idea of the system design raised from the knowledge acquired in literature review and analysis of the current trends of workplace learning.

If both are wrong, the any other suggestions are welcomed.


texts:
Malfoy : “But this is servant stuff, it’s not for students to do. I thought
  we’d be copying lines or something, if my father knew I was doing
  this, he’d —”

  Hagrid : “— tell yer that’s how it is at Hogwarts,” Hagrid growled.
  “Copyin’ lines! What good’s that ter anyone? Yeh’ll do summat useful
  or yeh’ll get out. If yeh think yer father’d rather you were expelled,
  then get back off ter the castle an’ pack. Go on!”

This is an extract from Harry Potter I. The bold sentences seem grammatically inappropriate.As I know yer is dialect form of your. So the first bold sentence does not make any sense. And I am in confusion about the second bold sentence. Please someone enlighten me.


texts:
Which Sunday do you prefer, if Sunday is OK with you?

Is the above sentence grammatically correct and natural? I'd like answers both from BrE and AmE speakers.

Sorry for my short, abrupt question. I do have my own opinion about this issue, but I'm remaining silent on purpose in order not to mislead you into saying things in favor of my potentially preconceived ideas.

By the way, I've asked the same question elsewhere as well. It's not that I don't trust the answerers there. It's just that the English learners around me may not trust me as a reliable source of information about the English language. I've been giving them my answer but they probably need confirmation from multiple sources.

Please note I'm not asking you to proofread the text. I wanted to ask you if the usage of the second "Sunday" is grammatically correct, idiomatic and natural. I was thinking that the usage of the second "Sunday" was wrong. It sounds unnatural. It is because, to me, it seems that if the speaker wants to ask whether there is any Sunday the other person is available, then (if he has to use this structure at all) he has to say "if a Sunday is OK with you" (with an indefinite article in it).

Thank you very much for your time.


texts: I need help on using until/till in a sentence

texts:
I don't know what to choose, that's why I am here to ask this question.

  I have been paying this amount since November 2013 until/till now.


texts: Is written Canadian English closer to American English or British English?

texts:
I'm having some writing done for a website aimed at a Canadian audience.  In order to leverage our resources more, I'd like to focus on American English or British English.

So, is written Canadian English closer to American English or British English?

Note: My current understanding is that Canadians tend to use American vocabulary but British spelling, except for certain -ize words (in which case they use the American spelling).  How accurate is this understanding?


texts: I'm looking for a word that describes everything you might find on a theatrical stage, including actors, props, and backdrops.


texts: Why doesn’t the sentence "the standard of proof being one based on balance of probabilities" contain a verb?

texts:
The burden of proof is easier to discharge in a civil cases than in a criminal case, the standard of proof being one based on balance of probabilities.

Why there is no verb in the latter sentence? Is it grammatically correct?


texts: 'I take no objection' or 'I have no objection'?

texts:
Have vs. Take

Google Books indicates usage of 'take' though 'have' is perhaps more common, particularly in a legal setting: I have no objections, Your Honour.

Is there any difference between, for example:

I have no objection to your proposal
I take no objection to your proposal

or are they interchangeable?

Is it that 'take' can only be used in the singular? 'I take no objections, Your Honour' sounds ghastly.


texts: Single word for "having a strong desire for revenge"

texts:
Which words describe the definition "having a strong desire for revenge"?

I found this word somewhere  a few days ago, can't remember where, and I looked it up on Google's dictionary or Siri, and I meant to take note of it, and I forgot about it until now. However, I can't remember what word it was, but I remember the definition.
I tried searching for it using my browser's history, but it doesn't show up.
For example, I want to say, 'my friend is or was, (adjective) or is a(n) (adjective noun).
No, it's not vengeful. It's something else.


texts: What's the difference between "formal" and "literary" language?

texts:
Sometimes when I look up the meaning of a word in google, like just now for "gustatory", not only do I get what part of speech it is but also added information, such as that it's a "formal" adjective.

Were I to look for the meaning of, say, "delicious", there will be no additional note.

But were I to look up a word like "cerulean", this time the added information will remind me that it's a "literary" adjective.

Which brings me to the question, what is the difference between formal and literary?  Does it mean that if I write a poem, I should use "cerulean" but if I'm writing a letter to a local politician, then I should use "gustatory"?

Another question would be where can I find a list of everyday adjectives versus formal adjectives versus literary adjectives?

Thank you very much for your help!


texts: Can a symmetry be "broken down" (to a lower symmetry)?

texts:
Background

Symmetries are a key concept in physics, and describe the invariance of a system under certain operations (for example, rotation). Breaking a symmetry refers to modifying the system in a way so that it is no longer invariant under the same operation.

A symmetry can be completely broken, or only partially broken with a lower symmetry remaining. For example: a circle always looks the same, regardless of the angle you rotate it by.  A square also has a rotational symmetry, but you have to rotate by multiples of 90 degrees to get the same picture. Hence, the symmetry of the square is lower.

Question

In the scientific literature, people use the expression "to break down a symmetry" when referring to a reduction from high symmetry (circle) to a lower symmetry (square) as compared to a complete breaking (irregular shape). They might write

  The original continuous symmetry was broken down to a symmetry under 90 degree rotations.

In my opinion, the expression "to break down" is not appropriate, because it means to separate into its parts or to destroy completely rather than to reduce to a smaller part. I would instead write

  The original continuous symmetry was reduced to a symmetry under 90 degree rotations.

Does the use of "to break down" with this meaning deviate from the usual meaning of this phrase in other contexts?

Here are some examples, suggesting that the use of "to break down" in the sense of reducing to a smaller part is at least common in the field:

http://arxiv.org/pdf/0708.2115 (native speaker, authority in his field)

http://arxiv.org/pdf/1312.2934

http://www.science.uva.nl/~bais/broksym.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W%E2%80%B2_and_Z%E2%80%B2_bosons


texts:
What is the meaning of expression "won't stand the light of day"?

Can I say my solution to this problem won't stand the light of day... meaning that I just ducktaped my way out of some problem and the fix is understood to be temporary ?


texts: Does the noun "stable" have meanings other than "place for animals"?

texts:
I came across someone noting that an English term for the training area of Sumo wrestlers is "sumo stable", and that "stable" is usually a word used for horses. She found it a bit funny. I'm not sure whether she meant "funny" as in "haha", or "funny" as in "strange".

Wiktionary doesn't have any definitions of stable other than a place for animals, or the horses from a stable.

Do English-speakers view sumo wrestlers as being like animals, or is there a meaning of "stable" that I'm unaware of?


texts:
I'm looking for an expression that would describe a statement that's too obvious, making it work against its intention.

An example would be to tell someone you didn't steal something, before anyone even asked.


texts:
I'm writing a short story about an alien race that is determined to kill every last human on Earth, as in:

  They want to ______ the human race. (make humans extinct)

Is there a word meaning "to make extinct"?


texts: One elegant word for "body-part-specific" exercises?

texts:
My context is that a gym provides several different physical exercises that work to strengthen different corresponding parts of the body; for example, the chest, back, arm(s), leg(s), etc.

I want to say that the gym provides exercises specific to different body parts, but I want to say this using an adjective in front of the word "exercises", e.g.,

  The gym provides ______ exercises.

and I don't want to use an expression with hyphenated words, such as "body-part-specific" exercises.

So is there any more elegant one word to say the gym provides "body-part-specific" exercises?


texts: "not be permitted access" vs. "not be permitted to access"

texts:
I was wondering is it right to say something this way:

  You will not be "permitted access" to the work you produce.

Isn't it better to say it this way?

  You will not be permitted to access to the work you produce.

I've learned that when two verbs are used in a row, the latter comes with a TO before it or an -ING after it.


texts:
A book suggests that we should not interchange "so" and "so that". "So" means "therefore", and "so that" means "in order that". However, it seems to me that in many cases they don't actually have a difference. For example:

  Alice got up at 5:00 A.M., so that she could drive her son to school.

If I substitute "so that" with "so", this sentence presents the exact same causal relation to me:

  Alice got up at 5:00 A.M., so she could drive her son to school.

I must have missed something here, since English is my second language. Could somebody explain the difference?


texts:
If we started now we would be in time (but we cannot start now)
This is an example sentence in my grammar book for past subjunctive used after If. The sentence sounds to me a suggestion rather than unreality. I don't understand how the sentence is expressing improbability or unreality?


texts:
Sentence: it's not what's on the table that matters, but who (is/are) in the chairs.

I thought are might be correct because of plural chairs, but family members disagree.


texts: What is the correct name for this particular unclear-subject error?

texts:
An example: the sentence

  "Upon finishing these books, I think the reader has a new perspective on history."

Taken literally, it could mean that "I, upon finishing these books, think..." Or it could mean "The reader, upon finishing these books, has a new perspective on history; in my opinion."

Even though the second is pretty clearly the intended meaning, I'd like to call this error what it is.

Thus, I am wondering what this error is called. I'm drawn to making up a name like "spliced verb" or some such, but I'd prefer to be certain.

I know it ought not really matter; but still I'd like as technical and SNOOTy a label as possible.

Many thanks.


texts: What do you call a person who is guided by someone or something else in a mentor/assistent manner?

texts:
If a tourist is guided through a city by a tour guide, what would be the term to use to refer to that tourist as a function of the guiding? Best I can come up with is guided one, but that sounds a bit bland. Are there any better terms for this? I'm looking for a term that can be used in a context where the term is the only thing that indicates guidance.
some context about the guidance:
The guide has a subordinate role, providing sensory information and advice to the person being guided. The person being guided is less a follower and more a master, but I don't want to use the term master because that feels too much like slavery. It's also not really a student/teacher relationship, because the information flows the wrong direction for that. Essentially, the guide has a role somewhere between mentor and assistent, and it's that role that I want to reflect in the term.
example:

"The [Word] was suddenly stopped by the tour guide".
"The [Word] was accompanied by his guide animal."
"The [Word] was on a tour of the building he helped fund."
"A [Word] can only receive guidance from 1 ancestor at a time." (context that I want to use it in in my book).
"A [Word] has heightened senses and an increased capacity for both abstract and logical thought."


texts: Difference between "computation" and "calculation"

texts: If the words computation and calculation are not perfect synonyms what is the difference between them? Which one describes more accurately what is done by a person computing or calculating something on a piece of paper?


texts: Perhaps "compliment", but are there any other ideas?


texts:
If I said the following words, "I will watch a movie today only if I take care of the dust devil."
How can the listener know that I am saying "dust devil" versus addressing the pronoun "devil"?
If there was no pause between dust and devil I assume that I am not addressing the pronoun of the word "devil".
Another example, "I will go to college only if I do chemistry devil." In this case, because the speaker was not looking at the sky nor having a pause before the word "devil", "chemistry devil" becomes the compound noun.


texts: Is there a word that combines synophone and heterograph

texts:
To my understanding, heterographs are words that have different meanings, different spellings, but sound the same.  Synophones are words that have different meanings, different spellings, and sound similar but not the same.

So, ball and bawl would be heterographs, while ball and bell would be synophones.

Is there a word that is combines the two? (Synograph? heterophone?)

Heteronym and homonym are both subsets of homograph, so I was hoping there was something similar for heterphaph and synophone...


texts:
What is the rule on using articles in front of "word"? For example:

  Please remove the word "judge" from your vocabulary.


texts:
I am accompanying some of my friend to somewhere and I want to talk about it with someone else.
For example,

  "I delivered him/her to the airport."

But I'm not sure whether that's common in spoken english or not? If it's not, what would be an informal alternative for that in this specific context?


texts: Is 'colorblind' the best word for people with color perception deficiencies?

texts:
I'm creating an application that has a checkbox to assist colorblind users. I'm not so fond of the term because it isn't accurate, but at the same time I don't want to seem overtly politically correct.

A couple of options I'm juggling right now:

Colorblind assistance
Reduced color perception assistance
Color perception assistance
Problems perceiving colors?


texts: When promoting someone or something to a higher standing, is there a noun that can be used to describe the object of the promotion? Something equivalent to "the guy being promoted" is basically what I'm looking for. My first thought is "promotee" but that just strikes me as odd/wrong for some reason.


texts:
I think there is a good chance that a new word or phrase has been coined to mean fake photograph.

Is there a single word to express it?


texts: I hope I don't regret this vs I hope I won't regret this

texts:
What is the difference between these two?

From my understanding:

I hope I will not regret this - this means he has hope that in the future he will not regret something he has done (or will do).

I hope I do not regret this - because of using "hope" before "don't" it seems he is referring to future as well (if I understand that correctly). I can't see a difference in meaning from the first one.

So do they actually mean the same or there is a difference?


texts:
If they go for it, I think Spurs will score on Saturday, it is just what else happens at the other end that is the worry for Pochettino' side.

I don't understand the context of this sentence.


texts:
I'm looking for a word that suggests both a place where new things can arrive and where you can safely store things, but where you wouldn't want to keep things that you are actively working on.

In particular, I'm designing an email "diet" system to help email addicts and I want to suggest to people that their [word] is a combination of the inbox and the archive.  The closest thing that comes to my mind is "log" or "record" but that isn't good because it doesn't sound quite right to move something out of the log and on to the to-do list, which is a key step in this system's success.  The log sounds more like a place that would be kept in addition to the inbox and whatever else, not as a place to move things in and out of.  Analogies to real-world places like basement or icebox, if appropriate, would also be fine.


texts: "on Mondays" v. "on Monday" with the adverb, "always"

texts:
Are all of these correct?

I wash my car on Mondays.
I always wash my car on Monday.
I always wash my car on Mondays.

I know #1 is correct, and it means every Monday. However, I'm not sure if #2 is correct. If we use the adverb "always," is it necessary to put the "s" at the end of "Monday"? I think for #3 the use of "always" adds emphasis to the fact that it is every Monday.


texts: Is "unpeeling an orange" grammatically correct?

texts:
I found this unsourced reference. Which made me wonder if it is correct or not?
Could this be considered an "auto-antonym" like ravel and unravel?


texts: Best word to use after at end of a sentence

texts:
"The excitement in the building was _________"

I'm trying to describe the excitement in building before a concert starts. What word would be the most suitable for this?


texts:
In Conan Doyle's The Greek Interpreter, a character says "If ... you had better never have been born".  This sounds fine to my ear, but I believe "had have been" is generally considered incorrect.

If the insertion of a couple of adverbs makes it correct, how does it?  Am I parsing it incorrectly?  Alternatively, was the character (of an educated class) — or the author — making a mistake?

Thanks, and Merry Christmas to all.


texts:
What's a creative way to say 'Wind was moving through my hair?'
A breeze was drifting through my hair?


texts: Two part question: Passive voice; and 'whom' usage

texts:
I truly don't understand why passive voice is considered almost inherently bad writing. Secondly, unless the sentence is quite brief I can hardly tell whether a sentence is passive or active. Is there a trick, or can someone explain it to me? When editing essays, I find that I'll learn that I missed passive voice usage because the longer the sentence, and the further into the essay it goes, I lose track.

Whom is also complicated for me and I'm not sure why. I know the simple versions 'of whom' and 'with whom', but, again, I lose track of what is being modified by what in a longer sentence. How can I go about understanding 'whom' and modifications in sentence structure?


texts: Is it correct to write something along the lines of "She pointed me to a book of X." in the sense of "making me aware of it", "bringing it to my attention"?


texts: Direct speech sentences without leading "He said,", "She said,", etc

texts:
Note: The question at He nodded his head yes; she shook her head no does not answer this queestion because that question deals with a gesture that can be expressed fine without direct speech but in this question, I do want to use direct speech.

Do we need to always prefix quoted sentences in direct speech preceded by "He said,", "She said,", etc.?
For example, a simple direct speech can be written like this:

He declined the invitation to come to the party and said, "My cat is ill, so I have to be at home tonight."

Can the above sentence be written like this:

He declined the invitation to come to the party, "My cat is ill, so I have to be at home tonight."


texts:
I'm reading  Jerome K. Jerome's 'Three men in a boat'
The above is about fishermen's bluff.
My question is in the above paragraph a man knocks ashes (from his pipe) against the bars.
But what is bars? On the counter? or on the window bars?
But it is not likely under the circumstances, so I just wonder if 'bars' mean something different or particular meaning in this context.


texts:
What should be used in below sentence: “split” or “split up”, and why?

  We need to split up the background image of the website into two parts.


texts: I have heard my friend say yesterday evening or yesterday night. I tell her it's last evening or last night. While she may be correct in that it is the night of yesterday, why is it then called last night (or last evening)?


texts: how to differentiate the two mw phonetic symbol

texts:
This image is the differences of phonetic symbols between IPA (left),
AHD (middle) and Merriam Webster (right):

link to the table

The two Merriam Webster phonetic symbols are the same, so how am I to know the accurate pronunciation when it appears in a new word?


texts: When describing a person without siblings, should I say "the -" or "an only child"?

texts: I understand the phrase "only child" means the only person born from or adopted by a set of parents in a family, or a person with no siblings.  I often hear the term used as "an only child," which does not appear to be grammatically correct, but does appear to be the correct usage of the term.  I have sometimes used "the only child" instead.  Which phrase is correct?  Is "the only child" incorrect?


texts: I often come across sentences such as, "Our program assists, at no cost, students maintain independent living..." I believe it should be written as, "Our program assists, at no cost, students to maintain independent living..."  Input?  This isn't a question about the word "help" - this is specifically about the word "assist."


texts: Word meaning "of many different kinds" in this context?

texts:
I'm looking for a word that describes a meal that consists of many different kinds of food (in a way that gives pleasure) similiar to the word varied I guess, but used in this context:

let's say Johnny and his little sister arrived at the dinner table for dinner their mom prepared. They're blown away by what's in front of them; there's fish, chicken, pork, soup, and even Johnny's favourite spaghetti and meatballs and more. Dinner is usually pretty plain with only a few simple dishes that's it, but I guess mom's in a good mood today so she decided to treat them with a special dinner. And Johnny may say "wow mom, today's dinner is pretty [that word]!"

What is the word I'm looking for?


texts:
This is my very first question here on english.stackexchange.com, so please don't bite me if I do anything wrong. Also sorry for my English, it's far from perfect.

I need a single word (or a short informal conversational phrase) for "finding company" (to do something together, opposite to spending time alone), like in "He had finally found someone to watch the movie with".

Thanks in advance.


texts: When is it appropriate to say that a garment looks "flattering"

texts:
Recently, I've begun hearing the word "flattering" in apparently sincere compliments.  In one scenario, a friend complimented someone on their new shirt by saying that it "looked very flattering."  Now, I hang around a lot of engineers so social nuance isn't always in abundance but I've always regarded "flattering" as a word that denotes insincerity.  Now if I wanted to coyly receive a compliment, I might say "Oh you flatter me;" that's cool.  But when calling a piece of clothing "flattering" I always interpreted the statement as meaning that the garment made the person look good in spite of himself, as though it's hiding physical flaws or somehow compensating for an otherwise unfortunate appearance.

One non-negative context where I MIGHT use it is if I was helping a friend pick out a suit (or something) and he asked for some honest feedback because he was worried that the trousers looked bad on him.  Under such a situation I might say "Don't worry, they really are very flattering."  But as a casual compliment?  At best it sounds tone-def and at worst, sounds like a catty mean-girls insult.

One scenario where I couldn't even imagine saying this is to someone of the opposite sex.  Only if I'd grown tired of living, would I try to compliment a woman by saying that "her dress looks very flattering." That her dress "looks great?" yes; "Nice?" fine; but flattering?  Yeesh, I wouldn't chance that without a cup and a mouth-guard.

What say stack exchange?  Am I missing out on a charming compliment or adhering to prudent word-choice (and maybe even basic self-preservation)?


texts: Is "sparkling" a synonym for "carbonated" when it comes to drinks?

texts: I wonder whether "sparkling" can function as a synonym for "carbonated" or "soda" when it comes to fizzy drinks. Is there any difference or can they be used interchangably?


texts: I would like to know when to say think(s) that, say(s) that and mean(s) that and when to omit that.


texts: Has the verb "to import me" ever been commonly used in English the way "to concern me" is in the phrase "It does not concern me"?

texts:
In various European languages, most especially in the Romance ones, their
own respective cognates for our Latin-derived word import can be used as
a verb in much the way as the verb concern is used in current English:

Não me importa.               (Portuguese)
No me importa.                (Spanish)
No m’importa.                 (Catalan)
Cela ne m’importe pas.        (French)

Those all translate literally “It is not important to me”, the
kind of thing you would say to mean “It does not concern me” or
“It does not matter to me”.
Has English ever had a similar usage for the same sense of the same verb;
that is, has it ever been common in English to say this?

It does not import me.

Please Note
I am asking specifically about the use of import as a transitive verb and used a person of interest or personal pronoun used in the same manner and sense as we now use concern, as in:

It imports me.

The noun form seen in “It is of no import to me” is of no import to me.


texts: Etymology of the word "generator" when used in the context "random name generator"

texts: I'm also curious to hear synonyms for this meaning-in-context; the idea that "this is a thing which generates other things algorithmically." Sorry for the pathetic definition that uses the word itself. :(


texts: When discussing non sequiturs, is a non sequitur made by a participant considered as a non sequitur?

texts:
Let's take this conversation:

  Alice: What is a non sequitur?

  Bob: A non sequitur is something said that, because of its apparent lack of meaning relative to what preceded it, seems absurd to the point of being humorous or confusing1. In Latin, it means "does not follow".

  Alice: Oh, I get it, so if I said "It is lovely weather we are having." in a discussion about the thermodynamic properties of iron, that would count as a non sequitur, right?

  Bob: Yes, because cake is very tasty.

Is the last sentence a non sequitur? After all, this is a discussion about non sequiturs, it does "follow" that someone will probably make one -- which makes it not really a non sequitur.

Or is it a matter of point of view? (To Alice, it is a non sequitur, but to me, a spectator, it isn't)

1 Copied from the Wikipedia page since I'm too lazy to write my own dialogue


texts: "Thank you for your coming" and "Thank you for your understanding"

texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  “Thank you for coming” and “Thank you for your coming”

The first one seems ungrammatical, as pointed by some of native speakers. But the latter one seems relatively recognized as grammatical sentence. Considering both "coming" and "understanding" nouns, both sentence seems grammatical to me. Or "coming" never be a noun?
Could you show me other example with different verbs?


texts: Is it right to use the structure "to take long" that way?

texts:
Would the following sentences sound grammatically correct and natural?

Why are you taking so long to do that? It is just a simple task.
-I don't wanna  take too long in the library because I have an  appointment.
Windows is an operating system which usually takes longer to start than Mac OS.
He often takes too long in the shower.
-The flight took too long to get to the capital, so I missed the meeting with my boss.
Titanic is a long movie. It takes too long to end.
Try not to take so long in the bank because we have to study.
Brides almost always take too long to apply make-up. That's why they are usually late for the ceremony.

And finally, are the following sentences equivalent?

"I took long in the bank because there were so many people in the queue"

"I took a lot of time in the  bank because there were so many people in the queue".


texts: Did Old English have a middle voice or mediopassive voice?

texts:
I've read that Icelandic and Old Norse have a middle voice, so I wanted to know if either or both of these distinct grammatical features existed in Old English.

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_(grammar)#Middle, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediopassive_voice


texts: synonyms for the word "valence" per the paragraph cited

texts:
Currently undertaking an MBA programme. The present subject is Leadership. Using a textbook by Hughes, Ginnett and Curphy: Leadership; Enhancing the lessons of experience. (2012, 7th ed.)

The sentence reads:

  By manifesting the appropriate leadership behaviours, the leader can increase followers' effort-to-expectancies, performance-to-reward expectancies, or valences of the outcome.

I understand the concept of valency from chemistry - the combining power of an atom or ion in terms of the number of Hydrogen atoms or equivalents - but do not quite know what the authors intended by using the word valence in the short paragraph cited.

So what does valences mean here? Are there any synonyms that could have been used to better, more illuminating effect?


texts:
Rich people's lives are the most complicated (ones)—and also the most
  meaningless (ones).

Can I omit both? If not, which one should I keep?


texts:
I tried looking this up in the thesaurus but all the synonyms for republican here are nouns. I was wondering if there were any synonyms for the adjective republican in the sense ‘relating to a republic’ (rather than as the name of a US political party).

Thanks for your time : )


texts: Bow vs Bow - etymology of the differing pronunciation

texts:
OED states that both "a bow" as in the weapon and "to bow" or "a bow" as in to incline at the knee share a common etymology:

  Etymology:  Common Germanic: Old English boga, corresponding to Old Frisian
      boga, Old Saxon bogo (Middle Dutch booghe, Dutch boog), Old High German bogo
      (Middle High German boge, modern German bogen), Old Norse bogi (Swedish båge,
      Danish bue) < Germanic *bugon-, < stem bug- of beugan, to bend.

However the two words are pronounced quite differently. I was wondering when and why the two meanings diverged in pronunciation.


texts: Apparently all other days of the week were named after Germanic words and deities. So why was Saturday, which was named after the Roman god Saturnus, the only exception? Why wasn't it called "day of Frey" or something, since Frey is a god of fertility just like Saturnus?


texts: What kind of "artifact" is a flashlight?

texts: According to Wikipedia, it used to be referred as a "device". But I'm not sure, I think nowadays the word device is used to describe stuff like cameras and mobile phones. What's a generic way to refer to a flashlight? (Just like device is used on tablets and smartphones?)


texts: Is "nothing but birds and a few insects" singular or plural?

texts:
Nothing but birds and a few insects [was/were] to be seen.

In that sentence, should the verb agree with "nothing" or with "birds and a few insects"?


texts: What is the meaning of "power dynamics"?

texts:
I've seen this words in news article and books but have no idea what it means.
I've googled everywhere but couldn't find any answers.
 Can someone elaborate what it means?
 I'm guessing maybe it's used in negative situations and can occur in out daily lives like in work, relationship...
 Can someone please explain?

...how important it is to theorize the diverse and changing power dynamics between the different genders, races, classes, and ages of household members.

... Far and away, most sexual assaults and sexual violence are perpetrated by men, and typically arise within asymmetrical power dynamics, where the perpetrator occupies a more powerful or dominant position in relation to the victim.

Thank you.


texts: Anglicization of diacritical marks and non-English letters

texts:
In my understanding, many European cultures have compensated for the lack of certain characters on keyboards (especially old typewriters) by “anglicizing” some characters. For example, the German ß becomes ss, the Danish (and others) Å becomes aa.

Is there a list, official or not, of these “compensations”?

(And yes, I do realize that this could very well fit in any other language SE than English, but English would be the common trait to these).


texts: What is the spell-out form of ‘FUPA’ as an acronym for ‘a protruding lower belly’?

texts:
Tina Fey lists up 26 ‘deficiencies’ that women are buying a product to correct them, which starts with the first seven:

-big pores

-oily T-zone

-cankles

-lunchlady arms

-fivehead,

-nipples too big,

and then,

-FUPA (an acronym for a protruding lower belly)

in her latest million-seller book, “Tina Fey: Bossypants.”

I have no idea about what words FUPA do account for as an acronym. What are they?


texts: I'm having so much fun vs. I'm having fun so much

texts:
It's perfectly okay to say I'm having so much fun.

But how about I'm having fun so much?
Is it a grammatically correct but nonidiomatic sentence?
Or what is wrong with it?


texts: Is it grammatically correct to omit a comma after dialogue ending in an ellipsis?

texts:
I know that Grammarly isn't always correct but before tonight, I didn't know punctuation directly after an ellipsis was grammatically correct, even in special circumstances such as dialogue.

Unless it's stylistic, Grammarly is insisting that what I currently have is incorrect (see photo below).

The sentence in question is:

  “You want to marry me…” she led off in a breathy voice as she
  grabbed my shirt collar. “Not out of love, but for mutual benefits.”

I would have never thought to include a comma there, even then, a comma would look so odd. From what I've read, it seems stylistic, but I'm asking is it grammatically correct to leave it as is?

At this point, I think I'd rather omit the ellipsis entirely and replace with a comma rather than add a comma to the end of the ellipsis.


texts: What does the word 'Joll' mean in 18th century English?

texts:
What does joll mean in the following sentence?

  ... give him the upper or right hand, and walk not just even with him cheek be joll, but a little behind him, yet not so distant as that it shall be troublesome to him to speak to thee,...

Source: Rules for Childrens Behaviour ...


texts: How to say "I met someone", but not in the romantic way

texts:
I sometimes start stories with "I met someone who (...)" or "I met a man who (...)".

Being a woman, people often seem to think there is something romantic about the meeting even though that was not my original intention.

Is there another turn of phrase that can be used that has fewer romantic connotations? I find "I met a person (...)" to be rather awkward.


texts: What is the difference between "the ban on" and "the ban of"?

texts:
What is the difference between on and of here:

the ban on door-to-door sales
the ban of door-to-door sales?


texts:
I tend to put "me" in front of sentences when I'm trying to set them apart from a previously said opinion or view.
Examples:

Me, I like pizza.

Me, I'm cold.

Is it okay to say it like that in a conversation? It was pointed out to me that it's weird and now I'm not sure if I took that from another language (it seems fine to do this in French...).
Edit: I think I could replace it with "As for me, ..."


texts: In an essay I am writing, is it incorrect for me to say The stables housed over a thousand horses, or should I say The stables housed more than a thousand horses?


texts: Interchangeability of 'sunk into the ground' and 'sunken into the ground'

texts:
This question differs from "sunk" or "sunken"? in that the other question, in my understanding, is about the act of sinking (as in the process of changing state from being above to being below something).

In a discussion I described buildings as 'sunk into the ground', meaning that they were built like buildings above-ground but set partially below.

As the other person did interpret it as the buildings actively sinking, I was looking up merriam-webster to show them the definition. Finding that at least the infinitive of what I tried to use would be 'sunken'.

What I am curious/not sure about though is if it would be 'sunken' in every case of using the word, or if my usage works too, i.e. in the following sentence:

"What conditions would make sinking them into the ground the predominant way of building large structures?"


texts: What word has the same flavor but opposite meaning of hence (in the future)

texts:
My brain is claiming there is such a word, but Google seems to disagree:

Is there any word with the same "flavor" as hence (somewhat ostentatious, perhaps? Victorian?) in the meaning of "in the future", but with the opposite meaning. I want to say something happened two decades hence (meaning two decades ago), but I know it's wrong (it would actually mean two decades from now).

I've found hitherto, heretofore and perhaps yet, which have the "flavor" I'm seeking and the generally opposite meaning, but they don't seem to have the same idea of "number of years or amount of time" before now that hence allows for...

[edit] It would fit into a sentence similar to or along these lines:

  "Born forty-eight years [hence?], the gentleman accomplished several feats of note"

[/end edit]

Is there such a word?


texts:
Is this sentence grammatically correct?

None of these (cons of a coffee shop listed above) made it a less nice hangout.

Thanks a lot!


texts:
To convey that someone arrives at the end of his life or simply dies, which sentence is more correct or more common? I prefer the first.

His life finishes.
His life is finished.

If the second one is legitimate, can I assume he is responsible for the action finish (i.e., interpret the sentence as he finishes his life)? If so, what about the following sentence?

I'm done grading the exam papers.

Who is responsible for the action do?


texts: Is there a way to measure how "emotive" a verb is?

texts:
I've read that "People buy on emotion and justify with logic" and that, when writing sales copy, one should use "emotive" words.

Now understand my background is intensely technical and, while I can bang out a well-written technical manual without a second thought, I am struggling with verbs that "arouse intense feeling" especially since I am selling something (software) where technical precision matters. My goal is to connect emotionally with my prospects (using strong verbs of moderate comprehension complexity) while still weaving such emotion around the technical fabric of my actual business.

So my question: is there a clear method to know where a particular verb falls on the spectrum of emotional to logical?

Consider this construct: "Ever feel like your business ...".  Ok, "feel" is clearly an emotive verb, but it's weak.  Replace that with "Ever suspect your business...".  Now "suspect" is a stronger verb, but is it emotive?  Probably, it's about trust.  But another synonym is "reckon", which is getting closer to "measuring", which is logical.  And going further to "calculate" we're clearly in logical territory.

So when I choose a stronger verb, is there a clear technical way to know the emotional impact of the verb, or do I just need to tap into my inner emotional self and take off this logical hat?


texts: Which is correct: "could care less" or "couldn't care less"?

texts:
What's the deal with the phrase "could care less"?

Whilst growing up, I've always known people (parents etc) to use the phrase "couldn't care less", but I've also come across people who use the phrase "could care less" to mean the same thing (that is, "I do not care at all about that").

To me "couldn't care less" seems a lot more logical. If I couldn't care less about something, that implies I do not care about it at all. In contrast to this, to my mind the phrase "could care less" seems to indicate "I do care about this to some degree at least", but that's definitely not the meaning intended.

What's going on here? Is my (logical) analysis correct or in error?


texts: "Who wants to know" on a phone conversation

texts:
Caller: "Hello. Is Jane at home?"
Answerer: "Who wants to know?"

I think I heard this kind of conversation on a TV show once. Probably it was a comedy show. I guess what the answerer meant was "Who are you?" or "Who is asking?" Can I use "Who wants to know?" generally on a phone conversation to know who the caller is? Or was the conversation above a joke?


texts:
I always have a tough time with this. Suppose the following:

  The software will be installed when the computer is ready.

versus

  The software will be installed when the computer will be ready.

Technically, both events are in the expected future (the computer being ready as a premise for the software being installed), but which one is right, or if they are both right, what nuance do they convey?


texts: How to answer the question, "Why were you underground for such a long time?" I'm stuck with this problem. How do I enter the answer?


texts:
Squeegee is:

a scraping implement, usually consisting of a straight-edged blade of india-rubber, gutta-percha, or the like, attached to the end of a long handle, for removing water, mud, etc. [OED]

OED's earliest citation is from 1844:

Holy-stoning the decks..is the worst description of nervous torture of which I ever heard, excepting perhaps, the infliction of the squee gee.
Mrs. Houstoun Texas & Gulf of Mexico I. 39

The second citation is a definition of squeegee from William Henry Smyth's The sailor’s word-book: an alphabetical digest of nautical terms (1867):

Squeegee, an effective swabbing instrument, having a plate of gutta~percha fitted at the end of a broom handle.

Today, the best-known of these tools is the hand-held window squeegee which is used for cleaning windows and windscreens.

Image source: hookbag.ca
Squeegee is also a verb from 1883 (OED):

It is then ‘squeegeed’ down on the glass and developed.
J. T. Taylor · Hardwich's Manual Photogr. Chemistry

In recent decades, the terms squeegee bandit, squeegeekid, squeegee thug emerged as these urban tribes began to pester motorists at busy road junctions. OED's earliest citation is from 1985 (Washington Post):

When rush-hour traffic backs up along the downtown streets here, the ‘squeegee kids’ are in business.

Questions:

What is the etymology of squeegee? OED says that the noun squeegee is from the verb squeege; and squeege is the strengthened form of squeeze. What does "strenghtened form" mean here? Why a single letter alteration from z to g?

OED compares squeegee to squilgee and says "of obscure origin" for the etymology of squilgee. The earliest citation is from Herman Melville's Moby- Dick (1851):

Edgewise moved along the oily deck, it operates like a leathern squilgee.

Now Wikipedia mentions squilgee and squimjim as other names for squeegee. Can they be malapropisms? I couldn't find anything about squimjim though.

Note: Squeegee is a nautical word originally and later used in photography, then window-washing. Etymonline doesn't add much to what I have found already.


texts: Difference between "on the both sides" and "on both sides"

texts:
I really do not have any idea about the difference between the two phrases "on the both sides" and "on both sides". They both appear a lot from Google search.
I see the the first phrase in this sentence "Green grass is on the both sides of the river."
Many thanks.


texts: Should "International community" have a definite article?

texts:
As a non-native English speaker I have always struggled with placing article THE correctly, especially in advanced cases. For example, international community. Does it have to go with the if placed in a sentence and it if does, then why?

P.S. we don't have articles in my mother-tongue so that's why I find it quite difficult.


texts: Should I capitalize the "G" in "God Particle" when referring to the Higgs Boson particle?

texts:
I'm researching the Higgs Boson particle and have always preferred to call it the "god Particle" or even the "Champagne Particle".  But the capitalization of the "G" has thrown me off.

I'm conflicted on giving this a capital "G" since it appears to be the assumed proper noun for the particle, and has nothing to do with the monotheistic religion.

An earlier answer on this site has a great comment of :

  "Capitalize the word god when it is used as a proper name as the name
  of the god of a monotheistic religion, such as the god of Christianity
  or Judaism, and not capitalize it when it is used as a common noun"

What should be done to avoid confusion, and not get into a religious debate?


texts: What is the word that includes "Chiefs" and "Sergeants-Major" together?

texts:
Is there a word or two that can combine Chief Master Sergeant/Petty Officer and Sergeants-Major? I want it in a sentence that involves both sets of ranks like: "'The Chiefs and Sergeants-Major' will come." or something like that.

The closest I have gotten are: Senior NCOs and E-9s but they sound very ambiguous or awkward sounding.


texts:
I have a doubt regarding the rules to use article "an" before words with vowel sound.

As per the rules, we should use "an" before MoU, but I have seen "a" before it at some places.

For instance,
PCB had sought a huge amount from BCCI for not honouring a MoU signed between the two boards. (dnaindia.com)

Please let me know the correct usage.


texts: What vivid verb should I use when someone "turns into" a zombie?

texts:
In conversation, when someone says they appreciate my brain, I need an effective comeback. I was going to say:

  "I hope that you are not turning into a zombie with your love for my brain."

But I feel that "turning into" is not a sufficiently vivid verb to use.

What verb should I use when someone turns into (or possibly might turn into) a zombie?

I want the verb to tell a bit of the story by describing the what and why of zombies.


texts: "I don't have an apple" vs. "I don't have apples"?

texts:
I have seen both. I tried to think about the count. When it comes to "nothing", it indicates a number of 0, which in English should be expressed by plural. However, both forms are common.

Which form should I use? Are(is) there any difference(s)?

A similar question is linked here: Should I use "What is the difference..." or "What are the differences..." if I don't know how many difference(s) there is/are?


texts: What is meant by a "Penny in the slot reaction"

texts:
What is meant by a penny-in-the-slot reaction?

Context: In a discussion of meditation, one benefit was described as "Less penny-in-the-slot reactions and more true choice."


texts: Which English language variety is best to use for global e-commerce?

texts:
Which variety of English  — like American English, British English, and so one — is better to choose when translating to Englis, or building it from scratch, for an e-commerce site which intends to operate globally?

Is American English a standard choice for such a use? Or is there a trend for some artificial mix of different varieties of English to become such a standard?


texts: To start a sentence about yourself in a 3rd person with "Been..."?

texts:
Usually people when talking about themselves say something like: "I've been a tutor since 2010". But it's said in a 1st person.
My question is... Would it be correct to describe yourself in a 3rd person like so: "Been a tutor since 2010"? To start a sentence with "been"...?


texts:
I've been using this sentence for a while now, but someone suggested to me that it doesn't sound like proper English.

"Do please let me know [e.g. if you need more information]" (1)

vs

"Please let me know" (2)

or even

"Please do let me know" (3)

My thinking is that the "do" in (1) and (3) tends to make it sound more genuine than (2) (as suggested in this related – but not identical– question), while placing "do" before "please", a slightly unexpected order, insists even more on that aspect. But perhaps it's just bad grammar.


texts: What is the difference between "special" and "specific" in usage?

texts:
Which one is correct to use in the following sentence; special or specific?

Both adjectives seem to be interchangeable.
According to Dictionary.com, specific means 1. having a special application, bearing, or reference; specifying, explicit, or definite. While special means “4. having a specific or particular function, purpose, etc.”

  These exercises did not show any special impact on his overall articulation.
  These exercises did not show any specific impact ...


texts:
The other day I was cutting a mango using a sharp knife. I had sliced off one side of the mango and was then cutting a grid pattern in the flesh to be able to "open out" the side to eat the mango pieces. When cutting the grid I held my hand under the mango and had cut through the mango skin cutting my finger.

I exclaimed, "That will teach me to use a sharp knife when cutting up mango!"

My seven year old asked, "Don't you mean that'll teach you NOT to use a sharp knife?"

I then realized that it doesn't matter - at least to me - that I could have said it both ways and it would have meant the same thing.

So, my question is, do the two following phrases mean the same thing?

"That will teach me to use a sharp knife when cutting up mango!"

and

"That will teach me to NOT use a sharp knife when cutting up mango!"


texts:
If "verbalize" puts thoughts into spoken word, what about putting thoughts into written word?

I considered document, record, but neither capture the visualization of "writing" the way verbalize captures "speaking".

Here is an example sentence where I would like to replace verbalize:

  I have always thought this, but I have never been able to verbalize the sentiment.

I am also aware, verbalize may be used, but I'd like to use something more explicitly indicating writing.


texts: Looking for an English equivalent to the relatively new French word "bientraitance," which means the act or practice of treating (someone/people) well

texts: The French have coined a new term "bientraitance" which is a noun that means "treating people well" or "treating people respectfully or properly." I don't think there is an English equivalent (doesn't that speak legions???) but I think it's time we came up with one, just as the French have done. Have you wonderful people any suggestions? Many thanks in advance for your thoughts on this!


texts:
I’m not a native speaker, but I found a difference in my anatomy book between “is related medially” and “ is located medially” that they have the opposite meaning...

Is it true?


texts: Yesterday I heard an English baker on a cooking show say that "the proof is in the pudding."  I've heard the expression before but I can't imagine how pudding would prove anything.  How did the idiom start, what did it mean originally, and how is it correctly used today?


texts: Is it proper to use "the" before the name of a government organization?

texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  Definite article with proper nouns, titles followed by a common noun
  Using the definite article with acronyms and initialisms

When I listen to major news programs, often I notice that they seem to intentionally omit "the" before the name of the government organizations. For example:

  We contacted E.P.A. for comment but they refused our requests.

or

  Others consider the actions of treasury to be detrimental to the economy.

These just sound wrong to me. I think it should be "the E.P.A" or "the treasury". However I most often hear this on very credible news programs (The PBS News Hour and Frontline come to mind) so I am sure they know what they're doing...

Is it proper to use "the" before the name of a government organization, or is it optional?


texts:
Serbo-Croatian grammar requires that only the first word of a multi word name of a place or an object is capitalized. For example, "Stari most" is a name of a bridge in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

If we don't translate the name to English do we capitalize both words as "Stari Most" or do we keep the native language capitalization?


texts: Heteronormative for nuclear family structure?

texts: Heteronormative is used to refer to a world view that promotes heterosexuality as normal or preferred. It is usually in reference to sexual orientation. Is there a separate word for describing a traditional nuclear family of mother, father, and child, as opposed to single parents, elective co-parenting, etc.? I'm looking for a word relating to the family structure as opposed to sexual orientation.


texts:
When the valediction "Yours, &c" is used at the end of a letter (for example in Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice), what is the "&c" standing in for?

I realize that "&c" is shorthand for etc. or et cetera, but that is not the purpose of this inquiry. When "Yours, &c" is used in a valediction by a writer (letter or novel), it is not unreasonable to expect that he or she assumes the reader will understand exactly what has been abridged. Which may have been the case for 19th century readers, but it is not the case for at least this humble reader today.

Is there a standard, long-winded expansion of this valediction? Or are there many possible expansions?

Wikipedia's entry regarding this topic is a bit terse and unsatisfactory.


texts:
Which is correct:

  I have been asked by attorney Smith to inspect the documents.

or

  I have been asked by Attorney Smith to inspect the documents.


texts: I want make this sentence natural, "you can reference this site"

texts:
My situation is that I have a site link(like this stackexchange), and I want to announce this site link for anyone who visit my web-site as a reference.
is this natural expression?

If you need more information, you can reference this site : www.google.com

If this is not a natural expression(sentence), could you amend it?
thanks


texts: Is it correct to say "user redeems an offer"

texts: I am writing up technical documentation for a system that involves users receiving different types of offers. Is "User redeems an offer" correct English to describe an event when member participates in a transaction that qualifies for the offer?


texts: What do you call a phrase or a quote that someone believes in the most ?

texts:
Eg Be Kind to one another is Ellen Degeneres' ________________ ?

I always believed in the Quote Everything happens for a reason and for the better. So i can call that statement my _____________ ?


texts: Using a word to that makes something sound better than it is

texts: What is the word that describes calling something by a banal title to disguise its true identity?  Such as hamburger which is actually ground up, bloody cow flesh.  Sounds nicer and doesn't remind people what they are actually eating.


texts:
I'm currently writing my thesis and checking my grammar with Grammarly software. English isn't my first language and I'm always getting a warning saying the sentence is written in the passive voice and it asks me to change it. I'm having difficulty understanding what went wrong and very much hope that you will be kind enough to let me know the reason.

Thank you,
Kind regards,
Navoda.

  It states that the unit cost for manufacturing a product remains fixed with the increase of the production volume when Manual Labor is used as the production method. If Hard Automation is used, the unit cost gets lower than both Soft Automation and Manual Labor with the increase of the production volume, while it gives the highest unit cost among the three methods for a small production volume.


texts:
Are the following two sentences correct? Does the comma need to be there?

Walking down the stairs, she sighed.

When he told her she had missed a form, she sighed.


texts:
I always remember many verbs ending in -ing.

Swimming club/cap and shaving foam for example.
I now see increased use of swim club and shave foam.

Why has this happened, is it correct use of English ?


texts:
What does "is it me, or..." mean?

Examples:

Perhaps it is just me, but I find Intel's ultrabook pitch somewhat confusing.
Is it me, or is this a bug?


texts: to be healthy we must keep our bodies clean by having bath as water and soaps wipe away the germs and dirt from our body and keeps us healthy - i want to know that in that line what will be after "our"- "body" or "bodies"?


texts: What's the most pedantically correct way to reference sectioned and numbered rules aloud?

texts:
I am a roller derby announcer. An important part of my job is to explain the rules of roller derby to the fans.

The rules of modern roller derby are promulgated by the Women's Flat Track Derby Association, and are broken into section, sub-section, and sub-sub-section (and further?) by number, just like a civil code.

For instance, from section two ("Game Parameters"), subsection four ("Jams"):

  2.4.4.1.1 - If the Jammer is not on the track when the jam starting whistle blows, the Jammer will not be permitted to join the jam in progress. No penalty will be issued.

If I wanted to write this, I would write "Section 2.4.4.1.1", per my reading of this helpful StackExchange question about "section" and "subsection".

However, if I wanted to say this out loud, thundering it from the podium while banging my fist, what is the most pedantically correct way to do it? Is there anything after subsection, like "Paragraph"? Would it be correct to say "According to section two, subsection four, paragraph four, item one point one?" -- or something similar?

I have often wondered how this works in city ordnances as well -- is there a "formal" language used when drilling all the way down, much as we say "Chapter and Verse"? Or does this rabbit hole only go as deep as "subsection"?

TL;DR: How would Tackleberry refer to numbered rules?

UPDATE: some more googling on this leads to the Wikipedia description of how the United States Code is ordered:
Title > Chapter > Part > Section > Paragraph > Clause.
So if roller-derby rules were ordered the same way as the US Code, I could conceivably say something like "Part two, section four, paragraph four, clause one, subclause one of the WFTDA rules clearly states." However, I think this particular structure only applies to the US Code, and this is not a sort-of generic legal-document structure.  ...Or is it?  Is this how the drill-down usually goes when you're trying to be, you know... legalistic?


texts:
Does the word especially exclude and discount anything that is not denoted?
For instance in the following example, would this sentence mean only those in Florida, or is it simply an emphasis and those outside of Florida could also be included.

People love desserts, especially those in Florida.


texts: Is there a name for a phrase or proverb that multiple possible word-meanings but the same phrase-meaning?

texts:
I will start with my example to clarify the odd phrasing of my question.

  The die is cast.

Since both 'die' and 'cast' have two meanings, the phrase can be read in two ways:

The die [as in a game of dice] is cast [as in thrown].
The die [as in a metal tool‡] is cast [as in forged].

Both of these have the same meaning: something has been done that cannot be undone. (This coincidence has lead some to be confused about the original meaning, which is closer to the first I describe).

Are there other examples of phrases that so neatly have two paths to the same meaning by replacing multiple words? If so, do they have a name (so that I may look up more  )?

‡ casting is not the best way to make a die, but the meaning holds.


texts:
Would the following usage be considered archaic?

  Were I you, I would ask her for a date.


texts: Is the expression "What's that mean" correct?

texts:
Today I saw a comic where one of the characters say:

  What's that mean?

I am not a native English speaker but that sentence puzzled me.

I would personally use the verb to do here but instead there's a 's which I assume is the verb to be contracted.

The other option is that 's here is the verb to do contracted, but I'm not aware of this contraction to be possible.

Is the sentence correct in English? Or is it some "slang" language.
The character is not supposed to speak slang or incorrect English at all, so that's why this sentence drew my attention.


texts:
Recently one of my friend asked a question "Where do you put up?". Initially I didn't understand the question and later i came to know that its nothing but "Where do you stay?". Is it a right sentence?. I am confused with the below combinations also. Could you please clarify?

Where do you put up?
Where are you put up?
where are you putting up?


texts:
It is interesting that when we are introduced to books as sources of
  information in our childhood it does not usually go like that. We are
  taught to consult books like oracles, and the idea of the author is
  not much brought to our attention at first. In any case, after a time
  we come to receive communications in books without anyone introducing
  them to us, and we are apt to believe—as we put it—what the book
  says about itself; for example that it was printed by a certain
  printer.

I know the meaning of "put", and "as we put it". But I want to know where "it" refers to. Does it mean "as we say"? As we say what? That we are apt to believe? But do we say such a thing? Or we may say so? So shouldn't it be "as we may put it"? Moreover, to what does "we" refer? To human beings? Or to we who are discussing here?


texts: Is there a way to transform "found" to stand for "things which have been found"?

texts: I can think of use discoveries as the things which have been found. Is there a way to do that by transforming the word found? Like we can say "things which belong to you" as "your belongings".


texts: Why are individual investors called "retail" investors?

texts: As far as I understand it, "retail" refer to big stores that sell to individual consumers and retail investors refers to individuals. Wouldn't it make more sense for a "retail investor" to refer to the big companies that engage in mass trading?


texts:
As I was writing an email to someone today, at the end of the message in jest I wrote:

  Well, I best gets to workin’.

After I wrote it I looked at the phrase I best gets to. It came to me as if I’d heard it many times before, but I couldn’t place it. Anyone have an idea of the origin of its usage?

I’m originally from Pennsylvania, but I’ve lived in North Carolina for seven years now, so I was wondering whether it wasn't Southern or something.


texts: Words that sound all-inclusive, but aren't necessarily all-inclusive

texts:
Words like "anywhere" and "everybody" usually have a predefined or implicit context during conversations:

  Everybody is going out to lunch. Would you like to come too? We are willing to go anywhere - we're starving.

In this statement, clearly the speaker doesn't mean all people from all places and times. When the speaker says he is willing to go anywhere, this isn't to be understood as a willingness to travel to Fiji for lunch, but instead is meant to be understood within an immediate context of the surrounding area, past experience with the hearer, or something else.

My touch-screen in my vehicle has a similar message when it's turned off:

  Touch anywhere to activate.

Clearly it doesn't mean anywhere in the all-inclusive sense - touching my shoe won't turn the display on. There's an unspoken bit of information the reader is expected to understand. They would understand 'touch anywhere on this touch screen to activate this touch screen.'

What are these types of words called, if they even have a name?


texts:
The sentence in question:
Should you decide to decline the offer, the contract is terminated effective immediately.
My question is about the timing of the word immediately.  Would immediately refer to the date of the letter containing the sentence, or the date of the declination of the offer?


texts: Using a perfect infinitive construction to express uncertainty

texts: My sentence: " I needed for her to have called me." The only example that I can find is from google books- title: The Ghost of Samuel Cetawayo" with a similar use of the perfect infinitive: "I had expected her to have called me." Are these sentences grammatically correct?


texts: Can I say "he held a pompous disregard for societal norms"? I'm not sure whether a "disregard" can be "held"


texts:
I am writing a statement of purpose and want an alternative for "under the guidance of Professor". I has been used many times in the SOP and I want to avoid using it as much as possible. One alternative I can think of it "worked for Professor ..." but I do not know if that is correct (Objection I have: I think university is the employer and not the professor).

Please let me know how this can be rephrased or alternatives for this.
Thanks in advance.


texts: the reason for me + (gerund) / (infinitve)

texts:
The reason to go abroad is to study.

  The reason for me going abroad is to study.

These two examples sound correct to me.it popped into my mind that if the following expression would be correct.

  The reason for me to go abroad is to study.

As a native speaker , do you think it sounds correct?
If so , what is its difference from the first sentence above in meaning?


texts: Is there a word or expression for the "no it isn't." "yes, it is." to and fro, mutually?

texts:
The point in a conversation where it all gets rather child-ish from both sides:
A: That ball is pink.
B: No, it isn't. Are you blind? It's obviously purple!
A: No, it isn't!
B: Yes, it is!
A: No, it isn't, you blind c***.
B: I am not a c***!
A: Yes, you are, obviously, a c***!
B: Am not!
A: Are too!
...(etc.)


texts:
Which sentence sounds better?

-I have thoughts that there would be mutual benefits for both of us if we could
  explore new business opportunities together in IoT, Connected Cars, etc.

-I believe that there would be mutual benefits for both of us if we could
   explore new business opportunities together in IoT, Connected Cars, etc.

I think the first one sounds a bit unnatural and the second one is better, but some of my co-workers think the opposite. Does 'have thoughts' in the first sentence sound okay to you?


texts: What is the position of nouns that work as adjectives?

texts:
I normally invert an adjective, as in "a red flower" and "a car door". However, I have seen the use of "code red" in a situation of emergency. Why is that? I am also not sure if it is correct to "Standard ISO 14001" or "ISO 14001 Standard", "Blue Project" or "Project Blue". It is also hard to decide the posion when using verbs in the participle, like "the killed man" or "the man killed"?

Thanks in advance for your explanation,

Fábio


texts: when you enter and edit data in databases, do you say that you work ON databases or you work WITH databases ?


texts: Does "selfie" refer to the picture's taker, the picture's poster, or both

texts:
I'm a middle-aged person who is not up on the latest trends and am not a social media user.  But a few days ago on CNN, the anchors were going on about the latest celebrity "selfie" that had "gone viral."  My first thought, of course, was "why in the #%%^ is this news?" but then I looked at the photo they were showing.  One could see that the subject was not holding a phone or camera, and the photo was clearly taken at a distance of 20 or so feet.  In other words, it was not taken by the subject.  Shouldn't that have made it a "someone-elsie?"  Or better yet, a plain old-fashion "photograph?"

On the other hand, the celeb had posted the pic to his own something-or-other (maybe insta-gram) account.  So is that what made it a selfie?

I read this and this.  Each seems to indicate a selfie is taken by the subject, but neither is perfectly clear.


texts: How to refer to people and how they're related?

texts:
I'm trying to document an issue with an application, and I'd like to refer to the people using different words regardless of the relationship (father, son, etc.) being used.

To better explain the issue, see the following:

  A. Carl is the father of Oscar.
  B. Fred is the son of Martin.

I'd like to refer to A's Carl and B's Fred using the same word. I would think that they are the subject of the sentence, but is there a different word?

Also, A's Oscar and B's Martin should also have a word that refers to them. Are they the object of the sentence, or is there another word?


texts: Adjective for a type of conversation where no real information is conveyed but rather the speakers are establishing a connection.

texts:
There is an english word (adj) that refers to a type of conversation where no real real information is being conveyed but rather the speakers are establishing a connection.

A casual conversation about the weather between two speakers who don't know each other well would be an example.


texts: Is "wally" common vernacular for a groundhog?

texts:
It just came to my attention that my family uses what some Googling suggests is a "strange" word for this furry fellow:

According to the Wikipedia page, this animal/rodent/marmot has all sorts of names (as might be expected for such a common animal): Marmota monax, groundhog, woodchuck, whistlepig, chuck, wood-shock, groundpig, whistler, thickwood badger, Canada marmot, monax, moonack, weenusk, and red monk.

Conspicuously missing from this list (to my mind) is "wally" -- fond are the memories of finding a wally running across my yard!

The only thing related that I could find is Sir Walter Wally, which appears to be the North Carolina version of (the far superior!) Punxsutawney Phil -- a weather-divining groundhog used to foretell the end of winter.

I am from eastern Pennsylvania, my family is (since arriving the US a few generations back) from Philadelphia. Is this particular term for a groundhog at all widespread?


texts: Is this formal enough? "Should I expect to get a call from you sometime this week?"

texts:
I'm contacting HR person from a company after an interview.

She told me she will contact me right after the interview, but she sent me an e-mail she will contact me at a later time.

So I'm trying to send an e-mail to ask when to expect a call.

Is the sentence:

  Should I expect to receive/get a call from you sometime this week? I would greatly appreciate if you could let me know.

formal enough or should I write something else?


texts:
How can I say this sentence more properly? Suppose I am with my girlfriend, and I say

  "I want my whole life to be submerged in this particular moment".

I don't think that submerged is the right word. What I want to say is that I want my whole life to be in this particular moment that I am with my girlfriend. Can any one construct this sentence so that it sounds pleasant and correct?


texts: This relationship is hard to prove vs be proved

texts:
Hi I'm learning English as a second language and there was a sentence in my grammar book

  Although this relationship is hard to [prove/be proven],....

I know the answer is 'prove' but I don't get the reason. In the sentence, isn't "this relationship " the subjective? If so, shouldn't it be written in a passive state? My teacher said that there's something about the word "hard" that makes the answer "prove" and I can relate to that, but I can't think of a clear reason for this.


texts:
What's the correct pronunciation of BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)?

[ˈbaɪɒs], like in growth-promoting substance present in yeast
or ['bɪɒs], thus respecting the meaning of the acronym - [input], not [aɪnput]
or something else?

Wikipedia states only the first pronunciation, but I have heard both quite often.

I am specifically interested if the knowledge of the meaning of the acronym may influence its pronunciation. Particularly Input which pronunciation starts with [i] and not with [ai].

N.B. The acronym is always pronounced as a word in the IT world, it's never spelled letter-by-letter (like "USA").


texts: What does and the like actually mean and how do I use that in a sentence properly?


texts: What word means being forced to agree or accept?

texts:
How to say something like I am forced to agree or accept the situation in one word?

I believe there is a precise word to express this.


texts: How common in English are adjectives ending with -ly? I can remember only "stately" and "unruly". Is it adequate to assume, say in machine text analysis, that apart from several predefined exceptions all adjectives ending with -ly are adverbs? (I'm using a computer word database where adjectives and adverbs are all marked with 'A' and need to distinguish them.)


texts: What is a self-contained, rhetoric phrase? (Brevity is soul of wit)

texts:
This related question touched on redundancy which appeared as a strict upgrade from an autological "word" to a "phrase" to me.

It would be enlightening to find more instances that provokes a string of thoughts such as one of Shakespeare's from Hamlet:

  "Brevity is the soul of wit."

Also, how would you place them in taxonomy or nomenclature? Is this a scholar's pun?


texts: What is the meaning of the (seemingly) noun word "claw-catch" in a poem?

texts:
From "God's Secretary" by R.S. Gwynn:

  Her e-mail inbox always overflows.
  Her outbox doesn’t get much use at all.
  She puts on hold the umpteen-billionth call
  As music oozes forth to placate those
  Who wait, then disconnect. Outside, wind blows,
  Scything pale leaves. She sees a sparrow fall
  Fluttering to a claw-catch on a wall.
  Will He be in today? God only knows.

I googled for "claw-catch" and "clawcatch", found one sense to be a kind of a movement in juggling, that doesn't seem to fit.

Maybe what's meant here is some small crevice or other uneven feature of the wall allowing the sparrow to catch it with its claws?


texts: Is “kludge” a proper word to name a dirty hack in software development

texts:
There in software development, we sometimes use a solution, which is to prop the existing code up, not to fix the real cause of the problem. It might be called “dirty hack,” or “kludge.”

It’s wry and is usually used in a negative sense, like “I’ll put a kludge here for now, but when we are not in rush, it should be fixed properly.” The code behaves as a human being on their crutches: they walk somehow, but the observers fear they to drop down.

My question is: is “kludge” the proper/legit word to use in this context in English, and if not, what is?


texts:
Both are one of my favorite friends.

Can " both " be used in the above sentence or does that sentence make no sense like that ?!


texts:
I had a private student who brought in a short story for me to mark.
The narrator in the story is a girl violinist who performs in a concert and is spotted by a talent scout. He's so impressed by her performance, he offers a contract to play in a band (student insisted it was not an orchestra). The public rave about her and offers of work begin to flood in from all over the country. The short story ends with this line:

It is so began my story of success.

I suggested

“And so began my story of success” or “So began my story of success”

I tried to argue that because so is used as an intensifier with adjectives, e.g. it is so expensive, it was so wonderful, and rarely used with verbs. As a result, the phrase “It is so began my story” was very awkward-sounding. I then said there was no need for the subject pronoun and an auxiliary verb. But he wasn't convinced by my on-the-spur-explanation. In Italian it would be:

E così ebbe inizio la mia storia.

Its word for word translation would be (poetic) “So has begun my story of success” or “so my story of success begun” neither of them sound idiomatic to my ears. As I tried other possible alternatives with it is so + past participle the expression:

It is so written

surfaced to mind, a phrase that I used to hear as a child in church or at school (I attended a convent). I told my student I would look up the grammar because I had now become curious myself. Are these examples grammatical?
I checked with Google books and it reports 30,000 results for it is so written, zero results for "it is so began" and only three examples with it is so begun.

This learned man is aware that it is so written once in Hosea, and twice in Amos ; books written two hundred years before the captivity ;

It is so written as to be intelligible and instructive to the mere beginner, while, at the same time, it contains a store of learning, from which even the greatest masters of their profession need not be ashamed to draw.

This, it is true, is but imperfect as yet ; but it is so begun that it will undoubtedly be perfected. But such as it is, their sanctification is not the cause of it, but it is the cause of their sanctification.

I also tried it is so spoken and found only 22 results

We are sure this was a good work; it is so spoken of by the apostle, Jas 2:25; and she did it by faith, such a faith as set her above the fear of man.
It is not the utterance of God's word in an unknown speech that bringeth faith, but when it is so spoken that it is understanded of them that hear it, and that faith through the operation of the Holy Ghost ensueth;

What explanation can I offer my private student that helps him understand why “it is so began my story...” or “it is so begun my story...” are both ungrammatical?


texts:
I have troubles figuring out whether to use "render" or "rendering" in the context of drawing something on a computer screen in certain scenarios.

Technologies that are used for drawing/rendering:

  render technology(-ies)
  rendering technology(-ies)

The program code that performs the drawing:

  render framework/logic/loop
  rendering framework/logic/loop

The use of resources:

  render performance
  rendering performance

The software component:

  render frontend/backend
  rendering frontend/backend

Other software-related terms:

  render context
  rendering context

When googling, I found both versions. But I'm not sure if both are actually correct, or if there are just a bunch of programmers out there who don't know the correct use either.


texts: Why is it - "My great-grandfather never left Scotland" Instead of " My great-grandfather has never left Scotland"?

texts: Since, the sentence has "never" it must be present perfect, but whereas it's simple past. Why is it so?


texts: Who is being referred to in this dialogue from the motion picture "Captain America: The First Avenger?"

texts:
There was this scene in the motion picture "Captain America: The First Avenger" where Steve Rogers and Agent Peggy Carter are driving through Brooklyn. The following dialogue ensued:

Steve Rogers: I know this neighborhood. I got beat up in that alley.
And that parking lot. And behind that diner.
Peggy Carter: Did you
have something against running away?
Steve Rogers: You start running
they'll never let you stop. You stand up, push back. Can't say no
forever, right?

Who is Steve Rogers referring to when he says "Can't say no forever"?  Is he referring to himself, meaning he can't say no to a fight forever or is he referring to the men who used to beat him up?


texts: At the gym I use, I pass a promotional poster that shows a group of people on life cycles. The caption reads "A Better Us."  Every time I see it, I wonder, "Is this Ok?"  "us" is the object form of "we."  Is there an implied missing part that Makes "us" ok?


texts: What is the difference between fog, mist and haze?

texts: So, as the question says by itself: what's the context when I should use the word mist and the right context for fog? And haze?


texts: Should there be one or two periods in this sentence?

texts:
I would like to know which of these sentences is preferable:

Nietzsche said: "If you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you." (Beyond Good and Evil, Aphorism 146).
Nietzsche said: "If you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you" (Beyond Good and Evil, Aphorism 146).

In other words, should there be one period at the end of the quote and another period at the end of the parenthesis, or only one period (at the end of the parenthesis)?


texts: What is the provenance of this expression regarding luck

texts:
I heard the following phrase in conversation:

  "Luck is cruel to those that see it"

Is this (or a variation of) a common idiom or well known quote, and if a quote, who is attributed to it?


texts:
Should I write ...

  ... whether or not any decisions have been made moving forward on that position ...

or

  ... whether any decisions have been made moving forward on that position ...

?


texts: Present Perfect Usage of "Think" for Recent Past

texts:
In a phone conversation like the one below is the present perfect form "I've thought it was Frank on the line" acceptable instead of "thought"?

  Matt: Hi John.
  John: Hi Frank.
  Matt: Oh, this is Matt speaking not Frank.
  John: Sorry Matt. I thought it was Frank on the line. You sound very similar.

John's mixing up the voices happens in very recent past (seconds ago) and it has relevance with the present. Why do we generally prefer simple past tense when using the verb "think" in such contexts? In British English present perfect is used commonly for recent past actions and events such as "have told", "has said", "has happened", "have shown" etc. Does it sound natural to use present perfect in such phone conversation context? Can you explain please any linguistic differences?


texts:
How would I go about using "That is" in the sentence(s) below?

"Everyone in the town was poor. That is, except for one man."

Should I use a hyphen/comma/semi-colon (or something else) in between "poor" and "that" to connect the two sentences? Or is it fine the way it is?