All Questions
Tagged with phrases phrase-choice
52 questions
0
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1
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154
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Should the phrase 'beat that time' be replaced by 'surpassed the record'?
In an article on sporting achievements, the author has compared the performance of two sprinters, Jesse Owens and Usain Bolt [Ref : Burlington English (UK) lesson] :
In 1936, Owens set an astonishing ...
- 3,871
-1
votes
2
answers
34
views
What does "pull out" mean in "Democrats pulling out all the stops against RFK Jr."?
The title of https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4606148-rfk-jr-robert-f-kennedy-jr-nicole-shanahan-libertarian-democrats-joe-biden-donald-trump/ is:
Democrats pulling out all the stops against RFK ...
- 4,289
0
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2
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35
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"some chapters of it" vs "some of its chapters"
which one should i use and where? for example:
in order to shorten the book we have omitted some of its chapters
or
in order to shorten the book we have omited some chapters of it?
0
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1
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53
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Are "more keenly than" and "more keenly that" equivalent and correct?
I accidentally came across these two phrases, and wondered if they were both correct. I particularly “struggled” with “more keenly that”… It didn’t feel right to me.
What do you think? What is the ...
- 71
3
votes
2
answers
72
views
Intend to come by
I came across a sentence which read as follows:
The money you intend to come by through this expedition is not worth
your life.
From the context, I interpreted "intend to come by" as the ...
- 643
0
votes
1
answer
171
views
Is it correct and natural to say "just for educational purposes" when are asking for informaion?
Would you tell me if it is correct and natural to say just for educational purposes when you are asking for informaion that you need just to broaden your undestanding of things? For example:
I ...
- 16k
0
votes
1
answer
209
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what he was saying / what he was talking about
There is the following sentence in my grammar book:
John was talking, but nobody was listening to what he was saying.
Can I transform it into the next sentence and hold the same meaning?
John was ...
- 2,370
0
votes
1
answer
612
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Sign v. sign off
When you finish your letter by writing, for instance, "Love, John", do you "sign" your letter or "sign off"? Both seem to fit, semantically speaking.
- 3,558
0
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1
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63
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Why there 'can't help improve' is used, not 'can't help improving'?
I'm doing my grammar practice in which a question confuses with me.
I'm afraid your suggestion can't help ( ) the service of their shop.
A. improve
B. improving
C. in improving
D. for improving
...
0
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1
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29
views
"Prolonged the maintenance frequency" is it correctly phrased?
Let's say the recommended maintenance schedule is once a month or 12 times per year. If the person decided to do xxx, they do not have to maintain it monthly. They can do it less frequently. How can I ...
- 215
0
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1
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51
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What's the function of each of the words in the following interrogative sentence: "Did you do your homework"?
What is the purpose of "Did"? and "you" after the word "did"? What does "Did" used in the beginning of a sentence usually mean?
user150111
0
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1
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102
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Is it correct and natural to say "where are you at on the rate" when you want to know how much someone will pay for your service?
Would you tell me if it's correct and natural to say where are you at on the rate when you want to know how much someone will pay for your service? For example:
I can fix your car, so where are you ...
- 16k
0
votes
1
answer
44
views
What phrase do you use for when someone finishes something, wins or beats someone not because of their skill or talent but rather their willpower?
Would you tell me what phrase you use for when someone finishes something, wins or beats someone not because of their skill or talent but rather their willpower? Is it natural to say on sheer ...
- 16k
0
votes
1
answer
33
views
Can I use "that would be..." instead of that "would have to be..." tentatively answering a question?
Can I use that would be... instead of that would have to be... tentatively answering a question? For example:
Person A: What's your favorite movie.
Person B: That would be "Lord of the Rings.&...
- 16k
0
votes
2
answers
61
views
Is it correct and natural to begin telling a story with "there was this one time when..."? [closed]
Could you tell me if it is correct and natural to begin telling a story with there was this one time when...? For example:
There was this one time when I was walking down the street and met the ...
- 16k
2
votes
1
answer
371
views
Is it correct and natural to say "just to finish my thought" when you were interrupted and you want to finish what you wanted to say?
Is it correct and natural to say just to finish my thought when you were interrupted and you want to finish what you wanted to say? For example:
Just to finish my thought, the best course of action ...
- 16k
1
vote
1
answer
119
views
Can you say "apply for the award of a qualification"?
In my country, we have an official list of academic words and phrases translated into English. One of these phrases is apply for the award of a qualification, which is supposed to mean 'send in an ...
- 1,805
0
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Choose whichever [one] you prefer
Apple or banana, choose whichever you prefer.
Apple or banana, choose whichever one you prefer.
If the options are only "Apple" and "Banana", which of the above phrases is correct ...
- 886
0
votes
3
answers
253
views
"very well above", "so well above", "so much above"
Are the phrases “very well above,” “so well above,” and “so much above” correct? Example sentences:
The bridge is very well above us.
The bridge is so well above us!
The bridge is so much above us!
...
- 1,356
1
vote
2
answers
123
views
Ways to express a thematic resemblance
Often when describing art, I'm looking for a way to draw a connection with an emotional theme. Are these some of the ways to do that and are there any common alternatives?
This movie hits a lot of ...
- 1,597
0
votes
1
answer
30
views
What are the differences in the following sentences [closed]
I will go on on Monday too
I will go on Monday as well
Do they have same meaning ?
If not what are the differences between them ?
- 9
1
vote
1
answer
490
views
Is it correct and natural to say "what chance do you give to..."?
Could you tell me if it's correct and natural to say what chance do you give to... meaning what do you think is the chance of something happening? For example:
Person A: What chance do you give to ...
- 16k
-2
votes
1
answer
22
views
Is it correct and natural to say "come on the time you do something" when you really want someone to do something?
Could you tell me if it is correct and natural to say come on the time you do something when you really want someone to do something? For example:
Come on the time you come and we go on a trip ...
- 16k
0
votes
1
answer
583
views
Is this a correct way to use "in your name"?
Suppose someone's name is Hermione. If I say, "I didn't realize you had/have 'ONE' in your name."
Is this correct English? What I want to say is, " I didn't realize 'ONE' was/is part of ...
- 11
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votes
1
answer
7k
views
Is it correct and natural to say "I mark your words" meaning I will remember what you have said?
Could you tell me if it's correct and natural to say I mark your words meaning I will remember what you have said and if I don't do what you have said I'll lose respect for you. For example:
Person A:...
- 16k
1
vote
3
answers
172
views
"English accent" vs "Accent of English" vs "Accent in English"
Can these phrases be used interchangeably?
"English accent"
"Accent of English"
"Accent in English"
Context: What I try to mean is, pronunciation of English. I don't ...
- 1,356
0
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Which one is correct: "I'm average in height", "I'm average height" or "I'm an average height"?
Could you tell me which one is correct:
I'm average in height
I'm average height
I'm an average height
meaning I'm neither tall nor short.
- 16k
0
votes
1
answer
2k
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Is correct and natural to say "pick someone up to the airport" meaning to go to the person's place and bring them to the airport?
Could you tell me if it is correct and natural to say pick someone up to the airport meaning to go to the person's place and bring them to the airport? For example:
I'm free tomorrow, so I can pick ...
- 16k
0
votes
1
answer
62
views
Are the phrases "comes down to" and "boils down to" interchangeble?
I do get the meaning of the phrases separately, but I would like to know if they can be used interchangeably at least in some scenarios.
- 439
1
vote
3
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431
views
Why is "personal reasons" always plural?
Why is the phrase "personal reasons" is preferred to "personal reason"?
Example: I'm on leave due to personal reasons.
I hardly have seen anyone saying "I'm on leave due to a ...
- 439
0
votes
1
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1k
views
"between A and B" vs "between A or B"
The following is the headline of an article from ClutchPoints, sports news web site.
Matt Nagy speaks out on making the call between Mitchell Trubisky or
Nick Foles
While the phrase "between A ...
- 997
0
votes
1
answer
143
views
Can a phrase be a part of a clause?
I want to know if a phrase can be a part of a clause. For instance :
Atul did not come to the class yesterday.
Did come is verb phrase in this sentence. But Atul did not come is a clause because it ...
- 485
0
votes
1
answer
156
views
Does the phrase “a dragging experience” make any sense?
I am trying to come up with a pun for a specific situation.
In a playground, there is a kid sitting down at the edge of a
merry-go-round with his legs sticking out touching the ground. While
it spins ...
- 1
0
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0
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128
views
Is the phrase "let happen whatever may" valid and correct in the sense of leaving something to chance?
Is the phrase let happen whatever may valid and correct in the sense of leaving something to chance For example:
I have not idea what is going to come up in the exam. I have no time to prepare, so ...
- 16k
1
vote
2
answers
108
views
To move the beginning of the sentence to its ending
Here is a phrase:
Don't read the books that you don't really like.
Can I change it to the following one?
Those books that you don't really like, don't read.
My primary interest is technical ...
- 693
0
votes
1
answer
645
views
Is the phrase "an extensive amount of hard work" correct and does is sound natural?
What I want to indicate in my writing is that I understand I need to work really hard as a student in the program. I'm using this sentence:
I am aware that studying in such an intense and demanding ...
- 485
0
votes
2
answers
3k
views
"somehow" or " in any way"? [closed]
Tell me please which one of the following sentences sounds the most natural.
Can I help you somehow?
Can I help you in any way?
What I am trying to convey is a willingeness to know if there ...
- 16k
0
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What is the meaning of 'a little too + adjective'? [duplicate]
What is the meaning of the phrase "a little too + adjective" ?
For example:
This is a little too hard for me.
Does it mean same as:
This is slightly hard for me.
?
How are the following ...
- 71
0
votes
1
answer
310
views
Is 'to avoid company' a correct expression?
I am trying to convey the next message:
Being an introvert doesn't mean [avoiding company/to avoid company].
Is it correct to use 'to avoid company' in the meaning of 'to be alone, to keep ...
- 12.2k
0
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1
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92
views
"To solution, ..." and also "To this problem, ... " are these even proper phrases?
Consider this phrase:
"To solution, an equation is derived to describe the particle motion."
And also this phrase:
"To this problem, the new proposed method can reduce the weight of the payload ...
- 25
4
votes
2
answers
7k
views
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' ?
- 71
1
vote
1
answer
2k
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What is the right phrase to express "I speed up and repair slow computers"?
I want to express that I speed up and repair slow computers but I am not sure what phrase I should use.
If I wouldn't want to use the word "Slow", then the phrase
Computer speed up and repair
...
user73719
2
votes
1
answer
834
views
Are both of these phrases grammatically correct?
Are both of these phrases grammatically correct?
Preparation of medicinal plant extract.
or
Preparation medicinal plant extract.
Can both be used as headings?
- 29
1
vote
2
answers
2k
views
Can I say something like this?
I get a little confused when I'm trying to say something like this:
This is a sample of my always changing taste in movies.
This is a sample of my always in change taste in movies.
This is ...
- 17
0
votes
1
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6k
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Change of, in or to
I would like to ask for the difference in usage between 'change of, 'change in' and 'change to'
For example, which of the three is the correct form/most used?
I had a change of address
I had a ...
- 1,773
2
votes
1
answer
4k
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Difference between "matching" and "overlapping interests"
Is it possible to say that interests "overlap?" If it is, what is the difference between "overlapping interests" and "matching interests?"
Consider following examples:
My interests are matching in ...
0
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2
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19k
views
"I major in accounts" vs. "My major is accounts"
I major in accounts
My major is accounts.
Please let me know which of the two is more natural.
This is how I will introduce myself.
- 743
0
votes
0
answers
145
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Why the phrase "of a" is required here?
Source
A word to the wise: Whomever is even more of a vogue word than whom. Many use it indiscriminately to sound cultured, figuring that no one will know any better.
What the of a has been placed ...
- 3,479
2
votes
1
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5k
views
What she was doing here OR What was she doing here
which one is correct?
"I don't know what she was doing here"
Or
"i don't know what was she doing here"
I would appreciate any help.
- 21
2
votes
2
answers
199k
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Difference between warm wishes and wishes?
When should I use Thanks! for your warm wishes or Thanks! for your wishes?
As I understand it, thanks! for your warm wishes means that your wishes are taken heartily. Also, I can use thanks! for your ...
- 1,494