texts: Several number of something or Several numbers of something?

texts:
In the following sentence:

  We study the cost in function of the occupied space, for several number of
  potatoes and bananas.

I don't know if I should write number or numbers.


texts: "here we go" or "here you go" when food is served in a restaurant

texts:
In a US restaurant, a waiter said "here XXX go." as he put the plate on the table.

As he said it very fast, I can't distinct whether it's "here we go" or "here you go".

So, what's the waiter supposed to say in that case?

I supposed it meant that the food was ready to eat, but I am not quite sure if any other possible implications of this sentence in this scenario?

I browsed many websites and along with the questions regarding "here we go" and "here you go" in this SE as well, and it seems to me "here you go" is correct, but still not sure whether "here we go" is applicable in this context.


texts: About the usage of some words in literature

texts:
How to understand lay some way out.
The following is a piece of excerpt from Treasure Island

  The Hispaniola lay some way out, and we went under the figureheads and
  around the sterns of many other ships and their cables sometimes
  grated underneath our keel, and sometimes swung above us.


texts: Is crorrect and natural to say "don't do something nearly as much as someone"?

texts:
Could you tell me if it is crorrect and natural to say don't do something nearly as someone? For example:

Sara doesn't eat nearly as much sugar as you.

What I'm trying to say that Sara eats a lot less sugar that the person.


texts:
The tutorial is showing a door within its framework (img_1).

a few seconds later, this perspective (img_2) shows up.

the part pointed out by red circle is the framework, the part pointed out by blue circle is the door, how about the part pointed out by green circle?

Is this the part of the door or the part of the framework?


texts: "I'll never pray to a God since my butt issues"

texts:
I'll never pray to a God since my butt issues.

The usage of 'since' drew my attention and puzzled me. I don't understand why it was used here and whether it was a substitute for either 'because of' or 'as a result of'.

The alternatives I can think of are:

  [giving a reason]

  I'll never pray to a God since I have my butt issues.
  I'll never pray to a God because of my butt issues.
  I'll never pray to a God because I've got my butt issues.

One more option could be

  [describing a particular time in the past]

  I'll never pray to a God since my butt issues kicked in. (=happened, started progressing)

but I discarded it because the sentence conveys the future while we actually mean something like

  I haven't prayed to a God since my butt issues kicked in.
  I haven't been praying to a God since my butt issues kicked in.

I always thought we need a subordinate clause after 'since' when we are giving a reason. Otherwise, it should be a date, a time or a noun phrase which would refer back to a previous point in time.

Can we put a noun phrase after 'since'? And more specifically, is a noun phrase acceptable after 'since' to give a reason?

Any help would be appreciated!


texts:
Which one is correct? (Maybe both are correct.)

  He passed away on the morning of March 5.

Or

  He passed away in the morning of March 5.


texts: Using "from" and "already" in the Past Simple

texts:
From the very first lesson, she already surprised my quite a lot by how quickly she
  could do simple addition problems. And later, she has never stopped surprising
  me by other, even more complicated, math problems.

Is "from the very first lesson" correct here? I mean, on one hand, the process of surprising is still lasting until today, so using "from" seems to be legitimate. However, it was exactly the simple addition problems that was the main source of surprise on the first lesson, while all the following reasons on all the following lessons were not addition.

However, if I say "On the very first lesson" (or "At the very first lesson"?), then can I still keep the word "already" in the first sentence ("On the very first lesson, she already surprised me quite a lot by...")?


texts:
I was lying in my bed in my room on the first floor of the 2nd house of the alley where I lived for more than a year
I was lying in my bed of my room in the first floor of the 2nd house on the alley where I lived for more than a year

I was struggling to find the right prepositions for places and now I have no idea if these two sentences are right or wrong tbh.. your help would be much appreciated! Thanks.


texts: "I major in accounts" vs. "My major is accounts"

texts:
I major in accounts

  My major is accounts.

Please let me know which of the two is more natural.

This is how I will introduce myself.


texts: does it sound like a native when we say "Do not leave / put your scooter untidily in the middle of the living room like that"?

texts:
does it sound like a native when we say "Do not leave / put your scooter untidily in the middle of the living room like that, please put it in the corner of the room"?

I am not a native, so sometimes my expression sounds like in textbook.

How would you (native speakers) express in that situation?


texts: Make someone understand the difference between somethings

texts:
I wrote:

  For example, to teach the student the difference between short and long vowels, like /ԑ/ and /i:/ (as set and seat) or /ɪ/ and /aɪ/ (as twin and twine), appropriate word lists can be prepared.

But I feel teach is much for this sentence. Maybe other verbs or just saying:

  For example, to make the student understand the difference between short and long vowels, like /ԑ/ and /i:/ (as set and seat) or /ɪ/ and /aɪ/ (as twin and twine), appropriate word lists can be prepared.

Are there better alternatives for this sentence?


texts: How is "from the top" synonymous to "from square one"? According to the dictionary, it means "from the beginning", but I don't see any valid entry for "redesigned from the top", which means "redesigned from square one". We say things like "redesigned from the top down" and other phrases that have completely different meaning? Is there a reason why "from the top" is never used in the way we use "from square one"?


texts:
I want to say that something happened yesterday and put emphasis on the fact it was only yesterday, that is recently. Can I put it like this:

  I saw him no longer ago than yesterday.

And if I am mistaken, how would you say it, then?


texts: "the Department of Sociology of Oxford University" or "Oxford University Department of Sociology "

texts:
"The Department of Sociology of Oxford University"
or
"Oxford University Department of Sociology "
Could I say the above phrases? Are they correct?


texts: Some issues regarding the use of ”at a loss”

texts:
I came across the following sentence from a ”A study in scarlet” by Arthur Conan Doyle:

We are at a loss as to how he came into the empty house; indeed, the whole affair is a puzzler.

I understand the meaning of at a loss idiom, both from the context that follows it and from the dictionary.
I wonder if I can emphasize it using the adverbs much or quite or any appropriate adverb for this context. Would there be valid English?

We are much at a loss as to how...
We are quite at a loss as to how...

Another instance would be the use of at all. I know from the Cambridge Dictionary that it is used to make negatives and questions stronger:

He’s had no food at all.
Why the universe ever existed at all?

Given the fact that we are at a loss looks like a positive but has a negative semantic I wonder if I can say:

We are at a loss at all.


texts: the request has a delay or request is delayed

texts: can I say: if the request has a delay when reaching the server, then it will not be processed by the service provider at the server side.


texts:
Today I encountered with these sentences:

  It will be expected to be raining tomorrow.

  Society may change, but gender roles won’t be expected to change with it.

Is this usage of "expect" with future tense and passive form correct? Really it seems unnatural and strange to me.


texts: In case of, In case of a/an, In the case of

texts:
I have been wondering about these 3 expressions of "in case of".

  In case of emergency

  In case of an emergency

  In the case of an emergency

I figured that the first one simply means to say "in any case of emergency" while the second can´t stand on its own. Something should follow, right? Though I don´t know why. Is it because it is more closely defined by the indefinite article? The third one seems to mean "in regard to" and something specific must follow? Is any of this correct?


texts:
We can say:

  I have done it today

though the action itself coulp happen in the morning but we cover it with a longer peiod which hasn't ended yet.

If it happened in the morning but now it's already evening, we use Past Simple because the period itself is already over (the morning is over):

  I did it in the morning

But what happens if we combine them altogether?:

  I did it today in the morning

OR

  I have done it today in the morning


texts: "observation + About " Or "observation + On"

texts:
I want to say:

This technique is based on an observation we made about/on the theorem of ..."

Question: In the above sentence which one should I use, "about" or "on" or neither ?

To clarify the theorem has already exist but we made a new observation about/on the theorem.


texts: Did this sentence use two preposition 'over, by' together?

texts:
He assumed that I was waiting for winners over by the squirt guns,
  and then slipping a fifty to some guy who didn't realize how a giant stuffed animal could change the world's perception of him - source

I guessed that someone was waiting for winners who had won the squirt guns game using squirt guns. but it is odd in my opinion. So,i don't know why,how 'by' did be used in sentence.


texts:
A People person is someone who is outgoing and has good communication skills.

  He was always energetic and positive and he was a people person.

What is the plural of "people person"?

I am thinking People people and People persons. However, I could not find any good source for either.


texts: has or have need to use if we talk about group of peoples?

texts:
Sometimes I get confused while watching movies and reading newspapers. Because, some people use the "be" form as has/have respectively. So I have a doubt about its usage. Can anyone please help me?

For example: Some of my friends has/have iphone 6 mobile phone.


texts:
Is this statement correct for formal usage?

  This model is a good approximation to the data.

Or, should I use

  This model is a good approximation of the data.


texts: What is the ( probably obsolete ) word ( verb ) "bootslitting"?

texts:
When I read Sherlock Holems's story, I came across a word that is not completely familiar and dictionaries do not help me.

What is the word/verb? **bootslip"??

  "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile weather, and that you had a particularly malignant bootslitting specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce him to be an active member of the medical profession."

From my search on the Yahoo image,

it looks like a bottom part of shoes ( like a belt surrounding a sole ( bottom ) of the shoe.

Is my guess correct?


texts:
Consider:

  Down 4 b  informal : to or toward a place that is thought of as below or away from another place

    A1. She drove down to our house.
    A2. Come on down and see us sometime.

  4 c  : to or toward a place that is away from the speaker

    A3. He is heading down to the store.
    A4. Would you mind moving (further) down so that we can sit here, too?

&

  Up 4 b  informal : to or toward a place that is thought of as above or away
  from another place

    B1. She went up to the cabin for the weekend.
    B2. How long will it take to drive up (to their house) and back?
    B3. Come on up and see us sometime.

  5 a  : to or toward a place that is close to someone or something

    B4. I walked up to her and said “hello.”
    B5. Please pull up a chair.
    B6. He lay down and pulled the covers up.

I find these definitions very interesting. It seems using down or up makes no difference to the examples in both 4 b when altitude doesn't need to be taken into consideration. Is it true?

However, as for 4 c and 5 a, I might think it's a little bit different.

For A3, I suppose both up and down work just fine and make no difference in meaning.

For A4, I suppose using up wouldn't make sense as moving-up only helps to make things worse.

For B4, I have a gut feeling that using down isn't as good as using up, but I cannot explain why.

For B5, firstly, I don't know whether the speaker is asking the addressee to pull the chair to the speaker or the addressee or either of them depending on the context. Second, I suppose using down would mean the opposite - being away from the speaker; the same is true of B6.

Is my understanding correct? Please help to clear up my confusion.


texts: Is this usage correct i.e. "Reflect off of"?

texts:
I came across the following sentence somewhere.

  You will encounter its(=a building) dome, accompanied with a glare of
  sunlight reflecting off of it from all around the campus and even
  outside the University borders!

I can't dig the use "reflect" with two prepositions off and of. Can anyone explain what does that mean, and when do we write such sentences?


texts: imaginative complicated explanation in context

texts:
Please explain in context:

the meaning of 'filibustered'
the meaning of 'Worlds'
What “unspoken question” is it about?

  It was a joke about futility, and at the same time a joke about will,
  and subjectivity. If we filibustered the glasses into existence
  between us did it matter that the paper-and-tape glasses didn't
  persist? Worlds seemed to hang in the balance of that unspoken
  question, and in a way they did. Our worlds. The glasses stood for our
  own paper-thin new sensibilities, thrust against the bronze of the
  adult world. Were we viable? Did we have to convince others, or was it
  enough just to convince ourselves?

Planet Big Zero
by Jonathan Lethem


texts:
In the sentence:

  Are you going in or out, I replied,

Where should I place the punctuation?


texts: I was sitting with a friend of mine, and we were discussing a specific issue and he was very liberal. After having a cup of coffee, he started to be more conservative about the same issue. So, I told him "it seems that the coffee lesses your liberality" I feel that this sentence is an awkward, especially when using the word "lesses", isn't it? How to rephrase the sentence to more natural appearance?


texts: Is "have had" grammatical and natural here?

texts:
Context: A divorced father has had his son over for a few hours and they ended up having a heated argument that ruined the evening. His ex-wife talks with him two days later. She is angry and says this:

What happened? Why couldn't you just have had a fun time with him?

Is this sentence phrased grammatically correct and natural for the context (in particular "have had")?


texts: Does it matter which way I order appositives?

texts:
Which is correct?

  A person sued BigCorp, the biggest company on Earth.

  A person sued the biggest company on Earth, BigCorp.

Are there any semantic differences between the 2 sentences? Is there a convention for putting appositives in the proper order?


texts: A question about the structure of the part in bold in this sentence

texts:
Below is a sentence from an article on New York Times.

  A week before Michael T. Flynn resigned as national security adviser, a sealed proposal was hand-delivered to his office, outlining a way for President Trump to lift sanctions against Russia.

I would like to ask about the structure of the bold part and what it is modifying in the sentence.

I can't understand the exact meaning of the part.


texts: What's the name of the line where the fingers emerge from?

texts: I'm looking for a term for the line where the fingers emerge from (I highlighted this place with a yellow colour). What is this called?


texts:
I'm having a hard time finding a phrase I'm contended with in regard to a sole item. I tried using "the only one" but for some reason it rings as referring to a person, not an item (but hey, maybe it's just me). I guess an instance is in place to describe my problem precisely:

  The pink plate wasn't the only one covered in grime.

  The Lansdowne portrait wasn't the sole hung on the vast wall.

The first sounds, to me at least, as talking about a person not a plate. The second sounds plainly wrong, but then again if I insist on keeping "portrait" adjacent to "Lansdowne", how can I possibly write "portrait wasn't the sole portrait". These are just two examples.

Just to make things even clearer, I don't want to use "the only item" because I'm talking about an item out of the same set of items. The pink plate is stationed among other plates and no other cutlery, the first sentence is to convey the idea that some other plates (if not all) are also covered in grime (but plates only). The Lansdowne is hung among other portraits, but not among other canvases of things that are not people - portraits only.


texts: "You are" vs. "you're" — what is the difference between them?

texts:
“You are” vs. “you're” — what is the difference between them?

I get confused between the two a lot. I want to understand how to use them appropriately, because I hate making mistakes.


texts: Does it make sense to say "My family is vegetarian" or "My family are vegetarians"?

texts:
vegetarian: a person who does not eat meat or fish

We can say

  I am a doctor

  I am a vegetarian

  family [countable + singular or plural verb]: a group consisting
  of one or two parents and their children

  All my family enjoy skiing.

In the above definition, "family" is a countable noun & can be followed by a singular or plural verb

But then "family" also has other meaning

  family [countable + singular or plural verb, uncountable]: a group
  consisting of one or two parents, their children and close relations

In the above definition, "family" can be a countable noun (an be followed by a singular or plural verb) or an uncountable noun

Can we say:

My family is vegetarian.

or

My family are vegetarians.


texts:
sentence 1 : Kyoto has the lowest passenger numbers of all the cities
sentence 2 : Kyoto has the lowest passenger number of all the cities
Do the two sentences above have different meanings when I use numbers instead of number


texts: Pronunciation of the question did it work?

texts:
"Did it work?" phonetically looks like [dɪd ɪt wɜrk] and after linking it looks like: [dɪ_dɪt wɜrk]. The words "Did" and "it" are linked.

I noticed some stress and rise in pitch on "work", of course it's a YES/NO question and I think the rising intonation is perfectly normal. This is how I pronounce it: https://clyp.it/1blsunkb

I didn't put any stress on "did" and "it" as you probably noticed. My question, is it necessary to stress "did" or "it" or stressing "work" is enough in a normal day-to-day natural context?

Any suggestion appreciated.


texts: Are "Says who?" and "Who says?" interchangable?

texts:
According to free dictionary, "Says who?" is used to express disagreement with or defiance against something that someone has just said. And give this example:

  A: "There's no way a pipsqueak like you can win this race!"

  B: "Oh yeah? Says who?"

I'm wondering if I can replace it with "Who says?". Will the meaning be changed? Is there any difference between these two phrases?

Update with the definition "Who says?" from the dictionary

  used to disagree with a statement or an opinion

  A: "You can't just take money from the register like that!"

  B: "Who says? I own the business, so it's technically my money."


texts: Word for "hating a person whom you don't even know"

texts:
Is there a word for hating a person you don't know, but you hate because of something he did.

  I hate the person who checked my exam copy. (whoever that is)


texts: "used to always say that" or "used to always to say that"

texts:
Background: Here is a link to an English tutorial video. In it, the speaker says:

  You know, my father used to always to say that 'a good leader is born, not made'.

But in this hotel review, I see:

  They used to always say that their pool was being repaired, but 5 years later they have finally taken it off their list of ammenities.

So, which one is correct?

"used to always to say that" or "used to always say that"?


texts: the Russian business journal Kommersant -- do we really need that "the" in there? Can we just say "Russian business journal Kommersant"?

texts:
Source: Russia's middle class: We don't blame Putin

Example:

  Russia's middle class, according to the Russian business journal Kommersant, has remained stable for the past 15 years at approximately 20% of the population. Citing government statistics, the journal predicts that the current economic crisis will reduce the percentage of Russia's middle class to 15%.

Do we really need that the in front of Russian business journal Kommersant? Is it only true of inanimate objects that we stick a definite article in front of their descriptive phrases because most of the time, as far as I have noticed, we don't usually put one in front of titles that follow people's names (if we do, that's called false titles or something like that, for example—the Greek mathematician Euclid)? Clear things up for me please.


texts: Which one is correct: built or to be built

texts:
Which of these is correct?

1.How do you want your house to be built?
2.How do you want your house built?

I think 1 is correct because it is the house that will be built(someone will build it). But I can also get the same meaning with 2. So I don't know which one should be used. If 2 is correct and means the same, could you please explain the syntax?
And for these ones too:

When it was started to be built....
When it started to be built....


texts: "Both" for three items. Is it really impossible? Is there an alternative?

texts:
In Russian:

По той причине, что мне нужен стиль и для обычного текста, и для текста внутри таблиц, и для сносок, использование стиля Text Body вводило бы в заблуждение.

Here is how this passage translated by Google, DeepL, and Yandex respectively:

Google: For the reason that I need a style for both plain text, text within tables, and footnotes, using the Text Body style would be misleading.

DeepL: For the reason that I need the style for both plain text and text inside tables and footnotes, using the Text Body style would be misleading.

Yandex: For the reason that I need a style for both plain text, text inside tables, and footnotes, using the Text Body style would be misleading.

As you see, there is no big difference. "plain text" is actually should be translated as "normal text" or "body text".
So I would translate it as

For the reason that I need a style for both body text, text inside tables, and [for] footnotes, using the Text Body style would be misleading.

What confuses me is that all three translation tools uses the word "both" even though there are 3 items. As I know, we cannot use "both" for more than two items in such a context.
Or maybe it's not actually so?
Which alternatives do we have?


texts: Use of "of" without any noun or pronoun before "of"

texts:
We have a party on Christmas Day, and Scott, his wheel chair decorated with red and green crepe paper, greets everyone at the door. He puts on a laughing red Santa mask and gives fractured ho-ho-hos as we give out the small Christmas ornaments we've made, of twigs wound around glass crystals.

These has sentences have been taken from Reader's Digest, January, 2006. The name of the story from  which these sentences have been taken is Your son is in a coma.

If I say toy of David, books of David, cell-phone of David, all make sense. But in the above sentence no noun or pronoun has been placed before of (....., of twigs wound around...). I failed to understand it.

I would appreciate it if experts help me to realize this fact.


texts:
Yep, all these men keep laughing because it looks like rape and sexual assault. If I personally would have seen that. I would have punched that dude in mouth. That dog has seen its last days. Just sayin

Why after "If" the speaker says "would have seen" and not simply the past simple "saw"  ? What is the difference ?

Is it because the speaker wants to assert his words or emotions?
Thank you


texts: Several related verbal or phrasal usages

texts:
-Obie: They wanna lock you out.
-Tony: Why, cause the stocks dip 40 points? We knew this was gonna happen.
-Pepper: 56 and a half.
-Tony: It doesn't matter. We own a controlling interest in the company.
-Obie: Tony, the Board has rights too. They are making the case that you and your new direction isn't in a company's best interest.
-Tony: I'm being responsible. That's a new direction. For me... for the company. I mean, me on the company's behalf being responsible for
the way that... Oh, this is great!
-Obie: Oh c'mon, wait! Tony, Tony!
-Tony: I'll be in the shop.
-Obie: Hey, hey, Tony, listen. I'm trying to turn this thing around but you gotta give me something. Something to pitch them. Let me have
the engineers analyze that, you know, draw some specs.
-Tony: No. No. Absolutely not. This one stays with me. That's it Obie. Forget it.
-- Iron Man 2008

Does making the case mean making the arguments? What components constitute a typical case/argument? Is c'mon used here to show that you know what somebody has said is not correct?
Does pitch mean persuade here? Can I say pitch somebody something (ditransitive)? The dictionaries don't give a hint.


texts: What is the correct conjugation of the verb fill in this sentence? Could you please explain grammar in this sentence?

texts:
A) Inflation is once again a major concern, violent crimes is on the rise, cases of corruption filling the press, healthcare in precarious state, insfrastructure projet not materialized and street traffic is depressingly worst than ever. or,

B) Inflation is once again a major concern, violent crime is on the rise, cases of corruption fill the press, healthcare is in a precarious state, infrastructure projects have not materialized and street traffic is depressingly worse than ever.


texts: What is the difference between hit me vs hit me off in American English?

texts:
while I listened  I song Cole Swindell - Hope You Get Lonely Tonight in a part it said this:

  You got my number baby hit me up,

its said hit me up okay I understand what is hit and me but what is the different with hit me and hit me up   I asked this because I heard both way in american english and read in blogs too


texts: She continued to say, "no" (should there be a comma here?)

texts:
Is it proper to use a comma before a quotation like this:

  She continued to say, "no" while they drove away.

I don't think you would generally use a quotation, but this is a report for legal proceedings and, obviously, "no" must be conveyed.


texts: "Demonstrative" - absorbing the pronunciation

texts:
I am a native English speaker.

I just found out the correct pronunciation of "demonstrative" today.

Instead of the correct /dɪmɒnstrətɪv/, I kept saying /dɛmənstreɪtɪv/ because I relate it to "demonstrate".

Do others normally nail the correct pronunciation on the first few tries? Or do they make the same mistake as I do?


texts:
I know that "bread" is an uncountable noun. So logically its referred pronoun should be singular as well, but recently, I have come across a sentence in a book (written by a non-native person), that had used "them" instead of "it" which sounds the correct pronoun to me. I was wondering which pronoun is the correct one?

Cover the bread with a damp cloth to prevent ...... from drying.

a. it
b. them


texts: How to use "of" preposition (POSSESSION)

texts:
I read that the preposition "of" is used to show possession, belonging, or origin. For example:

a friend of mine
employees of the company
a habit of mine
the love of a good woman
I hear the bark of a puppy.

I understand some but sometimes I don't understand well how to use article (a,the) before or after "of".
For example.

a habit of mine

Can I say "the habit of mine "?

the love of a good woman
Can I say "the love of the good woman "?

Could you please tell me the different meanings of those sentences if I change articles?


texts: Word that only includes my father, mother, brother, and sister

texts: Is there any word or term for explaining a group of people including only my father, mother, brother, and sister (excluding my cousin, uncle, and aunty)?


texts: Meaning of "canonically restricted" in "Conjugation is canonically restricted to bacterial cells as the donor and recipient"

texts:
From "Horizontal gene transfer: building the web of life" by Soucy et al., 2015:

  The three most recognized mechanisms of HGT in prokaryotes are conjugation, transformation and 1 transduction (FIG. 1). Conjugation requires physical contact between a donor and a recipient cell via a conjugation pilus, through which genetic material is transferred. Conjugation is canonically restricted to bacterial cells as the donor and recipient, however, Agrobacterium spp. is an exception and uses its conjugation machinery for HGT into plant cells [14,15]

Just to make sure: does the sentence mean

  Conjugation, by its canonical definition, applies only to the transfer of genetic material between bacterial cells. However, Agrobacterium spp. is an exception and uses its conjugation machinery for HGT into plant cells.

I.e., we use the term conjugation only in reference to transmission of genes between bacteria, but we do make one exception and call Agrobacterium's injection of genes into plants conjugation as well. Am I right?


texts:
I was wondering which one is correct:

  I was at my friend's house.

  I was at my friend's home.

  I was in my friend's house.

  I was in my friend's home.

Which one is correct? Could you help me? If there are more choices, what's the difference?


texts: 'This' v. 'that' when referencing smth just mentioned

texts:
I don't know, suppose it's something like this (I made up the sentences myself):

  Dolphins have a smooth, streamlined body. This/that helps them accelerate up to 34.5 mph.

  Sometimes, even in formal writing, diminutives supersede official names. Examples of this/that include the name of the 39th president of the United States Jimmy Carter.

Are both pronouns acceptable? It seems so, but, you have to admit, it's kinda weird considering that they are supposed to be antonyms and, as a result, not interchangeable.


texts: Meaning of "a burr had been a treasure trove" in Browning's Childe Roland

texts:
From Browning's Childe Roland:

  So, on I went. I think I never saw
    Such starv’d ignoble nature; nothing throve:
    For flowers—as well expect a cedar grove!
  But cockle, spurge, according to their law
  Might propagate their kind, with none to awe,
    You ’d think; a burr had been a treasure trove.

I don't get the meaning of this sentence. I understand that the burr here is

  A bur; a seed pod with sharp features that stick in fur or clothing. (Wiktionary)

But why a "treasure trove"? On first reading this line, I imagined that "cockle" and "spurge" were the names of some small birds, and for them even burrs were good, maybe as forage. But on finding that these are the names of weed plants, I could no longer make sense of the bolded sentence.

And why "had been"? Why does the author use the Past Perfect?


texts: Picking out Adverb Phrases from the given sentence

texts:
He strove with all his might to escape

According to my Wren and Martin textbook, with all his might is an adverb phrase in the given sentence. But what is to escape? Is it an adverb phrase as well?


texts:
Incident which happened a week ago:

  Me to Kate: "Where are you going"?
  Kate: "I'm going to the cinema".

Now today I happen to tell this story to Jim and I say,

  "I met Kate a week ago."
  Jim: What did she say?
  Me: "Kate said that she 'is' going to the cinema".

My question is, is the usage of 'is' grammatically correct? Here, at the time of reporting after a week I don't know if she's still going to the cinema or not and even then I use 'is' will this be grammatically correct?


texts:
Today I watched an episode from the Big Bang Theory where Sheldon (a character) says, "She returned to her apartment. I presume to shower and vomit. Not necessarily in that order"
That got me thinking about the use of "and".
Does "and" imply the order of actions?
For example,
(1)

A: What happened to her?

B: She showered and vomited.

Does this imply she showered first and then vomited?
(2)

Peter: I am going to my friend's place to play games, watch movies, and eat sweets.

Does this imply Peter will play games first, then watch movies, and finally eat sweets?


texts:
Do I need to use 'is' or 'are'?

  Please let me know are there any one or multiple representatives to contact

(OR)

  Please let me know is there any one or multiple representatives to contact


texts: What are the differences between "to talk" and "to speak"?

texts:
Both verbs "to talk" and "to speak" refer to the same action.

Is their meaning exactly the same?
When is more appropriate to use one, or the other verb?


texts: Can I hang a 'no loitering' sign inside the store?

texts:
I want to put up a sign inside (not outside like in the pavement) a supermarket with 'no loitering' on it; by this I'd like to mean if you don't want to buy anything, don't come inside and flirt with your girlfriend, joke around, pace around the supermarket like you're waiting for someone to show up etc. Is it the right sign language to use inside a supermarket?

I'm not sure about this because I've seen this sign in public places mostly in crime-ridden areas. If it's not right or a bit offensive, what do you suggest?


texts: How to interpret the meaning and find the predicate of a sentence from The Plague

texts:
An excerpt from The Plague

A word that conjured up in the doctor's mind not only what science chose to put into it, but a whole series of fantastic possibilities utterly out of keeping with that gray and yellow town under his eyes, from which were rising the sounds of mild activity characteristic of the hour; a drone, rather than a bustling, the noises of a happy town, in short, If it is possible to be at once so dull and happy.

This whole sentence just eludes me. Could you please help me parse it?
In terms of syntax, I don't know where is the predicate. I think the subject is "a word," which is then followed by a relative clause beginning with "that" and another relative clause starting with "from which."
As to the meaning, what does "but a whole series of fantastic possibilities utterly out of keeping with that gray and yellow town under his eyes" mean?
Also, what is "the sounds of mild activity characteristic of the hour”?


texts: Can 'might' mean the past tense of 'to be able' in 20th-century English?

texts:
Source: p x, How Can You Represent Those People? (2013) by Abbe Smith, Monroe Freedman (Editors)

  Prominent criminal lawyer Edward Bennett Williams [ (1920-1988) ] once noted
  that, like other criminal lawyers, he took on difficult cases for unpopular
  clients, “not because of my own wishes, but because of the unwritten
  law that I might not refuse.” The lawyers in this collection could
  not refuse either. Moreover, they could not be prouder to champion
  the very worst of “those people.”

The 20th-century (20c.) meanings of (the past-tense Modal Auxiliary) might appear to contradict Williams's meaning above (the unwritten custom or maxim prohibits refusals to be based on unpopularity of the defendant), because they express possibility or suggestion, contrary to the decisive, dominating, and officious connotation that Williams needs (to emphasise the disapproval against refusal).

So did Williams use the incorrect Modal Auxiliary?  I would have used  (the Present Tense Modal Auxiliary)  'must'

Or I thought of this more charitable, forgiving but improbable possibility: Maybe Williams intended meaning of (the etymon of 'may')  the Old English magen "to be able"? Then the bolded might would mean 'was not able to' which would accord with the context.


texts:
'It is sad to see a man so corrupted by the desire for money and power.'

'see' is mean that by using speaker's eyes?  o_O


texts:
What verb form should I use when talking about two uncountable items?
Which of these sentences is correct?

1.There are lightning and thunder.
2.There is lightning and thunder.


texts: Position of which and what at the rear of sentences

texts:
I have four sentences below, showing the different locations of “what, which” in a sentence.

  What is the right of innocent passage, and in which part of the oceans does it apply?
  What is the right of innocent passage, and it applies to which part of the oceans?
  What do you call it?
  You call it what?

The 1st and 3rd sentences are original. I moved “which, what” to the rear part of these sentences as the 2nd and 3rd sentences show.

Do you think the modified sentences sound natural? I mean do native speakers will say in that way? Or the modified ones are grammatically wrong at all?


texts:
I called her at six but she didn't talk to me. She might have been busy; that is why she didn't talk to me.

  I called her at six but she didn't talk to me. She might be busy; that is why she didn't talk to me.

  I called her at six but she didn't talk to me. I think that she was busy.

Could you please tell me differences between "Might be" and "Might have been"?


texts:
Does it mean "a believer in perfectionism"?

"If you’re too much of a type A, you need to leaven that a little bit,” Obama said. “Being a little forgiving of yourself, knowing that nothing’s going to be perfect,” will ultimately allow you to get more accomplished, he said.

Source: CNBC


texts:
I'm learning English from BBC 6 minutes English. I got this sentence and tried to research the phrase but I don't understand what it means. Please help me explain it.

Can you spot a phrase that means a limit or an ending?
source : https://www.voicetube.com/videos/27105#view-mode


texts: What is the difference between "the+singular countable noun" and "zero article+plural countable noun"

texts: What is the difference between "the + singular countable noun" and "zero article + plural countable noun" when we make generalisations about classes of things.


texts: the meaning of "a single curl, the colour of onion-skin, peeps out from under a lopsided crown"

texts:
Jo brings him an Easter egg. ‘Look, we have saved this one for you.’
  It is a white egg with no speckles. It is featureless, but a single
  curl, the colour of onion-skin, peeps out from under a lopsided crown.
  You pick your prince and you know what he is: or do you?

  — Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

Does the sentence describe that the egg Jo brings is decorated with a crown and a white blond hair like curl under the crown?


texts: How to parse the sentence: " I’m the same person I was before I made the series that I am now. "

texts:
The sentence is from the VOA Learning English Program:

  “Well actually, the fame is there -- it just takes a different form. I
  mean, you know, you, you think of our show being prime time, but when
  I come out here and I meet people, they’re just as excited as I was
  during Batman days. So, it’s not that the people change. Maybe, you
  know, the, the perception is different, but it, honestly, nothing has
  changed – I’m the same person I was before I made the series that I am
  now.”

My understanding is :
I am the same person that I was before I made the series and I am the same person that I am now.
How to parse this sentence ?


texts:
In a formal letter, what kind of sentence could I write?

The programme perfectly suits my needs.
The programme perfectly fits my needs.

EDIT: According to a dictionary the phrase with "fits" makes more sense. I use this phrase for a educational programme. Nonetheless, the phrase "The programme perfectly meets my needs" should be a formal one, which I have chosen now.


texts:
So I'm confused as to which of the following is correct:

  The chief, with all his men, was massacred.

or

  The chief, as well as his men, was massacred.


texts:
I was quite sure I've heard people talking before about "newslets", or "media newslets", but the dictionaries list no such word.

Am I talking about media outlets or something like this? Does the word "newslet" exist (in some spelling variation) or is my brain making it up?


texts: "a lack of food/money/skills" from OALD, what am I missing?

texts:
I found this on OALD in a definition for lack:

  lack (uncountable, singular) - a lack of food/money/skills

lack – uncountable.

Why is the indefinite article (used for something countable) a here?

It says:

  a lack of food; a lack of money; a lack of skills


texts: ”My flow is super regular" what would it mean in the context? And another question related with it

texts:
Though I might be criticized like the previous question,, believing that this is an "English question", I have two questions.
Kindly watch this(viewer restriction is imposed in some countries).
Since he speaks a bit faster "to me", an ELL, I watch with the subtitles and what he is saying is perfectly matches with it.
He says,(in Mexican(with English subtitle)) from 0.37～

I didn't want to tell you because it's embarrassing.

His buddy

It's not important. Love. It's Okay.

He

It's the reason why we always sleep at your place. Okay it's also because you have a Toto toilet. My flow is super regular.

The first question is when he says "my flow", would he mean his excrement flows normally when he flushes?
The next question needs to go back. When he refers to Toto toilet, would he try to mean "because you(his friend) have a nice toilet?
Thank you in advance.


texts:
I am wondering if the two bold parts mean the same thing, if so, what do they mean?

A. There's a lot to do so get your jacket off and get stuck in.

B. Gertrude early aptitude for swimming marked her for future greatness. When she swam the English Channel, the first woman to do so, she broke the man's speed record for that swim.

Thanks


texts:
From this book:

  The aura of success that results from high quality care is of great help.

I also found the sentence:

  You are great help to me.

in the Longman dictionary. Can I change this into:

  You are of great help to me?


texts: Should I use past simple or present perfect simple to answer this question?

texts:
I am wondering which tense usage is correct to answer this question.

How far back has the action shifted?

  The action has shifted to a time before Beloved has made her first appearance and before the schoolteacher has come to bring Sethe back to Sweet Home.

OR

  The action has shifted to a time before Beloved made her first appearance and before the schoolteacher came to bring Sethe back to Sweet Home.

Thank you for your answers.


texts: Is this a rule that article should precede adjective?

texts:
I have enrolled to an ESOL class in Wellington, New Zealand.

My teacher taught me that article should precede with adjective always.
For example -

My country has three seasons - winter, summer, and rainy season.

She corrected to

My country has three seasons - winter, summer, and a rainy season.

Reasoning - She told that rainy is like an adjective so this should have an article before it.

He is tall person.

  >
  correct

He is a tall person.

Logic - 'a' article because we can count the person.
      - 'the' article if we say the tallest -superlative degree.

Can I take these rules?


texts: Using plurals of scientific words regarding events

texts:
Mostly people say "too much apoptosis can lead to cancer" or "too much photosynthesis". However would it be wrong to say "many apoptoses" or "too many a apotosis" or "too many apoptoses"?

The first one does not sound so weird to me, but the other two sound so strange, but I cannot seem to find something grammatically wrong. Generally speaking, I feel that only much is used to refer to scientific phrases describing what happens.

Also, people say things such as "too close a contact", but can you say "too many a something (singular)"?


texts:
Bill had a penfriend at a school in Brazil ... this was years and years ago ... and he wanted to go on an exchange trip but Mum and Dad couldn't afford it. His penfriend got all offended when he said he wasn't going and sent him a cursed hat. It made his ears shrivel up.

What's "an exchange trip"? Is it that Bill visits to his penfriend's home and his penfriend visits his home at the same time for a short period of time? Or Bill pays a visit to his penfriend for exchanging some thoughts/ideas?


texts: What do we call entities like Wall Street? I know the World Bank is an institution, same for the IMF, but what about Wall Street? What do we call such an entity? I can't think of any word.


texts:
Although the goal-keeper was responsible for the defeat in the important football match, nobody blamed him.

According to me it should be "yet nobody blamed him."

But the answer is no improvement. Is it wrong?


texts:
This dictionary says:

  'the whole of' and 'whole'

  When you talk about the whole of something, you mean all of it.

  We were there for the whole of July.

  I felt pain throughout the whole of my body.

  Instead of using "the whole of" in front of a noun phrase
  beginning with "the", you can simply use "whole" after
  "the". For example, instead of saying 'The whole of the house was
  on fire', you can say 'The whole house was on fire'.

  I spent the whole day in the library.

  They're the best team in the whole world.

However, this person says

  You should use 'the whole of', not 'the whole', before proper nouns
  and pronouns, for example, you say 'the whole of Europe', 'the whold
  of it', etc.

  you say 'the whole of London', not 'the whole London'.

That person made me feel bad about myself because I often say "The whole London".

Check this Ngram, people do use "The whole Paris" though "The whole of Paris" is more common

& Check this Ngram, people do use "The whole London" though "The whole of London" is more common

So, is "the whole London" wrong?


texts:
What tense should I use in these situations?

In March this year, I was seen near his house.
In March this year, I have been seen near his house.

Should I use the past simple or the past perfect?


texts: I refreshed myself(was refreshed?) by a cup of tea

texts:
Which is the correct phrase to use ?

Is it

  I refreshed myself by a cup of tea.

Or

  I was refreshed by a cup of tea.


texts:
"For the first time within my knowledge", said he, gently, "a nymph has defied me and my laws; yet in my heart can I find no word of chiding. What is your desire, Necile?"

Source: L. Frank Baum: The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus.

I would like to ask whether the inversions in the excerpt above are OK. I mean "said he…" and "yet in my heart can I find…". Maybe it is the result of bad proofreading of my edition…


texts: What is the appropriate preposition for spot?

texts:
The first member is standing up at the first spot.
  The first member is standing up on the first spot.

Which preposition is appropriate?


texts: Curious about what would happen or curious what would happen?

texts:
I know that

  I am curious what would happen

is a perfectly valid usage. What I don't understand is why there is no preposition to connect "curious" and "what would happen", which is acting like a noun clause. It seems to me that the sentence is not grammatical and needs "about" between curious and what would happen. Why is it an acceptable usage? Is there a grammar rule behind it?


texts:
I found this sentence.

  "We rolled on toward the island, insurmountable by the inclement weather."
  -- Jerry M Keene

Is this "insurmountable by" correct here?


texts: What is the difference between “remote” and “distant”?

texts:
We have these adjective meanings:

  Remote
  1. far apart; far distant in space.
  2. out-of-the-way; secluded: a remote village.
  3. distant in time, relationship, connection, etc.: remote antiquity; a remote ancestor.
  4. far off; abstracted; removed: principles remote from actions.
  5. not direct or primary; not directly involved or influential: the remote causes of the war.
  6. slight or faint; unlikely: a remote chance.
  7. reserved and distant in manner.
  8. operating or controlled from a distance, as by remote control.

  Distant
  1. far off or apart in space; remote.
  2. apart or far off in time.
  3. remote in any respect: a distant relative.
  4. reserved or aloof; not familiar or cordial.
  5. arriving from or going to a distance.

I can't understand the difference between “remote” and “distant“?

When do I use remote and distant? For me they are identical.

Next examples don't give a grasp for me (I took them from my self-education):

  Remote [rɪˈməʊt]
  1. He might know a remote capability of lying but that was useless.
  2. I'm not sorry to be as remote from these things as I am.

  Distant [ˈdɪst(ə)nt]
  1. The hobbits looked anxiously at the distant hills. (Why? Can I say "remote"?)
  2. He looked north across a line of rocks, studying a distant escarpment.
  3. Light clouds came up out of the sea in the distant South and were blown away upon the breeze.
  4. Soon he was beyond the reach of the last rays from the faint and distant Sun.

I think these examples aren't the best.


texts: What is the meaning and definition of "-scape"?

texts:
The words "landscape", "seascape", "cityscape", "spacescape", "sandscape", "skyscape" and many more at Wikitionary have a common -scape suffix.

I've found in the Online Cambridge dictionary that
-scape suffix means: used to form nouns referring to a wide view of a place, often one represented in a picture

Is it the only meaning and definition?


texts: Is ‘I want to meet your enemy’ ambiguous?

texts:
‘I want to meet your enemy’ can mean?:

You are not an enemy
You are an enemy (like ‘your majesty’ means you are a majesty)


texts: American people or *the* American people

texts: When I am talking about (the) American people in general, not any specific ones, do I need to use "the"?


texts:
"He pushed past me, started marching through the living room, trailing mud, his hands balled, his gravity far forward, forcing him to keep walking or fall down"
 - p.400 Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.
 I have always understood the verb, to trail, to mean to pull something behind you, especially along the ground, which seems to fit in this context, but still... You don't really pull mud behind you, do you? Sure, the mud under your shoes leaves a path behind you but once it has been smeared onto the floor it stays there, it won't be pulled after you...

What sort of image does the author try to create in the reader?


texts: strange, odd, peculiar, eccentric differences

texts:
Here is a question.
If you go to the palace in tennis shoes, they will think you are ____
A. strange B. odd C. peculiar  D. eccentric.

The correct answer is D eccentric.
Is anybody could tell me why? Because I think odd is also ok to be used here.


texts:
The two anonymous referees of this journal made great comments.

It seems to me that because they are anonymous we should not use "the" for them. Or we should?


texts: "I would not know", "How should I know?" Are they interchangeable?

texts:
Could we say that, "I wouldn't know" and "How should I know?" have the same  meaning?
Can we use them interchangeably?


texts:
What does literally exactly mean?

I am not so clear about its meaning, and I often get confused.


texts: Can an absolute phrase be followed by a modal verb?

texts:
The letter being written, he [modal verb] give you permission.

Can anyone tell me is it okay if I use modal verbs after absolute phrases in the sentence as above?


texts:
I'm in the process of proofing an article that's about to be published, but I have a doubt I can't seem to solve or figure out, any advice would be appreciated.

The sentence currently is as follows:

"The Crucifixion in manuscript A and in manuscript B does not appear to be based on the model followed in manuscript C"

I think the verb should actually be "do" rather than "does".

For I'm effectively implying the subject "Crucifixion" after and so I am really talking about two images of the Crucifixion: one in manuscript A the other in manuscript B. Can I do this? In other words, should I rather write:

1) "The Crucifixion in manuscript A and the Crucifixion in manuscript B do not seem to be based on the model followed in manuscript C"

or

2) "The Crucifixion in manuscript A and in manuscript B does not appear to be based on the model followed in manuscript C"

3) "The Crucifixion in manuscript A and in manuscript B do not appear to be based on the model followed in manuscript C"

Are 1, 2, and 3 all acceptable (though 2 is clearly a bit redundant)?

Thank you! Really can't get my head around this!!


texts: "We just are diligent“ VS "We are just diligent"

texts:
"We just are diligent, and we'll continue to do so."

I saw this sentence quoted by this article. "We just are diligent" looks unusual to me. I normally see "We are just diligent" instead. So, is there a nuance?


texts: Words that mean ''to do or say something unexpectedly''?

texts: What words are there that can mean you are doing or saying something unexpectedly?


texts:
Can we say ...

  "Do you know who is he?"

To me, it sounds very unnatural and grammatically incorrect.
Though, I think we can say ...

  "Do you know? Who is he?"

in conversation.

Is that right?


texts:
I'm wondering are both of the variants correct?

Have you been waiting for me for a long time? / Have you been waiting for me long?
Have you fought again? (the result isn't visible at all) / Have you been fighting again? (it is obvious, e.g.: there are broken table and vase)
How long has your foot been hurting? / How long has your foot been hurting you?

I would like to know you point of view on both of them, but especially on the second one. I'm not a native so don't be mad at me is something is too explicit to be explained.


texts:
Could you tell me if I need to use a comma before rather than in the following sentences?

This tablet comes in grey(,) rather than in gold.
I prefer to take the bus to work(,) rather than going by car.

I'm cofused because I've seen similar sentences with and without a comma before rather than. I'd like to know the logic behing using a coma and not using it before rather than.


texts:
I want a look (at sth)
I want to have a look (at sth)

I would think both of the sentences above have negligible nuances. But option 2 seems to be more common (according to google ngram) despite being longer to say. Why is that the case?

Also:

I want a closer look...
I want to have a closer look...

Seem to be much more comparable in popularity, with 3 having more entries than 4. Can this be attributed to difference in degrees of formality?


texts: "a number from range [0, 10]" vs. "a number from the range [0, 10]"

texts:
Do we need any article before "range":

  a number from range [0, 10]

  a number from the range [0, 10]


texts: Is it okay to say 'What's it like for them'?

texts:
Let's imagine I want to ask someone how do they feel about some situation or how do they live after something happened or even asking for opinion of some thing? Can I ask the question "What is it like for them?" or there are some better options to ask it?

In Russian we can ask something like 'Каково это для них?'.


texts: What can I use as synonymous for "related" in this context?

texts:
What can I use as synonymous for the word related in this sentence?
Can I use in the event of as synonymous for in case?

  Next, the value of the mac variable is tested to know when the system has to delete the related (relevant) data from the database in case (in the event or on condition) the route and direction were detected by the WiFi AP


texts:
Is the following phrase is ok to be used :

I have been doing this for five years (consistently /successively)


texts:
I don't understand what type of sentence is this. Is "and"  a coordinating conjunction here?
Is it a sentence with two relative clauses?

  "This is the reflection of who you are and who you have become despite all of those experiences."


texts: Is it wrong for John to say “This is John”?

texts:
When I was preparing for an interview with my teacher, I used to introduce

  Myself Swapnil

so she told me it's wrong. We can't say 'Myself'. But I was watching a show and an artist introduced him as "This is John". Is it also wrong as well as 'Myself'?


texts: Difference between ''distinct'' and '' distinctive''

texts:
The male bird has distinctive white markets on its head.

According to Oxford Advanced Learner's English-Chinese Dictionary 7th Edition, page 580, the word distinct has the meaning of ''easily or clearly heard, seen, felt, etc. ''

while the word ''distinctive'' has the meaning of ''having a quality or characteristic that makes something different and easily noticed''

Could I use distinct in that sentence above, if they are interchangeable in that case, would there be any difference in its meaning ?

There is also another example from the dictionary that makes me confused:

  There was a distinct smell of gas.

and I also found a sentence from  English language and usage written as :

  ...from somewhere nearby came the distinctive smell of new rubber.

Which sentence would be right ?


texts:
Could anyone please explain the differences between the following sentences and tell me whether they are correct or not.

  I want this job to be done within three days.

  I want this job to have done within three days.


texts:
Often when describing art, I'm looking for a way to draw a connection with an emotional theme. Are these some of the ways to do that and are there any common alternatives?

This movie hits a lot of the tones...
This movie hits a lot of the strings...
The colors are supposed to remind...
 ….….…...of the [taoist philosophy].


texts: Why Thomas Howard thinks Ambassdor is referring "him" to idiot?

texts:
Thomas Howard and Ambassdor are talking to each other:

  Ambassdor: His Majesty has also heard a rumor.

  Thomas Howard: The world is filled with rumors, Monsignor.

  Ambassdor: That Your Grace has made contact with Mary of Scots to
  promote your ambitions. Even that you mean to marry her.

  Thomas Howard: Do you suppose me an idiot? Your master is the most
  powerful man in the world. I would not cross him for my life.

What is the offense in Ambassdor's words?


texts: "in terms of the number" or "in terms of number"?

texts:
I once heard of that the article "the" can be omitted after "of".

So which sentence should I choose,

  "in terms of the number of something" or "in terms of number of something"?

At the same time, I know that it's incorrect to say

  "an expression for number of something".

It have to be

  "an expression for the number of something".

For example,

  "We derive an expression for the number of the mean value".

What's the difference between "the" after "of" and  after "for"? Why?


texts: What is correct? "Helps me get ready" or "Helps me getting ready"

texts:
"Helps me get ready" or "Helps me getting ready"

I just had this discussion recently, and online resources have been unable to provide the answer. I am aware that it is possible that neither is correct, so in that case, how do you say it?


texts: Why is there a comma before "my friends" in this sentence?

texts:
In the sentence below, why is "my friends" set off with a comma?

  “It is a great misfortune to be alone, my friends; and it must be believed that solitude can quickly destroy reason.”
  ― Jules Verne, The Mysterious Island

How do you explain this grammatically?


texts:
When we are talking about these things, we have to understand. ..
If we are talking about these things, we ...

Is it possible to use a Present Continuous in this context after "When" and "If" ?
Is it grammatically correct


texts: What is the difference between ‘ swam on’ and ‘swam’?

texts:
After it had passed, they swam on as quickly as they could because they knew that the boat would soon return.

Can I replace ‘swam on’ with ‘swam’? What is the difference between ‘swam on’ and ‘swam’?


texts: What was the last thing you bought? - how to understand what time to use

texts:
Is there a some sort of sequences of tenses in the question: What was the last thing you bought?

And why it is correct? Why not use Perfect: What was the last thing you have(or had) bought?

Is it because of sequences of tenses? I think in the following way - because of someone asks about the completed action, so Perfect would fits better..


texts:
For instance, why the word up in call up a friend? Why not say call on a friend or call in a friend?

why is this sentence correct? where is the verb?


texts:
I have heard both variant used:

I insist on that he does his homework now.
I insist that he does his homework now.

Which is correct?

Is the following sentence without prepositions grammatical?

I insist he does his homework now.


texts: What to use :who or whom in this context

texts:
He is the first person who/whom I know has ever been to Africa.

which relative pronoun works in this context and why?


texts: As titled, for example if we say "Excuse me for any faux pas" to a client, is it considered formal?


texts:
‘The world corrupts me, I think. Or perhaps it's just the weather. It
  pulls me down and makes me think like you, that one should shrink
  inside, down and down to a little point of light, preserving one's
  solitary soul like a flame under a glass.

  — Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

All I can reasonably visualize is something like the picture below. Am I right? If I am right, why use "under" when a flame is "in" a glass?


texts: the most fashionable inner-city coffee shops?

texts:
Does the word inner-city sound natural in the following?

  Turmeric drinks became popular in the West when customers began to request turmeric lattes at the most fashionable inner-city coffee shops.

I know it's grammatical, but does the image of "inner-city" clash with "fashionable"?

I found the sentence in an EFL magazine published in Taiwan.


texts: "doing something, I did something" or "in doing something, I did something"?

texts:
Tell me please what the difference is between the following sentences.

  Trying to lift the weight, I injured my back.

  In trying to lift the weight, I injured my back.


texts:
(In a geriatric hospital, someone who seems to be a staff was playing a curling with an old woman who seems to be a patient in the hospital.)

  A staff : You suck, Gertrude.

  An old woman patient : You suck.

  A staff : Yeah, I suck so bad I just skunked you. Which means, you gotta eat your pills.
             It's not my fault you got no game.

Question 1. To me, "you suck" sounds very very rude in this situation.
I guess "You suck" is the vulgar way to say "You are terrible at something(in this case "playing game") Right?
I want to know if while playing something like a game, they may say this to even older adults? Does sound natural to you English-native speaker?

Question 2. He said "you got no game". What does game mean in this?
"Score"? or "ability of game" or "luck of the game"? Which one?


texts: English word combination to translate a Persian poetic word “DelGard”

texts:
I’m looking for one word or a two English word combination to translate one Persian poetic word DelGard - Del meaning Heart and Gard meaning Wanderer. I couldnt find anything in dictionary. This word is a poetic word, hard to get the equivalent in English.
Are the following expressions correct:

Heart Rover
Heart traveller
Heart Wanderer
Heart Vagrant
Heart Drifter

The word DelGard is alliteration to the word VelGard meaning a homeless, traveller, vagrant or vagabond. The word DelGard in Persian describes a person who is roaming around, and who has no home, travel from place to place based on the wisdom of his/her heart, he/she is the seeker of love and follows his/her intuition or heart (in positive sense). Heart is symbol of pure love which unites human souls.


texts: What is the meaning of "at once" in this sentence?

texts:
I read a sentence in a chapter(The ghat of the only World) which was:

  His voice was like none I had ever heard before, at once lyrical and fiercely disciplined, engaged and yet deeply inward.

"At once" as an adverb means "immediately". So, which context has it been used here in?


texts:
They submitted the bis in good time.

This is an example sentence from the Free Dictionary. "Bis" doesn't appear to be a noun in any of the dictionaries I have consulted. Google gives the Bank for International Settlements, which doesn't seem likely either. What could it mean here?


texts:
how to express thank you to someone repeatdly help me?
For example, a man frequently try to give some help to me so many times.
or my neighbor try to share/give their food to me.
So can I say "Thank you all the time"
Do you have a better idea or something natural in America?


texts: "promissory note", "bill of exchange" or "note payable"?

texts:
"promissory note", "bill of exchange", "note payable" - many dictionaries present these terms as interchangeable. Wikipedia doesn't contain an article on "bill of exchange".

Is there any explanation as to when or in what situation or context I should use each one of those three terms?


texts:
it sounds like a narrator is speaking

  if you're
  comparing five things and you find four
  of them share a pattern. don't talk about
  each of them individually, put all four
  into one lump group. These four countries
  from the West are all increasing their
  military spending, the one country in the
  South is decreasing.

The transcript gives "one lump group", which does not make sense.

I can't hear the "one lump group" part clearly, could some help to listen it?


texts: In the names of letters, the e is predominant: ef, em, el, es. Why is R different? Why ar instead of er?


texts: I can't get the right answer between live or living on a test

texts:
Living with a foreign family can be a good way to learn a language.

or

  Live with a foreign family can be a good way to learn a language.


texts:
Choose the correct alternative

  Had we been alone we would have contented ourselves with any plain
  food that give us strength
  (1) that gives us strength

  (2) that gave us strength

According to the book, (1) is the right choice claiming that it's a universal truth. I think (2) is the right choice. I am confused over this, please help.


texts: "educational and communication opportunities"

texts:
Is it fine to say

The Internet provides many educational and communication opportunities to us.

My concern is that "communication" is a noun, and "educational" is an adjective.  Should I use some adjective form of "communication", and what is that?

What would you say instead, if you have a better way?

Thanks!


texts: I've been waiting for her for some time now

texts:
I was waiting for someone and a friend called me and asked where I was. I said:
"I've been waiting for someone in a restaurant for some time now."
Does it mean 'a fairly long time' depending on the context? I mean in my context people consider half an hour to one hour a very long time to wait in a restaurant, but it's totally different for an airport.
Or can it be used even when talking about a short period of time?


texts: mentions vs mentioned verb tense when summarizing news article

texts:
Which of one of the following sentences is correct?

Last week I read a news article that mentions how human activities are causing global warming.
Last week I read a news article that mentioned how human activities are causing global warming.


texts:
He is an amazing singer, so much so that he won first place in the competition last year.

  He is an amazing singer, so much that he won first place in the competition last year.

The former sounds more correct to my ears, but I've heard a teacher of mine speak the latter version quite often. The internet provides me with numerous examples in which "so much so" is used so I am convinced of the former's correctness, but is the latter version also correct in its own right?

And would that verdict extend to related constructions such as "very much so" and "very much" (e.g. "It was very much so the case." vs. "It was very much the case.")?


texts: Examining some elliptical structures - Part V

texts:
After reading the comments and answer for this post, I have realized that the best (and/or maybe the only) way to master elliptical structure is seeing and examining more examples in this subject.

I have seen that in some elliptical sentences the elided material can precede its antecedent, for example

  The student who wanted to answer the question did answer the question .

  The student who wanted to answer the question did answer the question .

(Please note that the elided words are indicated with subscripts.)

Can any one tell me whether such a form (i.e., letting the ellipsis precede its antecedent) is appropriate for formal writing? If so, under what circumstances can one apply it in elliptical structures?


texts:
I have some question about present continuous.
My text book was written like this.
The present continuous is used that sometimes the action is not happening at the time of speaking.
For example, Steve is talking to a friend on the phone. He says.
I'm reading a really good book at the moment. It's about a man who...

Steve is not reading a book at the time of speaking.

at here, I don't understand the usage.
How can I understand as to this usages?
What does this implies ?
Just it emphasis? Or just boast of himself?

Actually I can't understand when do I use this usages?

for another example,
Kate wants to work Italy, so she is learning Italian.(but perhaps she isn't learning Italian at the time of speaking)
Ok. Then what does it want to expression?
Why this sentence used by -ing ?


texts: What does 'less' mean in this "less any liabilities" context?

texts:
In both cases, the per-share dollar amount of the fund is calculated by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of fund shares outstanding.

Quoted from http://www.investopedia.com/terms/n/nav.asp


texts: Can I use 'monarch-appointed' as a compound adjective (for example, 'a monarch-appointed prime-minister')?

texts: I want to refrain from using an adjectival phrase because I would prefer to avoid any confusion ('Governorate-generals were headed by governors-general appointed by monarchs whose job was to keep an eye on governors under their supervision,' it's not clear whether it was monarchs' or governors-general's job).


texts: What is the rule of boiling hot and freezing cold in a sentence?

texts:
Boiling hot, freezing cold, soaking wet and etc are adjective+adjective. So they are compound adjectives. Am I right? Wiktionary says they are idiomatic but I cannot get what is idiomatic? There is also pouring rain that is verb+noun. What is this compound word called too?

Edit: My teacher says boiling in boiling hot act as an adverb. Also he says pouring rain is a set phrase in the following example:

I walked home in the pouring rain and I got soaking wet.


texts: What to call "a T-shirt without sleeves"?

texts:
T-shirt: an informal shirt with short sleeves and no collar or buttons, or just a few buttons at the top

But, what to call "a T-shirt without sleeves" like this:

Some say "muscle Ts" or vest

  [vest] 1 /vest/ ●●○ noun [countable]

  1 British English a piece of underwear without sleeves that you wear
  on the top half of your body SYN undershirt American English

But a child can wear a vest when they go out.


texts:
Do I need to treat the phrase "I recently heard that" as a reported speech?

  "I recently heard that you went to Paris in 2000."

I'm not sure if this phrase can be completed by using simple past since I'm referencing a specific time (2000), or if this phrase should be treated as a reported speech and therefore be completed with past perfect, like this:

  I recently heard that you had gone to Paris in 2000."

It seems like I can treat this phrase as a reported speech because I am talking about something I heard from someone, but I'm not sure which sentence is more grammatically correct and sounds more natural.


texts:
I have a hard time telling those phrases apart. "Something/someone proves to be" and "something/someone be proved to be"

  1- After 10 years in jail he was proved to be innocent.

  2- After 10 years in jail he proved to be innocent.

  3- After the biopsy result her nodule has been proved to be harmless.

  4- After the biopsy result her nodule has proved to be harmless.


texts:
I came across the sentence

  Environmental considerations and Australia’s absorptive capacity are
  conspicuously absent, as is the investment infrastructure required
  to provide services to the growing population.

Could it have been

  Environmental considerations and Australia’s absorptive capacity are
  conspicuously absent, as the investment infrastructure is required to
  provide services to the growing population?

Why is this grammar construction used here?


texts: "I have always wanted this book" vs. "I had always wanted this book" in context

texts:
Let's don't have a particular, but I really want it. Now it's my birthday and my friend gives it to me as a present. Which tense do I use in this context to say that I wanted this book for a long time: the present perfect or past perfect? For example:

Friend: Here is what I got for you.
Me: Wow! I have always wanted this book. / Wow! I had always wanted this book.

I think it should be I had always wanted this book because my friend has given it to me and the fact that always wanted is in the past. Tell me please if my logic is right.


texts: Place of adjective Place in the sentence

texts:
There is a long Neva River in Saint Petersburg.

Is it correct to put this adjective (long) this way?


texts: Words to say about someone being almost the same age as you are

texts:
Seeking the alternatives to saying about someone that he is almost the same age as I am, I came across the words agemate and batchmate.

In the Russian language, there are several one-word terms to tell about a person born around the year you were born:

ровесник -- approximately of the same age with you;

одногодок -- born in the same year,

погодок -- born a year or so before or after you were born,

одноклассник -- the one who were with you in the same grade at school,

однокашник -- college/university mate who entered the educational institution in the same year you did it (the usual age to begin a higher education being 17-19 years old), and a few more terms.

Could the native English speakers answer me if there are the English words to match their Russian equivalents I tried to define in English?

Also, about the two words I mentioned in the beginning of the post:

Are they really in use?

In your culture, what would be the maximal age difference between the persons to say that they are agemates?


texts: I am rewriting existing documentation and there is a photo of mobile device with an arrow to micro-USB port and a description "Supply Micro USB". Another arrow is titled "Supply indicator". I do not like this description. Is it correct or not? I know a term "power supply" but I would prefer "Charge". What would native speaker use?


texts: Can every conjunction and conjunctive adverb be used in participial constructions?

texts:
Can every conjunction and conjunctive adverb be used in participial constructions？ Are the following sentences correct?

I am asking about the words such as, when, while, because, though, since, although, once, as, and, or, etc.

  Talking with my friends, I always release my stress.
    => When I talk with my friends... or when talking with my friend...

  Once seeing you, I feel quite guilty.
  => Once I see you...

  Although hating to go with his girlfriend for shopping, he still gives in to her every time.
  => Although he hates to go with his girlfriend...

When can I delete the connective adverbs or conjunctions?
Such as:

  Because leading a rural life, I often go other places by bicycle.

  As listening to the music carefully, you will be impressed by its melody.
  (I want this "as" to mean "when")

Or

  Leading a rural life, I often go other places by bicycle.

  Listening to the music, you will be impressed by its melody.

Do they have any difference？


texts:
I want to ask a question with meaning: Maybe we can do something about it? Or it's impossible too?

Will be this question "or it's impossible too?" correct?


texts:
Wally: I worked every night for a month to come up with a detailed quote for one of our potential customers.

Dilbert: Then those weasels used our quote to get a better price from their regular vendor!

Dilbert: Did you really do all of that work?

Wally: No, but it nets out the same.

What does the phrase nets out mean in this context?


texts: What is a non-prime number greater than 1 called in English?

texts:
I know that this a math question, but as it is really a very basic math concept I think any English user would know it, and it must be more related to English than knowing the math.

We call a number that is greater than 1 and is only divisible by 1 and itself, a prime number. What is a non-prime number greater than 1 called?


texts: Is it correct to use "similar" in "the sound should be similar to the form"?

texts:
From my English lexicology textbook:

  Logically the written form should agree with the oral form. In other words, the sound should be similar to the form. This is fairly true of English in its earliest stage...

"Sound" and "form" are two very different things so saying they are similar sounds unnatural to me. I'm not sure if this usage is correct.


texts:
In the voluminous study of Adolf Hitler, the emphasis has understandably been on the twelve harrowing years of the Third Reich, 1933 to 1945.

Is it OK that the noun "study" is in the singular. The more logic it seems to me using the plural. There are plenty of books about Hitler, not just one as the sentence suggests. I would understand using singular if there would be referred to one particular study in the form of a footnote. But it is not this case.


texts: Why "THE classroom" in this paragraph? It doesn't seem to refer to a particular classroom

texts:
The importance of global media appears to increase year after year, so
  much so there have been calls to introduce news channels into the
  classroom.

The words above start a sample essay said to be error-free.  Is the usage of the correct before classroom? It's clear that classroom doesn't refer to a particular one, so how can this usage be right?

[plus, any comprehensive reference on articles is highly welcome.]


texts: Why is “I have learnt English since 2 years” incorrect?

texts:
Or maybe better phrased as “I have been learning English since 2 years”. I took the example sentence from For - Since English Grammar Rules. From Dan’s answer I learnt that “learnt” is not short for “been learning”. It is interesting that it is used as an example of a correct sentence on the linked page.

The sentence should be “I have been learning English for 2 years”. As a native English speaker without an in depth understanding of how grammar rules work beyond “it doesn’t sound right”, I was wondering if there is an easy to understand explanation for what (and how) grammar rules should be applied when differentiating between “for” and “since” to describe how long something has been happening. I think StoneyB's answer to Proper usage of the word since largely answers this but I would like to know a little more about what the present perfect is and how it relates to this sentence construction.

As I seem to frequently encounter this confusion with ESL speakers, I was wondering is this a peculiarity of the English language that makes it difficult to translate? Is the grammar differences caused by the lack of a conceptual difference between “for” and “since” in other languages rather than just choosing the wrong dictionary word? If so, what is the best way to explain this?


texts: How to avoid answering "No problem" when receiving thanks?

texts: I mostly say "no problem" when I do something and people thank me. I read somewhere that this is not always correct as it shows like I spent no effort which is not always the case and sometimes it's very the opposite. I was advised I should be saying "always welcome" and "glad to help". But it still not appropriate in some cases (for example, when it's the boss who thanks me I don't think I should be saying that). What could be other possible answers in such situation? The more variants the better because I feel like I am reusing the same sentences over and over.


texts: "Which is the best reason" vs "which the best reason is"

texts:
I was recently asked to decide:

  Which the best reason is for people to do exercise.

Momentarily, I stopped in my tracks, I felt I should have been asked:

  Which is the best reason for people to do exercise.

..for no other reason than that it sounds more natural.

Is there an issue with word order in the first sentence?


texts:
By the time they reach the station the train would have/ will have left.

Since it's a future action, we should be using 'will have'.

But since 'would' can also be used as a modal verb to indicate a conditional mood, 'would have' also sounds good to me, as the one who is saying cannot be completely sure of the time of the train's departure.

Please clarify.


texts: Problems occurring or occurring problems?

texts:
We should solve the problems occurring in this pandemic.

  We should solve the occurring problems in this pandemic.

Which sentences is grammatically correct and why it is?


texts: Can any one explain me the below phrase that contains 'too sees' what does that mean?

texts:
10th day of winter session too sees ruckus over demonetisation move.
  From: The Hindu, National News, November 30th

What does this mean "too sees"? I didn't understand this phrase.


texts: "For" vs "in": which will be correct to use?

texts:
Context:

  Good luck "in" your future endeavors.
  Good luck "for" your future endeavors.

So which is right grammatically?

They are both on the internet. I am confused!!!!


texts: Can prepositional phrases describe how something is after action?

texts: Can “a dog yelled at me out of the place” describe a dog yelled at me and after then, I ran out of the place like “a dog hurt me woundedly” describes a dog attacked me and after then, I was wounded with infection?


texts:
I have this question about this:

  For the second time in the series, Bumgarner outpitched James Shields, although this time Shields put up something of a fight. A pair of early runs, scrounged together with the typical plodding, base-at-a-time attack of the Giants, were all Bumgarner required.  Nearing the end of October (and, likely, his time with the Royals), Shields had been cast into the difficult position of tending to mechanical and strategic adjustments between starts. His regular season ERA – 3.77 – had grown to 7.11 in four postseason starts. Opposing hitters had batted .337. The Royals had, often enough, won around him, in spite of him, a reality that contrasted with the notion that held Shields as the club’s go-to starter.

What is "cast into a position"?  Is it similar to theater casting of actors?


texts: What's the difference between a stall and a stand?

texts:
I'd like to know the difference between the two.
I guess a stand is fixed to the place and sells something like newspapers and drinks, and a stall is not fixed to the place and temporary.
Is my understanding correct?


texts: Is the sentence below right? Does it sound idiomatic?

texts:
My friend said
I'm with you

I replied

What do I do of you? (Does it sound right)

It means what good does being with you do me.


texts: Shortened verbs with remaining preposition

texts:
What would be the explanation for using "to" after "wants" in this sentence and overall?

  If you want to send a message without anybody being able to listen in
  on it, there are two basic ways of doing this:

  have a secure channel
  send the message on the open air, but disguise it

  We’ll consider the second approach to this, so we’ll assume that anybody who wants to
  can see the message.


texts:
The United States spends a paltry $1.35 per person per year on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, despite polling that indicates that Public Broadcasting Service television programming is more trusted than that of its for-profit, private competitors.

can that of replaced by polling that indicates?


texts:
I came across this phrase on a website

Show me a husband who won't, I'll show you a neighbor who will

I could not grasp the meaning.
If it is widespread among English speakers, would anyone explain the phrase ?


texts:
Where do me and you stand?

In the aforementioned sentence the pronoun 'me' used as subject doesn't seem to fit best; I mean, the problem that I see is that:

The speaker should keep himself after the one he's talking to.
The pronoun 'I' should be there.

So, in my opinion, the sentence should read:

  Where do you and I stand?

Is my position correct?


texts: Question about difference of getween "lane" and "line"

texts:
Left turns–To make a left turn, drive close to the center divider line or into the left turn lane. Begin signaling about 100 feet before the turn. Look over your left shoulder and reduce your speed. Stop behind the limit line. Look left, then right, then left again, and make the turn when it is safe. When you turn left, do not turn too soon and “cut the corner” of the lane belonging to the vehicles coming towards you.

I would also be greatful if you could tell me what a "center divider line" is?


texts:
Which of the following sentences is more natural or normal, is there any difference?

  Currently, there are powerful query languages for XML.
  Currently, powerful query languages exist for XML.

What are the other alternatives?


texts: Do we say "He roared his motorbike noisily to show people that how cool he is"?

texts:
There are some young people with low self-esteem, they often speed up their motorbikes suddenly make a deep, very loud noise and to show off or to get attention.

Can we use the verb "roar" to express that?

  roar 4 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a vehicle roars
  somewhere, it moves very quickly and noisily

  The car roared off down the road.

So we say "His motorbike roared off down the road." but the verb is an intransitive and not a transitive verb.

can we say "He roared his motorbike noisily to show people that how cool he is"?

or are there any other ways to express it?


texts: What do you call a movie with the same name in the same franchise, but not a direct sequel and set in a different universe or timeline? Like there are movies that are numbered, but where the second or third one feature different characters and who have no relation to the characters of the previous movie. What do you call these types of sequels?


texts: past simple or past perfect with an if sentence

texts:
I would not worry if the parcel was sent or had been sent surface , but you told me it had been sent airmail

I think the first one is very close to this "if I was rich , I would be happy". BUT as the parcel has already been sent and the action is completed,  the "had been"may be a better choice


texts:
My siblings and I are watching some Turkish drama on TV and after a scene of a heated discussion, my sister said this:

Yay! They are not on her side.

Then our mother said:

IN her side.

So I'm kinda curious which one is right. "In her side" or "on her side"?


texts: Does anyone know what "Did Mama give me what for." mean?  I think it might be a saying from Louisiana. I read this in a book.  It was discussing how a mother would get upset when her daughter misbehaved.


texts:
Seen  from  this  perspective,  the  tension  in  chapter  five  dissolves, but Mill is scarcely out of the woods because much then
  turns on the determination of relevant harm.

  The Moral Foundation of Politics by Ian Shapiro [pp. 62]

For this sentence I have got some questions:

What does much refer to? (woods?)
What does then means? Just what it says or taken with "much" like much then?
And most importantly: What does turns on means?


texts:
In an interview with Craig Ferguson (CF) at The (now late) Late Late Show, Billy Connolly (BC) says https://youtu.be/wkqkpvA7Oq0?t=8m24s

  BC: So now they're all gathering on Princess Street in Edinburgh, outside.
  ...
  BC: Freezing a bejesus off you.
  CF: You can't say that...
  ...
  BC: I said "Bejesus!"
  ...
  BC: It's like "Bed, bath and bejesus"

As I understand "bejesus" is usually used make an emphasis, so that Freezing a bejesus off you would mean something like "It's damm cold."
But I can't understand the meaning of the last It's like "Bed, bath and bejesus."

What does it mean?


texts:
I'm writing a description on my resume. Which sentence is correct, or more correct?

  Licensed Master Social Worker assisting low-income, diverse students access higher education.

  Licensed Master Social Worker assisting low-income, diverse students to access higher education.

  Licensed Master Social Worker assisting low-income, diverse students access to  higher education.


texts: request for A to B or request to B for A?

texts:
Seems like request for A to B is correct, based on my Google search. But is request to B for A also correct?

For example,

I requested for the picture to John
I requested to John for the picture

If the second form is wrong as it is, would it be correct if it is changed to "I sent a request to John for the picture?"


texts:
I'm doubtful as to whether these two sentences are correct.

  I wasn't able to ride a bike until I was 20.

  I was able to ride a bike until I was 20.

My suspicion is that only the first sentence is correct, but I don't know why the second should be wrong. However, I feel that the second will be better with past perfect in place of simple past:

  I had been able to ride a bike until I was 20.


texts: During colloquial conversation, what is the difference between calling people first name and last name?

texts: During colloquial conversation, what is the difference between calling one first name or last name? I assume one if colloquial and one is more formal but not sure. Thank you very much!


texts:
I can't quite understand what does "reflects judgement" mean in here. is it equivalent to " Help judgement" ?

  Further, in the absence of failure data, bayesian models consider that
  the model parameters have a prior distribution, which reflects
  judgement on the unknown data based on history e.g. a prior version
  and perhaps expert opinion about the software.


texts: Sentence order for a question in future tense

texts:
I just wonder about correct sentence order for a question in future tense.

Where will the terminals be operated?
Where will be the terminals operated?
Where the terminals will be operated?


texts: What is the difference between 'to be able' and 'to be capable'?

texts:
What should I use in a good sense or not to show negative impact ?

  I am not able to do that.

or

  I am not capable to do that.


texts:
I wrote:

  For example, to extract the price field from a product and save it as a distinct XML node inside the product’s node, an appropriate pattern can be defined using the “price” handle and the “Self” option where its parent pattern is set to the “Products” pattern.

I have seen patterns like "There is X and Y, where X is ....". But in my case it is like "There is X and Y, where W is the ...". Is where applicable even if the clause after it has no reference to the other details?
What is the grammatical role of "where" here?

However, in my sentence its parent pattern means the parent of the pattern that is defined in this way (by using "price" handle and "Self" option.

Are there other ways so I can add the detail shown in bold?


texts: The meaning of " He managed to cling on to a ledge 40ft down the rock face..."

texts:
I have looked up "down" in the Collins Dictionary. There is one example which makes me confused:

  He managed to cling on to a ledge 40ft down the rock face...

What does rock face and ledge mean? I haven't climbed the rock before , so I have no concept of these two words.Can you find a photo which can illustrate them?


texts: "Shall" versus "will" for the first person

texts:
When I studied English, I was taught that shall is used to express the future tense for the first person (singular, or plural), and will is used for the same purpose in the other cases.

When I look for shall on the NOAD, I read the following sentence, in a note about the usage of shall:

  In practice, however, shall and will are today used more or less interchangeably in statements (although not in questions).

Does that mean shall and will are used with almost the same meaning?

Does I shall return have the same meaning of I will return?


texts:
Are there any rules about when to say exist and when to say exists in mathematics? For example, both these sentences appear in a book of mine:

There exist αi in I such that xn = Σ αi xi.
There exists s'' in S such that s''(s'm – sm') = 0.

I'm a bit confused about when to use exist and when exists.


texts: What is the meaning and usage of "It may come to that."

texts:
Here is an example of the above expression.

A news reporter asked a female psychologist whether she believed Mr. Trump represented a threat to the survival of American society. Then she answered, "I wouldn’t be speaking up unless it rose to that level. It may come to that.”

Does she mean that the chance of her speaking up is high? Does this expression suggest her strong determination to come forward in public when she notices such a threat?


texts:
He looked at the disaster in his office and, without being aware of it, patted the pocket where he kept his cigars.

  He looked at the disaster in his office and [adverb] patted the pocket where he kept his cigars.

I'm looking for an adverb meaning "without being aware of doing" that would fit in the above sentence and make the two sentences mean the same thing both literal meaning-wise and connotation-wise.

More specifically, if the word has the correct meaning and connotations, then it should also do the same for the following sentences.

  She glanced at the children playing in the park and, without being aware of it, drew a smile.

  She glanced at the children playing in the park and [adverb] drew a smile.

Some possible choices I found so far but aren't quite satisfied with are:

Unconsciously (not quite satisfied with the connotation "without consciousness")
Unknowingly (not quite satisfied with the connotation "foolishly")
Unintentionally (not quite satisfied with the connotation "accidentally")
Instinctively (not satisfied with the connotation of "naturally/innately")

I would really appreciate any suggestions or counterpoints that could persuade me otherwise on the above three choices.
Thank you very much in advance.


texts: I want to say about shades of a color: «Yellow shades of honey and lemon are good». Is it semantically correct and clear? Should I put articles somewhere in the sentense?


texts: institution with a plural verb in British English

texts:
I'm wondering whether it's common for a subject referring to a business to go with a plural verb in British English.

For example, would it be natural to say "QuickStart Inc. are planning to expand into Europe"?

I'd appreciate your help.


texts: Can I say: "I'm the man who was there"? (changing from 1st to 3rd person)

texts:
In my language we can change the referring to a pronoun from 1st to 3rd simply by putting a relative pronouns, for example:

  "I am the man who was there"?

(I= 1st person. was=3rd person)

  "I am the man who takes it every day"

(I= 1st person. takes=3rd person)

  "I am the man who writes here answers"

(I= 1st person. writes=3rd person)

  "I am a man who likes to travel"

Are these type of sentences the same and correct in English?

If they are, then what is the name for that kind of sentence structure?


texts: "I like better the red hat" or "I like the red hat better?"

texts:
I've only seen "like better" with the object in between but is it correct to use the object after?

In other words:

I like this one better.

or

I like better this one.

Is only the first one proper/correct?


texts:
Why I asked a question like that? Well, because I came across many contexts where "caveats" is close in meaning to "rules" instead of "risks" or "warnings".

The goal here is to tell someone that "you should follow the rules", "stick with the rules", etc...

Here's an example:

  IDK-L33T is a powerful device that can abstracts away many complex tasks; However, there are few rules to follow here.

If we replace the "rules to follow here." part with "caveats to adhere.", will the former sentence still valid?

In fact, is "caveats to adhere" itself valid?

Thanks.


texts: Is “I was wanting to know” grammatically correct?

texts:
Is the following sentence grammatically correct:

  I was wanting to know if I could sent you a link.

It does not sound correct to me.


texts: Is it OK to use an Effect/Result transition word after hypotheses/assumptions?

texts:
The natural response to being asked about stimuli presented before might be to think about the first previous stimulus. Therefore responding to a 2-back task might require response inhibition.

The conclusion I made is valid if we take the previous sentence as true, however the first sentence is just an idea/hypothesis about what might be true. Is it OK to use an effect/result transition word(e.g. therefore, consequently, hence) here or should you explicitly state something like "If we take the the assumptions in the previous sentence as true then...".


texts: I have a question about whether "I didn't have no plans" is correct or not, since I think that it's a double negation and therefore not correct, so it should be "I didn't have any plans". However, I'm not sure if it's really wrong.