Questions tagged [british-english]
for questions specifically related to the English language as spoken and written in the United Kingdom.
730
questions
0
votes
1answer
36 views
-ctly pronunciation in British (ex. exactly, correctly etc.)
I have a question about the pronunciation of these words in British accent; exactly, correctly etc.
I am more familiar with the American accent, so I tend to ignore the 't' between two consonants.
Do ...
10
votes
3answers
529 views
Can “nor” follow a positive phrase?
A Guardian article, entitled "What are the Conservatives conserving?", includes the following sentence:
Alas, we have seen nor heard nothing for a month from test-and-trace mastermind Dido ...
0
votes
1answer
16 views
On application I write “I, Sushanta Majhi, a student of your school state that” so is it correct
On application I write "I, Sushanta Majhi, a student of your school state that" so is it correct, should am be used as helping verb in-place of a.
0
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1answer
26 views
Understanding “cattle prod times a million”
The text is from Radiant Vermin (play) What is "cattle prod times a million" referring to?
Ollie is planning to ambush and kill some homeless.
Ollie: This is the answer to our prayers. ...
0
votes
1answer
34 views
A doubt regarding the usage of definite article
I came across this sentence the other day and I would appreciate a clarification:
Prepared specially for the students of university of Kerala, this book will also be invaluable to students and ...
0
votes
1answer
33 views
What could speaker mean by asking “Oh, it is, is it?”
I found this in English syntax textbook.
What could speaker mean by using "is it" instead of "isn't"
The whole example goes like this:
My advice to you is to wait.
Unfortunately, ...
0
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0answers
18 views
Meaning of “How much you had? Woah, must be gone. You must have since lunchtime”
The text is from Over There by Mark Ravenhill. What is this part referring to: "How much you had? Woah, must be gone. You must have since lunchtime."
Franz: Brilliant that’s brilliant. It’s ...
2
votes
1answer
36 views
Is “Her hair is in a pigtail” (singular) used in British English?
The British say "Her hair is in a plait" (picture 1) but "Her hair is in pigtails" (picture 2).
Americans say "Her hair is in a braid" (No.1) and "Her hair is in ...
0
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0answers
14 views
People got pissed by cheap beer
...and people got pissed by cheap beer.
I want to say that people got totally drunk by cheap beer.
Can I use "...and people got pissed by cheap beer."?
1
vote
3answers
802 views
Is “lovely” a common word in American English?
I hear the word "lovely" a lot in British English TV shows, movies and dramas etc. British people tend to use it a lot. I have been searching for its use in American English but sadly, I ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
The ’Rakers/ Hayley’s refrences
this passage is from Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth, what Hayley’s referring to? and where is The ’Rakers?
JOHNNY. Serves you right. Why don’t you fuck off home like
the rest of ’em. Stop round Hayley’s,...
0
votes
2answers
34 views
To or to be? Help. Thanks
There is a lot of information to process.
There is a lot of information to be processed.
Any grammatical difference? Both feels the same to me.
2
votes
1answer
86 views
Why are the vowels in “sense”, “nonsense” and “nonsensical” pronounced differently?
I'm a bit confused by these words. Since "nonsense" derives from "sense" but the vowel in "sense" is /ɛ/ and it reduces to /ə/ in "nonsense". BUT "...
0
votes
1answer
29 views
Distinction of usage between identifier-name & non-restrictive NP
Context: Primary school teacher and local Shildon Town Councillor, Kelly Ambrosini, investigates the decisions that have led to Sunnydale school reaching the precipice of closure.
Kelly Ambrosini - is ...
-2
votes
1answer
16 views
Can someone explain to me what the sentence means?
I was anxious to get him here, away from family and friends.
Here who is away from family and friends? Is that he or I?
18
votes
2answers
2k views
'Me' vs 'my' [pronunciation] in British English
I noticed that British people sometimes use me instead of my. For example, Liam Gallagher does it quite often.
Example:
The wind was strong I have nearly lost me pants
What is a story behind this ...
0
votes
1answer
36 views
understanding house sister
what "esteemed house sister" means in the sentence?
Alice. In my short time as your head of dorm. I and Mia, your esteemed house sister.
The passage's from That Face (Play)
-1
votes
3answers
56 views
Doubt in the sentence “I promise I will live up to your expectations and even exceed those.” [closed]
I'm writing an email to my Professor, who supervised my MSc degree research project. I am requesting him to give me a PhD project. I am thinking to add the sentence mentioned below, in the email:
&...
1
vote
1answer
43 views
How do you say apartment and condo in British English?
In North American English
condo (condominium apartment): the multi-rise or high-rise residential building where you own the residential unit / suite and the land is owned collectively. If you want to ...
0
votes
1answer
15 views
Understanding edges past the body
What is "He edges past the body" means in the last paragraph?
The living room. Alice hangs in the open doorway to the bedroom. Billy sits at the table with his
back to her. Screwed papers on ...
1
vote
1answer
31 views
Can someone explain this sentence?
"The fastest economic growth in more than 30 years"
Does it mean that country experienced the fastest economic growth relative to any year within the 30 year period?
Link :
http://www....
0
votes
1answer
9 views
By before reflexive pronoun
Is using by before reflexive pronoun at the end of a sentence optional?
Example:
He can do it by himself
Or,
He can do it himself
0
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0answers
19 views
Does this line mean right?
I wanted to say to my friend that, I did excercise for 10 mins and after its completion, I waited for 30 mins and then I drank water. I constructed it as
"After 30 mins of doing the excercise, I ...
-1
votes
1answer
51 views
BrE. What is the difference between I have got to and I need to?
What is more common in BrE and what is the difference between
“I have got to” make a phone call and “I need to” make a phone call.
-1
votes
2answers
48 views
BrE. What is the difference between to and for? [closed]
For example:
I’ll do it for you OR I’ll do it to you?
My children are everything to me OR My children are everything for me?
Update:
What is the difference between
This gift for you and to you?
0
votes
0answers
13 views
Is it ok to omit “that”
It was an abrupt turnaround from the January through March quarter, when the economy shrank 6.8 percent, the first contraction that China has acknowledged in nearly half a century.
Can i rewrite this ...
0
votes
1answer
61 views
BrE. Why do these expressions little/very little; few/very few exist if they are the same? [duplicate]
I can’t understand these words.
“ he has got little money” and “ he has got VERY LITTLE money”; “ I have got few friends” and “I have got VERY FEW friends”.
0
votes
1answer
27 views
Past Continuous with for
I saw this sentence
For the past 2 months , animal trainer Mark Vette _____has been teaching___three dogs to drive.
Is it possible to say was teaching instead of has been teaching.
Thanks in advance!
0
votes
1answer
23 views
Verb Tense Consistency: How do I distinguish these two sentences?
Sentence 1：Simon said that he would come over next month.
Sentence 2：Simon said that he will come over next month.
Is these two sentences both correct?
If yes, How do I distinguish these two ...
0
votes
1answer
27 views
replaced with and replaced by
I read one explanation of the difference between replace with/by in one of the grammar books.
If you are referring to replacing something that is broken, old, or not working/inoperative, then you ...
0
votes
1answer
11 views
Said of or said for
The same can be said for minorities
Or
The same can be said of minorities
Yes. I havent provided enough context because i m not sure which preposition to use. So can u guys provide context and insight ...
0
votes
1answer
16 views
What is the difference by adding “as”?
The test does not mean as much to her.
The test does not mean much to her
Any changes in meaning?
2
votes
1answer
30 views
Differences between I do remember and I remember
Can anybode help me with these sentences?
Time is running nowhere. I do remember clearly this day
and
Time is running nowhere. I remember clearly this day.
Or
It does frightens most of time cause we ...
-1
votes
1answer
27 views
returned to my old habits
The following is an extract from Frankenstein. What does the "habits" in "returned to my old habits" mean? It does not seem to refer to habits like drinking, staying up late, etc. ...
1
vote
2answers
55 views
Greece had not been enslaved
The following is an extract from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Is the "had not been" correct? Should it have been "would not have been"?
"A human being in perfection ought ...
1
vote
0answers
95 views
Meaning of 'All-out brawl'?
I know the meaning of 'brawl'.But what does this phrase 'all-out brawl' mean?
Thanks in Advance.
0
votes
1answer
11 views
Preposition at the end of a sentence
Regardless of the direction the entrepreneur decides to take the business in, it's important to note, it's not a permanent decision.
Can someone explain this? I find it odd to see one part of the ...
0
votes
1answer
41 views
Please help me with my dictation. He's British
very short, only voice, British
I'm hearing...
A: doing that blah blah 45?
B: that's plenty of time
I'm watching a British cooking show program
Situation is, there's three people in a team and
one ...
0
votes
2answers
37 views
What is the reason for the “ 's ” in the following context? [duplicate]
You're a friend of Tom's, aren't you?
Question: What does the 's in Tom's stand for?
0
votes
2answers
26 views
I have a problem with this sentence.'Sometimes you will be asked to identify how one paragraph relates to another.'
Please can anyone explain why 'Sometimes you will be asked to..' OR 'In Factual Information questions you are asked what information an author has presented.' ?
Why not "Sometimes you will be ask&...
0
votes
1answer
8 views
“When the next semester commence…” or “When the next semester commences…”?
Which is correct? :"When the next semester commence..." or "When the next semester commences...".
0
votes
1answer
16 views
With or without whom/who
A person whom/ who i admire
A person i admire.
What is the difference between these 2 setences with regards to the usage of whom/who?
0
votes
0answers
15 views
How common is the glottal t pronunciation in British English compared to the /t/ sound?
How common is the glottal t pronunciation in British English compared to the /t/ sound?
I've heard both of them, but I'm not sure what frequency they represent. Does one of them represent more formal ...
0
votes
2answers
20 views
Understanding been up half the night lying in wait for her
I'm having trouble understanding of this passage from The Ferryman (Jez Butterworth) What is the meaning of:"been up half the night lying in wait for her"?
UNCLE PAT. She’s been up half the ...
1
vote
1answer
21 views
Understanding separate parts of passage from The Ferryman
I'm having trouble understanding of the separate parts of passage from The Ferryman (Jez Butterworth) What are the meanings of these sentences according to the passages: "spread-eagled round the ...
1
vote
1answer
54 views
Understanding sentences from The Ferryman
I'm having trouble understanding of this passage from The Ferryman (Jez Butterworth) What are the meanings of these sentences according to the passage: "get a bead on", "I’m a ways past ...
0
votes
1answer
26 views
What is the meaning of “in the long daisies”? [closed]
What "the long daisies" mean in the passage? The passage is from The Ferryman (Jez Butterworth)
AUNT MAGGIE. No, I’ll answer. The truth, girls. The truth is… I loved a
man who loved another. He ...
0
votes
2answers
35 views
Understanding “Herberts”
This passage is from The Ferryman (jez Butterworth) What "Herberts" means?
MAGENNIS. When I was a kid we used to go out to my grandfather’s place
down in Fermanagh there, and help with the harvest. ...
0
votes
2answers
59 views
How to say bathe a dog in British English? [closed]
It seems that "bathe" is used this way only in American English. So, how does one express the same idea in British English?
Thanks for any help.
0
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0answers
27 views
commas with introductions
Reports in the media that Norfolk constituency MP, Dehenna Davison has joined calls for Boris Johnson’s top aide, Dominic Cummings to quit have been branded “misleading” by her office.
What is the ...
