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.
4,485
questions
-1
votes
1answer
22 views
“Drench” vs “Soak”
I wonder which one of the two verbs below fits better in each sense and which one doesn't work in which sentence and why:
Soak: to make something completely wet.
Drench: To drench something or ...
0
votes
0answers
17 views
To express different cameras output different images, are “varied” and “various” exchangeable?
This is description from a competition.
In these institutions, fundus images are captured by various cameras
in the market, such as Canon, Zeiss and Kowa, resulting into varied
image ...
0
votes
0answers
18 views
At the beginning of a chapter or an article , is “we provide” or “we'll provide” better, or no difference?
From this book "Deep Learning and Convolutional Neural Networks for Medical Image Computing"
Abstract Computerized algorithms and solutions in processing and
diagnosis mammography X-ray, ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
Given that at least one of options is not, which one is appropriate? “both” or “neither”
this post is discussing "easier to read" topic.
Is "have greater readability than" or "easier to read than" not
idiomatic?
Appending to this sentence, Which following one is more appropriate?
...
0
votes
1answer
33 views
Using apple and orange in a construction that implies apples?
Using apple and orange in a construction that implies apples? I am having difficulty with certain phrases that assumes that X and Y in phrase Z are the of the same element or are comparable. Some ...
0
votes
0answers
17 views
Which expression is more idiomatic? `easier to read`, `has more readability` or some expression else?
I asked a question in this post.
Is “to have xx systems achieve xx-level” easier to read than “to
achieve xx-level of xx systems”?
When I got an answer for that question, I felt readability may ...
0
votes
1answer
18 views
Is “back then” or some other saying better than “About this time” to express when did an event happen?
From this book "Deep Learning and Convolutional Neural Networks for Medical Image Computing"
About this time, Dr. Le Lu joined my group. An expert in computer
vision, Le brought the passion and ...
0
votes
1answer
10 views
This is the most candid photo among all those directed photos
So I was kind of going to make fun of my friend's friend because it looked candid but was actually fully directed.
In this case should I say
this is the most candid photo among all these directed ...
0
votes
0answers
18 views
Words for those who don't work and want everything ready-made [on hold]
I am looking for words or phrases to represent those who copy or take everything that is already made by others, want everything ready or ready-made, and are averse to the ideas of hard work, ...
0
votes
1answer
19 views
Synonyms for “marked by.”
I am looking for more words or phrases for "marked by". For example:
The post industrial revolution history is marked by rapid urbanisation and an exponential growth in population.
Please suggest ...
1
vote
1answer
30 views
Can I use a sentence with indirect speech in an essay? Example below↓
Would it be proper for written AmE? After making some points in my essay I need to state that what I've just said probably engenders a question.
This (probably) brings up/arises/elicits a question, ...
1
vote
2answers
25 views
How can I say that something happens not for the first time?
Would these examples be proper for written American English?
It happened not for the fist time that he decided not to attend classes.
or
It was not a single occasion/time when she decided not ...
2
votes
0answers
36 views
Which phrase would be proper to use in written American English?
I need to say that there arises a question after making some points in my essay, so which one is better?
Here probably arises a pertinent question as to why he would want to be a bio-engineer now, ...
9
votes
4answers
2k views
What is the word for “event executor”?
If a company runs a service as "one who arranges, holds, and executes planned events", what's the term of it? "Events executor" seems a rather grim name, "Events arranger" seems lack of fume because ...
-1
votes
1answer
19 views
Please find attached the document consisting of code [on hold]
Which one of the following is correct -
Please find attached the document consisting of code.
Please find the attached document consisting of code.
Please find attached the file consisting of code.
0
votes
1answer
25 views
When you go Or When you would go
I have read this:
I am moving tomorrow and the old black lady that lives next to me just
said “ I am going to miss you. I used to stay up every night when you
would go out with your friends and ...
0
votes
1answer
22 views
“Impudent”, “Insolent” or “Impertient”
Please have a look on the following example and let me know which choice sounds correct:
— Yet it was still an encouraging victory for Mourinho’s team and a difficult afternoon for Tottenham Hot ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
How to ask someone for cycling?
I moved into a new apartment and don't have any friend in this apartment. I want to make new friends but don't know how to initiate the conversation. I thought asking someone for cycling would be good ...
-1
votes
0answers
23 views
When someone's body or voice shakes/shivers/trembles
According to the Cambridge dictionary definitions:
Shake: (transitive)
As the most generic word among the three choices, it means "to move backwards and forwards or up and down in quick, short ...
0
votes
0answers
17 views
Which is better? “Of or ”from" this background?
I want to know which preposition is better for the two sentences provided. I've perused definitions available online for both prepositions. As far as I can tell, both indicate relationship, which ...
0
votes
1answer
12 views
“Close” vs. “closed”
Doors in and out of an apartment complex have a sign attached that says "Please keep door close at all times". I say it should say "Please keep door closed at all times".
Am I correct?
0
votes
0answers
12 views
How should I email to my interviewer to say I'd like to reschedule my interview
Do the following sentences work?
I'd like to reschedule my interview for ...(the new date)
I'd like put off my interview until ...(the new date)
I'd like to push back my interview until ...(the new ...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
Does the word “engineerical” exist?
In a series of adjectives about fields of study such as physical, mathematical, historical, philosophical etc. how would the field of engineering fit in?
I looked it up in one of my Danish-English ...
-2
votes
1answer
30 views
“Dread”, “Terror” and “Horror”
I wonder if you agree that "dread" and "terror" mean quite similar that we can almost always use them interchangeably!
Actually, based on dictionary definitions, they both mean, **a stronger version" ...
1
vote
1answer
28 views
Can “who” be omitted in “Managers (who) formerly supervised”?
Managers formerly ( ) the software engineering groups for the development project will now be in charge of much larger teams.
A. supervised
B. supervising
The answer is B, and I get it, ...
0
votes
1answer
26 views
The use of the verb “put” in context
Is the following use of the verb put natural.
The music is aweful. Can I put mine?
Would the phrasal verb turn on sound better?
0
votes
1answer
22 views
Sentence for saying that something is further ahead
I am looking for a sentence that tells someone that something is further ahead.
For example: if I want to tell a reader (currently reading page 20) about a topic that is further ahead (say on page ...
3
votes
2answers
35 views
Will this change the meaning of the sentence?
In this sentence:
You can send e-mails to targeted photo buyers and include a link to your website.
If I change the word 'targeted' to 'target', will this make any changes to the meaning of the ...
0
votes
1answer
16 views
The use of the word “reinforce” in context
Let's say I tought students some new grammar on the last class, and now I am going to give them a task to do for helping memorize the grammar. Could reinforce be approoriate in the following sentence? ...
0
votes
1answer
22 views
“Required”, “Needed” and “Requisite”
I wonder what's the difference between the synonymous words:
required, needed and requisite
To me they all mean so similar that I have always used then interchangeably, but I needed to know how you ...
0
votes
1answer
19 views
Why “‘Someone’s ‘ here”? instead of “I”?
Before, I asked what the phrases were used when you were in a bathroom and heard the door knocked (https://english.stackexchange.com/q/471452/321003), and I received a lot of example answers. Among ...
0
votes
1answer
17 views
Air-conditioner or air-conditioned [closed]
Which is written correctly:
I caught a cold because of an air-conditioner
or
I caught a cold
because I was flying in an air-conditioned plane
0
votes
2answers
4 views
“count of” and “the number of”
"I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve hit my thumb with a
hammer."
In this sentence, do "the number of" and "count of" not have the same meaning? why do we use it twice?
Can we use it with ...
0
votes
1answer
17 views
Platform or system
We are writing a product sheet. Our product enables to play a 360 video. We deliver the application and the content too.
Currently we are arguing which word describing our solution suits the best: a ...
1
vote
2answers
24 views
What's the proper way to say “1 unit of caviar”?
What's the proper way to say "1 unit of caviar"? Caviar is an uncountable noun even though technically it's countable unlike water, so because of that I am not sure if you can refer to "1 unit of ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
“make sure” passive in the future
There was a question in my exam yesterday which had unnecessarily odd wording, it goes like this:
Unless you make sure that the flowers ________ soon, they will go dead.
Passive-voice is used ...
0
votes
1answer
21 views
Which prepositions needed for “long or short term” when used as a noun?
I need help with this particular example:
-I will study the effects of the drug at / at the / in / in the short and long term/terms.
Can someone tell me which is the right option and why?
5
votes
5answers
435 views
Is there a formal/better word than “skyrocket” for the given context?
The labour market condition in a region where the unemployment rate skyrocketed from 6 to 10 percent is no better than in the region where the rate fell from 13 to 12 percent.
I can't find a word ...
-3
votes
1answer
37 views
Say 'you are pretty' to a person
Context
Say A meets B some days ago and wants to say him/her that she is pretty, not as a declaration of love but as a way to start a conversation. What is the proper way to say it?
Example
A: ...
0
votes
2answers
33 views
Could you explain the difference between 'to draw' and 'to pull'?
Could you explain the difference between to draw and to pull to remember forever? I read about their difference, but I can not remember firmly. They appear in the text of the book often and ...
3
votes
4answers
53 views
Formal way of saying “cutting”
Say there is a very long article, I took it, then cut/shrink/excerpt it to a much shorter version.
What the proper way to express the meaning/action of cut/shrink/excerpt, but in a respectful way?
0
votes
1answer
41 views
Can I say one point five hours?
I don't mean "one and a half hours", but I mean "one point five hours" when I talk about duration like when I say
I've been here for one point five hours.
My kids spend like one point five ...
2
votes
1answer
44 views
“Be + to infinitive” VS “Be + root verb”
Your task [ is to / is ] remove all the dirt.
All I want to do [ is to / is ] thank you.
Between "is to" and just "is", what is more common, and what's the difference in their meaning or usage.
1
vote
1answer
23 views
Is it possible to say “hold the silence”?
I have to write a formal essay about environmental issues. I want to write a sentence: "I can no longer hold the silence about this problem". Is it possible to say this? Or its better to say something ...
2
votes
1answer
42 views
“Require” or “Need”
I thought that the two verbs "require" and "need" mean the same thing, while I saw these links: link 1 and link 2.
Now, I don't think these two verbs are always the same. (Though I have my doubts ...
0
votes
1answer
34 views
“Interdependant” vs “Correlative”
I wonder what do you call two things that are related to one another in such a close way that each one "needs" the others in order to exist and none of them can last without the other one? I know just ...
1
vote
2answers
23 views
Is “standard basis” countable or not? I guess not and need a double check
This question comes from this post.
This figure is trying to illustrate 4 spaces defined by 4 different
set of standard basis.
In mathematics, the standard basis (also called natural basis) for ...
1
vote
1answer
26 views
Is “set” countable or not?
This question comes from this post.
This figure is trying to illustrate 4 spaces defined by 4 different
set of standard basis.
In mathematics, the standard basis (also called natural basis) for ...
1
vote
2answers
51 views
how should I express the fact that someone is here with me on vacation
I don't know the natural way of saying "someone is visiting me and he/she is on vacation right now".
There's some ambiguity in "this person is visiting me" because it can be interpreted as the person ...
0
votes
1answer
29 views
Is it wrong to say: He occupies the bathroom
Is it wrong to say:
"He occupies the bathroom, so I cannot come in"
I heard the phrase:
"The bathroom is occupied, so I cannot come in."
So I wondered if I also can say it the other way.
...
