Questions tagged [british-english]
for questions specifically related to the English language as spoken and written in the United Kingdom.
1
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1answer
34 views
Difference between mean and tight
I'm trying to guess if an English speaker says mean or tight when you are talking about a person who don't like to spend their own money.
Do you use different words depending on the friendship with ...
3
votes
2answers
268 views
If current results hold, Man City would win PL title
The line under the scoreboard says
If current results hold, Man City would win PL title.
I am totally confused about why would is there. It describes a particular condition (winning the game) and ...
0
votes
0answers
12 views
About correct preposition
It appears from/ through the study that the author is inspired by/with/from historians of Ghazna period.
tell me the correct preposition to be used here.
1
vote
1answer
23 views
Hazard SEALS Europa League final spot
Chelsea 1-1 Frankfurt: Hazard seals Europa League final spot after Kepa penalty heroics
The title is confusing. How can one seal the spot in a competition? What does to seal mean here? Is it to cover,...
1
vote
1answer
51 views
“WHAT do you want to be?” vs “WHO do you want to be?”
I came across this
What do you want to be when you grow up?
[...]
Are you right now who you want to be?
and the first sentence sounds weird to my English learner's ear. Specifically, I am ...
0
votes
2answers
45 views
How do you call “a bicycle pump” informally?
I said
I borrowed a bicycle pump yesterday.
and it bothers me because I think there should be nicer options (less formal, more conversational).
Is there any colloquial alternative to "a bicycle ...
0
votes
1answer
19 views
Understanding Last lot & New lot
What does "Under the last lot. Under the new lot" mean in this passage:
Paul: Have you ever seen me cry? Do I look like a man who cries? Has
there ever been a day … ? Christ, we’ve known each ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
How do you ask someone if they would like to eat something you've cooked? [closed]
is this.the right way of asking or is.there another way:
Do you want me to do something for you to eat?
Do you want me to cook you something?
-1
votes
1answer
20 views
Understanding outgibber in Passage
What "outgibber" and last line (straight into
bed with the little fuckers and start banging away) means in the Passage:
Stephen: There's been a change. Everything's been turned on its head.
Paul: ...
-1
votes
1answer
20 views
Uderstanding Passage: greasy fork Means
In this passage characters are eating dinner, What greasy fork means:
Paul: I think if we just lie tighter for a night. If we could lie together in the
dark and, and, and hold each other then ...
1
vote
2answers
35 views
Does “the care of A” mean that “someone looks after A” or “A looks after someone”?
They shared the care of the children.
This is a straightforward sentence telling us that "they looked after the children".
The study showed a deep fear among the elderly of being abandoned to
...
1
vote
1answer
22 views
correct usage with phrases
Why doesn't just a sense work as the subject in the following sentence? Why does it need in a sense?
A sense we were witnessing someone pushing boundaries and defying conventions.
You could have:
...
0
votes
2answers
42 views
Is there a polite and natural way to welcome the stranger you've already met today?
Is there a polite and natural way to welcome the stranger you've already met today? A usual greeting seems inappropriate since you've already seen the person. Even if it was a brief encounter (in a ...
6
votes
4answers
518 views
Fizzy, soft, pop and still drinks
I was curious what people call a carbonated (with gas) and non-carbonated (gas-free) beverages / drinks in English speaking regions around the world. I need two fixed terms in everyday English which ...
27
votes
16answers
7k views
What's the polite way to say “I need to urinate”?
What's the polite way in the UK to say "I need to urinate" (both for men and for women)? Or maybe there's no problem with that sentence?
N.b. I'm asking about situations in which I know where it's ...
0
votes
1answer
27 views
usage with with is in this example
A film scene is made all the more powerful by its score.
Can we say something is made powerful?
Should it be something like: brought to life by its powerful score.
1
vote
2answers
15 views
What should I use here?
All I see is a dead crowd and people on their phones
All I see are a dead crowd and people on their phones
Which one is grammatically correct?
1
vote
2answers
63 views
To study english with Sherlock Holmes movie is fine?
I am studying english with movies Notting Hill and Sherlock Holmes, but the Sherlock Holmes movie (Robert John Downey Jr) is based in 100 years ago.
Do you think it is good to study?
0
votes
1answer
65 views
Does anyone know how to distinguish between (1) [ Subject(plural) + are + Object(plural) ] and (2) [ Subject(plural) + are + a/an Object(singular) ]?
For example:
Computers are important research tools
Computers are an important research tool.
Does anyone know how to distinguish between (1) and (2)?
3
votes
1answer
554 views
Do British people often use the word lightning conductor?
Do British people use the word lightning conductor more frequently than a lightning rod?
0
votes
1answer
13 views
Understanding a line through a passage
What this line means: That’s what I always you see?
(Edward canes Anna once)
Edward: One. That’s what I always you see? I think it’s fairer you see to
count aloud. So that the boy knows ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
I was having a bath with my glasses wore/wearing?
I want say a sentence like: I was having a bath with my glasses wore/wearing
I've definitely come cross similar structure like this, with my stuff + past simple(or perhaps past participle). Hopefully ...
0
votes
0answers
22 views
“Cause unwholesome inspiration and impact on viewers”
So I have this sentence, and I don't know if you can say "cause" or if I should replace it with another word.
Thank you,
thegirlinneedofhelp
1
vote
2answers
46 views
What is the basic difference between these two?
1) I have seen everything today
2) I saw everything today
How is the first line different from the 2nd please explain?
1
vote
1answer
34 views
“public transport” vs. “public transportation”
Buses are the main form of public transportation
Buses are the main form of public transport
Which one is correct?
3
votes
1answer
28 views
It is so lovely a day
I know "such a lovely day" is definitely correct, but what do you think of "it's so lovely a day"? Is it okay as well?
This part of an exercise I did in FCE use of English, 'it's so lovely day' is ...
0
votes
1answer
36 views
Correct usage with conjunctions
The performer died after falling ill on stage. This was thought by the audience to be a part of the act, until emergency services were called in, the audience was evacuated, and he was declared dead ...
1
vote
1answer
16 views
understanding words in a passage about Caning
this conversation is about caning, but I have a problem with the meaning of this line:
"Take this firmly in both hands and bend and you could snap it in
two."
the context is about "snap" the ...
0
votes
0answers
23 views
Different between two sentences [closed]
What difference, can we explain me? Thank you
"She always enjoys parties."
and
"She always likes parties."
-1
votes
1answer
25 views
What “coven” means in this conversation [closed]
What does "coven" mean in this conversation?
Edward: Well, if you won’t hold the ladder then I’m sure your daughter will. Come on sweetheart come and hold the ladder for your old dad.
Anna: I ...
0
votes
2answers
32 views
type of usage with finite clauses
I heard this song played on the radio.
I heard this song (finite clause)
So 'I heard this song' feels like it requires more information alone, but you could say it in speech or:
I heard this song....
-1
votes
1answer
23 views
Numerals: how to read and understand [closed]
Please, help me to puzzle it out:)
I've read the sentense in the text about school:
"There are about one 600 pupils". The author writes how large the school is.
I understand the meaning of the phrase, ...
0
votes
1answer
20 views
“Going up” instead of “put up” [closed]
The posters are going up all over the town.
Is "going up" used more commonly in this context?
Or is this one more likely to be said:
The poster are being put up all over the town.
So which one ...
1
vote
1answer
36 views
Why does the dictionary explain that verbs begin with “to” ? what does “to” mean here?
Example:
abandon
to leave someone, especially someone you are responsible for
what does "to" mean here?
1
vote
1answer
14 views
“collect a residence permit” or “get a residence permit”
I said
I've just collected my residence permit.
and then hesitated because I'm not sure if collect precisely conveys the meaning of get or obtain.
I've just got my residence permit.
I am ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
Where in UK do people speak neutral easy to understand accent? [closed]
E.g. I hardly can understand Scottish accent. Need a region where people speak so that I can understand them.
1
vote
2answers
76 views
Mixing up British and American English
Is it acceptable nowadays to use both types of spelling in writing?
I have a tendency to mix up American and British English. This is because most of the South Asians have learned English in two ...
0
votes
1answer
44 views
Difference between who are you? & who you are
I am in confused that When I ask to unknown person, then how to ask: Who are you? or Who you are..
Other examples:
What is he doing? or what he is doing..
How are you? or how you are..
What is the ...
0
votes
1answer
22 views
When is that not dependent
Dependent clauses include clauses that may begin with that, who, whom, whose, which, where, when, and why. (Judy Hopkins -- Sentence Variety)
That can begin a complete sentence though correct? It's ...
0
votes
2answers
29 views
I’m striking a line through the irrelevant sections [closed]
What this line means: "I’m striking a line through the irrelevant sections."
1
vote
1answer
24 views
Grammatical mistake
The following sentence does not make much sense to me. I'm confused whether there's any error. Is there a grammatical error in the sentence:
"To these are added this."
0
votes
1answer
78 views
The correct pronunciation of “where is”
Is it [weriz] or [weəriz]? In case of ‘there is’ I'm almost sure there is no schwa, but I'm not sure it's the same with ‘where is’.
To avoid disambiguations I have to add that I'm interested in ...
1
vote
1answer
14 views
What is the correct verb to use, is or was
What is the correct verb to use
My approved OT for the month of Feb is 127.5 hours, but only 8.5 hours was creditted last night, 119 hours unpaid.
The situation is one of our workmate's Overtime ...
3
votes
2answers
58 views
What's the common usage of the term “innit” in British slang?
This question is primarily for Brits, although anyone knowledgeable is welcome to contribute.
Recently I conducted an activity at my school to spread a bit of information about common British slang. ...
0
votes
1answer
27 views
Reflexive pronoun vs pronoun
Which one is correct?
He engraved photos of himself and his wife on the coins.
Or
He engraved photos of him and his wife on the coins.
1
vote
2answers
22 views
Whose or who? Help please in understanding the difference between them. What's the use of it?
Can you please help me understand the difference between using whose and who
And why in this sentence whose is useful?
whose umbrella is this? Is it your mother's?
The choices were
Who
...
0
votes
2answers
15 views
correct usage with paragraphs
The next car to test was the Dodge Challenger. This vehicle was excellent to drive, and it had great handling. However, the interior was dated, and it had cosmetic faults, but these could be rectified ...
0
votes
3answers
39 views
English Grammar: When+past simple
Can you please explain me how can 'shone' be after 'when' ?
Or another example. When added to a liquid,antifreeze lowers the freezing temperature of that liquid'
1
vote
1answer
43 views
Plural of school subject
What is the plural of "school subject"? Is "school subject" also common in American English?
5
votes
4answers
124 views
The meaning of “up” in the phrase “up in London”
He'd been to a lecture the previous night up in London.
I looked it up in a dictionary. 'Up' as adverb has many meanings. Would you tell me if the meaning I chose is applied to the sentence?
From ...
