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Results tagged with word-usage
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user 61125
This tag is for questions which a dictionary cannot answer about the meaning or correctness of a word in a sentence. Give as much context as possible.
1
vote
Can the word "exam" be used in formal contexts?
Yes, it definitely can and often does occur in all kinds of formal contexts, ranging from school schedule announcements, to research papers, to reports.
Just a quick example, since you mentioned "acad …
- 18.9k
1
vote
Does the word “semantics” make sense in this context
Interestingly your question is about semantics. You have two problems, or maybe three, which you need to make sure don't mess up the semantics of your sentence.
What exactly is meant by "semantics"?
…
- 18.9k
1
vote
Accepted
Relate Vs Associate
"Relate" means to show or establish a logical connection between two things. When you relate A to B, either (1) there is already a logical connection between A and B, and you are making an effort to m …
- 18.9k
2
votes
1
answer
63
views
"It might take on one of these heathens."
A line from A Home of Our Own (1993)
We're not religious either, but a taste of it couldn't hurt. And who knows? It might take on one of these heathens.
I don't think it is a common usage of "take" …
- 18.9k
1
vote
How does "suspend" work?
When you say
I was suspended from school for a week for fighting.
You mean you will/would be able to go back to school after the one-week suspension period ends/ended (depending on context).
The fe …
- 18.9k
0
votes
Is it natural to use "older" about someone without comparing his age to someone else?
Yes.
I am going to introduce you to her next week. She is an old woman.
This sounds definite in assigning the woman a label: she is old. That's what she is. She is instantly lumped together with …
- 18.9k
3
votes
Accepted
Could you tell me "consult your advice" is correct or not?
"Consult someone's advice" is tautological and stilted, and is a locution people don't usually say. The reason is that the verb consult in this sense means "seek information or advice from" (Lexico/Go …
- 18.9k
1
vote
2
answers
186
views
"Choke" meaning "to tie a knot" or "to hang from"?
A line from the movie Mud (2012) goes:
(Matthew McConaughey's character): All right, Ellis. Can you climb that trunk, choke this off that limb? Tie it in a bowline knot, you know it?
The meaning …
- 18.9k
1
vote
0
answers
52
views
"To" as "compared to"
On Monday, January 28, Grandview played at Inglis but notched only five goals to seven for Inglis. (source)
So often he has played second fiddle to Wright and notched only nine goals last seas …
- 18.9k
37
votes
"When you Frankenstein a team together..." - Is "Frankenstein" a new verb?
This is called verbing, the practice of using a word, most likely a noun, as a verb. The most effective and popular way to verb is with new/unique/special concepts, as in your example.
Frankenstein, …
- 18.9k
1
vote
2
answers
543
views
"Terry hearthside"
A trapper's line in the movie The Ballad of Buster Scruggs:
Trapper: I did have a consort, a stout woman of the Hunkpapa Sioux. We had a companionship of sorts. But there is a lady present. A life …
- 18.9k
0
votes
1
answer
57
views
"Springing leaks" and "springing gas"
From the movie Moon: (YouTube clip)
Gerty: There is no damage to the exterior shell.
Sam: Well, it's not that I don't believe you, Gerty, but I mean, you know, this thing is springing leaks l …
- 18.9k
1
vote
1
answer
104
views
"sprung for action"
From the 2012 movie Gambit
There are moments in a life that define a man. This was Mr Deane's. He was sprung for action and yet perfectly capable of blowing it completely.
My understanding of th …
- 18.9k
1
vote
Why is it "excite" instead of "excited" in this sentence?
"Excite" is used here in keeping with "perturb" in a parallel structure. One way of understanding it is to see it as following an implied auxiliary did.
The news didn't perturb him as much as it d …
- 18.9k
0
votes
0
answers
248
views
"He is sat on a bus"
I have occasionally heard or seen the verb "sit" used in the passive. My initial impression was that it was a typo/error. But I have seen it occur enough to start to doubt that. For instance:
Shau …
- 18.9k