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.
5,895
questions
0
votes
2answers
44 views
“By the river” vs “at the river.”
Which one is more common?
Example sentence:
The firework festival was held at/by the river.
Or are they equally correct?
0
votes
0answers
22 views
Which is better – “election panel” or “nominating committee”?
Which is the better choice when I want to talk about a group of people whose task it is to nominate members for a board or the like – nominating committee or election panel? I've found both, but I ...
1
vote
2answers
27 views
Is “right of presence” the correct phrase in this context?
I'm looking for the correct term in English for the right that for instance an alternate board member may have to attend a board meeting even if they haven't been summoned to that particular meeting. ...
1
vote
1answer
38 views
What does “overheard” mean in this context?
Tocqueville’s, Madison’s or J.S. Mill’s criticism of democracy as a
‘tyranny of the majority’ is therefore well founded. This has led to
corrective institutions, such as rule of law, basic rights for
...
1
vote
0answers
15 views
that's fine, that's OK or tomorrow is fine
If someone asks you if sending you the document you requested by (date) is Okay. Which answer is more idiomatic?
(date) is fine. (Is this OK in this context or only to confirm a meeting date?)
That's ...
0
votes
1answer
17 views
“Which is to” or “What to” - which one is more accurate?
Between the two sentences, which one is more accurate and why?
Grammarly vs Prowritingaid – Which is to Choose?
Grammarly vs Prowritingaid – What to Choose?
0
votes
0answers
30 views
The keyboard shortcuts are completely different from that of Windows
I came across this sentence in an "actual speaking", and had seen similar examples in English context too many times. Nevertheless, my question is about whether the author had to use "...
1
vote
2answers
26 views
situation which/when/where/that
"But when you run away from a situation which/when/where/that you should've faced instead, the consequences might be, regret, disappointment, sadness, anger and disapproval from your loved ones.&...
3
votes
2answers
55 views
flowers fade or fade away or fade off?
What is the right word to use when we talk about withering flowers?
Is it faded or fade-off or fade away?
eg: The flowers faded-off/faded away/faded
3
votes
5answers
3k views
Is hi-fi a proper English word? [closed]
This hotel or pub is hi-fi ?
Is that a correct sentence ?
What are other good words one can use for a good quality pubs/clubs ?
1
vote
0answers
32 views
Online discussion section or online discussion session?
In an online course, there are sessions every, e.g., two weeks in which the teacher and the students hold an online Q&A meeting. It seems that both "online discussion section" and "...
-1
votes
0answers
24 views
Doubt about what is being said [closed]
I was reading some news to improve my english and I read something that I didn't understand
''Time is not on her side, though. You have to marvel at well she is playing considering there is such a ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
In which way vs in what way
Can these two expressions be used interchangeably? I'm not sure but if I'm not mistaken "in which way?" is not correct, or maybe I just can't come up with an appropriate sentence.Also I've ...
1
vote
2answers
42 views
Using “bark” about people to mean “yell angrily”
Suddenly the inmates break into singing. A prison guard tries to bark them to silence -
Prison guard: SILENCE!
I have seen "bark" used with people to describe that someone yells angrily, but ...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
Can the structure “let + Noun + adverb / preposition” be used with any preposition or adverb?
Say, the structure "go + adv./prep" can be used with almost any preposition or adverb.
For example, I went into the house / up the hill / on the bank of a river / through a tunnel / over the ...
3
votes
1answer
24 views
What is the difference between “have an issue” ,“facing an issue”, “have got an issue”?
If I'm contacting customer support of a software company to report an issue with the software prodct that I purchased from them what is the correct usage?
I have an issue
I'm facing an issue
I've got ...
0
votes
2answers
16 views
Is 'duration' a natural/standard term for end time - starting time?
I know duration is ok here, but is that always the word a native would
choose? Is there any more natural alternative?
For example:
Start Time: 3ᴘᴍ
End Time: 6ᴘᴍ
Duration: 3 Hours
I came across some ...
0
votes
2answers
24 views
Can I use “trimming” in the meaning of “add or remove extra materials and obtain the final format”?
We are writing a journal article with some friends. I want to tell them that we have to finish the main part of the work by mid-May, then we have time to "add or remove extra materials and obtain ...
0
votes
1answer
21 views
Which sentence correctly uses the verb “stand”?
I am not sure which sentence is normal or how they differ.
The lighthouse was standing on a cliff.
The lighthouse stood on a cliff.
Which one can I use? Also, is the stood in sentence number two a “...
0
votes
1answer
31 views
Can I say “I was surfing Facebook and I found a video of a citizen shouting at a police officer”?
Is the expression "surfing Facebook" something native English speakers use in their talk?
0
votes
1answer
38 views
infinitive-to : what is the difference between two type of infinitives
I wonder about the usage of word “to” in the following sentences:
In the first example, the first phrase before ‘to say’ is a full sentence and in the second example it follows an adjective. I can ...
1
vote
2answers
35 views
Referring to female college age students while writing a novel
I am trying to write a novel. I want to write in a manner that will be respectful toward gender.
I have not yet figured out how to refer to female college-age characters quickly and smoothly without ...
-2
votes
0answers
20 views
what's the difference between “birth date” vs “date of birth” [closed]
I'm asking this because a friend of mine used "birth date" and all dictionaries say "date of birth".~
So are both correct or just one?
1
vote
1answer
23 views
What is the difference between “become sensitized” and “become sensitive” in the enclosed text?
I wonder what the difference between "become sensitized" and "become sensitive" in this context?
With time to appraise the ostracism episode, individuals become differentially ...
0
votes
0answers
27 views
Is there a single word to describe what one does on a treadmill?
I'm a native speaker but I often have trouble communicating my ideas efficiently. On a treadmill, I may walk, run, or use the 'intervals' program, which switches back and forth between walking and ...
0
votes
2answers
25 views
Sea devil description
Do "lamp" and "torch" work in #1 or only "lamp-like" "torch-like" appendage? And do native speakers use "face" when they talk about "fish" ...
1
vote
1answer
35 views
Do we say “the fire monster is lit / on fire / burning” to express its current state?
I lit the candle and now the candle is lit. "Lit" implies that it is useful because it produces light.
I set fire to the curtain and now the curtain is on fire. "On fire" implies ...
0
votes
0answers
19 views
Full of/Filled with
A large office space full of/filled with cubicles.
Is there any difference between "full of" and "filled with" in this context? Is one more appropriate than the other?
-1
votes
0answers
30 views
Is “dangling” the word I'm looking for?
The police officer heard a sound and turned to see a lamp dangling from a desk.
(The lamp, a small desk lamp, has been pushed off the edge of the desk so that it is hanging in its wire just above the ...
0
votes
2answers
40 views
Easy food and difficult ingredients
Do "easy food" and "difficult ingredients" sound natural? I think "from" is wrong.
"I don't like cooking easy food. I like cooking from difficult ingredients."
...
0
votes
1answer
36 views
“Listen to his parents argue” vs. “listen to his parents arguing.”
Example sentence:
Now and then he'd press his ear against the door and listen to his parents argue/arguing in the hallway.
Do the two options have the same meaning? Or they mean slightly different ...
0
votes
0answers
18 views
“A direction I want pursue further”
From the preface of my thesis:
I am also grateful to [the institute] for allowing me to conduct my thesis there and for showing me how the latest advancements in technology can be used in humanitarian ...
0
votes
1answer
21 views
greased/smeared/smudged in/into/with mustard
He opened the door with his elbow as his hands were greased/smeared/smudged in/into/with mustard.
Could you please help me with what is possible here? Also, are there better options than "greased&...
0
votes
1answer
29 views
Why is it “wonderfully” instead of “wonderful”?
Why is it "wonderfully" instead of "wonderful"? As far as I know adverbs are not usually used with such words as "look", "feel", etc. It's "you look ...
0
votes
1answer
22 views
down in/with the elevator
I've just sent a cake down in/with the elevator, so I hope they're hungry downstairs.
Is "in" or "with" correct here?
Is the sentence natural?
8
votes
6answers
1k views
What's an umbrella term for academic articles, theses, reports, etc.?
If I want to refer to all the different articles, theses, essays, books, etc. – published as well as unpublished/not yet published – that a scholar has produced, what word should I use? Can I use &...
4
votes
11answers
1k views
Request for a word that means a “one single element not separate from each other”
In the following sentence, what can be used instead of "as one element"? I'm looking for a more academic word. I tend to say that human life and wildlife are not separate and they should be ...
0
votes
3answers
29 views
Is “follow in” the correct phrasal verb to use in this sentence?
They stepped into the house and issues followed in. (ISSUES BEGAN)
Is the use of followed in correct in this context? If not, how can I rewrite it with a better phrase?
0
votes
1answer
9 views
It was explained or it has been explained?
I don't known which of the following I should use, because it translates with the same words.
It was explained to him that nothing else could be done!
It has been explained to him that nothing else ...
0
votes
2answers
29 views
Is “barreling” appropriate in this context?
Before anyone could stop him, the boy in the wheelchair was barreling toward the laughing bullies.
Hi. I would like to know if barreling seems a good choice in this context to mean he's riding really ...
1
vote
1answer
26 views
Which word family of 'satisfy' should be use in this question?
I am so ______ with your report. Surely, you can do better. (SATISFY)
I'm just wondering which one is correct to use in this sentence above, satisfied or dissatisfied?
Firstly, I answered 'satisfied'....
1
vote
1answer
38 views
Scratched at and stabbed at
What's the difference between "scratched/stabbed" and "scratched at/stabbed at"?
Example sentences:
He scratched (at) his ear.
It stabbed (at) her heart.
1
vote
1answer
26 views
word that encompasses all non physical things?
Is there an encompassing word to describe non-physical systems or entities? Things like data, processes, religion, rules, laws, etc?
1
vote
1answer
24 views
Trying to understand metaphorical meaning of 'intrusive'
My friend has reached out to me with following message:
Please submit a request to resize the laptop hard disk. Let me know if
this would be intrusive where we will communicate down time to the
...
0
votes
0answers
9 views
do the modal verb + have + past participle sentences always imply imagination, regret or the opposition of reality, etc?
I want to use the form 'shouldn't have p.p' for a sentence which has a sense of obligation
Google search says, 'Shouldn't have + past participle' means that something wasn't a good idea, but you did ...
0
votes
1answer
16 views
Hurled it on/to the floor
He went over to the mirror, ripped it off the wall, and hurled it on/to the floor, shattering it.
Which one of "on" and "to" is correct?
0
votes
1answer
19 views
increase/decrease the upper/lower bound of something
I am writing a technical document and I wanted to describe that a certain method or approach will improve the performance when the performance is bad but will undermine the performance when the ...
0
votes
1answer
20 views
The subtle difference between “also” and “plus.”
Most people agree that "also" and "plus" mean the same thing.
But I think "plus" is more adequate when we're talking about a "positive addition." And "also&...
0
votes
2answers
21 views
What is the most frequently used name for hook-and-loop fastener in daily life?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook-and-loop_fastener
It has many names.
Hook-and-loop fasteners,
hook-and-pile fasteners,
touch fasteners, and
velcro.
My question is simple. Which is the most ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
Using “do so” in a sentence
I am not very happy with this sentence as I feel it contains duplicate words (use):
UK children ranked the highest in using online games, where 50% of
them have use them
I want to change it to this, ...
