Questions tagged [spoken-english]
The way in which English is spoken, either formally or informally. As opposed to written usage.
507
questions
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1answer
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“Not a bad little haul for one night” meaning
"It is you! If they find out who they've got --! They're Snatchers, they're only looking for truants to sell for gold --"
"Not a bad little haul for one night," Greyback was saying, ... ...
...
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1answer
24 views
“ 'e's put a bit of work our way” meaning
"Scan Shunpike," said Ron.
"Like 'ell you are," said the man called Scabior. "We know Stan Shunpike, 'e's put a bit of work our way."
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
"'e's put a bit ...
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1answer
22 views
In spoken English, is it correct to reply with a verb phrase in its simple present form?
In spoken English, is it correct to reply with a verb phrase in its simple present form when the speaker omits the subject? Or the phrase should be used in the corresponding tense.
Example 1
A: ...
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0answers
36 views
Spoken English in the film [closed]
I'm not a native English speaker and I'm trying to translate the film (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIOXVx1wHws) to my native language. I understand clearly what the narrator is saying, but I have ...
0
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2answers
45 views
Do you have or have you?
I am a English learner and I still don't understand why the auxiliary verb "to do" doesn't appear with the verb "to have".
Is it wrong to say
"She doesn't have brown hair"?
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1answer
26 views
Did you hear that or Have you heard that
Could you please help me to understand which sentence sounds more correct (and explain why), or suggest your own version?
Did you hear that John has made a fortune with his new business?
Have you ...
0
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0answers
37 views
what's the part of speech of “underground” in following sentence
In the following sentence from CNN:
Such fires were once plentiful in Azerbaijan, but because they led to a reduction of gas pressure underground, interfering with commercial gas extraction, most ...
0
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1answer
19 views
is it correct to ask “Is the class still on at 3?” . is there a better way to as this question?
I have my singing class at 3
and need to confirm with my instructor. Is this the right way to ask the question?
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1answer
12 views
“children were sold to sweep the chimney” is it a valid structure
During that time children were sold to sweep the chimney.
Here, the two works-- 1. selling, 2. sweeping are being done by two different people / group of people.
The pencil is used to write ...
0
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1answer
29 views
What's the difference between “it seems like” and “it looks like”? [closed]
Is there any difference between the two??
1
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1answer
49 views
“Match the answer” is the verb “match” natural in this context
Many math books are published with answer key to the exercises.
Can I say:
After solving the math problems you should match the answers to see if you have get them correct.
Is the verb match is ...
0
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1answer
12 views
“past” or “left” in this context
I was driving home from my workplace. And on my way there was a big pizza shop. When I was about to reach home i got a call from my dad and he asked me to buy some pizza from that shop. But I had ...
0
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1answer
17 views
“out doing something” pattern
He is out drinking alcohol.
My mom is out buying groceries.
Does it mean: someone is not at home for doing some work somewhere else?
Is the sentence pattern out doing something valid and ...
3
votes
2answers
536 views
“…saw someone out…”: grammatical role of “out”?
Sentences:
My dad is out on vacation.
I saw her out on a bicycle.
Is the word out an adjective in this context?
Or is the word out the short form of out of home?
Thanks in advance.
0
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1answer
26 views
Is the word “uphill” limited to “hill” to English speakers
The children were running uphill towards the house.
Is the word uphill (adjective and adverb) used only in the context of hill or for roads and any kind of surface as well?
Can I say:
The road is ...
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1answer
21 views
“Present” vs “future tense” in subordinate clauses in this context
A conversation between two friends:
A: When will you come to our house.
B: I will go when my mother goes / when my mother will go.
I know that we are supposed to use only the present tense in ...
0
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1answer
26 views
“This / that much, this / that high, this / that thick” in spoken English
Conversation between two friends:
A: Hey, John, how tall is your son?
B: well, he has become this high.(showing with his hand)
Two cute little kids are talking about their tv:
A: Our new ...
0
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0answers
16 views
“In / with the same amount of time” in this context
I give tuition classes to three children in the evening. My friend yesterday told me that I can include few more children in the same batch.
and I can make more money with / in the same amount of ...
0
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1answer
22 views
Would English speakers use “by themselves” here
I have heard from a friend of mine the statement below:
The school never forces students to pay their fees; they pay their fees in time by themselves.
I am aware of the fact that "by oneself" ...
0
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1answer
31 views
can someone pleas check is it correct usage of “as well as”? [closed]
"I am a young, passionate, just graduated from university developer.
Looking for a dream team where I could get challenging tasks, interesting experience, new friends and an ...
0
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2answers
51 views
Is “could not have been done” more appropriate here? [closed]
An extract from today's newspaper:
Despite our best efforts and the hard work of various organizations, the boy could not be retrieved so far.
Should I use: ...the boy could not have been ...
2
votes
1answer
82 views
If I learn British English, should I stop talking with Americans?
I had the opportunity to speak with several native speakers, It's fun, and they learn my native language, the problem is that several of my language partners speak with an American accent and the ...
0
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1answer
55 views
Is “memory power” or “memory” used by native speakers
Many non-native speakers says:
Someone has a good / bad memory power.
Or
Someone has a good / bad memory.
Which is more appropriate to native speakers?
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0answers
14 views
What is the need of “actually” here
How SIM cards work?
How SIM cards actually work.
Is the word "actually" asking for more precise answer?
Thanks in advance.
0
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1answer
40 views
Understanding change of speech
in the following questions, a sentence has been given in Direct / Indirect Speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Indirect/Direct ...
2
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2answers
435 views
“say” or “tell” in this context
Teacher: Who can say the multiplication table from 1 to 10.
Or,
Teacher: Who can tell me the multiplication table from 1 to 10.
Which of the two sentences is more appropriate for a teacher to use ...
1
vote
1answer
17 views
“As for” meaning in this context
An extract from an article:
For global climate change, as for hunger, the countries that experience the worst problems have the fewest resources to address them.
What does as for mean here?
...
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0answers
26 views
Is “having” necessary here [duplicate]
Today I heard a sentence:
Do you want more potatoes peeled.
But I have always used it as:
Do you want having more potatoes peeled.
Which one is grammartical?
Please explain with examples.
...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
“No more someone doing something” meaning
By the phrase no more we mean Someone doesn't want something anymore.
Eg:
Son: Mom, I am going to play cricket.
Mom: No more cricket! Your exams are very close.
The same way, can I say:
No ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
“Survivors clinging to a raft.” Is this sentence right?
"Survivors clinging to a raft."
There is no verb in this sentence.
I know this sentence is not the present progressive/present continuous.
But can this sentence be used independently?
I found this ...
1
vote
1answer
47 views
“I learn a lot talking to you” vs. “I learn a lot by talking to you” [duplicate]
I've heard both of the sentences:
I learn a lot talking to you.
I learn a lot by talking to you.
Does the first one means I learn a lot while I talk to someone and the second I learn a lot as ...
-1
votes
1answer
39 views
words that starts with c but does not sound as k [closed]
The title say it all, i'am looking for all the list of words which starts with c but does not sound as k, as many know most of the words that starts with c usally have a k sound in it, e.g cat,clam,...
0
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0answers
22 views
English practice [duplicate]
Iam a new learner but i canť completely understand English films or distinguish between the words when I hear it
And
What is the best way to acquire the sense of language?
And is that take too ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
“John's” or “of John” in this context
In the sentences below:
All the mistakes are mine.
Likewise,
All the mistakes are John's.
Now,
Can we say:
All the mistakes are of me.
And
All the mistakes are of John.
Are these ...
0
votes
2answers
22 views
Sentence without subject in this context
We often hear sentences like:
Wishing you a very happy birthday.
Wish you a very happy birthday.
We are a omitting the subjects in these sentences.
Are these grammartically correct or just a ...
0
votes
2answers
23 views
Adjective for the noun “scraps” in this context
Leftover food is called scraps.
Now,
I kept a whole plate of soup on the table for my dad, suddenly my brother came and lifted the plate and just licked the soup and saying that tasted disgusting ...
0
votes
0answers
11 views
More appropriate “participial clause” here--
He took all my books, threatening to throw them if I revealed his secrets.
Taking all my books, he threatened me to throw them if I revealed his secrets.
Do they both mean the same?
Which is ...
0
votes
1answer
14 views
“Indirect form” of the sentence
Direct:
John said, "Do you know if Tom plays cricket."
Indirect:
John asked me if I know if Tom plays cricket.
Is it correct grammartically and in terms of spoken English?
Thanks in advance.
0
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0answers
96 views
What is the difference between “to be Ving” and “to V”?
For example,
(1)You are too young to be contemplating retirement.
(2)You are too young to contemplate retirement.
1
vote
3answers
24 views
“Just” for recent future
As we use the word just for recent past:
I've just arrived.
They just completed their task when the manager called.
Now,
Can I use just for recent future that is going to happen shortly? As ...
0
votes
1answer
27 views
What is the difference between “the+singular countable noun” and “zero article+plural countable noun”
What is the difference between "the + singular countable noun" and "zero article + plural countable noun" when we make generalisations about classes of things.
3
votes
1answer
82 views
Is “North.5” the same as “0.5”?
I've just heard a native English speaker saying this:
"North.5"
which means:
0.5
I mean seriously?! What kind of number is that? I may have misheard him but in mathematics, I've never heard of ...
1
vote
1answer
72 views
Is the word “homophone” misleading?
I remember a language learning app that claimed to help users to distinguish between the words like right-write, break-brake, heal-heel, principle-principal, etc.
However, I have long known them as ...
0
votes
1answer
20 views
What Marge says about Giant's Causeway?
I have seen the following video, where Marge and Family go to the Giant's Causeway. I don't fully understand what she says, even if I slow the playback speed. This is the video: https://www.youtube....
-1
votes
2answers
664 views
“Where do you lived?” or “Where did you live?”
Which is the correct question?
Similarly,
"When did you move to New York?" or "When do you moved to New York?".
Please tell me the reason behind each question.
3
votes
1answer
53 views
A (imaginary) point or An (imaginary) point
A or An is usually decided by whether you pronounce the beginning of the following word as a consonant or not. Does a word in parentheses count as ' following'?
A (imaginary) point or An (imaginary) ...
0
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2answers
102 views
How to answer, how old is your baby?
My question is how to answer when somebody asks this question?
Since my baby is 10 months, I just replied she is 10, and we laughed out loud. Then I said, of course, 10 months.
What is the correct ...
1
vote
1answer
34 views
Take up doubts, a topic
When a teacher discusses something in the class, is it be okay to use "take up"?
We'll take up this topic tomorrow.
We'll take up X tomorrow.
And about "doubts" and "queries":
We'll take ...
5
votes
1answer
57 views
“Let's talk math/geography…” meaning
I was reading this article (linked below the sentence) when I came across this:
First, let’s talk geography.
-- Smithsonian Magazine
I could get what it means but the grammar behind it is ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
Can the word “help” be used as the example sentence below
Does "thanks for making me feel like it's a help" make sense ?
