Thursday, June 17, 2021

Recent Questions - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

Recent Questions - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

Is backuping a correct word?

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 11:23 AM PDT

When I backup my app I want to change its status appropriately – can I use the word "backuping"? Or should I use "backing up"? Considering the context is a cloud tech space where people know what is a backup very well.

Is there a good alternative to what the word "equivocate" seems to mean?

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 10:45 AM PDT

I thought "equivocate" means to make two concepts seem the same, or to compare them. Turns out "equivocate" just means "use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself." But it turns out I'm not the only that was confused:

From https://www.cjr.org/language_corner/equivocate-equivalence.php

Stop misusing the word 'equivocate'

"Trump's statements last week are provided as just one of the latest examples of this false equivalency that is corrupting the political dialogue of our political system. It might be a risk of committing false equivocation ourselves to say ideologues on both the right and left commit these disingenuous arguments, but there are enough examples that we feel safe to call it a fact."

"The Republican president's statements have been widely criticized as equivocating between white nationalists, including Ku Klux Klan members and neo-Nazis, on the one hand and those protesting against them on the other."

Is there a word that actually means comparing with intent to present as equal? I think the best option I found was "equate".

What was she looking for now?

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 10:42 AM PDT

What do you think of this sentence, "What was she looking for now? Has she lost her phone again?" I mean if it is acceptable to use 'now' in Past Continuous Tense. Is it any form of colloquialism?

Please help me solve them! [closed]

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 09:06 AM PDT

I hope you can help me, thanks a lot!!!

Looking for fitting compounds for a game I’m making [closed]

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 09:01 AM PDT

I am in need of some ideas for compounds for a game I'm making. The words would ideally fit the setting or action, with the user given one part of the compound, and then they would come up with another word to prepend to it to make it a compound.

For example, for the setting, I have come up with the word "flower," where the user could prepend "wild" to make the word "wildflower."

As you can see with the example, I would like both parts of the compound to "fit the game." The Wild could be a place in the game, where the word "flower" is in a description sent to the user.

Hopefully this makes sense to you, I think I confused myself just writing this! Any other compound ideas for this?

Does the defensive shift's prevalence in baseball change the meaning of "We covered all our bases"? [closed]

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 09:08 AM PDT

Historically, covering all of your bases means being careful and methodical, and preparing for any possibility. Also historically, this was the dominant defensive strategy in baseball.

However, recently, the most effective and increasingly common defensive strategy is called the defensive shift, and actually involves leaving bases uncovered in order to redistribute fielders to the most likely places that the current batter will hit the ball. This often results in all of the infielders standing on the same side of the field, leaving no one within 50+ feet of third base (for example).

Does this change the meaning of covering all of your bases in non-baseball scenarios? Does it now mean being overly cautious, overly reliant on old ways of thinking, and slow to adapt?

In which places we can use past tense instead of present perfect tense and vice versa? [migrated]

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 07:27 AM PDT

Mom, where did you put my towel?.
Mom, where have you put my towel?

I have used past tense and present perfect tense in the same places of different sentences.
Are both correct? Which is the correct sentence and why?

past simple + to and infinitive form [migrated]

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 07:25 AM PDT

I have the next sentence in past simple tense.

Yesterday, I went to visit my friends.

So, I make past simple with verb go in past simple form (went), but why do I need to use the verb visit in infinitive form? Why not use visited?

I know that I could use on this way.

Yesterday, I went and visited my friends.

But question is, why in first case is possible just to put first verb in past simple and all other verbs in infitive after word to?

confusion regarding debt and debit

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 11:13 AM PDT

  1. According to it's etymology, the term debit comes from the word debt, which means "the state of owing money.".

  2. Among other meanings, liability is a contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial asset to another entity. Thus, debt and liability have a very close meaning.

  3. In The interpretation of financial statements (and other resources), the author claims that a debit is either an increase in assets or a decrease in liabilities.

Thus, a debit can be a decrease in liabilities (if not increase in assets). And some times, liabilities are synonymous to debt. The consequent is the following:

"A debit can, among other things, be a decrease in debt". I find this statement confusing in terms of etymology, is it correct?

In contrast, I think that "A debit can, among other things, be an increase in debt" makes more sense as the two words have the same etymological root and should be positively correlated.

Otherwise as a Conjunction; does the second clause become a dependant clause when we use otherwise as a conditional?

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 08:11 AM PDT

If we have two independent clauses, which can stand on their own as complete sentences. When we join the two with a conditional such as "otherwise". The second clause, now headed by "Otherwise," must surely become dependent on the first clause as without it there is not a conditional. If my case is proven, then how does this affect the punctuation of the new sentence?

"You have to start studying otherwise you will fail your exams."

A better word than 'cathouse' for an outside shelter for 1 cat

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 07:43 AM PDT

Most of us who have gardens* and are fond of nature and animals have outside shelters for them...

  • birdhouse
  • dog house
  • green house
  • cat house?

For obvious reasons, 'cat house' seems off to most Americans, and will probably draw a snicker or two..

I participate on Pets.SE, and can find only 1 reference to 'cat-house'

"Cattery" has been suggested on Wikipedia and Quora, but that sounds like a kennel for cats. In other words, similar to an 'aviary'.

'Shelter' sounds like a place for adoption of strays.

Is there a less-suggestive word for the house of a single cat, that works like 'doghouse'?

SWR:

My cat lay comfortably dry inside her ______, watching the rain fall on the patio below her.

Origin of the exact phrase "cold iron"?

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 08:14 AM PDT

Loosely inspired by this closed rpg.stackexchange question titled "What is Cold Iron actually? — Forget what it is; let's talk about the origin of the set phrase "cold iron" in English!

Rudyard Kipling's poem "Cold Iron" (c. 1910) may well have popularized the exact phrase in today's pop culture, but it (1) is extremely recent and (2) isn't directly related to the fair folk.

This great rpg.net thread points to Robert Kirk's The Secret Commonwealth (written c. 1691 but published only(?) in 1893), chapter 1, which uses the exact phrase:

The Tramontains to this Day put Bread, the Bible, or a piece of Iron, in Womens Beds when travelling, to ſave them from being thus ſtollen; and they commonly report, that all uncouth, unknown Wights are terrifyed by nothing earthly ſo much as by cold Iron.

So, did Robert Kirk actually coin this poetic turn of phrase? Or can it be traced back farther?

The defining characteristic here is that we're not just talking about how supernatural beings dislike iron; we're talking specifically about textual sources that describe the elf-repellent iron as cold (regardless of what you think the source means by that).

Idiom/phrase for achieving just the tip of the iceberg

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 08:53 AM PDT

What is an idiom/phrase for achieving just the tip of the iceberg?
For example:

Winning the battle but that is just the beginning of the long war. The achiever is aware that this is just the end of the beginning, nothing more.

In this paragraph, Can I consider "it" manufactuerer? Can I use where instead of from which? I want to migrate this question to English Learner Site [closed]

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 08:25 AM PDT

Project Management for Business, Engineering, and Technology: Principles and practice

By John M. Nicholas, Herman Steyn

Risk often arises from uncertainty about how to approach a problem or situation. One way to avoid such risk is to contract with a party who is experienced and knows how to do it. For example, to minimize the financial risk associated with the capital cost of tooling and equipment for production of a large, complex system, a manufacturer might subcontract the production of the system's major components to suppliers familiar with those components. This relieves the manufacturer of the financial risk associated with the tooling and equipment to produce these components. However, transfer of one kind of risk often means inheriting another kind. For example, subcontracting work for the components puts the manufacturer in the position of relying on outsiders, which increases the risks associated with quality control, scheduling, and the performance of the end‑item system. But these risks often can be reduced through careful management of the suppliers. If the manufacturer feels capable of handling those management risks, it will happily accept them to forego the financial risks.

Q 1. What does pronoun "it" indicate? I guess that it indicates manufacturer or previous situation... but I can't be certain.

Q 2. What does pronoun "them" indicate? I think "them" indicates suppliers. Is it right?

Q 3. What does the phrase "to forego financial risks" mean? I think to go without the financial risks (with the capital cost) or solve the financial risks (with the capital cost).

I can't tell the difference between the area of where and the area where [closed]

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 08:18 AM PDT

Conservation: a People Centred Approach By Francis Gilbert, Hilary Gilbert

The impact of climate change on animals and plants interacts with habitat loss and fragmentation. This is because the main effect of climate change is to shift the area of where any one species can live successfully. In a warming world, this habitable space moves either polewards across the landscape, to the North or South, or up in elevation, with species living higher up mountains than ever before. This happens because the area where the mean temperature is 15°C, for example, shifts in these directions under global warming. Survival then depends on whether a particular species can move, and if so, whether there is a suitable pathway for the movements to happen. Neither of these things can be assumed, and where habitats become too fragmented, a suitable pathway for organisms to move to other areas becomes less of a realistic possibility.

— Conservation: a People Centred Approach, Francis Gilbert/Hilary Gilbert, OUP 2019

Q. I want to know the difference between A and B. A : This is because the main effect of climate change is to shift the area of where any one species can live successfully.

B : This is because the main effect of climate change is to shift the area where any one species can live successfully.

  • My research

Searching for where usage From Cambridge

  1. Where as a relative pronoun The hotel where we spent our honeymoon has been demolished.

  2. We can use where in indirect questions: I asked him where I could buy an umbrella.

Phrase for insatiable with positive connotation

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 09:59 AM PDT

Is there a word or phrase with a positive connotation for someone who is never content with their standings, quite curious and always pushing for new heights?

is this structure possible? (demand + something (or someone) + to infinite) cf) I want to know how to migrate this question to English Learner site [closed]

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 08:23 AM PDT

I think demand is used as case 1, case 2 or case 3.

case 1. demand + object ex) I demanded an explanation. (Cambridge Dictionary)

case 2. demand to infinite ex) I demand to see the manager. (Cambridge Dictionary)

case 3. demand + that clause ex) She demanded that he return the books he borrowed from her. (Cambridge Dictionary)

[Question]

These days, many cities and some countries impose a special tax on sugar. They demand drinks and foods that are high in sugar to have this additional tax.

I think that the structure (demand + sth + to infinite) is possible. but I can't find any reference. (even, some website posting indicates that such structure is false.)

the structure (demand + sth + to infinite) is impossible? If so, how can I understand the sentence structure?

I want to know this "to infinite" phrase meaning. I want to migrate this question to English Learner site [closed]

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 08:23 AM PDT

Since the early 1980s, Black Friday has been a kind of unofficial U.S. holiday marking the beginning of the holiday season and, consequently, the most profitable time for retailers in the year. But in recent years, a new movement has come to light, adding a more ecological philosophy. The movement is called Green Friday, and it seeks to raise awareness about the damage that Black Friday brings to the environment. Think of the carbon emissions caused by driving to the mall, the shipping of millions of items around the world, the plastic waste produced by packaging, and even the long-term waste produced by mindlessly buying things we don't need. Green Friday is about changing the way we see this day and switching our mindset from "buy, buy, buy" to finding alternative ways to give gifts during the holiday season so we don't cause further damage to the Earth. Even if only a small percentage of the population makes the switch, it'll mean great things for the environment.

​ I know the structure "from A to B", so "to ~" means ecological way. but I'm so confused about "to give gifts during the holiday season".

​Q 1. Does this phrase (to give gifts during the holiday season) indicate Black Friday's mindlessly purchasing way?

Q 2. Does this phrase (to give gifts during the holiday season) indicate Green Friday's ecological way? (for example, not mindlessly purchasing goods but reasonably doing them,,, with eco-friendly packaging)

I think that this phrase modifies the expression "alternative ways". So, it indicates Green Friday's ecological way.

What do you guys think about it?

I want to understand what "the graphite" really means. I want to migrate this question to English Learner Site [closed]

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 08:37 AM PDT

Harvard's Nicholas Christakis says that when you take a bird's eye view of humans through the prism of social networks, the picture of both the individual and the group changes. He draws the analogy with graphite and diamonds. Both materials are made of carbon atoms but it is the way these individual atoms are connected that determines why one material is soft and dark and the other is hard and clear. The layered lattice arrangement of graphite carbon atoms means that it shears easily, whereas the highly interconnected arrangement of diamond carbon atoms means that it is as hard as — well, diamonds, of course. Therefore, when it comes to carbon atoms, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Similarly, understanding the individual self only really makes sense in terms of the groups to which they are connected. To extend the carbon metaphor, when we are well connected, we are more resilient because there is safety and strength in numbers. Alone, we are more vulnerable and weaker.

Q 1. what 'the picture of both the individual and the group changes' means?

I think it(the change) means "before and after" we start to see the picture of individual and the group, in terms of the way individuals are connected. I want to understand this clause more logically and specifically,,, but my conscious system gets exploded!! ㅠㅠ

Q 2. Between separate individuals and badly connected individuals, to which case does the graphite case belong?

I think graphite indicates both case. (separate individuals and badly connected individuals) It's because the sum of its parts means separate individuals (virtually Alone). And the arrangement of graphite is layered lattice, which I assume it is connected but badly connected!

There's no dessert like this vs. There's no such dessert as this

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 10:01 AM PDT

I was wondering if the following statements mean the same.

  • There's no dessert like this.

  • There's no such dessert as this.

It seems obvious to me that the second one could mean something like: There's no such thing as this in the world of desserts or I've never seen it in the world of desserts.

The first one, however, sounds ambiguous to me because it could not only mean the same as the other, but also mean like: This is the best dessert I've ever enjoyed.

I know "like" implies comparison. Does the first sentence sound ambiguous to you too or does it only have one meaning?

What does "uggin’ bumplies" mean?

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 09:58 AM PDT

Here's an example sentence:

How long do you think Rick and Michonne been uggin' bumplies?

What does "uggin' bumplies" mean and where does it come from?

What is the term for a special service a firm provides to secure a sale?

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 11:04 AM PDT

Is there a standard word to describe something a seller does to secure a sale, particularly an add-on service or package? Like when a car dealer adds a package for new wheels or detailing or a dedicated service support line as encouragement to close soon. A "closer"? "Sweetener"? "White glove"? Value-added service?

Can I use where instead of from which? I want to migrate this question to English Learner Site [closed]

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 08:24 AM PDT

Imagine something secretly entering your body and controlling your behavior, turning you into one of those zombies from science fiction movies. Does that sound creepy? That's exactly how a parasitic fungus species called the "zombie ant fungus," inhabiting tropical forests around the world, attacks ant colonies. What happens is that when spores from the fungus land on an ant searching for food in the forest, it infects the ant, hijacks its central nervous system, and controls its brain with a special chemical. The victim doesn't act like an ant but like a zombie: it stops searching for food for its colony, and instead climbs up a tree and holds onto a leaf or a branch, where it is finally killed by the fungus. Soon, a stalk of spores grows out of the back of the ant's head, from which more spores can access more ants under the tree, a cruel but very effective way of expanding the fungus' territory.

Q 1. Can I use "where" instead of "from which"?

Q 1-1. If it isn't possible, Why?

Across a field vs through a field

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 08:26 AM PDT

What is the difference between "across" a field and "through" a field?

What is the difference between "across" water and "through" water?

Word that means every outcome is worse?

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 11:20 AM PDT

What word means that every outcome is worse than where you started,

For example, You must make a choice but the choices are a worse situation than your current one.

How can I say "May I have your attention, please?" in fewer words

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 09:34 AM PDT

How can I draw the attention of a group of people who are chit-chatting but in fewer words? Or what are other alternatives apart from "May I have your attention, please?"?

In my mother tongue (Kinyarwanda) there's an expression that goes like "ndasaba ijambo" which literally translates " I'm asking to be allowed to speak" which I thought is a bit more clear when one says "May I get your attention please" but still it doesn't sound to be the "right" translation of that expression (from Kinyarwanda)

Wielders of Weapons

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 11:24 AM PDT

I'm looking for what the various wielders of weapons called. I know of a few, but would like to know of the others below :

Bow and Arrow - Archer/Bowman

Sword - Swordsman (???)

Axe -

Club -

Dagger -

Flail -

Lance - Lancer (courtesy of @HotLicks)

Mace -

Pike - Pikeman (courtesy of @HotLicks)

Sling - Slinger (courtesy of @ab2)

Spear -

War Hammer -

Whip -

Can anyone help me ?

Is there a word with phobia suffix for fear of waking others up?

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 09:23 AM PDT

I usually come home after basketball at like 12:30 a.m. and at this time my mom and sister usually sleep (my Dad though is usually up). When I come home, I don't go to sleep right away and will sometimes eat or do something else. When I do so, I do it in stealth, so that I don't wake up anyone. I do out of two things, to be polite as I do not want to wake anybody up and also the fact that if I make a loud noise and wake my mom up, my mom will get mad and lecture me. Does this count as a phobia? In addition, if it does what would the name of it be.

Difference in meaning of "frustrated at" and "frustrated with"

Posted: 17 Jun 2021 08:31 AM PDT

What is the difference in meaning of "frustrated at" and "frustrated with" used in sentences like

He is frustrated with me

or

He is frustrated at me

When is each of these sentences above are used?
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