Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Recent Questions - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

Recent Questions - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

Let us suppose vs Suppose

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 10:25 AM PDT

When should we use "Let us suppose", and when "Suppose" in science academic articles?

Example 1:

Suppose the electric field lines in a region of space are straight lines.

or

Let us suppose the electric field lines in a region of space are straight lines.

Example 2:

Let us suppose the particle is in a stationary state with definite energy E.

or

Suppose the particle is in a stationary state with definite energy E.

What does 'ed' mean?

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 10:32 AM PDT

I natively speak Swedish and have been studying medicine over here, but got offered to learn from a British professor online. And when he went through all the different branches he kept referring to the ER as ED? Does this stand for Emergency dorm or what does it stand for?

What is the meaning of this word “function”? [closed]

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 08:56 AM PDT

I saw this text in a picture on social media, but I don't know what the meaning of "function" is here, I've tried some dictionaries but couldn't find what I was looking for.

You get to invite 1
person to a function.
If they're late you win
$1,000,000 who you
inviting?

Can you say "I miss you" if you've never met in real life?

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 08:47 AM PDT

My friend is in an online relationship. When he was complaining about his partner starting a new job, he said "I miss him" to me, and I insisted it sounded weird to me, because the word 'miss' means to lack something that you presumably had before. According to the Oxford dictionary, 'miss' can mean "feel regret or sadness at no longer being able to enjoy the presence of." So if you never had each other in the first place, it wouldn't make sense to use this word. I told my friend, that I would instead say "I miss talking to him".

However, I know with the internet becoming ever so prevalent, and virtual relationships becoming more and more common, I might just sound like a pedantic grammar teacher now?

Explain an increase in a variable which causes a decrease in the other variable [closed]

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 08:48 AM PDT

I would like to explain the following situation. However, I couldn't find an appropriate phrase.

An increase in the sugar content from 5, 8, and 15 grams caused an increase in the concentration to increase by 10, 22, and 30 %.

Please let me know if this sounds good or a better phrase exists.

"Change in" or "Change to"? [closed]

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 08:45 AM PDT

Will it be "I have made a change in the text" or "I have made a change to the text"?

Can I use an ampersand & between two roles in a resume - like "CEO & Manager" or better use and? [closed]

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 09:04 AM PDT

I'm preparing a resume. Can I use an ampersand (&) between two roles in a resume - like "CEO & Manager" or is it better to use and - "CEO and Manager"?

I looked here and this was not mentioned as an example.

Why do these sentences take the "as" phrase following the verb?

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 06:34 AM PDT

I was learning computer science recently, and I found a expression on books that seems a little bit weird to me.

The first sentence is:

It's essential to maintain the invariant that all children of a composite have (as their parent) the composite that in turn has them as children.

I want to know why we don't put 'as their children' behind 'the composite'?

The second is:

Therefore, a class must declare (as a friend) each function in a set of overloaded functions that it wishes to make a friend.

Also, why not put the that-clause behind 'each function'. That seems more fluent to me.

Verb used with the word "dumbbell"

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 08:26 AM PDT

I wonder what verb should be used with the word "dumbbell". Some sources suggest the verb "to lift". But my point is "lifting and lowering a dumbbell repeatedly as an exercise". It seems to me that "lifting a dumbbell" means "lifting it for once, not repeatedly lifting and lowering it", like when weightlifters lift weights.

It seems like that English doesn't use a well-established verb for this concept. Does anybody have an idea?

Am I correct with this line of reasoning? (would/would have)

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 07:43 AM PDT

  1. I thought you would come.

    Here, I was thinking that you would come in the future, this sentence shows futurity in the past.

  2. I thought you would have come.

    But here, I thought that you already came with the added meaning of "willingness" that's why I used "would have". Here I could have used "had come" but this would not have conveyed the added meaning of "willingness".

Am I right with this line of reasoning or not? Please explain if I'm wrong.

Use of "hence" in mathematical English

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 07:39 AM PDT

In math, particularly in plane geometry, there are lots of simple statements that one implies another, and that implies another, and so on. So, "hence" is frequently used.

For example, let's say A=B implies CD=CE, and CD=CE implies that F,G,H are collinear. Which of the following is correct, and what is the best expression?

Since A=B,

1 ) we have CD=CE, and hence F,G,H are collinear.

1') we have CD=CE, hence F,G,H collinear.

1'') we have CD=CE, hence F,G,H being collinear.

2 ) hence CD=CE, and hence F,G,H are collinear.

3 ) CD=CE, and hence F,G,H are collinear.

If none of them are very good, can you give the best expression for it?

What does "make no expressed" means? [closed]

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 04:47 AM PDT

I've seen this sentence in the books publisher note.

The authors and publisher have taken care in the preparation of this book, but make no expressed or implied warranty of any kind and assume no responsibility for errors or omissions.

What does expressed means in that phrase?

How to mention you're a lawyer in a cover letter, when you currently don't practice it, and the application is not for a lawyer role? [closed]

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 03:18 AM PDT

I want to mention that I'm a lawyer, but it should be clear that I currently don't work as a lawyer, and the application is not for a lawyer role.

So I wouldn't want to to say "I am a lawyer...", but something more like "I am a certified lawyer..." , meaning to emphasize this a general certification rather than something that defines my day to day.

How to use "lead" in sentence? [migrated]

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 03:26 AM PDT

How can we use lead in the sentences like below?

Foreign tourists encourage the locals to learn their language that probably leads to generate more income.

The verb after leads should bring in -ing form?

How exactly is "another" an ordinal number? Please give examples

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 05:39 AM PDT

In my Collins Grammar book, it says that another can in ways be an ordinal number. I understand how next or last can be ordinal numbers because they point to something in an ordered sequence. Instead of saying "The second place winner is..." I can say "The next winner is..." But I don't fully understand how "another" can be an ordinal.

Please include examples, thank you!

Do 'verity' and 'verily' derive from 'very'?

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 01:46 AM PDT

The Oxford English Dictionary (subscription required or a library card number in the UK) has the following entry for 'very' used as an adjective or an adverb :

Forms: α. Middle English (1500s Scottish) verray (Middle English verrai, verraie, 1500s ... (Show More) Frequency (in current use): Show frequency band information Etymology: < Anglo-Norman verrai, verrey, verai, veray, Old French verai, varai, vrai... (Show More)

I. That is in truth or reality, and related uses; true, faithful.

  1. Really or truly entitled to the name or designation; possessing the true character of the person or thing named; properly so called or designated; = true adj. 7.

But I was unable to discover if the derivation of 'very' has roots which would link it to 'verily' and 'verity' both of which emphasise truth.

I wondered if 'very' means 'truly', in its original concept.

Word for something costly that nonetheless looks cheap?

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 03:43 AM PDT

In a quote attributed to Dolly Parton, she said "It costs a lot of money to look this cheap."

While watching old videos of Elizabeth Holmes of Theranos infamy that are percolating to the surface recently, I wondered how someone who (allegedly) spent lavishly on her appearance could consistently have hair that resembled that of someone just rescued from a stormy month at sea in a dinghy.

Is there a single word that conveys this high cost / cheap appearance concept?

English equivalent of "To those you try to help, he says I am only right."

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 07:24 AM PDT

There is old Indian Marathi Saying (Mhan in marathi)

Jyacha karava bhala to mhanato majhach khara (Pronunciation: Jya-ch K-ra-v Bh-l, To Mh-n-to Ma-zch Kh-r)

It means

To those you try to help, he says i am only right.

The meaning is If you try to help someone, certain category people wouldn't think that you have helped them from literally dying or saved them from a big mess waiting to happen (usually in a organization or on the streets or at home too). They would see you as a wolf in sheep's clothing waiting to take advantage of you (and in the video even sue you).

So the meaning is howsoever you try help some particular people, they think in their mind that they are righteous in accusing you (putting you in trouble for taking advantage of them not helping them or actually messing you their problem more when you have literally helped them).

The question is, is there an equivalent saying in English for this phenomenon* or can anyone provide an informal saying that would be succinct.

*This can be said thankless job but it goes beyond that because ironically the person is just not being thankless, he/she is creating an adversity for the helper in return.

Why do English speakers sometimes raise the pitch of their voices when not asking a question? [duplicate]

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 05:48 AM PDT

When recording myself, I found that I sometimes raised the pitch of my voice when not asking a question, and not when asking a question. Why is this?

Is it grammatically correct to say that someone is "the son of Satan"?

Posted: 13 Sep 2021 09:51 PM PDT

I read a news report today which is titled "Chinese State Media Slams Soros As 'The Most Evil Person In The World' And 'The Son Of Satan'".

My question is not about politics but English grammar. Does the expression "the son of Satan" implies that the one being accused is the ONLY son of Satan? (Yes, I know, the phrasing of this question sounds odd no matter how I put it, but bear with me, the question is really about the usage of the definite article "the".) If so, since it is not a widely accepted belief that Satan only has one son, "the son of Satan" should actually be "a son of Satan".

As a English native speaker, do you feel it is odd (with regard to grammar rules) to call someone "the son of Satan"?

Can I use from...to...to here? [closed]

Posted: 13 Sep 2021 10:44 PM PDT

I am applying for a Ph.D. program. I am writing Statement of Purpose and Objectives. So in the first sentence, I want to introduce my education background. My first sentence is:

As a highly motivated student with a strong multidisciplinary background, with degrees from journalism to economics to mathematics and statistics, with over five years of academic experience in research, analyzing public and private data, and running statistical analysis, I am confident that I would be a successful Ph.D. student and researcher in the biostatistics field.

I am not sure my from...to...to... in the bold text is correct here.

What is the meaning of "qualities" in this sentence?

Posted: 13 Sep 2021 10:25 PM PDT

I am having a bit of trouble understanding the bolded portion of this quote from The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro:

I had got no further by the time I came to have my first business meeting with Mr. Farraday during the short preliminary visit he made to our shores in the spring of last year. It was on that occasion--in the strangely bare study of Darlington Hall--that Mr. Farraday shook my hand for the first time, but by then we were hardly strangers to each other; quite aside from the matter of the staff, my new employer in several instances had had occasion to call upon such qualities as it may be my good fortune to possess and found them to be, I would venture, dependable (Ishiguro, p. 6).

Out of context, I might have interpreted this quote as the narrator stating that Mr. Farraday had previously praised ("call upon") his character and/or skills ("qualities"). However, the narrator is a butler for an estate and Mr. Farraday is the new owner, and given the fact they had not previously met in person, this interpretation does not seem to be correct.

Instead, I think the narrator means to say Mr. Farraday had previously requested ("call upon") the narrator's services ("qualities"), which could have been done before they met in person. In this context, the description of the narrator's "qualities" as "dependable" also makes a bit more sense. However, it does feel odd to use the word "qualities" to mean "services."

Is my interpretation correct? And if so, is there a reason behind the word choice?

When did the California Vowel Shift begin?

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 05:51 AM PDT

When did the California Vowel Shift begin: as soon as California was settled by English speakers? Or did it develop later?

Image of California vowel-shift chart

How to use the word adjustable here

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 07:03 AM PDT

How can I say this: These are adjustable (in/for/as far as/through) their angle and height

Which alternative in parenthesis is correct? Or you have other better suggestion to say this?

Where does the expression "to sell your soul to the devil" originate

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 09:49 AM PDT

I understand this is an idiomatic English expression. The expression suggests some sort of pact is made by humans in order to receive diabolical favours.

There is a song entitled "The Devil came down to Georgia" and describes a fictional event involving a competition where the forfeit is the man will lose his soul to the devil if the devil outplays him. It's a fun piece of music but totally fictional.

[Devil came down Georgia - Google]

I know the expression is not found in the Bible, so where does it come from?

Biding their time to reveal their hidden depths

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 08:42 AM PDT

Is there a phrase for what a person is or is doing who is underrated by people but then shows themselves to contain hidden depths? Not quite a diamond in the rough. Sort of like dark horse. Hmm? Not sinister hidden depths. Like when my intellectually disabled daughter surprises all who underestimate her by blurting out an insightful comment or clever joke.

Sentence with 'remain as '

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 06:36 AM PDT

I am a bit confused about which of the following two sentences are correct (if any). I searched online but could not find any good example. I will be grateful if you can help me on this.

  1. In addition, the continuation of low price environment in 2017 means that cost reduction will remain as one of the key priorities for the industry.

  2. In addition, the continuation of low price environment in 2017 means that cost reduction will remain to be one of the key priorities for the industry.

Also, should I use would instead of will in the above examples?

Female equivalent of 'son' to call kids

Posted: 14 Sep 2021 05:12 AM PDT

From the perspective of semantics, the female equivalent of son obviously is daughter.

But here's my question: It seems to be some kind of cliché that some people (Priests, wise men, or even real fathers) refer to young boys by "son" when speaking directly to them: e.g., "Son, you know that..."

Simply putting it in the correct female form "Daughter, you know that..." feels wrong, somehow. How would a person often calling young boys "son" call young girls?

What about - Again, we're talking about some kinds of stereotyped clichés here - a priest with an adopted daugther? I could definitely imagine him calling an adopted son son, while I don't know what such a person would call a daugther.

Asking because I am currently practicing my English by writing a small story.

Is there a word for 'nobody likes me' syndrome?

Posted: 13 Sep 2021 07:10 PM PDT

Is there a word to describe nobody likes me feeling?

What would be appropriate in the following cases?

I am suffering from ______.

Or

I feel ______.

Comma after To at the beginning of a sentence

Posted: 13 Sep 2021 11:41 PM PDT

I am just writing my master thesis and I am unsure whether to place a comma in sentences starting with "To".

Here are some examples:

  • To be able to improve the performance[,] it is important to discover the performance issues first.
  • To create consistent plans[,] there are two basic directions of planning: top-down or bottom-up.
  • To acquire query plans[,] EXPLAIN PLAN statements have to be injected in the statements within the context of the application.

Is the beginning an introductory phrase?

I am German and therefore not familiar with English punctuation yet ...
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