Unanswered Questions
9,368 questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
7
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2
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156
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Why do we only sometimes use the definite article when there's a prepositional phrase coming after that defines the noun?
I've read that when a prepositional phrase comes after a noun, defining it, the noun should take the definite article:
She was given the responsibility of taking care of her sister.
I have the ...
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4
votes
5
answers
751
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Is it "evaluated as" or "evaluated to be"?
For example, when we write programming code or math formula, would we say
If obj is foo.bar, then would we say
fn(foo.bar)
is first evaluated as fn(obj) (and then fn is invoked), or should we say it ...
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4
votes
2
answers
982
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Would it be alright if I [present tense/ past tense]?
I heard native speakers use present tense in the following sentence.
Would it be alright if I take a rain check?Would it be alright if I call you Annie?
But I think the correct grammar is took and ...
CommunityBot
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3
votes
2
answers
83
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Why does the subordinate clause not have the verb “be”?
Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 4:
The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished; that of Mrs. Bennet perhaps surpassing the rest; though, when the first tumult of joy was over, she began to ...
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3
votes
1
answer
45
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Present Continuous expressing future
One of my grammar books says:
The future use of the present progressive is limited to actions brought about by human endeavour.
Therefore sentences such as "It's raining tomorrow" or "...
CommunityBot
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3
votes
1
answer
77
views
Difference between "the number of people you would have thought" OR "the number of people you would think"?
This from the BBC website Lost wallet found 5 years on
It is about a story in which somebody lost his wallet 5 years ago after he watched a game in a rugby stadium, and it was found 5 years later. ...
- 48.8k
3
votes
1
answer
261
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"had + Subject + past participle" in conditionals
I always thought that the elliptical conditional clause "Had + Subject + past participle" is used only in counterfactual conditionals, e.g. :
Had Joe seen Mary, he would have fallen in love ...
CommunityBot
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3
votes
1
answer
58
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Why in this example do we need to use "working" in the gerund form after the verb "love"?
In the example below I believe do we need to use "working" in the gerund form?
You will love working here
I thought that verbs following "love" can be either in the gerund form ...
CommunityBot
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3
votes
2
answers
219
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The usage of Yours faithfully and Yours sincerely
I have a question regarding some valedictions in emails. As you know, “Yours faithfully” and “Yours sincerely” are sign-off phrases primarily used in British English.
These are the generally accepted ...
CommunityBot
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3
votes
1
answer
101
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"Building of [ noun ]" vs "Building [ noun ]"
I was asked by one of my coworkers if there is a difference between "Building of human relationships" and "Building human relationships".
I couldn't find any discussion on this ...
CommunityBot
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3
votes
1
answer
580
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What is the difference between "end up in" and "end in"?
Is there any difference in meaning between end up in and end in? For example:
My attempt to cook chicken ended up in a complete mess.
My attempt to cook chicken ended in a complete mess.
CommunityBot
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3
votes
2
answers
336
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“I rode / was riding / used to ride a bike every day”
Which tense should I use if I was on a holiday which lasted two weeks and during that time I rode a bike every day?
It was a great time because I rode a bike every day. (Past Simple)
It was a great ...
CommunityBot
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3
votes
2
answers
2k
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of the form vs in the form
The structure is of the form of X.
The structure is in the form of X.
What is the difference in meaning and which one is grammatically correct?
I think 1 means the structure is united with the ...
CommunityBot
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3
votes
1
answer
379
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Coordinate or cumulative adjectives? Beautiful mysterious dreamy feelings
I want to express that something brings me some feelings, then I wrote the following sentences.
It brings me beautiful mysterious dreamy feelings.
It brings me beautiful and mysterious dreamy ...
CommunityBot
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3
votes
2
answers
271
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“But, along with the street lamp, everything breathes deceit.", prepositional phrase?
“However a beauty’s cloak may flutter behind her, I shall never follow curiously after her. Further away, for God’s sake, further away from the street lamp! pass it by more quickly, as quickly as ...
CommunityBot
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