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.
4,898
questions
0
votes
2answers
25 views
What word or phrasal verb is used for describing the process of removing chalk from ones clothes with one's hands?
Let's say I someone accidentally leaned against a blackboard and got chalk stains on their clothes. What word or phrasal verb would you use to describe the process of removing the stains with one's ...
0
votes
1answer
20 views
“Some time after”, “some time afterward” or "some time later?
Tell me please if I have to use some time after, some time afterward or some time later in the following context.
I bought a phone, but some time after/afterward/later, it starded to go haywire.
I ...
0
votes
2answers
25 views
Using “on which” in a sentence
Is using on which in the following sentence correct?
The administrator should prepare a pre-defined list of websites on which
the XYZ policy should be applied.
I first used where, then switched ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
Are “I am relaxing” and “I am relaxed” the same?
"Relax" is a complicated verb because of its meanings.
re‧lax /rɪˈlæks/ ●●● S3 W3 AWL verb
1 REST [intransitive,
transitive] to rest or do something that is enjoyable, especially
after you ...
1
vote
2answers
53 views
“Any kind of CAR” vs “Any kind of CARS”?
What sentence between those two is valid, using singular or plural with "any kind of" ?
Any kind of car
Or
Any kind of cars
14
votes
12answers
6k views
What do you call the process of filling up an electric kettle and turning it on in one verb or phrasal verb?
What do you call the process of filling up an electric kettle and turning it on? Does set up fit the context? For example:
Please set up the kettle. We need some hot water.
0
votes
2answers
42 views
The use of the word “occupy” in the context
Let's say I am staing at a hostel and there is only one electric kettle. I need to to boil some water to cook a meal. So I take it fill it up and turn it on. To cook a meal I need all the water. It ...
1
vote
3answers
55 views
Do we call it “roller skate” or “roller shoe” or “skate shoe” or “skating shoe” or “roller skate”?
In the dictionary
roller skate [count] : a shoe that has wheels on the bottom and that
you wear in order to skate on a flat surface — usually plural
a pair of roller skates
skate shoe
...
0
votes
1answer
38 views
What are common adjectives to express a person who is difficult, unfriendly, likes to argue, do not cooperate? harsh or sharp-tongued or shrewish?
Some people are very difficult, unfriendly, likes to argue, disagree, do not cooperate, often talk with loud voice.
What are common adjectives to express these kinds of people?
harsh or sharp-...
1
vote
2answers
49 views
is it wrong to say “to clean your pee” when you want to mean “to remove it”?
clean [transitive, intransitive] clean (something) to make something free from dirt or dust by washing or rubbing it
to clean the windows/bath/floor
to clean a wound
Have you cleaned ...
0
votes
0answers
24 views
what is the difference between “he leaned his head back” & “he tilted his head back”?
lean
1 a [no object] : to bend or move from a straight position
The tree leans to one side.
He leaned back in his chair.
They leaned over the table to smell the flowers.
b [+ ...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
Pour {in/on/onto/into/over} my cup
Please, pour the wine _____ my cup.
a) in b) on c) onto d) into e) over
which preposition would be appropriate here in the gap?
0
votes
1answer
15 views
Meaning distinction [duplicate]
Tell me the difference between the two sentences.
She is to swim twice a week.
She has to swim twice a week.
Thanks in advance.
I want to know if it is possible to use "be to" as a habitual ...
0
votes
3answers
27 views
Does “entity number” sound natural to NSE as an ID despite not being a numeric value?
I'm translating our project vocabulary to English and I got uncertain if the particular item below is truly English or only Englishish.
Registry number
The concept it's supposed to convey is the ...
2
votes
1answer
26 views
For these reasons vs for those reasons
Should I use "these" or "those" to refer to previously mentioned arguments? I can give some context:
Paragraph 2: Argument A
Paragraph 3: Argument B
Paragraph 4: Argument C
Paragraph 5: For th_se ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
How to describe a thorough researcher?
How to describe a researcher who works thoroughly, digs deep, and nothing escapes his notice. What is(are) the best word(s) to describe him/her in addition to thorough: sharp, subtle, or something ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
Which one is right? “The world is warming” or “The world is heating.”
I heard both usages on different TV channels when they mention about global warming, ice melting, etc.
1-The world is warming.
2-The world is heating.
And this is usually the introduction sentence ...
1
vote
1answer
26 views
Should I use “who” or “which” when referring to a specific animal species?
I'd like to know what option to use, specifically when referring to a species by its scientific name.
0
votes
2answers
31 views
What to say when we put the dishes on the table for people to eat after cooking?
OK, after cooking food, we have to put the dishes on the table for people to eat.
set 1
/set/ verb (past tense and past participle set, present
participle setting)
1 PUT [...
1
vote
1answer
37 views
“I raised my score” or “I increased my score”?
Are both these sentences correct, and is one of them better than the other for everyday language ?
I raised my score.
Or
I increased my score.
3
votes
9answers
3k views
“I came right back AT her door” or “I came right back TO her door”?
What would be correct between these two lines (please explain) :
I came right back at her door.
Or
I came right back to her door.
1
vote
1answer
21 views
Can I title my project “myself and the others”?
I need to give a tilte to a project with my students.
Is it grammatical?
0
votes
0answers
16 views
Called for hands to be kept off [duplicate]
Is the following sentence grammatically/in this context correct? And what does the first part exactly mean?
'SIRE (company which made the video) called for hands to be kept off our social workers, so ...
1
vote
1answer
31 views
How to write an abbreviation of a plural form of the term
If I am writing text which contains plural form of a term that I include its abbreviation in brackets, should I include the s in the term itself inside the brackets or outside or not include the s in ...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
.. called for hands to be kept off [duplicate]
Is the following sentence grammatically correct? And what does the first part exactly mean?
'SIRE (company which made the video) called for hands to be kept off our social workers, so this video must ...
0
votes
0answers
16 views
a “short” or “small” time interval
I'm using Google to decide which word is better to use with "time interval".
A short time interval
or
A small time interval
but according to the results obtained from my search, it seems that ...
0
votes
1answer
18 views
Called upon to +verb
Is the following sentence correct? The part after 'called upon' sounds a bit strange to me.
'SIRE (a company) calls upon to keep hands off our social workers, so this video must be aimed at ...
0
votes
0answers
8 views
“computing task” vs “processing task”
Is there a significant difference between "a computing task" and "a processing task"? Imagine I have a device that processes images. Is it wrong to refer to its task as a computing task?
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Do I have to use 'these' or 'the'?
'This video is aimed at individuals who use violence against social workers, because they are called upon to keep their hands off these/the persons that are always ready to help us.'
Do I have to use ...
0
votes
1answer
26 views
What is the adjective to describe someone who conspicuosly takes others' things without asking?
What is the adjective to describe someone who conspicuosly takes others' things without asking? Can the adjective audacious be used to communicate the idea?
0
votes
2answers
31 views
Some images, like
'Some images, like the ones of the crying civilian, have been shot up close, making you feel involved in what they show.'
The first part 'Some... civilian' sounds a bit strange to me. Is this ...
1
vote
1answer
13 views
Referring with some
'Many images, including some of the attack on social workers, have been shot up close, making you feel involved in what they show.'
With 'some' I mean some images. Is this clear or would you read it ...
1
vote
1answer
17 views
Does this sentence sound redundant?
This mood is mainly created by the voice-over that consists of a sound clip, probably recorded in 1949, in which a man reads article 24 of the Geneva Convention in a very serious tone.
Is this ...
0
votes
1answer
32 views
How to formally and politely ask for details of an yet-to-be-advised interview
I would like to email a Consulate-General in regards to a job application I made sometime ago. I have received an acceptance letter stating they will get back to me with the details regarding the ...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
Is 'abroad' the right word to use here?
We are doing research in Asia and abroad.
I want to express the meaning that we are doing research mainly in Asia, as well as in other non-Asian areas, which are not the main focus. Is 'abroad' the ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
are “put on your top / bottoms” more common than “put on your Tshirt / shirt / tank top / pants / shorts …” in English in casual daily situations?
I am not a native speaker. I found that it is easier for me to say this to my daughter when we go out "Sweetie, please put on your top / bottoms" than "Sweetie, please put on your Tshirt / shirt / ...
0
votes
1answer
17 views
Regarding experience
I experienced a weird dream.
The experience means to have and be aware of a particular emotion or physical feeling. When I wrote something, I expressed sentence like above.
By the way, someone told ...
0
votes
1answer
21 views
How to put all the information into one sentence?
we have conducted half-month fieldwork twice in 2018 and 2019,
respectively.
we have conducted two times of half-month fieldwork in 2018 and
2019, respectively.
I want to descript our ...
0
votes
2answers
47 views
“Tomb” VS “Grave”
As far as I know, "tombs":
Are normally associated with people who have a high status and lived a long time ago;
They are very large and for VIPs basically.
A tomb is a structure above ground.
...
3
votes
1answer
50 views
“Offend” vs “Insult”
I have read a similar sentence to my provided example below somewhere (maybe with a little bit different phrasing.)
He was blasphemous to Bible and I think, irrespective of being religious or ...
0
votes
1answer
33 views
Do you use “your mom” to your friends?
If I say “your mom” to my friend, is this sound too intimate? Should I use “your mother” instead? I’m over 20.
0
votes
2answers
45 views
When do I use “many” or “any” in a question?
Which of the two questions is correct?
Are there many shelves in the closets?
Are there any shelves in the closets?
I don't understand the difference of using any or many in a question.
0
votes
0answers
12 views
Feel more involved in/with [duplicate]
Do I need to use 'in' or 'with' in the following sentence?
'Some images, like the ones of the wounded civilian, have been shot up close, making you feel more involved in/with what they show.'
Thanks
0
votes
1answer
21 views
Can I use the sentence for the thing I want to say
At the end of the video, people are called upon to sign a petition. Can I use the following sentence to describe this?
'Then there are some more printed words after which the video ends with a call ...
5
votes
1answer
201 views
“Leave so soon” VS “Leave so early”
I cannot differentiate between the words soon and early in my following example! I was wondering which one sounds better (grammatically and semantically) here and why?
Person A
- > Oh! Look at the ...
0
votes
1answer
17 views
'… is followed by…'
There is some footage of the Second World War. This is followed by some more printed words.
Is it correct to use 'is followed by' in this context? The sentences are about a video.
1
vote
0answers
18 views
For some time or For a while
Which one is correct and what is the difference? Are they interchangeable? Should I use "for" with a while?
I understand that some time means for a long period of time but I mean about a description ...
0
votes
0answers
18 views
what's the difference between “undoubtedly” and “naturally”?
The experts still have a long way to go to explore new sources of energy. Naturally, they have to work even harder.
Can I use "undoubtedly" in this sentence instead of "naturally"?
1
vote
2answers
36 views
What is the term for the white foam of the wave apart from sea/ocean foam?
The closest term to what I want to know is, so far, 'Swash'.
But not exactly, because it is a term for 'wave' not ...the foam/the frothy part of the wave. I want to know if there is a term for that ...
0
votes
1answer
31 views
Which one of these sentences is standard English? [“own their homes” or “have their own homes”]
Which one of the following sentences is standard English?
Two-thirds of them have their own homes.
Two-thirds of them own their homes.
