Questions tagged [usage]
For questions about how certain words, phrases or grammatical aspects are typically used.
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1answer
10 views
One of the minister's residences
Today I read a grammar rule regarding usage
In the following sentence
He informed me that he had gone to one of the minister's residences and stayed there all night
Rule was in such constructions ...
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1answer
23 views
Meaning of adopt from
The recommended prevention strategy — making sure that no child goes to bed without eating a meal — adopted from 2015 ensured a sharp drop in the number of children falling sick.
https://www....
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1answer
12 views
organisation and collective used together
In the following sentence
But the SCO collective and the bilateral meetings in Bishkek are an important indicator early in the Modi government’s second tenure of the foreign policy arc it is ...
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1answer
25 views
Contradiction abide or contradiction abides
In the following sentence
While the contradiction between modernity and deeply retrograde systems of discrimination abide, the acknowledgment by the world’s leading space agency of those that helped ...
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0answers
30 views
Is it okay to use “yesterday” when describing some sudden change in the past?
Is it okay to use "yesterday" when describing some sudden change in the past? For example:
That potion was really good. It really worked miracles when every
citizen of this country was given a ...
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1answer
26 views
Questions about an article about India's space program [on hold]
In the following editorial I have some issues that I am not able to resolve: A Home in space (from The Indian Express)
After the mission to moon and Mars and a proposed manned space flight before ...
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0answers
25 views
Understanding the definition of “preposition”
In my grammar book definition of preposition is given as follows:
A preposition is a word placed before a noun or a pronoun to show in what relation the person or thing denoted by it stands in ...
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1answer
31 views
How to parse “only” in this sentence
I am not able to parse the following bold part of the sentence:
Appeals by the convicts are only to be expected, and the Judge Tejwinder Singh’s approach and the manner in which he appreciated the ...
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1answer
27 views
Is it right to say “You are waiting me on a mistake”
If there's some person (e.g., in your work space) who is waiting on you to make a mistake then to give you a warning or something, is it right to tell him:
"You're waiting me on a mistake"?
How ...
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0answers
30 views
As an intermediate English student, I need ur guidance [closed]
I know there is not set definition of what intermediate means, but let me ask some questions. What should I know as an intermediate English student and what should I to learn to next step? I guess ...
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1answer
30 views
Is “broadsheet newspaper” redundant?
Meaning of Broadsheet
When the meaning of broadsheet already contains newspaper then why in the following sentence
My focus is restricted to serious broadsheet newspapers alone.
the term ...
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0answers
28 views
Correct usage of some
I read the following sentence in my grammar
Similarly there are other adverbs which which are also compounds of some a Preposition and a Noun
example - besides, betimes, today, overboard
I ...
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1answer
23 views
Two thirds versus two third
In the following sentence
They constitute the requisite two-thirds of the 18-member Congress Legislature Party.
two thirds is used but can I use two third in the same sentence
They constitute the ...
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1answer
24 views
time passed by vs time passed?
Time ________ and they still hadn't heard anything from their son.
A. Passed
B. Passed by
C. Went
D. Went on
I think it can't be C or D. But I also don't know if it's A or B. What do you guys think? ...
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0answers
22 views
Correct position of only [duplicate]
In the following sentences which one is correct
The company hopes to eventually provide Singapore with the second-biggest electric car-sharing service in the world, (second to Paris only).
The ...
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2answers
27 views
Usage question: “point being” vs “the point is” and “point being is”?
I hear a lot lines like below.
I think there is no solid rule for this. Point being, (is?) there are many exceptions in English Grammar that keeps one from claiming a universal rule for articles ...
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2answers
27 views
Grammatical function of “secret” in “It's a story they've kept secret for a decade.”
Does secret in this context:
It's a story they've kept secret for a decade.
play the role of an adverb? If so why does no dictionary defines it as such?
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0answers
25 views
“on the verge” Vs “on the edge” Vs “At the edge” Vs “at the verge”
I know this can be flagged as off topic, because it a bit broad, but let me give it a try. Is there any difference between these phrases:
on the verge of
on the edge of
at the verge of
at the edge ...
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1answer
50 views
Why “coming up”? Why not simply “coming”?
I'd like to know the difference between the usage of coming up and coming.
For example, the Pink's song says: "I'm coming up so you better get this party started".
If someone removes the "up", would ...
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2answers
31 views
wanted vs would have liked
Following a previous discussion about I would like vs I would have liked, I have a similar question.
What is the difference between
I wanted to come to your party but I couldn't
I would have ...
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1answer
18 views
Ask for help, or ask help
Ask for my help
Or
Ask my help
Whose help did you ask for?
Or
Whose help did you ask? In the above two example is the usage of the preposition "for " appropriate or not?
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1answer
14 views
About the use of “over” in “He is going to hold America's infrastructure hostage over the investigation issue.”
The seventh entry in the ODE defines the preposition over as:
On the subject of.
along with some synonyms:
in connection with, regarding, concerning, about.
Is this the meaning that over took ...
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0answers
44 views
What does “abuse” and “gnashing teeth” mean in Charles Darwin's letter?
In a letter by Charles Darwin to his friend, J.D. Hooker, he said the following at the end of the letter:
In a year or two's time, when I shall be at my species book (if I do
not break down), I ...
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1answer
40 views
Can “father” be “the father” and “mother” be “the mother”?
The original sentence:
With mother earning and his older children drawing substantial
wages father is seldom the dominant figure that he still was at
the beginning of the century.
Is it also ...
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1answer
21 views
What is the difference between function and feature
Is there a confusion between function and feature in the context of English usage?
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2answers
42 views
Infinitive as adverbial modifier of purpose
I read this sentence in the Barron's practice exercises book (you should choose the incorrect usage):
The understanding (a) electricity (b) depends (c) on a knowledge of atoms and the subatomic ...
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1answer
11 views
I would think ( that ) … vs I think …?
What NAm/BrE native speakers exactly mean when they say or reply with " i would think ( that ) ... " ?
I mean if it's used in only one possible correct way and therefore doesn't need any further or ...
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0answers
10 views
Is the use of “save time & hassle” correct?
"We hired a taxi to save time and hassle."
Is it okay to use simply 'hassle'? Or, shall I write it as ' to save time & avoid hassle'?
Thanks.
3
votes
1answer
107 views
Are three dots (…) used to indicate only ellipsis?
I googled it and found out that three dots (...) in English means "ellipsis",
But in my language, we use three dots quite commonly not only when we use ellipsis but also in the title of an article, ...
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1answer
18 views
“I guess (so).”, “I guess (that) …” and “… , I guess.”
When NAm.En native speakers say or reply with "I guess (so)", "i guess (that) ..." and "... , I guess.", what are the common different ways in which they use the word "guess" here as a verb in the ...
2
votes
2answers
41 views
Usage of the word altruism
The definition of altruism according to the Merriam Webster dictionary is:
1 : unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others
// charitable acts motivated purely by altruism.
But ...
1
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1answer
39 views
Is it proper to use “dedicate oneself” together with a quantifier?
I see TheFreeDictionary gives one of the meanings of "dedicate" to be
give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
, in which "entirely" implies totality without any reserved. So is ...
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0answers
17 views
What is the meaning of “worked themselves out” in this sentence?
I read a sentence in a chapter in my book which was:
A whole complex of emotions and issues, traditions and loyalties worked themselves out in the revolt of 1857.
I am not able to figure what out ...
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1answer
11 views
1. What is Will have and Shall have. Use of may have?
Firstly, i want to know that are will have and shall have model verbs or future perfect tenses or both ? If these are model verbs so can i use them in past or present or both ?
Secondly, Can i use ...
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1answer
19 views
In NP do we use the after between?
The gaps between platform and train are dangerous. or
The gaps between the platform and train are dangerous.
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1answer
14 views
we use can be in both structures? or can we use are in the second construction?
Gaps can be dangerous things, but some gaps are beneficial.
or
gaps cab be dangerous things, but some gaps can be beneficial.
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1answer
25 views
how to do you end a call at work for a tornado warning [closed]
What is the best way to end a call at a business for a tornado warning when you are advised to go to the shelter?
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2answers
19 views
Punctuation: Which sentence is correct?
Edit: (I apologize if my question does not make sense. English is not my first language)
Hello,
I have just started learning English from online resources and I cannot figure out which sentence is ...
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0answers
15 views
Should be drank or should be drunk [duplicate]
On a label for a bottle of drink the instructions stated that it "...should be drank neat with ice".
This led to some discussion should it be drunk or drank.
2
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2answers
20 views
How to use the word “redeem” properly?
Considering this line "I want my love to redeem me" taken from a Car Seat Headrest song, I realized I have no idea how to use nor how to interpret this word even after consulting dictionaries: this ...
2
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3answers
64 views
What is the meaning of using “when” at the end of a sentence?
So I'm stumbling upon these pretty often, and here is the most recent example (couldn't come up with my own one or recall something more simple):
"Also I like the idea of writing an ASCII horror ...
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2answers
41 views
I'm available for 7 o'clock - is it correct?
Someone ask for my availability, can I say I'm available for certain time?
I'm available for 7 o'clock
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1answer
24 views
Take your pick usage
Take your pick - choose anyone you want
Pick of something is usually used.
We were reviewing the pick of new magazines.
This is the pick of modern technologies.
But in a Cambridge dictionary ...
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1answer
14 views
Why do we use capital letter in this sentence?
I am not too sure why we use capital letter with the word ‘Site’
here is the context
The Kellers’ caravan is on Site 24.
I did some google research but I did not find anything!
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0answers
23 views
“being” usage as relative clause
I'm dwelled on usage(s) of being in the following sentence.
Even with the model of memory being just physical memory, several
options are possible.
Can it be written alternatively as the ...
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vote
2answers
49 views
“took a bath” or “have taken a bath”
Which sentence is correct (if not both) and what is the difference between them?
I just took a bath. [moments ago]
I've just taken a bath.
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2answers
16 views
What is the difference between ‘wake up’ and ‘wake’?
My wife was asleep, and I woke up her.
My wife was asleep, and I woke her.
What is the difference?
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2answers
32 views
type of usage with finite clauses
I heard this song played on the radio.
I heard this song (finite clause)
So 'I heard this song' feels like it requires more information alone, but you could say it in speech or:
I heard this song....
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1answer
41 views
Absence of inversion when adverbs of place and direction go in front position
Adverbs of place and direction usually go in end position. However, they can be put in front position to emphasize location (and in this case, inversion is frequently used):
“Next to the bookshelf ...
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1answer
23 views
South Australian Country
I have noticed in South Australia that country folk will ask the question "where are you to" Can someone elaborate on this. I know that basically it means "where are you".
