Questions tagged [british-english]
for questions specifically related to the English language as spoken and written in the United Kingdom.
645
questions
0
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1answer
22 views
except for=but for in British English?
The following is taken from Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's English Dictionary, an American dictionary. I'd like to know whether it's also correct in British English.
They would all have died ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
What is the formal mode to say Hello in an mail?
With an example:
I want to write the mail an important person, with this form
Hello Satoshi.
Some text
Regards.
Vincent.
I want to say to the formal salute, or if I use the Hi/Hello don't is an ...
0
votes
2answers
45 views
Do you have or have you?
I am a English learner and I still don't understand why the auxiliary verb "to do" doesn't appear with the verb "to have".
Is it wrong to say
"She doesn't have brown hair"?
4
votes
2answers
73 views
What's the second d in “didn't”, phonetically speaking?
In British English it seems to merge with the n to produce something which isn't on the standard phonetic chart afaict.
0
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0answers
8 views
correct usage/definition with sentence
He reached up and pressed an inviting looking red button, a sign lit up saying "Please do not press this button again."
Would this example be considered a comma splice?
Does it not require and then ...
-1
votes
1answer
44 views
Hi I have been studying English for few months by my own as I can't attend courses, I have this example I didn't understand
why they wrote in oxford work book next question as correct answer:
can you tell me where the waiting rooms are?
and the next question as wrong:
can you tell me where are the waiting rooms?
0
votes
0answers
23 views
Correct comma usage in this example?
https://www.grammarly.com/blog/appositive/
When an appositive noun or noun phrase contains an essential element without which a sentence’s meaning would materially alter, do not frame it with commas.
...
1
vote
1answer
24 views
type of usage/definition
Companies to be brought into public ownership.
Introduce a shorter working week within a decade.
Billions to upgrade every home to be energy efficient.
Skilled and experienced sports therapist, ...
0
votes
1answer
36 views
“whose” vs “that its” in English
I'm an English learner and today I faced a question where I was supposed to fill in the missing blank.
The question was:
The large family _____ house had been destroyed by the storm was invited to ...
0
votes
1answer
22 views
correct usage with at and as
My best friend committed suicide because he was being bullied for being "blind" at his high school shortly after this song was released. He stated this song and lyrics gave him comfort and solitude to ...
0
votes
1answer
29 views
What's the difference between “it seems like” and “it looks like”? [closed]
Is there any difference between the two??
1
vote
2answers
27 views
“It is done” what is the sentence structure?
It is done
Is "done" in the above sentence an adjunctive or a verb?
Or is it a simple past tense in passive form. If so why "is" is used.
Please clarify what is the structure of the sentence. This ...
1
vote
1answer
14 views
context of a phrase in a sentence
https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/89892/clause-vs-phrase-vs-sentence
A phrase cannot be used as a stand-alone utterance, e.g. "reading a book" is a phrase. However, with proper intonation ...
2
votes
1answer
82 views
If I learn British English, should I stop talking with Americans?
I had the opportunity to speak with several native speakers, It's fun, and they learn my native language, the problem is that several of my language partners speak with an American accent and the ...
0
votes
1answer
13 views
Meaning of “They were meant to have them”?
There are five pups.
One for each of the stark children.
The direwolf is a sigil of your house.
They were meant to have them.
Can you please explain the meaning of "They were meant to have them"?
0
votes
1answer
39 views
Is there really a difference between the use of will and shall?
Shall I open the door?
Will I open the door?
So far as I know , the first sentence means will you allow me to open the door?
The second question means Will I have the ability to open the door?
(...
1
vote
1answer
22 views
In present-day reality no-one actually uses classical Latin any more.Why can we use “Classical Latin uses the ablative” in present tense?
What is the difference between (a) and (b)
(a)"Classical Latin uses the ablative"
(b)"Classical Latin used the ablative"
0
votes
0answers
18 views
When teachers introduce the outdated theory(for example:Classical element) to students,should teachers use present tense or past tense to describe it?
Example:
1(a)Classical element comprises the simplest substances,namely earth, water, air, fire and Aether.
1(b)Classical element comprised the simplest substances,namely earth, water, air, fire and ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
“Survivors clinging to a raft.” Is this sentence right?
"Survivors clinging to a raft."
There is no verb in this sentence.
I know this sentence is not the present progressive/present continuous.
But can this sentence be used independently?
I found this ...
0
votes
2answers
37 views
I am unintersted / disinterested in English?
I am uninterested in English.
I am disinterested in English.
Some grammar books say that the use of disinterested is wrong in the context as it means unbiased or impartial
But Michael Swan in ...
1
vote
2answers
45 views
How I say in English with the correct grammar “This is the solution that I searched”
How I say with the correct grammar in English "This is the solution that I searched?"
I think the verb searched didn't is the correct conjugation of the verb
2
votes
2answers
68 views
We are committed to rolling up the evil county lines drugs gangs
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the following on the issue of rising crime in the UK:
"We are committed to rolling up the evil county lines drugs gangs. . . . which predate on young kids and ...
2
votes
1answer
68 views
Why is 1000$ called a 'grand'?
Recently I have noticed that people (especially in the USA) call each 1000$ as a 'grand'.
"It costs 48 grand" = "It costs 48 thousand USD"
I have got two related questions about it:
Why is it ...
0
votes
2answers
66 views
Does “to tot up” also mean “to gear up” in British English?
A movie narration goes:
An array of automatic weapons hangs on coat hooks on the wall behind them. They tot themselves up with AK-47 automatic assault rifles, automatic pistols, and plenty of ...
0
votes
0answers
95 views
What is the difference between “to be Ving” and “to V”?
For example,
(1)You are too young to be contemplating retirement.
(2)You are too young to contemplate retirement.
0
votes
1answer
27 views
What is the difference between “the+singular countable noun” and “zero article+plural countable noun”
What is the difference between "the + singular countable noun" and "zero article + plural countable noun" when we make generalisations about classes of things.
0
votes
2answers
46 views
Collective nouns and auxiliary Do
The word “family” is a collective noun so afaik it should be singular in a sentence like this:
Does your family go on holiday at Christmas?
However, what would be the appropriate short answer?
Being ...
0
votes
3answers
99 views
Grammatically , when can we use “you is” instead of “you are”?
Can we say "you is" instead of "you are"?
For example;
"You is smart"
0
votes
1answer
29 views
Sentence Understanding : “at certain phases of the moon”
What "at certain phases of the moon" Means, is this a slang:
Jesus: The whole point of going into the desert is not eating bread. If I wanted bread I'd go to a shop. As for throwing yourself off a ...
1
vote
2answers
29 views
Commas with titles/occupations
Mayor Steven Smith attended a charity event.
Wildlife Liaison Officer, Lorraine Nelson, attended the scene of the incident.
These examples were taken from a newspaper.
How does the ...
0
votes
2answers
102 views
How to answer, how old is your baby?
My question is how to answer when somebody asks this question?
Since my baby is 10 months, I just replied she is 10, and we laughed out loud. Then I said, of course, 10 months.
What is the correct ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
Have had a meeting
If I have a connection with "today" then can I say "I have had a meeting today"; where had is used in lieu of participated.... Is it okay
6
votes
1answer
399 views
Meaning of “tumbleweed coifs”
I am currently reading this article,, and there was a word,
This isn’t just another hackneyed reference to Johnson’s surface similarities to Donald Trump, which include urine-colored tumbleweed ...
1
vote
1answer
37 views
The word “Scepter'd Isle” Kindly confirm
I encountered this word at an article and after googling I have come to know this word is Shakepear's play origin.
And I found this site., and I found another site, which was explaining that the 'd ...
0
votes
0answers
42 views
Is it okay when I say “My friends and I are a students”?
Is it okay when I say:
"My friends and I are a students in the university"
OR it should be:
"My friends and I are students in the university"
without the a?
-1
votes
1answer
34 views
describing end points of a range in British English
I'd like to know whether "inclusive" can be placed after "between March and July," as after "from March to July" to indicate March and July are included in the range in British English.
And how do we ...
0
votes
1answer
106 views
What is the difference between 'he hasn't said' and 'he did not say'? What are the rules and which should I use?
I am following an exercise to fill in the gaps in a text.
The text is:
Jacques _____ how he pulled off perhaps the most systematic plundering of Britain's great libraries ever carried out by an ...
1
vote
1answer
34 views
Understanding “That's just being down the pub”
what does "That's just being down the pub" means in this sentence from the passage:
Sandy: Come on. You're a philosopher. You like arguments. Show me your stuff.
John: Philosophy is more than ...
1
vote
1answer
103 views
Is the sentence “They are benches” correct?
While demonstrating objects, can we use the pronoun they?
For example:
A: They are benches.
B: These are benches.
C: Those are benches.
I know B and C are correct, but what about A?
0
votes
1answer
17 views
When to use escape and escaped?
A man trying to escape from deadly machine which is about to explode and at the same time victim saw that man is in dangerous situation but victim didn't see whether that man died or not after the ...
2
votes
1answer
48 views
What is the word term paper called in Britain?
I checked term paper on OED and it shows that it is AmE.
So what is the British one for it?
0
votes
1answer
106 views
The meaning of “floored” in: “he was floored when they told him he was 'going viral'”
I need to confess I am a Limahl fan and my feeling goes with this story.
It's a bit long article, so that please forgive me if you need to read to the line I would like to lead to, which is
Limahl,...
1
vote
1answer
14 views
correct usage/sentence structure
The terrorists had used their influence — fear— to keep the women as prisoners.
The power of believing in the myth (fear) kept its spirit alive.
How should these types of examples be punctuated? ...
0
votes
1answer
41 views
Struggling understanding IELTS reading comprehension answer key
I need some help with explaining this IELTS reading exercise.
The question from the exercise is: Rocket as war weapons were first invented or used by ________?
The options are:
a. The Chinese
b. ...
1
vote
1answer
30 views
Correct usage with as
He was late for work, as although he needed the money, he didn't like the job.
He was late for work. As although he needed the money, he didn't like the job.
Are both of these sentences correct? ...
1
vote
2answers
66 views
There will not be after school class tomorrow, will be?
There will not be after school class tomorrow, will be ?
Is this question grammatically correct ?
1
vote
1answer
42 views
Are you ready for Sports Day?
I wonder why the book wrote:
Are you ready for Sports Day? (=the Sports Day)
Why there is no article 'the' preceding the word Sports since it is a Proper Noun?
2
votes
1answer
84 views
A question regarding: Here is some medicine
My reference book gives me an example as follows:
Here is some medicine.
To me, it does not make sense since some implies things more than one; thus, should medicine becomes medicines?
Having ...
1
vote
1answer
26 views
What loud thunder! or What a loud thunder!
My reference book gives me an example as follows:
What loud thunder!
Should it be written as:
What a loud thunder!
1
vote
1answer
263 views
Vegetable or vegetables?
The book I'm using writes vegetable in a plural form.
I don't think this is correct.
Do you like strawberries or lettuce?
No. I like neither fruit or vegetables.
Should it be written as:
...
