Questions tagged [meaning]
This tag is for questions about the meaning of a word, which a dictionary cannot answer. If the question is about the meaning of a word that can't be understood outside its phrase or sentence, the "meaning-in-context" tag should be also used; for the meaning of a phrase, use the "phrase-meaning" tag instead. Your question should normally include the dictionary definition of the word, and explain how the dictionary does not answer your question.
457
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"I only teach you" vs. "I teach only you" vs. "I teach you only"
I only teach you.
I teach only you.
I teach you only.
I think that all the sentences have same meaning, but my teacher says that they are different from each other.
I think that the ...
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89
votes
3
answers
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Does "a couple" always mean two?
Today I said some event was a couple of weeks away. A native speaker from Australia corrected me and said, no it's at least three weeks away. What followed was a discussion as to whether a couple ...
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votes
1
answer
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Correct usage of will and would
Consider the following sentence
It will/would rain tomorrow.
I understand "would" usually means something that is really improbable.
So "it would happen" means it might happen but it is very ...
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58
votes
12
answers
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Difference between "illegal" and "very illegal"
From my understanding of English, "very" means "more than the usual" or "to a higher extent".
I've seen on several places the expression "very illegal", such as here as an example: https://youtu.be/...
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11
votes
5
answers
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Difference between "much, many, a lot of and lots of"
Difference between "much, many, a lot of and lots of"
What is the difference between them?
Are they synonyms or not?
- 4,257
7
votes
2
answers
3k
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Perfect infinitive
I thought we can use perfect infinitive construction to talk about plans which didn't happen. For instance:
I was to have started work last week, but I changed my mind.
But what about that ...
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4
votes
2
answers
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Between vs. Among - "Difference [between | among] one thing and other things."
Consider the following two versions of a question:1
Version 1: What is the difference in meaning between "[to be] not invited" and similar negation forms?
Version 2: What is the difference ...
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21
votes
1
answer
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What is the difference between "look", "see", and "watch"?
When should I use "look", "see", and "watch"?
I'm watching "Star Trek".
Have you seen "Star Trek"?
Are the examples above correct?
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13
votes
1
answer
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Could you vs would you
Could you write your name?
Would you write your name?
When you are asked to do this, are there any situation in which you hear weird if either is used (but the other sounds pretty natural .)
- 379
12
votes
2
answers
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Stative verbs in the progressive
I posted a question today about "Have to / having to?"and I used the verb "find" in the progressive.: I'm finding more and more that "having to" is also used instead of "have to".
Someone comments ...
- 355
9
votes
8
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Do you mind me / my
Do the following sentences mean the same?
Do you mind if I open the window?
Do you mind me opening the window?
Do you mind my opening the window?
for me they all mean the same, bit #3 is ...
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4
votes
3
answers
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What does *bend the rule* mean?
Malfoy certainly did talk about flying a lot. He complained loudly
about first years never getting on the house Quidditch teams . . .
"He's just the build for a Seeker, too," said Wood, now ...
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2
votes
2
answers
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"Will + be + verb -ing)" vs "Will + verb" ?
Can someone explain me the constructions (or however they are called) with the "Will + be + verb -ing)" and the "Will + verb" ?
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6
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How many items are actually "a few items"?
When we use a few, how many items are usually indicated? My intuition tells me it's something between 3 and 9, but what is the most common range for a few?
- 5,770
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6
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swag (slang) -- what does this word really mean?
Source: Russia Is On A 'Holy Mission' And The West Doesn't Get It
Example:
In his State of the Union address, Obama displayed similar swag and bluster against both the Kremlin and congressional ...
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6
votes
2
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It's time I go to bed vs It's time I went to bed?
What does It's time I went to bed mean?
and can we say It's time I go to bed ?
and what's the difference between the two sentences?
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4
votes
2
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443
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Can the verb "wrap" describe the current condition of something?
Suppose there are two situations:
A line of people waiting outside some store is getting very long and the line goes around a street corner.
A ribbon is glued around a water pipe.
Suppose the ...
- 7,565
27
votes
4
answers
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what is the difference between "yet" and "still"?
what is the difference between "yet" and "still"?
When we can use "still"? and when we can use "yet"?
Are they synonyms or not?
"The plan could yet succeed." Can I use "still" in that sentence ...
- 4,257
14
votes
4
answers
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Difference between "I'm in the school" and "I'm in school"
What is the difference between these two sentences??
I'm in the school.
I'm in school.
Do they have the same meaning or not?
- 4,257
12
votes
6
answers
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Difference between will and shall
What is the difference between will and shall in modern spoken English?
For example I have the following sentences:
He will arrive on Tuesday.
He shall arrive on Tuesday.
Are there any ...
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votes
4
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Meaning and usage of ain't
Sometimes I encounter ain't, but I really don't know how to translate it properly.
What does ain't stand for? If I really wanted to use it, in which contexts would you say it's acceptable using it?
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votes
2
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he was coaxed a safe distance away -- meaning?
Source: Tortoise pursues man in ‘slowest chase ever’
Once Rose was coaxed a safe distance away, the tortoise turned and beat a hasty retreat back to the female. Well, it wandered back as quickly as ...
- 37.5k
4
votes
2
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Meaning of the phrase "little too"?
Does the phrase 'little too' mean same as 'very', or is it mild form of very ? For instance, I am little too comfortable talking to you. Does it mean same as 'I am very comfortable talking to you' ?
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Time Expressions with "in"
I have seen some examples about using "in" with time expressions. They give some examples as shown below:
I will leave for vacation in a month. (Exactly one month from now I
will go on vacation.)
...
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21
votes
1
answer
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What does "I have straight A's." mean?
In this video of Hillary Clinton, at 15s, the child said "I have straight A's.".
What does "straight A's" mean?
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votes
6
answers
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What is the difference between a company, organisation, industry, firm, corporation and business?
A company is any form of business whether it is small or large.
Generally the term "company" indicates a particular kind of business
dealing in a specific product.
An organisation is the ...
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votes
2
answers
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"Be yet to do" vs "have yet to do"
This theory has yet to be proven.
This theory is yet to be proven.
This is yet to be done.
This has yet to be done.
I have yet to spend summer in the mountains.
I am yet to spend summer in the ...
- 453
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4
answers
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"What does she look like?" vs. "How does she look like?"
I have heard "What does she look like" said a lot and sometimes "How does she look like?".
Is there any difference between them, if yes What is the difference between them?
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3
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'Thank you for taking your time writing' or 'Thank you for taking your time to write' ?
A person gave me an answer on English.SE and I commented:
Thank you for taking your time writing this wonderful answer!
Now, looking at the sentence in retrospect, even though I am not a native ...
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votes
7
answers
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What is the difference between "I am done" and "I am through"?
What is the difference between when we say "I am done" and "I am through"? Please give examples to make the difference clear.
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Adjective, if adjective: eg "pointed, if fatherly"
They were pointed, if fatherly, remarks that echoed the themes he has
stressed in his papacy but ones that resonated all the more in a newly
renovated cathedral surrounded by the luxurious shops of ...
- 1,354
8
votes
1
answer
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Difference between gerunds and nouns ending in -tion
As we know, gerunds have the same function as nouns and can be substitute in noun phrases. Additionally as far as I know, meaning of them would be the act of doing that verb. (I don't know whether ...
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votes
2
answers
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'Have just finished' vs. 'Just finished': What is the difference?
I have just finished my homework.
I just finished my homework.
I think there must be a difference in meaning.
Could anyone tell me the difference in meaning sentence 1 and sentence 2?
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4
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including but not limited to - explain this sentence
You will not be permitted to bring any personal items to the test centre, including but not limited to wrist-watch, cellphones, calculators, etc.
I think it means a candidate will not be permitted ...
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votes
5
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"Going to" vs. "going to go to"
What is the difference between the meanings of the following sentences?
If I were going to Rome next week, I would be trying to find accommodation.
If I were going to go to Rome next week, I ...
- 2,758
4
votes
2
answers
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Meaning of a sentence with 'was to'
What is the meaning of this sentence:
He met a girl who was to become a queen.
Does it show the plan of the girl?
Does it mean: He met a girl who 'was going to' become a queen?
How and in which ...
- 2,758
4
votes
3
answers
546
views
"Would have" in texts describing history
I have noted that in books/articles dealing with history, "would have" is often used. E.g.:
Many of the tools used by Woodland people would have been familiar to
their Archaic ancestors.
...
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3
votes
6
answers
8k
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What is the difference between “home” and “house”?
Can you explain more? I do not know when we can use them in the sentence. Can we use them instead of each other?
They have a beautiful home.
They have a beautiful house.
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3
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Is there a rule which may indicate us when to use "BROAD" and when to use "WIDE"?
Could anybody tell me please if there is a rule which may indicate us when to use "BROAD" and when to use "WIDE?
1st example: I know it is correct to say "broad daylight" but is it wrong to say "...
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2
votes
3
answers
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Confusion regarding the meanings of "till" and "until"
Till means upto a certain time limit and until means "till not".
Example 1:
I can not go till I finish my homework.
Example 2:
I can not go until I finish my homework.
I cannot differentiate ...
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1
vote
1
answer
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won't instead of using' wouldn't' is possible?
I have asked many questions about "would" both in ELL and ELU. But I still have a question about the use of "would". I have recently asked a question which @Jay also answered.
He used "wouldn't" in ...
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1
vote
1
answer
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In terms of meaning "recently", what is the difference between just & only?
Note: This post is different to this one difference between only and just, which does not talk about the meaning of "recently".
Imagine, there is an appointment at a caffe, I am late for 10 ...
- 387
1
vote
2
answers
150
views
"I have got to sing" or "I have gotten to sing"
I know that normally in American English we use "gotten" after has/have but in this type of construction, do Americans say "got" or "gotten"? As in
"I have got to ...
- 469
1
vote
3
answers
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What do these pronouns indicate?
To one as young as you, I'm sure it seems incredible, but to Nicolas and Perenelle, it really is like going to bed after a very, very long day. After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the ...
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1
vote
1
answer
95
views
Can you call it a Historical event
can you call a meeting of world leaders that took place in 1947 a historical event?
Thanks
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votes
1
answer
99
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What does the "see" mean in expression like "The deal will see..."?
This are some specific examples:
The deal will see first-quarter exports cut by 270,000 tonnes.
South Korean farmers are worried that the deal will see US produce pour into the country, ...
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
400
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How does "would" work in a sentence: The best choice would be...?
In the sentence "the best choice would be...", what does "would" mean in the following sentence?
Questioner: Is this sentence correct?
'Finished eating, we went to the zoo'.
Answer: I'm ...
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votes
2
answers
98
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AS meaning in this sentences
"As a beginner, I am happy that I learned a new thing."
You will recognize this as your DoReMi-s.(https://youtu.be/n2z02J4fJwg at 4:52)
What is the meaning of the "AS" there and when do we use that? ...
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2
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meaning of "Get the pitch down"
Convincing the CFO often requires speaking the same
language—an area of growth for most CIOs. Driving change will
partially rely on being able to sell to your primary investors (CFO,
CEO, COO, ...
0
votes
1
answer
87
views
Does bridge actually refer to the part on which pedestrians and vehicles move on in everyday English?
An ELL post says
"Over" doesn't necessarily mean only an arch bridge — any bridge that is substantially above ... "over" whenever the emphasis was on the state of being above/distant from the river
...
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