Questions tagged [connotations]
This tag is for questions regarding the associated or underlying meaning of a word, in addition to its primary definition.
111
questions
1
vote
1answer
19 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
64 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
33 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 ...
0
votes
0answers
19 views
Do “showing emphasis” and “giving emphasis” mean the same thing?
The definition of emphatic on lexico is
Showing or giving emphasis; expressing something forcibly and clearly.
Do "showing emphasis" and "giving emphasis" mean the same thing? If not, could ...
1
vote
1answer
61 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
17 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
1answer
52 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
16 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
26 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.
0
votes
0answers
24 views
nuances at expressing composition
I would be very grateful if somebody could say whether there are any nuances among the 3 forms below when expressing composition (as in the tail is part of the dog - not ownership as in the tail ...
-1
votes
3answers
300 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
40 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
31 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
52 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
37 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
101 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
50 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
260 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
39 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
102 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
7k 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
58 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
629 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
49 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
1k 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
69 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
54 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 ...
-2
votes
2answers
167 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
57 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
80 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
408 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
78 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
168 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
72 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
2k 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
111 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
45 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
4k 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
82 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
7k 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
10k 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
403 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
489 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." ...
