Questions tagged [connotations]
This tag is for questions regarding the associated or underlying meaning of a word, in addition to its primary definition.
97
questions
1
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1answer
29 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
30 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
83 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
42 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
1answer
40 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
31 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
40 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
2k 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
25 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?
1
vote
1answer
27 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
167 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
44 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
272 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
38 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
902 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
31 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
1k 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 ...
-1
votes
2answers
130 views
Does “unfounded” have the connotation of “not fair”? [closed]
Does "unfounded" refer rather to the lack of arguments for a statement or their irrelevantness?
0
votes
1answer
45 views
What are some words with the connotation of unreality/numbness/dream? [closed]
Our world is only a reflection.
I'm looking for a word that could replace reflection here so that it would be still clear it's supposed to indicate numbness/unreality/fiction - that it's meant to ...
0
votes
1answer
54 views
“That be me” in the movie The Hateful Eight
I watched Tarantino's The Hateful Eight and heard the following dialogue between Major Marquis Warren and John Ruth:
I know you too.
We shared a steak dinner once upon a time in Chattanooga.
...
1
vote
1answer
214 views
What would be the connotative meaning of “deeply grounded in tradition”?
What would be the connotative meaning of "deeply grounded in tradition”?
I have looked on various searches and sites and haven't been able to find anything. I have to find an example of denotative ...
0
votes
2answers
70 views
Connotation behind “forking possibilites”
"Every time you make a choice, a decision, the reality forks off into a new possibility. " - The OA
What would you imagine under those words?
Does "forking" connote rather
with the process of [a ...
1
vote
2answers
132 views
Is “any of … + not” wrong?
I think it's "any of them + ... not" to say what everyone did, which happened to be not doing something:
I wonder why any of them have not addressed the issue.
And the nuance differs if it's
...
1
vote
3answers
2k views
Is calling someone “creepy” rude?
I learnt "creepy" is feeling unease or scared, but it's not considered rude to say creepy at someone?
In my language, when people felt scared about something in horror, we use a word close to "eerie" ...
1
vote
2answers
66 views
I don’t get the exact nuance of this sentence
I’m an English learner and I saw yesterday tv soap opera ‘Smallville’ season 7 episode 5. From there, I heard an sentence but I don’t get the nuance of that.
“After all these years of reading ...
1
vote
3answers
1k views
Have no problem doing something and have no trouble doing something
What's the difference between the two phrases? I'm interested in nuances.
For instance.
We had no problem/ trouble finding the stolen item/ finding her a house etc
You had no problem/trouble ...
2
votes
2answers
81 views
Connotations—are they to some extent instinctive?
I've noticed that many synonyms are often not very alike. Yes, their core meaning is the same. But there are many differences in mood or tone. Often I understand the kind of meaning it will have by ...
0
votes
1answer
39 views
What is the connotation of “up” in phrases like “eat up” and “wait up”?
What do you feel "up" in "eat up" and "wait up" indicates? Does it sound like "be quick" (eat up) or "I'll be quick" (wait up)?
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Does ‘Dear [surname]’s family’ sound friendly?
I’m writing a letter to my host family in Australia. They are a family of five and I’d like to write it in a friendly way.
So, does the expression ‘Dear [surname]’s family’ sound friendly?
I’d like ...
2
votes
2answers
69 views
I would like to know nuance of creepy
I hear word "creepy" a lot in many situations but is it always including a scared feeling?
For example when people are watching horror movies, or dolls which seems scary, people say creepy!
I think ...
4
votes
1answer
3k views
Meaning difference between insinuate and imply
I looked up the meanings of the insinuate and imply.
Insinuate, as shown on the site vocabulary.com, means suggest in an indirect or covert way, and imply means to express or state indirectly.
I ...
1
vote
1answer
6k views
Care to elaborate?
I have faced a lot of times at a chat or some Q&A site a reply:
Care to elaborate?
As far as I understand, the poster is asking for more details or explanations.
However in this case I'd ...
3
votes
1answer
301 views
Does word “segregate” sound natural?
Does the word "segregate" have any undesired side context to US speakers?
These are examples:
Segregate configuration from the code.
A task is about test segregation.
1
vote
2answers
344 views
The nuance of “ample”
In a letter to a university professor, I wrote "as a prominent Japan scholar with an ample knowledge of...."
But in retrospect, I wonder if I should have said "vast" or "extensive" instead of "ample." ...
0
votes
1answer
96 views
Why is interior decorating insulting in this context?
This dialog is from the movie The Mexican. This clip on YouTube may help with the context.
Samantha: I... know the kind of people in your business, OK?
Winston: Yeah?
Samantha: And to me,...
1
vote
1answer
77 views
The first day of spring/the first spring day
I guess, there is a subtle difference between these expressions:
the first day of spring
the first spring day
Could you help me grasp it?
0
votes
1answer
2k views
if for no other reason than to do
My understanding of how to use 'if for no other reason to do' is as follows:
You'll also want to make your house look presentable, if for no other reason than to jack up your asking price. ([unspoken]...
1
vote
0answers
47 views
can I use “make time” for present time [closed]
Assume that a request is about the present time, for example someone asks me to give her a hand on some work, but I'm too busy and I can't.
I feel that saying "Sorry, I don't have time for it" is a ...
1
vote
1answer
121 views
Does the phrase “bizarrely specific” carry a negative connotation?
Does the phrase "bizarrely specific" carry a negative connotation, opposed to really just about any other way of putting it? Also as a side note, would you consider it associated with advertising and ...
1
vote
1answer
76 views
When is disinformation the better term to use than misinformation?
According to this Wikipedia article, disinformation is misinformation that is purposefully and intentionally disseminated. Does this term qualify for state media controlled by dictators like Hugo ...
0
votes
0answers
205 views
What's the difference between ''be going to'' and ''will'' in conditional sentences?
Please tell me the differences. Do they connote different points?
You will get into trouble if you don't wear your uniform
You are going to get into trouble if you don't wear your uniform
...
21
votes
5answers
6k views
Difference between “pardoned” and “forgiven”
What is the difference between words "pardoned" and "forgiven"?
For instance:
After ten years in prison, Stephen was {pardoned/forgiven} and set free.
I found the definitions of both:
Pardoned -...
3
votes
1answer
694 views
Difference between “allow” and “let”
It is interesting for me to know how one can distinguish the case in which one should use "allow" from the case in which one should use "let".
For example:
Jim's parents wouldn't {allow/let} him ...
0
votes
2answers
83 views
I want to know the difference of feeling between where and . There
The following two sentences used different expressions. 'where' and '. There'.
I want to know the difference of feeling between them.
He emigrated to New York City where he started a small trucking ...
6
votes
2answers
23k views
whether it be vs whether it is
I brought the sentences from the speech about conversation tips.
They don’t just want to know about news and the weather.
They want to know about you.
So what are three things that you have ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
Use of abbreviations in travel descriptions
How would you construct the following sentence? I wanted to express that these cards are rarely accepted and typically at shops and services for tourists. Is it clear? If it is not how would you ...
3
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8answers
13k views
When do people say 'Be well'?
It sounds a lot more nuanced than a simple 'goodbye'. What subtle feelings or emotions does it encapsulate?
1
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3answers
869 views
what can I say ''when someone shares a good experience/feeling''?
Here's the situation:
my friend got accepted in a job interview and described his feelings and how happy he was.
I wanted to say that I've had the same experience/feeling as he does when I got my ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
Indulge/gratify my curiosity?
I understand that indulge and gratify have similar meanings but what are the differnces in connotations of these words in this sentences?
Indulge my curiosity
Or gratify my curiosity
