Questions tagged [sentence-choice]
The Sentence-Choice tag is for when you can have multiple ways to write a sentence but are not sure which way is most appropriate. Please explain which sentence you prefer and why.
443
questions
1
vote
1answer
23 views
What happened?/What has happened?
In this context which is more correct:
A: We've found him. He's dead.
B: What happened?/What has happened?
A: We think he fell down the stairs/We think he's fallen down the stairs.
0
votes
1answer
21 views
Which statement is correct?
Which statement is correct?
I want to recreate her look to as nearly possible as I can.
I want to recreate as nearly as possible as I can her look.
0
votes
1answer
22 views
“Use them only where it really makes sense to do so.”
Comma-separated expressions
Use them only where it really makes sense to do so.
Use them only where it really makes sense to.
Use them only where it really makes sense.
Which one sentence I should ...
0
votes
2answers
27 views
The plane was hit by turbulence/Turbulence hit the plane
She woke up when the plane was hit by turbulence.
She woke up when turbulence hit the plane.
Do the two sentences mean the same? Are they equally natural?
0
votes
2answers
60 views
lucky to have met / met / meet someone
In a scenario, if you met someone a few days ago for the very first time and then you met again today and after spending time together, you feel lucky to know him/her because you think you will get on ...
0
votes
2answers
16 views
Pulls out a gun from/Pulls a gun from/Pulls a gun out of
Before anyone can say more, the old woman pulls out a gun from her purse and coldly shoots the man in the head.
Before anyone can say more, the old woman pulls a gun from her purse and coldly shoots ...
0
votes
1answer
17 views
Are the following sentences correct?
The first time I saw her was in a pub.
I first saw her in a pub.
I first saw her when I was in a pub.
The first time I saw her was when I was in a pub.
The first time I saw her in a pub was last week.
...
0
votes
1answer
21 views
How to shorten a sentence which got long due to commas followed by another lines
This is a sentence, I've to write in an e-mail
I have been waiting for any information from the office regarding the cause of delay, but despite multiple follow-ups with ... & writing emails of ...
0
votes
1answer
36 views
“bought a dog that escaped”
Tom says:
I saw a dog I had never seen before running about in the street on its own.
Pete replies:
a. Maybe one of your neighbors bought a new dog that escaped.
b. One of your neighbors might have ...
0
votes
2answers
29 views
“If the courier will still deliver your parcel, we ask you to refuse it.”
Context: Parcel shipping. A parcel has been lost and the client has been refunded. However, in case the parcel would be found and delivered, the client should refuse it.
Phrase: “If the courier will ...
0
votes
1answer
11 views
Is this the right way to ask someone: “Did you go to school or you stayed at home?”
I have a little doubt if this structure is actually correct or not. I think the more standard alternative is to say:
Did you go to school or stay at home?
However, they do not feel quite the same to ...
0
votes
0answers
28 views
Difference between: Has Katy got / Does Katy have
English is my second language and I am trying to help someone to pass a spoken English exam (GESE trinity) in the book they ask the question:
Has Katy got a football?
If I would ask that question I ...
3
votes
2answers
44 views
looks at him as if she's about to say something
She looks at him as if to say something, but then stops herself.
She looks at him as if about to say something, but then stops herself.
She looks at him as if she's about to say something, but then ...
0
votes
0answers
20 views
How many times do we need to use auxiliary verb in a sentence? [duplicate]
Which one is correct sentence? I'm asking how many times I need to use 'will' in a sentence?
One day I will have so many cars that I will not even remember how many cars I will have.
One day I will ...
0
votes
0answers
28 views
When your sock(s) is / are torn
Please imagine you have torn one of your socks and the other one (in the same pair) is OK. Which one of the following sentences is t he correct way to convey this message:
I have torn my sock.
2. I ...
1
vote
1answer
87 views
Can we say “with makeup” and “without makeup” instead of “with makeup on” and “without makeup on”?
Are all of the sentences below correct?
Do you know that girl with makeup?
Do you know that girl with makeup on?
Do you know that girl without makeup?
Do you know that girl without makeup on?
Do you ...
0
votes
0answers
29 views
Does anyone have a group? or Who has a group? or Who already have a group?
If I want to ask to my classmates about they already have some group to do a homework, it is correct to say: Does anyone have a group? or Who has a group? or Who already have a group?
-1
votes
1answer
39 views
(Look forward / eagerly wait / cannot wait) + noun [closed]
Could someone please tell me if all the sentences below mean the same in each set and if there is any unnatural one between them?
1.1. I look forward to Christmas every year.
1.2. I eagerly wait ...
2
votes
1answer
32 views
To get + adjective/V3
The past simple and present perfect form of "I am dirty" and "I become dirty" are:
"I was dirty"
"I have been dirty"
"I became dirty"
"I have become dirty"
What is the present perfect form of "I get ...
0
votes
0answers
17 views
Still permitted vs. It is still permitted
Which one of these sentences is correct?
It is still permitted, though violates the idea behind the Continuation Lines section.
It is still permitted, though it violates the idea behind the ...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
Using the verb “prefer” for specific and general preferences (with/without time frame)
In the following scenario, both of the sentences in each pair mean exactly the same to me. If they don't, please let me know why?
A) Good restaurant.
B) Yea, but they don't offer a good variety ...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
Should we use present and past tense together in a sentence?
I always get confused in these kinds of sentences when someone thinks in his mind.
He might be thinking that I also got these kinds of materials that's why he asked me
He might be thinking that I ...
1
vote
2answers
23 views
I would make sure you had a good flight
I found the following sentence in a movie. The context is there is a boy who do not like to fly and the girl tell him the following sentence. In fact, I cannot understand the grammar associated with ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
Should I use past perfect in this sentence?
Should I use past perfect in this sentence? I've come up with three options:
I forgot to add them on Sunday, so I added them today.
I've forgotten to add them on Sunday, so I added them today.
I ...
0
votes
1answer
19 views
Problems occurring or occurring problems?
We should solve the problems occurring in this pandemic.
We should solve the occurring problems in this pandemic.
Which sentences is grammatically correct and why it is?
0
votes
0answers
15 views
“To have an interest in something” vs “To be interested in something”
I think "to have an interest" means "to have a claim or share in something". If aptitude or curiosity is meant, the verb should be "to be interested in".
But one of my friends said :
"I have an ...
1
vote
1answer
27 views
How many kilometers (left / have been left / fo we have ahead) to X?
A passenger within a bus during the trip on their way to Amsterdam asks the driver:
a. How many kilometers left to Amsterdam?
b. How many kilometers have been left to Amsterdam?
c. How many ...
0
votes
0answers
9 views
“How far” Vs “How far away”
I wonder which sentence in each pair below is not grammatically and idiomatically correct and why?
Scenario 1:
Imagine two people are driving toward New York city. One of them who has never been in ...
0
votes
1answer
21 views
Using “how far…?”
Edited:
I am wondering if the two sentences below mean the same and can be used interchangeably:
1.a. How far is it from the Earth to the moon?
1.b. How far is the Earth from moon?
(Asks a ...
1
vote
0answers
28 views
How to say I kept a longer haircut
I went to the barber earlier today and asked for a haircut with my hair to be left longer than usual.
Then, when I am talking to someone else, can I say:
I asked the barber to leave my hair longer....
1
vote
0answers
26 views
What's your hobby?
Edited:
I have encountered lots of ways to ask someone how they pass their idle time and what they like to do as a "pastime". I'm quite confident, this term is considered as an old-fashioned term ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
(Taking / putting in) the time + infinitive or gerund verb
I am wondering which following sentences does not sound idiomatic? (To me they all mean the same thing. If there is any nuance, then please let me know.)
1.a. Thank you for taking the time "helping ...
1
vote
2answers
59 views
Stacked- are these sentences the word has been used in grammatically correct?
"Look at those tables, stacked one on top of another."
"Look at those tables, stacked one of top of the other."
"Look at those tables stacked on top of one another."
"Look at those tables stacked ...
1
vote
0answers
28 views
Which tense is more suitable?
In the near future you will discard your body with robotic upgrades.
Or
In the near future you would discard your body with robotic upgrades.
Won't we use "would" instead as we're speculating ...
0
votes
1answer
20 views
Which of these two sentences mean the same as the highlighted one
He looked at me like I was a kid.
He looked at me like he was a kid.
Which of the above sentences would you take to mean the same as this sentence: "He looked at me like a kid." And why?
1
vote
1answer
35 views
“Hold still” Vs "Don't move
Within an episodic instructive comedy named "Extra", when one of the characters saw a hazardous insect is moving on the other character's shirt, she got panicked and said:
Hold still, Hector.
I ...
0
votes
0answers
25 views
“Forced” or “Was forced”
I am wondering which option is the correct one in my made-up scenario below and why?
Tom: I really didn't want to take part in this ceremony; I just came because my wife asked me! Everybody knows ...
1
vote
1answer
18 views
How to ask someone in a questionary about the way the became familiar with us?
I'm going to make a questionary for my company and need to know how my customers have become familiar with my organization. Which option sounds more idiomatic and natural in this case and how the ...
0
votes
4answers
135 views
What would a correct sentence to say when power/electricity cut is “done”?
First, I'm confused whether I should use word power or electricity.
The thing is, I want to say is this:
I feel sad/excited/etc. when the electricity/power is cut/goes/goes off/cuts off.
In simple ...
-1
votes
1answer
40 views
Could you please rank these in order of how natural you think they are?
In writing, which of these suggestions are fine? Could you please rank them in order of how natural you think they are?
He sees something moving at the end of the corridor and starts firing his ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
Is it correct to say - “ underwent pleasure ”
Is it correct to say -
I underwent great pleasure listening to your song, nothing could make it better.
I doubt if the above is correct, so I would say this instead-
I experienced great ...
1
vote
0answers
23 views
“Canberra is to the south of Sydney” vs “Canberra is to Sydney’s south”
Are these sentences interchangeable?
“Canberra is to the south of Sydney.”
“Canberra is to Sydney’s south.”
I know that the structure in the former is correct, but I wonder if I can use the latter ...
1
vote
1answer
15 views
Are “set on” and “determined to” interchangeable?
They've been pretty set on pulling the plug for a while now, so I'm surprised nothing's happened yet.
They've been pretty determined to pull the plug for a while now, so I'm surprised nothing's ...
2
votes
1answer
37 views
Is it fine to say “Tell me your name/your opinion/your favorite team/your hometown” etc?
Is it fine to say sentences like
“Tell me your name.”
“Tell me your opinion.”
“Tell me your favorite team.”
“Tell me your hometown.”
etc to mean
“Tell me what your name is.”
“Tell me what your ...
0
votes
1answer
12 views
Someone's smile VS Someone smile
Which one of the following is correct?
Be the reason of someone's smile.
Be the reason of someone smile.
Million of thanks.
0
votes
1answer
19 views
being vs acting
Last time I saw him he was being weird. / Last time I saw him he was acting weird.
Do they mean the same thing? Could I use them interchangeably? Which one would native speakers be more inclined to ...
0
votes
0answers
11 views
Should “then” be at the start or at the end of the sentence?
Should "then" be at the start or at the end of the sentence? Thank you.
"I haven't asked for your help, have I?"
"Alright. Then I won't bother you anymore. / I won't bother you anymore then."
-1
votes
1answer
37 views
How do I phrase this question naturally?
A, "Is that not what happened?"
B, "No."
A, "What happened, then?" / "Then, what happened?" / "What did happen, then?" / "Then, what did happen?"
What can I use of these? Are they all natural here ...
1
vote
1answer
31 views
Are “Has he said that?” and “Did he say that?” interchangeable?
"He thinks I'm an idiot."
"Has he said that?" / "Did he say that?"
Are these interchangeable?
Also, if someone said "He said that?" is that always a short version of "Has he said that?"
0
votes
0answers
23 views
What is the correct word order?
He was restlessly wandering around in the park.
He was wandering restlessly around in the park.
He was wandering around in the park restlessly.
Which of these are possible? Which one is the most ...
