Questions tagged [usage]
For questions about how certain words, phrases or grammatical aspects are typically used.
1,194
questions
-1
votes
3answers
31 views
What does the sentence “Her welcome was as warm as Tom's three years earlier had been frosty” mean?
I cannot understand the sentence above. What does it mean?
0
votes
1answer
25 views
Can an “idea” be “coined”?
I read a sentence in The Hindu which was:
BRICS has proved its naysayers wrong since the idea of grouping the world’s “five emerging economies” was coined by a consultant two decades ago (BRICS was ...
1
vote
1answer
27 views
“promise to love her for better or for worse”; why FOR?
Promise to love her for better or for worse
That's from the vows of a wedding and I kinda know what that means, but I was wondering why did they use 'for' here.
Could you find and show me the same ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
Should “on the other hand” be always in contrast to the stated or implied “on the one hand”?
Just as a reference, let's cite the M-W's definition of the words:
"used to introduce statements that describe two different or opposite ideas, people, etc."
For some reason, I feel like it is also ...
0
votes
1answer
26 views
Asking if somebody had a good day
On arriving from school does it make any sense asking the kid You had a good day?
How does that sound to you?
1
vote
2answers
77 views
Is this a good reply to “Take care” [closed]
Does the reply "Take care, you too." to "Take care." makes sense?
0
votes
1answer
23 views
By now and by this time
Are by now and by this time interchangeable.
He hasn't called me by now.
He hasn't called me by this time.
He has called me by now.
Is the third sentence correct?
0
votes
1answer
32 views
Can we put the soup / water (or other liquids) on the table?
Can we put the soup / water (and other liquids) on the table while they are in vessels that hold them?
For example, if my friend brings me a plate with soup, or water bottle, could I tell him "put ...
0
votes
0answers
15 views
Was not been offered
Is the use of was not been offered grammatically correct in the following sentence?
While Friday prayers were not allowed in the historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area for 13th week, Khoj-e-Digar — ...
1
vote
2answers
40 views
Why was 'the tangible' used instead of 'tangibles'?
Does the tangible have the same meaning as tangibles? Why was the tangible used instead of tangibles? Is it related to 'the + adjective = plural noun'? If so, the verb is doesn't make sense.
...
0
votes
1answer
33 views
Either has or had
In the following sentence I think had is wrongly used and has should be used instead
The researchers, including those from the Salk Institute in the U.S., said that while an average protein ...
0
votes
0answers
23 views
is a part of oneself / one self / one's self
"is a part of oneself"
"is a part of one self"
"is a part of one's self"
Which of these are correct? If more than one are correct, what is the difference between them?
3
votes
2answers
49 views
Can “quickly” be used in “I get tired quickly”?
On the English language quiz I wrote the sentence "I get tired quickly." And then I was corrected and said that "quickly" doesn't suit here. Instead of it I am to use the word "easily". Can I really ...
0
votes
2answers
47 views
Known As, Better known as, Best known as
Consider:
John Wilkes Booth is known as the man who killed President Lincoln.
Durian is known as the king of fruits.`
She is known as an actress.
I want to be known as the guy I really am.
...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
Does British English use “firstly”, “secondly”, “thirdly”, etc.? [on hold]
I heard one day that if I follow the British variant of the English language, I can't say "firstly", "secondly" or "thirdly" because these words are considered to be Americanisms. Instead I have to ...
0
votes
1answer
14 views
It is time we should accept [closed]
Is the following sentence wrong?
It is time we should accept all our people as equals and as partners in the task of building a strong and united nation.
My teacher says it is wrong but I am not ...
0
votes
1answer
22 views
Willing to take them along with
I think the following sentence is not correctly framed (The highlighted part)
Jannayak Janta Party leader Dushyant Chautala on Friday said his party was ready to support any political party in the ...
1
vote
2answers
28 views
Use of “former” with “before” superfluous?
In the following sentence I think the use of the word former is superfluous.
Mr. Malik was the former Governor of Bihar before he was shifted to Jammu and Kashmir. He was also given the additional ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
Can I omit “the” in those sentences?
Sometimes I'm not sure whether I should use "the" in a sentence.
Descriptive noun + name
In math:
Option 1: Point A is equidistant from lines l and l'.
Option 2: The point A is equidistant from ...
0
votes
2answers
40 views
Meaning of outing against
What is the meaning of outing against in the following sentence
Off-spinner Ashwin joins Tamil Nadu to take on Gujarat at Just Cricket ground, and opening batsman Mayank joins his Karnataka mates in ...
0
votes
1answer
26 views
Interchangeable and difference
Are these interchangeable? What is the difference in use?
I will do it to the same extent as you do.
I will do it as much as you do.
I will do it to an equal degree as you.
I will do ...
0
votes
1answer
35 views
“In what sense”: “in what way” or “what does it mean”?
I have asked an Isreali guy "You said the video was compelling. In what sense?" He said, "emotionally and in that it points out the problems with these laws."
Here I suppose the "in what sense" was ...
1
vote
1answer
21 views
Which one is closer to the idiomatic usage of the verb 'have': 'have got' or 'get'?
Let's suppose we have a situation that someone is holding a gun on his hand, and people are yelling that he's holding a gun. Since I'm a non-native English speaker, I'd say something like this in this ...
2
votes
2answers
40 views
Tribal dominated districts
Is it correct to use tribal dominated districts
In the following sentence I don’t understand the grammar behind tribal dominated districts
The second phase of the programme — launched by Tribal ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
Can 'was' be omitted in this sentence?
I believe it can't, because the omission of was makes valued and stigmatized paralleled.
The thing they were good at at school wasn't valued, or was
actually stigmatized.
0
votes
1answer
23 views
To my address or at my address
Which one of the following two choices would be suitable in the blank given below
Please make it a point to send your letter___________ .
On my address
To my address
At my address
I think to my ...
0
votes
1answer
19 views
Would usage in this sentence
This day would constitute the greatest challange our production would ever face.
Why is WOULD used in this sentence?
Source: https://youtu.be/ivfspJOAtBI at 12:54.
0
votes
1answer
82 views
OK to use “Thank you so very much”?
I have already heard both
Thank you so much
and
Thank you very much
Is it OK to use:
Thank you so very much
0
votes
1answer
22 views
Hitting a person or ball
Meaning of hit in the following sentence
The record for the number of sixes in a Test was smashed in on Sunday when South Africa's Dane Piedt hit India's Ravindra Jadeja over midwicket in the ...
0
votes
1answer
12 views
Get somebody to do something
In the following sentence
By the year 2050, we will have 10 billion people on our planet. Linking this rise to the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of feeding the entire population in a sustainable manner is what ...
0
votes
1answer
27 views
Direct and Reported Speech
I was wondering whether you use "direct" speech or "indirect" speech in everyday conversation.
Example:
Statement: My mom told me to study.
Direct speech: He said, "My mom told me to study....
1
vote
1answer
28 views
of/from several decades
In the following sentence is the usage of of idiomatic?
Mr. Bhat of Shopian in south Kashmir, the largest apple producing area in J&K, says he cannot betray his trade partners of several ...
0
votes
0answers
25 views
Usage of atop(preposition)
Is the usage of atop in the following sentence correct?
President Xi Jinping, wearing a gray Mao jacket, and other Chinese leaders, including former Presidents Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin, watched ...
0
votes
2answers
31 views
Meaning of in power
I don't understand the meaning of in power
China’s Communist Party celebrated its 70th anniversary in power with a parade on Tuesday showcasing the country’s economic growth and newest weapons.
...
0
votes
2answers
40 views
Is “I’m excused” correct?
I live in France and last week we had to write a dialogue in which I wrote:
But Sir my parent called I am excused
I don't know if it is correct.
We were supposed to write a dialogue
where you ...
0
votes
0answers
9 views
“what” instead “why”
In "Red Rock Mystery" book there is the text:
Before she had been locked away, before her cries for help, she remembered daylight, soft and pure and warm. Now it felt a world away.
What parents ...
0
votes
1answer
32 views
Once in a year or one in a year
In the following sentence
“I have other plans so have decided to move on. The CAC was anyway meeting once in a year or one in two years so I did not understand the conflict,” Ms. Rangaswamy told ...
0
votes
0answers
22 views
I know full well that VS I know fully well that [duplicate]
I know full well that he is scared of speaking English
I know fully well that he is scared of speaking English.
I know that know full wel is idiomatic and means to know something without any ...
1
vote
1answer
25 views
What's the difference between (Have you) & (Haven't you)?
What is the difference in meaning between these two sentences, and when do I use each:
Have you read the book yet?
Haven't you read the book yet?
Thank you.
2
votes
2answers
45 views
“We do not except…” - is this proper use?
I received a reply to an inquiry and I am puzzled by this use of "except".
Is it proper to write:
"We do not except apples."
to communicate that apples may be included?
I can see how the sender ...
-2
votes
2answers
48 views
How to use it as a subject
It was in 2006 that we first flew to the United States.
I think the above sentence is correct. But my book says when should be used in place of that
0
votes
1answer
18 views
Usage of 'would' in “When people would ask me”
When people would ask me how old I was, I would answer them correctly.
When I would go to social events, people would ask me to tell them my harrowing story.
It was annoying when people would ask ...
0
votes
1answer
18 views
Ticket window or ticket counter 161
Which one of the following two choices is correct?
The ticket window/ticket counter remained closed throughout the day.
I think both are correct.
2
votes
1answer
24 views
Either costs or cost
Is the following sentence correct?
Last week's sharp hike in the wholesale price of beef is a strong indication for higher meat costs to come.
I think the sentence is correct but for must be ...
0
votes
1answer
14 views
Usage of on the way up
I think be on the way up is the correct usage, but in the following sentence
He wrote: “Proud to be here but this wouldn’t be my list. So many films which are my favourites can’t be below my film.. ...
0
votes
2answers
28 views
Can a village or city be considered a landform?
I read a sentenence in a Wisegeek newsletter which was:
The reforestation work is expected to create employment
opportunities, provide carbon offsets, and ensure storm barriers for the
villages ...
0
votes
1answer
27 views
Is “well” correct when using sarcasm?
Is "well" correct when using sarcasm?
"What's the time?" she asked.
"Well, aren't you in a real hurry?" he said sarcastically.
I am not sure if the word "Well" belongs here, especially in a ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
Think somebody/something + adjective
I think the following sentence is incorrect
He thinks her a fool.
Because in such constructions after somebody adjective is used, and the sentence should be
He thinks her fool.
Am I right?
0
votes
1answer
17 views
Meaning of said of
In the following sentence
Highlighting his government’s achievements, Mr. Modi said of the 675 km of Metro lines in operation in the country, 400 km had been built in the last five years. He said ...
0
votes
1answer
19 views
Acquitted and absolved used together
Is the second part of this sentence redundant?
He was acquitted of and absolved from all the charges of corruption
Since acquit and absolve mean almost the same thing, why use both in the sentence?...
