Sunday, June 20, 2021

Recent Questions - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

Recent Questions - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

"Sorry, can you please just move away?"

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 09:37 AM PDT

Today I went to the coffee shop and someone asked me "Sorry, can you please just move away?" because I was standing by the trash can and she was trying to throw out something. I just felt that there is a better way to ask about this and this sounded kind of rude to me. Is it legitimate for me to feel offended or is it just a colloquial expression?

How would you describe someone pushing with their feet to sit on a slope? [closed]

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 07:32 AM PDT

Like to counteract gravity, you would use your feet to apply extra force on the ground, hence increasing friction and allowing you to sit on the slope. How would you describe that without all the physical terminologies?

I wonder whether the following these sentences have different meanings; It was foolish for(or of) him to take that expensive house

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 07:05 AM PDT

  1. It was foolish for him to take that expensive house.
  2. It was foolish of him to take that expensive house.

I wonder whether these two sentences are same or not. I'd appreciate your help. Thank you.

"Would be" vs "is/are" [closed]

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 08:05 AM PDT

This question has been bothering me for quite some time because I find it hard to differentiate between these two words.

Here are some examples :

  • "I would be more than happy to do so"

  • "I am happy to do so"

  • "Another example would be..."

  • "Another example is "

When I searched google for this, all that came out was "the difference between will and would". That isn't what I am looking for. Hopefully, you can provide me with some explanation regarding the difference between would be and is/are.

Is there a difference in "is x% similar" and "is at least x% similar"? [closed]

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 04:10 AM PDT

I want to know if there is any difference at "is x% similar" or "is at least x% similar".

There was a message saying "Your message is 70% similar." when I typed the same message twice in the chat and I pointed that out to the developers. They said it means the same as "Your message is at least 70% similar.".

I am currently arguing with them about that and I think that there is actually a difference, right?

Provide somebody something vs provide somebody with something [duplicate]

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 03:33 AM PDT

When "to provide" means "to make available", is it grammatically correct to use "to provide somebody something" instead of "to provide somebody with something"?

Example:

To provide employees (with) benefits

There seems to be scarce info on google about this particular question. I get that skipping "with" sounds a bit more colloquial but is it still grammatically sound?

Should I use “in“ or "of”? [closed]

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 03:11 AM PDT

I would like to know whether I should use "in" when I want to say 'the scientist in the Sputnik era' or "of" as in 'the scientist of the Sputnik era'?

Could you share your ideas please?

Usage of "could I not but" [closed]

Posted: 19 Jun 2021 11:45 PM PDT

(I posted this on English learner's group, but no one gave an answer. I hope this is a more appropriate group to post this question.)

Is the following sentence grammatically right to write in literature?

How could I not but close my eyes?

As "I could not but close my eyes" is a valid sentence, I felt like this one should also be valid. But I am confused whether 'could not but' can be used like that in interrogative sentences.

What is the difference between plot convenience and plot contrivance? [closed]

Posted: 19 Jun 2021 11:32 PM PDT

People use these terms interchangeably, but are they really? I would appreciate if you guys could explain the difference, if there is any.

How vs. how much as an intensifier

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 04:22 AM PDT

Here's an exclamation:

How you've grown!

And here's what how means according to the Oxford dictionary:

used to express a strong feeling such as surprise about the extent of something

Can we come to the conclusion that the above exclamation was originally "How much you've grown!", which has been simplified during history of English language?

Here's a similar case from Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English:

How do you like living in London (=how much do you like it)?

Which/ That/ Present Participle

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 07:02 AM PDT

I'm working on the translation of a product packaging.

Uses:
Boosting liver function which helps cleanse blood plasma, the liquid portion of blood which/that accounts for 55% of its volume.

  • Would it be better to use "benefits" in place of "uses"?
  • Is it true that when saying the uses of a product, infinitives are preferred to gerunds (in this context, using "boost" instead of "boosting")?
  • Could you please tell me if this sentence sounds fine with two which in a sentence or should I substitute the latter one with that or the Present Participle "accounting"?
  • Is the use of "boosting" grammatically and medically correct as I've found out that "improving liver function" is more commonly used?
  • The original version literally says "cleanse blood plasma", I've googled this phrase and the result is replaced with "cleanse your blood". Are they the same thing?

What is/are the correct way(s) to say that a person is half red dragon? [closed]

Posted: 19 Jun 2021 10:34 PM PDT

This question is primarily inspired by Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition, where dragons are defined by color and can create hybrids with many species, including humans.

The game has a "monster" called the "Half-Red Dragon Veteran". Is this grammatically correct? Are there any other grammatically correct ways of expressing this?

"Half-Red Dragon Veteran" seems ambiguous to me - if I didn't know better I might read it as a dragon veteran that is half red, rather than a hybrid veteran who had one red dragon parent.

Meaning of the phrase " for use in" [closed]

Posted: 19 Jun 2021 10:58 PM PDT

Switches For use in radio apparatus, electrical instruments, electrical machinery, electrical appliances and the like. Does this mean switches are used inside or on those apparatus, or switch are used to produce those apparatus or switches that used with those apparatus?

Is the sentence structure "Something transforms from A to B to C" correct? [closed]

Posted: 19 Jun 2021 10:09 PM PDT

I am trying to communicate the 3 stages of a character's transformation with the sentence: "[Author] illustrates how [character] transforms from A to B to C." Is this grammatical structure correct?

What's a way to describe someone or something that appears one way but is the other?

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 07:04 AM PDT

I'm writing a poem about time and want to describe time as deceptive.

Time is like a ___.
It's what allows flowers to bloom,
And wounds to heal,
While simultaneously, taking away those same vessels
Time helped reconstruct.

I've used double edged sword but I'm looking for a more deceptive word as if you thought it had one edge but it has two.

What can I fill in that will make sense?

"Entering the secret code will open the gate immediately." - does this expression make sense?

Posted: 19 Jun 2021 08:32 PM PDT

I found in a textbook on technical writing that the following expression is incorrect.

Entering the secret code, the gate will open immediately.

The book says that the correct expressions are the ones below.

When you enter the secret code, the gate will open immediately.

When the secret code is entered, the gate will open immediately.

From the "be concise" perspective, I think the expression in the title is even better, but I am not confident enough. Please advise, and thank you for your help.

"can remind" or "can to remind"?

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 04:59 AM PDT

I found this sentence in a book that is as follows:

Great poets are expressly aware of this, and they do what they can to remind the rest of us.

I ask because on one site it says that the verb that follows a modal verb should be in the infinitive without "to".

Modal verbs (can, could, may, might, will, shall, would, should and must) are followed by a bare infinitive:

  • I could hear the dog barking outside.
  • You must be joking.
  • He may have caught the train.
  • You should have told me earlier.
    Grammaring.com

But the sentence above says ...they can to remind the rest of us.

Is it possible to use 'can' that way? And why?

Dog vs dawg pronunciation

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 04:49 AM PDT

What is the difference in pronunciation between dog and the slang dawg ?

Can the context make the difference ?

I want to understand who "the graphite" refers to. Please migrate this question to English Learner Site [closed]

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 12:22 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 does "the picture of both the individual and the group changes" mean?

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 cases (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!

Gun terminology: is cylinder or chamber correct in this sentence?

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 08:09 AM PDT

We looked at each other like we had each just rolled a chamber in Russian roulette and now had the guns in our mouths.

If the chambers are what's inside of the actual cylinder, which is what you spin, would "like we had each just rolled a cylinder" be more accurate?

Getting as set off by it

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 07:04 AM PDT

I'm reading an article about anxiety. The author says that when people feel anxious, they try to make themselves feel better by applying all kinds of coping techniques (e.g. deep breathing). Then it goes on to say:

Those tools have value, but if you get better at simply tolerating your physical anxiety, and not getting as set off by it, then you won't need to use them as much.

I know what "to set off" means, but isn't it used here as an adjective? Couldn't you say that anxiety makes you "set-off"? Or it is instead used as a normal verb?

Thank you

The plural form of the word blue

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 04:08 AM PDT

The blue means literarily the sky or sea. Does its plural form indicate the sky and sea both? For example, is this a meaningful sentence if I say "the horizon is where the blues intersect"?

"so, if you know any schools looking for a physics teacher, I'm down.", the meaning of "I'm down"

Posted: 19 Jun 2021 09:27 PM PDT

A Candian friend said this to me today:

so, if you know any schools looking for a physics teacher, I'm down.

What does "I'm down" mean here? Apparently it doesn't mean "I am upset".

An English teacher told me that it means "I will join in".

Could anyone explain it and tell me which entry (a link is much appreicated) in dictionary fit this meaning? Because I tried Oxford dictionary, Collions and Merriam Webster, I couldn't find related entry. Thanks

"Could not but" [closed]

Posted: 19 Jun 2021 09:49 PM PDT

(I posted this on English learner's group, but no one gave an answer. I hope this is a more appropriate group to post this question.)

Is the following sentence grammatically right to write in literature?

How could I not but close my eyes?

As "I could not but close my eyes" is a valid sentence, I felt like this one should also be valid. But I am confused whether 'could not but' can be used like that in interrogative sentences.

Pattern: adjective/noun + in + ing

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 02:00 AM PDT

everyone. I have a question regarding the usage of "in" in this pattern:

Adjective/noun + in + V-ing

Like in this sentence:

  1. «Light takes such a long time in crossing the enormous distances and getting to us.»

But, I was wondering if it could work without "in":

  1. «Light takes such a long time crossing the enormous distances and getting to us.»

Or, even with infinitive:

  1. «Light takes such a long time to cross the enormous distances and getting to us.»

I would like to know how to use this patten, in what context and what rules I should follow to use it correctly.

I've been searching on the internet, but there is little information about this topic and it's not really helpful. Here are some other examples I found:

  1. This NPO plays a central role in proposing environmental policies.

  2. He's taking a long time in making that pastry

Thanks you in advanced, I'd be really thankful if you help me understand it.

After using every, should it be singular or plural? [closed]

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 09:05 AM PDT

Is it correct to use: Not every student is as rude as you mentioned

Or

Not every student are as rude as you mentioned.

Thanks

What is the difference between "in conclusion" and "by way of conclusion"?

Posted: 20 Jun 2021 05:32 AM PDT

"In conclusion" is common, while "by way of conclusion" is quite formal. But what does "by way of conclusion" truly mean that differs from "in conclusion"?

"And you?" or "And yourself?" as response to "How are you?"

Posted: 19 Jun 2021 09:59 PM PDT

If someone asks "How are you?", which of the following is grammatically correct?

"I am well, thank you. And you?" or "I am well thank you. And yourself?"

'Yourself' sounds more formal, and is used frequently in everyday language (at least in my surroundings). However, I've been doing a little bit of investigation into the use of my vs myself and you vs yourself and it seems that it is only used reflexively to reflect back to 'you' or 'me' as the subject. E.g., you hurt yourself. In the case of "and you/yourself?", you/yourself is being used as the subject, in which case it would seem that the correct version would be "And you?".

Any clarification on this would be great!

Why am I "happy as Larry"?

Posted: 19 Jun 2021 10:25 PM PDT

I was feeling in a good mood the other day, and the expression happy as Larry sprang to mind (the alternative, like a pig in shit, being perhaps a little coarse). I was wondering about the origin of the phrase. Phrases.org here has two suggestions, about a Australian boxer Larry Foley, and it being derived from larrikins (hooliganism), which is presumably amusing to the perpetrator.

Are either of these correct? Does anyone have any other suggestions?
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