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I'm developing software something like iPhone's 'Siri'. If I call its name, it will answer, > What can I help you with? If I say "Turn on the TV", it will answer, > Now Processing ... But, I think "Now processing ..." doesn't sound friendly. So, isn't there a more friendly way to say "Now processing"? For example, > I'...
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I was just checking dictionary.com and the pronunciation of "minute" doesn't seem to change in these two setences: * **It is five _minutes_ past the hour.** * **I'll take any change, no matter how _minute._** However, I always hear it pronounced differently. On dictionary.com you can hear the pronunciation of _minute_ ...
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Which is the correct form when adding the _-ify_ suffix to _member_? 1. memberify 2. membrify I know it's not a regular word, I want to use it in a context for something like "make me a member".
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While Oxford Dictionary of English does not have definition of _rollover_ , Wiktionary defines this word as " _a graphic element that changes its shape or colour when the cursor moves over it_ "; in other terms, when we roll the trackball of a mouse over this element without having to click. Also, it is common to use _...
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Similar to this question: One's brilliant vocabulary and a tendency to show it off and What's the word for "overly proud of your education"? But the word I'm looking for is not limited to vocabulary. These people often drop words and also random fact tidbits even when it's: * A) obvious to everyone in the room * B) it'...
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I have yet to find a good description of the difference between _ontology_ and _ontography_. Can anyone help clarify?
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My significant other asked me today whether or not she should use a _fillet_ or _filet_ of steak in a recipe. What is the difference between _fillet_ and _filet_ , and the history behind these words? Is there a context in which one should be used and the other shouldn't? _Filet_ sounds rather French as in _filet mignon...
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I've seen it written in both ways. I'm tempted to use the proper case, because I was under the impression that it is also a form/name of religion. What do you think?
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I have asked this question in linguistics forum, but as I was not getting answers I decided to ask it here. A. Consider the phrase that is boldfaced in sentence (1): (1) "It can live **both in water and land**." Is the phrase grammatical as it is, with no preposition before "land"? Or should the phrase be "both in wate...
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> “There’s some men **wouldn’t** look at a girl with a baby.” (Ken Follett, > Fall of Giants) > > There is a young student **comes** here some evenings. (James Joyce, > Dubliners) > > “That’s a smell **could** raise me out of a concrete grave.” (East of Eden) > > “I guess it was Cal **asked** Lee.” (East of Eden) > > I...
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It seems to me that commas for conditionals are falling out of favor. I often see the comma dropped in sentences like: > If you get stuck in a passive sentence always ask the question: I would put a comma after _sentence_. But I think my writing ends up with too many commas. How do I decide which ones to drop? Do I jus...
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1. He played with the items in the house. 2. He played with items in the house. 3. Target the addictions that plague your life. 4. Target addictions that plague your life. What exactly is the effect of removing "the" in such sentences? I've had it crossed out a couple of times now, but I'm not sure which ones I should ...
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If a lunchbox contains an apple, then the apple _is contained in_ a lunchbox. Is it possible to replace the phrase 'is contained in' with a single word? I can't think of one, and the thesaurus hasn't been very helpful, either.
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I saw a question in superuser.com, and the title ran: > What’s the fastest desktop search tools you’ve used on Windows? It uses `'s` with `tools`, is this correct? Or should it be `What's the best tool` or `what're the best tools`?
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Sorry, I'm not sure the best way to describe this, but hopefully you understand what I mean. Something like the result of the verb(to say) and any adverb(insultingly) = verb(to insult). Another way of putting it: to "insult someone" is an example of what? Examples: To compliment, to question, to inspire, to insult, to ...
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Taken from this article (image): > ...indulge in a **$5 coffee**... How should I read this? Is it a _five dollars coffee_ or a _five dollar coffee_?
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## What is the origin of _"in a jiffy"_? Etymology online Dictionary says _origin unknown_ but speculates that it was slang (cant) for lightning and dates it as 1785. Wikipedia agrees but adds that the American physical chemist, Gilbert Newton Lewis (1875–1946) was the first to actually specify how long a _jiffy_ was, ...
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Senior programmer in my team in developing hotel management program and there is something about hotel rooms limit, how many room the hotel can provide to customer. He want to add option to indicate that hotel is sure to welcome any amount of customer and he was asking me that should we use "No Limit" or "Unlimited"
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Please tell me that what is the difference between > My work has done and > My work has been done problem is with the use of has and has been
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Other languages have gender-specific third-person plural pronouns (e.g., _ellos_ and _ellas_ in Spanish). English does not, despite the masculine/feminine/neuter distinction being obligatory in the singular. Is there a historical reason for this situation? Was there a time when English had gendered versions of "they"?
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"Woollen" is an Old English word that uses the suffix "-en" to turn a noun into a verb. As I understand it, the use of this suffix died out in Middle English. Do any more modern words use this suffix? Have people mixed and matched, for example taken a Latin word and added on OE suffix? "En-" as a prefix seems to be (Ol...
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> "His failure to register was not knowing and willful." This may seem like a stupid question, but does the sentence above mean he was not knowing and not willful, or not knowing and willful?
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While researching the differences between modern penal codes with common law I noticed that in many places it is written as at common law. An example is, "A crime at common law defined as unlawful sexual intercourse with a woman by a man without her consent and by means of fear or force." Does anyone know why it is wor...
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Writing worksheets for students at university, I'd like to distinguish tasks intended to be solved in tutorial classes from tasks intended as homework. What would be the appropriate term to refer to non-homework tasks intended for class? So far my worksheets have been in German, and the term I used was “Präsenzaufgaben...
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For how long ............ employed here? a. you are. b. are you. c. you have been. d. have you been. What will be the answer here I thought it shall be d _have you been_ but someone is saying _you have been_. Can anybody explain please
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As I know that in regular verbs we put 'ed' and in irregular verb we do not put 'ed' while changing it into past or past participle but anyone who does not know about the 2nd and 3rd form of verb so how he/she should know that word is regular or irregular verb??
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I want know if the English language has a term that means "design and engineering".
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I am looking for a term which clearly defines somebody as a non-geek, without being derogatory. The best example I have seen is `muggle`, but it needs context to be understood, as in "You don't meet many muggles at a comic convention", or "even my muggle friends like my autologlyph fractal decal". But while "muggle" ma...
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English is my second language. I still struggle with it especially when I have to write a formal email. I need to send an email to several of my business associates in reply to theirs. It contains some technical explanation related to our project, after which I would like to wish them _Happy New Year_. What is a profes...
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I often hear people using "I said you" in Asia, but people in America use "I told you". Is there a difference between the usage of _said_ and _told_? And to be more specific which is correct English — _told_ or _said_?
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The concept of execution environment is an essential part of the definition of software reliability. Consider that a software system supports 10 different **functions** _f1_ ,..., _f10_ , and there are two groups of users. One group of users use only **functions** f1,...,f7, and the second group uses all the **function...
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Very often I hear sentences like: "This approach is pretty straightforward." What is a synonym describing "straightforward" in this context? Simple? Complicated? Intelligently solved?
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What is the word used to describe a particular type of sound made with language? Is it a "tone"? For example, the "ai" in Thailand produces a sound. And, what is the word for this language system of producing different sounds from different combinations of characters? Why does it seem like same set of characters can pr...
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Some arguments cite quantum mechanics as evidence to suppose the existence of a metaphysical being. In order to argue with these people, one would have to study quantum mechanics which is very difficult. Dialectical materialism adopts a form of metaphysics suggested by Hegel. Even Bertrand Russell admits that Hegel is ...
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I vaguely recall memorizing the state abbreviations in grades school. And I seem to remember my teacher sharing a few ground rules for helping us memorize them. * No two states may have the same abbreviation. * If there are two words in the state's name, take the first letter of each. (NY, SD, WV, etc) * Take the first...
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I have this sentence, and I have a feeling that the verbs and subjects do not agree with each other, and it continues to bother me. How can I fix it? > Furthermore, both mates in a couple **could** also each be albino (aa), > meaning that because each mate **is** homozygous recessive, each child > **would** also be an ...
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John has stood there for 5 hours. vs John has been standing there for 5 hours. Is there any difference in meaning between the two sentences? Both actions are unfinished. Both are relevant to the present (John is tired and sweaty and hungry). Are there situations where we'd prefer using one tense over the other?
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I'm looking for word or phrase that describes documents or credentials that by definition have an expiry date. Examples of such documents can be: * Passports * Certifications * Licenses * Credentials
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When water comes out of a faucet at the bottom of a tank, it comes out quickly first and then it tapers off. Is there an adverb for such a case?
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Throughout North America, I keep seeing police cars labeled "K-9 unit". I know "K-9" is a homophone of "canine", but why don't they just use "Police dog"?
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We quite often hear the utterance "that many" as in > I haven't had that many sweets! But is the opposite standard speech as well? Can one say: > I don't have that few followers on Twitter! If so, is there any difference in usage? I.e. is this acceptable in written as well as spoken conversation? Formal and informal?
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Imagine you're sitting in the corner, writing down a conversation that is occurring in the middle of the room. What are you doing? "Copying down" is what I'm using, but it seems like there should be a better word.
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What is the equivalent of "quench" when speaking of hunger? Is it appropriate to say you quenched your hunger?
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Digging through every _ELU_ question I can find on the matter, I still can’t locate a specific answer to this question of punctuation. Which of these is correct? > 1. “Maybe...” I said, injecting an intentional pause, “we will find him.” > > 2. “Maybe...,” I said, injecting an intentional pause, "we will find him.” > >...
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Should I put a space after Mr./Mrs./Ms.? In other words, should it be "Mr.Jones" or "Mr. Jones?"
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A teacher remarked in progress report of a student that she "can do still better" to say that she can do better than what she did now. Is it correct?
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Is there a difference between "way of doing something" and "way to do something"? It is on purpose that I did not write "a way of doing something" or "the way of doing something" and "a way to do something" or "the way to do something"… because I feel this is where the answer lies. Michael Swan's _Practical English Usa...
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I have a triple request but they're related. 1. Word for a solid filled object in a given shape (ie triangle made out of steel sheet) 2. Word for object in a given shape with only the outline (ie. A set of steel beams that form a triangle) 3. A word like shape to refer to something that has x number of sides and/or is ...
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> That looks like fun, but dangerous. Is that sentence grammatically correct? Is there anything wrong with it? I think it might be grammatically incorrect because if you remove the word "fun," then it becomes > That looks like dangerous. which is obviously incorrect. I think to be grammatically correct, it should be so...
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I'm looking for a single word for describing a person "whose motive is dictated by money"...I seem to recall there was an elegant word for this, but I can't remember it now...can someone help?
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A non-fiction titled "Do the Right Thing" published in 1998 has this sentence: > (1) _Am I treating this stranger with the same consideration **that I would > a friend**?_ Another book (fiction) titled "Strong Rain Falling: A Caitlin Strong Novel (by Jon Land)" published in 2013 has this sentence: > (2) _...and treat t...
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If _questions_ have _answers_ , then _problems_ have ____? I know it sounds simple but I am not sure what the best word is.
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What is the origin of the phrase "it's been a slice"? I understand its meaning, but cannot find any listing of its origin, or possibly to what specifically "a slice" is referring.
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What is the origin of _kiwifruit_? Is there any relation between the fruit and New Zealand? ![kiwifruit](http://i.stack.imgur.com/dPShh.png)
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In Australia and the UK, some folks refer to a newspaper as a _rag_ , and I am curious how this term was coined. Although most people would ask for a newspaper, I have gone around asking "Have you got a copy of today's rag?" today and only one out of twelve people I asked (I asked in coffee shops and the like) didn't k...
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Is there a word for playgoers' behavior when hissing and booing the villain?
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I was unable to find out the rules here and what is the difference: > As yet, he has not received the package. > As yet little was known of the causes of the disease.
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> Related question: In sex talk, how many bases are there and what do they all > mean? There are lots of English-speaking (or English-learning) countries where baseball simply isn't played much if at all. Other sports -- soccer, rugby, polo, cricket -- are likely more common. Since language follows culture, I'm curious...
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> There are products to be flogged and, Ms. Barberich added, “stars to be > made.” What does it mean by flogged here? I got these synonym: struck, propelled, electrical, beaten, flogged, chastised Full Context for Original Quote: Who Am I Wearing? Funny You Should Ask.
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> I **would like to** be and > I **want to** be What is the difference between them? I think 'want to be' sounds stronger than 'like to be,' but I'm not sure if this is true.
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What is the difference between _pull over_ and _pull away_? I am still trying to get used to American English. It seems like if I do not understand the driving vocabulary I am going to fail in the driving test.
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I'm teaching English in a non-English-speaking country where plural "s" and third-person "s" get confused a lot with no "s" at all. The dialogue in the textbook was explaining how you should respond when someone compliments you: > Mike: For example, when you have a new bag, I can say, "I like your bag." > Yuki: What sh...
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Consider the following: > The picture loses its quality _if zoomed out far enough_. I found many instances of this on Google, but I dont see any subject in the _if_ clause and I wonder if it's correct at all?
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I read the following question on meta: Questions incapable of a simple answer Now I am confused: Is that a possible correct usage of "(in)capable"? Can a question be capable of an answer? Wouldn't it have to be "incapable of being answered"? Or am I just confused by the possibly different usage of the German (my native...
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What does "first thing" mean in the following paragraph? > "I'm Steve from IT. We're running network tests for the rest of the day. I > need you to reset your password to 'test123'. You can change it back first > thing tomorrow. Thanks!"
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I have a data string that is defined as having two characters for the ID value, six characters for longitude, etc. "Fixed-length string" does not convey the requirement for internal bits of the string to be fixed-length as well.
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What is the difference between "something else" and "something extra"? The answer for the blank in this question is "else", but is "extra" an alternative answer? If "EXTRA" IS WRONG, WHY IS IT WRONG? > "A land free from destruction, plus wealth, natural resources, and labor > supply – all these were important factors i...
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When you have too many tasks in your to-do list, you will like to clear them one at a time. Is there another way to say this? Or to say "worrying about the next one only after finishing the current one". In my native language, we say something similar to "cut one branch at a time (of a tree)"
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Is there a term that describes a person's quality of being curious but getting into trouble because of it? For example, Odysseus in "The Odyssey" wants to see the cyclops so he decides to stay in the cave but because if it his crew almost dies. I am looking for a word that I can use to say: "Because of Odysseus's [inse...
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Just a simple question, which one is right? `How can you say it` or `How you can say it`. It's not a question. Thank you, guys!
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There is a lengthy thread on the pronunciation of "conch" however I am curious about the plural form "conches." I've noticed that it can be found as "conchs" as well, but "conches" appears to be the prevailing spelling in British usage at least. Insofar as it ends in _-es_ it would imply a second syllable which would l...
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While reading a short story, I came across a use of the word "buggy" that I'm not familiar with: > It’s a hot, buggy August morning, too early for lunch, so we find a deserted > picnic table without much problem. I found two definitions of buggy (Dictionary.com): 1. infested with bugs. 2. _Slang._ crazy; insane; peculi...
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Are _each X_ and _each of the Xs_ interchangeable? For example, in the following sentence, I would use _each of the characters_ : > **Each of the** main characters is interesting. But one could also write the following: > **Each** main character is interesting. Instinctively, I prefer the former. Am I right, and if so,...
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Is there an English word for the practice of analysing texts to determine their authors? For example, comparing three texts A, B and C and realising that the choice of words, grammar and style of writing between A and B is so similar that they're likely of the same author, while C is clearly by a different author.
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I am looking for a good word to describe and emphasize a duration of time in a different environment, where the relationship between two people is "unaffected" by the worries of their usual environment. A couple of words that came to mind were "unaffected" and "untainted," but they don't feel quite right with what I'm ...
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This has recently happened. I discovered Object Orientated CSS. I had the concept for a long time but had never had a title for the concept. Discovering this was a joy for me. **Is there a word or phrase that encapsulates that feeling?** Another example I have is being told about the German word _schadenfreude_ many ye...
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I'm using the word _subscription_ with the following meaning: > subscription: an arrangement to receive something, typically a publication, > regularly by paying in advance. ( _Definition taken from Google, I'm not sure how to link to the source_ ) Basically, I'm looking for a word that is _an arrangement to **send** s...
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In the UK there are a lot of insulting words which end in -er, like this: scrubb **er** (slut), toss **er** (masturbator), chanc **er** (untrustworthy person), pooft **er** (homosexual), wank **er** (masturbator, generally despicable person), nutt **er** (insane), pos **er** (affected/overdressed person). I think it’s ...
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I think that it would be really cool to be able to speak as though I was from the Victorian era. How can I learn to do this?
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Is this expression correct? "solution to your recruitment needs" You don't really solve ones needs, I suppose... You meet somebody's needs... I see it being used widely but I'm not sure if it's logically correct. Thanks for your thoughts!
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> Many new forms of entertainment were unveiled, such as jazz music, salsa > dancing, and silent films. Should _such as_ be accompanied with a colon? Should there be a comma after _unveiled_?
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Or something like that. Does anybody know the exact text and source of this quotation?
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Do you pronounce the word like... * Ap-PLIC-a-ble Or: * APP-lic-a-ble And if so, is there a difference between the two?
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Which would you use or expect to see? 1. "Iggy accidently caught me in the eye when he was hugging a then friend, Howard Devoto." 2. "Iggy accidently caught me in the eye when he was hugging a, then, friend, Howard Devoto." 3. "Iggy accidently caught me in the eye when he was hugging a then-friend, Howard Devoto." 4. "...
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I've noticed a whole spate of questions here on this StackExchange using single quotes `' '` as a substitute for double quotes `" "` , in their function of denoting words as words. Is this usage kosher as long as one sticks to the same convention within a text? Is there an idiosyncratic use of single quotes in this man...
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> This side pursuit, however, is important, as it influences my approach to > teaching in a **crucial, but often overlooked** , manner. Is there a single word that would work the same way as "crucial, but often overlooked"?
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Is it acceptable English to use the verb _meet_ in the context of a phone call or a video conference? To provide a bit of background, I am writing an email to a business associate overseas. There is little chance of an actual face-to-face meeting taking place anytime soon, however a phone call or a video conference wou...
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I have heard conversations similar to this: > 'I am an Indian and I don't like racial slurs, do you know where I'm coming > from?' > 'Yes sir, I understand where you are coming from.' I am quite familiar with the phrase _'where one is coming from'_ since that is used a lot where I live. It simply means, > 'I understand...
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I've determined that almost all of John Clare's "I am" is in iambic pentameter. But I'm having trouble identifying the meter of the following line: > But the vast shipwreck of my life's esteems My reading was the following: > \- - x x x - - x - x (i.e., anapest, spondee, anapest, iamb). Please let me know if you agree ...
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I have been studying English with many teachers. Some of them say "See you in the lesson" while others say "See you at the lesson." Yesterday, one of them told me that the correct way of saying it is "See you at the lesson." Are both of them correct? If one (or both) of them is incorrect, please tell me why.
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I am writing a mobile application that will, as a part of its functionality, display a list of recorded _thoughts_. Now I am deciding the textual content of the menus and that left me thinking whether there is a logical difference between words _remove_ and _delete_. Which one is more appropriate when speaking about ta...
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I heard this in this movie. `It was my op.` What does it mean? Googling gave me : 'Original Poster'. But that doesn't seem very meaningful.
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Is there a way of saying that a small change will make a big difference? The current sentence doesn't sound very good. I do not want to say something along the lines of a domino effect.
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I was shopping the other day when I decided to buy some Cranberry juice - you know, juice from cranberries - so I picked up what I thought was exactly that. It was only when I got home that I realised I had bought a Cranberry Juice _Drink_. This drink contains the minimal amount of fruit, tons of sugar and, of course, ...
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Is there a whitespace in _spoonfeed_? I have to choose between writing _Spoon Feed Code_ and _Spoonfeed Code_.
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I was watching an interview with Zachary Quinto (the actor who plays SPock in the new Star Trek movie Star Trek: Into Darknaess) on Jonathan Ross and Jonathan introduced them in the first minute and he says: "Into **the** darkness" And Zachary correct him and say "Into Darkness" You can watch and hear it here (around 0...
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Suppose I read a book and really enjoy reading it until I reach a certain point where I am suddenly not enjoying the experience anymore. I was trying to come up with a good phrase to describe this experience and couldn't really come up with a good one. Things I've considered: * Left a bad taste in my mouth (doesn't rea...
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A while ago, there was an answer on _Jeopardy!_ along the following lines: > In the sentence _he was on fire_ , the word _on_ is this part of speech. The judges ruled that it was a preposition. But I think that only works if the guy was physically located on top of a fire. After discussing it with someone, I think it's...
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How can we express the "intentional ignoring" or someone in one word? Particularly if someone is ignoring others by his/her behaviour, showing that he/she isn't interested in talking or communicating, etc.
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I am aware that the plural of metropolis is metropolises, but to me it sounds stilted and to be honest I cannot recall ever hearing it used. Is there an irregular plural of metropolis that would be in a less formal register. Any common mistaken pluralizations?