Questions tagged [connotations]
This tag is for questions regarding the associated or underlying meaning of a word, in addition to its primary definition.
128
questions
1
vote
1answer
50 views
“Get Groomed” Is it safe to use without negative connotation?
Can I ask someone to "Get Groomed" without any negative connotation?
Recently I came across a post on hinative.com which said:
The second meaning is that it's an expression which means ...
0
votes
1answer
63 views
Is “ill employee” offensive?
In the following sentence I would like to mention employees who suffer from a disease.
Ill employees are terminated in some developing countries, but I believe that under
fair-trade rules, workers ...
2
votes
2answers
90 views
what does “painted” mean in these contexts, exactly?
Aren't you bitter about Amy? I thought she was the one who ditched you.
All women are painted satans. So why should I even care?
What does "painted" mean in this context? Is the speaker ...
24
votes
11answers
3k views
“must” vs “shall” - are they the same, or is one a softened version of the other?
In Information Technology, the "RFC2119 standard" (not exactly standard, but it does not matter here) provides guidance for the use of some words: "must", "must not", &...
0
votes
0answers
13 views
Which antonym to “under the table” is better? “On the books” or “aboveboard”?
I submit that if one is contrasting to paying someone "under the table" to avoid reporting their taxable income, or certain other illegalities like an immigrant without a work permit, that &...
1
vote
1answer
74 views
Is using “, right?” at the end of a question aggressive or could be read as such?
Is using ", right?" at the end of a sentence aggressive or could be read as such?
For example:
What you say is that the project should be finished tomorrow**, right**?
Could this "...
1
vote
1answer
27 views
How to ask for a clarification for some word
For example, someone said:
The dm said its our call
I'm new to D&D, so I don't understand what does it mean by "our call". How do you ask for that? I tried:
What do you mean by "...
-1
votes
2answers
51 views
How good is it, “decent”?
When you say "a decent meal" or "a decent job", how good is it usually, on a scale of one to ten? 5 or 6? or 8? or above that?
1
vote
1answer
26 views
Meaning and nuance of “The art of those commercials is not to be mean, but it’s actually for the guys to like each other.”
I love this part of the interview of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates because they, have been long-time rival to each other, exchanged positive emotions between them, on Steve's explaining about Apple's ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
Nuance of “Why” which has comma after it
On Twitter, a phrase in an advertising was mentioned as a mistake by a native English speaker.
Why, Subaru?
I think the advertising tries to say “Why don’t you choose Subaru?”
However, this sentence ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
Is it normal to feel rude if someone tells me “you might appreciate” in certain context?
There was a meeting that I did not attend due to my schedule. I made prior notification to my colleagues and they have accepted it.
My colleague said he will give me a “full” update of the work and ...
-1
votes
1answer
84 views
Does petite have a sexual connotation?
Is there a synonym that doesn't convey the sexual connotation? Also, could you list words that contain sexual connotations because I don't want to say them and get in trouble?
3
votes
2answers
142 views
Does it sound rude to say “you'd better…”?
When I want to make some suggestions to others, does it sound rude to say "you'd better..."? I feel like it contains the implications that I am bossing people around.
If so, what are some ...
asked Jan 14 at 13:23
HypnoticBuggyWraithVirileBevy
1,8551 gold badge7 silver badges24 bronze badges
0
votes
0answers
20 views
How is it (that) Subject Verb ~~~
Do "How is it that...?" and "How...?" mean the same thing?
Hi
I've looked at the above post. Now I want to know the nuance of "how is it (that) S V~~?".
Tᴚoɯɐuo said,
...
1
vote
1answer
38 views
<My understanding> You know what probably happened? and others
I have learned more about conjecture.
Link: You know what probably happened?
So, my understanding is as follows.
First
1. You know what probably happened?
2. You know what I think probably happened?
...
1
vote
1answer
57 views
You know what probably happened?
You know what probably happened? Somebody must have stolen my credit card.
I have seen the above sentences from a textbook.
Question 1
According to a textbook, "You know what probably happened?&...
9
votes
7answers
4k views
Is “beyond your comprehension” an offensive phrase?
In the following sentence does "beyond your comprehension" have an offensive connotation?
When a large population of tourists swarm the city during the tourism season, it's beyond your ...
2
votes
2answers
336 views
Does stickler have a negative connotation?
Does "stickler" in the following sentence have a negative connotation?
My wife is stickler for detail.
If it is negative could you please give me an alternative which has a positive ...
0
votes
1answer
129 views
Does “prevalent” have a negative connotation?
Here is the definition of prevalent from Cambridge:
Prevalent: existing a lot in a particular group, area, or at a
particular time:
It doesn't tell anything about the connotation of the word. But in ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
Set limits vs set up limits vs set out limits
In the following sentence, should I use "set", "set out" or "set up"?
The government has set/set up/set out strict limits on public spending this year.
Do the 3 of them ...
0
votes
1answer
94 views
Connotation meant by “B of A” and “A's B”. What would be the differences?
Do you agree with the interpretation of the following three example sentences?
I don't want to be involved in the problems of my boss.The boss probably deals with some problems. e.g. slow
sales, ...
0
votes
1answer
98 views
Is this an order or a suggestion?
So, I have been with a friend shopping.
After we bought almost everything, I have seen some shoes and I wanted to suggest him nicely then he can get some this shoes. He answered me rudely that he is ...
1
vote
1answer
418 views
Connotation of word shrewd
I did a lot of research on internet regarding the connotation of word shrewd. It can have negative as well as positive connotation.It depends on the context of the passage. For instance,
A shrewd ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
Does “exploit” (verb) inherently carry a negative connotation?
I want to use it to mean "thoroughly make use of ... without pushing it/them over its/their limit" but I am worried it does not mean that.
1
vote
2answers
93 views
Do a demonstrative and a possessive pronoun make it offensive (if so, what is the alternative)?
In a Japanese Language question, I was informed that English construction such as
That son of yours
These cats of hers
would have an extra offensive connotation outside of a neutral combination of ...
0
votes
1answer
16 views
tone: the sick man of . .
I'd like to know whether the phrase the sick man of . . . has a tone of ridicule to it in the following:
Today, Europe again looks like the sick man of the global economy.’
‘Many is the ...
0
votes
1answer
17 views
Can “headfirst” be used in a positive sense?
Can I use head first, head-first or headfirst in a positive sense in a sentence like:
He's not affraid of anything. He delved head first into his own bussiness.
Thanks!
1
vote
1answer
31 views
Word for someone who speaks less but has positive connotation
I understand there are words like Taciturn that have same meaning but can be used to compliment someone. Taciturn seems to have negative connotation.
-1
votes
3answers
2k views
Could you help me getting the exact meaning of the highlighted sentence in following english para?
(This is a story of a child who had always been reckless about his french language learning. Now, his city has been conquered by enemy forces. In the following scene, the child is in his classroom, ...
1
vote
1answer
42 views
The different nuance between “I think~”/“I don't think~”
Is the sentence 2. sounds more..rude-ish??
They convey the same point but the way how the speaker delivers it could change the nuance and I wonder if that is applied to these two sentances~!
I don'...
0
votes
0answers
37 views
How to numerate pictures or diagrams when writing a book or paper?
This is shown in the diagram 1 / diagram no.1 / diagram number 1. ...
The statistics can be seen in diagram 2 / diagram no.2 / diagram
number 2.
What is a common way to numerate pictures or ...
10
votes
3answers
5k views
'provocative' vs 'sexy'
Are there any differences in meaning between 'provocative' and 'sexy' when they are used to describe clothes?
It seems to me that 'provocative' is almost always disapproving, while 'sexy' can even be ...
1
vote
1answer
54 views
Does the expression “taking a cut” imply some sort of grift? If so, what's a neutral equivalent expression?
Does the expression "taking a cut" (to mean taking some financial commission) imply some sort of grift, or is it neutral? If it implies some sort of grift, what would be a neutral equivalent ...
0
votes
2answers
41 views
What does 'SEE' mean this sentence?
'It is sad to see a man so corrupted by the desire for money and power.'
'see' is mean that by using speaker's eyes? o_O
2
votes
4answers
106 views
can “what have you done” be asked in a neutral way?
I'd like to know if "what have you done?" can be used as a neutral question, since it is often used to express anger, shock or sadness.
For example: I want to close a window that has been opened by ...
2
votes
1answer
55 views
Difference between adjective+noun and noun+adjective
It was a speech calculated to appeal to the unions.
I encountered this sentense on the internet and got a question that
how the sentence will change its meaning or nuance if the noun and adjective ...
0
votes
2answers
646 views
Begin vs beginning
What different nuance is it between 'it begins to verb' and 'it is beginning to verb'?
the same problem is in case of 'start'.
0
votes
1answer
42 views
What are the connotations of the word “pedantry”?
This is a request of help for the connotations of a word
If native speakers hear the word, pedantry, does it assume an air of showy, academically pompous, impudent impression to them?
Would this ...
1
vote
1answer
184 views
persist in V-ing
Does "persist in V-ing" convey negative connotation? Does the following sound odd?
The detective persisted in searching for the truth.
I'd appreciate your help.
0
votes
1answer
40 views
Please let me know the nuance and teach me which is correct [closed]
This new sports complex is _________, so people can enjoy the games whatever the season is. (A) encased (B) enclosed (C) encircled (D) enveloped
0
votes
2answers
11k views
Connotations of “in any capacity”
What would you hear in this sentence?
Thank you for your contribution, in any capacity.
a) Thank you for your contribution, no matter the size ("for both big and small donations").
b) Thank you ...
0
votes
1answer
64 views
Other word for “financial help”. Can charity be a financial “contribution”?
Thank you for your donations.
How to change donations in this sentence? Financial help? Contribution?
What if I wanted to generalize my thanks for all kinds of helping? Could I say gifts?
2
votes
1answer
38 views
(all) that, too, so
Is there a difference between (all) that, too, and so when used in a negative sentence?
For instance:
It's not all that/ too/ so difficult once you get the hang of it.
He's not that/ too/ so crazy ...
0
votes
1answer
870 views
have p.p vs past tense
I know similar questions were asked by many others before but I am still not sure.
They are already getting what they wanted
They are already getting what they have wanted
If I understood ...
0
votes
2answers
51 views
Relationship between “detrimental” and “effective”
A sample IELTS question in the reading section concerns a passage about how dentistry has improved over the last few centuries. The passage includes:
"...for most of the 18th and the beginning of ...
1
vote
3answers
2k views
a CERTAIN answer?
Can "certain" be used as a synonym of "definite" in front of "answer"?
When I hear "a certain answer", I think about "a specific answer"
not a "definite" nor "ultimate" answer.
Can a "certain answer"...
1
vote
1answer
74 views
What are the right words for this sentence?
My job was to shelve books correctly and to keep the library clean that was hectic and bustling with large volume of visitors.
Now the sentence above is what I just wrote to ask this question ...
0
votes
1answer
3k views
Work on (doing) something and work at (doing) something
What's the difference between work on and work at, and what's the right way to use them?
We're working on/ at our relationship.
I need to work on/at my German- it's getting rusty.
We're working on/...
1
vote
1answer
73 views
downplay, play down; downscale, scale down
There are quite a few words that are formed with down/ up either preceding the actual rootword, or as a particle making for a phrasal verb. But does it change the meaning in any way or carry different ...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
Concede vs admit
I wonder if there any nuance between the two sentences.
I admit that you are right.
I concede that you are right.
I believe there is a slight difference between them.
Do both sentences suggest that ...
