texts: What is the difference in meaning between "Are you for real" and "Are you of real"?

texts:
What is the difference in meaning between "Are you for real" and "Are you of real" ?

By the way, Is the "preposition + adjective (for real)" structure grammatically possible?

Does "Are you for real" mean "Are you agree that it is real"?
Does "for real" mean "agree that it is real"?


texts: Present perfect and present simple meaningfully

texts:
What is the difference between these two sentences semantically?

The class is finished.
The class has finished.


texts: How do we address our hair - it or them?

texts:
So i was talking to a friend and had to mention that this is the first time I have let my hair grow so long and going to cut them/it in summer.

What is the correct(grammatically) way to describe the above sentence?


texts: The way to speak and write if someone sits on someone's thigh/ pelvis or leg

texts:
I just want to know that the way we can express when someone sits on the top of someones thigh or pelvis like I attached the picture.

  She have sat on my thigh.

Will the above sentence seem natural way to speak and write?


texts:
Do singular nouns which end with consonant+ O turn into plural by adding -ES?

I'm a little bit confused because of conflicting information that I found in sites.For example: one site says that singular nouns which end with consonant + O turn into plural by adding -ES. For example, tomato > tomatoES. But when I thought about it a little bit, I was found that the singular noun photo which becomes to plural (photos) by S only having said that it should be "photoes" based on the mentioned rule. It cause me to have a doubt about this theory.

In addition, I found also another post that  says that there is no rule for these singular nouns which end with O and students simply should only learn them. Then I'm not sure about this grammatical rule.


texts:
What are all the parts a sentence can be made of?

Noun, verb, adjective, pronoun, adverb etc. And what is a short description of the function of each?

I know these can be found online and in text books but they tend to be spread out over many chapters or volumes even.
Or are there books/websites showing this all on one page with a short description.


texts: How to use the modal verbs Shall and Will when using them to give commands?

texts:
For example-
"You shall attend the conference".
"You will attend the conference".
Is there any difference between them?


texts: "the more you help people out , the more you will be happy "

texts:
Is my sentence structure correct for this sentence..
and can I say this sentence in different way but imply the same or similar meaning..

  The more you help people out , the more you will be happy

  How much you help people out without expecting in return to you, that
  much you will be happy

:)


texts:
I made up the sentence:

I proclaimed myself king.

How to form correct questions?

Who proclaimed myself king?
Who did I proclaim myself?
Who did I proclaim king?

Please, correct my sentences.


texts:
My problem is simple, is "to be" necessary in this sentence or not?

  Sociality provides various benefits in comparison to solitary way of
  life. Whereas in most of species it is maintained by kin selection,
  causing social structures ("to be"?) founded by closely related
  individuals, some recent studies...


texts:
Can anyone tell me what's wrong with this grammar? Or what should be removed or added to make the grammar right in this sentence?

  The beat suits my mood today.

I changed the 'fits my mood today' to 'suits my mood today' after seeing this article.

Edit: This is a textbook exercise. A picture of a woman listening to music. And I came up with this sentence.


texts:
Quote from Die Hard

  Joseph Takagi: You want money? What kind of terrorists are you?

  Hans Gruber: Who said we were terrorists?

Why Hans used "were" instead of "are"?


texts: 'It took them everything they had' versus 'It took everything they had'

texts:
This question is related to the idiom
It took everything/all I had (within me)

Is it grammatically sound to place a second  object after the verb TAKE? To clarify what I mean, below is the sentence I want to construct:

  He was very aggressive. It took [two policemen] [everything they had] to subdue him

Or is it incorrect to do so?

  He was very aggressive. It took [everything the two policemen had] to subdue him.

Please explain.

On top of that, I would like you to provide a link to a dictionary or an article for reference, preferrably to The Free Dictionary, but any would be helpful.

Many thanks in advance.


texts: How should I refer to someone in a photograph with language? I know expressions like "the second girl on the right", but what should I say about "the first girl to the right"? Does "rightmost" sound natural?


texts: Do they say 'a vertical of authority' in English (like, from a top boss to a lowest subordinate)?

texts: If not, how do I express that otherwise? I know the expression 'chain of command', but it doesn't seem fit for my purpose. I need to say 'reinforce the vertical of authority', meaning "to make the hierarchical structure more manageable, allow less freedom for the subordinate bodies or people". 'Reinforce the chain' sounds stupid.


texts: Let in imperative form which result in suggestion / proposal

texts:
Direct speech: He suggested to me, "Let us go to market."

Indirect Speech:
(A) He suggested to me to go to market.
(B) He suggested to me that we should go to market.

  He said to me, "Let us purchase this house."

(A) He proposed to me to purchase that house.
(B) He proposed to me that we should purchase that house.

Which is correct in each of these examples, A or B?


texts:
Is the sentence

  "He repaired his car the whole day"

grammatical or not?

Can Past Simple (He repaired) be used with the whole day instead of Past Continuous (He was repairing)? And if both constructions are correct, what is the difference between

  He repaired his car the whole day

and

  He was repairing his car the whole day?


texts: Is it correct to use "the education of a nation's youth"?

texts:
In the following sentence, is it correct to use the phrase 'the education of a nation's youth'?  is the word 'youth' singular or plural?

  The education of a nation's youth will shape its future.


texts:
As you know, when a car's steering wheel is turned, the wheels are turned accordingly, because they are mechanically coupled. I am trying to rewrite this into one sentence.  My drafts are as follows:

  The wheels turn in linkage with the steering wheel.
  The wheels turn in synchronization with the steering wheel.

After googled, I found that "in linkage with" is used rarely.  But, I prefer "in linkage with" to "in synchronization with" because the latter sounds like something electrical not mechanical.


texts: is the grammar correct: did you get vaccinated?

texts:
is the grammar correct in the question?

did you get vaccinated?

I know we are not supposed to use past tense for verb with did but I can't understand this one.


texts: Adjective for people who think they should be given things

texts:
I was wondering what adjective I could use for people with this character

  If something happens, then I should get something for free.

Examples:

According to Estha, if they'd been born on the bus, they'd have got free bus rides for the rest of their lives.
The God of Small Things
They also believed that if they were killed on a zebra crossing, the government should pay for their funerals.
Same novel

Can "Greedy" be used?


texts: So had their sandy-brown dog, its dead body mangled in the remnants of a destroyed metal fence - where is the predicate?

texts:
Source: http://online.wsj.com/articles/many-ukrainians-flee-to-russia-angry-afraid-determined-to-stay-1404333568?ru=yahoo?mod=yahoo_itp

An excerpt from that news article:

  Oksana Vasilieva was in the kitchen of her home on Comintern Street in the Ukrainian city of Slovyansk in late May as the shelling of her neighborhood began. She screamed for the children to run outside and then herded them into the cellar.
  When they emerged, the neighbors' house had been hit. So had their sandy-brown dog, its dead body mangled in the remnants of a destroyed metal fence. She boarded an evacuation bus and fled to Russia.

Alright, this means that their sandy-brown dog had been hit too and then it goes on to tell us what happened with the dog's body. But I don't really see the predicate part. Its dead body appears to be the subject of the sentence. But then we have the phrase describing the dog's dead body: mangled in the remnants of a destroyed metal fence. That just tells us some more about the dog. But where's the predicate part? What is happening with the dog's body? The dead and mangled body of a dog in the remnants of a destroyed metal fence and...?


texts: How do I ask how well someone has reviewed for the midterm?

texts:
I was asking one of my classmates this question before the midterm. What I said is

  How's the review for the midterm?

Is it how Americans phrase the sentence?


texts:
In a video, it promised journey times of 12 minutes between the two cities. BBC

The pronoun it take the place of what? Who did promise?

The video.
Someone showed in the vedio.
Or it's Dummy it.


texts: This is (a) proof that you... (with or without "a"?)

texts:
Is there a difference between these two examples?

This is a proof that you are not telling me the truth.

This is proof that you are not telling me the truth.

Sometimes the word "proof" is preceded by the article, others not. I wonder if there's a rule to decide whether it should be there or not.


texts: "needless to say" - How to use it in a sentence?

texts:
I don't need to say that if there is no more rain, then only we will go out for a dinner.

How do I use "needless to say" in such a sentences?

  Needless to say, if there is no more rain, then only we will go out for a dinner.


texts: Comparative questions with regard to perfect aspect of present tense

texts:
Can you please answer my comparative questions below as I am puzzled to use verb "think" with perfect aspect of present tense?

Context is a situation where I've been looking for my wallet for the last couple of minutes and my friend informs me where the wallet is. Just a minute before my friend informs me the same information comes to my mind.

Example 1

My friend: The wallet is on the desk.

Me: I have just thought the same thing.(1)

Example 2

My friend: The wallet is on the desk.

Me: I have thought the same thing.(2)

Example 3

My friend: The wallet is on the desk.

Me: I just thought the same thing.(3)

Example 4

My friend: The wallet is on the desk.

Me: I thought the same thing.(4)

Q1) Can I use (1) present perfect + time adverb just?

Q2) Can't I use (2) present perfect without time adverb just? Similarly we say "I have eaten", "I have finished" etc for the actions in recent past.  Are there any differences when it comes to this context ?

Q3) Is (3) same way of saying (1) or is it semantically more related with (4)?

p.s I know there might be more idiomatic ways to answer my friend but I am just examining construction of "to think the same thing"


texts: When "as" and "though" are used to introduce concession clauses

texts:
When "as" is used to introduce a concession clause, the clause has be inverse. For example, "Young as he is, he is knowledgeable".

I am wondering whether I can replace "though" with "as" in these situations.

Do the following sentences sound natural?

  1a: Talented as he is, he is not yet ready to turn professional.

  1b: Talented though he is, he is not yet ready to turn professional.

  2a: Try as he might, he couldn't open the door.

  2b: Try though he might, he couldn't open the door.

  3a: Lazy a boy as he is, he is kind to help others.

  3b: Lazy a boy though he is, he is kind to help others.

  4a: Oldest in our workshop as he is, he works hardest.

  4b: Oldest in our workshop though he is, he works hardest.

Thank you in advance!


texts: What is the meaning of "a buzzy sensation" in the paragraph below?

texts:
He told himself he could do this. He felt a shiver of excitement, then a
  buzzy sensation. If he made it through the night without sleeping,
  he'd be a different person, somehow. A more important person.

The above paragraph comes from the book The Year of Billy Miller on page 134. As for the second sentence—he felt a shiver of excitement, then a buzzy sensation—what is the meaning of a buzzy sensation? Is it a feeling of excitement?

What is the difference between felt a shiver of excitement and a buzzy sensation?


texts:
I understand the phrase "had a better books to guns ratio than" as a humorous expression of "was more civilized than." Am I on the right track?

Sam Harris liked
Khanoisseur tweeted on Feb 20
Usama Bin Laden had a better books to guns ratio than Lauren Boebert.*

*:Lauren Opal Boebert is an American politician, businesswoman, and gun-rights activist serving as the U.S. Representative for Colorado's 3rd congressional district since 2021. Boebert owns Shooters Grill, a restaurant in Rifle, Colorado, where staff members are encouraged to openly carry firearms.


texts: Who was working while you were in Saigon?

texts:
My wife went to another city for a week, so I wanted to ask her who was working during that time.

Are the following sentences correct?
Which one is more natural?

  Who was working in the shop while you were away?

  Who has been working while you were staying in Saigon?


texts:
I came across the following sentence;
“Controlling what they say, they often keep the most critical parts of their character hidden.”
Can it be said this way;
“By controlling what they say, they often keep the...”
What’s the difference? Are the both sentences correct?


texts: Should there be an article at the start of a factual sentence?

texts:
____Umbrella is of no avail against a thunderstorm.

An
A
The
No article
(I opted for option "d" since we are not talking about any single umbrella. We are talking generally. what's your opinion?)


texts:
Which is better one to begin the speech.

  How's the weather there? Yesterday my friend asked me.

Or

  Yesterday, my friend asked me, "How's the weather there?"


texts: Pronunciation of the prefix de- (UK / NA)

texts:
Example words:
Decode
Demilitarize

Are given in Wiktionary with a short i sound
"Dick-oh-d"
"Dim-ill-it-ugh-rise"

But I can‘t find anything in other dictionaries or examples on Youtube to back this up.
Is it always pronounced like "dee" correct?
I am interested in both UK and North American English.


texts:
Here is a sentence in which I've used 'that' and 'which' with plurals (apples)

  I have twenty apples which/that aren't mine.

Is it equally correct in grammar to use "which are" and "that are" with plurals (for example: apples)? Do they (that are and which are) convey the same meaning?


texts:
I would like to learn an adult person can be dependent on his/her parents? Do I use this phrase correctly?

For example :

  "Oh mate you are 24 and you still live with your parents.I think you
  got used to be dependent on your parents, you don't want to move on."

Here what I am trying to say that I assume these people have been living with their parents all their life and kind of they develop a habit that parents do most of chores like cooking, laundry, cleaning or shopping etc.These people can earn their livings but live comparatively better off than in case they live by their own.

Or depending on suggests more financial support?


texts: Meaning of the phrase "Beating on your craft"!

texts:
I was translating a document in another language, then I saw this famous quotation from Will Smith that is provided here.

  The separation of talent and skill is one of the greatest
  misunderstood concepts for people who are trying to excel, who have
  dreams, who want to do things. Talent you have naturally. Skill is
  only developed by hours and hours and hours of beating on your
  craft. - Will Smith

I don't exactly get the bold part, can anybody paraphrase it for me?

I have checked the Longman Dictionary and also Googled about that, but still, don't understand the meaning of "beating on your craft".

This is the results I found in the dictionary:

  Beat on/against/at etc: to hit against something many times or continuously.

  example: Rain beating on the windows.

  Craft: the skill needed in a particular profession.

  example: The musician spends years perfecting his craft.

I thought that maybe it means when you work and spend hours and hours you are gradually developing your skills like a blacksmith that makes a perfect sword with continuous beats of a hammer.

Is it true?


texts: Is there another name for rollercoaster restraints? I tried to look for a synonym, but I couldn't find anything, so I was wondering if there was no other word or phrase to refer to these things.


texts: Looking for a word describing I suddenly understood a problem

texts: I’m trying to think of a word to describe how I suddenly understood a problem after someone explained it to me.


texts:
I remember when I was in the middle school, our English teacher always said "Class begin" to start off a lesson. Usually, the students then would stand up and the teacher said "Hello students!" The students responsed with "Hello teacher!"

But now I feel "Class begin!" doesn't sound grammatical. Shouldn't it be "Class begins!" or "Classes begin!"? I'm also wondering what the teachers usually say when they want to start up a lesson in a class in the English speaking countries?


texts: mixed functional and non-functional requirement

texts:
Some background:
Functional requirement of a web service is concerned with the correctness of the web service's function, say the service will always return a number that is less than two.

The non-functional requirement of a web service is concerned with the performance of the web service, say the service will response in 5 ms.

Question:
The mixed functional and nonfunctional requirement is concerning both, say the service will return a number that is less than two in 5 ms.

Is "The mixed functional and nonfunctional requirement" grammatical?


texts: "Should the" with subject-verb agreement

texts:
Not sure if somebody already posted this question or not but I just need some clarity on the sentence below.

  Should the ultrasound demonstrate myomas I will discuss her case in our meeting.

Question:  Should it be -> Should the ultrasound demonstrates

Please explain


texts:
Our students got selected in top MNC

My question is why  is 'got' used so often in sentences of this type?
Can I use some another word like 'was' in place of 'got'?
Would it be correct?


texts: On the Wednesdays of September Vs. On September Wednedays

texts:
Which is the correct one:

  On the Wednesdays of September, I used to go to the cinema with my dad.
  On September Wednesdays, I used to go to the cinema with my dad.


texts:
It's from this video. It's at 8 minutes and 40 seconds. Here it is:

So I turned on the camera and framed up the shot with a nice big smile.


texts:
1 He is understood to have left India for good last year.

2 The scientist claim to have discovered cure for AIDS and the medicine will be put on sale very soon.

3 He pretended to have lost her contact number.

4 We hope to have finished the project by the end of march.

5 I'm sorry to have disturbed you.

In all these sentences its use "to have", but purpose is different. For example in 4 it uses for future perspective while in 3 for past. Can someone explain the concept of "to have"? I find it difficult where to use "to have" or not. For example I would write 4th sentence as "We hope to finish the project by the end of march (if I haven't seen this sentence in my book).
I also read that we can use perfect infinitive construction to talk about plans which didn't happen. But this rule doesn't follow with 5 sentence.

Thank you


texts: Is there any difference between "become" and "get" here?

texts:
I've come across with the sentence below:

  Old tasks become easier the second time around, but it doesn’t get
  easier overall because now you’re pouring your energy into the next
  challenge.

I know that:
 "The word get and become are sometimes interchangeable"
"Both ... can be followed by adjectives. In this case, they both indicate growth or development of some sort."[1]

But I'm not sure the author uses them interchangeably or differently.

So, Could you please tell me if there is any differences between them in meaning here?

The full text is:

  Usually, this minor dip in performance is no cause for worry. [...]
  The less energy you spend on trivial choices, the more you can spend
  it on what really matters. However, when you want to maximize your
  potential and achieve elite levels of performance, you need a more
  nuanced approach. You can’t repeat the same things blindly and expect
  to become exceptional. Habits are necessary, but not sufficient for
  mastery. What you need is a combination of automatic habits and
  deliberate practice. Habits + Deliberate Practice = Mastery To become
  great, certain skills do need to become automatic. Basketball players
  need to be able to dribble without thinking before they can move on to
  mastering layups with their nondominant hand. [...]  But after one
  habit has been mastered, you have to return to the effortful part of
  the work and begin building the next habit. Mastery is the process of
  narrowing your focus to a tiny element of success, repeating it until
  you have internalized the skill, and then using this new habit as the
  foundation to advance to the next frontier of your development. Old
  tasks become easier the second time around, but it doesn’t get easier
  overall because now you’re pouring your energy into the next
  challenge. Each habit unlocks the next level of performance. It’s an
  endless cycle.

Atomic habits by James Clear

[1]https://www.englishgrammar.org/get-and-become/


texts: Wondering what "the fourth quarter" refers to in this context

texts:
U.S. economic growth was a bit faster than previously estimated in the fourth quarter, displaying underlying strength that could bolster views that the slowdown in activity early in the year would be temporary.Source: Reuters – U.S. economy shows some muscle, housing still lagging

My perception is that it means the last three months of 2013.


texts:
I'm spanish and I have a problem, with the best choice to the modal must and may for a sentence. According my book two both express possibility. Then Could you help me with the best choice of the modal verb for the next sentence?

Debe haberse quedado dormido.
he may have overslept.
he must have overslept.

Why your choice?


texts: Why can't I use "recommended" in this sentence?

texts:
Context:

An exercise from “Advanced grammar in use” by M. Hewings, page 51:

Q: Which of the verbs can complete the sentence?

  It is (planned/recommended) to close the library permanently from next April.

Answer key: planned

The book simply says that verbs like recommend, announce, decide, mention, propose and suggest cannot be used in “subject + passive verb + to infinitive” pattern.

Why is it so? What kind of reasons might there be for the existence of this rule? Am I misunderstanding something?


texts: different words to explain the fragrance of flowers

texts:
"The garden is fragrant with jasmine flowers"
Is there a different way to say this? I would appreciate an alternate word for "fragrant"


texts: The food is prepared or the food was prepared

texts: I want to invite people to have meal, and the meal is ready. Should I say 'the food is prepared' or 'the food was prepared'?


texts: "The dog chased the cat" vs "The cat chased the dog"

texts:
Is it true that they have same meaning ? I tried with google translate and it gave me same meaning but "The dog chased the cat" is active voice and "The cat chased the dog" is passive voice.

The dog chased the cat

The dog = subject.
Chased = verb.
The cat = object.

The cat chased the dog

The dog = subject.
Chased = verb.
The cat = object.

My Questions are :

1. So how about if I want to say :

The cat = subject.
Chased = verb.
The dog = object.

2. And what's the difference between "The cat chased the dog" and "The cat was chased by the dog".


texts:
The documents which were received by you are forged.

I read the sentence above and as per my perception it is wrong. Because the word "received" is an intransitive verb and should not be used in passive voice.

The sentence should be like this:

  The documents which you received are forged.

Please correct me if I am wrong.


texts:
I know that some adjectives are written after the hyphen "-" like sentence one below. Actually I don't know the grammatical rule behind that, but could I replace sentence one with sentence two?

They are genes-related issues.
They are genes-relevant issues.


texts: Does “skid” have a meaning as “losing games (successively)”？

texts:
Auburn ends 2-game skid with 26-10 win over No. 25 A&M.

I looked into my dictionaries (Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary,Londman Advanced American Dictionary, and Collins Cobuild Advanced Dictionary),but didn't find a suitable meaning for that "2-game skid". I guess it means the team stopped its repeated defeats, doesn't it?

Does “skid” have a specific meaning used in the domain of sports as “losing games (successively)”？

Is it acceptable to say "one-game skid"?

Why is this meaning or such an example not specifically included in famous dictionaries such as Oxford and Longman?


texts:
I am not sure of using no and not in case an adjective follows. What is the right one between two examples below?

  Period of access providing (not longer than 1 year)

  Period of access providing (no longer than 1 year)

The usage of no/not with nouns is clear, but with adjective it is confusing.


texts: 'This is speaking' is correct on the telephone

texts:
When you answer the phone, I'm wondering if 'This is speaking' is correct instead of 'This is he speaking.'
please tell me the correct expression.


texts: What do you call the back section of a plane? Usually, the front section is the first class, I am not sure if it has another name, and the back section I have no idea what it's called. Is it called the economy class section? I never boarded a plane, so I am not sure what it's called. I am talking about the section where you can sit as a passenger.


texts: "Only a finite number" or "only finite number"

texts:
The question is contained in the title. I think that the noun "number" is countable, therefore "only a finite number" is correct. However, on mathoverflow the expression "only finite number" is also used, although less often that "only a finite number":

https://mathoverflow.net/search?q=%22only+finite+number%22

https://mathoverflow.net/search?q=%22only+a+finite+number%22

So, which of the following patterns can I use? "There is only a finite number of $f$ such that...", or "There are only finite number of $f$ such that...",
or maybe something else?


texts:
What does slant mean here:

  Even if you’re a pro at drawing, you don’t want to skip this
  part because you may find some new slants on old skills.


texts:
I am reading a story. and there is a sentence in it as follows:

  "Oh, mercy me!" she exclaims,"I can hardly stand it!"

What does the phrase "mercy me" mean in that context? What can I use instead of "mercy me"?


texts: Is "Raining Cats and dogs" still used nowadays?

texts:
Is it old-fashioned to say "It's raining cats and dogs"?
If yes, what is the substitution idiom for expressing heavy rain?


texts: What does off street in this rent house ad really mean?

texts:
Garage and Parking

Parking: parking space, off street

What does "off street" mean? And the difference is between "parking space" and "parking lot" and "off street" ?


texts: In "He is a pool shark," what field is he good at?

texts:
I have got some versions of my guesses:

He is a good swimmer.
He is an expert in playing billards.
He is a pro at gambling.

Pool can mean a lot of things. So can shark. Which one is the most correct or proper explanation?


texts: which one should i use: Present Participle or Past Participle?

texts:
What is the difference between using a Present Participle or Past Participle?

Original sentence below (from financial times):

  The acquisition marks Asahi's biggest mve as it persues growth outside
  its shrinking home market.

I was thinking about rewitring the sentence in this way:

  ... it shrunken home market.

is my sentence wrong?


texts:
Consider (Source):

  One of the insidious forms of discrimination is that based upon age.
  We have become aware through education and publicity that bias and discrimination based upon race, color, creed, and sex are not to be accepted

Does "are not to be accepted" mean "won't be accepted"? If so, what makes this structure different from "wont be accepted"? Why the author used that?


texts:
I want to ask whether the word "Better" be used as adverb preceding the verb in active voice,I mean is the following sentence correct?

  "After doing the IT diploma I may better secure the computer network of our office."


texts: "use" vs. "usage" in "The use(usage) of a different drug calls for a detailed justification"

texts:
The use of a different reference drug calls for a detailed scientific justification, as well as additional documents and data.

Would the word usage look okay in the place of this use?

  The usage of a different reference drug calls for a detailed scientific justification, as well as additional documents and data.

Judging by this discussion on ELU SE, use might be more appropriate, but an English enthusiast friend told me that he thinks usage might be okay too.


texts: A word or an idiom for when you try to squeeze out some soap and you get shot with it instead

texts:
I am wondering what would be the proper word or an idiom corresponding to the following:

You are trying to squeeze out some hand soap or hand sanitizer from a push down bottle, like this:

But because the nozzle is dried out, the liquid instead of coming down on your hand, shoots straight, for example hitting your face or clothes.

It happened recently at a meeting I attended, and I could not find proper words to explain it to another person. Squirt comes to mind, but I wonder if there is a better word or expression for it emphasizing that the dispenser did not work as intended.


texts:
does "closely" mean "tightly"? does "place over" mean "place above each other"?

On this occasion Miss Cook's face was not visible, as her
head had to be closely bound up in a thick shawl, but I specially satisfied
myself that she was there. An attempt to throw the light direct on to her
uncovered face, when entranced, was attended with serious
consequences.

..When these two pictures are placed over each other, the
two photographs of myself coincide exactly as regards stature, etc., but
Katie is half a head taller than Miss Cook,...

https://books.google.com/books?id=ghqqNPvWHIQC&pg=PA284&lpg=PA284&dq=When+these+two+pictures+are+placed+over+each+other,+thetwo+photographs+of+myself+coincide+exactly+as+regards+stature,+etc.,+butKatie+is+half+a+head+taller+than+Miss+Cook&source=bl&ots=Bvk2xeS5s4&sig=ACfU3U0s0UHwP1YPd4mSeINLnT-69feLLQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjskYfbu__pAhUU9IUKHZZyAW4Q6AEwAHoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=When%20these%20two%20pictures%20are%20placed%20over%20each%20other%2C%20thetwo%20photographs%20of%20myself%20coincide%20exactly%20as%20regards%20stature%2C%20etc.%2C%20butKatie%20is%20half%20a%20head%20taller%20than%20Miss%20Cook&f=false


texts: What does "You'll never get this tart to your dessert plate" mean in this quote?

texts:
Caller: I met this beautiful woman.

  Anchor: Ugh. Come on, Ed. If you start telling me you're in love
  again,I'm gonna remind you of that time we made you propose to that
  checkout girl at Thrifty's. Do you remember her reaction?

  Caller: She was just a girl. This is a beautiful woman.

  Anchor: And Pinocchio is a true story. You'll never get this tart to
  your dessert plate.

When I googled Pinocchio it shows me cartoon pictures.

Tart is informal word which is about a girl, so what does it means by "tart to your dessert plate" ?


texts:
I have been saying the 'r' sound using my teeth and my top lips.

It sounds weak, often kinda like a 'w'.

I want to start saying it properly all the time, using my tongue.

I can  do this, but find it tricky to work into words and normal speech.

How do i get better at using it?


texts: What is the difference between "industry use" and "industrial use"?

texts: "industry use" and "industrial use" were shown in recent news and discussion rose. However, the argument seemed to focus on  food industry.


texts:
This is a film with excellent performances, even if Liam Neeson is probably the weaker of the three leads. He seems to gasp to keep up with two ladies that have lived theatre and film all their lives and know how to be and unload at any minute. His character is good but not as strong as the other two. The other two stand out, and Liam's characterization only stands out because he is in the way between the outside and Nell, and just about everyone has to go through him. But he manages to hold himself well, even if the acting has to descend into the level of mechanics to be able to get something across. One never feels this lack of ability and confidence in the other two ladies. But it is not fair to say that Liam is not good. He is very good.
-- Review for Nell - www.imdb.com

Been seeing this phrase a lot, but the meaning of it is a little ambiguous. It looks like it generally means despite some parts being flawed, one still manages to cut the mustard?


texts: Until the rain season ended... (Use of future tense)

texts:
After all the mud that she had to clean up from the passenger seat's feet
  space, Anne swore that nobody would enter her car again until the rain
  season ended.

At a first reading I find this sentence sounding grammatically correct, but after reading it again I wonder if it's okay using that past tense to express an action in progress that is expected to conclude in the future.

If there are any, feel free to correct my other mistakes. It improves my understanding of the native speakers' fluency. Best!

P.S.: The sentence is self-genius, no source. :)


texts:
I've been noticing that "should have to" is used much more often in formal English than "need" in affirmative sentences and "am/is/are to" in interrogative sentences.

Is it because it implies a stronger urge and a stronger forcedness?

If you should have to kill him, do it without hesitation. - is impossible in informal English?
You should have to talk to the teacher about taking the test. - is okay in formal English only?

When should we have to use "should have to" and when "need" or "am/is/are to"?


texts:
If I have a sentence beginning with a number, should I use a capital letter?
For example:

24 Other schools

or

24 other schools


texts: Choice of article in "The larger the (a) company is, the more complex its management system is"

texts:
The larger a company is, the more complex its management system is.
The larger the company is, the more complex its management system is.

Are the two options fully analogous?

I'm writing a very short text describing a typical company's structure.

I seem to find examples of both a and the used in this construction on the web.

  The larger the company is, the more responsibility the CEO has.
  The larger a company is, the greater in general will be its willingness to assume social responsibility.

(these examples are from Google Books)

My draft is:

  On a general scale, a typical company consists of the shareholders, the management and the workforce. The larger (a/the) company is, the more complex its management system is.


texts: Can this statement be used as a simile or just as a phrase?

texts:
Which one can I write?

  As short tempered as I am
  As short tempered as I get


texts: "People are opting to pay their bills" — grammatical or not?

texts:
Can someone please tell me if the following usage of opt in is appropriate:

  These days large number of People are opting to pay their bills online.


texts: Two repeated uses of 'under' in one sentence? Would it bother you?

texts:
Is the following sentence perfectly normal/OK?

A system was developed to integrate the internet and cell phones under the SuperSpeed framework by generalizing XCP-IP under the X-Transmission framework.

Does the usage of under sound repetitive here?  Would it bother you at all --
if 'under' is appropriate in each case? If it still does, how much (ASSUMING there is another way to rewrite the first part of the sentence to get rid of the first under -- then how much would you be bothered by this suboptimal sentence structure? )?


texts:
A guy who teaches English from Russia and I were discussing about a sentence that we both translated from Russian into English on a social media platform.

Here are my Russian friend's translated sentences (2):

People destroy the nature by throwing the garbage away on ground.
People kill nature by throwing garbage to the ground.

*I was telling him that his sentence was incorrect, and vice versa.

My reasons why I think that he is wrong:

  First of all, because he's placed a definite article before ”nature”, emphasizing it as a global object. Also, there is a definite article before ”garbage” as another global thing.

  Second, because he's placed two prepositions between two nouns: "garbage away on ground".
  Third, because didn't put a definite article before GROUND.

Whereas, why he thinks that mine is wrong:

  Firstly, because I've used the verb "kill" instead of "destroy", it doesn't collocate with the word "nature".

  Secondly, because I didn't put definite articles before "nature" and "garbage".
  Thirdly, because I've used the preposition "TO" in the "throwing garbage TO the ground" part.

*He said that, I should have used "throw away", as the correct verb, and the preposition should have been "on" for the destination.

I'm not quite sure if I'm correct, that is why I'm asking for help.


texts: "There are there only 3 papers" Vs. "There are there 3 papers only"

texts:
From the two following choices, is there one choice correct only or both can be correct and it's a matter of style?  I'm not sure where I should to put the adverb "only" in such sentences.

  "There are there only 3 papers."

or

  "There are there 3 papers only."


texts: Meaning of a sentence in the Gilmore Girls S1E10

texts:
I want to ask about the meaning of a sentence.

  RICHARD: Ah. Speaking of which, I’m going to give that man a call.

  ALAN: Richard, you’re getting yourself all worked up.

  RICHARD: As long as I’ve been with this company, it has been run by gentlemen. Revising a man’s work without so much as a phone call would’ve been unheard of!

The sentence that I don't understand is "Revising a man's work ... would've been unheard of!". I guess Richard is saying that giving a phone call is not a big deal. But I am not exactly know how to analyze the sentence. First, what does "so much as" mean here? I find two meaning for phrase. Merriam- Webster says it means "even" and Cambridge says it means "but rather". Which is more suitable here? Second, what does Richard mean when he says "would've been unheard of!"?


texts: In those days, you could have been (could be?) killed for any trifle

texts:
Let's take a hypothetical sentence pronounced by a hypothetical person who speaks, say, of events that are more than 100 years in the past:

  "The civil war period was very violent. In those days, you could have been killed for any trifle."

Would this sentence be grammatical and logical if both the speaker and the listener were born after the civil war in question, meaning there was not a chance for any of them to witness those days?

I've looked up Google, and "those days you could have been" turned out to be a rare combination for some reason.

But "In those days you could be killed" is possibly wrong when talking of the past.

I'm trying to proofread an English-language post written by a Russian-speaking person and untangle the grammar behind some of the structures. His sentence runs like this:

  There was very dangerous at that times because you would be looted, taken a beating and even gone home in a box...

I'd come up with this "could have been" instead of his "you would be looted, beaten.." but then had second thoughts. Maybe "could be" is proper. Or should one use "you were likely to be looted"?

Here's one sentence I've found at Google Books:

  As I stated before, in those days, you could be an Instructor as a Private Pilot, but there was not much of a practical use for having one because you couldn't charge for your services.

It seems that could be works fine as the past form of can. But will it work in:

  As I stated before, in those days, you could be killed easily.


texts: What is "d---d" in "I’m d—d if I don’t ﬁll you"

texts:
There is "I’m d—d if I don’t fill you" in Jim Baker's Blue-Jay Yarn by Mark Twain. Does "d---d" used for "doomed" or what could the author meant here?

‘Well, you’re a long hole, and a deep hole, and a mighty singular hole altogether—but I’ve started in to ﬁll you, and I’m d—d if I don’t ﬁll you, if it takes a hundred years!’


texts:
Is there any difference between the two ideas:

"She came from Spencer, across the hill"
"She came from Spencer, beyond the hill"

It sounds to me that across is more near of the hill than beyond, but I'm not sure.


texts:
Does the verb "sell" has a passive voice form? I found this sentence

The French magazines were sold the most....

Is this correct? Or should I say

The French magazines sold the most....


texts: Verbs with multiple correct Present Perfect conjugations

texts: From my time of learning conjugation tables by heart, I seem to remember that there were a few verbs which had multiple, grammatically correct,  ways of conjugating them into present perfect . However, googling a while did not reveal any, and I am starting to wonder whether my memory is simply betraying me. Any ideas?


texts: listening comprehension problems (British English)

texts:
Fill in the blanks, please. And if you can, please explain the meanings of the words I'm missing.

http://vocaroo.com/i/s1fZBEslhzdA ...JPanel with a ScrollPane imbedded in it and a TextArea imbedded in the ScrollPane. Okay. So, let's take a look. What I wanna do is create a new class __________ that's gonna be the toolbar. So, this is a new custom component. (the rest is relevant) [sounds like "from start", but I can't make sense of it]
http://vocaroo.com/i/s1Y7DdYGZTZ4 Let's also alter that constructor a bit here because I might want to just ______ in the name and occupation here. Actually I'm not really sure about that.
http://vocaroo.com/i/s1dOdRZwTyyE To me, if your Mom is coming to visit this weekend for _______ and you say to me, "Graig, let's have a wild party this Saturday. Let's get some booze, let's get some drugs, let's invite some hot, sexy women." Which I never would, listeners. I would say, "But, Raza, what about your Mom?"


texts:
I know the word "geek" is noun and adjective form is "geeky", so it is grammatically incorrect to say "be geek". But putting grammar aside, does "be geek" still sound strange?

More background and context

I want to say "be geek, be kind" in the subtile of my blog, but I wonder I should say "be geeky, be kind", instead.


texts:
When you speak of "outer space", after first mention of it, do you use "the" afterward, or will this be consistently without "the" ?

A: I want to explore space(outer space)
B: "the" space could be very scary.
A: my causine went to "the" space last month.


texts:
I want to know the meaning of these lines as a whole

  Don't worry, even if everything dies around you and it looks like the odds are stacked against you, I will always be with you

And are the sentence structure and grammar correct?


texts: "Fiction is to grown men *what* play is to the child"

texts:
I'm confused with the quote:

  Fiction is to grown men what play is to the child.

What does this structure mean, especially "what"?


texts: What does mean 'protruding 'in this sentence?

texts:
Mrs.Taylor, a kind lady with gray Elsa Lanchester-Bride of
Frankenstein hair and protruding eyes.

On writing


texts: What does "Hala is never worn by a pregnant woman" mean?

texts:
If you are planning to get a lei for someone who is hapai or pregnant, remember to ask the florist or lei maker to open up the lei. It is bad luck to give a closed lei (as it represents the umbilical cord wrapping around the neck of the unborn baby). Hala (Hawaiian screwpine) is never worn by a pregnant woman, as it can be considered a bad omen.

This is from the the Hawaiian official website, and I don't understand the meaning of "worn" here.
I googled "Hala" and it's Hawaiian plants(or fruits).

Then how can someone "wear" a Hala, which is something they eat?
If it's gonna worn by a person, shouldn't it be at least some kind of clothes? Or does "wear" have another meaning I don't know?


texts: Meaning of "Pushing a lower discount worked"?

texts:
“Everyone was selling [their games] to distributors at a 55 percent discount. I said, “We’re going to go to some of these distributors, and we’re going to offer them 52 percent.”
Valentine said, “Who the hell are you people to think that you can just rewrite any of the rules of the industry? What makes you think you can get away with that?”
I said, “We really don’t have any choice. Either we’re going to pull this off or we’re not going make it.”

"Pushing a lower discount worked.”
Don pounded his fist on the table at our next board meeting and said “You people have to continue to challenge convention.”

What is the meaning of the bolded  sentence of this paragraph? I thought it means a more amount of discount , but with this 'lower' word, I'm confused


texts:
I am writing an article for the community website. I was proofing with Grammarly before publishing. I found one sentence asking me to convert it into active voice. Now I know a bit about active and passive voice but this sentence is bit hard to convert from passive to active. Can anyone please help me to turn this into active voice?

  When community shows their love to you, it is become the
  mutual/unsigned contract between You and Community to provide them a
  great platform to make their life easier to maintain their photos
  website.

I would also thankful if you can point out any other mistake is in this sentence.


texts: The meaning and the usage of the expression: "I dare say"

texts:
Some dictionaries have defined the expression "I dare say / daresay" as spoken one and some other ones have defined it as a formal expression!

Meanwhile, some dictionaries consider it to be old-fashioned, and some other have not say anything about its fashion!

The same goes for the BE/AE difference. References have mentioned that it is chiefly BE and some of them have not brought up anything in this regard!

I wonder what can I say as a spoken idiom/expression which can be understood by both BE and AE native speakers which is in common use in current English (not dated)?  I wonder if the same expression (I dare say) works itself (in current spoken AE/BE.)

Please note that to me it has the connotation of "I suppose" with a slight undertone of rebellion toward oneself (hence, it is spoken.)

  I saw her in a shop which sells pregnancy clothes yesterday. I dare say she is pregnant. (= I suppose.)


texts: Driver's mate or assistant in American English

texts:
What is the most used term in American English from the items below:

  Driver’s mate

  Driver’s assistant

I.e., someone who travels with the driver of a large goods vehicle and helps with the loading/unloading and other aspects of making deliveries.


texts: Difference between pronunciation of I believe you

texts:
the verb "believe" in some dictionaries shows as [bɪˈliv] and in some dictionaries as [bəˈliv] with a schwa sound. Does it matter which one I use considering that the change is in an unstressed syllable anyway? For example I pronounce the phrase "I believe you" in two different ways. First I pronounce: [bɪˈliv] then [bəˈliv]: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1924024/Ibelieveyou.wav
I think the stress is on [ˈliv] and that is the most important in the phrase I believe you. Any suggestion appreciated.


texts: What is the meaning of starstruck in this context?

texts:
I was reading an article about "39 strange habits most architects can relate to" and came across to this phrase but I don't know what it means.

  Getting starstruck around buildings.

I know "starstruck" means "very impressed by a famous people." But, what's the relation to buildings?


texts: What does it mean to give somebody "a less than favorable review"?

texts: It feels awkward to give a famous author a less than favorable review.


texts:
What does "triumph all the sweeter" mean from this  article:

  Sometimes relief makes triumph all the sweeter.


texts: Usage of metaphor indicating repetitious occurence of bad things

texts:
I intend to use the metaphor tempest-toosed upon life's billows in the sentence below. Would the usage of the preceding metaphor sound awkward to the english native speaker? Or is there any other phrase to replace it?

The accident caused the death of the deceased. It is no small wander a tragic incident to the deceased's family. And seemingly tempest-tossed upon life's billows, there was no witness to support the family's claim for negligence in court.


texts:
I was playing Warcraft. I clicked on my peon.

He told me: "me busy. leave me alone."

Why is it OK to say it that way instead of just "I'm busy."?


texts: What should I understand by "try outlook"?

texts: I received an email from my boss telling the sentence:  "Try outlook resources inc DBA Company Name". I am not sure what it means, what I asked him was to confirm a number account that he gave me wrong.


texts:
As a new learner of this language I am not able to differentiate between these two sentences:

  a) I enjoyed the party.

  b) I enjoyed myself at the party.

I can only say that first sentence is used when someone has enjoyed the party with all others present.
And the second means that he tried to enjoy party by all means available but alone.


texts: Subject-auxiliary inversion in elliptical sentences (eg 'So am I')

texts:
[User 'Colin Fine' 's answer:] Note that so here [in so do I] has a different meaning from that it would have in the normal order ("I do so") - [the inverted so] means 'also', or 'as well' and it seems to me that it can have that meaning only when fronted. The fronting is clearly for emphasis, but that in itself is not enough to explain why the fronting is obligatory for that meaning.

So why's subject-auxiliary inversion necessary in such elliptical sentences? I doubt or don't understand the other answers in that question, such as this.

Footnote: Wikipedia doesn't appear to explain this necesary inversion.


texts:
One of my students had to fill in the gap (or leave it blank if the relative pronoun can be omitted) in this sentence:

  My landlady says we can't use her sitting-room because we made too
  much mess the last time ________ she let us have a party.

He wrote "which". The answer key left it blank.

"Which" is not an option, while a blank or "that" or "when" are possible options. But I am having a hard time explaining to him why "when" can be omitted since grammar books seem to claim you can only leave out the relative pronouns "who/which/that".

Please correct me if you find any statements above are wrong.

And my question is: what makes it possible for "when" to be omitted? If possible, quote source for information.


texts: Can I drop the "h" sound in the words "himself", "herself" and "hers"?

texts: We can drop the "h" in the words "he", "him", "his" and "her" if there is a consonant before them and if there is no punctuation between. For example like in "I like him." Can we do the same in the words I mentioned in the title?


texts:
The  year  with  an  extra day  is  called  leap  year.

This sentence is from an article about "Calendar".

I want to know why the article is dropped before leap year. In my opinion, the article should use as "leap year" is the name of a year "a year, which happens every four".
Thanks in advance.


texts:
She herself have (or has) watched it.

I know the current grammar is to use 'has' but my Grammarly app recognizes no error when 'have' is used. Or is there any exception rule where using 'have' is also correct?


texts:
What do these sentences mean? Is the 'coming' and 'using' a reference to future or currently happening?

  Do you mind Sam's coming with us?
  Do you mind Belinda's using your computer?


texts:
(1) I want to work in a small company.

(2) I want to work at a small company.

(3) I want to work for a small company.

(4) I want to work with a small company.

What are the connotations given by these prepositions?


texts: meaning of the phrase "be better then one can say"?

texts:
It is from Crash Course World History. It is at around 11 minute and 30 second. Here is the context:

  Benin's economy has grown in each of the past 12 years, which is better then Europe and or the US can say.

Does that mean that Europe or the US didn't think that Benin's economy would prove to have economy growth?


texts: "To start" or "to begin" while referring to work or studies times?

texts:
What's the correct or acceptable option to refer to the time or work times from the following options?

  1)  "In which hour do you begin / start to work tomorrow"?

(it's not his first day at work, I'm just asking him about the time that he's going to START or to BEGIN tomorrow there.)

  2) "In which time are you going to begin / start the university (or
  studies) tomorrow.

(As well as example NO.1, it's not his first day at the university, I'm just asking him about the time that he's going to START or to BEGIN tomorrow there.)


texts:
Is it correct to say?

  The sound of the alarm woke up Rob. For the first 10 seconds he was confused, but once he was fully awake jumped out of bed and went to take a shower.

Or instead of "awake", should I say "fully awaken"?


texts:
I have a doubt regarding the use of the verb "has or have " after who in the following sentence,

  I request you my work to be evaluated by Mr. Bender and Mr. Joseph who has expertise in the work done by me.

Please help


texts: I insisted to my parents that I have/had to have a bedroom of my own

texts:
When we moved into the new (house/home ?),

I insisted to my parents that I have to have a bedroom of my own.
I insisted to my parents that I had to have a bedroom of my own.

Which tense is correct here? (have to or had to)
And which word is correct here? (house/home)


texts:
In 2001 I watched a great documentary about Shakespeare. And this was
  the reason that novel books attracted my attention. I was also
  learning English at the moment.

Is it possible to use "at the moment" in the story instead of "at that moment", or incorrect?

I probably found a good answer, quoted below, to my question but I am not sure as to its credibility.

  "I wasn't feeling like it at the moment." is perfectly good English.
  The same as, "He wasn't working at the time." However, most native
  speakers would say, "At the moment, I wasn't in the mood to watch a
  movie." You don't need the demonstrative there either, although you
  can put it in if you like.

  "at the moment" isn't like "now" that has to be replaced by "then" in
  the past. It works fine in any present or past tense.

A quote about using "at the moment" in the past tense from COCA corpus

  Over the next several months I recorded many of Ricardo's chants
  until my tape recorder was destroyed, fused by a lightning strike. As
  this occurred immediately after Ricardo had summoned me to his
  presence and I had replied that I was busy at the moment, the event
  did not lessen his considerable pride or reduce his reputation as the
  most powerful shaman of the area.

A quote from Google books

  I texted him back to tell him I was busy at the moment and that I
  would contact him the next day. He said okay and that was that. As
  usual I put that out of my mind so that I could give my date my full
  attention.

By WENDY RICHARDS - 2013

You can search for more in Google books using I was busy at the moment here.


texts:
In a sentence like:

  It allows us to overcome problems such as sparseness and/or cold-start

, which of and/or should be used?


texts: Should the *the* be used with Honorable? and Is the "t" capitalized in "the Honorable"?

texts:
I remember some rule that tied using the with Honorable in the Honorable.

Is there a rule about using the with the abbreviated form of Honorable?

Should the the be used with Honorable?


texts:
When we want to call someone on their high horse, we often (at least in India) use -

  You know what, he thinks that he is something

For instance, in an office, if someone behaves like a boss, the above mentioned sentence is not uncommon.

The phrase is used for anyone -he, she, I, you...and so on.

My question is, when we think, we never think of being something; yes, we may think of being 'someone' - *king, queen, boss, tycoon, scientist etc.

Continuing the above example, we may get the answer as mentioned below..

  You know what, he thinks that he is something ~ Oh. What does he think?  He thinks that he's the boss of the company!

'boss' a 'thing'?

Is it proper to use -

  'He thinks that he's someone?'

Tagging this with InE, in case, this is new to others.


texts:
If someone says "David is not really a leader", it means something like: the speaker believes that David isn't the kind of person you would think of as a without-doubt a real leader; but the speaker isn't necessarily saying that David is definitely a very poor leader.

If someone says "David is really not a leader", it means that the speaker thinks that David is definitely a very poor leader.

What analysis (grammatical, dictionary, etc?) can help me understand how this difference in meaning is created?


texts: verb in English describing an action of putting a glowing-hot a piece of metal to a body to leave a mark

texts: What's the verb in English describing an action of putting a glowing-hot a piece of metal to a body in order to leave a permanent undeletable mark on it? They did this to slave in America.


texts: Can we say "She has a black car. She goes to school by the car?"

texts: I heard this utterance the other day. My understanding is that we cannot say "by the car" such as "I go to school by car." Is this true for this case in my question?


texts: "The more the foreign worker immerse themselves in the local culture, the more realistic a view they develop of that culture."

texts:
Which one should I use?

The more the foreign worker immerse themselves in the local culture, the more realistic a view they develop of that culture.

The more the foreign worker is immersed in the local culture, the more realistic a view is developed towards that culture.
https://www.globalcognition.org/what-is-cultural-sensitivity/


texts: When Past tense and past participle adjective in a sentence

texts:
I've learnt that past perfect tense should be used when an action had happened before another action in the past. For example, I had took the introduced class before I registered the advanced class. And, I've also learnt that the past participle verb can be used as an adjective to describe the noun. For example, challenge accepted.

The situation was talking about a photo of me that was taken by others.
Now, I'm wondering the sentence "I had it taken recently." If it is a past tense (had) and the past participle adjective (taken) in a sentence or the past perfect tense (had taken) in the sentence.

Free feel to edit my post, and sorry for my poor English.


texts:
a. The reason he left the country was not to deal with this problem.
Is that sentence ambiguous?
I see two possible meanings:

The reason he left the country wasn't to deal with this problem.

The reason he left the country was to not deal with this problem.
( ... in order not to deal with this problem.)

Would you say that is correct?


texts: What does "indexers" mean in this context?

texts:
Does the sentence in bold mean "This meant that retail customers had to pay for everything to keep institutions/companies from buying Yahoo's stocks"?

One reason the stock rose so quickly after its addition to the index was announced, Silverblatt says, is that it was owned primarily by retail customers rather than institutions. This meant indexers had to pay whatever it took to pry the shares away from Mom and Pop.

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/what-the-yahoo-sale-tells-us-about-stock-market-bubbles/2017/02/21/ff28abd8-f854-11e6-9845-576c69081518_story.html?utm_term=.13e43f31bc22


texts: Help to understand the usage of 'what' and 'but' in this sentence

texts:
Perhaps it was because he was now so busy, what with Quidditch practice three evenings a week on top of all his homework, but Harry could hardly believe it when he realized that he'd already been at Hogwarts two months.

I have 2 questions about the sentence:

I don't quite understand the usage of 'what', because I feel it's fine to write: Perhaps it was because he was now so busy with Quidditch practice three evenings a week on top of all his homework, ...
I doubt the usage of 'but', I think 'so' seems make more sense to me. E.g.

  Perhaps it was because he was now so busy, what with Quidditch
  practice three evenings a week on top of all his homework, so
  Harry could hardly believe it when he realized that he'd already been
  at Hogwarts two months.

P.S. The sentence is from Harry Potter.


texts: Grammatical correctness of the following sentence if and would

texts:
This is the sentence I am trying to understand grammatically

  In fact, if you want to go on a diet, one of the first things a dietician in Sri Lanka would tell you is to moderate the use of coconut milk in your dishes!

based on my understanding, I could use "would" if it is a second conditional sentence. which means,

"If you wanted to go on diet, they would tell you"

Could someone help me clear my doubts about this


texts:
This might be a question of individual style, but it still bothers me:
The words in the title are part of the lyrics of swiss singer Jael Malli in her song "Driving with You" on her album here (20 seconds into the song): https://www.jaelmusic.ch/music
I would think, as an American speaker, one would say

ten p.m.

from a British speaker, I would expect to hear

ten o'clock in the evening

Is the combination

it's ten o'clock p.m.

actually used anywhere?
Note: I am specifically asking about the o'clock part in combination with AM/PM, not about leaving out the o'clock part as in Answering about the time


texts: What does "systematized" mean in this context?

texts:
Two of the meanings of the word "science" in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is:

A department of systematized knowledge as an object of study.
"the science of theology"
Something (such as a sport or technique) that may be studied or learned like systematized knowledge.
"have it down to a science"

Looking up the word "systematize" in the same dictionary, I found out that it means:

To arrange in accord with a definite plan or scheme : order systematically
"the need to systematize their work"

Now does it mean that science is a body of knowledge that is arranged or organized according to a plan or scheme? If so, then what kind of plan? Natural sciences are organized according to which plan or scheme?


texts: "He just borrows them, not steal(s)" -- Coordination of a negated verb in ellipsis

texts:
Little John keeps borrowing Bob's colored pencils but he's too playful to remember to give them back. Bob's mom is upset and talks to John's about it. John's mom would say something along the lines of either

  He just borrows them, not steal.

or

  He just borrows them, not steals.

Which one is grammatically correct? Why?

I know it's feasible (and probably safer) not to omit anything and go with two full sentences. On the other hand, sometimes we need to emphasize the contrast between the two verbs, or need to be simply more concise. Consider another example, in the legal sense of the verbs, without omission of the second object:

  Your argument excuses his actions, not justify / justifies them.

If I'm honest, the latter option seems clunky, but then how would we denote subject-verb agreement, and why wouldn't a simple omission of subject (without affecting the grammar of the rest) work?


texts:
My English teacher says to use "it is" instead of "it's" and "do not" instead of "don't" because it is more formal. For example, I can say

  I have a toy plane, and it is blue. Do not touch it.

or

  I have a toy plane, and it's blue. Don't touch it.

Is it true or not?


texts: Is the first definite article mandatory in "the noun preposition the noun"?

texts:
Consider the following passage from a webnovel:

  His feet touched the waters of the river. He walked with the same emotionless face. Even with superficial lights, he clearly saw the gloom on the elder’s face as well as the glares from the youths.

As elder and youths were previously mentioned in the chapter, the definite article before them is necessary.
What I'm concerned about is the articles before gloom and glares. They were not mentioned previously, so I'd rather omit them to not use the too much.

However, based on what I remember, one has to use the in such situations, so it's mandatory to use four the here.
Namely, we have to use the because it's specified that glares we're talking about are only the ones that come from the youths. Same goes to gloom.

Do I remember it correctly, and if so, how is this rule called?
If I remember incorrectly, is it up to the writer to decide whether to use the before gloom and glares?


texts: Word choices? Noticing/Realizing - No longer/Anymore

texts:
Noticing that they were no longer returning fire, he stopped shooting and peeked around the corner.

Realizing that they were no longer returning fire, he stopped shooting and peeked around the corner.

Noticing that they weren't returning fire anymore, he stopped shooting and peeked around the corner.

Realizing that they weren't returning fire anymore, he stopped shooting and peeked around the corner.

Are "noticing" and "realizing" close to interchangeable in this context? And the same with "no longer" and "anymore"?
I have written the first sentence, is that the one which sounds more natural to you as well?


texts:
In an exercise I had to find how the participle was used in sentences.

One of the sentence was--

  The traveller, being weary, sat by the wood side to rest.

Its answer was

  being - present participle, Absolute phrase.

Why it is an absolute phrase I don't understand.


texts: "I suspect he will come" vs. "I suspect he might come"

texts:
Which of the 2 sentences is correct ?

  I suspect that he will come here.
  I suspect that he might come here.

As we have already used*'suspect*, is it wrong to use might again? (as using 2 words that express possibility/doubt will create an unnecessary double effect).


texts: Can we use "of" which means "belong to" with a person?

texts:
I wrote a possessive sentence:

  I'm using the well-educated chemistry teacher with Chinese eyes's computer.

I think this sentence is okay because I use 's to indicate possession. But if I use "of", is it also correct?

  I'm using the computer of a well-educated chemistry teacher with Chinese eyes.

Which one is more appropriate?


texts: What is the difference between Anyways, Anyway and Any way?

texts:
I have seen these words which looks pretty much the same in three different forms, why? what are the differences?

Which one is correct between anyway and anyways?
Are they spoken English or can I write those in my essays are they formal words?

  We're going to do it anyway!

  Great, the service was terrible, but anyways the meal was gorgeous.

  So, she's all "Anyways, let's go shopping at Target! "

  I do not know any way to fix it.


texts:
I have some doubts about the usages of That and Who. Sometimes I read sentences such as. "You are someone I love" "You are someone WHO I love" Or "People were asked to describe the qualities they look for in a friend" "People were asked to describe the qualities THAT they look for in a friend"

Why in some of these sentences WHO or THAT are omitted and others are not. Could somebody help me with this? I'll appreciate it! Thanks a million.


texts:
What does 'take in' mean here?

  Overall, soil releases about nine times more carbon than human-caused
  activities. But that is part of a natural cycle: The amount of carbon
  released into the air is about equal to the carbon oceans and plants
  take in.


texts:
A crowd of people had gathered to watch the youth take his final breath and throw stones at him.

Why is that sentence using take and not taking?


texts:
I've been learning English for a while, but I still can't pronounce usual well. The phonetic symbol is [ˈjuʒuəl], but [j] and [ʒ] are my troubles.

What is the pronunciation of [j] and [ʒ]?


texts: Why Listen to Music, why not Listening Music

texts:
Maximum time I face this problem by saying listening music. Is there any traditional cause behind this?

Can we use listen music or listening music?

Seems there is only a slight difference, but why is listen to music the right way to say it?


texts: using conjunctions multiple times in one sentence

texts:
I love basketball, and my brother loves tennis, but our sister hates us two loving sports, so whenever we try to play sports, she tries to disturb us, so, yesterday, we decided to kill our sister so that we can play sports without being bothered by our sister!

I read in an SAT book this isn't grammatically wrong. Can I trust the book?


texts: make way for your betters -- what does that mean? -- from the movie Pompeii (2014)

texts:
A line from the movie Pompeii (2014):

  Make way! Make way! Off! Off the road! Make way for your betters! Move it, scum! Clear the way there! Move!

What does for your betters exactly mean? I know of the expression your elders and betters which means that you should respect people who are older than you. But in the movie there are no old people in the carriage—only young noble women.


texts: I don't feel well vs. I'm not feeling well

texts: Some reference books say feel is a state verb, some say it's both an action and a state verb and you can use either in immediate present, and some say that you can't say "I don't feel well" when you mean right now. Can someone please explain?


texts:
In my opinion, gerund are verbs in noun form and they can be the subject, object or complement of a sentence.

If i have understood correctly, could you please let me know whether the following sentence contains gerund or not. If so, how we can signifies it as a gerund

  It was not a question of them being able to get a car.

Please analyze the above sentence by dividing into clauses, phrases as well as subject,object and verb.


texts: Article in the phrase "Added [article] basic support ..."

texts:
Suppose I've written some code and added a feature which now allows our application to support some Apple device (I've made it all up just to provide some context). Now I'm writing a concise report for what I've done. How would I write the phrase?

Added basic Apple support ...
Added a basic Apple support ...
Added the basic Apple support ...

The question apeared because everyone I know (non-native speakers), including myself, like the first variant. But no one can tell me why and it appears that Google like the 3rd one.

Which is correct and why?

UPD:

It all started with the following sentence: "Added [a/the/] basic user interface support for the tasks feature". I was inclined to use no articles at all but then I became doubtful, went for the rules, found nothing to support my gut feeling and used "the".


texts:
As the storm approached, the sky becomes dark and the wind increased.

Should it be becomes or became?


texts: GRE verbal question ("legislation" and "autonomy")

texts:
Federal efforts to regulate standards on educational achievements have been met by intransigence; local governments feel that government imposition represents an undue infringement on their _____.

This is a GRE verbal question. The answer on the blank is "autonomy". But, I am wondering why "legislation" does not work on this blank.


texts: What's the difference between "in itself", "by itself" and "in and of itself"?

texts:
A. This in itself requires investigation.

  B. Energy by itself is useless.

  C. That in and of itself is interesting.

What is their meaning and how to use them correctly?

Subquestion: Let's say I want to buy a B12 vitamin formula and the pharmacist is giving me a B-Complex bottle of the supplement. Can we say: I'm looking for B12 formula by itself?


texts: How to ask people to speak slowly so they really speak slowly?

texts: I'm learning English for many years, and I use English at work. Some clients I cannot understand. I ask them to speak slowly. They do, but then they speak quickly again. My bigger problem is talking to French or Indian clients. Did you face this situation and find a solution?


texts: What is meaning "that's the whole day gone"?

texts:
In movies, I hear a  lot of "that's the whole day gone."

Now I want to know what is meaning exactly?

Before this sentence, they talk about eat tea.

I search in google and I don't find anything!

I think meaning is "Fatigue goes away"?!


texts: Which one is grammatically correct in the context?

texts:
According to Einstein, a lot of energy is needed as a spacecraft nears the speed of light.
Therefore,

  If Einstein is correct, it will be impossible for humans to travel at the speed of light.
  If Einstein is correct, it would be impossible for humans to travel at the speed of light.

  What are the differences among the above sentences if both are correct?
  Because I wonder if it is possible to use "would" in the main clause while the conditional clause is a present tense?


texts: What do you call a product that is on the shelf?

texts:
I see I didn't explain my question very well.
Let's say there are products on the market available for sale from suppliers. Those products exist and are in the world, but not on my shelf for sale at my company yet.
When I receive a supply of these products and put them on my shelf, is there a word that distinguishes them from before they were on my shelf? They are now "stocked items" or "in-stock products", as opposed to simply "products", yeah? Or  now maybe they are "inventory" now?
===== Original question =======
I'm trying to describe the relationship between

conceptual products: ones that may or may not exist, and
products that are stocked on a shelf

I'm wondering if there's a term.


texts:
From novel To Kill a Mockingbird:

  As the summer progressed, so did our game. We polished and perfected it, added dialogue and plot until we had manufactured a small play upon which we rang changes every day.

What does we rang changes every day mean? Rang seems to be a verb (past tense of ring), meaning making some sound, but change is also a verb, which makes it a verb+verb?


texts: What do you call the air that rushes into your car in the highway?

texts: I don't think we call it a wind, because it's not a wind if the air is hitting you, because the car is moving at a high speed. Is there a specific word for stagnant air (doesn't have to be stagnant since there can be a little wind in there too) that rushes into the car, because you are driving at a high speed?


texts: Replying "I'm sorry to hear that" when you're the one affected by bad news

texts:
When searching for the phrase "I'm sorry to hear that" I can only find examples of it being used as a way to express condolences to someone:

  Person A: “My goldfish died yesterday…”
  Person B: “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that! How are you holding up?”

But is it also correct to use the phrase when both parties are equally affected by the bad news?:

  Person A: “It’s going to rain tomorrow, so we have to cancel our trip to the beach.”
  Person B: “I’m sorry to hear that! Do you want to go visit the museum instead?”

And is it still correct when the person receiving the news has more reason to feel upset?:

  Person A: “Unfortunately all of our flights are fully booked.”
  Person B: “I’m sorry to hear that. I guess I’ll just have to take the train instead.”


texts: About the object of a verb followed by "to"

texts: In the sentence "He sang to himself." is the pronoun himself the indirect object pf the verb sang? Or is the phrase to himself the (indirect) object of the verb sang?


texts: "Not want someone believing" vs. "want someone believing"

texts:
I am aware that when someone doesn't want something to be done by someone else, it's possible to use a gerund after want and the pronoun. For example:

I don't want you believing in such silly stuff.

But what about if the person wants something to be believed by the other person? Is it grammatically correct to say the following?

I want you believing in the the good cause.

If it is correct, how would it differ from

I want you to believe in the the good cause?


texts:
Vehicles should be properly placarded when required by Federal law.

What does "placarded" mean? Does it mean that placard should be attached to vehicles?


texts: "It might take on one of these heathens."

texts:
A line from A Home of Our Own (1993)

We're not religious either, but a taste of it couldn't hurt. And who knows? It might take on one of these heathens.

I don't think it is a common usage of "take" that's invoked in this line, but it is recognizable as short for "take root". It seems this usage "something takes on someone" is rare and isolated. Also the preposition sounds jarring to me. I would have used "in". A belief takes root in people. So why "take on one of these heathens" not "It might take root in one of these heathens"?


texts: He did not expect to. vs. He had not expected to

texts:
Someone asks me:

  Was John surprised when he won?

I have two answers to choose from. Which is more appropriate?

  Yes. He had not expected to.
  Yes. He did not expect to.

Personally I like the first answer. I feel like there is an omitted part after Yes which establishes the time frame—"Yes[, he was surprised]." And since his expectations took place before he started being surprised, I have to use the double past.

  Yes[, he was surprised]. He had not expected to [win before he started being surprised].


texts: one with "the" and the other without "the" for uncountable noun

texts:
I was looking the following:
https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/measurement

In the Section 2 [uncountable], there are two sentences:

  the measurement of performance
  accurate measurement of body temperature

Both "measurement"s are uncountable, but one with "the" and the other without "the".

I would like to know what the reason for with/without "the" for these sentences is?


texts:
I have seen several times expressions like:
"10 yo just watched..."

By context I understand that is a father referring to his 10 years old son. I have seen it in Twitter by different people. Are these the initials of Years Old? is this just a Twitter thing? would anyone use that in a regular conversation?

I find surprising that he says "10 yo..." and not something like "My 10 yo..." It seems like "10yo" becomes like a name.

I could not found any information in any dictionary, not even Urban dictionary.

(I am not native English. I live in a small country in Europe)


texts: When something finishes in future I will let you know (inform you)

texts:
I'm not sure how to structure my sentence in a correct manner.
What I want to express is that I've started something, and will let someone know once it (has?) finish.
Here is an example:

I will be monitoring the progress and I will let you know once it is
finished.

So I will be watching/monitoring the progress (I will have a look from time to time to see if its finished) and when I see/acknowledge the process is complete I will let you know.


texts:
In Russian, there's a phrase meaning 'We will see in what something will end up'. Literally, that is the form of the Russian verb see put in 2Sg.

Is there any colloquial phrase which has the same function in English?

Is it possible to use "Will see" in that sense? Or "We'll see"?


texts:
Her beauty is unmatched of all her friends.

Is that correct or .

  Her beauty is the unmatched of all her friends.

Which one is correct.???


texts:
It's probable that markets will be expanded in the future.

  It's probable that markets will expand in the future.

Which sentence is correct, or I should use?


texts:
Could someone please clarify the exact meaning of Slipping in the text below.

  According to Pentland, though, those arguments ignore much of what
  these devices enable. Tethered mobility might mean more, not less,
  social grace. You remember everything about your last conversation
  rather than feeling your way through slipping facts. Rather than
  grasping to recall someone’s name or where you’ve met, these memories
  are at your fingertips. "You can have a much better social life,"
  Pentland points out. "I remember your name, your kids’ names. We’re
  all happier." Wearables can also prevent the multitasking problem
  posed by the smartphone’s advent. Rather than pulling out a phone and
  interrupting your conversation, you don’t even need to avert your
  gaze. "You can actually pay attention to what you’re doing," Starner,
  of Google Glass, says. "It doesn’t eliminate multitasking, but it
  makes it much safer."


texts:
Homelander made another heroic save today, stopping a hijacked armored
  truck, then staying behind for a photo op with some very lucky
  fans.

  (This line is from an American superhero television series. A reporter
  says this sentences on the news. "Homelander" is an superhero. + Photo op means: Photo opportunity. )

Does "staying behind for a photo op" count as a heroic save? I am having a hard time understanding the reason why the marked participle phrase is being used.

Isn't this version is better.:

  ..., then stayed behind for a photo op with some very lucky
  fans.


texts: Negation with respect to objects after 'for'

texts:
Does the following sentence

  It is not good for all men here.

mean

  1) It is not good for anyone here.

or

  2) It is good for some of them, while not good for others.

I know I can use

  It is not good for any man here

to precisely express the first meaning. But what's the meaning for the original sentence exactly ? Does it matter if it changes a bit like

  It is not even good for all men here.


texts: Stative Verbs in Present Perfect Tense to Refer Recent Past

texts:
"I have just wanted to ask a question."

I was told above sentence is not valid and natural to refer recent past and "just" cannot mean here "very recently".( Recent past usage of present perfect tense) Because "wanted to ask" denotes a state not an action therefore it doesn't mean an observable completed event where there is a start and finish.

Therefore the sentence " I have just wanted to ask a question" only means a situation where "wanted to ask" has been continuing for some time to the present and "just" means "simply" or "only".

Can you explain if this is true?
Only rule with regard to stative verbs in English is they shouldn't be used with progressive tenses. I haven't come accross any information that explain my example in any English teaching material even in present perfect tense subject.


texts:
In Oxford Dictionary, there is explained one of the meanings  of the structure "have sth/sb doing...". The meaning is "to cause sth to be done or happen". Here is the example of the usage:
I'll have the television working again soon. I would like to ask what what would happen with the meaning of the sentence when "working" changed into the bare "work".


texts: Does 'massive' ever mean 'large number of'?

texts: Although dictionary says 'massive' only means 'heavy', I am always having the impression that in some contexts 'massive X' means 'large number of X'. Is my impression purely wrong or there are idiomatic usages like that? If there is, what is the usage? Does the phrase 'massive failures' mean 'severe failures' or 'many many failures'?


texts: What's the proper way: "Resolution of Conflicts" or "Conflict Resolution"?

texts:
I'm taking an online course about conflict resolution and in one slide they show both forms.

First, there's this part where they show this web site: www.resolutionofconflict.com.au (it's unavailable now, maybe the course is really old). And then there's this image stating "Resolution of Conflict":

Then, after some seconds, they show this banner below stating "Conflict Resolution":

So, what's the proper way to state this phrase? I only knew that it should be the latter.

Also, is there any grammar rule to use for these cases?


texts: way to say a woman had been runing to the house and now near the house

texts:
I have the text which have the "run to" construction:

  I held my breath as the woman ran to the house.

For me the text in up means: "I watched the woman and held my breath in the moment she began to run to the house."

But if I want to express that I was watching woman and held my breath only in the moment she neared the house can I say:
"I held my breath as the woman had run to the house". Can you correct me.


texts:
In the end, the formalism of “Stations of the Cross” wouldn’t work at all without the work of van Acken, a very talented young lady who’s not only in every scene, she’s often all there is to every scene.

Source: http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/stations-of-the-cross-2015

I am really not sure what the film reviewer wants to say by the phrase "she’s often all there is to every scene". Does it mean that the strong performance of the actress monopolizes all the viewer's attention?


texts: Which preposition would you use when you're talking about bank related matters?

texts:
When you're talking bank accounts, which preposition do you use?

I want to close my account at/with/in XX (bank name).

Which preposition would you use here? I came across sentences with in and with, but all three seem to convey the same meaning to me. Which would you use?


texts: What is correct- Employee Speaks or Employee Speak?

texts:
While making a presentation for my company, I stuck at one header:

  Employee Speak

I got confused as I thought that it should be either Employee Speaks and there we can show only one employee's testimonial. Or, if we write Employees to include several employees' feedback, we should write 'Employees Speak'.

But then, many leading tech companies including HCL, Infosys, and others have given Employees' feedback with the title 'Employee Speak'.


texts: I'm from India; in our office we refer toilet to 'Wash-room' and 'Rest-room', which is the correct form to use and if there is a difference, what is the difference between the two words?


texts: What does she mean if a woman says this to a man, "Did you park your white horse outside?"

texts:
It's actually from a dialogue of one episode of AMC's Mad Man (7th Season, E6), spoken by Peggy  somewhat acidly to Don when he entered her office room.

I just can't understand what does she mean in this sentence. "white horse" must be metaphoric here I guess, isn't it? But what is Peggy going to say in this sentence?

Anything to do with "a prince on white horse"? If that is the case, then she is satirizing him？


texts:
We need to learn, or re-learn, how to build comradeship and solidarity instead of doing capital’s work for it by condemning and abusing each other

Source: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/exiting-vampire-castle/

I‘m not sure to which part is "it" connected to in the sentence above. Or does the phrase "work for it" speak for itself?


texts: Is the gerund form for the verb 'to turn' preceded by objective pronouns?

texts: Is it correct to say '...he found out she was sick only when they got married, her turning 18, him 19' or 'she turning 18, he 19'? is the gerund form for the verb 'to turn' preceded by objective pronouns?


texts: How do I use the auxiliary "do" in questions?

texts:
Consider these two sentences:

  Who left the door open?

and

  Who do you want to speak to?

In the first question auxiliary do cannot normally be used, but in the latter question it can. Why is that so? What is it about the second sentence that requires auxiliary do that the first sentence doesn't have? Please include a few more examples of this pattern if possible.


texts: What does "the wrong side of the drop" mean in this context? (from the book, After You)

texts:
The narrator is a woman, half drunk and walking along the edge of parapet in the dark, and suddenly a stranger calls her behind her.

  'I don't think you should stand there.'

  I half turn, and catch a flash of a small pale face on the fire escape, dark eyes wide open. In shock, my foot slips on the parapet, my weight suddenly the wrong side of the drop. My heart lurches, a split second before my body follows. And then, like a nightmare, I am weightless, in the abyss of the night air, my legs flailing above my head as I hear the shriek that may be my own-

  -After You by Jojo Moyes

Here, I don't understand the meaning of the part marked in bold especially because drop has many definitions and also I don't get what "wrong side" means in this context.

Also, what's the verb omitted in the bolded part? is it slip?


texts:
Can I omit that in the following sentences?

The weather is such that we can only stay in air-conditioned places.

The difference is such that all will perceive it.


texts:
Having trouble with ellipsis.
I want to say that at one point in time, there was not a lot of songs that we would label "tango" today, but that the very fact that there was not a lot makes "the songs that we would label tango today" worth investigating.
Is any of the following sentences correct?
"There was not a profusion of songs that would be labeled 'tango' today - which obviously makes those highly worth investigating"
"There was not a profusion of songs that would be labeled 'tango' today - which obviously make those that would highly worth investigating"
"There was not a profusion of songs that would be labeled 'tango' today - which obviously makes those that would be highly worth investigating"
Thanks a lot


texts:
Can you use "including" after an uncountable word? Because the question is highly context-dependent I will just give you the sentence.

  He watched all of the porn including the bad ones.

Sorry, I couldn't think of another example, but I don't think "porn" is particularly offensive.

I am seriously wondering how to say this in a grammatical fashion.

Instead of "ones", would you use "one", or does the entire sentence need to be reworded?


texts:
Does "it damages w/o object" mean "it damages itself"?

For example:

  If you use your car too much it damages.


texts:
One dictionary defines "accommodate" as follows:
To have enough space for: a parking lot big enough to accommodate buses.

So, I think this word means capability not state/condition.  For example, can this example be rewritten as follows?

  Some buses are accommodated in the parking lot.

That is, I would like to know whether "accommodate" can be used to mean that something has something inside it.


texts:
I think it is dangerous to ride a bicycle in Australia, because there is no cycle track in those small streets.

Is it correct to say 'small streets'? Is there any word that is better than 'small'?

(I googled, apparently 'small street' is the name of an App, which makes it hard to know whether it is correct to say it in a conversation.)

Thank you!


texts: Which phrase is correct? (passive voice)

texts:
I am studying passive voice now, which phrase is correct? may be both?

We were shown a very strange picture.
A very strange picture was shown to us.

Thanks in advance.


texts: how do i know what to use in/on/from/in/at + which?

texts:
I can see similar questions about this in/from/at .. +which .. but I don't really get it so I want to ask few things

It's a sentence from my textbook.

  She describes a personal experience in which the dean asked her if she could give him a ride home.
  Chaos theory attempts to explain systems in which a small difference in initial conditions can drastically change the final outcome.

I don't think I understand it fully. I can't really say why there is "in which".


texts:
I have a question about some usage involving the verb "run" in this new article:

  ...NBC's coverage of a San Diego-Kansas City football game ran more than 40 minutes past 7 P.M...

I am not too sure what "ran more than 40 minutes past 7 p.m." mean.  Would the following, depending on the intended meaning:

  NBC's coverage of a San Diego-Kansas City football game ran until more than 40 minutes past 7 P.M.
  NBC's coverage of a San Diego-Kansas City football game ran for a period of time ending after more than 40 minutes past 7 P.M.

be better rewrites?


texts: How to say that one person shouts after another person?

texts:
Does it sound normal in English to say that a person shouted/cried/yelled after another person, as in:

Jim packed up quickly and walked away in ignorance and she shouted after him that he must never come back again.

Would this sentence be valid in English? And what would you suggest if it wouldn't?
Are there any idioms for this?

This might be a very silly question, I just can't find an example of it on the Internet and can't recall if I have ever heard it in movies. But it sounds ok, given the way "after him/her" is used, say as in "After him! (go after someone).


texts: Can "he" and "man" refer to all genders?

texts:
All men must die, but death can vary in its significance. The ancient Chinese writer Sima Qian said, "Though death befalls all men alike, it may be weightier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather." To die for the people is weightier than Mount Tai, but to work for the fascists and die for the exploiters and oppressors is lighter than a feather.
...
If we have shortcomings, we are not afraid to have them pointed out and criticized, because we serve the people. Anyone, no matter who, may point out our shortcomings. If he is right, we will correct them. If what he proposes will benefit the people, we will act upon it.

They're in a speech Serve the People, it's translated in English by Columbia University.
In original language, "all men alike" should be "all people whoever they are";
and

If he is right

If what he proposes

They both refer to a person who pointed out the CPC's shortcomings no matter which the gender is.


texts: What native speakers call an on-air sign?

texts: The sign that expresses broadcasting is on progress.


texts: Is "I go for Avatar" as the most horrible movie acceptable?

texts:
When someone asks "What is the most horrible movie you ever watched?" which one is more correct as an answer?

I go for Avatar.
I will go for Avatar.

Is there any other better-suited answer?


texts: Came back TO the U.K or Came back IN the UK?

texts:
What the correct preposition here:

  I Came back TO the U.K last year from a holiday

or

  Came back IN the UK last year from a holiday.


texts: At and in when we talk about places/location

texts:
Which one is correct?:

I was at the cinema yesterday. / I was in the cinema yesterday.

I was at a concert yesterday. / I was in a concert yesterday.

I was at the theatre yesterday. / I was in the theatre yesterday.

Why is sometimes "at" correct in different contexts and "in" in others?
Can "at" mean "near" and "in"? If so, how could you guess that the speaker when he uses "at" means "in" or "near"? I know that "in" means inside (correct me if I'm wrong) but it's very confusing when it's "at" but not "in". I don't know if the speakers means inside or near. How is it possible to guess?

Is "at" more preferable in sentences like: "I was....". Is it some kind of a safer way not to make a mistake when you are tempted to use "in"? How do Americans and Britons see this?


texts: Is a company e.g. Pfizer, singular or plural?

texts:
Here is from an article from the Economist magazine:

  One drug he talks about is an antidepressant called reboxetine (branded as Edronax by
  its makers, Pfizer) that he used to prescribe to his patients.

Pfizer is a drug company. It is a singular noun.
Why is it described as its makers, which is plural?


texts:
I've read the question about Future Simple and Future Perfect, but I still can't understand the exact usage of these two tenses.
Is there any diffrence between the following?

  I will do my homework by 6 p.m.
  I will have done my homework by 6 p.m.

  I will do my homework after school
  I will have done my homework after school

Also, I've checked the word 'by' in Oxford dictionary and there're some confusing examples:

  By the time (that) this letter reaches you I will have left the country.

Can I use 'By the time (that) this letter reaches you I will leave the country' instead?


texts: He has been in the bathroom for two hours vs. Is in the bathroom for two hours

texts:
Which one is correct if I want to mention that he has taken two hours and hasn't come out yet?

"He is in the bathroom for two hours."
"He has been in the bathroom for two hours."
"It has been two hours since he went to the bathroom."


texts: How to understand "Not feeling flash this morning, so I'm going to sit out"

texts:
"Not feeling flash this morning, so I'm going to sit out"

This sentence is from an email of my colleague.

I understand it as "I'm sick this morning, so I won't work today", but not quite sure what the accuracy meaning of the two phrases:

"feel flash"
"sit out"

Is my understanding correct, and when to use them in daily life?


texts: Is the term 'User Experience Designer' grammatically correct?

texts:
Today, the buzzword in technology is 'User Experience Design (UX Design)' I'm aware of the meaning but then is it grammatically correct?

Wikipedia mentions it here:

  User experience design (UXD or UED) is the process of enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty by improving the usability, ease of use, and pleasure provided in the interaction between the customer and the product.

The question came to my mind as I was writing a webpage on User Experience Designer (UX Designer) which is the most searched keywords/phrase on the search engines these days. I'm not utterly convinced with the term 'User Experience Designer' as compared to User Interface (UI) Designer which is perfect.

How can one design user experience!