Does ‘the mighty’ take a verb in plural form as in “the mighty are rendered helpless”?

There was the following sentence in the article of Time magazine’s November 25 issue under the title, “John F. Kennedy's Assassination and the Conspiracy Industry.” > “This whiplash convergence of extremes — so sudden, so horrific, such > enormity — makes the assassination of John F. Kennedy an almost uniquely > deranging event. In a matter of seconds, **the mighty are rendered > helpless** ; the beautiful is made hideous; tranquility turns turbulent; the > familiar becomes alien.” > http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2157468,00.html#ixzz2khXYshkc I was drawn to the line in which only “the mighty” is followed by a verb in plural form – ‘are rendered,’ while all other nouns – the beautiful, tranquility, the familiar are followed by verbs in singular form. Isn't 'the mighty' singular in number? Shouldn’t it be followed by ‘is rendered in the same way as ‘the beautiful is made hideous’ and ‘the familiar becomes alien.’? Is there any special reasons to use a verb in plural form for ‘the mighty’?


"Development of technology" vs. "technology development"

I was wondering which form is the correct one, "technology development" or "the development of technology". For example: >   1. The pace of technology development affected me in several ways. >   2. The pace of development of technology affected me in several ways. > In the second example I _try_ to emphasize the speed of development more.


Origin and meaning of "You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar"

I'm having trouble understanding the rationale behind the meaning of an American English phrase of which I just became aware. That phrase is: > You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar From what I understand now, this phrase would indicate that _You make more friends by being nice than by being rude_. Please correct me if I'm wrong. My confusion comes from the fact that no one catches flies in order to do anything nice to them (Well, I suppose some people do. But it's not common!). When I first read it, I actually thought the phrase meant _You'll have more success luring people into a trap by being nice than by being rude_. This didn't make much sense in context, though, which led me to ask around about the phrase. Where does this phrase come from? More importantly, why does it have such a counter-intuitive meaning?


Word order in fractional quantities

Is the word order in the quantity correct in the following sentence? > The boy is **3 years and a half old**. If not what would be the right way to say it?


Is there a word for "back and forth"?

I'm struggling with how clumsy the term "back and forth" sounds, is there a word that essentially means a repetitive back and forth motion? IE:               The machine ____. (moves back and forth) or operates on a back and forth style of motion.          I waved my hand ____ly. (in a back and forth manner).


"They are not simultaneously positive, negative nor even"

What is a sensible, correct and non-ambiguous way of rephrasing the following? > The numbers a, b and c are not simultaneously positive, negative nor even. The idea is that the three numbers are not all three positive, they are not all three negative and they are not all three even. Saying it like this is too repetitive, but the first option is silly because it can also be read as saying that each of the numbers is not positive, negative and even at the same time. This is for a research math paper, by the way. Note that a, b and c are not really numbers for us to apply special properties. They are called numbers merely for illustration here.


Which of the following sentences is correct

Which one of these sentences is correct:   1) No regular classes will be there for Sunday School during June.   2) Regular classes will not be there for Sunday School during June.


"area" vs. "areal" to describe an estimate of space

E.g. an areal/area estimate of corn in Iowa "Areal" is commonly found in remote sensing and land cover literature (this article, for example). Which is most appropriate to describe the estimation of corn area?


Words for “everyday details” that illustrate life

When talking about things used in a performance to illustrate conditions of life (like jam-jars and baskets to show village life), can I call them _everyday details_?


"Road liable to flooding" — is this roadsign grammatically correct?

I passed the roadsign below while driving home late last night, and realised that despite how many times I had seen it, I was still surprised by the choice of words used and unsure if it was actually grammatically correct. After all, the wording on roadsigns is crucial. As we all know, it needs to be clear and succinct. So, to my mind the words > Road liable to flooding should be > Road liable to _flood_ or it could be rewritten > Road _prone_ to flooding Am I right, or is the original ok? ![photo of roadsign with text: Road liable to flooding](http://i.stack.imgur.com/COjlq.jpg)


What does “the details are ‘need to know’” mean here?

Part of _Covert Affair Season 2, Episode 9_: > Auggie: “When were you gonna tell me about Dr. Scott?” > > Annie tilted her head slightly and Auggie heard the smile in her voice as > she replied, “Sorry, those details are ‘need to know’”. Auggie smiled and > nodded slightly. As he listened to Annie’s heels click away, he leaned back > on the desk. Her teasing answer did make him laugh and yet … he felt like he > did need to know. He needed to know who Dr. Scott was and when Annie had > started dating him. The curiosity just wouldn’t leave him alone. So, what does “need to know” mean here?


A phrase as an interjection

Often in spoken English, I see one sentence or phrase "set up" another much like an interjection. For example: > I forgot to ask. Did you find that book I told you about? How do you generally punctuate this? I've seen a comma used for this, but I that's only correct if it can be argued that _I forgot to ask_ is a proper interjection (can it be?). Should I use a colon? Semi-colon? Does it matter?


What do the parts of malevolent and malicious mean?

I understand what the different parts of maladjusted, maligned, and malcontent mean. But what about malevolent and malicious? Could someone break these into parts e.g. mal - adjust - ed and explain the meaning of each of the parts for both of these words.


parallel sentence construction

"I have, and always will trust you." Do you read this as I have trust you and I always will trust you? The following is suggested by another member on SE: "I have, and always will... trust you." I'm trying to express that I have always trusted and hopefully will always trust you. Seems redundant. Any suggestions?


Meaning of "pro" before a noun

First, is "pro" an abbreviated form of "professional"? If yes, does "Pro American" mean "Professional American"?


What is the difference between "Aha!", "Ouch!", "Phew!" and "Aah!"

I was confused what to use in gap **11**. Kindly after going through the passage answer the following 4 questions and in question 3 please explain why you have chosen any option and what is the difference between those four options. **The passage** > I peered at the river through a gap in the roots of the strangler fig. The > thick branches of the tree **9** me without really protecting me. I noticed > the gentlest of ripples in the water and then something **10** began to > emerge from its depths. An enormous head upon a slender neck rose above the > surface. I looked into the beast's cold, reptilian eyes.I could sense no > mind or soul behind them. I had to refrain from letting out a frightened > **11**! The time for retreating into the depths of the forest had arrived > and I knew that it was **12**. _1._ Which of these fits gap **9**. (a) hidden   (b) was hiding   (c) were hiding   (d) hiding _2._ Which of these fits gap **10**. (a) wonderful yet grand   (b) amazing yet astonishing   (c) magnificent yet terrifying   (d) frightening yet scary _3._ Which of these fits gap **11**. (a) "Aha"!   (b) "Ouch!"   (c) "Phew!"   (d) "Aah!" _4._ Which of these fits gap **12**. (a) neither now nor newer   (b) neither sooner nor later   (c) either sooner rather than later   (d) either now or never


What is the meaning of the term "herbert" in British slang?

In the song _Get Out of My House_ by The Business, the chorus is: > Out, out get out of my house, you'd better take your sheepskin too   >  no son of mine's going round as a hippie   >  or a scruffy little herbert like you. What does the term _herbert_ mean? I found this definition here, but it doesn't make sense to me in the context of the song: > Noun. An dull objectionable person. E.g. "He's a real herbert, he watches > the news and weather on TV all day."


What would be the word equivalent of paperwork in the digital age?

The classic definition for _paperwork_ says > Routine work involving written documents such as forms, records, or letters. Now, given that we are in the digital age and computers have taken many tedious tasks away, we still have to cope with clutter... What would be the equivalent word for > Routine work involving electronic documents such as forms, spreadsheets, or > emails. The equivalent will be used in the context of phrases like   * Spare me the paperwork   * Take the clutter away p.s. It seems that Woody Allen is still using a typewriter.


What is the broader meaning of metonymy in literary criticism?

I already know the basic meaning of metonymy (e.g. In "Washington passed the bill." the word "Washington" stands in for "the government"). I also know that metonymy is a form of nebeneinander (side-by-side positioning--as opposed to a metaphorical superimposition). However, there appear to be a number of other dimensions to the term that elude me. For instance, the Wikipedia article claims that "sometimes, metaphor and metonymy can both be at work in the same figure of speech" and while I (somewhat) grasp the idea, the first part of my question is regarding which of the devices takes precedence in such a case, and whether a new semantic economy emerges out of such an interaction. I would also like to refer to Elaine Freedgood's _The Ideas in Things: Fugitive Meaning in the Victorian Novel_ (http://bit.ly/reading-things). Freedgood argues that there are "weak" and "strong" varieties of metonymy in (Victorian) literature. If I understand the notion correctly, the former is an instance of merely positioning things next to each other (e.g. "There was a desk, a chair, and a book in the room.), whereas the latter allows for an analytical insight (e.g. perhaps into a specific _kind_ of desk, chair, or book, or the specific interaction between the objects placed alongside one another). However, Freedgood ultimately concludes that "metonymy is, rhetorically, both too weak and too strong: it tends toward the conventional, the obvious, the literal, the material--if often conjures up the real so successfully that its status as a trope seems to disappear" (12). This still confuses me, because in this context the "weak" and "strong" readings seem to become entirely subjective, dependent on two unstable factors: the reader's status as insider/outsider of the culture to which the objects belong, and the reader's skill of "reading" the object metonymically. Thus, the second part of my question is whether there can be such a thing as a "solid-state" metonymic manifestation (or reading).


Expression "making a bid/break for freedom"?

What is the difference between "making a bid for freedom" and "making a break for freedom"? In which situations would one use one and not the other?


Extra pages for a magazine

In some special days, e.g. the days before the New Year, newspapers and magazines give away some extra pages or even an special magazine associated with those days, or related to the year passed. What are these extra pages called?


What is the difference between "dewatering" and "unwatering"

This report on the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy refers to the process of removing water as _unwatering_. However, I always thought that this process was called _dewatering_. What, if any, is the difference between these terms? The dictionary does not give an entry for _unwatering_. But a quick google search suggests the term seems to be widely used. If _unwatering_ is not a valid term, why is _dewatering_ not used instead?


how to explain the word "that" used in this sentence

> Only, she began to be afraid of the ghastly white tombstones, that peculiar > loathsome whiteness of carrara marble, detestable as false teeth, which > stuck up on the hillside under tevershall church, and which she saw with > such grim painfulness from the park.


"Lift the suspension" vs "Drop the suspension"

My sense is that these phrases mean the same thing: the suspension has been reversed or nullfied. Here's the Ngram, for what it's worth. The fact that "lifted the suspension" is much more popular than "dropped the suspension" surprises me, since I'm inclined to think that the way to counteract a suspension should be to put it down, not further up. So two questions. (1) Is the Ngram right that we should prefer _lift_ to _drop_ in this context? (2) Regardless of what is "right," how did the seemingly counter-intuitive phrase come to be the dominant one?


Relating to tournaments.. what's that word?

So, in a tournament, there are several events. Each event has so many people sign up for it. There is a total number of people attending the tournament, and each person can sign up for multiple events. If Joe signs up for 2 events, and Mary signs up for 3, John signs up for 1... There are 3 people/registrants, but 6 **somethings**. (2 + 3 + 1) What is that **somethings**? (Does it even exist?) Edit: "Entries" _just_ occurred to me as a possible answer. I've been thinking about this all night and wonder what else is out there.


What is the name for someone who gives his subordinates a morale boost?

What do you call someone who, merely by their presence, gives a morale boost to the people he is responsible for? What about someone who gains power from being supported by their troop? If possible I would like to have word with military connotation, but a more "civilian" approach is also interesting. **EDIT:** Jeff gave a lot of interesting examples, but I am also interested in nouns, and all of Jeff's example can't be "translated" into nouns that easily.


Unnecessary use of "what"?

I have seen usage of "what" like this: > Depending on _what_ data it receives, it will follow different instruction > paths. It appears to me that use of "what" above is redundant. Doesn't > Depending on the data it receives, it will follow different instruction > paths. convey the meaning?


Differences between "pig" and "hog"

What are the differences between _pig_ and _hog_? The writer of this article wrote them consecutively, separated by only a comma. Searching Google images result in the same type of animal. The differences between _pig_ and _boar_ are clear though.


Phrase for unintelligible singing

Is there an English idiom that expresses the sentiment that a singer articulates the lyrics so badly that you'd better buy the text in the leaflet?


Pronunciation of words ending with “‑ae”

For example, > Styracaceae, Suidae, Sulidae, Sylviidae, Symplocaceae, etc. I don’t know how to pronounce them correctly.


"Beautiful" or "beautifully"

Should I say _You look beautifully today_ or _You look beautiful today_? In my opinion, the first form is correct because _beautifully_ describes the verb and not the noun. Thus, I should use the _beautiful_ form in a sentence like _You are beautiful_ when it describes the noun.


Term for when you're attributing something to a rule

I'm looking for a word or a phase that describes attributing something not to a person or group, but to an inanimate object like a rule. Ex. > A best practice is to run cross browser tests in all modern browsers. instead of > We test our sites in all modern browsers. In the first sentence the action of testing is attributed to a rule, not a person. Was curious if there is a term for when you use passive voice and attribute a recommendation to a rule, best practice, etc. to make it sound more authoritative


Is "Here's wishing xxxx" proper?

I have seen the phrase "Here's wishing you a very happy birthday" in greeting cards. What is the meaning of "Here's"? Where does it come from?


Breeding herd of cattle in the pasture

It is correct to use: breeding herd of cattle in the pasture.


"How much is/are the two fares?"

Which is correct? > How much **is** the two fares? > > How much **are** the two fares?


‘Not as simply’ versus ‘not as simple’

In this Stack Overflow answer, an editor changed my sentence: > Not as simply as that, unfortunately. to: > Not as simple as that, unfortunately. The original question was: > Is there any way to get the following to work? I used the adverb form because I wanted to convey ‘it is possible, although not _in a manner as simple as_ the one described in your question’. I understand that the adjective form used by the editor is correct, but is the adverb form incorrect or unusual?


Origins of the phrase "How killing!"

My mother says this phrase all of the time, to mean "That is hilarious". Supposedly "killing" is short for "killingly-funny"(!) but I must admit I have never ever heard anyone else say it. Is it a genuine expression? And if so, what are its origins?


How to describe an individual who always speaks in a "matter of fact" manner

I have a friend who always speaks in a very matter-of-fact manner. On numerous occasions, he has mentioned how it was "the best BLANK" he has ever had, or "the best BLANK in the city." Everything he speaks of is absolute in a overly self-assured manner (almost to a fault, since he is not always correct or has contradicted himself because of previous statements...how many bars in the city can have the best cocktail?). But on the other hand, he is very convincing/charismatic so it is easy to get swept away by his passion. Anyway...are there any good idioms, or single words that might sum up this type of individual? The following adjectives are the best ones I could come up with to describe this type of person: "very matter-of-fact" and "absolute" (but to a fault) but since he is so "self-assured", "charismatic" and "convincing" it's hard to see through this.


Indifference over forfeiting, losing possessions

As a former career musician I have witnessed musicians leaving instruments, other possessions, in the care of third parties for extended periods of time (sometimes years), in many cases completely abandoning the item in question. In all cases the value of the item does not seem to matter to the original owner. In addition, the caretaker of the goods will often assume to now be the owner of said equipment. Is there a word for this phenomenon?


"Build a PC", "assemble a PC", or something else?

When you have all the parts of a PC and you need to connect them into a working PC, which is the appropriate verb to describe this action: _build_ , _assemble_ or something else?


Multiple clauses usage

Is it right to combine the three clauses this way? Is the verb 'has' necessary for the 2nd and 3rd clauses? > England have decided to drop a batsman who has scored some memorable Test > centuries against all leading teams, has clearly been their best ever ODI > player and has won a Man-of-the-Series award in England’s only ICC winning > tournament: the T20 World Cup in 2010. Wouldn't it be fine to just write > England have decided to drop a batsman who has scored some memorable Test > centuries against all leading teams, clearly been their best ever ODI player > and won a Man-of-the-Series award in England’s only ICC winning tournament: > the T20 World Cup in 2010.


Heterogeneous. Is there a verb for this word?

I am writing a scientific article in which the word _heterogeneous_ is used frequently to indicate to the (CPU + GPU computing). However, several occasions I need to express the idea using verb like: _make computing heterogeneous_. I could not find anything other than the _adjective_ and _name_ ( **heterogeneous** & **heterogeneity** respectively). Is there a verb for this name? If not, what good replacement can I use instead?


Is "bitten" the correct word choice in the following sentences?

I believe that "bitten" – not "bit" – is the correct word in each sentence below. Am I right? _I was bitten by the love bug._ _Joe said, "I got bitten by a mosquito."_ _The dog had bitten me._ _I had been bitten by a dog._


"Have a seat" vs. "Take a seat" in modern AE

> To answer this question you first might want to consider this Ngram.source In light of this chart, it's apparent that "have a seat" is preferred to "take a seat" as far as modern day AE is concerned. Could the reason for this be that saying "take a seat" might sound equivocal to some guileless ears, or, more seriously, that "have a seat" sounds like a more polite wording for an invitation?


In publishing, what does the acronym "P/U" or "PU" mean?

I have come across this acronym in reference to a project I have been given to revise. Usually it is in a context such as "PU and modify."


Is there a verb that means "to alert audibly"?

When I am writing programs, I like to keep the methods as concise and clear as possible. In a class that contains many methods of signaling a user, one possible way is to explicitly create an audible alert. I am trying to find a single-word verb that carries this meaning to clarify some of the "chained verb" methods that take multiple actions. The verb I'm currently using is "Audate". To a native English speaker the meaning is clear from the root and suffix (i.e. "LogNotifyAudate(...)" -- Notify having a very specific meaning in this API), however, Audate doesn't appear to be a real word. Is there a verb that would work here?


How can I learn to speak with various accents?

How can I learn to speak with appropriate English accents when reading books aloud? For example, are there simple rules for each accent? My question is general question, but my application is specific and requires only a good enough attempt; as of now (currently reading "the Secret Garden") my accents are all over the place and inconsistent from page to page.


Using "a/an" with uncountable nouns in exclamation sentences

I work with Chinese children to practice some English. I have a sentence like this:               "What an useful advice you gave me!"      However, on most Chinese materials I have with me, it is said that the correct way to say this is by omitting "an" because advice is uncountable. There's also that explanation on internet: http://wenwen.soso.com/z/q92137552.htm               "What useful advice you gave me"      Which one is it? What about "What (a) great weather today!"


Executing a plan

To execute a plan is to carry it out. However, isn't this wording strange? Why doesn't executing a plan mean the same thing as shooting it down?


Correct tense for events which happend long time ago but still have direct connection with present time

Suppose that a man disappeared twenty years ago and I haven't had a notice about him since then. What should I say to my interlocutor if I want to tell him about this story? > You know, Harry has disappeared. Though it sounds like he has disappeared recently. Or: > You know, Harry disappeared. But my opponent could think that Harry had disappeared some time ago and then again had been discovered. Or: > You know, Harry had disappeared. But here... Why, it's rather strange usage here itself IMHO. That would mean I think that I wanted to tell about some events which had occurred in the past and that Harry had disappeared before those events and had never been discovered until then. Can anybody throw light upon this matter?


A generic word to define the superset of companies, NGOs and faculties

I need a word to define a set which includes companies, NGOs and faculties that sounds equally distant to those 3. I am not a native English speaker so I might be wrong but "Corporation" sounds like it is favoring "companies" more, and "institution" evokes "faculties". Is there a more natural generic term for those? What would you think about "foundation" or "establishment"? **edit:** I was thinking what is common to those 3. They are all _bodies with members_. So how about calling them _bodies_? A bit too general, though. What about _associations_?


What's an idiom for doing something in an unnecessarily complicated way?

For an example, I'll quote C.S. Lewis' _The Voyage of the Dawn Treader_ : > One day the cat got into the dairy and twenty of them were at work moving > all the milk out; no one thought of moving the cat. Is there an idiom for this type of situation?


One vs someone, can be used interchangeably?

I've been searching about the ability to use "one" and "someone" interchangeably but found almost nothing. So what's the difference between them and can they be used interchangeably, **for example** , in these sentences:   * There are numerous things (one, someone) could notice   * There is a hidden place (one, someone) might find    * If (one, someone) comes up to you and asks....


How to ask for the title on cheque?

If I need to know whose name should I put in title of a cheque, what would be the most precise and educated sentence? I have to pay someone some money via cheque but I want to ask them whose name should I put in title of the cheque, what should I say which is polite and eloquent ?


Is "behind" the correct use

When I spell my name, I usually say it's "Marie" with "ke" behind it. (My name is Marieke, I'm from Holland). Is this correct? I just think of it as the first letter of a word is in front so the following letters are "behind", however my husband disagrees. I could well be wrong as English is not my first language. Can you help?


Is the use of a period within quotes, in a sentence, accepted?

In the article by Anthoney McCartney on Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/man-arrested-red-carpet-says-never-hit- pitt-172635914.html): > Don't get offended at me. Don't get mad at me. And just to be thankful that > I show it's easy to get access to you and maybe you have to tighten > security," Sediuk said. He said celebrities should be cautious when talking > to fans. "Obviously, I don't want to say, 'Don't talk to fans.' But (be) > cautious. Looking at the last sentence, is the period within the second quotes technically correct within the quotes outside? Or, is the last sentence technically correct? I've always held that a period does not have to be confined to the end of the sentence but was divided about it. Because the period is the end, is it not? Now, for the first time ever, I've seen an example in an article I just happened to read, and my age-old doubt just got "re-ignited". What are your thoughts? Is it acceptable? At least Yahoo! QA seems to think so?


First, Second, Third, and Finally

Is it grammatically correct to sequence paragraphs using _First_ , _Second_ , _Third_ , and _Finally_? If not, is there a good word that replaces _Finally_? Starting a paragraph with _Final_ doesn't sound correct. I could change all of the other words (e.g., _First_ becomes _Firstly_ ), but I prefer the shorter versions. _Last_ is the best replacement I can come up with, but it doesn't sound as fluid as _Finally_. Forgive me for my painful-to-read example paragraphs. I'm not the most creative human being. > First, I grabbed a spoon. > > Second, I ate the cereal. > > Third, I drank the milk. > > Finally, I tossed the bowl in the dish washer.


"Inner" but not "outter"?

in -> inner out -> outer / (outter?) What is the history or set of rules behind why 'inner' doubles the 'n' but 'outer' doesn't double the 't'?


Why is it ‘a thousand and one’ when government employees ask questions on possible government shutdown?

In today’s Washington Post article titled “For federal workers, anxiety over a possible shutdown", I found a strange quote of number—‘a thousand and one questions.’ I understand it’s simply an exaggerated form of ‘a lot of questions.’ However, I’m curious to know why it is 1,001, not ‘hundreds’ or ‘numerous’ or even in round number? Is it simply a trope? Is ‘big number plus one’ well- accepted usage? Can I say ‘a hundred and one’ or ‘ten thousands one question’ when I have many questions? The number, ‘a thousand and one’, is quoted in the following sentence: > The government could shut down in a week if Congress can’t reach a budget > deal. And the Obama administration hasn’t told workers what a shutdown would > look like — who will be asked to come to work and who will be told to stay > home. Rank-and-file federal workers have **a thousand and one** questions. > Kane, Energy’s human resources chief, is fielding many of them.


Tenses for two clauses joined by "if only"

>   1. Our school had won the match if only we have concentrated. >   2. Our school would have won the match if only we would have concentrated. >   3. Our school would win the match if only we had concentrated. >   4. Our school had won the match if only we would have concentrated. >   5. Our school would have won the match if only we had concentrated. > Tell me which one is correct.


“She left me for another woman” or “She left me for a woman”?

Assuming a male speaker is referring to an ex-partner, which of the following is more correct? >   1. She left me for another woman >   2. She left me for a woman > The phrase _She left me for another man_ has always made sense to me because the omission of _another_ would suggest that she did not have a man before she left (a subtle self-deprecation on the part of the speaker). Similarly, a female speaker would say _He left me for another woman_. Should the rules change when the new partner is of the same gender?


Does "heuristic" have an antonym?

As a computer software engineer, I find that "heuristic" seems to be taken de facto, with no acknowledgement of any negative connotations, i.e. aspiring to more explicit, measurable, absolute alternative. For example when given a set of objects, and the goal of deciding if they are alike or different, a heuristic approach compares one or more attributes of each item, which may not "prove" the decision, but support it. "Deterministic" is probably the best choice, which might apply in the case one attribute is deemed to be distinct and definite.


"How do we call (something) in English?"

Is it really wrong to say "How do we call something in English?" instead of "What do we call something in English?"? The former's not unusual in Philippine English at all (probably it's because of the influence of Spanish, which was the national language for almost 400 years). Indeed, it's quite interesting that in many European languages, they tend to say "how". Anyone who can explain this? Thanks a lot.


How to use translator websites?

When I recently checked out the Google Translate website, where I translated some text from English into Tamil, I found that it translates individual words literally but does not translate sentences as a whole. Therefore sentence translations into Tamil end up incorrect. So how does one use this translation tool, or are there any other translator websites available which can translate entire sentences, and not merely perform word-by-word translations? If so, I'd welcome your suggestions. ![Google translate](http://i.stack.imgur.com/oxiZX.png)


English synonym online database?

Is there a good english synonym database available in the Internet? I imagine that it should work like a translator: you enter a word and synonyms for this word are displayed. The reason for asking this: I'm not a native English speaker but I have to write a lot of text in English. I noticed that I tend to use always the same expressions and I think it would be a good thing to for example not always use “that's why” but sometimes “therefore”.


Idiomatic expression for a difficult choice

This has cropped up several times in the past couple of months, and I've been struggling to find a fitting word to describe this phenomenon. I'll describe it: You have two choices(no, it's not Hobson's choice). Both of them are desirable, yet both of them each have a tiny part which is most undesirable, such as a tough condition, or a demanding clause. You have difficulty deciding which one to pick. Whenever something like that comes up, I think of the expression "Can't burn a candle at both ends", but I'm not looking for that. I'm looking for an expression that describes a difficult choice. Any suggestions? EDIT: It's idiomatic. I'm quite sure it is. It's an expression of some sort. And no, it isn't "dilemma"


Why isn’t “him that is” instead “him who is” in this passage from the 1500s?

From page 123 of Frederick Schauer’s _Thinking Like a Lawyer_ : > As long ago as the sixteenth century, Lord Selden observed that > >> . . . Equity is according to the conscience of him **that** is Chancellor, and as that is longer or narrower so is equity. ’Tis all one as if they should make the standard for the measure [of a linear foot] a Chancellor’s foot. I realise that this is from the 16th century, but shouldn’t the bold _that_ be _who_ there? I wouldn’t expect someone as learned as Lord Selden to err grammatically like this.


Etymology of "wildcard"

I was wondering where "wildcard" in computing terms comes from ? _Note: Did not find it in etymonline.com and don't know of any similar resources to consult._


What is correct: "bind to" or "bind with"?

What is a correct phrase: “bind to” or “bind with”? If both are correct, when should I use the first form, and when the second?


Is there an equivalent of p.p. for non-signed printed letters?

When signing a letter on behalf of a colleague the convention would be to write: > My signature > > **p.p.** Their Name However I am currently in the position where a document will go unsigned but I will be **printing** the name of _someone else_. Is there an abbreviation to indicate this or should I go with p.p.?


REpeat and DEfense

The words "defense" and "repeat" are more and more frequently being pronounced DE-fense and RE-peat; i.e., with the accent on the first syllable rather than the second. They seem to have originated in sports broadcasting ("The 49er DE- fense has broken down; the Lakers are hoping for a RE-peat of their last road trip") and carried over to everyday usage. I am curious as to whether these mispronunciations are as common in the UK as they are in the U.S.


Association for profit

What do English people call an association of two or more individuals or companies engaged in a solitary business enterprise for profit without actual partnership or incorporation? Is there a single word to describe this association?


Skin as euphemism for money

What is the origination or history of using "skin" to refer to "money?" For example, a golf competition called a "skins game" or, referring to an investor who, "has some skin in the game."


Correct preposition or word: "I want to evaluate your opinion and comprehension of/about ..."

What is the correct way of saying the following? _I want to evaluate your opinion and comprehension of/about this image?_


Difference in male vs female use of the English language

Is there a somewhat reliable (like, for example 70% success rate) way to determine whether a paragraph in the English language was written by a man or a woman (adult male/female)? Any credible references to the study, and perhaps a how-to? If this is possible, what about the general case of generally telling the difference between the writing style of a male and female person (the scope is increased to any English speaker that are 10 years or older). Of course, professional writers may be excluded as they're probably good enough so that they can deliberately pick a writing style to suit the occasion.


How to address a letter to a Ph.D.?

I'd like to write a letter to someone that has a Ph.D. What is the most correct way of addressing to that person?   \- Dear Mr. [Name]   \- Dear Mr. [Name], Ph.D.,   \- ...something else...


What does it mean when someone writes "Feel free to message me?"

Whats the meaning of it? Thanks in advance.


Why are pot-holes called pot-holes?

Why are pot holes called pot holes? By pot holes I mean those holes in a road surface.


Is "Monday" a proper noun or a common noun?

I can understand why `Monday` is an abstract noun (it isn't something we can perceive with any of our 5 senses), But is `Monday` considered a `proper noun` or a `common noun`?


How did homonyms come into existence?

Words like _bank, bat, bear, fine, fair, number, row_ , etc., each have multiple meanings but are pronounced and spelled in the same way. How can one word mean different things?


When to choose "with doing this" or "by doing this"?

Governments should enact laws to restrict drivers' behaviors in some areas........... With doing this, we can create a safer community. By doing this, we can create a safer community. Which one is correct and formally suitable to writing? Thanks


What is the opposite of "cooking the books"?

I'm trying to describe being on top of things accounting-wise but can't quite find the words. Is there some kind of idiomatic antonym for "cooking the books"?


What is the suitable option to fill the blank in the sentence below?

Alice is exhausted, she .............   1. is running    2. has been running    3. had been running    4. was running Can anybody please help me in understanding the answer to this question?


Do you hang up a cellphone?

When you disconnect your phone, you hang up. Does this phrase apply to your cellphone?


What is a "sounds like" thesaurus called?

A dictionary contains word definitions. A thesaurus contains words that mean the same (synonyms). I'm looking for a name for a word dictionary that will give you _rhymes_ (or "sounds like") of a word. For example: rhyme -> crime, prime or, "rhyme" with "lunchtime". What is this called and are there dictionaries or software or databases that contain these linkages? I'm aware (for computer programmers) there is an ability in MySQL to run a sounds like query.


Went to vs have been to

What is the difference between saying, > I have been to New York and LA; > > I went to New York and LA? I know one is simple past and the other is not. I am looking for how they are used from a native speakers perspective.


"Confess/admit" something good?

When using "confess" or "admit", the following word usually means something bad or something that the speaker is reluctant to say. I wonder if it is proper to use a word which means something good after "confess" or "admit"? For example > I failed, but I confess/admit that I have tried my best. Are there better verbs than "confess" or "admit" in such cases? Thanks and regards!


"John Doe is an uninteresting name. Usain Bolt [is]/[isn't]"

Given the two separate facts:   * John Doe is an uninteresting name.   * Usain Bolt is an interesting name. which of the following statements is correct: > A - "John Doe is an uninteresting name. Usain Bolt is" or > B - "John Doe is an uninteresting name. Usain Bolt isn't" In other words, why does the following equation seem true? > "John Doe is an uninteresting name. Usain Bolt is" = "John Doe is not an > interesting name. Usain Bolt is." (even though they are logically different).


What does “the hardware” a Japanese moviemaker took home after being awarded the Jury prize at Cannes Film Festival mean?

Japan Times (May 28) reported that Hirokazu Koreeda, movie director won the Jury Prize at 2013 Cannes Film Festival. The article titled, “Director Koreeda wins Jury Prize in Cannes begins with the following sentence: > “Director Hirokazu Koreeda’s “Soshite Chichi ni naru (Like father, like > son)” has become the latest Japanese moviemaker to take **the hardware** > home, after he was awarded the Jury Prize at this year’s Cannes Film > Festival. Koreeda’s movie a story about two couples, whose babies were > switched at birth, is the first Japanese work to receive the prize since the > late Rentaro Mikuni’s “Shinran: Shiroi Michi” was honored the honor in > 1987.” According to Oxford English Dictionary, Hardware mean;   1. tools, machinery, and other durable equipment:   2. the machines, wiring, and other physical components of a computer or other electronic system:. Cambridge English Dictionary also defines ‘hardware’ as: the physical and electronic parts of a computer, rather than the instructions it follows. I’ve never learnt the case of “Hardware” which I understand only in contrast to ‘software’ being used in such a way referring to the prize. What does a Japanese movie maker took the “hardware” home? Can 'hardware' normally be used in this way?


Common sense decision made in a lack of information

There is a word in English which I forgot for the decision that people make that involves a mutual agreement made in the lack of communication . For example, if 2 people agree meet each other tomorrow and then they realize when not together that they had not specified the time and cannot contact each other, then the most common sense decision would be to meet at the noon. Similarly for the place, the most common choice could be the same place as the last time.


What is the correct use of "safety" and "security"?

I was chatting with three friends this evening, when one of them asked about the use of some english words (we are not native speakers): > What is the difference between "security" and "safety"? The other answered: > "Safety" is about accidental causes, and "security" is about intentional > causes. Shortly after, some (confusing?) examples were given: >   * It is safe to cross the bridge, it won't break. >   * It is secure to cross the bridge, the dinosaurs aren't looking for food. >   * This bank is secure against thieves. >   * This bridge is safe against flood damage. > Could anyone clarify this for us?


Alternative expression required

What is an alternative expression to "Keeping the lights on"


What is the difference between “any” or ”every”?

Consider: > The system is deterministic if any two runs produce the same result. Can I say _every_ instead of _any_ in every such sentence?


In what dialects is "I don't like it too" grammatical?

Consider: **_Too_** — ( _adv_.) also, as well, in addition. We don’t usually use _too_ in negative clauses; we use _either_ instead:   * I don’t like that kind of stuff.   * I don’t like it either. That said, here’s my concern: I’ve heard a native speaker from the Lake District (in the UK) say “I won’t do it and she won't do it too.” When asked if that's how he usually phrases such sentences, I got an affirmative answer. This then reminded me of John Lennon’s lyrics to his song “Imagine”, which I had always thought must be wrong: > _Imagine there’s no countries   >  It isn’t hard to do   >  Nothing to kill or die for   >  **And no religion too**_ Is it grammatical in the UK (or in certain regions) to use _too_ instead of _either_ in such sentences?


Word/phrase to refer to things you bring to a place to stay the night?

Example: > We are going to a trip tomorrow and staying the night in a hotel. Don't > forget to bring your [...]. I thought about **stuff** but I'm looking for something less ambiguous (it can be informal).


What adjective would best describe this difference between two doctrinal stances?

What adjective would be suitable here to describe this particular difference between two doctrinal stances? > ... Well, as the matter of fact, neither "Mormons" nor "Jehovah's witnesses" > are Christians even though both of them claim that they are following Jesus > Christ's footsteps. The reason is simple: both of these two groups refuse > (and teach that it is wrong) to pray directly to Jesus Christ by calling on > His name. They only pray to the heavenly Father and add in the end of their > prayers "In the name of Your Son Jesus Christ we pray", which is a far cry > from praying to Jesus Christ directly. Read the book of Acts, chapter nine - > early Christians were being martyred for their practice of calling on the > name "Jesus", which is praying directly to Him. Having said that, however, I > still want to note that Mormons believe that many people who are not members > of their group will still be saved in the eternity future, albeit in the > "lower kingdom", while Jehovah's witnesses believe that only the members of > their group will be saved and all others will go into eternal perdition. So, > as you can see, Mormon's belief is **less** _**___ ___ ___** Also, what adjective would be suitable if the last sentence in the quote went this way: > So, as you can see, Mormon's belief is **more** _**___ ___ ___**


Usage of "is so"

Can we use: "The machine is so designed that the output retains the color of the input." or it is better to write "The machine is designed in a way such that ...."


How do I refer to a number in an image in a scientific paper?

I'm note sure if this is the correct place to ask this, but if I have a schematic illustration that contains numbers to enumerate interesting details. How do I refer those numbers in a text that describes this image? Is the following correct? > Figure 3.1 shows (...). It consists of a diffuser (1) that is used (...). Here point 1 would indicate the diffuser on the illustration. Are there any other ways to refer?


What is the meaning of 'catharsis' in a tragedy?

First of all, I'm aware of the Greek origin of the word. I have looked this word up in a dozen different dictionaries but I still don't quite understand what a catharsis is. A definition: _Originating from ancient Greece, the word "catharsis" refers to the emotional outpouring of a character. Often, when a character in a tragedy realizes his/her flaws or downfall, a cathartic speech is delivered._ In other definitions it also says that the audience also experiences this, but I don't understand at all what is meant by this. The above definition reminds me of an epiphany, but I don't see at all why the audience would experience this too, since the flaws of a character are usually known by the audience from the start. Can someone clear up my confusion regarding this subject?


Reference request: the pronunciation of Law French?

Would anyone happen to know of a systematic account of the English pronunciation of legal and parliamentary terms and phrases of Anglo-Norman French origin, or more generally, of Law French? When it comes to loans from Latin, even Wikipedia has a very detailed account of their traditional pronunciation and its development, but I've been unable to find anything analogous for terminology originating from Law French. My question is intimately related to this earlier one on the archaic nature of Legal English, though unless I've missed something, nothing in that thread seemed to really touch on Law French in any detail at all. EDIT: At the very least, is there anything more to the story than "just" taking these archaic French words and phrases and applying, according to their spelling, an ad hoc mixture of general English pronunciation and the odd bit of modern French pronunciation?


What does "change one's stripes" exactly mean?

I found a phrase in the headline of today’s Washington Post article (Feb. 14) that reads "Mubarak loyalists change stripes to fit into the new Egypt." Though I interpreted the meaning of _change one’s stripes_ as _change sides_ , I wasn’t sure. I checked up dictionaries at hand. No dictionary carries _change stripes_. So I checked online dictionaries of free Merriam-webster, Cambridge dictionary online, and the thesaurus. com. None of them carries _change stripe_ , except reference.com says _refer to “Leopard cannot change its spots”_ , which seems to me not applicable to the implication of the phrase used in the above headline. Can anybody tell me the exact meaning of _change stripes_? Does stripe mean a flag? Is this phrase well-established, though none of dictionary I've checked registers this phrase?


Not only... but also

Consider the following: >   1. Not only you should be able to speak but also able to write. >   2. You should be able to not only speak but also write. >   3. You should not only be able to speak but also be able to write. > Which is right to use? If there's an even better one, please suggest.


What does the term "crack-a-lacking" mean?

In the Gorillaz song Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach rapper Snoop Dogg uses the term crack-a-lacking. I've done some searching and can't find a reliable source for the origin and exact meaning of this term, but there are a few options. The term is not used in any specific context in the song.


get the boot courtesy - idiom, meaning

> It seems that William and Susan aren’t getting along very well together, so > one of them has got to go. Since William was there first, Susan will **get > the boot courtesy** of the delete statement... Could you please explain the meaning and usage of the idiom **get the boot courtesy** in this sentence and exactly what kind of aspect the noun **courtesy** adds to the phrase?


Portmanteau components to the word Dramedy

Is _dramedy_ a combination of _drama_ \+ _comedy_? Or, is it a combination for _drama_ \+ _tragedy_? Further research seems to show that it is a combination for _drama_ \+ _comedy_. _**Question_** :   In that case, what then would be the portmanteau for _drama_ \+ _tragedy_?


Why is the perfect tense used in this sentence?

> I wish I have been there for the baby kicking for the first time? Could I change the sentence to > I wish I was there for the baby kicking for the first time? What are the differences between the two sentences?


analyze the structure of a long sentence

> Thus, a highly-accurate automatic fall detection system is likely to be a > significant part of the living environment for the elderly to expedite and > improve the medical care provided while allowing people to retain autonomy > for longer. The above is the long sentence. (1) what's the meaning of 'expedite' here? (2) 'and improve the medical care', what's it before 'and'? I mean which part is **and** to 'improve the medical care' (3) what's the meaning of 'while' here?


"Proportion of IPOs in France"?

Assume you read a text discussing the total value of all IPOs world-wide and those in France, stating France's IPOs' total value is 9% of those world-wide. Is it valid to refer to this percentage as "proportion of IPOs in France"?


What does a dialogue consist of?  I mean, what are these constituents called?

> **Tina** : I had a strange dream last night.   >  **Jack** : Well, dreams are always strange. I've never had an absolutely > "normal" dream. So what did you dream about?   >  **Tina** : I dreamed about a skyscraper devouring a small "Starbucks" What do you call a single part of a dialogue that is spoken by one person? (There are three such parts written here: The first and the last one are spoken by Tina, and the middle one is by Jack.)


Alternative to 'hype' for an academic paper

I am working on an academic paper, and I want to describe the scientific community's hype regarding a certain technology. The word 'hype' is concise and describes exactly what I mean, but I'm not sure the word has the proper tone for an academic document. Is there an alternative term or concise phrase that gets the same idea across in a more academic tone?


Usage of hyphen in "oft-cited"

> The oft-cited first sentence of this work Why would you not just use two words, _oft cited_?


Difference between “laconic” and “concise”?

Those two words both seem to be about using a few words/a few steps to do something.


Is there a name for the emotional response to cuteness?

What do you feel when you see this? ![Adorable kitten](http://i.stack.imgur.com/Sb45Y.jpg) We all know the feeling of seeing something adorable, of wanting to hug it, take care of it, and let our speech degenerate into mindless babble and squealing. But does it have a name? _Adoration_ isn't quite it, and that's about as close as I seem to be able to get. For such a common and powerful emotional response, I find it baffling that there seems to be no word for it. If there's no English word, we should re-purpose a foreign one, as we're wont to do.


Is there a difference between saying a place is "well-lighted" versus "well-lit" or is it just stylistic?

> **Possible Duplicate:**   >  What's the difference between "well-lighted" and "well-lit"? I feel that "well-lit" means there is enough light whereas "well-lighted" implies someone actually set-up the lighting and did it well. Of course, really, "lighted" is just the regular version of the irregular "lit", so I suppose they should mean the same thing assuming we accept "lighted". What is the reality when it comes to these terms?


In the sentence "You, too.", is the comma acceptable?

I tend to think it is, as "too" serves the role of a referential phrase, repeating the verb-phrase of a preceding sentence, and "you" acts simply as a subject pronoun. But, I've heard an argument to the contrary.


Frequent use of word not found in dictionary, "programatically."

Here's a word I see often on StackOverflow, "programatically." Used to indicate that a programmer intends to do something within the code of a program, rather than through user interaction. For example, "a user can check a checkbox on a form, but a programmer may also do it _programatically_." Since this word isn't in the dictionary, I assume it to be either incorrect to use it at all, or this is a new word that's essentially slang. Is there a better alternative?


What did "your mom did a number on you" mean in Seinfeld?

I remember one episode on Seinfeld, a girl said "did your mother do a number on you" when they were talking about breaking up or not. This is the sentence reported from the transcript: > LISI: Boy, did your mother do a number on you. According to Urban Dictionary, its meaning is "treat harshly or damage." What does that mean, in that context? Did Lisi mean that Seinfeld did not dare to fall in a long term relationship because he had bad childhood memories (his mother treating him badly)? Why is it "do a number on"? Which is its origin?


How and in what way did the Danes come to influence English?

I was looking for some insight into the farewell greeting _ta_ on The Urban Dictionary just now, and came across this mostly excellent top-ranked answer (adapted slightly, emphasis mine): > A slang word for "thanks." > > **The word is a result of the heavy Danish influence on the English > language. Most people do not realize that the English language's roots are > really Danish, in Jutland.** Equipped with this knowledge this word is easy > to decipher. > > The Danish word for "thanks" is _tak_. In Scotland and upper England it was > common to drop the at the end because of the way words were pronounced > during the time of Old English and Middle English. Hence the slang word "ta" > which should actually be pronounced "TA-k" but over time became "ta". After reading that, I also remembered reading, when I was in our chat, that Frisian was the closest surviving spoken language to English, and then remembered the Wikipedia article stating that many Danish speakers are able to understand some spoken Frisian. With those facts, I hypothesized to myself that perhaps the Danes influenced both languages, before they had diverged, some very long time ago. Alas, that's all I can venture; though I know a fair bit about more modern influences on English -- that is, Latin and Old French -- I've haven't really seen this discussed before, which is no small wonder, as it seems that whatever influence the Danes had would have been ancient. It's also pretty strange, as compared to French, because Denmark is a bit aways from England; it's doesn't just have a narrow channel to cross, nor, if I remember correctly, doesn't share as intimately connected royal and noble lines as the French have with England. So I guess my question is: Are the answerer's bolded words above correct? If they are, can someone offer a nice précis of how we can see this influence of the Danes, and how it came about?


Which is correct: To "take a medical leave" or to "take medical leave"?

According to the _Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary_ and _Cambridge Dictionaries Online_ , _leave_ is an uncountable noun when it is used to mean "a period of time away from work for a holiday/vacation or for a special reason." Thus, one should say or write, > He's taken sick leave since last week. However, I found the following sentences both added an 'a' before _leave_. Are both "without a" and "with a" in front of _leave_ acceptable, even though the dictionaries I've consulted with don't show that _leave_ is singular? > At my request, the board of directors has granted me **a medical leave** of > absence so I can focus on my health. (from Job's letter to Apple Staff as he > takes new medical leave of absence) > > Steve Jobs' decision to **take a medical leave** from Apple Inc. was > probably triggered either by an infection, a rejection episode related to > his recent liver transplant or, most likely, a recurrence of his pancreatic > cancer, experts said Monday. (from _The Los Angeles Times_) P.S. One can > find the usage, "to take a week's/a month's leave", in dictionaries. But, I > don't think it is relevant to my question. It seems just another usage.


What is the difference between the words negative and negatory? I looked up the definitions here and they are pretty much the same.


Cases where "mistake" and "error" are not interchangeable

Are there cases where _error_ and _mistake_ are not interchangeable?


What does it mean to call something Leviathan in comparison to others?

**Wordweb** describes **Leviathan** as: >   1. The largest or most massive thing of its kind >   2. Monstrous sea creature symbolizing evil in the Old Testament > A recent **Economist** article (see **The drug war hits Central America** ) has this usage of Leviathan: > Whatever the weaknesses of the Mexican state, it is a Leviathan compared > with the likes of Guatemala or Honduras. Large areas of Guatemala—including > some of its prisons—are out of the government’s control; and, despite the > efforts of its president, the government is infiltrated by the mafia. It is clear from this text and the rest of the article that Guatemala and Honduras are _worse off_ than Mexico. If that is so, why is the word Leviathan used to refer to Mexico? From the above meaning of Leviathan, should not Mexico be the _worst_ amongst the three? What is the typical usage of this word Leviathan?


What is a "Hobbesian trap"?

A recent **Economist** article (see **The drug war hits Central America** ) uses something called a **Hobbesian trap** like this: > Central America has fallen into a **Hobbesian trap** : the better-off make > private arrangements—there are five times as many private security guards as > policemen or soldiers in Guatemala, and four times as many in Honduras—and > therefore block efforts to levy the tax revenues necessary to strengthen the > state. A simple Google search turns out to be unhelpful. What is this **Hobbesian trap**? What is the origin of it? What is a typical context where a writer can employ it?


On the meaning of the verb "assert"

According to dictionaries, "assert" means "to state categorically". Longman Dictinary of Contemporary English says: > (1) to state firmly that something is true > > (2) **assert your rights/independence etc**. to state very strongly your > right to do or have something However, I don't understand what "assert" below means. > (3) the promise to assert more control over the army In (3), "assert" does not seem to mean "state", but "use" or something like that. How should (3) be paraphrased?


Should I use singular or plural to describe the steps applied to a list of items?

Example: > She told me that her father worked in a manufacturer of recycling equipment. > They exported their machines practically all over the world: Australia, > Germany, Russia, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, among other countries. > **Since her father was the only one in the firm who spoke fluent English, he > was the one responsible to fly to the site, sell the machine, and provide > basic training on how to operate it.** Or should it be? > She told me that her father worked in a manufacturer of recycling equipment. > They exported their machines practically all over the world: Australia, > Germany, Russia, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, among other countries. > **Since her father was the only one in the firm who spoke fluent English, he > was the one responsible to fly to the sites, sell the machines, and provide > basic training on how to operate them.**


What's the difference between "niche" and "mainstream"?

Is there a word meaning that usage of something is narrower than "mainstream" but wider than "niche"? For example, speaking of operating systems, Windows is mainstream, embedded operating systems are oriented on their niches, and Linux and Mac OS X are... well... somewhere in between. (You may arguably classify Mac OS X as mainstream-too, and Linux as still-niche, but anyway you get the idea.) (If you know more than 3 popularity gradations, you are welcome to name them.)


Meaning of "seems promising"?

I just heard some one saying "it seems promising". I did not get its sense. Where and how is being used? I tried googling as well but could just find meaning of promise (agreeing on doing / saying something), how and where to use it.


What should be the proper reply for thanks?

I like a girl which is in same division as I am. Recently she was suffering from malaria and when I came to know this I sent a "Get well soon!" message. We have hardly exchanged any words in labs and common lectures. Now she has replied as "thanks!" as expected. I want to give her a good reply for her thanks just to continue. So what should I say in this situation. I really like this girl!


Difference between "dawn" and "realize"

I encountered a word _dawn_ and I have a feeling I understood the meaning in context. For example, > 1) It dawned on him that she had loved him. means > 2) It entered his consciousness that she had loved him. I noticed that no dictionary states _realize_ as a synonym of _dawn_. > 3) He realized that she had loved him. Is there a difference in meaning between 1 and 3? Could these two words be synonyms in dictionaries?


Can a person be a direct object?

Is "him" a direct object in the sentence: "They sent him to prison."? Several online sources claim that direct object answers the question "What?" But it seems that it is not always the case.


Does "merge" imply that the source elements no longer exist after merging?

When I use the word "merge", I think of it as creating a new object with properties combined from several individual objects. Does "merge" then also imply these individual objects no longer exist after they have formed the new singular object?


Addressing a formal letter to multiple people with unknown names

What is the appropriate way to address a motivational letter for a graduate program? Multiple poeple will read the letter. How should I address it if I want to avoid the "To whom it may concern" phrase, and salute the female reader? Is it appropriate to write "Dear Madams, Sirs?" p.s. Many of the salutation posts are marked as duplicates, or closed but I did not see this question answered.


empty bags that authorities suspect [were] used to hold

The following is from the CNN news of today. I wonder if "were" is mistakenly omitted between "suspect" and "used." Am I in the wrong? > A number of used syringes, prescription drugs and empty bags that > authorities suspect used to hold heroin also were found in the apartment > where Hoffman, 46, was found dead Sunday.


What is the style of writing used in the Summa Theologica called?

St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica has a very distinctive and consistent style. It seems as though his style of writing starts with a proposition and then lists some objections, then a reply, then a refutation of the objections and finally a conclusion. What is it called?


"Draught" or "draft"

I'm referring to the term used to describe the vertical distance between a ship's keel and the waterline. Which is the correct spelling: _draught_ or _draft_? If either is correct, under which conditions would one be used over the other?


Use of "some" in "some kid in the classroom"

Is it correct to say _there was some kid in the classroom_?


Which has more positive implication "I'm envious of you" or "I'm jealous of you"?

I read some definitions about "envious" and "jealous" but still not sure which has more positive implication and is common used in conversation. If you were me which would you choose? For example, if you're a bachelor and your friend get married to a very cute lady, but you're really happy with that.


Punctuation of an exclamative question

What is the proper way of writing an exclamative question: >   1. What are you doing!? >   2. What are you doing?! > or is it better to just leave it as a simple question?


Should I add punctuation after each in a a list of incomplete sentences?

When writing a list of potentially incomplete sentences, how should I punctuate each item? Daycare Admission Rules:   1. No older than 5 years   2. No younger than 1 year   3. No purple Hair Do I end each with a period, a question mark (if interrogative), or nothing?


words/phrases/idioms meaning either mundane/repetitive tasks, or inefficient methods?

What are some words, phrases, or idioms meaning either mundane or repetitive tasks, or inefficient methods? For example adding up numbers from 1 to 1000, the repetitive way would be adding them 1 by one i.e. 1+2+3+...+1000, where as (1001)*(1000)/2 gives the answer in 3 steps. Can "Donkey Work" be understood to mean a repetitive or inefficient way of doing things?


Is this letter censuring or just being sarcastic?

This is a letter by physicist Richard Feynman to his university's student newspaper. I am a non-native english speaker and I have trouble understanding in what spirit this letter was written them, is it just casual sarcasm, or condescension, or what? ![enter image description here](http://i.stack.imgur.com/VcSaY.png)


Is there an aphorism for doing a self-defeating act?

Is there a witty turn of phrase that indicates one's performing an act that, in its doing, undermines, contravenes, or obviates itself? This question relates to a similar idea, but I have it in my mind that there is a saying that describes this state of affairs. "Cutting off one's nose to spite one's face" is not quite what I'm going for because the act of cutting off the nose doesn't negate itself. I'm thinking more of a line speaking about someone who breaks the speed limit on his way to defend himself in traffic court, or wiping off a table with a dirty sponge.


Can I use the word "persons"?

I hope this is the correct place for my question. I didn't post in English learner site because it seems a more specific question. As everyone knows the plural of person is _people_ , but I saw in a menu > Starter for 4 **persons** I was sure about the error, but a friend told me that sometimes in menus and lists it can be used if there is a fixed number. What is your opinion?


Let it be done - grammatical analysis

How should the phrase "Let it be done" be interpreted grammatically? What confounds me are the following assumptions, some or all of which may be wrong:   1. "Let" implies imperative   2. "it be done" implies a subjunctive   3. the lack of an agent implies passive   4. section 5 of this reference says that the "let" indicates the desire for a hypothetical situation and is hence part of the subjunctive - I'm thinking that this "let" could be either a desire and a command but at this point I'm probably wrong Given the above is "Let it be done" a correct passive transformation of "Do it"? Is this a passive-voice imperative-mood construction (in which case what about the subjunctive?), is it a passive-voice subjunctive-mood construction? Is it somehow in the active voice ? The original query was intended for "Let the cake be eaten", which I had assumed to be a passive transformation of "eat the cake" the title and rest of the question are an attempt at generalization. Also note that I'm looking at this from a purely grammatical point of view, whether such constructions are silly or not is another matter. related questions here and here


What is the "thirsty" equivalent of "ravenously"?

When you eat something very hungrily, you can use the adverb "ravenously" to describe it. But when you drink something very fast in a similar way to quench your thirst, what adverb can you use to describe it?


What's the meaning of "break through the wall"?

This is a passage taken from an article: > I took the job at a particularly low point in my life. Me and my girl had a > nasty breakup after months of me not just falling, but running headlong into > the depths of depression and self-destruction. When she left, **I broke > through the wall.** The creeping emptiness I had felt most of my life became > a full-blown Nietzschean void. Years of stuffing my feelings into a deep, > dark hole finally crushed most of my ability to have feelings at all. What does _breaking through the wall_ mean? Is this literal?


How to ask a shop assistant if the shop has already started servicing?

I do not know what would be the best way of saying this: Suppose you walk into a shop and you notice there is not a single customer in the shop. So you cannot be sure if the shop has already started its business for the day. How can you ask the staff? Can we say- > Have you started servicing? or, > Are you open now or sth ? Thank you.


What does “Every Jewish mother will die, a fact many are not exactly famous for playing down” mean?

The New York Times (May 20) carried a review on a revue, “Old Jews telling jokes”, currently being performed at the Westside Theater, under the title “Such a tradition of humor, and this is only a revue?”. I was unable to get the idea of its beginning line: > Every Jewish mother will die, _a fact many are not exactly famous for > playing down,_ but the Jewish-mother joke will live forever. What is the plain English for “a fact many are not exactly famous for playing down,” which looks to me somewhat winding? The associated question : The beginning block of the article ends up with the following line; "The show, whose title has as firm a grasp on its audience’s desire as “Girls gone wild,” is a winning concept executed deftly with affection. _Would it kill you to pay a visit?_ " I guess “Would it kill you to pay a visit” simply means “Why don’t you try to pay a visit.” Is “Would it kill you to do something” a popular phrase to substitute for recommending somebody to do something? Does it sound awkward or over-the-top if I say to my colleague “Would it kill you to have a drink,” instead of saying “Let’s have a drink” after work?”


Pluralizing shortened words

I'm stumped at this forum reply which states that the contracted plural of "regulation" is "reg's". "Cigarettes" is shortened to "cigs", as far as i know, but perhaps that's because "a cig" is a common term. How about this: > The makings of a beautiful friendship. Can it be > The makin's of a beautiful friendship. or > The makins of a beautiful friendship. ?


How Many Diphthongs Are There In English?

I was talking to a person who said that there were only two. I think she said that the "ou" in house is one of the two. I told her that the way the letter "i" is pronounced is a diphthong, and she said it wasn't. She said it was just one vowel, "i" and that that was that. She said she studied phonics and was writing her thesis (on child development, I think) on this kind of stuff. She said her book said there were only two diphthongs and that I was wrong. So, how many are there? I told her I think there are probably more like ten. I thought of six immediately, but she said they weren't diphthongs because her book didn't say they were.   1. "i" in time   2. "i" in bite   3. "o" in bone   4. "a" in bane   5. "oi" in boink   6. "ou" in house


Why is it correct to say "He came and said something to me" but not "He came and said to me something"?

This question was just posed to me and I couldn't give a clear answer beyond that the second just feels wrong and one would generally use a direct or indirect quotation, as in "he came and said to me that he can't come." However, I'm led to believe that it's just a matter of usage, as it feels OK to say "He came and said to me something I'll never forget," or something along those lines. Is this incorrect or just a matter of usage?


Different ways to say "hope to Learn"

I am writing a study proposal broken into three sections. The third section will cover "what I hope to learn," which is not the greatest phrasing for a section. Alternative suggestions would be appreciated. Document breakdown:   * Problem Statement   * Measurement   * What I Hope to Learn _< \-- Need better phrasing_


Where does "emphasis mine" go in a quotation?

I have often seen the term _emphasis mine_ used whenever an author wishes to denote that emphasis in a given quotation originates from said author rather than from the original source. **What is the proper place for this phrase?** One possibility is immediately following the emphatic text, inside the quotation. But, see next question... **What if there are multiple emphatic sections marked within the quote?** If "emphasis mine" comes immediately after each phrase, it would end up repeated two or more times, which seems a bit messy. In this case, would it be OK to place "emphasis mine" at the end of the quotation? If so, should it be inside or outside? **How should the phrase "emphasis mine" be set off?** I believe I have seen parentheses () or brackets [], though brackets are also used to indicate words added by the one using the quotation.


What's the difference between "mirror" and "looking glass"?

I have read that a looking glass is a surface with sufficient reflection to form an image of an object... doesn't that sound like a mirror?


Meaning of “Irish true”

This is a sign from a pub. I would expect it to read “Irish truth” or “true Irish”. Why is “Irish true” used? ![sign](http://i.stack.imgur.com/GTYcv.jpg)


Alternative wording for "Falling into pitfalls"

Context: Are you fully knowledgeable of the subject, or are you falling into the common pitfalls? I don't like having falling and pitfall together. I also think "experiencing the common pitfalls" is a little too formal for the context; I would prefer to keep a casual tone.


Is it incorrect to use a sentence fragment to answer a question?

In an English essay, I wrote: > What am I looking at? People enjoying themselves? I lost points for using a sentence fragment. Is it truly incorrect to use a sentence fragment this way?


"A whole nother" way of looking at things

People say this so much (instead of "another whole" way, etc.) that I wonder how it got started. How did "another whole..." get changed to "a whole nother..."?


Is it true that the plural of "chad" is "chadim"?

I was busy at filing tasks today, working the hole punch and manufacturing... er... more than one _chad_. I consulted the _Computer Contradictionary_ by Stan Kelly-Bootle, which is normally a reliable source for this sort of thing, and it claims that the plural of _chad_ is _chadim_. It referred me to the _New Hacker's Dictionary_ and the _Jargon File_ which are sadly silent on the plural. Does anyone know if _chadim_ is a recognised plural (even among the _l33t haXor_ community) or is this another of Kelly-Bootle's jokes?


Difference between meter and rhythm in poetry

What is the difference between meter and rhythm in poetry? The explanations found from googling were highly confusing.


"is it me, or..." meaning and usage

What does "is it me, or..." mean? Examples:   * Perhaps it is just me, but I find Intel's ultrabook pitch somewhat confusing.   * Is it me, or is this a bug?


Is it correct to use the preposition "by" interchangeably with "near"?

Is it correct to use the preposition _by_ interchangeably with _near_? > I went to the store near me.   >  I went to the store nearby me.   >  I went to the store by me. Are the above sentences all correct? Are they all correct in both American English and British English?


What do you call "one hundredth of a second"?

As in: > He broke the world record of 14.05 I tried searching Wikipedia and ended up with _centisecond_. It sounds so scientific. What is it called in colloquial English?


Word meaning: "by people/peers for people/peers"

I'm looking for a word that means something along the lines of "by people/peers for people/peers".


Are there any rules to differeniate when to use the "i" vs "y" in spelling

I am not sure if my title is clear but perhaps this example will clear things up. I wanted to write the word "amygdala", I sounded it out and concluded that it must be spelt "amigdala". When I looked it up I was disappointed that what sounded like an "i" should have been a "y". I am curious if there are any rules of the language I should be aware of to avoid making such a mistake in the future. Thanks.


What does “poke one in the eye” mean?

In today's Washington Post article titled “For Boehner, battle is a test of leadership,” I came across the phrase, “It seems every step we take, it’s something just to poke us in the eye,” of Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid. Although I can easily imagine how angry I could be when I’m poked in my eye with a stick, what does “poke one in the eye” mean right here? I searched the definition of this phrase in dictionaries at hand and online dictionaries, none of which has entry of this phrase, except for Online Slang Dictionary carrying the phrase “poke in the brown eye” without giving any definition of it. I’m also curious to know what “poke in the brown eye” means. Mr. Harry Reid’s comment including “poke one in the eye” reads: > ‘It seems every step we take, it’s something just to **poke us in the eye** > ,’ a frustrated Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) said at one > point this week. ‘They are not trying to arrive at the finish line. It > appears that they’re going to do everything they can to satisfy the tea > party.’


Where is the "pere" in "ammeter"?

The instrument to measure current in amperes is called _ammeter_ , while the instrument to measure charge in coulombs is called _coulombmeter_. What happened to the _-pere_? Is there a historical reason for this? _Ampere-meter_ stands for the seldom used unit A*m.


Meaning of "self-priming" in specific example

I don't understand the term _self-priming_ in the following sentence: > Illustrators may have a self-priming function, helping people put words > together into reasonably coherent speech. Just for the context, _illustrators_ are gestures we do during the conversations.


Replacing past perfect tense with past tense

For _had fallen_ in a when-clause, can the past perfect tense be replaced with the past tense? > Easily the most boring class was History of Magic, which was the only one > taught by a ghost. Professor Binns **had been** very old indeed when he > **had fallen** asleep in front of the staffroom fire and **got up** next > morning to teach, leaving his body behind him. Binns droned on and on while > they scribbled down names and dates, and got Emetic the Evil and Uric the > Oddball mixed up.


"Suggestions as to how to" vs "suggestions how to"

Which should I write? > He has made several suggestions **_as to how to_** improve the situation. > > He has made several suggestions **_how to_** improve the situation.


"I will do" or "I will do that"

I have come across the phrase _I will do_ used as a response. Somehow, it seems incomplete. Shouldn't it be _I will do that_?


Correct use of the verb "poll"

Say there are 100 factors that determine the outcome of a process. Some of them are simple and easy to observe, while others are very intricate. Is the following sentence correct? > The experiment should determine which of the 100 factors can be efficiently > **polled** through a questionnaire.


"Are you having a good day?" Is it about me or about the weather?

When I'm asked over the phone in a long-distance call "Are you having a good day?" is this a question about me (my mood, my health), or about the weather? Assuming I'm speaking with a Brit, that is...


How to refer back to the final sentence of the last paragraph?

I'm wondering about the "distance" over which one may refer back to a point recently made. For instance, there are obviously no problems with the following construction:               "...therefore, Method A may lead to complications for Problem B. To address this, ..."      But when the two sentences are on either side of a section/chapter divider, one should update the reader about the subject at hand:               "...therefore, Method A may lead to complications for Problem B.           Section C     To address the problem regarding the application of Method A to Problem B, ..."      Now, what about the intermediate situation when these sentences are merely split into two paragraphs? May I consider the concept of [the problem regarding the application of Method A to Problem B] to still be sufficiently "fresh in memory", so that I can refer to it as "this" in the next paragraph, or do I need to update the reader in a "self-sustaining" manner, as illustrated in the second example above? In other words: I want to write this:               "...therefore, Method A may lead to complications for Problem B.          To address this, ..."      Can I?


Is "no... but only..." correct?

Is it right to write > There is no money needed, but only time. when I am trying to express that money isn't required for a particular thing, only time is required?


Proper Use Of Word "Correction" In A Title

I am employing the word, correction, in the title of a section of writing—but concerned about its proper use. Here are a few examples of the title:   * Formal Correction To Smith's Conclusion   * Formal Correction Of Smith's Conclusion   * Formal Correction For Smith's Conclusion My writing aims to correct the invalid conclusions that another author drew, thus I need the title to embody that. Any ideas?


What does it mean: "... was three days dying"?

Not being a native English speaker, I still like to read in English from time to time. In my current book was written that someone "... was three days dying." Does this mean that the person died three days ago, or that the person has been suffering from mortal wounds for three days but is still holding on? The previous chapter with this person ended in him being on fire, but there was nothing said about whether he died. The next chapter about this person started with: "The (...) prince was three days dying." Edit: Thanks for all the help. After this I read further and it became more clear that indeed the Prince was dead after three days of suffering.   To answer some of your questions, it is not translated, as a matter of fact, the writer was born in New Jersey. He is known to write a bit archaic though.   It could indeed well mean the writer wanted to emphasize his suffering since later in the book, someone who was had a long life of seeing people die, described it as one of the worst things he ever saw.   And furthermore, I left out where the prince was from, to prevent spoilers. This could have made it more difficult to google.


Substantive idiom for "a shoulder to cry on"

I believe there is an expression to call someone (a friend) to whom you complain about something, generally a relationship problem. Could someone point to such an idiom?


What role does the phrase "the way" perform in this sentence?

> Walter thought she was wonderful **the way** she was (1). Whatever she did, > he marveled. If she espoused extreme points of view, he was impressed by her > arguments; when she shocked society by helping unmarried mothers and their > children, he admired her courage; and he loved **the way** she looked in > daring fashions (2).   >  (Ken Follett, Fall of Giants) It seems like the second the way phrase is the complement of ‘loved’ (or the object). But the first is not that easy. It seems to be an adverbial or a predicative for ‘she’. How do I understand the first the way phrase?


Is 'metacogniscent' a word?

I was watching this video and around the 1:05 minute mark the girl said 'metacogniscent', but I'm wondering whether or not that actually is a word, and if so; did she use it correctly (from what I've googled, the definition of 'metacognition' deviates from her definition of 'metacogniscent')


What is the difference between "gender" and "sex"?

What is the difference between _gender_ and _sex_? Wiktionary says that _gender_ is _The mental analog of sex_ but that's too high English for me. Basically, I'm developing a web-application that stores people's profile along with a field for gender/sex. Which name would be more appropriate? __ _[UPDATE]_ After getting these good answers, I may figure out that,   1. _Sex_ \- Biological characteristics    2. _Gender_ \- Social characteristics And, well, for my web-application, I went with the term _sex_ , as it sounds more _scientific_ and less _political_. P.S. Values for _sex_ are clearly defined and can be easily validated (only two values AFAIK* + an optional _blank_ value). * plus some anomalies.


Which is more correct: gender or sex?

I've always used "gender" when I want to talk about whether a person is male or female. But I came across this comment on a similar question here: > Correct usage is "sex" for humans and other animals. "Gender" is for things > like connectors and pipe fittings. People are just squeamish about the word > "sex." So which one is more correct and more importantly which one should I use? It would be great if you can base your answers on facts, references, or specific expertise rather than just personal opinions. Note: I've already seen the question What is the difference between "gender" and "sex"? but it does not answer my question.


What is the correct suffix for someone or something from "Bonaire"?

Living on the island of Bonaire, a question has arisen on the correct suffix to be used when describing someone from, or an item pertaining to, the island of Bonaire. Both "Bonairian" and "Bonairean" seem to be in use. Which is correct, and what is the grammar rule that defines it?


Semicolon used within dashes: Making sense of "England in 1819"

I'm trying to analyse Shelley's "England in 1819", but I'm having trouble with a certain passage which features a semicolon within two dashes. I find this quite confusing, and,therefore, I'm not sure what the author means. Here is the sentence with some extra lines for context: > Golden and sanguine laws which tempt and slay; Religion Christless, Godless > **—a book sealed; A senate, Time’s worst statute, unrepealed—** Are graves > from which a glorious Phantom Is the senate referring to the "book sealed" (the Bible) or is senate just meaning the parliament here? What does the use of the semicolon and dashes mean?


English idiom for 'Fry the fish using fish's own oil'

Please help me to find out the appropriate English idiom for `Fry the fish using fish's own oil`. This is a Bengali proverb/idiom whose word meaning 'When you are frying some sea fish, initially cook use some oil for frying but within few minute fish emit it's own body oil, and the remaining frying is done by this oil. Literally, this means Somebody has invested some amount of money in some particular purpose but get some extra benefit, as an add-on that save his/her initial investments. Please help me. If I'm not clarify well please ask me. Thanks!


Can you say more environmentally friendly ways?

English is not my first language and I'm trying to translate a text from Swedish to English for my English class. I'm wondering if it is correct to use "more environmentally friendly ways" in this sentence: > We need to find cheaper and more environmentally friendly ways to produce > the fuel.


Can we say an achievement "is" a title for someone?

> All scientific progress consists in the advance from a less to a more > adequate hypothesis. The Greeks were the first to follow this method, and > that **is** their title to be regarded as the originators of science. (John > Burnet, Early Greek Philosophy) I think the author means that the Greek way of doing science earn the title for Greeks. But I do not know why he uses the link verb "is". Is it a figure of speech?


Should I use "toil" or "toils" when I refer to hardwork?

I know toil means hardwork, even physical labor. For example, I want to say: I'm prepared for the toil as a oilfield worker in Siberia. My question is: should this "toil" be "toil" (singular) or "toils" (plural)? Thank you.


"The whole nine yards"

What is the origin of the phrase "the whole nine yards"? Is it a reference to some game of sports I am not familiar with (as a continental European)?


How does one correctly pronounce the letter 'H': "Aych" or "haych"?

What is the correct sound of the letter H when reading the alphabet - is it 'aych' or 'Haych' ?


Multivariant or Multivariate?

When testing performance or the output of different combinations of elements against one another - is it correct to say it's a "multivariant" test? Or is it a "multivariate" test?


Why is "a" missing in "running like clockwork"

I would like to know why the idiom "running like clockwork" is not written as "running like a clockwork"? Is there some common rule that explains this? I am asking this question since I am not sure that this word is a mass noun, see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clockwork


Parallelism question: “it is . . . yet is” vs. “it is . . . yet it is”

> Florida’s Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, a mixed-use recreation trail > paved over an old rail bed, is a curious paradox: it is not only completely > man-made but also designed exclusively for human use, yet is classified as a > state park. [source: GMAT sample] Why does there not need to be an _it_ in between _yet_ and _is_?


"Managing of something" or "managing something"

Which is the correct usage? > _My responsibilities include managing of employee data._ or > _My responsibilities include managing employee data._ If both are correct, can they be used interchangeably or do they have different meaning?


Definite article in a list

Would it be necessary to use any definite articles in this list? There were many alternative theatres in London: Hackney Empire, Almeida, Half Moon, and King's Head.


A generic noun for something being compared?

I'm looking for a noun to use in place of "comparable object," which would make sense in the following context: > Four "comparable objects" were ranked based on their performance in a recent > comparison. I keep thinking of the word "competitor," but I'm not satisfied with it, which made me think of the following analogy:               competitor : competition :: ??? : comparison


Any rule about superheroes and hyphens in their names?

You really know this fact that Spider-man is hyphenated. But why? Any grammatical rule? Is he unique hero written with a hyphen, unlike Batman, Superman etc.?


It vary or it varies?

In "The Origin of Species " of Charles Darwin, Chapter 1, we can read this: > it follows that any being, if it vary however slightly in any manner > profitable to itself, under the complex and sometimes varying conditions of > life, will have a better chance of surviving Is not it an error to write 'it vary' in stead of 'it varies' ?


fitting something large inside something small

In a document I am writing I want to use some imagery to attack the logic of inverting a particular technical procedure. The procedure makes sense in its original sense because it injects a set of concepts into something larger. However the inverse is like...   * fitting a mountain through the needle of an eye?   * fitting a boulder in a teacup?   * fitting Mount Fuji through the Strait of Gibraltar?   * hopefully anything better?


What does "higgledy-piggledy" mean?

What does "higgledy-piggledy" mean? Does higgledy and piggledy means anything separately? How to use these two words?


What Defines a Utah Accent?

I have heard a number of people refer to the "Utah accent." What is it that distinguishes a Utah accent from others? I have noticed that, in some cases, people from Utah omit the 't' from words such as 'Layton' and 'mountain.' In other cases, it seems like they pronounce 'milk' with an 'e' instead of an 'i.' 'Creek' sounds like 'crick.' 'Mormon' like 'Marmon.' I am not sure if any of these are specific to Utah. Finally, what about differences between regions, for example, what is a Cache Valley accent?


What is "lights-out systems"?

What does "lights-out systems" mean in > While agile might not be suitable for building safety-critical and lights- > out   >  systems, ...


Is “Trees are the right height” an established phrase? What does it mean?

Many newspapers reported that Mitt Romney praised his home state, Michigan in front of 1,200 supporters on Friday afternoon, by saying: > "What a thrill it is to come back to Michigan, particularly in the winter, > where the skies are cloudy all day, trees are just at the right height, > almost all the cars you see are American-made -- the way they ought to be," According to www.huffington post.com, Romney used his favorite phrase, “trees are just at the right height” more than once in his speeches, e.g. > “I love being in Michigan. Everything seems right here; the trees are the > right height. The grass is the right color for this time of year, kind of a > brownish-greenish sort of thing. It just feels right.” in the speech in a > social club in November 2011. > > "What a thrill it is to come back to Michigan, particularly in the winter, > where the skies are cloudy all day, trees are just at the right height, > almost all the cars you see are American-made - the way they ought to be," > at Lawrence Technological University in Detroit rally in January 2008 in the > Presidential race. Is “trees are just at the right height” a proverbial expression? It sounds odd to me, because every tree has its own height unless they are artificially, evenly trimmed by men. What does “trees are just at the right height” mean? Is this a routine phrase, or just his creation attempted to resonate the heart of countrymen?


Why "unequal" but "inequality"?

The opposite of "equal" is "unequal", yet there is no word "unequality". Why do we use "inequality" instead?


Am I using “gush” and “blast” correctly?

I would like to know whether I’m using _gush_ and _blast_ correctly in the following sentence: > I felt as if I had accidentally opened a fire hydrant and let a **gush** of > water **blasting** out uncontrollably. Whereas in Spanish, my mother tongue, there’s only one word to describe a powerful flow of water ( _chorro_ ), in English there are many: > jet, squirt, spirt, stream, blast, gush, effluent So, I’m a bit confused.


“He said, X” vs. “X, he said” vs. “X, said he”

I’ve long wondered how in reported speech, what sort of change in nuance is produced by switching around the normal order of the subject (that is, the speaker) and the “speech-related” verb (such as _say_, _ask_ , or _mutter_ ) used for simple declaration of whatever was said. Assuming that _QQQ_ below stands for any quoted speech, what — if any — subtle shifts of meaning are there between the following three formats? >   1. He said, “ _QQQ_.” >   2. “ _QQQ_ ,” he said. >   3. “ _QQQ_ ,” said he. > In particular, in what situations is the “inverted” VS1 order of _said he_ preferred over either or both of the two versions that use _he said_ in the “normal” SV2 order? Are these nothing more than three equal options that vary by individual writers’ personal tastes? If not, then what rules exist for choosing between and distinguishing these three variants? * * * 1\. VS means _verb–subject_ , or with object, VSO or OVS.   2\. SV means _subject–verb_ , or with object, SVO or OSV.


How should I understand "There is no way around the fact that ..."?

The question is based on the following text: > Approaching crafts from the point of view of function, we can divide them > into simple categories: containers, shelters, and supports. **_There is no > way around the fact that** containers, shelters, and supports must be > functional._ Here are my questions:   * How should I understand the words in bold?    * ~~What kind of a dictionary should I refer to when I get similar questions?~~   * Can anyone tell me in which dictionary I can find such a phrase?


What is the proper name of a "line account"?

I've come across having to translate the Danish word "stregregnskab" to English. The direct translation would be "line account", but I seem to recall there being a proper name for this sort of account. For the record, "stregregnskab" means an account such as the one shown below, usually used for counting consumption of beverages or points in games. ![A "line account"](http://i.stack.imgur.com/wiH88.png) I feel that "line account" is a pretty poor translation, so I'm curious; what is the commonly accepted name for this sort of account? (I am referring to the entire image here; not just the tally marks.)


Do indirect objects in English always mean "to" or "for"?

"I gave him two dollars." This tacitly means "to him". Are there exceptions to the rule that an indirect object in English always means "to" or "for"? In English, "I stole him two dollars" does not mean "I stole two dollars from him", and one does not say "I withheld him that information" (either of those usages would be valid in German).


What is the inverse term for a proxy?

I'm in a similar situation to crodjer, in that I am struggling with a word to describe a concept. In his case, he had a job, for which some people are responsible, say: a, b, c, d and e. In my case, _a_ can elect one or more proxies to act on his behalf, say: f and g; similarly, _b_ could elect g and h as his proxies. I'm happy with the term 'proxy' for the person the task has been delegated to, but I wonder what the reverse term is, i.e. in the example above, if _g_ is a proxy of _b_ , what is _b_ to _g_?


How else can I express the concept of ' just to be on the safe side'

I always use this expression when I want to say that I just want to be prudent about something. Are there other ways to convey the same concept, other idioms or expressions I can use alternatively?