Questions tagged [word-choice]
This tag is for questions which a dictionary cannot answer about the several possibilities available for a particular meaning, and which one of them would be the most appropriate.
-1
votes
0answers
6 views
which is more suitable for Formal writing
what should I use in formal writing? plesase keep me informed of the outcome or abouth the outcome.
0
votes
4answers
24 views
Leave, pour or drop
I would like others to tell me which verb is correct in these sentences. Is there another verb which fits best?
I was leaving sand from my hand slowly.
I was dropping sand from my hand ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
WHY to say “a secret prayer” to zip the dress and what does it mean in this sentence?
I am not sure if I get this right : "a secret prayer" means "she is a little fat so that she prays the zip could go up"?? (a little fat is a fact based in the novel). And I neither get the meaning of "...
0
votes
0answers
17 views
Using prepositions “through” and “via”.
Are the prepositions "through" and "via" interchangeable (meaning "by means of", "by using")?
Oxford Dictionary says that the word "through" has also the meaning "by means of".
Is it okay to use it ...
1
vote
2answers
22 views
Word choice between before and until
You cannot harm me before you have strong evidence.
You cannot harm me until you have strong evidence.
I think 1. is more natural than 2.
Am I right?
Maybe 2. isn't correct at all.
Is it so?
1
vote
1answer
34 views
WHY “double French ” and what does it mean?
This is so frustrating while reading, knowing very word but not the meaning. Why double French ? My guess is "they once had French course" based on a fact from the novel. But why double it??? Does it ...
0
votes
1answer
21 views
Hadn't/haven't- difference in meaning in the given context
Life would be so much easier if people could anticipate your needs and work to satisfy them.
Like, if somebody got you that cup of coffee you hadn't asked for yet.
Life would be so much easier if ...
0
votes
2answers
35 views
what does the words “a different shade” mean?
my guess of the sentence :
"I" want to dye or change the color of our blue badges so as to getting into the balcony, but since we are easy to be noticed so I gave up the idea.
if my guess is right (...
0
votes
0answers
11 views
“feel like life has reach to a high level”
I heard that someone said:
"so high, feel like life has reach to a high level.……"
I want to check if "reach" in this sentence should be a transitive verb?
0
votes
1answer
29 views
what does “look hard” and “a suit of armour” mean in this sentence?
I am so confusing why one has to "look very hard to see" here. why to see "a suit of amor" in them? and why "any" of them?
my own guess is "one has to be careful with these guys" ??
here is the ...
2
votes
2answers
33 views
what's the word for joining a university class when I am not a student there
Image I go to my friend's university and join one of their class(by join I mean just sit in the classroom and listening to the lecture)
Is there a phrase/word for this type of behavior or situation?
0
votes
1answer
22 views
How do I express the idea that at a buffet some food is being taken by people at a quick rate
Image I'm at a buffet and some kind of food is really popular so that the food is being taken by lots of people and soon they will be gone.
So should I express the idea that some food are being ...
1
vote
1answer
35 views
“In what month” Vs. “In which month”
What's idiomatic of these two choices ("In what month" Vs. "In which month")?
I were told in the past that I have to choose "what" in a place where I don't know anything about the choices (for ...
0
votes
1answer
50 views
Furious with vs at
I was furious at her.
Vs
I was furious with her.
Also
I am angry at him.
Vs
I am angry with him.
What’s the difference?
1
vote
2answers
25 views
To do to have something done … what is the difference?
A seven year-old Indian girl has complained to the police to have her
father arrested after he failed to build a toilet in their home as
promised.
Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/12/...
1
vote
1answer
37 views
What do the words “wind” and “stick” mean in the sentence?
This sentence is really confusing for me. I've checked Collins, Oxford, Cambridge, urban… dictionaries, no such collocations.
my guess is "the wind changed" means she senses something bad might ...
0
votes
1answer
52 views
'Hello everyone' Vs. 'Hello everybody' Vs. 'Hello all'
In self presentation in front of audience, what is the politest way to approach the whole audience and begin the self representation?
I think about three choices:
"Hello everyone. My name is ...
1
vote
2answers
195 views
What does “ Victorian orphans” mean in the sentence?
Why did the man in following sentence refer his hair style as "Victorian orphans"? what does Victorian orphan look like? Is there any cultural gap I am missing, or is it a slang or something?
‘My ...
1
vote
2answers
35 views
Thai Cloze Test: Why is “another” the correct answer for “One problem invites _____…”?
Problems that teenagers are faced with today are multifarious but interrelated in many cases. One problem invites (another/others/the other/other/the others), then leads to more problems.
The answers ...
0
votes
1answer
15 views
What does “pump” mean this sentence?
What does "pump" mean this sentence? can anyone help me to describe how it looks like when the jockey's legs pumping? is there a synonym of "pump" in this context?
I watched him flatten out around ...
0
votes
2answers
53 views
How could I have the thought or say this vulgar synonym for “crap” in a more sophisticated or mature way? [on hold]
I regularly have thoughts with the word "shit", examples he/she has shit character, not that shit or I'm sick of this shit, etc. How could I have the thought or say "shit" in a more sophisticated or ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Why is 'on' used in these expressions?
Be strong on
I'm not too strong on organic chemistry, so I'm going to get a tutor this semester.
Be low on
We are running low on rice.
Be long on
He was short on patience, but long on a ...
0
votes
1answer
14 views
Difference between Let me go / Let me off
What's the difference between the two or are they the same? are there any other similar words in terms of meaning? In the context where you're pleading someone, which is better?
0
votes
1answer
15 views
Invite over something
I'm planning to ask someone out for a chat over a coffee or something light. Is following lines correct and common english(US)?
Can I invite you for a chat over coffee/tea?
Can I invite you for a ...
0
votes
1answer
18 views
On/At preposition
I would like others to tell me which one is correct. Are there any differences?
We were ON TOP OF the mountain.
We were ON THE TOP OF the mountain.
We were AT THE TOP OF the mountain.
Thank you!
2
votes
1answer
36 views
“He reminds me of me” vs “He reminds me of myself”
Can these two sentences be used interchangeably?
1) He reminds me of me.
2) He reminds me of myself.
I think the second one is wrong. Am I right?
1
vote
3answers
40 views
A dog ran down/along the street- meaning difference
The dog ran along the road.
The dog ran down the road.
I was doing a test paper on English and came across this question "the dog ran __ the road", and from the options only two made sense, along ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
Is there any case you can't switch Could with 'Was able to'?
For the simple past (and also positive) Could, would there possibly be any sentence that you just can't simply replace Could with Was able to or Managed to?
0
votes
1answer
28 views
How to describe this kind of “highlight” in a video?
I want to describe some amazing (little) part of a video, although it may not be directly related to what the video want to convey. From my current search the word highlight is used for articles. So ...
-1
votes
2answers
31 views
“stand one one's hands against the wall” or “lean aginst the wall standing on one's hands”? [on hold]
Tell me please the following sentences are correct and natural.
To do a proper handstand, first you have to be able to stand on your hand against the wall.
To do a proper handstand, first you ...
0
votes
1answer
34 views
“To repair something” vs “To get something repaired”
How is the phrase “Get the car repaired” different from “Repair the car”?
Is there a difference? If so, how do I use this?
For example:
2
votes
1answer
44 views
Using “not” and “no” with adjective
I am not sure of using no and not in case an adjective follows. What is the right one between two examples below?
Period of access providing (not longer than 1 year)
Period of access ...
2
votes
2answers
54 views
What is a word that describes the area between centre and edge?
I am looking for a proper word that define a location or an area between centre point and edge point of a plain/ place.
Centre of the forest ............ (What?) of the forest .............. ...
1
vote
1answer
87 views
“To kill someone” vs “To have someone killed”
In a movie, I’ve heard “Are you going to have me killed?”
How’s this different from “Are you going to kill me?” Is there a certain rule for that?
If you’re wondering where I heard this, it was ...
1
vote
1answer
16 views
How to politely follow up your prospective manager?
I wish to ask from my prospective manager if she could find some time to speak with a third party.
So, is the following sentence fine and polite?
I wish to ask if you have spoken to [third ...
-2
votes
0answers
14 views
Trying to find a specific word [duplicate]
If a person starts with a conversation with 'don't tell anybody but' what's the one word to describe this?
-1
votes
1answer
31 views
How to properly use “collateral” twice in a sentence?
We're playing a game where it's possible to use our ancestors as measurable monetary units at a pawnshop to release new family members. Today, we had a funny situation where someone stated this.
...
0
votes
4answers
71 views
Ii think I'll enjoy LIVING/settling abroad
Let's say you are watching a video about the lifestyle in a foreign land, and you are enjoying what you are seeing, now you want to live there for good. Can you say:
I think I'll enjoy LIVING there ...
0
votes
0answers
17 views
“too well” Vs. “so well”
I wonder which sentence is more grammatically/idiomatically correct:
He could not hear it so well.
He could not hear it too well.
Tnx!
0
votes
1answer
21 views
A noun to refer to a “dispersal of a rally”
What's the usual noun in English to describe an act by the police to disperse an illegal rally?
I want to come up with a title for a video clip. A noun would fit there better - especially if the ...
2
votes
1answer
15 views
“To take something from…” Vs. “To take something away from…” Vs. To take something off someone"
I've heard these forms for the same purposes, and I'm not sure what's more natural since most of these speakers are not really native English speakers. Which of these are correct?
Friend: Do you ...
0
votes
0answers
11 views
How can I use the word sorry
What is correct
He was sorry to come late last night.
Or
He was sorry about coming late last night.
5
votes
4answers
2k views
“Awaits for you” or “awaits you”?
Is it wrong to say:
Happiness awaits for you?
Is it totally wrong to put ‘for’ after awaits ?
0
votes
1answer
19 views
You make a plan, but the world have the other [closed]
I want to know which one of these sentences is more acceptable?
You make a plan, but the world have the other.
You made a plan, but the world have the other.
0
votes
2answers
30 views
A word to say you have deep passion for an idea
What is the best word for saying that I have a deep passion about an idea, saying that I agree with it and connect to it?
For instance:
I am very ___ with Eran's Idea.
0
votes
1answer
26 views
'Suppress someone's voices and opinions' - Word Choices?
Today, my mom and brother argued about an opinion regarding the cultural problem in our country. When I monitored the conversation, I saw my brother using aggressive voice, tones, and his own opinions ...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
How much / far does this apply?
"How far is Natural semantic metalanguage really natural?"
"How much is Natural semantic metalanguage really natural?"
Can I use any of these sentences to express:
"To what extent is Natural ...
1
vote
1answer
25 views
Usage of send in a clause [closed]
Which is correct:
"Select a computer where you want us to send your file"
"Select a computer that you want us to send your file to"
Is there any less wordy way to express the same thing?
1
vote
2answers
21 views
Is “in spending quality time” correct in this sentence?
I am in the process of translating my mission statement for my company to English, and I am in doubt: Is the following statement grammatically correct:
"My vision is to bring the family together, ...
2
votes
2answers
160 views
In cases like the one mentioned, can good/nice be interchangeable
He can't have good things because, he doesn't look after them.
He can't have nice things because, he doesn't look after them.
In cases like this are nice and good interchangeable?
