Questions tagged [phrase-usage]
This tag is for questions about how to use a particular phrase. If your question is a request for a phrase to use, you should use the "phrase-request" tag.
3
votes
3answers
219 views
Which one is correct as adjective “protruding” or “protruded”?
I saw a phrase saying “protruding eye”. Shouldn’t it be “protruded” ? I couldn’t understand why -ing is used instead of -ed and how the -ing form is used as an adjective here.
1
vote
2answers
23 views
How to use the phrase “cash advance”?
Suppose I want to withdraw money from a card through a cashier in a bank via cash advance and to deposit the money to another card. What's the most natural way to ask for this? I think "can I withdraw ...
1
vote
2answers
42 views
Difference between 'I got it' and 'you got it'?
Logically, 'I got it' should mean 'I understand you'. But in many conversations I heard people say you got it and based on the context it seems they want to say 'I understood'.
I am confused when I ...
3
votes
2answers
749 views
How to understand “he realized a split second too late was also a mistake”
"It's not like that!" said Harry, and he was so relieved at finally understanding what she was annoyed about that he laughed, which he realized a split second too late was also a mistake.
Harry ...
2
votes
1answer
21 views
Use of in a manner with adjectives
In a manner confuses me in terms of use. Sometimes if i can’t find correct adverb i use adjective before manner . For example is it correct to say:
My steel cylinder was delivered in a manner ...
1
vote
1answer
22 views
What is the meaning of “crash out” in this context?
I read a sentence in "The Hindu" which was:
A day earlier, a majority of the MPs decided to rule out, under all circumstances, Britain's crashing out of the EU without an agreement.
According to ...
0
votes
1answer
32 views
It is correct to write long phrases?
I am a game developer and I am trying to improve my english to increase the quality of the text in my games.
I will like to understand what is the "correct" way to write text. Specially the lengh of ...
0
votes
1answer
16 views
How is “over-the-top” related to online streaming? [closed]
I know OTT means online content business, but why is "over the top" linguistically used? Literally I don't see much connection.
1
vote
1answer
26 views
Is 'got me to thinking' correct in this sentence?
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal about a short list of things that desperately need to be ‘de-invented” got me to thinking about things in the world of wine that should have never been ...
2
votes
1answer
50 views
To come to him in a breeze
Acording to the The Free Dictionary, the phrase in a breeze has this meaning:
Easily; handily; without much or any effort.
I thought the phrase could be used as this:
The answer came to him in ...
1
vote
1answer
26 views
pull off one the neatest tricks
In the book "How an Economy Grows and Why It Crashes" by Peter D. Schiff, in an introduction, page xii, paragraph 2, there is the sentence:
Essentially Keynes managed to pull off one the neatest ...
1
vote
1answer
19 views
Is “instead of me” used correctly?
Suppose I have a doctor’s appointment and I want to give it to my sister. I want to ask my doctor if it is OK. Is using “instead of me” correct?
I have an appointment on Friday. Can my sister come ...
2
votes
2answers
30 views
How to correctly refer to siblings who are twins?
In a sentence where I want to refer to a twin siblings where I am not one of the twins, how should I phrase it?
Example 1
When you have a twin sisters, ...
This comes to my mind first ...
3
votes
1answer
269 views
What is the meaning of “pick up” in this sentence? [closed]
We had thought the turnout for these events would pick up, but it's really lagged behind our estimates.
Does this sentence equal to:
We had thought the turnout for these events would increase, ...
0
votes
1answer
14 views
Type of usage in this example
The reasons supporting the rise of veganism are developments on those explored through vegetarianism – the idea that animals are not simply commodities for human consumption and exploitation.
The ...
0
votes
1answer
16 views
How to explain that some phrases sound more informal/casual in a business context than others?
I am having a hard time phrasing my question in just one sentence, so I'll try to give it some context. I work in an non-English speaking country, so my colleagues tend to use phrases that are non-...
0
votes
1answer
10 views
Using “as much as” in a sentence
Is this sentence correct:
"It is not the words that angered me as much as the way you used them".
I want to mean that I got angry more because of the way you used the words than the words themselves.
...
0
votes
1answer
17 views
“mean for” or “be meant for”?
I read this
I know I shouldn’t read it. I should just delete it or not look at it
and write her back quickly, letting her know she sent me something
meant for someone else.
I looked up there ...
21
votes
2answers
3k views
Is it really OK to use “because of”?
I recently learned from a YouTube video that "because of" is not correct. But my friend argues that "because of" is actually correct. Also, I see a lot of people writing and saying "because of". Here'...
0
votes
1answer
21 views
Using plural or singular after “both”
Suppose there are two phases, a water phase and an IL phase, you can use any other name too. We did some calculation between X and each of them. Which of the following is correct:
Y was calculated ...
0
votes
1answer
26 views
Use of 'other than'
When we use the phrase 'other than' before a noun, does it include that person or thing or exclude it? Such as if we say, 'Date is a good thing so other than evening , it should be eaten in the ...
0
votes
0answers
16 views
What does ' relate back to' mean?
When do you use the phrase relate back to? Does it mean remind? I would be very thankful if someone could provide an example.
1
vote
4answers
58 views
Use a lot of phone
If someone is on phone all the time, can she use:
I use a lot of phone, I have started acting like an addict.
Is the use of "use a lot of phone" natural in this context?
0
votes
1answer
32 views
I'm having trouble understanding why “go pear shaped” has the negative meaning
"Go pear shaped" (The plan isn't working / plan is going wrong)
Might I trouble you for helping me to understand why/how "go pear shaped" has the meaning like that? Could it be British people ...
0
votes
1answer
37 views
Usage of “smash hit”
Is this phrase used somehow incorrectly? Because the (Urban Dictionary) defines: "that which is very successful".
Therefore, it is wrong to use this phrase with love because it sounds like something ...
2
votes
1answer
23 views
Can 'in' be omitted in the phrase “be employed in doing…”
Harry thought he'd be much better employed doing Snape's punishment essay than sitting here trying to find meaning in a lot of made-up dreams.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
...
0
votes
1answer
20 views
“No doubt he ..” or “There is no doubt (that) he …”; are both grammatical?
No doubt he will pass the examination.
There is no doubt (that) he will pass the examination.
Is the first way, "No doubt he", grammatical?
The second, of course is grammatical! What's the ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
Right usage of at the earliest
I read this (below) in "The Hindu":
The aim of the National Blood Policy formulated by the government bank in 2002 was to "ensure easily accessible and adequate supply of safe and quality blood". ...
2
votes
1answer
37 views
Replying “I'm sorry to hear that” when you're the one affected by bad news
When searching for the phrase "I'm sorry to hear that" I can only find examples of it being used as a way to express condolences to someone:
Person A: “My goldfish died yesterday…”
Person B: “...
0
votes
1answer
16 views
“Maintain our contact” or “stay in contact”
Which of these phrases sound more natural to a native speaker in a professional/formal letter?
I would like to maintain our contact
I would like to stay in contact
I would like to express the desire ...
1
vote
2answers
26 views
Usage of concealed
I don't understand the function of concealed. Is it describing the words? If so why author didn't use "by" or "with" before it .
She was only extemporizing but a stirring warmth flowed from her as ...
1
vote
4answers
38 views
Is “come again?” inappropriate usage?
I hear "come again" is an inappropriate alternative to pardon me or what did you say? Is that true only for certain native English regions or generally not the right way to ask?
1
vote
1answer
28 views
“Your age” in the phrase of “a boy your age” modifies “a boy”?
But I'm amazed at how a boy "your age" understood what my job was.
I'd think that's a modifier because in the how clause, the subject of understood seems to be "a boy", not "your age". Yet, I'm not ...
0
votes
2answers
19 views
How to insert “The last time” into a simple question?
I would like to ask someone about his last payment using the expression "The last time". I know that I can say ; " When was your last or latest payment? " but I'd like to learn how to use the ...
0
votes
1answer
12 views
Factors of identification vs factors of being identified vs factors to be identified
Factors of identification
vs
Factors of being identified
vs
Factors to be identified
Meanings of these three phrases, and uses of those with eaxample
0
votes
2answers
24 views
Does “That is how I've always used it.” make sense?
"That is how I've always used it"
Does it make sense? Does it sound natural? Is there any other way of saying it? Answers will be appreciated. :)
(clarification: There's a body soap that is not ...
0
votes
2answers
78 views
Can I replace “If so” with “that being said”?
Do you like eating? If so, how about cooking?
Can I replace it with this: Do you like eating? That being said, how about cooking?
I don't expect to be, but if so, I'll let you know.
Can I replace ...
0
votes
1answer
29 views
How to use 'my own self' in this sentence?
Would you say "My own self is doing his homework" or "My own self is doing my homework"? Or is it wrong to use "my own self" in this way?
Technically, I think it should be possible even if not widely ...
1
vote
2answers
24 views
Is there a phrase like: “The next chapter takes over where the previous chapter ended”?
I am trying to correctly write the following sentence:
Each chapter takes over where the previous chapter ended.
It sounds slightly messy and unnecessarily long and I suspect it to not be properly ...
0
votes
1answer
12 views
Proper terminology for the edition and version/printing of a book
On the inside of the cover of a typical book you'll find the small print about the book. Stuff like copyright notices, place of print, authors, editors and alike.
Also, you'll find information about ...
1
vote
2answers
41 views
Is “She takes herself to be very beautiful” idiomatic
A girl in my school is very arrogant and she feels that she's very beautiful. So someone says:
Yeah! She takes herself to be very beautiful.
Is the use of "take herself to be" natural?
0
votes
1answer
41 views
Usage of being?
I don't understand the usage of "being" in these sentences . Is this some kind of special way to use it ? . I think , this is the usage called reduced adjective clause but as far as in that rule we ...
0
votes
1answer
31 views
“That's a shame” where to use
I am not sure when is appropriate to use the phrase
"That's a shame"
or
"That's a real shame..."
Is it friendly? Respectful? Is it a thing very close friends or people say to each other when ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
“do for” vs “do to”
I observe that "doing something for someone" is usually used when the act done is positive. Is it also used for negative acts?
Is "doing something to someone" is used only for negative acts or for ...
0
votes
0answers
20 views
Best combination of these phrases?
So in one of my writings, I happen to have to write something like
"Under the assumptions of a theorem for so-and-so method appearing in so-and-so paper". What I am intending to say can be decomposed ...
0
votes
1answer
50 views
There is something wrong VS There must be something wrong
Do the selected phrases mean the same and are they completely interchangeable?
There is something wrong in you code.
There must be something wrong with your code.
2
votes
2answers
44 views
Is “Class begin!” correct?
I remember when I was in the middle school, our English teacher always said "Class begin" to start off a lesson. Usually, the students then would stand up and the teacher said "Hello students!" The ...
5
votes
1answer
828 views
What do these phrases in the game of cricket mean?
I like watching cricket. I hear phrases like:
He played a great innings and brought his team home.
He remained there till the end to ensure he sees his team home.
And:
He is in the form of ...
0
votes
0answers
50 views
What's the difference between “walk sth” and “walk + prep + sth”?
I've just seen the phrase
walk the moon
and I thought it should be
walk on the moon.
I double checked this in the Oxford Dictionary, and I found another phrase
walk the moors.
So I guess ...
3
votes
1answer
27 views
Can I use “listen up” in a non-commanding context?
I asked my native english speaking friends and they all said I’m not using “listen up” the right way. Here’s the lyric:
Jane won’t talk about it
But every night she feels like crying
And there’...
