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.
7,421
questions
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Is this sentence anastrophe?
I came across the sentence
Pretty soon along came some people.
However I wonder if
Some people came along pretty soon.
is correct. Is this sentence anastrophe?
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1
answer
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after the word project we use *on* or *in*?
+5 years of experience in project management on environmental field
Question: is it correct to use on after project management in the example above?
3
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1
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didn't tell a lie IN / ON any occasion
Do the following sentences mean the same? Which one among "in" and "on" is preferably used here?
1) He never lied on/ in any occasion.
2) He didn't tell a lie on/ in any occasion.
2
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3
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ON or IN the street/square
I have seen both:
"in the street" AND "on the street"
"in the square" AND "on the square"
Which preposition is correct?
5
votes
2
answers
3k
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Does "as" mean "while" or "because" in this sentence?
I didn't want to go out as I was reading a book.
I didn't want to go out while/because I was reading a book.
What does "as" mean in this sentence? How can I know if "as" means "while" or "...
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570
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Question\ Difference between "It was someone doing sth or who did sth"
I have a question about the differences between
It was someone doing something
and
It was someone who did something
For example:
It was him watching the TV
OR
It was him who watched ...
3
votes
2
answers
29k
views
Focus/emphasis in or on?
I automatically use the preposition on after the words focus or emphasis. However, I've recently come across several instances of them being followed by in, such as in the following examples:
She ...
4
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1
answer
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What is the cup of coffee meaning in "cutie pie"
I've stumbled upon this image of a narrow angle, coffee cup and the mathematical symbol of pi.
I get its reference to acute and pie, meaning a cutie pie.
But what on Earth is the coffee cup ...
0
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1
answer
585
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What is value of the question mark stands/standing for in the figure sequence given? [closed]
What is value of the question mark stands for in the figure sequence given?
I've seen this question in a book.
I don't understand why "stands" is used here instead of "standing".
I think the ...
2
votes
2
answers
81
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Boulevard usage and parts
I looked up 'boulevard' and got this definition:
"a wide road in a town or city, often with trees along the sides"
My questions:
Is this word used for a dual road (in a town or city) that have a ...
5
votes
2
answers
8k
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Is the sentence "This is the place where I recommend to you" incorrect?
A person says that the sentence "this is the place where I recommend to you" isn't correct but "this is the place which I recommend to you" is correct.
Is this right?
3
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1
answer
182
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"Do you know who would have been a great couple?"
Is the following question grammatically correct? And if so, does it sound right/normal?
Do you know who would have been a great couple?
I'm wondering mostly about the usage of who and if it's ...
0
votes
1
answer
3k
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How to represent things from up to down?
If I want to represent a picture with a lot of details and I want to say that I'm going to tell about the details from the upper part to the lower part of the picture, what is the alternatives to say ...
0
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3
answers
221
views
How would you describe this condition?
How would you describe the condition under which someone answers questions without letting his mood affect his choice of answering? I want him to answer the questionnaire without mood bias.
Please ...
1
vote
1
answer
185
views
Should I use "was" or "is" in the following sentence?
Should I use was or is in this sentence?
I asked them if Person X was/is in any way related to or affiliated with their organization at any time.
My guess is "at any time" warrants "was". Is this ...
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vote
4
answers
2k
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How to differentiate all the graduations in a ruler?
In the ruler below, there are some graduations on the ruler. I wonder how you can differentiate them in English. Specifically,
The entire ruler
The bigger part (0, 1, 2, etc... graduation itself, not ...
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vote
1
answer
3k
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"What time" vs "At what time" ... something is supposed to happen
Based on a bit of internet research, apparently, both options are correct.
https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/298592/what-time-vs-at-what-time
http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules-...
3
votes
3
answers
775
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Giving directions
In my native language, we use a single idiomatic expression which means 'before you get to (a certain place)' when we give directions. That certain place is usually a landmark, a more well-known or an ...
0
votes
1
answer
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"Two couple ducks" vs. "Two pairs of ducks"?
What is more acceptable in English, if any?
a) "In the background are two pairs of ducks"
b) "In the background are two couple ducks"
0
votes
1
answer
239
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What "Squalor" Esmé means [closed]
In "For Esmé - with Love and Squalor", Esme seems to use "squalor" without knowing what the word means. Assuming she mistakes it for another word, what would the other word be?
Good answers provide ...
1
vote
0
answers
44
views
I don't understand what is the verb "do" doing in this sentence [duplicate]
"Only in Queensland do people brag about the weather as if they built it themselves."
https://twitter.com/Bris_Powerhouse/status/705285083020656641
Wouldn't it sound better or make more sense by ...
2
votes
2
answers
71
views
Compound Words Vs Words with preposition "of"?
Why we can say:
TV reporter
but we can't say:
reporter of TV
This complex word is wrong in terms of lexis, meaning, or it's just ungrammatical?
7
votes
2
answers
214k
views
"if so" or "if yes" which one is correct?
Is there any difference between "if so" and "if yes"? Is "if yes" correct? Sounds like native speakers never use "if yes".
An example of "if yes":
Since the announcement of STM32L4 MCUs on last ...
2
votes
1
answer
164
views
Where should "most" be in this sentence?
Where would you most want to visit?
Where would you want to visit the most?
Can I also say "Where do you most want to visit?"
1
vote
1
answer
1k
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Axis of work vs. strand of work
Recently, I have been asking myself whether it is possible or not to use the word "axis/axes" to denominate one of the lines of actions -with a very clear and defined purpose- of a project. Similarly ...
2
votes
1
answer
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Is it possible to say "hi you back" in response to hi, if yes in what context
I have seen in one of hollywood movies, one of the characters in response to "hi" answered back "hi you back". But I've found out this is not a common expression among English speakers. Please ...
4
votes
1
answer
2k
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Is paddy and rice same in English?
What do you call it in English?
How about this one?
http://netizen.or.id/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/20141105-132326_98.jpg
The Latin name of it is Oryza sativa.
Can we call both "rice"?
1
vote
1
answer
6k
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Movie/Book {by/from/of}
Which is the best way to say that a movie is directed by someone, or a book is written by someone? (without saying directed and written).
One of my favourite movies is Indiana Jones by/from/of ...
3
votes
2
answers
49k
views
Should I say on Fridays or on Friday?
If someone asks a question like:
When did you stay here?
Would it be right to say "on Fridays"? Or "on Friday"?
1
vote
1
answer
737
views
Who _____ that handsome Young man and his friend?
Who _____ that handsome Young man and his friend?
1)is
2)was
3)had been
4)are
5)has been
which one should I use and why? Thank you.
I Think number 1 is the correct one. The word 'that' made me ...
0
votes
3
answers
163
views
A verb to show dependency between two people
How can I say that 2 people are dependent each other in a formal letter.
Is it ok to say that :
My father has been living with my mother for more than 30 years and they are dependent to each other ...
3
votes
2
answers
411
views
Which preposition should be used in this sentence?
Which sentence is correct?
Allocation of a fair proportion of a country's health budget to preventative measures seems to be a wise choice.
Allocation of a fair proportion of a country's ...
1
vote
1
answer
12k
views
"Most unlucky" or "unluckiest"?
googling "unluckiest" return 459000 results
googling "most unlucky" return 225000 results
It seem that "unluckiest" is the right one because prefix "un" won't count when we take into account long or ...
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
Different art types
Performing arts are forms of art that consist mainly of actions, such as choreographed movements, vocal expressions etc. So, basically, dancing, singing and theater.
There are other types of art &...
2
votes
1
answer
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"Composed of" Vs. "Consists of"?
I feel like there is no difference between the two words. Would you tell me what is the difference between them?
I'm an electrical engineer. Which one should I use to speak about electricity, ...
1
vote
2
answers
390
views
How to improve: My parents were expecting a girl but me is what they got
Any recommendations as to how to make that sentence sound a bit more 18th-century-screenplay like?
"me", as in being a male. (kind of like, they got stuck with me as a boy)
"My parents were ...
2
votes
2
answers
8k
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Between vs. From
Is this correct?
I was watching TV between 3 to 4 pm.
I know that saying 'I was watching TV from 3 to 4 pm' is correct. Can 'between' be used here, too?
If yes, does it make any changes in meaning?...
3
votes
1
answer
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views
Is there a word or expression for "being comically famous"?
Let me cite an example: Consider the CEO of this website.
She was widely known for the worst website on the internet. (She received awards for the same too).
But still, she is a celebrity but in a ...
10
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2
answers
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The difference between 'way' and 'manner'
I wrote a sentence
They live in a beneficial way through education.
An editor changed it to
They live in a beneficial manner through education.
What is the difference?
2
votes
2
answers
279
views
Should I use pound or quid?
I'm watching the movie Skins and I've come across the word quid (never heard so far), which is the slang for pound.
My question is: if I'm supposed to travel to UK, what term to use?
I guess that ...
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vote
4
answers
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Is it right to say 'You are friends'?
If I want to say to a group of people that they are each other's friends, can I say:
You're friends.
or should absolutely say:
You're each other's friends
0
votes
1
answer
738
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A shorter way to describe a cave path of a certain length
As I have to divide caves into some groups, I need to classify them as:
caves with short path (below 100 m)
caves with middle path (between 100 - 200 m)
caves with very long path
What are the ...
0
votes
3
answers
701
views
Do caves have "alleys" or "paths"?
Which one is the appropriate use for caves?
The evenness of bat species is influenced by the length of caves path (?)
The evenness of bat species is influenced by the length of caves alley (?)
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2
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47
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Can "Karst" be expressed as area or spot?
Preliminary research found 112 caves in Karst areas/spots (?) in X regency
Can Karst be expressed as:
Karst areas or Kars spots?
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1
answer
252
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Shorter words needed; can I say "observed caves"?
The caves that are used for observation
Can I just say "the observed caves"?
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vote
1
answer
216
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Correct sentence structure and comma rule
I would like to know if the following sentences are correct, i.e. do we need any commas here?- If you see a way to improve their structure, please let me know.
I would like to gain insight into his ...
3
votes
1
answer
4k
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How to describe a person who is good at his job and therefore everybody needs him?
I am looking for a word to describe a person who is good at his job and therefore everybody needs him.
Is it 'needed' or 'needful'? What about 'indispensable'?
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3
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3k
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When should I use fast, nimble and swift?
Looking up in a dictionary, I found as synonyms of nimble, among some words, fast and swift.
So, if they're synonyms, is there any rules or some particular situations, should I use one of these words ...
0
votes
1
answer
6k
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"I beg to request you..." vs. "I pray to you..."
I often find people using
"I beg to request you..."
in the letters or applications that they write to their superiors.
I am not sure if this usage of "beg" is okay.
I have tried to find ...
2
votes
1
answer
63
views
Is it weird to say "abnormal lessons"?
I saw a commercial for a golf lesson and it was called "abnormal golf lesson". Although the lesson was not in English, they called it an abnormal golf lesson in English.
But I feel like it sounds a ...