texts: Is "having a baby" or "has a baby" mean she is pregnant?

texts:
Read each pair of sentences below, A and B. The sentence which follows each pair is related to one of the sentences in the pair. (For example, it could come after the sentence or describe the sentence.)

A. "My sister has a baby."
B "My sister's having a baby."

Is B: My sister's having a baby, the only correct answer in this exercise to mean that the woman is pregnant?


texts: The right usage of the past perfect tense

texts:
Let's say I got a shop and at the front of the shop is the announcement with following text:

  ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOME PRODUCTS? You found that place.

I think that instead of You found that place should I use You have found that place. Because I'm not talking about past and I'm meaning it right now at this moment. Am I right?


texts:
I would like to know the adverb, if any, to the word "Literature ".
Can we say "Literaturly"? Is this the correct adverb to be used in the following example:

Literaturly, the following cases were reported: ...


texts: When can we put an adverb before "be verb"?

texts:
I often hear people say:

  A: She is beautiful

  B: She certainly is.

but we say "They are definitely suited for each other." & don't say "They definitely are suited..." because it sounds wrong.

So, when can we put an adverb before "be" verb?


texts: What is the meaning of this sentence, "there's nowhere else on earth I'd rather be."?

texts:
What is the meaning of this sentence:

  "There's nowhere else on earth I'd rather be"


texts:
The hallway is eerily empty when I exit the elevator, which always makes me nervous.
Which does make me nervous, The hall way, The hall way being empty or the elevator?


texts:
Positive statements that contain adverbs never, rarely, hardly are treated as negative statements

  She can rarely come this week, can she?

  He never visits you again, does he?

How about this one?

  She looks unhappy, does she?

Is that right?


texts: the sentence "Does king Gorge go there every day" should have an article?

texts:
If I want to ask about a custom of someone and I mentions is name, do I need to add an article?

For example:

  "Does (the?) king Gorge go there every day"


texts: what are the other usage of word “been” in english?

texts:
I have heard usage of "been" other that in perfect continuous tense.

like when we are talking about past, could we say that "I been given some work"?

Is the above sentence correct? if not why?

But, this sentence convince me, because it is the situation in which I am talking about past and some thing happened on me, so in order to say that I need to use forms of "be", but I cannot say in perfect form because "have " and "had" is not form of "be", but if I use "have been" or "had been" then it will be in perfect continuous, again I don't want to add continuous sense to it, it should be in perfect with 3rd form of verb.

Am I correct?


texts: Try to Locate A Quote of Albert Einstein

texts:
You may have learnt something in your mother tongue that is of origin of English language. Like in the case of "fire car", you do not know what it is if you do not know Chinese, because it means "train with locomotive", but Chinese people know this better than the origin of English because when they first get in touch with such things, they do not know there is an original word in English. They think it is something inherent in their cultures.

Now I am doing a translation work, I am given a passage in Chinese which is said to be the words of the greatest scientist Albert Einstein. I know that it must be a translation because this guy is not a Chinese and could not have said the same in Chinese, then how can I translate it back into its original language, which is most probably English? I tried the google and got some finds, but there are so many quotes of this great man, it would take one week at least for me to read and sift them one by one to get my answer, and if it turns out that out of the many quotes I have found there is NOT even the one I look for, then it would be a big waste of my time and efforts, right? So I come here for help, hope you can help me if you happen to know the answer.

I cannot find out the English version of a quote of Albert Einstein, which is to the effect that:

  science is not a book that cannot be or will not be finished writing because each great achievement will bring new problems and any development with the elapse of time will have new ideals for us to make breakthrough.

Since he is not a native speaker of English, the quote might be in German in origin, so if nobody can help me find out the English, is it acceptable for me to use my translation instead to be used in a paper?


texts: Simple Present / Formal Future use in this sentence

texts:
This question on ELU asked

  In this sentence "Look at the timetable. Hurry up! Flight 4026 takes off at 6:20." Can I replace "will take off" with "takes off"？

A user commented on the question like this

  They do not mean the same. The Simple Present Tense (Present Indefinite) is used for something that happens regularly/ usually/ normally -- Flight 4026 (generally) takes off at 6:20 . On the other hand, the formal future tense will+verb indicates a (definite) possibility in the future

and I asked that user this question

  Are you saying that it would be incorrect to say The plane takes off at 6:20 in the case where that route and timing had never been flown before and will never be flown again by that plane ?

They kindly directed me to ELL for an answer, so here I am asking the question

Is it incorrect to say The plane takes off at 6:20 in the case where that route and timing had never been flown before and will never be flown again by that plane?


texts:
Can we use these three preposition with the beach?

  I often go for a stroll along the beach.

  I often go for a stroll on the beach.

  I often go for a stroll at the beach.


texts: How do you say when you have to work more than usual

texts:
Let's say you work from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. But today wi'll have to do extra hours, working longer than you usually do. Are there any good expressions for that?

I'll also ask you to say where the expression is used, if it's AE or BE, If it's from Philly or LA, and so on.

Thank you


texts:
Gilbert is sad and quite sensitive now because he's father passed away a few days ago and B is like an annoying character. That ugly orphan below is Anne, and Gilbert kind of likes her while B and the other boys make fun of her.

  B: Hey, Gilbert! How's it going, Blythe?

  G: Fine.

  B: You gotta come back to school, bud. That ugly orphan's out of control.

  G:  What do you care?

  B:  We need a guy to show her she's not so smart.

  G: She's smart. Deal with it.

  B: Why you gotta be like that, bud? [chuckling]

  G: Why don't you bust out a book and take care of it yourself?

  B: . . .Yeah, right. Good one, bud.

  Anne with an E

What does it mean by "bust out a book" here?
Does "bust out" as a whole have a different meaning?


texts: the meaning of the phrase 'to throw oneself into the other's skin'

texts:
Philip hated Watson, and yet he would have given anything to change
  places with him. The old feeling that he had had at school came back
  to him, and he tried to throw himself into the other's skin, imagining
  what life would be if he were Watson.

  Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham

Does the bold part mean that he tries to be someone else in his mind?


texts: What words do we use to refer to a deal that favors one party in an agreement?

texts:
What do we call an agreement that dishonestly favors one side in the long run (e.g., a country pretending to pay the debt of another and in exchange gain control of its port for 100 years).

I prefer a two words phrase.


texts: which one is right between recognize and know here?

texts: For a person that isn't stranger we should say I know or I recognize? Totally what's the difference betwen recognize and know? Give me some example please.


texts:
I don't know how to use did+present tense OR past tense

Did sarah go to the party this Thursday?
OR
Did sarah went to the party this Thursday?

Where had you been?
OR
Where have you been?


texts: Is there a 'should be' missing in this sentence?

texts:
Shouldn't it be 'and the sale (should) be delayed'?

'Should' is in the bracket because it is self-understood maybe.


texts:
Can the word 'celibate' be used for women too? Is there any 'ing' form of 'celibate'?
Can we also say,"She has become/turned celibate"?


texts: "At one time", "at some point" or "one time"?

texts:
Tell me please which sentence sounds the most natural?

  I injured my back so bad, that at one time I couldn't even walk.

  I injured my back so bad that at some point I couldn't even walk.

  I injured my back so bad that one time I couldn't even walk.

What I am trying to communicate is that on one occasion my back was so bad that I couldn't walk. If none of my sentences sounds natural, what would a native English speaker say?


texts:
This is about something as in "something something" and what I perceive to be variations thereof :

  (1) [word] something something [word] (2) [word] somethin' somethin' [word](3) A little something
  something (4) A little somethin' somethin'(5) A little something

Of course it's about something that is not known. My experience is that (1) and (2) are used when someone is trying to figure out a string of words but knows only one for instance, and uses it a bit like a wildcard (something something café you know; i.e. hard rock).

Another use I'm familiar with is when something is (5) (missing) a little something (top ngram); like when someone tastes what you cooked and says that (it's missing a little something, I don't know, salt maybe...).

Is there a difference in meaning between something something and just something when using little (3 vs. 5) i.e. is one less precise than the other? Furthermore, is there a difference in meaning from using the contracted form (somethin' somethin')? Do we generally use one something per missing term in (1) and (2) or is "something something" for two or more? Finally, is there anything inappropriate, or innuendo with using (a) "little something something" (3&4), as in:

  Your performance is not on par with what I expected, it's missing a
  little something something which I would like to see showcased in upcoming events.


texts: "Something will have been/would be/would have been kept in 2000."

texts:
When we want to say we have something kept in the past,which tense should we use?

Something will have been kept in 2000.
Something would be kept in 2000.
Something would have been kept in 2000.


texts: 'The next time you are going to' or 'The next time {when/if} you go' - which is correct?

texts:
The next time you are going to Agra don't worry about being late.

Shouldn't that sentence be:

  The next time when/ if you go to Agra don't worry about being late.

I believe a connector is required after time. The next time and present continuous sounds strange to a non native speaker.

Is the only difference is the formal and the informal way of writing?


texts: Use "improve" or "get better" with a problem

texts:
(1) Her diabetes has got better.

(2) Her cancer has improved.

(3) She improved her diabetes by having a light diet.

(4) The doctor improved her cancer, so now she can leave the hospital.

Are these correct?
I want to say her conditions are not that bad now or have improved, but I am not sure I can use "get better" or "improve" this way with the problems themselves (such as cancer).


texts: "Such plea" "such waiver": ungrammatical legal jargon?

texts:
I have encountered the noun phrase "such plea" in a lot of legal texts. Examples:

  In federal courts, such plea may be accepted as long as there is evidence that the defendant is actually guilty. (source)
  A defendant who has entered a plea of not guilty to an indictment may as a matter of right withdraw such plea at any time ... (source)
  ...to withdraw such plea, and in such event the entire indictment, as it existed at the time of such plea, is restored. (source)

This noun phrase strikes me as strange and ungrammatical, because as confirmed by dictionaries "plea" is a count noun. I would say "such a plea". Lawyer jargon?

Edit:

I think it's safe to add a number of similar examples:

  such waiver shall only be effective during the Waiver Period

Google search


texts: From + noun + on / onward / forward / forth / ahead

texts:
Which word would we use if we were going to use a "specific time" or "specific place" instead of the noun?
How would you fill the blanks bellow?

1)From tonight (................) . (on / onward / forward / forth / ahead)

2)From this line (................) .  (on / onward / forward / forth / ahead)

3)From this page(................) . (on / onward / forward / forth / ahead)


texts:
"The good quality can't compensate for the high price."
  "Its high price can't be compensated with good quality."
  "Its high price can't be compensated by good quality."
  "Its high price can't be compensated for by good quality."
  "Its high price can't be compensated for with good quality."

I am mostly confused whether this verb takes "for" or not especially in the 4th and 5th examples. (I can't edit the question myself doesn't work on phone)


texts:
"She would of been a good woman," The Misfit said, "if it had been somebody there to shoot her every minute of her life."
Source: A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor

This is an quote from the story "A good man is hard to find" by Flannery O'Connor. Is here "she would of been" a non-standard equivalent of "she would have been"? – And what about the construction "if it had been somebody there…" Is it grammatically OK or is it the expression of O'Connor's play with language?


texts: Confusion between subject and object noun

texts:
The following is my sentence and I just want to understand who "his" refers to: Bruno Mars or Michael Jackson?

  I like listening  to Bruno Mars than Michael Jackson but his dance
  moves are far more iconic.


texts:
There are question in my textbook:

  The CDs in that music shop ____ we poked our heads into last week are
  on sale now.

  (A) whose (B) what (C) which (D) where

The answer is (C). I want to know if there is no "into" in the question sentence the answer become "(D) where"?

I mean, is it ok to say "The CDs in that music shop where we poked our heads last week are on sale now."?


texts:
I miss no opportunity to throw darts at Foucault's scrawny haunches because he is the last standing member of the Terrible Triad of French poststructuralists, whose work swept into American universities in the 1970s and drove out the home-grown radicalism of our own 1960s cultural revolution.*

Source: What I hate about Foucault

I would like to ask whether "Foucault's scrawny haunches" is used in a literal or figurative meaning. Whether the latter possibility is right than I am not able to decipher it. Can you help me?


texts: Can we use second conditional for future

texts:
I was learning about second conditionals when I found a conflicting opinion on the internet regarding second conditional's future use. Consider this sentence for example :

If I pilot a plane tommorow, I would try to land it on the moon.

If I pilot a plane, I would try to land it on the moon.

Are both these sentences correct. If the first one is wrong then what could be a possible alternative for the first sentence in my example?
Take a look at this link. It mentions that second conditional is used for present only. Now, have a look at this webpage. Both are conflicting in some way.  Please suggest which one is correct.


texts: Introductory word meaning "considering what was previously said"

texts:
Is there an introductory word or phrase which means considering what was said?

  German-made parts are way too expensive. Taking it into
  consideration, we ordered Chinese ones.


texts: Meaning of clauses: "Failing at its formation,..."?

texts:
From Diplomacy: A Very Short Introduction

  The EU can enact binding laws with regard to welfare provision, human rights, minimum wages, environmental standards, food safety standards, and more.
  After failing at its formation in 1993 to deal effectively with the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, the EU has matured as a regional security actor.
  The EU is moving towards a ‘security community’ in
  Europe in which the Union, rather than member states acting as sovereign entities, pursues a European foreign policy and increasingly a security role in Europe and Africa.

What is relation between "failing at its formation in 1993" and "dealing with the break up of Yugoslavia" ? i think these two accident happened at same time (?) and author only wanted to give more historic information (?)
what do you think as native English speakers?


texts:
Is it possible to say:

  Nobody seems to know the man closer.

I am not sure about the expression "to know someone closer".


texts:
What is the difference between the following sentences (in meaning)?

Are "present continuous" and "be going to" interchangeable?

  I'm going to visit my brother on Friday.

  I'm visiting my brother on Friday.


texts:
I know that I can use the word receipt in a context as follows:

  "I would be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter"

I wonder whether reception which means the action or process of receiving something sent can be used interchangeably.

The same case would be about the word receiving, a gerund, which would play the role of a noun if used this way.

Do these words mean the same thing and are perfectly interchangeable or there are some subtle nuance differences?


texts: Is it correct to use "balances of nature" plural form, for natural equilibriums or are there some other ways to say the same thing in plural form?


texts: Is "prevent getting sick" a shorthand of "prevent yourself from getting sick"?

texts:
Eat vegetables in order to prevent getting sick.

I am not sure if the above sentence is grammatical. I have seen the phrase "prevent getting sick", but I am not sure if you can just use like that anywhere, or there is a particular way to use it to make sure it's grammatical.


texts: What does "I want him to know I want him to know" mean?

texts:
Lately, I watched Kill Bill (Vol. 1), with quite an attention. At the last (when Beatrix speaks to Sophie), I got confused by a few dialogues. She said,

  "I want him to know what I know. I want him to know I want him to know"

The first sentence isn't a problem. But, the second sentence looks as if she's repeating "I want him to know". What does the phrase really mean? Is it simply repetition, or is she meaning something else? And, is it the right way to phrase it?


texts:
Would you  give me some examples of and explain the difference between these?

Would you tell me if this bold interrogative sentence is proper or grammatically standard?  If it is not, could you possibly correct it?

Many thanks


texts: "He was tearing the curtain" x "He was tearing off the curtain"

texts: What's the difference between these two terms? I tried to find out by myself and got to the conclusion that "tearing off the curtain" means removing the curtain from the wall, an "tearing the curtain" without preposition, means damaging the curtain, is it right?


texts: None modifies noun? --" an entryway jumble of backpacks and umbrellas"

texts:
Chatting about laundry facilities and meal times, Pam led us through an entryway jumble of backpacks and umbrellas. In the kitchen, she poured apple ( From an ACT test)

Please help me understand why nouns " jumble of backpacks and umbrellas" can directly post-modifies another noun " entryway". I think at least a preposition like "with" or others are needed here between "entryway" and " jumble of backpacks and umbrellas".


texts: "Having that said" or "Having said that"?

texts:
Let 'X' and 'Y' denote two different sentences. Then which of the following formulations is correct?

  X. Having that said, Y.

  X. Having said that, Y.

My personal reading experience is telling me the former one is right but later one also looks fine to me.
Are both of these correct?


texts:
In English Question format is

Question world (Wh- , How) + Auxiliary + subject + Object?

a) How are you feeling now?

b) How you are feeling now?

Which one is correct to ask in above Question?


texts:
I was wondering if it is possible to use the word "onto" in these contexts, or might it be better to use "to" instead?

When applying this theory onto discrimination in promotion processes, it can be argued that men prefer to work with other men, and subsequently rather promote them, because they want to obtain the power within their own group instead of sharing it with the group of women.

This finding can be generalized onto non-academic workplaces because promotion decisions are probably rarely only based on objective performance scores but there is usually some scope for personal preferences.


texts: Parallelism and prepositions in '...not only...but also..."

texts:
Which is correct and why? If follow parallelism rule, (2) should be correct but I have seen (1) being used. I need to use "...not only...but also..." structure.

(1) Tom has friends not only in America but also in Canada.
OR
(2) Tom has friends in not only America but also Canada.


texts:
Is it really necessary to use 's for possessive case when used for things and places? I mean if we say:

  Church marble flooring

It does make sense. I feel that it isn't necessary to put 's in this.

  Church's marble flooring

Although the second isn't incorrect either however the first seems to make the complete sense too. Is this right?


texts:
Perhaps there is nothing more to the album than its case that experimentalism into uncharted sonic landscapes did not (i) ______ with Stockhausen. Or perhaps its forays— many of which could rightly be dubbed sophomoric— into the avant-garde also lead to the (ii) _______ :that to create an unprecedented sound one has to (iii) _______ a discernible melody.

(i)  (A) come full circle   (B) culminate (C) die

(ii) (D) unsettling conclusion  (E) unwarranted hypothesis (F) uncharacteristic rebuttal

(iii) (G) choose to create (H) forgo producing (I) subtly embed

The above question I found in a test. Answers to the blanks were given (C, D, H). I am okay with the answers to the first and third blanks. But, having trouble to understand the second blank. Can anyone explain why the answers to the blank was given option D, not E?


texts: How can I explain two things concluded from a simulation?

texts:
Consider:

  The simulation results reveal two important issues( I need a better word for issues).
  First, X is a positive number. The second, Y is bigger than Z.

Questions:

Q1: Is it fine to use first and the second similar to what I have written in above ?

Q2: Is there any better option that can be substituted with issues ?

Q3: Is there a better sentence? I will be happy to see your comments.

Regards.


texts: An ACT test question: " Which choice offers the most specific information about the method applied by some octopuses? "

texts:
While one octopus might use trial-and-error to unlatch the cubes, another octopus may just use a lot of strength in opening the larger cubes.
Which choice offers the most specific information about the method applied by some octopuses?
F. NO CHANGE
G. focus on the cubes themselves (instead of the latches)
H. opt to break the larger cubes
J. ruin the larger cubes

I think no one is better than the other to "offers the most specific information about the method applied by some octopuses" as all of them mention how the octopuses need to break the larger one.
The correct one is H.


texts: The present simple vs present continuous in context

texts:
Let's say there is a treadmill  that broke down. And a person asks me if he can use it. What sentence would be the most appropriate to answer the question.

  Sorry, It doesn't work.

  Sorry, it is not working.

I would say the second option is a better choice, because it is out of commission temporarily and it is going to be fixed soon. Tell me please if my thinking is correct.


texts: How to pronounce consonants especially /t/ on following scenarios of American English?

texts:
Scenarios
————————-

Do we release the sound of all consonants that appear at the end of the word ending a sentence ?

Eg: I am at work. There was a Big Bang. I have a new hope. He has a big heart.

In the case of /t/, I have learnt that you pronounce it as STOP at the end of the word if its preceded by vowel and not followed by another vowel. But you release it if the ending /t/ is a part of consonant cluster. So, how do you pronounce sentences in following examples ?

Eg: There was a bright light. It was his night shift.

It is also said that in American English, /t/ after /n/ is silent. So, how do you pronounce the last /t/ after /n/ in a word ending the sentence as shown in the following examples ?

Eg: The surrounding was silent. It is a beautiful environment. It was his the best moment.


texts: Work + preposition + noun or work + noun

texts:
1- Doctors often work very long hours. (Why not "work
  for..." ?)

  2- He worked the clubs long before TV made him famous. (Why not
  "work in/for the clubs..." ?)

  3- I am working a drug case. (He is a detective.) (Why not
  "work on a drugs case" ?)

  4- They are thieves working a very long con. (A long con:A long
  con or big con is a scam that unfolds over several days or weeks and
  involves a team of swindlers, as well as props, sets, extras,
  costumes, and scripted lines.) (Why not "work on/for a very long
  con" ?)

Why we don't use preposition in these sentences above?


texts: "Suspected" VS "had suspected" have same meaning here?

texts:
For a long time many scientists suspected that koalas were so lethargic because the compounds in eucalyptus leaves kept the cute little animals in a druggedout state. But more recent research has shown that the leaves are simply so low in nutrients that koalas have almost no energy.

Can I use had suspected or had been suspecting instead of suspected? To me, it seems possible because "For a long time", the action of the verb was maintained for a certain duration of time.

Do the two of them have same meaning in the context above?


texts:
Section 40(1) of the Supreme Court Act sets out the main criteria the Court considers when deciding whether to grant a party leave to appeal. Under this section, the SCC may grant leave if it is of the opinion that the case involves a matter of public importance, a significant legal question, or any other matter the Court believes warrants its attention.

Under this section, the SCC may grant leave if it is of the opinion that the case involves....

what does "it is of..." mean? how to understand this type of grammar structure?


texts:
Is

It's the least I could do.

or

It's the least I could have done.

better in response to "Thank you"?
I have seen people using "it's the least I could do" but personally, I feel "it's the least I could have done" is better.


texts: Article in the question "do you like". With or without articles

texts:
Do you like hamburger or do you like a hamburger ?
Do you like orange or do you like an orange ?
Which one of these above is correct ?

Do we have to use a / an/ the articles after "like" or not ?


texts: How to say that creating account take place on a registration form?

texts:
I write user guide on English (foreign language to me).

Web Application have form on separate page for new user registration. I need to build sentence to say about this, but can't find right words.

I need something like this:

  Creating Gmail email take place on register form.

But it sounds badly.


texts:
In English Comedy/Crime movie The Whole Nine Yards (2000), Cynthia & Nicolas have talk about some plan in their car:

  Nicolas: Don't worry. I got all the i's dotted and all the t's
  crossed.

  Cynthia: Jimmy's got his own way of spelling.

What does mean by "own way of spelling" means?


texts:
The presence of a suspending medium does more than simply reduce the
  interaction energy or force by a factor 3 or 32, as might appear from
  Eq. (5.26)

I understand what this sentence means but I don't know why 'reduce' is used rather than 'reduces' or 'reducing'.

can you explain the reason and give me other examples like that?


texts:
Someone risks accepting inappropriate materials.
Someone risks to accept inappropriate materials.

How these sentences differ meaningwise?


texts:
Can I say "common class" in the context of being in the same class with someone?
Like "with whom I have Literature as a common class?"


texts: Should one use "the" for three-dimensional space?

texts:
These molecules can rotate in the three-dimensional space.

My feeling is that the article should be omitted. I'm not completely sure, though. What grammatical rule should we appeal to?


texts: Does the preposition "at" imply "try to do something"?

texts:
I notice that the preposition "at" seems to mean "try to do something" and we don't know if it succeeds or not.
For example,
"he shot the cat": the cat is dead or injured
"he shot at the cat": we are not sure the bullet hit the cat or not
"he grabbed her hand": her hand was in his hands
"he grabbed at her hand": we are not sure if he succeeds
But I am not sure if that can be applied for many other verbs, for example,
"the bird pecked my hand" vs "the bird pecked at my hand"
"he bit my hand" vs "he bit at my hand"
"he is sipping tea" vs "he is sipping at tea"
etc


texts: Why "would have + past participle" instead of simple past?

texts:
Can you please look at this sentence.

  "Andy knew the risks. I cannot believe he would have chanced it."

So, we understand that the person is complaining that although Andy knew about the risks of doing something, he did not care about those risks, and he did it and he experienced or caused a problem".

If the sentence means to say this, why does it use the structure "I cannot believe he would have chanced it", instead of "I cant believe he chanced it"

Thanks


texts: Is this a correct sentence: "Does passive voice of the original content be considered as unique content?"

texts:
Which of this a correct sentence?

  Does passive voice of the original content be considered as unique content?

or

  Is passive voice of the original content be considered as unique content?


texts: Which preposition to use with "enhancements"?

texts:
When I want to talk about enhancing something, which is the correct preposition to use?

To me, as a non-native speaker, all of the following options sound acceptable, but I would probably use the first one:

enhancements of sth.
enhancements to sth.
enhancements for sth.

To give some context: I'm writing about an algorithm that can be enhanced in many ways by changing or adding instructions. Depending on the domain, these enhancements may but need not improve the results.


texts: Error in the sentence: "the people election delegates to an assembly"

texts:
I have met the following sentence in an English test:

  In a representative democracy, the people election delegates to an
  assembly.

I have to find an error in the sentence, but it looks pretty OK.

Could anybody explain what is wrong here?


texts: In active/passivebwhen to avoid by + subject in the passive form

texts:
She ordered the family to be shifted.

The family were ordered to be shifted by her.
The family were ordered to be shifted.

My query in this question is:
Out of the two passive forms which one should be chosen?
 As per format first should be the correct one because by + subject is the actual format. But the answer to this question is 2nd option.
We avoid by + subject  only in those cases where subject is generally a universal fact such as by police.

Secondly family is a single entity so we should be using was rather than were.

Suggestions please.


texts: "Maiden's of Telford" on the side of a truck: is the apostrophe an error?

texts: "Maiden's of Telford"- is this grammatically correct? I don't think it is as it appears on the side of the company's trucks. But I would be quite happy to be incorrect!


texts: What is the difference between "would visit" and "would be visiting?"

texts:
What is the difference between these two:

  I am busy tomorrow. If I had time, I would visit my grandparents.

  I am busy tomorrow. If I had time, I would be visiting my
  grandparents.


texts:
  It was the best evening of Harry’s life, better than winning at
  Quidditch, or Christmas, or knocking out mountain trolls… he would
  never, ever forget tonight.

  Harry had almost forgotten that the exam results were still to come,
  but come they did. To their great surprise, both he and Ron passed
  with good marks; Hermione, of course, had the best grades of the first
  years. Even Neville scraped through, his good Herbology mark making up
  for his abysmal Potions one. They had hoped that Goyle, who was almost
  as stupid as he was mean, might be thrown out, but he had passed, too.
  It was a shame, but as Ron said, you couldn’t have everything in
  life. (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)

There is no indentation, a space at the beginning of the second paragraph. Though there is a line skip between the first and second paragraph, why isn’t there the space in the second one. (I checked the British original, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, to find it also has no space at the beginning.)


texts:
As a manager I frequently have to assign tasks to my subordinates. I often waver between:

  "Can you please do X"

and

  "Can you do X"

I don't have a good feeling for what the difference is, however someone pointed out to me that #1 might sound condescending which is not my intention at all.

The top rated answer in this  previous question seems to corroborate my impression even though the context is ambiguous.

Ultimately, what I'm trying to achieve is be polite and respectful when delegating tasks. Perhaps I should be using different phrasing?


texts:
Is this sentence correct?

  This applies especially to your VAT return.

Or should it be for instead of to?


texts:
I have learned that article is not used before Temple, Hospital, Jail, or Zoo if one visits it for the purpose it is.

I saw one sentence

  Visitors to the zoo are amused by monkey playing in the cages.

Why "the" is used here?


texts: "Before it hardened" or "Before it hardens"?

texts:
Which one is the correct sentence?

a) Please eat the toffee before it hardens.

b) Please eat the toffee before it hardened.


texts:
The first step is listening for the key issues and emotional concerns
  of community people.

  In this text by Teresa of Avila, we should listen for the extreme
  meaning, what I call the "art of stages."

Does the "listening for" mean 'careful listening', 'careful perception' in these sentences? As I see, there is nothing about listening for a definite sound, and, normally, "listening to" is more appropriate here, especially in the first sentence.


texts: Is there a difference between "wear make-up" and "put on make-up"? If yes please give some examples.


texts: Can a conjunction "after" modify a noun in front of it?

texts:
I made the following sentence:

  This picture shows my face just after I waken up.

I would like to know whether the conjunction phrase "just after I waken up" can modify the noun "my face". My dictionaries say that a conjunction "when" can modify a noun, but say nothing regarding "after".


texts: is it correct to say 'Just called' when you telling someone

texts: I really don't understand. Because just is present but called I think is the past tense.


texts:
What does "check-in" mean for luggage?

Does "check-in luggage" mean the opposite to "carry-on luggage"?


texts: What does "generates 5-6 figures each" mean in the sentence?

texts:
What does "generates 5-6 figures each" mean in this sentence? (emphasis added)

  All of our games have over 1 million downloads and the most recent few games generates 5-6 figures each.

It's an answer to a question about mobile games, and the revenue it generates.


texts:
She lay on her back under the tree. The tree had broad leaves under which she lay.

What the above sentence mean?

Writer wanted to describe that she was already laying under the tree at some point of time? Or her action of laying at some point of time? Or lying under tree is her everyday or routine activity?

Or something else?


texts: What punctuation, if any, belongs between "says" and "Kevin"?

texts:
My Mom kinda chuckles and says “Kevin, that’s because you’re using adrenaline to run away from the…creature.”

Should I put punctuation after "says"?


texts:
First, I want to confirm the grammatical correctness of the following two sentences:

  I'm in the running for the position.
  I'm in training for the position.

In other words, if using the word running is it right to put the article before it and if the word training is used is it right to not put the article before it?  And, if both are correct, what is the grammatical rule that governs when to use the article and when to leave it out?


texts: How to use "between" for more than two objects?

texts:
Hi I have been wondering for years what was the correct way to use "between" with more than two things to compare.

I am currently working on my thesis so I think I should finally ask what the rule is. So far this is what I have:

"I am using the results to develop mathematical relationships between characteristics and efficiencies and capacity."

What I would like to express is that I am using the results to develop mathematical relationships between characteristics and efficiencies, as well as between characteristics and capacity.

Can I do that without repeating "between characteristics" ?

Thank you


texts: How to differentiate Past Simpe Tense and Past Habits / Generalisation while reading?

texts:
Past Simple can be use to describe past habits same as would and use to. Hence, I am getting difficulties to differentiate and understand the meaning of Simple past tense or Past habits while reading. How to overcome of this, Please help.

Like.

E.g. 1) "He spoke of it when he was drunk."

It could mean

a) Every day or whenever He was drunk he spoke of it. (Past Habit)

b) Once he was drunk he spoke of it. (Past Tense)

E.g. 2) "He did not allow children to play in front of his house"

It could mean

a) Every day or whenever children come to play in front of his house every day he did not allow them to play. (Past Habits)

b) Once when children came to play in front of his house he did not allow them to play there. (Past Tense)


texts:
"She must go there".Why is go infinitive?

Neither it is acting like a noun nor it is qualifying any verb,noun or adjective.

If above mentioned qualities are not prerequisites for being an infinitive then why is  go in following line not infinitive?

"I go there."


texts:
I am confused with this and rarely see since put at the end of a sentence:

  There were the children to consider. She had told him she wanted a
  divorce two days ago, and neither of them had slept since.

Can since be put at the end?


texts: Difference "Will have become" vs "Will become"

texts:
Here are two sentences I'd like to know more deeply.

I'm really looking forward to when I'll have become good at English so be able to talk to foriegn friends with great clarity.

I'm really looking forward to when I'll become good at English so be able to talk to foriegn friends with great clarity.

Could I ask the difference 'will have become' and 'will become'?


texts:
I heard the illegal poaching being uttered so many times in a TV show, about animals, that my ear of a non-native speaker, made me questioning the validity of the term.

I have made some Ngram research here and looked up _poaching on Wikipedia, but that results haven't given me a satisfactory answer. As a result, I'm still puzzled.

According to Wikipedia, poaching is defined as:

  the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals.

Hence my question: can there be a legal and an illegal poaching?

Please let me know your thoughts on this.

PS: I am familiar with the word poaching since I first watched the movie Robin Hood, starring Kevin Costner, Elizabeth Mastrantonio,  Morgan Freeman, etc., almost two decades ago.


texts: What is the difference between 'build' and build up'?

texts:
Is there any difference between 'built up' and 'built' in the following sentences?

Does the preposition 'up' add special meaning to the verb 'built' in the first sentence?

Thanks in advance.


texts: Can I use the word 'scientist' instead of the word 'scholar'? Is there an umbrella term, at least, if I'm not sure which one to use (I read dictionaries)? If not, how do I form an adjective from the latter? For example, 'a [scholarific?] paper'.


texts:
Please explain me the meaning of "just so you know" and give some examples of  using this phrase.

What is the difference between "just so you know" and "for your information"?


texts: Usage of terms like ''tools'' and ''equipment'' for a piece of software?

texts:
Is it okay to use  terms like ''tools'' and ''equipment'' for a piece of computer software in technical(for example electrical engineering ) documentation ?
For example, is it okay to use terms like ''tools'' and ''equipment'' for softwares ''visual studio'' or ''matlab''?


texts:
I am now practicing a TOEFL listening section with a textbook.

Now, given such a kind of information like below,

  Well, I'm a member of the drama club and we are going to on tour two weeks from now. We are performing Arthur Miller's "The Death Of a Salesman" at hour other colleges. I'll be gone the entire week and I'm afraid I'll miss three classes.

Now the test question is

  How long will the student be gone?

Choices are

  (A) One week
  (B) Two weeks
  (c) Three weeks
  (d) Four weeks

The answer is (A). I heard the question saying "We are going to on tour two weeks from now." so, I chose (B). But the text says, (A) is correct because (or only because) there was saying I'll be gone the entire week.

Couldn't this question be too difficult or how do you interpret? Personally thinking there 2 contradicting information in the passage, at least it seems to me.


texts:
I have some confusion about the following sentence.

It was broken, but it's OK. Now it (has been repaired).
It was broken, but it's OK. Now it (is being repaired).
It was broken, but it's OK. Now it (was repaired).

Which one is correct sentence?


texts: meanings of "blowing hot" and "blowing cool"

texts:
I'm reading an article about Beat Generation / Beat poets, and it goes:

  Ginsberg arranged for six seriously decent unknown poets to read at the Six Gallery on Fillmore Street. The invitation promised “Allen Ginsberg blowing
  hot; Gary Snyder blowing cool,” as well as “abandon, noise, strange pictures on walls, Oriental music, lurid poetry. Extremely serious.”

What does Allen Ginsberg "blowing hot" and Gary Snyder "blowing cool" mean in this context? Although I've found the idiom "blow hot and cold" from the dictionary, I still don't understand what this sentence means.


texts: `Ann (postpone) making the beds until she (do) the shopping'

texts:
I was doing the exercise on putting verbs in appropriate tenses when I stumbled upon the following sentence:

  Ann (postpone) making the beds until she (do) the shopping. An hour
  later, when she returned...

The whole story is in the past so I guess the first should be simply 'postponed'.
As for the second, I know we can't use the future after 'until', so 'would do the shopping' (shifting 'will' into 'would' as the text is in the past) is incorrect too. Should I emphasise the action and use past perfect? This would let me illustrate that 'going shopping' is to happen earlier than 'making the beds'. Or is it again correct to use past simple because (it seems to me that) there are no obvious reasons for using a perfect tense?

I'm completely at a loss so I would be grateful for any hint.


texts: How to use "advantageous" instead of "advantage" in a sentence

texts:
Suppose I want to reword the sentence below

  What is the advantage of X over Y.

Can I say

  What is advantageous in X over Y?

If no, how can use "advantageous"? Any suggestion is appreciated.

Is the preposition in a good choice? What preposition should be used?


texts:
From the book Packing for Mars:

  This is the building with the mock-ups, some fifty in all — modules, airlocks, hatches, capsules.

What does some [number] in all mean? Does it mean there are fifty kinds of mockups, or there are fifty mockups, that each kind might have several of them?


texts:
The meaning of cum is
combined with; also used as (used to describe things with a dual nature or function).

For example a sofa cum bed

Can it be used with humans as well like

My friend cum brother?


texts: The following sentences are selected from "Fright Night" movie.what do the bold sentences mean?

texts:
[Charley] Doris, do you want some help with the trash?

[Doris] Oh, I got it. Thanks.

[Doris] All right. Good to see you, Char-Char.You're getting big.


texts:
Is it correct to say e.g. "I like your way of wearing" or "the way you wear looks perfect"?

Is it politely? Is it in use or not?

Thank you for your suggestions in advance.


texts:
Can ‘Broken glass’ mean:

Glass was broken but it’s fixed after then.
Glass was broken but it’s not fixed after then.

If so, how can I express sentence 2 in a way easy to understand?


texts: "When they had made themselves comfortable, a stranger appeared looking very angry." Why 'looking'?

texts:
When they had made themselves comfortable, a stranger appeared looking very angry.

May you help me why it uses looking in the sentence?

Why not use 'looked'?
How to comprehend the word 'looking'?


texts: People who do kung fu, wushu, taekwondo, aerobics

texts:
I know I can use martial artists to describle people doing them. Is it possible to be more accurate while describing these athletes? So far I've found karateka /kəˈrɑːtɪkɑː/ but trying to look up the other major martial artists practicing kung fu, wushu, taekwondo was in vain.

Can I use compound nouns X martial artist as in kung fu martial artist to describe these athletes?

Then it came to me what a person doing aerobics is called. Any suggestion?


texts: Any difference between "be subject to" and "be subject*ed* to"?

texts:
"Children are subject to colds" vs. "Children are subjected to colds"
Q. Is there any difference between "be subject to" and "be subjected to"?


texts:
Lawson had the pedagogic instinct; whenever he found anything out he
  was eager to impart it; and because he taught with delight he talked
  with profit. Philip, without thinking anything about it, had got into
  the habit of sitting by his side.

  Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham

Does the 'profit' here mean 'advantage'? If so, whose advantage does this sentence mean? talker or listener?


texts: What do you mean with.... vs What do you mean by

texts:
Yes, the title is correctly expressing my question,
so which one of these :

What do you mean with that?

What do you mean by that?

Question :
i've been wondering which one of them that sounds more natural, at least like a native speaker would use.


texts: Had+simple vs. (1)simple past using BEFORE then (2)simple past

texts:
Let's say I was cooking for breakfast, what is the difference between:

  My mom had warned me to be careful when using knives then I accidentally cut my finger with a knife.

Vs.

  My mom warned me beforehand to be careful when using knives then I accidentally cut my finger with a knife.

*What I'm trying to say is event1 (mom's warning) happened first, and then event2 (cut) played out.

Are they both the same in context? If yes, then why do we have to use sentence1 ( specifically "had"), if sentence2 is effective enough then right?


texts:
"Deduplication of data can be done inline, that is, before storing them."

before the words "that is" and after it.

please note that deduplication is a computer term.


texts:
We will find something to suit your families needs today!

I do not know whether it should be "families", "families'" or "family's"


texts: Should I use "Be + Infinitive form" in these cases?

texts:
As the questions says, I would like to know if I can use this structures in these following examples.

The most sensible thing to do is to stay indoors.

One of the qualities I could have is to argue without being obnoxious.


texts:
I’m reading Kipling’s Kim, where it mentions

  Still more important than Wordsworth , or the eminent authors, Burke
  and Hare, was the art and science of mensurations.

I wonder, who are the Burke and Hare so mentioned?


texts: "Everybody Have a Good Time" - an ungrammatical song title/text?

texts:
There is a song with the title/text "Everybody Have a Good Time".

In the refrain the text goes like:

  Everybody have a good time
   Everybody have a crush, alright
   Everybody have a good time
   For tonight may be our last, alright

For me two things seem to be wrong:

Everybody is singular, not plural.
Present Continous should be used ("is having"), not Simple Present.

Am I wrong? If not: what is the reason for these ungrammatical use?


texts: Help to understand the grammar for the sentence

texts:
I can understand the meaning of the sentence, but I have some doubt on the grammar point.

First, I think NCSC is the singular form, so it should be NCSC assesses.

Second, I don't understand the grammar of the last part of the sentence ... within the context of the existing UK telecommunications infrastructure cannot be mitigated. As I know, of should not be followed by a that clause.

Can someone help me with this? Thanks!


texts: "Suddenly, I felt afraid." or "Suddenly I felt afraid."

texts:
We can put adverbs and adverb phrases at the front, in the middle or at the end of a clause.

  The front position of the clause is the first item in the clause:

  Suddenly I felt afraid. Cambridge Dictionary

I notice some writers add comma after adverbs when it is the first item in the clause:

  Suddenly, Home Sale Agreements Are Falling Apart Across the U.S. Bloomberg

So, Should I add comma? or Is it matter of writing style?

  Suddenly, three cats went out from behind the trash bins, the black, the white and the gray. Ray tried to run away, but the three cats surrounded him.

Is the above statement correct?


texts: Is it OK to use "non" instead of "not" (and vice versa) in some contexts?

texts:
Don't mix Boolean values with not Boolean ones.

Don't mix Boolean values with non-Boolean ones.

Which version is correct?
This question may look as if I hadn't did my own research, but it's not true. It's just too hard to find such things on Google. There are some questions-and-answers about the basic difference between "not" and "non", but they aren't really helpful here.


texts:
From "Rick and Morty" S01E02:

  Jerry: You wouldn't by any chance have some sort of crazy science
  thing you would whip up that might help make this dog a little
  smarter, would you?

While the general idea of this phrase is clear for me, I'm not sure about the exact meaning.

In this scene Jerry requests for a device apparently. So he actually wants to say:

  Would you do this for me?

Then why a negation is used here?

Thanks in advance.

#rick-and-morty


texts: Word choice: This phenomenon (links and is beneficial with) another phenomenon

texts:
The situation is:

The U.S. - Malaysian exchange rate is good
The U.S. interest rate is low.

My sentence wishes to express that the 2nd situation links to the first and both are beneficial.

"This (low interest rate) ______ with the good exchange rate"

What word should I use?


texts:
A question about this:

  Detroit took a gamble on Scott Green a year after the Tigers' third-round draft pick took a gamble of his own.

The phrase "took a gamble of his own" suggests the corresponding "took his gamble" is commonly used.  But I often hear "take a gamble", not "take his gamble" or "take one's gamble".   Am I wrong?


texts:
What do you think about these two sentences? Are they both correct or is one better than the other?

I wish you tried to get to grips with the Internet. I'm sure you would enjoy it.
I wish you would try to get to grips with the Internet. I'm sure you would enjoy it.


texts: Should I put (a) before an adjective for noun that is singular?

texts:
I wouldn't mind having friends from a different age category.

"a different age" is an adjective for "category".
Do we say "a different age category" or  "different age categories"?
What is the difference between the two expresions?


texts: Influence of "being" on the meaning of a sentence

texts:
I look forward to being interviewed on the current affairs programme.

Is it a correct a sentence? If it is, who will take interview? I think, the subject of this given sentence, I, will not take interview of others, rather someone will take his interview. Am I right? If I write the following sentences, can they be considered to be correct sentences?

  I look forward to being interviewing on the current affairs programme.

Or,

  I look forward to be being interviewed on the current affairs programme.

If they are correct, please tell me what are the differences among these three sentences?

The preposition to does not allow present participle form of verbs after it, but if ing-form of verbs is used as gerund, to can be followed by ing-form of verbs. Am I right? Is being interviewed a gerund? If being is not gerund, it couldn't be used after to. If it is possible, please say details about this topic.


texts:
Does it mean "That is something bad for the banking system"?
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/bankster

The credit-to-GDP gap has reached a critical level in Canada. The BIS defines this as the “difference of the credit-to-GDP ratio from its trend.” That’s bankster for “it compares credit consumption to the output of the economy.” If the level is too high, the amount of private credit is “unjustified.” The lower the number, the more credit can be “safely” consumed. BIS considers anything above 2 to be a strong gap, and anything above 10 to be a critical warning. Breaching 10 results in a banking crisis in two-thirds of economies, within three years.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/canada-financial-crisis-warning-signs-2017-6


texts:
In Inside out animation Riley says :
And... we’re out. That’s what I’m talking about: another perfect day! Nice job everybody!
What Does Get Down To means :

  Let’s get those memories down to Long Term.


texts: The indefinite article before nouns made of verbs with the "ing" ending

texts:
I have come across it in the program 6 minute english from BBC. It is at 2 minute and 17 second. Here it goes:

  He says a white lie is just a distortion of the truth. Distortion here means (a) changing or bending of the truth.

Why was a used before the word changing. Would it be grammatical if I the speaker omitted the article?


texts: Are you going to come to there vs Are you going to come there?

texts:
I would like to know which option is the correct one.

Are you going to come to there?
Are you going to come there?

This is from a short conversation:
"Hi Mike, Do you know that tomorrow there is a sport event? Are you going to come there? :)"


texts:
Can ellipsis occur after time phrases?
Is ellipsis possible in sentences like:

Recently ∅ realized that the event.... (or)
Last night ∅ was hanging out with my boyfriend when....

(∅ = omitted subject)

The fact that the sentences are introduced by time phrases make it less probable, in my opinion. Is this right?


texts: What does the phrase "You're six ways to dead" mean?

texts:
I'd like to know what does the phrase "You're six ways to dead" mean. I've never heard it before and can't find its definition anywhere.

I heard it from this video clip on the 02:00 sec.
Please, help me to figure this out.
And thanks for helping :)


texts: How to use two verbs in one sentence to explain something.

texts:
I am trying to understand how to use two verbs in one sentence to explain something. For example, I would like to say that my new idea is based on one idea. Also, it is an extension of the same idea. How to express it correctly in English?

For example,

This new method is based on and an extension of the work of (reference).

I feel that it is not correct to use two verbs in such way? I think that I need to delete one of them? is that correct?

Any help, please?


texts: the verb "linger" used with a gerund: is it possible?

texts:
Can the verb LINGER be used with a gerund?
He is lingering calling her.
I always linger doing my homework.


texts:
Although I know the word "convention" means "agreement to behave in a particular way", I cannot still simplify the line below.

"Malaysia needs to take control under the Chicago convention of those investigations."

Here is the full context:

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said the Malaysian statement moved the search to a new phase.
"It moves it to a stage where we are now investigating an accident, a loss of an aircraft and some new decisions will have to be taken now about the direction of future operations," Truss told reporters.
"Malaysia needs to take control under the Chicago convention of those investigations."
The United States said it was sending an undersea Navy drone to Australia, in addition to a high-tech black box detector, to help in the search.


texts: Movies and Songs are my listening troubles

texts: I have almost no problem to understand English speech or radio talk and I can communicate with native speakers with no problem but surprisingly I can't recognize the words in movies and  songs. I've read somewhere that using subtitle and lyrics just worsen listening skills. So would anyone please tell me what to do?


texts: In everyday English, how co we express "to hold / keep something (a nail, a paper, etc) still or fixed, so that you can easily work on it"?

texts:
See the picture

Say, you ask someone to hold / keep the nail in a fixed position that you require, without moving or changing that position, so that you can easily work on it.

In everyday English, do we say "please hold / keep it still / fixed" in this situation?


texts: How can I explain the grammar used in these phrases?

texts:
Art is intended to be appreciated for its...
Art came to be seen as...

Are all these verbs just an example of periphrasis or is there something else?

I want to explain this to an English learner, she wants to know why we are using so many verbs. What is the function of each verb there?

Thank you!


texts:
From these two questions, which one sounds better, and if both are correct, is there any difference in their meaning?

  (1) Is building a solar-powered drone feasible?

  (2) Is it feasible to build a solar-powered drone?

For my ear, the first one is a bit strange, but I am not a native speaker, so I need some advice.


texts: Meaning of "so that one has someone do something"

texts:
Can you explain to me the meaning of the bold phrase?

  Zhmud translates pragmateia as “science” (2012a, 216) so that he has Aristoxenus attributing the invention of the science of number to Pythagoras but, while Aristoxenus does use pragmateia to mean science in some contexts, it more commonly simply means “pursuit”


texts: What is the meaning of "of" in the following sentence?

texts:
What is the meaning of "of" in the following sentence, "We can speak of our concerns" ?

Why in this sentence do we use the preposition of? Should we not express the sentence in verb + object form without the preposition of.

What is the exact difference in the meaning between "We can speak of our concerns" and "We can speak our concerns" ?


texts:
Could you please suggest some words to replace "Up to"?

  Up to 14% increase in turbine power and 9% increase in turbine
  efficiency are achieved by optimizing the duct geometry.


texts: Temporal clauses for repeated activities

texts:
Which one is the correct form?

Whenever I visit her, she is working in her garden.
Whenever I visit her, she works in her garden.

(1) seems to break the rule that Present Continuous should be used only for an activity taking place now. (2) seems a bit weird, as working is a continous activity interrupted (possibly) by the visit.


texts:
From the novel The Old Man and the Sea

  He looked back at the coils of line and they were feeding smoothly. Just then the fish jumped making a great bursting of the ocean and then a heavy fall. Then he jumped again and again and the boat was going fast although line was still racing out and the old man was raising the strain to breaking point and raising it to breaking point again and again.

Why there is a the in "at the coils" but not in "coils of line"(coils of the line), and there is a the in "of the ocean" but not in "to breaking point"(to the breaking point)?


texts:
Edging along the second row to three still-empty seats right behind Mr. Weasley were none other than Dobby the house-elf's former owners: Lucius Malfoy; his son, Draco; and a woman Harry supposed must be Draco's mother.

From the context, I can figure out 'Dobby' is appositive to 'the house-elf', but I feel this use of apposition is a bit strange. If we remove "Lucius Malfoy; his son, Draco; and a woman Harry supposed must be Draco's mother" and change 'owners' to 'owner'(Edging along the second row to three still-empty seats right behind Mr. Weasley were none other than Dobby the house-elf's former owner.), I would probably think 'Dobby' refers to "the house-elf's former owner", instead of "the house-elf". So, I'm wondering if this is the norm that native speakers would take?


texts: Subject-Object-Verb (EN) and Subject-Verb-Object (GER)

texts:
Currently a friend of mine is learning English (he is German, as I am) and we are trying to figure out some basic sentences where German grammar is not directly applicable to English grammar. Because in German you have something like Subject-Verb-Object and in Englisch, if I remember correctly, you have Subject-Object-Verb.

So my question is: Could you provide some typical pitfall-examples where one could see the major difference?


texts: Which is better: "was to become" versus "would become"?

texts:
... where she filmed what was to become her final performance ...

OR

  ... where she filmed what would become her final performance ...

(I like the first one, as it seems to (accurately) imply that it was fully unknown that it would become her final performance... )


texts: What should I write instead of "whom he or she wants to participate"?

texts:
I have a project and documentation for it.

My command writes "[…] whom he or she wants to participate […]."

Is it correct to write he or she, or should I write another word, such as user, person, or human?

Is there any difference between American English and other English dialects?


texts: Type of sentence that includes a adjective phrase

texts:
Is the sentence

  The police is looking for the culprit who is suspected to be the
  mastermind

A simple,compound or complex sentence. I think it is a simple sentence


texts: Does referring to a third person by their first name require you to be on a first name basis with that person?

texts:
Suppose you are talking to your friend about a third person called Mrs. Firstname Lastname. Suppose you are not on a first name basis with this third person; that is, if you spoke to this third person directly you will only address that person by their last name.

You to the Third Person: "Good morning Mrs. Lastname. How are you?"

But when talking to your friend (in the absence of the third person):

You to your friend: "I like Firstname. She is good at what she does."

Is this wrong? Is your friend correct to retort with the following?: "Firstname? Are you on a first name basis with her now?"

Merriam Webster defines first name basis as "having a close personal relationship where each person addresses the other by their first name". The key appears to be the phrase "each person addresses the other" which I believe you are not doing with the third person in the above example.

There is a caveat that I may be understanding the verb "to address" wrong, which the Merriam Webster does not appear to clarify whether it only means speaking directly with the third person, or it also includes speaking about the third person with your friend.

So is it still a wrong or unacceptable use of language to refer to a third person by their first name if you're not on a first name basis with the said third person?


texts:
Which preposition is the correct for being present in /at  lecture?

"Sorry,  I am in a lecture now",  or "I am at the lecture now"?


texts: please explain which one is correct and why?

texts:
Please explain which one is correct and why?

  I got a little confused because I didn't think about it carefully.

  I got a little confused because I had not thought about it carefully.

Thanks in advance.


texts: Meaning of sentences using "has/have/had been" and "is" with nouns

texts:
I read some sentences where writers used nouns with has/have/had been.

What exactly does it mean?

Examples:

  She has been an able administrator.
  Her mother had been an American.
  He has been mad at me.

What if I say?

  She is an able Administrator.
  Her mother was an American.
  He is mad at me.

Please explain the difference.

Also when and how to use has/have/had been and is?


texts:
I ran into a sentence while reading an article on Reuters:

...and put the two countries back on a path of confrontation.

I wondered why it was a path of confrontation instead of the path of confrontation because from what I understood, it was a specific path and so it should call for the definite article. Further research on the Internet did not help as I found these:

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on Wednesday the United States was on a path of confrontation... (Reuters)

Once again, the North American government is taking on the path of confrontation with Cuba. (Telegraph)

Does it have anything to do with the verbs used with a/the path?

Thanks in advance!


texts: I woke up in morning or I woke up in 'the' morning, what is correct?

texts:
Similarly I came to school or I came to the school, what is correct?

What is the correct usage of 'the' and when should it be used? I haven't understood it even after years of my experience with English language or should I say the English language?


texts:
Which one is correct?

I want him out
I want him to be out

Thank you very much


texts:
I am wondering which sentence below is more correct grammatically and why?

You should put in more time.........

I failed the exam dad!
Pity, but it’s OK! Just you should put in more time........
a) studying
b) for studying
c) to study
To me, they all are correct and I think there should be a matter of personal preference. Though, this is what I think.
Please let me know about it.


texts: What is the grandchild of a parents's siblings called?

texts:
I know that my parents' siblings' child is my cousin.
But what about the grandchild of my parents' siblings?


texts:
What is the difference between "afterwards" and "later" in the following sentences:

  We were today in the metro station and later in the supermarket.
  We were today in the metro station and afterwards in the
  supermarket.

Practically speaking, can I say that 'later' means not immediately and 'afterwards' is immediately? I would like also to know if I can use them interchangeably in the context that I showed.


texts:
Consider the third paragraph of "What happens if a coronavirus vaccine is never developed? It has happened before" (emphasis mine):

  Instead of wiping out Covid-19, societies may instead learn to live with it. Cities would slowly open and some freedoms will be returned, but on a short leash, if experts' recommendations are followed. Testing and physical tracing will become part of our lives in the short term, but in many countries, an abrupt instruction to self-isolate could come at any time. Treatments may be developed -- but outbreaks of the disease could still occur each year, and the global death toll would continue to tick upwards.

Does the first may suggest anything like maybe will (as in it may rain tonight) and the second may and the two coulds suggest maybe would (as in conditional maybe sentences)?


texts: Should I use "away" after "Farthest/Farther?"

texts:
I wish to know if it is okay to use  "away" after the superlative/comparative forms of "Far" since I have come across this sentence:

  I am the farthest from the grace of my family members.

Is this ungrammatical? Should I use "away" after it?

  I'm farther (away) from him than you.

  I'm the farthest (away) from them at the party.


texts: What does "droppin' me notes" mean in this context?

texts:
He(Hagrid) seemed numb with shock at the verdict.

  "S'all my fault. Got all tongue-tied. They was all sittin' there in black robes an' I kep' droppin' me notes and forgettin' all them dates yeh looked up fer me, Hermione. An' then Lucius Malfoy stood up an' said his bit, and the Committee jus' did exac'ly what he told 'em...."

Does "droppin' me notes" take its literal meaning here? (E.g. Hagrid kept dropping his notes on the ground.) I've looked it up, but it doesn't seem to be a normal collocation. Does it have a special meaning in this context?


texts: Difference between 'by the end of June' and 'at the end of June'

texts: What is the difference between 'by the end of June' and 'at the end of June'?


texts: Meaning of 'naturally contented temperament'

texts:
I didn't understand the meaning of the highlighted sentence.

  On the whole, the happiest people seem to be those who have no
  particular cause for being happy except the fact that they are so—a
  good reason, no doubt. And yet I should not choose a naturally
  contented temperament as my first request from a fairy godmother. It
  would be unfortunate if I said, ' I wish to be the happiest man in
  England' and promptly myself locked up in an asylum, a cheerful
  lunatic who believed himself to be the Emperor of China. For all we
  know to the contrary, the happiest man in England may be a madman, and
  none of us would wish to change places with him. And even if the
  always cheerful person is perfectly sane. he is without the 'splendid
  spur' which most men need if they are to do much with their lives.


texts:
The first question is in the Future Continuous tense. Often used in very polite requests and offers.

  Will you be having cake?

  Yes, thank you.
  Yes, I will.
  Yes, I will be
  Yes, I will do.

The second question is in the Future Simple tense

  Will you be late?

  Sorry, I will.
  Yes, I will
  Yes, I will be
  I will.

Are any of these short positive answers "wrong"?

Here is the list of short negative answers.

  Will you be having cake?

  No, thank you.
  No, I will not.
  No, I won't be
  I won't, thank you.

And

  Will you be late?

  No, I will not
  No, I won't
  I won't be

Are all the answers idiomatic? Are any non-standard?
Are there any other acceptable alternatives?
What different meanings, if any, do they have?

Related: Why is "I'll be", wrong as a short answer?


texts: I have a problem understanding an article's line

texts:
Thank you always for your assistance.

My question is, about a line in this article.

At the 7th line, it is saying,

  Gülen is a onetime ally of Erdogan’s whose exile and perhaps execution the Turkish president now demands.

I am sorry I am not able to understand particularly here.

  Gülen is a onetime ally of Erdogan’s whose exile and perhaps execution

Especially here

  Gülen is a onetime ally of Erdogan’s whose exile

Could someone explain to me kindly?

Thank you for you assistance in advance(m_m)


texts: Does the expression "was found to be" make sense?

texts:
In the following sentence, what do you think of saying "was found to perform better"?

In a study that compared PostGIS with Oracle Spatial, PostGIS  was found to perform better

It sounds odd to me but I want to say more than just plain "PostGIS performed better"


texts:
Not only large organizations but also small institutions would certainly break down if clear lines of authority did not exist. On the other hand, if abused, power can be corrupt power holder. For example, power can be used for individual benefit, an inflated sense of self-worth or devaluation of others.

I am a bit of confused as regards using on the other hand. Does it mean conversely, in contrast, by contrast, etc. or in addition, moreover, furthermore, etc. or both of them? Given sample sentence according to using on the other hand, I would rather I opted for the latter instead of the former,  semantically. Am I right?


texts:
Plastic materials with melt flow index  at rate of 10 gr/10 min will be demanded in bulk by the producers.

  Plastic materials with melt flow index  at ratio of 10 gr/10min will be demanded in bulk by the producers.

What is the difference between ratio and rate in these sentences? Or Is there any difference ?


texts:
I want to write that I ran to the bus stop because I wanted to be at the bus stop before the bus came. But later I realized that I had missed the bus.

I am trying to write it in simple words. Is this correct sentence?

  I was a little late.
  So I ran to get to the bus stop before the bus came by.
  After waiting for long time, I realized that I had missed the bus.

Does "bus came by" mean the bus actually came? But the bus never really came.
Or should I write "So I ran to get to the bus stop before the bus arrived"?


texts:
I’d like to know why ‘is there’ is omitted in the following sentence with grammatical explanation:

Why the widespread imbalance in their interests and expectations?


texts: Shouldn't "five minute walk" be "five minutes walk" in this sentence?

texts:
Recently, while skimming through an article I came across a sentence which is as follows.

The five minute walk will connect you with life.

My rationale says it should have been "five minutes" and not "five minute". Kindly advise where am I going wrong?


texts: "A treaty was signed ......... three countries." 'Between' or 'among'?

texts: Usage of between and among and their limitations


texts:
These are from the dictionary

a helping hand
help and support
give/lend/offer etc somebody a helping hand
She’s been giving me a helping hand with the children.

give (somebody) a hand
spoken to help someone do something
Can you give me a hand?
give (somebody) a hand with
Shall I give you a hand with that bag?

I guess "give someone a hand" is more about helping with physical things such as moving a table or holding a bag for someone. And, "give someone a helping hand" is more about helping with non-physical things such as talking children to school or taking care of elderly people or supporting life of someone.
Are there any differences between "give someone a helping hand" and "give someone a hand"?


texts: Term for people that insist on buying stuff from a relative/friend even if they are not satisfactory?

texts:
So, I was wondering if there is a term for people that - as the title suggests - prefer to buy stuff/ support businesses, even if they are not that good, only because they know the owners (they are friends with them, they are relatives etc.). In other words, they feel compelled to support them just because they know them not because their products/services are satisfactory.
I'm trying to find a negative word that suggests that this practice is wrong.
Online, I came across the term "reciprocity" and the experiment that Phillip Kunz conducted but other than that is there a term ?


texts:
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, "criticize" has two meanings

to express disapproval of someone or something

to give an opinion or judgment about a book, movie, etc

Consider this

The government just published a new policy on housing prices. He's writing an article to criticize it.

Which meaning of "criticize" should I go with? I guess it is the former as it's a policy rather than literature or art.
Is my understanding correct?

The guy writing the article is trying to make a comment to the policy, such as the housing prices increasing due to the policy.
To convey the idea without causing ambiguity, which word could be substituted for "criticize"?


texts: What is the grammatical function of "as" here?

texts:
I know what it means, but what is the grammatical function of this "as" in the following sentence:

  The Russian law has roiled the classical world as few other political issues have in recent years.


texts:
Is that sentence poorly written? I mean the word elsewhere means  in or to another place, and before is a preposition of time, not the place.

  But, water plays an even bigger role elsewhere, before it's ever frozen into those perfectly aesthetic, slow-melting ice spheres, or bottled up for exorbitantly priced sales all on its own.


texts: Little/ a little: "If you love whole fruit, there’s little evidence that indulging in it is bad for your health"

texts:
I have always thought that the difference between little and a little is that the former is used to express a negative idea like for example there's little support for my proposal, and the latter is used to express a positive idea like don't worry, there is a little salt in the soup.

But this changed when I came across the following sentence from time:

  If you love whole fruit, there’s little evidence that indulging in it—even a whole lot of it—is bad for your health

Little evidence, here, is good news, right? Because one can indulge in fruit with no potential harm, so why shouldn't it be a little evidence? Google shows that a little occurs with evidence 277 times, whereas little evidence occurs 120,000 times.


texts: What the part of speech of some phrases of the sentence

texts:
What the part of speech of the word "open" in the next sentence:

  He had only time to back away before the thick wooden doors swung open, hinges protesting loudly.

What the meaning of the second part of the sentence "hindges protesting loudly"?


texts: Should "his chin a jutting v” read “his chin IS a jutting v”?

texts:
I begun reading the book by Dashiell Hammett "The Maltese Falcon". And first sentence confused me.

  Samuel Spade's jaw was long and bony, his chin a jutting v under the more flexible v of his mouth.

Why the phrase a jutting v follow after noun chin? Should auxiliary verb is be between?


texts: Do casual native English speakers understand the word unsaint as the opposite to the word saint? Or do they interpret it as something different or even don't understand it at all?


texts:
adverbs as (sometimes, seldom, usually) we can put into the beginning, end, between pronoun and verb

but the adverb 'always' sounds good only between pronoun and verb, in other cases, it sounds weird (Always, I do it in the morning AND I do it in the morning always)

Usually/sometimes/seldom, I do it in the morning

I do it in the morning usually/sometimes/seldom

I ALWAYS/usually/sometimes/seldom do it in the morning

question:

  Is it right, in terms of grammar, to put the adverb 'always' in the beginning and at the end of sentence (Always, I do it in the morning AND I do it in the morning always) although it sounds weird?


texts:
Does "slot" here mean "position"? Or "assignment"?

Massachusetts’s COVID-19 vaccine appointment portal crashed on Thursday, as hundreds of thousands of residents became newly eligible to reserve the already highly coveted slots. Across the commonwealth, frustrated residents reacted with a question: Why didn’t the state anticipate and prevent this?

Source:  Harvard News


texts:
In a textbook a person said to a waiter:

  Could you bring the check with coffee? We're running late.

I'm not sure about its implication. Does this sentence mean that I don't have much time?

Also, if I say to someone on the phone "I'm running late." does it mean I'm not sure whether I'm late or not, but I might be there on time?

Regarding "running" there is  "We're running out of time." and "We're running short of time."
Is there any difference between them?

Is it correct to use the following sentence?

  We're running 10 minutes over.

Instead of this sentence, could I use the following ones?

  It's 10 minutes overtime.

  We're 10 minutes overtime.


texts: Suppose I'm telling a bunch of people to do something. I'm about to tell a person :"You first", can I say to the others :"You second", "you third" ... ? And is there another way to say that ?


texts: Is "Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You" grammatically correct?

texts:
By accident, I found this sentence, which is from JFK's inaugural address. As a non-native speaker, I feel this sentence quite uncomfortable.

I personally would say "Don't ask ....". Is "ask not something" grammatically correct? Is it old fashioned English?


texts: How do we talk about the future in English if something is not 100% certain to happen?

texts: How we will make sentence in English if  something will  happen in the future but still it is not 100 % sure? There is probability he may or may not be doing that particular work.


texts: Is it "to reload" or "to shoot"? I figured out that "to pump bullets" means "to shoot", but I don't know if there isn't a difference with shotgun.


texts:
Which is correct:

  1) My every word

  2) Every my word ?


texts: Correct usage of simple past and present perfect?

texts:
I have really been struggling with past simple and present perfect exercises today.
what I know is mostly:

simple past is used for finished actions made in the past and not related to the present and actions which took place long time ago (ex. last year).
Present perfect can be referred to past actions, but also recent actions and/or both relating in some way to the present.

Let's take as example the phrase:

I didn't read the book but I.... (see) the film when it ....(come) out in 1995.

I would say "have seen the film" but it kind conflicts with the date 1995.
Also how do you choose the right tense when saying

I don't know which films she ... (make)"

it could be 'made' because it happened in the past and the action is already finished but it could be also 'has made' in my opinion because it is an experience of life. this is mostly what gets me confused.


texts: What does "in" in the given statement mean?

texts:
A committee has been appointed by the Prime Minister to examine the possibility of relocating troops in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).

What exactly does the above statement mean?

Does it mean that the govt. is thinking to move extra troops into J&K?
Does it mean that the govt. wants to reshuffle troops already within J&K?
Does it mean that the govt. wants to relocate troops from J&K to other states?

Side Question: As the name of the prime minister is not mentioned, shouldn't it be a treated as a common noun and use small letter case (prime minister) instead of Prime Minister?


texts: articles: using them multiple times or once for a single person

texts:
He is both a singer and a scientist.
He is both a singer and scientist.

which of the two is correct?
Further,
In the sentence

  While evaluating your progress I have taken into account your
  classroom performance, your receptivity and how you have improved.

I believe in the third sentence in place of "how you have improved" it should be "your improvement" or is the sentence alright? Please provide a valid reason for this.


texts: What does "whose fulfillment...regularly may rely on" mean?

texts:
Contractual core duties abstractly are such duties whose
  accomplishment enables proper fulfillment of the contract in the first
  place and whose fulfillment a contractual party regularly may  rely on.
  (https://worldofwarships.asia/en/content/santa2017/)

This whole sentence is hard to understand, especially "regularly may rely on" and "whose fulfillment" part. I am not looking for a professional legal advice. I just want to know what this sentence means (how normal audience would understand). Does this sentence mean:

  Abstractly, contractual core duties is the duties that firstly enables
  proper fulfillment of the contract by accomplishing the duties, and
  the fulfillment of contract means that a contractual party may
  regularly depend on.


texts:
The agent with by is omitted in passive voice when it is implicit.

I was doing an exercise in which I had to change the sentence

  He kept me waiting

into the active voice. According to me the active voice is

  I was kept waiting by him

but in the solution by him is omitted. Him can not be omitted because it specifies a particular person. It may be an opportunity also like

  I was kept waiting by this opportunity.

 What I want to ask is why by him should be omitted.


texts:
The poem's colorful images give the reader pleasure.

Is the use of give here correct, or should gives be used?


texts: Is there a word that means including more than those named?

texts: I was at first thinking inclusive or, but then I realized it's only useful in computer science and set theory and is doesn't mean at all "including more than those named", rather it means "including any combination of those named", I am thinking there might be an expression with "exclusive" or "inclusive", but I somehow doubt it. Is there any? What expression can we use to mean what I mean?


texts:
I have seen both:

  "in the street" AND "on the street"
  "in the square" AND "on the square"

Which preposition is correct?


texts:
A lonely day is God's way of saying that he wants to spend some quality time with you.

  A lonely day is God's way for saying that he wants to spend some quality time with you.

Which is better and why? Thanks!


texts: What does it mean "to get one to gut level"?

texts:
The sentence where the expression is used is the following: I started my talk with a seductive dance because I wanted you first to feel the seduction, to get you kind of to gut level.

Thanks in advance.


texts: "Get an eye for somebody" VS "Eyeing someone"

texts:
1) Lucas is totally into you. Whenever a guy buys something so expensive it means he ..........
  2) We are just friends Nancy. Why are you looking at me that way?!
  1) Me and you both know the truth. Just be careful. You don't know him yet.

a. has got an eye for you
b. eyeing you

Please let me know what is the difference between these two idioms and which one for what reason is more appropriate in this case?

To me, according to the dictionary definitions, they both make a perfect sense here.


texts: Hi! I'm learning the language and I can't understand all the different meanings of the verb get in order to use all the meanings of the word... Is it there a trick, rule/s to identify when to use it? I find it very difficult to get the meaning of the verb  I feel like Tarzan writing so, sorry. Haha. I'm waiting for your answers!!


texts: What type of conditionals does McGonagall use?

texts:
I am confused about
the type of conditionals used in the sentence below

"You'd be stiff, if you'd been sitting on a brick wall all day," said Professor McGonagall.

It's the part of the text from one of the Harry Potter novels.


texts:
This is the continuous question to the former question.
There is a passage in the same article saying,

So goes the talent, so goes the innovation. Without this wellspring of brainpower lodging itself in America’s top innovation hubs, where exactly do we think it will go? That former aspiring Stanford or MIT computer scientist with ideas in his or her brain isn’t just going to sit by the window gazing at the horizon waiting for the moment when they can enter the gilded halls of the U.S. of A. It’s the internet era, and they are just going to get started on their dreams wherever they are, using whatever tools and resources they have available to them.

Is this bold word in a sense ridiculing the U.S.A? Or is there another hidden meaning? ( Just imagining, could this author be sarcastically implying that the "United" "States" "Of" "America" might not be "United" in the long run (or anymore)? )
*The original article "and the American theft of Chinese innovation"
(I'm not answering to myself. I'm just adding an info...)
I am sorry for bombarding questions. But many thank you in advance(m_m).


texts: "...the document read like a statement..." - Is this just a mistake?

texts:
When I was reading the now ongoing investigation and interrogation on Comey.,

in the 4th paragraph

  In an op-ed for the New York Times Serratore argued that the document read like a statement from a survivor of workplace harassment. At a January 27 dinner, she noted, Comey found out he would be alone with the president.

Now everybody knows the document(s) can not read by itself.

Is this a mistake? Or grammatically correct?

I am sorry if I sound like trying to find trifle things.


texts: "Not doing so" vs "doing so" after a negative

texts:
Which is the proper phrase to follow a negative declaration? For example:

  I will never go, even if [not doing so/doing so] means death.

Which of the two would be the correct to use?


texts: what does "up" stand for in the following sentence?

texts:
OP:

  US GDP for the second quarter was revised sharply higher at an annualised rate of 3.7%, up from the first estimate of 2.3%.

In the sentence above, does it equal:

  US GDP for the second quarter was revised sharply higher at an annualised rate of 3.7%, which is up from the first estimate of 2.3%.


texts: Can something 'refrain' you from doing something?

texts:
One of the definitions of the verb refrain is...

  refrain - to avoid doing or stop yourself from doing something.

If there's an external force of your own(!) that stops you from doing something, how the word refrain is used?

Is this sentence correct?

  "Your own baseless ethics! Yes, that's what stops yourself from doing that work."

The ethics are mine and so I, myself, cannot overcome them. So, here, it happens to me, myself.

This sentence throws error but...

  "Your own baseless ethics! Yes, that's what refrains you from doing that work."


texts:
Is it possible for "such as" to modify a whole sentence?

Example:

  At times, his life is threatened, such as when he had to climb down
  the tunnel submerged in water.

Is it grammatical? Is it natural use?


texts: "Whose car is this red one?" vs "whose red car is this?"

texts:
I would like to know if it's OK to add a descriptive phrase between whose and the thing owned, i.e, car:

  Whose amazingly painted white house is this?

  Whose red car is this?

Do these sound OK? If yes, do they sound better than the following?

  Whose house is this amazingly painted white one?

  Whose car is this red one?


texts:
I would always see him coming to school late with his jeans.
I would always see him coming to school late with his jeans worn.
I would always see him coming to school late while wearing his jeans.

Which sentence is correct, and are there any possible variations?


texts:
There is a hole and a mug, the diameter of the mug is bigger than the hole. The mug blocked the hole as shown in the picture.
Is it correct to say "the mug is on the hole" or "the mug is on the ground" in this case?


texts:
Can I use only as adjective?

Is my following sentence correct?

  "My flatmate moved out on Sunday. After that I was the only person living in the property"


texts: Meaning of Off In the following sentence

texts:
The England captain scored 148 off 71 balls against Afghanistan at Old Trafford

What is the meaning of off. Does it mean to get out off?

I looked up its meaning in dictionary but didn't find anything.


texts: Is this construction with "We are observing..." normal in English?

texts:
I wrote:

  In recent years, efficient multi-lingual dependency parsers, such
  as MaltParser, have been developed. Consequently, we are
  observing the appearance of dependency treebanks in the formats
  suitable for these parsers in different languages.

I know that idiom is common in Persian, but I am not sure whether it is common in English or not?


texts: I scanned / have scanned the book but couldn't find the address

texts:
This is a question from my English exercise book:

  Choose the best answer A, B ,c or D to complete the following sentence:

  I _____ through the booklet but couldn’t find the address.

  A. scanned B. scan C. have scanned D. am scanning

Even the answer key is 'A. scanned', I think 'C. have scanned' is also possible. In my opinion, both the present perfect (have scanned) and past simple (scanned) in this case indicate an action / event started and finished in the past.

I would appreciate if you could tell me whether my understanding is correct or not.


texts: Gerund vs. infinitive: are both forms acceptable for the following examples?

texts:
1.) It is a lesser evil to have x than to have y.

2.) Having x is a lesser evil than having y.

Which of them are incorrect?


texts: nail clippings in the sink: has cut or has been cutting?

texts:
If you find nail clippings in the sink or on the floor of the bathroom at work for example, what would you say:

someone has cut their nails at work or someone has been cutting their nails?

I am asking because again I am confused: both can be used for a recent action with a result in the present. Present perfect simple if the focus is on the action being finished (short nails) and present perfect continuous if the focus is on the process of doing the action ( the cutting itself). In my opinion the focus is on the action, not the result of the finished action, but I don't  know if the action is recent or not, maybe the clippings have been there a while. To clarify, the person who left the clippings is no longer there.


texts: Article before year in 'several months or year'

texts:
I noticed that it is written both ways, for example:

I have enough to last me for the next several months or year.
I have enough to last me for the next several months or a year.

My question is are both forms correct?

Thanks


texts: How do you say "July 29, 1958" in American English? Is it "July twenty ninth, nineteen fifty eight" or "July the twenty ninth, nineteen fifty eight"?

texts:
Same question for this date: October 1, 1958

Is it "october first, nineteen fifty eight" or "october the first, nineteen fifty eight"?

Do we say "the" between the month and the day number?


texts:
You must prepare against dangerous lie ahead.

Is this sentence correct?
I think if this one is correct, then it means like: You must prepare against dangerous situation beforehand.
lie is also a noun: (n) lie (position or manner in which something is situated)
http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=lie&sub=Search+WordNet&o2=&o0=1&o8=1&o1=1&o7=&o5=&o9=&o6=&o3=&o4=&h=


texts: help to understand a present perfect passive tense

texts:
I want to know this sentence is passive or not. if passive then please convert into active.

1) The road is closed. There has been an accident


texts: What would be synonyms for "be into something"?

texts:
I find myself repeatedly using these two expressions;

"I'm into Psychology" or "I'm interested in Psychology"

but cannot think of other ways to deliver the same meaning.

What other expressions people in US/UK use?


texts: What does throttle exactly mean in this sentence?

texts:
This is a sentence I got from CNN News and I'm struggling with the exact meaning of throttle in it. It describes the weightless experience using a jetliner.

  The pilot throttles the plane and aims at 45 degrees up; then, he suddenly puts it in dive.

Does it mean speed up (which makes more sense to me based on the context but I can't find a reference to support my inference) or simply control? I found a definition online which is control (an engine or vehicle) with a throttle but it seems to be superfluous to me. I fail to understand the importance of using throttle here and not simply control or fly!


texts:
Is any of these sentences correct?

There must be something happened in the past that traumatized him.

There must have been something happened in the past that traumatized him.

And;

Do I need to add 'that' after 'something'?

Like, There (must be or must have been) something that happened in the past that traumatized him.


texts: "The results demonstrate" vs. "The results have demonstrated" or "The results demonstrated"

texts:
From an analytical method validation report, a sentence coming just after a table that contains the final results of a method parameter investigation:

  The results demonstrate reliable detection of residual host cell proteins at the specified level and their reliable quantification in solutions with concentrations of 6.25 ng/ml and higher.

Is it okay to use the present simple here, or would it be better to use the present perfect or past simple?

  The results have demonstrated reliable detection of residual host cell proteins at the specified level and their reliable quantification in solutions with concentrations of 6.25 ng/ml and higher.
  The results demonstrated reliable detection of residual host cell proteins at the specified level and their reliable quantification in solutions with concentrations of 6.25 ng/ml and higher.

I tend to use the present simple in such sentences, but a fellow translator said she sometimes uses the present perfect.


texts:
Which one is correct? This is the title of my blog.

Is arrival of virtual router, a death knell for physical router.
Does arrival of virtual router, a death knell for physical router.

Second question.

Do  you suggest to use "a" before virtual router or  physical router.


texts: discerning between "sympathetic " and "understanding"

texts:
Do you feel any difference between the two? or do you distinguish any difference using them?

sympathetic

understanding


texts:
I saw this sentence

  Until recently I was playing in the Jerry spider gang. In fact I had been with them for 15 years we needed to stop

Is the first sentence correct grammatically , I find it strange to use past continuous with until recently, would it be better to use past simple as the action of playing with Jerry is completly finished.


texts:
I found three sentences in the notes: I am not alone; I am here all by
  myself and help me.

I was told to use dots instead of semi-colons, but can we use semi-colons instead? I prefer to use semicolons after a colon.

  I found three sentences in the notes: I am not alone. I am here all by
  myself. Help me.

What do you think?


texts: What are the differences between "The computer went on/off" and "The computer came on/off"?

texts:
In the dictionaries,

come on:To begin to operate.
Examples:

"Set the oven to come on at six."
"When does the heating come on?"

go on:When a light, the electricity, etc., goes on, it starts to work.
Examples:

"Suddenly all the lights went on."

go off:If a light, the electricity, etc. goes off, it stops working.
Examples:

"Suddenly the lights went off."
"The heating goes off at night."

So, can we say:

"The computer went on/off."

And:

"The computer came on/off."

If yes, What are the differences between them?