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.
7,352
questions
-1
votes
1
answer
32
views
Is "accept" correct in this case? [closed]
This is an example sentence from my student's book:
Furthermore, pupils in cities are able to accept better education.
Oxford Learner's Dictionary says accept means:
to take willingly something ...
- 123
1
vote
1
answer
42
views
How old are you—if you don’t mind me/my asking?
How old are you—if you don’t mind me asking?
How old are you—if you don’t mind my asking?
In TOEFL tests, 'my asking' was correct because 'my' is in a possessive case having 'asking' as an object, ...
- 4,158
2
votes
2
answers
84
views
“the room whose door is broken” vs “the room which door is broken”? [duplicate]
Which exactly is the difference in meaning and usage between choosing whose versus choosing which in this first sentence?
He chose to live in the room [ which / whose ] door was broken.
How do these ...
Didyougo
0
votes
1
answer
70
views
If she learns the violin, she {get/will get} a job in an orchestra
If she learns the violin, she {get/will get} a job in an orchestra.
She get or will get and why?
- 1
2
votes
1
answer
49
views
Is there any obligation to invariably use commonplace collocations in English?
For example, these four words are synonymous: become, get, go, turn. But
you would probably say go crazy and become famous, not become crazy
and turn famous.
However, is saying become crazy or turn ...
- 390
0
votes
1
answer
25
views
most often vs the most often the smaller one chases the bigger one
"The funny thing about these dogs is that the smaller one most often chases the bigger one." [so whenever they meet in the park that's how they play]
I feel like leaving out "the" ...
- 511
0
votes
1
answer
45
views
What is correct (English grammar): Combination of singular/plural but is it was OR were?
Could someone please tell me what is correct:
Shareholders’ ownership of ABC-Company was 1,000,000 shares, which equals 1.5% of equity.
or
Shareholders’ ownership of ABC-Company were 1,000,000 ...
user491930
2
votes
1
answer
54
views
Another vs the other when there are two in total
I have two uncles, one in Chicago and another in Dallas. ( From a workbook)
Stewart summed up the general feeling of the American public today, saying that CNBC and the financial news media could ...
- 1,497
7
votes
4
answers
1k
views
If someone is volunteering information does that mean they are being transparent?
For example if I ask you a question and you share everything with me truthfully, then you are being transparent with me.
But for example if you voluntarily tell me about your spending habits, without ...
- 463
1
vote
2
answers
74
views
Is it correct to say "I wish you always beautiful"?
We use the construction "to wish sb + N", for example, "I wish you a happy new year", "I wish you luck", "We wish you every success"
and we don't say "to ...
- 21.6k
0
votes
1
answer
37
views
Does "I keep/raise hens in my backyard" imply the hens are my pets / the hens are my meat?
Someone says:
"I keep hens in my backyard" suggests that you have hens as pets or for personal enjoyment. It implies that you are responsible for their care and well-being.
"I raise ...
- 21.6k
17
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Does "I slept in" imply I did it on purpose or by accident?
There are 2 situations:
Situation 1: I have to get to work at 7:30 am so I often set my alarm clock for 7 am on a weekday. Now the alarm clock goes off and I wake up at 7 am but I feel very tired so I ...
- 21.6k
0
votes
0
answers
37
views
How do i get better at knowing complex english words?
I would like to extend my literature, what do you guys think is the best way to do that? I currently read books and also like to create flashcards. What do you guys think is the best strategy next to ...
1
vote
1
answer
46
views
What is the difference between "suspicious" and "suspect"? [duplicate]
What is the difference between "suspicious" and "suspect"? Which option is correct, "The witness's claim was suspect." or "The witness's claim was suspicious."?
- 167
1
vote
1
answer
27
views
Holds no benefits to alleviate the problem
Two people are arguing/quarrel and the arguing/quarrel they have will not alleviate the problem the already have. It is like someone telling him that stop arguing/quarrel that won't alleviate the ...
- 39
0
votes
2
answers
34
views
How to say "Automation parts supplier" in a broader way?
I need a more general term that could refer to any type of product that is sold to factories. This could include raw materials, machinery, equipment, and parts.
I came up with a few terms but I don't ...
- 1,976
4
votes
6
answers
783
views
What is the difference between "the spacecraft is in the sky" and "the spacecraft is in space"?
It's hard to understand meanings of words by just reading their definitions in dictionary
In the Oxford dictionary
space: the area outside the earth’s atmosphere where all the other
planets and stars ...
- 21.6k
1
vote
1
answer
98
views
Does "Her hair was tied back in a neat bow." mean the ribbon in her hair is in a bow?
Does "Her hair was tied back in a neat bow." look like this picture when her hair is in a bow?
or look like this picture when she used the ribbon to tie her hair and the ribbon is in a bow?
...
- 21.6k
1
vote
2
answers
40
views
was 'constructed by' or 'constructed from' or 'built by' or 'built from'
This data set was constructed from 50 participants ....
Which of the four expressions in the title in correct?
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
20
views
this/that with time expressions
"This" can refer to situations and events which are going on or just about to start. "That" can refer to situations and events which have just finished, or which are more distant ...
- 390
1
vote
1
answer
51
views
Is "so" omissible in "so their makers claim"?
"The Painting Fool" is one of a growing number of computer programs which, so their makers claim, possess creative talents"
Is "so" omissable in this context? If not, what ...
- 167
0
votes
1
answer
57
views
Is it correct to say "get to sleep" in this situation?
Now it is 10 pm and you put your daughter on the bed and tuck her in and you want her to fall asleep quickly.
Now your daughter sit up and talk and play with toys on the bed.
I see this in Oxford ...
- 21.6k
2
votes
1
answer
79
views
Are 'unmatched' and 'unparalleled' always interchangeable?
Their definitions seems to be the same, and both are said to be formal. Is there any difference between them?
unmatched: having no equal; better than any other of the same type
unparalleled: having ...
- 3,388
1
vote
1
answer
73
views
A pervasive, consistent, .... root-soil net?
I am translating a technical book on agriculture, despairing over the German phrase "ein durchgängiges Wurzel-Erde-Netz," meaning soil that is alive will form a root-soil net that pervades ...
- 151
0
votes
3
answers
56
views
What is the common verb used to say you jerk a little bit because someone suddenly calls you while you are focusing on something?
Sometimes, I was watching TV or studying when my daughter suddenly called me or suddenly tap me on my back from behind. That action made me jerk a bit or give me a little shock.
Is it correct to say &...
- 21.6k
18
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Can the conjunction "while" always be replaced by "whereas"?
In the fragment, "While the novel captures the daily life of the city in the 1940s, it is also a wonderful guide to the cuisine of Salvador", the word while can be replaced, without altering ...
- 183
-2
votes
1
answer
46
views
Determine which statement is grammatically correct [closed]
I don't know how to choose between which and who in these phrases.
Which of these phrases is grammatically correct?
Tom Smith, which is John Smith’s brother
Tom Smith, who is John Smith’s brother
0
votes
1
answer
52
views
The difference between "Each cake's piece" and "Each piece of the cake"
The difference between "Each cake's piece" and "Each piece of the cake".
What's the correct option to use when writing IELTS writing task 1 discussing a pie chart?
Example:
"...
helpielts
1
vote
3
answers
950
views
"can" or "could"- general possibility
Context: My friend has been using computer a lot recently, I want to warn him
Spending a lot of time using computer can lead to eye disorders.
Spending a lot of time using computer could lead to eye ...
- 383
1
vote
1
answer
70
views
What is the difference between "he ran to the park" and "he went running to the park" and "he came running to the park"?
go Ving: can mean
-to move in a particular way
or
-do an activity
The dictionary says "go + Ving" and "come + Ving" means to move in a particular way while doing something else.
...
- 21.6k
8
votes
6
answers
1k
views
Word/phrase for straight-lined
I don't even know how to describe my question, but it's like going in straight line vs not going in straight line, like:
what's the proper word/phrase to express the idea that
I've __________ the ...
- 2,268
0
votes
1
answer
35
views
"slip free in one clean piece"
When she was five, Harumi lost her parents in a car crash. It was an uncanny collision; a truck crossed over the median into their lane. Harumi was in preschool, rehearsing for a school play. She had ...
- 167
2
votes
2
answers
333
views
"Are gone" or "be gone" in this sentence?
Are both alternatives correct in this sentence?
Let's enjoy the party now. Later, when all the guests are gone, we can talk about this.
Let's enjoy the party now. Later, when all the guests be gone, ...
- 1,153
0
votes
1
answer
42
views
At two hours past midnight, should I refer to the day that officially ended at midnight as "today" or "yesterday"?
If I am still awake two hours past midnight, thinking about what I have done since the last dawn, should I call the day that officially ended at midnight "yesterday" or "today"?
To ...
- 3
0
votes
2
answers
80
views
Pupil or student?
I'm at a loss! When I check e.g., Cambridge Dictionaries and Merriam Webster, the word "pupil" seems to be perfectly fine to use about (young) school students (students in compulsory school),...
- 1,702
1
vote
1
answer
31
views
Is it natural to use the verb "cause" for a good or neutral happening?
I checked the word "cause" in Cambridge Dictionary.
It says:
"to make something happen, especially something bad"
The examples provided:
The difficult driving conditions caused ...
- 1,050
1
vote
1
answer
63
views
‘any way’ vs ‘in any way’ – When Do I Use Which?
my gut tells me i need to say ‘in any way’ in ‘associative means you can parenthesise terms in any way’, but why? what about the following sentences? what exactly are the rules?
any way
Michael, You ...
- 11
1
vote
2
answers
132
views
what is the difference between a plank and a board?
According to my study, a plank is a long narrow piece of wood and a board is a thin flat piece of wood.
Now if a piece of wood that is long and narrow and thin, is it a board?
and if a piece of wood ...
- 21.6k
0
votes
1
answer
33
views
What's the difference between before, until, and unless?
Here are two fill-in-the-blank questions in my grammar exercises.
A man is not old ______ regrets take the place of dreams.
Success always hides behind the next corner in the road, so you'll never ...
0
votes
1
answer
37
views
Is "words in <suffix>" correct?
As I was writing an answer in another SE language forum, I used "words in -act" for words ending in -act like impact or contact.
Words in -act are always pronounced /akt/
I said this both ...
- 1,466
1
vote
2
answers
49
views
Is it more fitting to say, "I left two comments on the page" or "I made two comments"?
Which is more appropriate "I left two comments on the page yesterday" or "I made two comments on the page yesterday"
Context: The page contains some changes to be reviewed by ...
- 375
0
votes
1
answer
55
views
Which word is closer to (I'm asking for finding a word for someone "who doesn't know but acting like know"?)
Hello everyone.
At first, thanks for helping me🙏🏻
I'm looking for a word that describe someone:
With few or less information "about something or an issue in a conversation", comes from ...
-1
votes
1
answer
20
views
The difference between " considering formalities " with " standing on ceremony "
Which one is used in a situation in which someone is regarding politeness or is shy to join for eating food in someone else's house?
And
Which is more common and friendly?
0
votes
0
answers
27
views
What do you call a subject open for doctoral studies?
Universities generally have a set of subjects open for doctoral studies. In my own language we call them "forskarutbildningsämnen", which translates as "doctoral education subjects"...
- 1,702
0
votes
3
answers
74
views
distinctive vs distinct [closed]
The distinctive long neck of a giraffe, for example, developed as individuals that happened to have longer necks had an advantage in feeding on the leaves of tall trees.
The distinct long neck of a ...
- 4,158
5
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Manager, boss, superior – which should I choose?
In my language, we have one single word for what is referred to in English as "boss", "manager", "superior", "senior staff"... and I have a very hard time ...
- 1,702
0
votes
2
answers
59
views
He had or He did
This is a question I saw in an English Grammar test.
Who had an apartment?
a. Tony did.
b. Tony had.
c. Tony was.
d. Tony has.
As far as I know when have means own we use do, does, and did to make ...
- 747
0
votes
1
answer
50
views
Should I use 'Combo', 'Set' or 'Assortment'?
In the context of common hardware items, for instance:
2 screws
2 bolts
If these are sold in a single packaged product, should it be called a 'fastener combo', 'fastener set' or 'fastener assortment'...
- 49
1
vote
1
answer
52
views
In IT, how should it be, "View Option List" or "See Option List"?
In the IT field, the interface of a computer program displays a button that shows the user a list of options when clicked. What should be the verb used in the button's text? "View Option List&...
0
votes
1
answer
88
views
Which is correct, "a consequence of the fact" or "an explanation of the fact"?
I’m a bit struggling to do the questions below:
The swordfish can swim very fast up to 97 kilometers per hour (km/hr)-but it is significantly slower than the frigatebird, which can fly at speeds up ...
- 1