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Results tagged with word-usage
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user 81879
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.
7
votes
Difference between complementary and supplementary
"Complementary" means "completing or going together well with" something else.
"Supplementary" means "adding to" something else.
"Complementary" implies a stronger relationship between two things, w …
- 7,325
3
votes
Accepted
How to put "hearty" in the sentence negatively
It appears to be an error in the Longman dictionary. That definition appears in neither the OED nor Merriam-Webster entries for "hearty". I have never heard the word used in that particular sense, and …
- 7,325
3
votes
Hadn't/haven't- difference in meaning in the given context
Either tense can work, but it would be better in the second example to change the tense of "got" to match that of "have".
if somebody got you that cup of coffee you hadn't asked for yet.
if s …
- 7,325
3
votes
Can we use "retrospectively" for an event in the future?
There is nothing grammatical preventing you from using "retrospectively" about future events, but it could be unclear what you mean in some cases. For example, there is nothing in your first sentence …
- 7,325
2
votes
Why does "confirm me" or "reply me" sound so incorrect to me?
Constructions such as
Please confirm me
Please reply me
Please explain me
sound wrong because they are using an incorrect direct object. In the case of 'reply', the construction is using …
- 7,325
2
votes
(all) that, too, so
There are very subtle differences between "all that", "too", and "so", but in most cases you can use them interchangeably, where they will all approximately mean "very".
Not all that difficult implie …
- 7,325
2
votes
What is the word that describes a word that can mean anything?
The situation of using a word in this way is often called Smurfing (TV Tropes). I could not find a term for such words themselves.
- 7,325
2
votes
Accepted
Is it correct to say "I slump/slumped on/onto the stool/barstool?"
Your use of slump is fine and fits with the definition of the verb form.
- 7,325
2
votes
Accepted
Using or avoiding "both" in a sentence
Using "both" simply emphasizes the two objectives. Since the two objectives are stated explicitly, the meaning is clear with or without the word "both". However, I would suggest one of two phrasings.
…
- 7,325
2
votes
Accepted
Is this sentence correct - I hope I wasted as much of your time as you did mine
"Hope" expresses what someone wants, desires, or wishes, regardless of whether those things are generally considered negative or positive. For example, it would be idiomatic to say, "I hope he dies."
…
- 7,325
2
votes
Accepted
What's the drink in "buy me a drink"?
Buy me a drink?
This phrase is mostly a fixed expression implying an invitation to engage socially, almost like asking someone on a date. The phrase usually refers to an alcoholic beverage, but i …
- 7,325
1
vote
Difference between "other" and "another"
This is wrong:
I'll try other shop.
Correct possible sentences are:
I'll try another shop. (Any other shop.)
I'll try the other shop. (When there is specifically one alternative.)
…
- 7,325
1
vote
What is the difference between "other generations" and "the other generations"?
You can say "the other generations" if you mean all of the other generations (at least within the scope of the discussion). For example, in the context of Baby Boomers, Gen X, and Millenials, we could …
- 7,325
1
vote
Accepted
'bring to the fore" VS "bring to the forefront"
Forefront is a word, and the expression "bring to the forefront" is quite idiomatic. In fact, it is the example given along with the definition.
forefront - The leading or most important position …
- 7,325
1
vote
Accepted
what's the word for joining a university class when I am not a student there
The phrase to use for informally joining a lecture, meeting, etc. is "to sit in on".
I will sit in on your class today, since I have nothing else to do.
The topic looked interesting, so I sat …
- 7,325