Questions tagged [spoken-english]
The way in which English is spoken, either formally or informally. As opposed to written usage.
521
questions
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Correct syntax with “there”
I often see these kinds of sentences with there:
There are playing three boys in the playground.
There are three boys playing in the playground.
As a learner I would like to know whether ...
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0answers
14 views
Is the phrase“come flying” natural
Can I say:
A ghost came flying and picked me up.
Here I am trying to say the manner of movement.
Similarly can I say: came running, walk breathing very hard?
In our language it's natural.
How ...
0
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1answer
17 views
A problem about “neither… nor”
I'm going to work and my 10-year-old son is staying alone at home until I come back.
So before leaving I say to him:
Do not play video games nor eat ice cream.
Or,
Neither play video games nor ...
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0answers
19 views
Mentioning about some one appearance
I want to say someone appearance that he is thin..if I ask the following question to him, is it correct?
"You have got thin" is this sentence correct?
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0answers
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I make a funart for one of the Steven Universe AU. Can someone check this out for me? [closed]
Btw. i'm actually working on some my own funart comics. I really want make them in english, becose Steven Universe fandom is little small here in Poland. Maybe someone here would like to help me ...
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1answer
30 views
What is the meaning of this “ ones short leaves in war”?
"Perhaps all this is merely a legacy from ones short leaves in the war" is an excerpt from "big four" by agatha christie
"Ones short leaves in war " in the big four by agatha christie
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1answer
10 views
“I will say it is better” emphasizing “will”
In my shop I am selling a new thing. And a customer asks me about the quality of the new thing.
And I responded by saying:
I will say it is better, since I am selling it. First use then see.
Here ...
0
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1answer
32 views
Spoken English Questions (I) [closed]
Today I was taking my English class as usual but after the class many questions came into my mind. I didn't ask these questions of my teacher because I realize that knowledge is infinity. It has no ...
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0answers
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“For another same amount of time” in this context
The bus arrives at our local bus stop at 8am. The other day my brother and I were going to catch the bus and we went to the bus stop at 7:50am so we had to wait for 10 minutes. My 10-year-old brother ...
0
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1answer
33 views
Opposite of “against someone's will” in this context
He sold their house against his father's will.
I'm quite confused as to as what is the opposite of against someone's will in this context.
Is it with someone's consent?
Please tell me the most ...
0
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1answer
14 views
Is it grammatically correct to ask 'what do you mean [word/phrase]?'?
I often hear something like 'what do you mean "gone"?' I've been wondering whether the omission of the preposition 'by' ('what do you mean [by] "gone"?') complies with the grammar rules.
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Drawing attention from distance
How can I draw my school principal's attention from distance?
Can I say:
Hello sir, I need to speak to you. (out loud)
Now, my friend is passing by my house. I want to talk to her just for one or ...
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2answers
28 views
In spoken, is 'with' droppable in “I won't let you through with this”
I won't let you through with this.
I've heard the sentence in an American TV show. The scene is in a security check point. A man carried something that was suspected to be a bomb, so the security ...
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0answers
12 views
Is “go and do something” formal enough to use in this context
We use go and do something / go do something with our friends, such as:
Rob, go and buy some food for me.
Hey sweetie, go and play outside.
Can I use this pattern in the context given below:
...
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2answers
3k views
How to understand “No she bludgering well won't!”
"She's only Stunned," said Professor McGonagall impatiently, who had stooped down to examine Alecto. "She'll be perfectly all right."
"No she bludgering well won't!" bellowed Amycus. "Not after ...
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1answer
18 views
“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
84 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
29 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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2answers
46 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
32 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
38 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
22 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
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“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
30 views
What's the difference between “it seems like” and “it looks like”? [closed]
Is there any difference between the two??
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1answer
50 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
votes
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
538 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.
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votes
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 ...
0
votes
1answer
22 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
votes
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 ...
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0answers
19 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
23 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
votes
1answer
32 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
votes
2answers
53 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
86 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
votes
1answer
56 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
42 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
votes
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
27 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
61 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 ...
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votes
1answer
42 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
25 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 ...
