texts:
My tutor is a native American English speaker, and I'm learning pronunciation and accent from him.

I've practiced with him for one and a half hours today to make my J and Z sounds correct.

[I'm also having a trouble with R and L sounds.  If R and L is the first consonant of the word - for example, look, room, love, risk - I have no trouble, but, when they come in the middle of the word, for example also, I can't make sounds correctly. I say also like arso. But I will try to ask about this in another post]

To sum up, please tell me how to make J and Z sounds correct. I can make the J sound correct. The problem is that I make J sound even when I should make Z sound.

My tutor told me the tip is to narrow the space between upper lip and lower lip and try to keep my tongue in the middle of my mouth and just in front of the space between two lips and try to pump out the air from the throat.

Still, I'm having a hard time. I really want to master J and Z sounds!

I need your help.


texts: Did + definite time in past . "Did you take your medicine this morning?"

texts:
My understanding is that when we say "this morning", it refers to a definite time in the past.

If yes, then, "did you take your medicine this morning?" , is the correct question.

If no, then, it should be "have you taken the medicine this morning?".

Or can they be interchanged without any impact on the meaning?

Does "this morning" implies to a definite time in the past?


texts:
So, are they possible if I use "have to" in progressive tenses?

For examples:

  A. She is having to take care of her.

  B. She was having to have a bath.

  C. She will be having to walk to her school.

  D. You can make a call without having to wait for a long time.

  E. You can remove car dents without having to repaint.


texts: Ways to ask about the time remaining before something is ready

texts:
My friend is cooking food. I asked her if it's already ready and she said that it's not ready yet. Now I want to know how much time we have to wait until it'll be ready. What are the common ways to ask it?

Assuming my suggestions below are correct, are there more common choices?

  1) How long it's going to take until it'll be ready?

  2) How much time remain / left until it'll be ready?


texts: What is the meaning of "out of the way"?

texts:
Given this phrase:

  That's the most important part out of the way, but could I just ask you a few questions for a survey we're conducting?

Does it mean that it is just the most important part? Or it means we left the most important part behind? Or what actually? Thanks in advance.


texts: An expression or Idiom to describe feeling lost/ confused/ fuzzy?

texts: Can you recommend me any idioms or common-sense expressions for feeling lost/confused/fuzzy?   I had the idea to use "being stranded on an island" (cause we had this usage in my mother language). Does it fit? Any other suggestions?


texts:
When searching some sort of definitions on urban dictionary, I found a sentence; I'm confused by the phrasing on the website.

  At the end of the movie, when Jerry expresses his love in a long-winded speech to Dorothy, Dorothy's reply was the simple phrase: "You had me at hello." Source

In this case, why is it worded like Dorothy's reply was the simple phrase instead of using is in it.

Shouldn't the first half of sentence and second half of sentence be consistent?


texts:
Where would I insert an exclamation mark and a comma in the below sentence?

  "Look at that boy" he exclaimed.


texts: places in the video vs. places of the video

texts:
the following sentence is adapted from https://ell.stackexchange.com/a/249939/115654

  At several places in the video, the word 'two' sounds like /tjuː/

Could I use "of" there? Because those places are part of the video.

  At several places of the video


texts:
Cables used to get tangled in my foot.

is tangled in my foot idiomatic? If not, what's the better way?


texts:
When I'm near the end of my talk in explaining something, and I remember another (perhaps less important) point, can I continue my sentences like this: "not bad to  point out/mention/add  that..."?

I feel like it needs an "it's" in the beginning, but maybe it sound a bit formal that way. As I said i'm trying to say it while talking(not while writing). Do you know of any alternatives for that purpose? I thank you in advance for your answer.


texts:
Still learning about conditional statements, I'm now learning about Proofs in the same subject from here: How to make this hypothesis in a negative form?
It's given that I should rewrite the statements these ways, where P is the first half of the statement and Q is the other half:

A. P -> Q
B. Q -> P
C. P <-> Q

And the given statement is:

It is an eagle, it's a bird.

So after some rewriting, it is given that I should make a counterexample of the statements if they are false. Both B and C are false, so I have to rewrite it with some counterexample.
So I rewrote B as:

If it's a bird, then it could be an eagle.

As to the previous:

If it's a bird, then it's an eagle.

I'm not sure if my counterexample fits well with the example statement. What other ways can I write my counterexample?


texts: Is it correct to use the word "date" if you go out regularly with your boyfriend/girlfriend?

texts: Let's say you go out with your boyfriend/girlfriend three times a week, is it  correct to use the word date? Or another word is more appropriate?


texts: What do you call the state of being after orgasm that makes it impossible to continue?

texts: I was thinking of "sexual exhaustion", but it's not "sexual exhaustion" since you are not feeling exhausted after orgasm. Your sexual organs just get really sensitive. Is there a word or a term for this? I know it's a weird question, but to this day I have no idea if it has a word or a term.


texts: want to check my grammar before i send this to my recruiter

texts: Hope my training is confirmed, so I would like to know about my appoinment details , could you please let me know about it. (Is this polite or not please help me )


texts: Is it correct to say "solve a dilemma"? If "solve" is correct only in regard to a "problem," what verb would be used in regard to a "dilemma"?


texts:
In chapter 3 of Moby-Dick:

  The opposite wall of this entry was hung all over with a heathenish array of monstrous clubs and spears. ... one was sickle-shaped, with a vast handle sweeping round like the segments made in the new-mown grass by a long-armed mower.

Does it mean that the handle can be used to sweep the weapon like that?


texts: We warm / heat-up / or reheat bread that laid on the table from yesterday?

texts: I have a bread that's laid on the table from yesterday but it's neither cold nor hot, and I want it to become a little bit warm because I like it fresh. What's more fit in this context? Do I want to warm or to heat up or to  reheat the bread?


texts: "Back in 2000 for example" or "for example, back in 2000"

texts:
I think the second sentence sounds nicer, but I was always taught that time should be at the beginning. So, what's right?

Back in 2000 for example, I built a robot.
For example, back in 2000, I built a robot.


texts: What does this drop mean in "MongoDB Drops ACID"

texts:
title: MongoDB Drops ACID

https://www.mongodb.com/blog/post/multi-document-transactions-in-mongodb

  MongoDB 4.0 will add support for multi-document transactions, making it the only database to combine the speed, flexibility, and power of the document model with ACID data integrity guarantees. Through snapshot isolation, transactions provide a globally consistent view of data, and enforce all-or-nothing execution to maintain data integrity

I understand that drop means delete,remove??

drop here means support ??


texts: Why is it correct to say "I am having a party tomorrow" but not correct to say "I am having class tomorrow"?

texts:
Why is it correct use have in the present continuous tense when talking about parties but incorrect when talking about class. For example:

  I am having a party tomorrow.

  I have class tomorrow.

but not

  I am having class tomorrow”?


texts:
I am not sure about the words written in bold. What are the correct versions?

The letter from / of August 23, 1885 did not bring anything new.
The issue / number for / from / of January 15, 1892 of the Horseless Age shows a funny picture at/on page 12.
I have seen that plane in L'Aerophile / the Aerophile / the L'Aerophile for / from / of May 1/1st, 1906.

Do all publications need a "the" in front of their names even if they are in foreign languages and already have a definite article in front of the title or at the end like in "Filmul" where ul=the.


texts: Will, expressing certainty or confidence

texts:
Michael Swan's Practical English Usage 629.3 (hereafter, "PEU") says:

Will can express certainty or confidence about present or future situations.

As I'm sure you will understand, we cannot wait any longer for our order.

This example sounds awkward to me. As PEU indicates, here will expresses certainty about the present situation where you well understand the emergency. I think there is an ambiguity. It could also be interpreted as just a future auxiliary showing that you will understand the reason why it is now urgent some day in the future but not now.
Can I use must here to express my certainty? Or just omit will to maintain the intended meaning?


texts: How to explain that a pressure on a push-button has been removed?

texts:
I'm writing documentation for a behavior of a device which has a button. When the user presses the button, the machine transitions from the state A into state B.

After the user releases the pressure on the button, that is to say, the button is no longer in the state of being pressed, the device will transition from state B into state C.

Since English uses "depress" to describe both the action of pressing the button, and the opposite action, I'm not sure how can I clearly and succinctly describe the action of releasing the pressure on the button.

Note: If possible, I'd prefer to use a single word, instead of a longer phrase.


texts:
It was done yesterday.
It had been done yesterday.
Which one is correct?  Clarify the difference.


texts: What's pharse is common? "Just to entertain this ..." or "just for the sake of entertaining this ..."?

texts:
Which is more common? Or maybe they mean exactly the same so both are equally common?

Example sentence:

  Just to entertain/just for the sake of entertaining the fantasy of traveling to another country, he checked the prices of plane tickets
  on the Internet.


texts:
A student presented me this quiz question

  I am no longer satisfied with my job, and I would really like to find something more ______

    A) attracting     C) suited
    B) exhausting     D) challenging

Her answer was C) but the correct answer is D) for (so I rationalised) two reasons.

Firstly, the meaning of challenging fits better in the example sentence. The speaker seems to be bored and wants to find something more exciting and demanding to do. A job that will put his or her talents to the test. Moreover, a person can be suited to a job and still be unsatisfied. The second reason is that the adjective in C) should be changed to "suitable".

But I would like to know why suited would be grammatically wrong.

I believe that a job can be ‘suited to someone’ and ‘suitable for someone’. I don't see any significant  difference in meaning between the two; however, saying

“He'd like to find something more suited”
sounds wrong compared to
“He's like to find something more suitable.”
but I can't explain why.

As you can see below, both forms can take the comparative, yet I am certain that C) is also grammatically incorrect. But I can't explain why.

Oxford Dictionaries say

  suited ADJECTIVE
  1. [predicative] Right or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation.

  ‘the task is ideally suited to a computer’
  ‘the job is well suited to your abilities and experience’
  ‘Howard is naturally more suited than Latham to the debate format.’

and

  suitable ADJECTIVE
  Right or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation.

  ‘these toys are not suitable for children under five’
  ‘From this she can assess which skin areas to focus on and also whether the treatment is suitable.’
  ‘After all, what's more suitable than a nice pair of trainers to help you keep on running?’


texts:
What punctuation mark should I put after the word introduce (to emphasize, convey a pause),

  "Let me introduce (—/,/:) [name]"?

I would favor dash, but in English, it's used differently than in my native language (like a colon and other punctuation marks).


texts:
What does this As  As usually means in sentences, just like in this sentence;

  As awesome as some of those shows with Jane  were, they were nothing compared to Green Day last night

I mean, does "as ... as" adds "even if/although" meaning in this sentence? What does speaker meand and highlight in the context?

Honestly, I am lost. I'd be really appreciated if you explain it. :)


texts:
My English teacher taught me about usage of "the" in any sentence.
There was one thing which he taught that you have to use "the" with any nationality which ends with "sh", "se", "ss" and "ch"

E.g.

  She is the Polish.

  John is the Dutch.

If there is nationality which does not end with above four letters then we can use "a" or "an"

  He is an Indian.

I can't find anything on Google to support this and I also do not feel that we need to use articles in above sentences.

Can someone help me with this.


texts:
I have a question about the usage of the verb "administer" in this news article:

  In remarks shortly after her leadership was affirmed, May said her priorities will be to administer Britain's exit from the European Union, a move approved by voters last month, to unite the country and to create a "strong, new, positive vision for the future," not just for the privileged few, but for everyone.

According to dictionaries, one could:

  --administer an organization
  --administer a fund
  --administer an examination
  --administer an oath

But, the phrase "administer Britain's exit from the European Union" in the new article, does not fit dictionary definitions, as "Britain's exit" is neither an organization, nor a fund, nor an exam, nor an oath.

So, is it an poor usage of "administer" in the news article?


texts: The phrase "in the early morning, just after one" does not make sense to me

texts:
They had come to fire the house, their visit expected because they had
been before. On that occasion they had come later, in the early morning,
just after one. The sheepdogs had seen them off, but within a week the
dogs lay poisoned in the yard and Captain Gault knew that the intruders
would be back.

I think when we say "in the early morning" we mean for example 4 AM
In this context, is the meaning of "early morning" the start of the other day, which starts after 12 o'clock?
Source: The Story of Lucy Gault by William Trevor


texts:
The toxic level of water bottles isn't apparent to most people because they assume its/their plastic content is harmless.

The book from which I found this question says water bottles are the subject, but I think that toxic level is the subject. Hence, the correct answer should be its, not their.

Am I right?


texts: Meaning of "turn someone out" in context

texts:
It's from the fourth episode of the first season of Breaking Bad. Here it is:

Policeman: Anyway, say hello to
Domingo Gallardo Molina.
A.k.a. Krazy-8. Way smarter than your average cheese eater.
I turned him out when he was street level,
but this dude's like The Jeffersons,
moving on up.


texts: Is it correct to say A (which is made up of X+Y+Z) includes a wide range of X, such as m, n, o, p, etc.?

texts:
I am facing a technical problem with the following idea. According to many dictionaries, the word "include", when used, must not precede a complete list.

In my case, I have a "thing" called Support Measures, which has three components: (1) Employment Assistance Services (now this has several things: a, b, c, d, e, etc.), (2) Labour Market Programs, and (3) R&I.

This sentence is wrong: Support Measures include Employment Assistance Services, LMPs, and R&I.

This is correct: Support Measures comprise Employment Assistance Services, LMPs, and R&I.

Question: Is the following sentence correct (not mentioning LMPs and R&I, and using include to mention some of the elements of the first component)?

  Support Measures include a wide range of Employment Assistance Services, such as a, b, c, and d.

Will mention the two other components later in the paragraph as they are not important.


texts: X makes it look huge or makes it looks huge?

texts:
My issue with Kohinoor Black Watch is that the dial shape makes it look very huge on my skinny 6 and a quarter inch but Pratap's (a watch) curvature makes it look a bit more toned down.
Question - Should that be look or looks?
I'm 99% sure that I am using look correctly but when I read this sentence, there is this weird itch I feel. My English teacher in school taught me to read something out loud and it'd feel weird if it is wrong. It did work for 11 years. So, yeah


texts:
I have troubles using articles. I have not understood the algorithm when to use them. Could you review my older text and describe me, if an article is incorrectly used or omitted and why? Bold formatting is put where I think I missed some article.

I have developed and tested new web service. I used SoapUI for testing a local endpoint. Next step was to deploy the service into a/the testing environment. But suddenly I failed to connect to this endpoint. I was able to open its WSDL description in Firefox, but SoapUI failed with SSLPeerUnverifiedException: peer not authenticated. The setup was a network with a proxy and there was an Apache proxy translating URLs for the service.
There were many similar complaints on web but no solution. I tried many proposals like trusting the certificate (because StartCom is not trusted certification authority in Java) but nothing helped. Until I posted a question on StackOverflow. It lead me to the solution:
(Computer code solution follows)


texts:
While describing my past educational experience at a research university for BSc/MSc students, I sometimes have to write sentences such as

  The topics of my courses and seminars concerned mostly machine learning and artificial intelligence.

I'm wondering whether "seminar" is a particular kind of "course" in the US, and whether the sentence better sounds as follows in the US English:

  The topics of my lecture courses and seminars concerned mostly machine learning and artificial intelligence.

What terms (instead of "lecture course" and "seminar") would I use in the UK-English text? (I've read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Course_(education), but I have no trust in Wikipedia at all.)


texts: Which form (singular vs plural) should I use for a verb governed by a collective noun?

texts:
For context, let me clarify.  When giving ownership to a person, I
can use the ’s form of that person’s name.

This is Robert’s car.

When attributing ownership to two people or more, I can still add
a final ’s after their two (or more) first names together as a unit:

Those are Lucia and John’s cars, respectively.

Yet if I want to express ownership by people from the same family,
the ’s clitic now requires the plus their last name:

This is the Souza’s house.

So it’s safe to say that the followoed a family name always refers to
collective ownership by several people.

With that said, what if I want to know the quantity of objects owned
by a given family?  Do I use a singular verb because it’s one single
family taken as a whole, or do I use a plural verb because it’s
multiple individuals?

So should I go with a plural verb like this:

How many houses do the Souza have?

or with a singular verb like this:

How many houses does the Souza have?

I’ve got a feeling I should go with plural do because I’m referring
to more than one person (that is, to all the Souza family members),
but I’d like my hunch confirmed or disputed so that I can be certain
I’m doing this correctly.


texts: What does the preposition to mean here in the sentence?

texts:
We shall pilot several new cosmetic products to selected potential
  purchasers.

Does it emphasize that we shall test the cosmetic products for the selected purchasers? Or it emphasizes that the products are inteded to be sold to the purchasers?


texts: What does "getting lean on feelings" mean?

texts:
There's a scene in the movie Red Dawn:

After a skirmish in which two members of the group died:

  Jed Eckert : [after the deaths of Aardvark and Colonel Tanner]  It's kind of strange, isn't it? How the mountains pay us no attention at all. You laugh or you cry... The wind just keeps on blowing.

  Matt Eckert : You're getting pretty lean on feelings, aren't you?

  Jed Eckert : I can't afford them.

  Matt Eckert : Even if that had been me instead of Aardvark?

More script can be found here and here.

Given that one of the meanings of the adjective lean is "thin", does the line mean "You are becoming emaciated because of your feelings"?


texts: What does "anchor identity and hope" mean here?

texts:
I used this link: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/anchor_2

  Stories are deeply rooted in the human experience. It is through story that we can see into each other’s souls, and apprehend the soul of the organization. The stories that both individuals and organizations tell about themselves anchor identity and hope.

Source.


texts: Which one is correct? My teacher is too tired to explain vs. My teacher is too tired explaining

texts:
Which sentence is correct?

  My teacher is too tired to explain that topic.

  or

  My teacher is too tired explaining that topic.


texts: "People there" vs "people living there" vs "people in it" vs "people living in it"

texts:
Are the following sentences grammatical?
1- Sudan said it will educate all the people there free of charge.
2- Sudan said it will educate all the people living there free of charge.
3- Sudan said it will educate all the people living in it free of charge.
4- Sudan said it will educate all the people in it free of charge.
5- Sudan said it will educate all the people living in Sudan free of charge.
6- Sudan said it will educate all the people in Sudan free of charge.
I know you will say the better choice would be "Sudan said it will educate all the people living in sudan free of charge".


texts: Who is the best engineering team - question

texts:
So, today we had a discussion about the following question, which is the title of a competition proposal in our company: "Who is the best engineering team?"

The discussion was about whether it should've instead been written: "Which is the best engineering team?"

We are aware that "which" has to be used in phrases like: "Which engineering team is best?", however it seems unnatural to us (non-native speakers) to say "Which is the best engineering team?"

I couldn't find any similar questions here or elsewhere, so I hope it's not a duplicate. Although it must be trivial to others, we had a long discussion about it.


texts:
Between the following, which is acceptable/preferable and why?

  I had my lunch.
  I ate my lunch.


texts: What is the subject? And where to put comma(s)?

texts:
A world in which there are monsters, and ghosts, and things that want to steal your heart is a world in which there are angels, and dreams and a world in which there is hope. ― Neil Gaiman

May you grammatically discern A world in which there are monsters a noun phrase? And why may this writer seem to place a comma after maybe something like and ghosts and not maybe after and dreams or maybe after and things that want to steal your heart?


texts:
I want you to talk  rather than him to talk // his talking.

What should I say in this sentence ? Should I use gerund  or infinitive after "rather than" ?
I know that I can just say “rather than him” . I really wonder which form would be correct.


texts: both the men came in -- both men came in

texts:
Example with context
UPDATE 15/12/2016 (YouTube link broken):

  I let go of the door. The door opened and both the men came in.

Is  the grammar correct in that sentence? I've always thought that the only correct way to use both is without articles, like this: the door opened and both men came in.

If the way they have it in the story is correct though, then why do you think they used that particular, hard-to-comprehend grammar instead of the simpler, less-convoluted grammar offered in my example?
What can you say about this to help clear things up a bit?


texts:
Which one is correct and why? Or maybe both are correct?

  We were dancing a few hours.

or

  We were dancing for a few hours.


texts: What is the difference in these two sentences?

texts:
She foolishly answered the questions.
She answered the questions foolishly.

My notes says that adverbs when placed before the verb applies to the action but the meaning changes when it occurs after the verb. The problem is I can't understand the difference here.


texts:
There was the city of Dale.
  Its markets known far and wide.
  Full of the bounties of vine and vale.
  Peaceful and prosperous.
  For this city lay before the doors
  of the greatest kingdom in Middle-earth:
  Erebor.

This is the script of the movie The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. I've always thought that the 'for' in this script line means 'because'. But, recently, I've learnt that For, when used as 'because', can't be placed at the head of the sentence. Then what is the role of For here?


texts: What is the English verb for completing the missing exam?

texts:
My friend had an exam but he didn't come because he was sick. Then he needs to pass the exam even he wasn't there. What is the verb or phrase which describes what he needs to do?  ("making-up" the missing works here?)

In addition, in Europe, in some of the universities if you didn't come then you have to pay to the university on the missing class and then you have to go with the receipt to the professor of the missed class and you have to represent the topic that you missed and show him that you studied by yourself, and he asks question about the topic in order to ensure that this student controls in the topic. Is it called "making up" classes or it is something else?


texts:
There's a thought that needs to be constructed into a sentence, but I am finding it difficult to string the words together. The intended sentence, if I am not mistaken, is comparative in nature.

The muddled thought/idea is as follows:

  He behaves the same when he is drunk like he behaves when he is sober.

As you can see, I am not very good at constructing these kind of sentences. If you could please help me find the correct structure for the sentence above, I would really appreciate it.

Further, if possible, could you tell me what this kind of error is called, in grammatical terms? I'd really like to be able to form these type of sentences on my own.


texts: Is there an idiom that means "we have a mutual understanding"? Or if there is not, is there an idiom that can be used to express a similar idea? I am pretty sure there are idioms or slangs that are often used to express such an idea.


texts:
When should you ask a question with "do", and when with "are"?  In other words,

Are you going to Spain next week?

Do you like Chinese food?

What is the rule here?  We don't say

Do you go to Spain next week?

Are you liking Chinese food?

Why is that?


texts:
‘Very sharp’

Sharp: having an edge or point that is able to cut or pierce something.
Very: in a high degree.

What word of the definition of ‘sharp’ is modified by ‘in a high degree’? I think it’s weird ‘having’ is modified by ‘in a high degree,’ but is a head of a phrase modified by a head of a phrase?


texts:
I can't quite figure if there is a difference between:

What is in the bag?
What is there in the bag?

And this:

Who is in the house?
Who is there in the house?


texts: what does" I've got some time on my hands" mean?

texts: "My shift at work's kinda long, you know? It is -so I,ve usually got some time on my hands to, you know...whatever. Think, I guess."


texts:
I cannot find any reason to put a comma after "issues."

Please note that "Lease" is a name.


texts: How to say I need to smoke cigarette too much just because you have not smoked for a long time in AmE

texts:
I was writing a short story about an American in which the guy who has quit smoking, feels a strong craving for smoking after a couple of days that he has given up smoking. I wonder what is the casual way to say you want to smoke a cigarette when you have not smoked for say a day or two days?
I came across the following terms but as you know the Urban Dictionary (their providing source) is not as reliable as an authoritative dictionary should be. Also, I need an/a expression / idiom / slang that is understood by everyone in AmE:

I'm nicing over here, man! Give me a cigarette!

If I don't get a cigarette soon I'm gonna start nic-fittin.

Please let me know about it.


texts:
If they're correct, what's difference between these sentences?

Can you help me with that?
Can you help me on that?
Can you help me about that?

e.g.: I'm trying to find the lyrics of a song and I ask someone if they could help. Which one should I use?


texts: Can I write,  "Classes will be held Monday, Friday and Saturdays."  when I am referring to a recurring weekly event for each day?


texts: does this mean what I think it means - 4th last time

texts: I'm moving out of my current place in a few days. When I'm doing something a little annoying to my roommate, I joke, "sorry, this is (will be) like the 4th last time I do this", to mean that I'm only gonna do it 3 (a few) more times, so don't sweat, and forgive me. Am I using "4th last time" right?


texts:
Can anyone explain to me what you call this type of sentence form in English?
Other examples: she likes skiing -  I like reading - I love cycling - We hate driving ...
It's not a Present Continuous as PC is with the verb 'to be' and the -ing form.
Thanks for your help.


texts: Starting sentence with 'however + adjective...'

texts:
"However valid the arguments for this kind of compensation structure, it introduces more risk for the executive."

For me this sentence should go like this, "However, to valid the argument..."

Can anyone explain this sentence? Is it correct? Can the sentence start with an adjective after however?


texts:
Who's the president?

This would be an unusual question to ask in most countries, but in Venezuela many want to know exactly that following the dramatic events of 23 January.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36319877

I am not sure how to understand the passage in bold. Is "following" adjective or noun? "Many in Venezuela want to know that…" That = who is president? If so, why is the comma missing after "that"?


texts: Trend in usage "irregardless of" vs "regardless of'

texts: We see in US English a trend towards saying "irregardless of" in place of "regardless of". The trend is discernible on Google Ngram since 1980. Even "educated" writers in US use it. I don't see it at all in UK English. Is "irregardless of" grammatically acceptable anywhere?


texts:
When we say let's rewind the tape to in a figurative sense, do we use to when ... or to where ...?
E.g.:

Let's rewind the tape to when we left.

Or:

Let's rewind the tape to where we left.

Are both sentences correct and interchangeable?


texts:
Commonly, the word "wizard" means "someone who practices magic; a sorcerer or magician." FreeDictionary

In software wizard is "an user interface type that presents an user with a sequence of dialog boxes that lead the user through a series of well-defined steps" Wikipedia

These two things seem not related at all to me, so I wonder why "wizard" was used and not any other word?


texts:
It seems that not many people know why sometimes we say "get something + adjective" and "make something + adjective".
It seems noone knows general pattern of how to use  "get something + adjective" and "make something + adjective".
But, I feel like "get" is often used in the pattern "somebody + get + somebody/something + adjective" and "make" is often used in the pattern "something + make + somebody + adjective" or "somebody + make + something + adjective".
For example,
He got his fingers caught in the door. (from the dictionary)
Don’t get the children too excited. (from the dictionary)
The news made him very happy. (from the dictionary)
She made her objections clear. (from the dictionary)
Are they similar, "Their mom is getting them excited with the gifts" and "The gifts are making them excited"?
It is strange to say "Their mom is making them excited with the gifts" and "The gifts are getting them excited", isn't it?


texts: Idiom for blaming a bad act on the devil

texts:
Some people believe the Devil could inspire wrong-doings. I'm looking for a common expression where you can blame on the Devil such an action you have done. Implicit in the meaning is that we don't take full responsibility for doing it because we have been tempted to do so by the Devil. Here's the context I'm going to use it in:

  A: Remember when you tried to steal your uncle's car?

  B: It was just a devil-inspired act.


texts: What do you call a time period between school and college?

texts: I forgot: when a student takes a year off after graduating from high school before continuing his education by entering a university or something (to travel, for example), what do you call it? There's some phrase I can't remember (maybe, it's from the American tradition or American English), please remind.


texts: she has a bluff bow, lovely lines. she's a fine sea boat. -- what does "bluff bow" mean?

texts:
From the movie Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

  It means she had the wind in her favor, therefore control of the engagement. And she had longer guns, so she could hit us beyond our range. The simple fact is we were soundly beaten.
  Heavy frigate like that in the Pacific could tip the war in Napoleon's favor. By comparison, the Surprise is a somewhat aged man-of-war. Am I not correct?
  Would you call me an aged man of war? The Surprise is not old. No one would call her old. She has a bluff bow, lovely lines. She's a fine sea boat, weatherly, stiff and fast. Very fast, if she's well-handled. No, she's not old. She's in her prime.

What does bluff bow mean?


texts:
I have a question about the usage of the verb "set".  According to usages on the web, it seems that for the following pair:

  (context: computer screen desktop background and some photo)
  1a. He set the desktop background to that photo.
  1b. He set that photo as the desktop background.

sentence 1b is a standard English alternative to sentence 1a.

Does that mean that for the following pair:

  (context: house thermostat )
  2a. He set the thermostat temperature to 70F.
  2b. He set 70F as the thermostat temperature.

sentence 2b is a standard English alternative to sentence 2a?


texts:
Which of the following sentences is correct?

  I was so focused on not making any mistakes.

or

  I was so focused on not to make any mistakes.

Thanks,
Charmi


texts: What is the difference between 'house' and 'home'

texts:
I am going to home or house

explain difference between home and house with examples


texts: "a fact that is already known to the person" or "a fact that is already known by the person"?

texts:
This video is saying (https://youtu.be/yXJYRlxkfu4?t=46)

  We use ‘as well as’ when we want to add some more information to a fact that is already
  known to the person that we are speaking to.

I am aware that a passive voice is supposed to be followed by "by", in this case, "already known by the person".

The question is "the fact", I am no quite sure the "to" is for the "the fact" or the passive voice, any ideas?


texts: Meaning of the phrase "work one's will on"

texts: I have looked it up in Oxford dictionary and it says it means to accomplish one's porpouse on. But I do not quite understand it. Here is an example of the phrase in a sentence from thedictionary that I cannot get: "At least I can still work my will on the minds of others." what does that mean?


texts: The use of "would" as the future in the past

texts: I'm reading a book and I've come across an use would that I cannot figure out what the author meant. In "The Lord would be found in his chambers", take note that before anything we know a character is heading towards the Lord, what is would telling me, is it that the Lord is about to be found in the a past's future? Other than that I think it might be telling me it is a past action that he, the Lord, would (always) do. If it is the letter how can express a past's future when narrating something about to happen?


texts: I have never seen either + sentence or + sentence

texts:
Is it grammatically correct to add a full sentence after the word either and the word or  as in the following sentence, or should it be written as in the second sentence?

  My brother is a cook and works in a pizza restaurant. However, I have
  never seen either he is cooking a meal or ( making) a pizza at home.
  My brother is a cook and works in a pizza restaurant. However, I have
  never seen either his cooking  a meal or  (making) a pizza at home.


texts:
Does this sentence make sense? Or should I use 'of' instead of 'from'?

  Also moved to Lake George last year and only 5 minutes of walking distance from the public beach.


texts: What is the meaning of 'be set to' in this sentence?

texts:
In the following sentence, what is the meaning of 'be set to'? I think it has the meaning of 'to be ready/prepared to'. If not so, I'd like to know the other meaning of it.

  Many electric clocks are combined with radios, which can sometimes be set to turn on automatically.


texts: Can I substitute "if they are" for "should they be"? The differences between the two?

texts:
For migrating checkerspots, there's an additional problem: Los Angeles lies directly in their path should they be inclined to try migrating to cooler climates. (From ACT test)

Can I substitute the bold part with "if they are"? It sounds the same to me.
Since "should they be" and "if they be" are worded in different ways, are there any nuances between the two?


texts:
Is the following sentence wrong?

  It is time we should accept all our people as equals and as partners in the task of building a strong and united nation.

My teacher says it is wrong but I am not able to identify the error. To me this sentence sounds correct.

Somebody help me.........


texts: I have come across a quatation  where "being" is used insted of "is" Here goes a part of it: "people are so anxious about the future that they do not enjoy the present; the result being that they do not live in the present or future." Should it be "the result is that..."?


texts: Explain expressions "better down", "out on their luck"

texts:
I really want to know the meaning of the following sentence:

  There ain't nobody dancing who looked better down and out on their luck.

I can only translate the sentence to "There isn't anybody dancing." But I don't know what "better down" and "out on their luck" mean.

The sentence is taken from a song named "High Society" by singer Betty Who.


texts: Types of breaks in sentences in comparison with each other

texts:
When dealing with parenthetical elements, subordinate clauses within sentences or embedded relative clauses, bracketing commas e.c.t.

What are the key differences in comparison to one another. For instance do parenthetical parts of a sentence have to be isolated out with brackets or is optional to just use commas. Or can you isolate subordinate clauses with brackets for emphasis instead of commas.


texts: Interchangeability of Past Continuous or Past Simple for Present Perfect Continuous

texts:
Yesterday an American friend of mine shuttered my world by saying that these three tenses (past continuous, past simple, present perfect continuous) are interchangeable in American English.

So if I were to say, for instance, to a friend who showed up on my doorstep an hour later than we arranged:

  I was waiting for you for an hour!

or

  I waited for you for an hour!

that would be as grammatically correct as

  I've been waiting for you for an hour!

Is it always acceptable to use past continuous or past simple instead of present perfect continuous? I guess it's perfectly normal in an informal conversation but would it be just as good in formal context (i.e. an official letter, a paper etc)?


texts: Word or adjective for tiles that are detached from the floor?

texts:
"The * floor tiles were broken into pieces and put in the corner. The whole floor was demolished."
I am not sure if there's a simple way to express this. "Detached floor tiles" doesn't sound very idiomatic.


texts:
Which sentence is correct (or both) and why:

  There will be a war, which will destroy the world.
  There will be a war, which destroys the world.


texts:
The Philippines  offers  a  wealth  of  entertainment,  from  classical  plays  to  cultural  shows  and show bands. The people like to celebrate life and their festive spirit is renowned.

According to this context, what  word is suitable for
the question "What kind of people are the Fillipinos?"
My opinion is "the people of festivals".
Is the usage "the people  of festivels" correct with the context?


texts: Is there a missing *in* in the sentence "*Tanks are legal to own the USA and other countries*"?

texts:
In the following paragraph, is there a missing in in the sentence "Tanks are legal to own the USA and other countries"?

  Who can own a tank?

  Tanks are legal to own the USA and other countries. There are no US Federal restrictions to owning a tank with a demilitarized (disabled) main gun. You may operate it on private land without restrictions. You will also need to determine if there are State or local laws prohibiting tank ownership. If you can own a tractor, you can own a tank!


texts:
Jackson said the blackout lasted several minutes, during which time he felt no pain, even though he had fallen and hurt himself very
  badly.
  Jackson said the blackout lasted several minutes, during which he felt no pain, even though he had fallen and hurt himself very badly
  The class lasted two hours, during which we read Hamlet.
  The class lasted two hours, during which time we read Hamlet.

I was told that only sentence #1 was grammatically correct. How about sentence #2?
I think in sentence #2 the antecedent of which is the blackout while in sentence 1, which time refers to several minutes.

My question is: Is sentence #2 grammatically correct? If it's correct, what is the difference in meaning between those two?


texts:
My hair is short so I'm growing them for my wedding

Is it grammatically correct to use "them" with hair?


texts: What does this mean? A paragraph from Justice

texts:
Following is a part of a paragraph from Justice by Michael J. Sandel.

  To ask whether a policy will speed economic recovery or spur economic growth does not involve judging people's preferences. It assumes that everyone prefers more income rather than less, and it doesn't pass judgement on how they spend their money. Similiary, to ask whether, under conditions of duress, people are actually free to choose doesn't require evaluating their choices. The question is whether, or to what extent, people are free rather than coerced.

I couldn't get the meaning of this after minutes of trial. Could you break it down for a dummy?


texts:
Suppose two places are separated by a strait. And there is one singer who is famous in both places.
Can we say "he is famous across the strait"? Or do we have to say "he is famous on both sides of the strait"?

I'd appreciate your help.


texts: Can I say "She's turning out beautiful"?

texts: I'm kind of confused about this. As I was scrolling through Facebook this evening I came across a picture of my friend's daughter. It's been a while since I've last seen her, and now she's all grown up and beautiful. I wanted to leave a nice comment on her photo telling her (my friend) how beautiful her daughter turned out to be. I'm aware that the phrasal verb Turn out can be used for people just okay, but what if I wrote the sentence this way: Your daughter is turning out beautiful/beautifully would that also work?


texts: What does little mean in "Little did I know this spelled the end of my career"?

texts:
What does little mean in:
"Little did I know this spelled the end of my career"?
And is it the same thing as saying:
"I didn't know that this spelled the end of my career"?


texts:
What's the alternative to "laugh track" for particular phrases?

For example:

  He repeatedly played "I choose you Pikachu" track on his laptop, which
  annoyed me.

It doesn't sound right, but I am not sure if there's a better way to say it.


texts: How the meaning of these sentences change on changing the tense?

texts:
If he asks you about disobedience, tell him that I did not listen to you as I always do.

  If he will ask you about disobedience, tell him that I did not listen to you as I always do.

  If he asked you about disobedience, tell him that I did not listen to you as I always do.

  If he should ask you about disobedience, tell him that I did not listen to you as I always do.

I am wondering to find out the difference between these, which I believe may be in subjunctive mood also.

An edit:I am not sure about the third sentence but I certainly have seen sentences like this-

  If you added a screenshot of what you are trying to press, it would be helpful.


texts:
I need to tell my boss that I need a leave for a particular day in order to attend holy baptism of my cousin. I am planning to send below sentence for that.

  I need to attend holy baptism of my cousin at St Mary's Cathedral church on 14th September 2014.

Is this grammatically correct? Is it a polite sentence? How can I effectively present it to my boss in one sentence. Please provide your suggestions. Thanks in advance


texts:
There is this sentence in which I'm trying to count a number of effects that restoring a currenly dried out lake can have on a particular region. I want to say that after reviving the lake the microclimate in that region will be affected so in winters and summers it wouldn't be that cold or hot because the lake makes the climate there mild:

  Restoring Lake X can [the verb] the surroundings climate.

The verb I need means make mild then. Any suggestions?


texts: What is the difference between these three

texts:
If the demand has increased, price will also increase.
  If the demand increases, price will also increase.
  If the demand increases, price also increases.


texts: "None of the kids were hungry" Or "None of the kids was hungry"

texts:
Were is used with plural pronouns

  The kids were hungry.

And we can add "None of":

  None of the kids were hungry.

But I read a lot of articles and books use "was" with "None of":

  None of the kids was injured.

  None of them was so unconcerned about the state...

  At that time none of the men was being troubled ...

So, in formal english, What should we use with "none of"? "was" or "were"?


texts: How does a native speaker express there is no problem except an error

texts:
Someone provided me a business document and asked me to check it and I have found an error.

If i want to point out the error, how would a native speaker express "there is no problem except this one I found"?


texts: Agreement in sentences which are related by conjunctions

texts:
Sometimes when I relate some sentences with conjunctions I don't know if

I should repeat the subject in the second sentence?
I should repeat an auxiliary verb?
I can use a verb which maybe is not in agreement with the first one?

For example :

The user can click on the “Show the letter” button to see the correct letter and [then] (continue or continues ?) with the rest of the word.
This technique helps the student to discover his common mistakes and (improve or improves or to improve ..?) his skill in discriminating speech sounds.

What is the general rule?


texts: What part of speech is the word "to" in "I left to get more snacks."?

texts: I don't think it's a preposition because a verb comes after it. Is it a particle?


texts:
Her position as favourite to top first-round voting will turn the campaign into a race to face her in the run-off. (Source: This Link)

Does this mean she is very likely to be in top first-found voting?


texts: so afraid vs very afraid, and about the ambiguous of 'so afraid' sentence

texts:
1.She was so afraid that she(herself) couldn't have any meal all the day.

  2.She was so afraid that she(herself) didn't have any meal all the day.

  3.She was very afraid that she(not herself) didn't have any meal all the day.

Q1)There is a difference in meaning between the three sentences?

Q2)Could the 1 and 2 sentences be read in two ways? as in
the 1 seems to mean either 'she feared that she(herself) couldn't have any meal all the day' or 'she feared such an extent that she(herself) couldn't have any meal all the day.'

and also, the 2 seems to mean either 'she feared that she(herself) didn't have any meal all the day' or 'she feared such an extent that she(herself) didn't have any meal all the day'.


texts: What's the meaning of "to ask the indulgence of someone"?

texts:
In the book 'the little prince' by Antoine de Saint Exupéry, I found the expression 'I ask the indulgence of the children'. What's the meaning of that?
I'm not sure if it means 'I ask the children for forgiveness' or 'I ask for the children's pardon'.

Here is the full sentence:

  I ask the indulgence of the children who may read this book for dedicating it to a grown-up.

Do you think the words "forgiveness" and "pardon" are strong and don't work?


texts: Single word to mean how far behind something is

texts:
For example, if you have 3 tasks to do every period of time, but you manage to do only 2 in that time period. You're falling behind, but if you want to measure how far behind you are, what word could you use ? Is there a single word for that ?

If you wrote on a spreadsheet how many tasks you're behind, how would you name the file ?

"Lateness" and "delay" don't seem mean that, and I only find verbs in dictionaries.


texts:
A friend sent me this a few days ago and I have trouble understanding this sentence. What does the second "it" refer to in this sentence?

  It's only once we have reduced reason to one input among many in our decision procedures that we can begin the process of eliminating it.


texts: Understanding phrase "feed right back to him"

texts:
The following usage of feed I came across in the Inceprion mopvie:

  The vultures are circling. The sicker Maurice Fischer becomes, the
  more powerful Peter Browning becomes. I've had ample opportunity to
  observe Browning, adopt his physical presence, to study his
  mannerisms, and so on and so forth. Now, the first layer of the dream,
  I can impersonate Browning and suggest to Fischer's conscious mind.
  When we take him a level deeper, his own projection of Browning should
  – should feed that right back to him.

I've found two meaning of feed back:

  to have an influence on the development of something by reacting to it
  in some way

and

  to give information or opinions about something, especially so that it
  can be improved

And I have a trouble to understand which one is suitable in the context?

As far as I understand in feed that right back to him right is used to emphasize something, but I can't get the point what exact it emphasize.


texts: Do you use the subjective verb in the conditional clause and the non-subjective verb in the main clause?

texts:
The verb of the second sentence, have, is difficult for me to understand. Why isn't it the subjective form, would have? The preceding conditional clause If glaciers started reforming contains the past tense, started, which is the subjective form. Why not in the main clause?

  Here’s an interesting thought. If glaciers started reforming, they
  have a great deal more water now to draw on — Hudson Bay, the Great Lakes, the hundreds of thousands of lakes of Canada, none of
  which existed to fuel the last ice sheet — so they would grow very
  much quicker. And if they did start to advance again, what exactly
  would we do? Blast them with TNT or maybe nuclear missiles? Well,
  doubtless we would, but consider this. In 1964, the largest earthquake
  ever recorded in North America rocked Alaska with 200,000 megatons of
  concentrated might, the equivalent of 2,000 nuclear bombs. Almost
  3,000 miles away in Texas, water sloshed out of swimming pools. A
  street in Anchorage fell twenty feet. The quake devastated 24,000
  square miles of wilderness, much of it glaciated. And what effect did
  all this might have on Alaska’s glaciers? None.

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail By Bill Bryson


texts: "he has a good eye" or "he has good eyes" which one is correct?

texts: When I want to express he is sensible or insightful, can I say "he has a good eye." or "he has good eyes"?


texts: How to tell the stress of a word and what do commas mean in IPA?

texts:
/ˌmiːdɪˈəʊkə/, /ˈmiːdɪˌəʊkə/

These two pronunciations differ only by apostrophe and comma. What do these signs mean and where can I listen to this difference? And another question about IPA - how can I tell where's the stress just by looking at IPA representation?


texts: What's the difference between inspire and enlighten?

texts:
'Inspire' and 'enlighten' are translated into the same or synonym in my mother language. If I have to describe, their synonym in our language seem like they all mean to 'make someone aware to something to some extent.'
So what's the difference between them?
Details with real life examples are appreciated, thanks!

These two words are translated into the same or synonym in my language, so it might cause confusion among some of us, me and my classmate also puzzled about that. Dictionary sure helps, but not enough, that's why I asked. In our language they all mean '启发, 启迪'，which is similar to each others. If you know Chinese, type "enlighten inspire 区别" in Baidu, you might find that some of us asked the same question, because in my language they are not completely different words and dictionary sometimes cannot solve our puzzles completely. So please don't be surprise that these two words are put together in comparison and help us out, thanks.


texts: What is the meaning of "use a different clock" in this sentence?

texts:
The following sentence is quoted from NBC NEWS. A journalist talked about the White House:

And what has not changed in this very long week, Chuck, is the president himself. There remains a Trump way of doing things and that is right on brand for Donald Trump where there's no concession, and fight is on the agenda. So the Trump team is using a different clock. The president sees room to pursue this battle because states have not certified election results.

What does "using a different clock" mean? Is it an idiom?


texts: "What do you do in the morning?" vs. "What did you do in the morning?"

texts:
I'm really confused with the usage of "in the morning" in these two sentences.

The sentence pattern on the text book is "What do you do in the morning? I clean the room in the morning?". However, some people tell me it's wrong as "in the morning" indicates past tense, so it should be "What did you do in the morning? I cleaned the room in the morning."


texts: Why is the usage of inversion incorrect? While It seems it should be right

texts:
The sentence is as below:

I wish I had never worked there.

And the sentence with inversion is as below:

I wish never had I worked there.


texts:
Tom is up on the 22nd floor now.

I am wondering about the meaning of "up". I am familiar with describing someone who lives on the 5th floor, like the under sentence.
He is on the 5th floor.
However in my questioned sentence, "up" meaning is similar to just "on", isn't it???
=====================================================================
Furthermore, If someone lives in the 10th basement of an apartment, can I say like this?

He is down on the 10th floor.

The reason why I am asking it is because I was able to looked using "down on the #th floor" up.
https://ludwig.guru/s/down+on+the+second+floor


texts: "Gives me an opportunity" or "gives me the opportunity"?

texts:
In the sentence:

  I generally enjoy playing tricky passages because it gives me __
  opportunity to sharpen my skills

Should it be "an opportunity" or "the opportunity"? If both are acceptable, what would a native English speaker (in North America) normally say?


texts:
At 00:37 of this video "Valspar Color For The Colorblind" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea_xOqNvntA) the woman say "I've had moments where girls would make fun of me for not knowing girly shades, and I felt self-conscious about it."
What does "self-conscious" mean in this sentence?
Does she mean she felt "embarrassed" or she herself noticed that (she didn't know what are girly shades) as well?

Many thanks.


texts:
We often see "said he/Peter" or "he/Peter said" after the direct speech :

"Your information is out of date" he said.
"Your information is out of date" said he.
"Your information is out of date" Peter said.
"Your information is out of date" said Peter.

Is there any rule when to apply and when not to apply this type of inversion after the direct speech?


texts: What does "bidding dull care begone" mean? From O Henry story "The World and the Door"

texts:
On the evening that the material allegation of facts begins, Hedges was bidding
  dull care begone in the company of five or six good fellows -- acquaintances
  and friends who had gathered in his wake.

  (From O Henry story "The World and the Door")

I don't understand what these lines mean. Can anybody explain please?


texts:
For me, living in the city was a means to kind of connect
  with people in an everyday, ordinary way without it having to be
  pretentious, to feel part of something and belong.Source: VOA


texts:
Is it January's schedule or January schedule?
I also get confused with whether to include an apostrophe before "bill."
This is my January bill or January's bill.


texts:
They got off at a station in the very heart of London, and were swept from the train in a tide of besuited men and women carrying briefcases. Up the escalator they went, through the ticket barrier (Mr Weasley delighted with the way the stile swallowed his ticket), and emerged on to a broad street lined with imposing-looking buildings and already full of traffic.

  From Harry Potter

I only got this meaning about 'stile' in dictionaries. a set of steps that helps people climb over a fence in the countryside. But it doesn't seem to fit. What does it mean here?


texts:
I had an argument with a friend on which one to use:

  I was thinking about old days and memories of you came/came up to my mind


texts: How to analyze and rewrite this sentence?

texts:
I encountered a sentence-

  "It would be difficult to find two languages that are the communicating coin of two more different cultures than those gathered around these two languages."

, which makes me brain twisting. What does the 'of' phrase modify?

The pattern more...than looks wired, I could not catch the meaning.


texts:
I was watching a series of video about English teaching, I heard a word like lose your phone, I am not sure that whether the word is right or not,  thanks everyone for helping me.
Does anyone say to others  like hanging up your phone, could say lose your phone, they are the same expression?


texts:
I know the meaning of despair but I can't understand what the phrase much to his despair means in the following sentence.

His friend went back on his word much to his despair.

Could anybody please help me understand the meaning of this phrase in a way that I will be able to use it in my own writing in future.


texts:
Let's assume that this is the first time you want to visit a doctor. Most of the doctors usually have a prepared questionnaire which is submitted to you to be filled in by you at the first meeting and it will be expanded as time passes and during your treatment process which would form your personal documents.
I wonder which question do you normally expect to come across while you read the queries?

  Who recommended us/me to you?
  Who referred us/me to you?
  Who introduced us/me to you?
  Who presented us/me to you?


texts: What is the meaning of "nail" in "if they nail vaccinations"?

texts:
I was watching YouTube and suddenly got an ad advertising the following - the ad is from Bloomberg

If they nail vaccinations, drugstores will be the heroes of 2021.

Checking the definition of nail in the dictionary does not make any sense to me

fasten with a nail or nails.
"the strips are simply nailed to the roof"
INFORMAL
detect or catch (someone, especially a suspected criminal).

Can someone explain what it means?


texts: What is the difference between "Adjective" and " That + adjective"?

texts:
I have two sentences:

  I did not finish the book - it was not interesting.

and

  I did not finish the book - it was not that interesting.

What is the difference between "interesting" and "that interesting" in these sentences? And so, what is the difference between "Adjective" and "That + adjective"? I've searched on many dictionaries but found nothing about this.


texts: How to use the verb trawl in the fishing sense

texts:
I think the verb trawl is used more in sense of the process of fishing and mostly followed by where the fishing process takes place and in this usage it sounds as if fishermen tried to catch fish in a place but it is not clear if they succeed.

I'd like to ask if it  sounds natural if I say:

  Fishermen trawled at least 100 kg of fish..

or

  Fishermen trawled an amount of fish that they have never before at
  this time of year.

Maybe I can use the verb catch but I just want to know if I can use the verb trawl because it gives information as to how the fish is caught but I am not sure the verbs catch and trawl can be synonym in this sense.


texts: Transformation of the sentence with reported speech

texts:
Today I was doing sentence transformation exercises and I found this sentence:

  1."Yes, I left the door unlocked", said Daisy.
  2.Daisy ________ the door unlocked. (having)

I had to use from two to five words and I could not change the word in the brackets.

After a bit of research and teacher's advice I filled the second sentence like this:

  2.Daisy left having the door unlocked. (having)

Is this correct?

I found in the Grammarway 4 (10th edition) that in reported speech Past Simple can be changed to both Past Simple and Past Perfect. After that my teacher told me that it is correct and we change tense to Past Simple when we report something said just a moment ago or when we ridicule someone's behavior.

I would also like to  know if there are any other situations in which we change the tense to Past Simple?


texts: Asking about when is the time for breakfast

texts:
Which of the questions below are acceptable when asking a clerk at a hotel about breakfast?

When is the time for breakfast?
When is the time of breakfast?
What time is breakfast?

My teacher once used the last one. Is he correct?


texts:
No one believes him because he is false at heart.
  No one believes him because he is false of heart.

Is the first statement wrong? What are the differences between 1) and 2)?

My book says 2) is the correct usage. But I have never seen anything like it until now.


texts:
I appreciate your help to explain the meaning of the word 'born' in this sentence:

  Kites were invented in China, where materials suitable for kite building were readily available. The silk fabric was found to be best for making the sail of a kite. It is born a lightweight material and an asthetically pleasing one.

Thanks.


texts: "Runs and jumps in front of" versus "runs and jumps to the front of"

texts:
Suddenly a lion emerge in between the trees. John runs back after sees the lion. The lion runs and jumps in front of John.

  Suddenly a lion emerge in between the trees. John runs back after sees the lion. The lion runs and jumps to the front of John.

In both sentence what I mean by the last line is "John is running in the front. The lion chases him, and then the lion makes a jump and lands in front of John." Which one is correct?  Why am I confused is I feel "jumps in front of John" gives wrong meaning like "it is jumping in front of him"?


texts: How to understand the "what" in this sentence?

texts:
I have this sentence:

  By inserting HTML tags into a page of text and other content, you mark which part of the page is what to provide structure to the document.

By inserting HTML tags into a page of text and other content  is the adverb of manner ,in the last part of the sentence, you mark which part of the page is what to provide structure to the document.

My questions are:

  Is you mark which part of the page the subject?
  How to understand the what in what to provide structure to the document?


texts:
Is there any difference between "to open" and "to open up" in the two following sentences, besides the emphasis expressed by "up" (reference: What is the difference between "open" and "open up")?

A goal at the beginning would open the game/match.
A goal at the beginning would open up the game/match.

The intended meaning is that, in a soccer game, if someone scores a goal early, then the opposing team is more likely to attack than defend in order to score an equalising goal. Thus, there is more space on the field, there could be more opportunities of scoring additional goals and the game becomes more interesting.


texts:
can we make an exclamative form by '' How + adjective'' with every adjective

  A) Our class is at 10:00 pm

  B) How late!

what can I say instead of (B) for saying that It's too late with that structure?


texts: "ever the perfectionist" or " who is the perfectionist"?

texts:
But Bates, ___ the perfectionist, continued to revise the poem.  (From ACT test)

From the options given, I think both "ever" and "who is" are both acceptable answer to fill in the blank, but why "who is" is wrong? Since present simple can express a general situation or state, it is sort of like the meaning of "ever" in this context.


texts: what does it mean when a name fascinates you

texts: I just wanted to know out of curiosity because I was wondering and I did not know what it is so can someone please explain it to me I don't know because no one has told me


texts:
I suggest that he study/studied medicine.

Suggest is the present form of verb. So according to it, the sentence should have study rather than studied. Studied is basically past form of the verb.

But the answer is studied. Any rules regarding this?


texts: Is it idiomatic to use "as" in "He lives in the same building as you"?

texts:
He lives in the same building as you.

Do native speakers use "as" in sentences like the above one?


texts: Is it OK to respond to "thanks" with "sure"?

texts:
When someone says

..., thanks.

Is it appropriate to respond with

sure

If so, in which situations it would be OK, and what exactly would it imply?


texts: What does "quite" mean in different contexts?

texts:
When I say something is quite clear, does it mean that it's 'so clear' or that it's 'moderately clear but not very'?
According to Cambridge dictionary, quite can mean 'very' or 'moderately but not very' depending on the word that comes after it.

I think it depends on whether the adjective that comes after is gradable or not. If I say it's quite cold it means that it's cold but not very cold, while if I say it's quite freezing it means that it's very cold because freezing is non-gradable.

So when I say something is quite clear I think it depends on whether clear is gradable or not. Correct me if I am wrong.
So is "clear" gradable or non-gradable?


texts:
Quick question. Is it necessary to include "go" or "come" here for this to work or is it natural without?
If you as much as (go/come) near the building we're going to kill the hostages.


texts:
We normally say "vegan fish fillet" shown in the image below.  Here is the product

List of ingredients:

  Water, Soybean Fiber, (soybean protein, wheat starch, wheat protein, soybean oil), Soybean Protein, Soybean Oil, Tapioca Starch, Spice,Raw Cane Sugar, Sea Salt, White Pepper Powder, Laver, Yeast Peptone Powder, Natural Vegan Flavor.

Can we instead say "vegetarian fish" to describe this food?


texts: "get in touch with " or "get in touch at "

texts:
if you have any support question, please get in touch at support@mycompany.com

To me, the phrase 'get in touch with' seems to be more common.

I would like to know if there is any substantial difference between 'at' and 'with' in term of meaning. Which one is preferred in this example? (i.e. used in combination with an email instead of a person or place)


texts: put sth on the tip of sb's subconsciousness

texts:
Is the expression in bold understandable to you?

"How to put the name of the product on the tip of my prospective customers' subconsciousness so that it could be easily retrieved at the next time they see it?"

The above is a sentence I wrote. I did a tweak to a set phrase "on the tip of sb's tongue". The reason I used the word "subconsciousness" is that I need a sound marketing strategy that could help leave an impression on customers. But this needs to be done in a very subtle way. What I am looking for is a mind trick that produces a positive memorable effect on customers with a transient hint or stimulus.
I know the sentence might seem a little bit wordy and hard to read, but that's exactly what I intended to do.


texts: American pronunciation of (tall, taught, law, bought) vs (father, pasta, drop)

texts: I have two tutorials by Cook and by Cameron. Cameron suggests that these two groups are pronounced differently: e.g. in "drop" the tongue is perfectly flat, but in "jaw" it goes up by 1/8 of an inch. Cook claims there is no difference. Who is right? What is the best way to handle this?


texts: "As close as possible to [the point] where" - the noun is omitted, how would you call such an omission?

texts:
I have noticed that "as close as possible" is sometimes followed by "to where" instead of a noun. The bold text in square brackets is added by me.

To speed up the flow of data, electrons need to be turned into photons "as close as possible to [the point] where the signal is processed", explains Bert Offrein of IBM Research.

Health services would ideally be available as close as possible to [the places] where people live and be affordable.

I know that relative pronouns are sometimes omitted as well, e.g.

I suppose [that] you don't like Jim.

In style guides addressed to writing for global audience, it is sometimes advised to not omit relative pronouns since they make the text more clear.
If I want to give a recommendation to not omit the nouns after "as close as possible" (for the same reason) (and in similar cases), how would I call these nouns? Or how I can describe such an omission in other way?


texts: What do you call the leathery part of a armor that protects your genitals?

texts: To be honest, I don't know if it's intended to protect anything, because it could be that it's used for ornamental purpose. I am talking about the red leathery thing between the legs. What is it called?


texts:
I was arguing with a classmate about whether to use "that" in this phrase or not?

  The map shows the changes (that) happened in the area.

Which is correct "the changes that happened" or "the changes happened"?

I think that the sentence is correct with and without "that", but he thinks that it is necessary to use "that".


texts:
Prepositions mostly confuse me while writing. I stuck in the following sentence:

These difficulties can create hurdles in implementing effective business operations that ultimately result in stagnant growth.

Grammarly shows that 'in' preposition is wrong in this context. I should use 'for' instead. But then, use of 'for' changes the meaning of the sentence:

These difficulties can create hurdles for implementing effective business operations that ultimately result in stagnant growth.

Now, my questions are:

Which preposition should I put in this sentence, and why?
Is it okay to write the sentence without using any preposition like this:

These difficulties can create hurdles implementing effective business operations that ultimately result in stagnant growth.

Thanks for your help.


texts:
Adjectives order is a bit confusing and tricky to me. What order would be appropriate to say :

  Naked bony girls in magazines.

Or

  Bony naked girls in magazines.

If I refer to this post I'd be tempted to say the second sentence is more accurate, "naked" being the condition (I guess...) and "bony" being the shape. What do you think ?


texts:
I want to make wh question from the sentence "John had lunch".

I want to know which is correct:

1- Who had lunch?

2- Who did have lunch?


texts:
"U" is a Burmese equivalent of "Mr".

  I am Mr. Thant.
      I am U Thant.
     I am Thant.

I'd like to know which is correct?


texts: tense of two similar sentences are different

texts:
in the Vikings main title song there are two similar sentences:

  If I had a heart I could love you
  If I had a voice I would sing

the first sentence can't be "If I had a heart I would love you"(like the second sentence)? what is the difference between using could and would here?


texts: Why isn't "a single + noun" a tautological repeat?

texts:
By definition,

  single means
  (1) : consisting of or having only one part, feature, or portion

  (2) : consisting of one as opposed to or in contrast with many

  (3) : consisting of only one in number

  by Merriam-Webster

So why do we still say

  "a single rose"

  "hold to a single ideal"

Not

  "single rose"

  "hold to single ideal"


texts: "Which part don't you understand?" or "Which part you don't understand ?"

texts:
1) Which part don't you understand?
       2) Which part you don't understand?

I'm getting a little confused here. According to my understanding of this source I should use the subject form when the answer is Subject and the object form when the answer is object. So, if my answer is "I don't understand the first part" then the 1st is correct and if my answer is just "The first part." then 2nd is correct, right?


texts:
He will also be known as pope emeritus, emeritus pope or Roman pontifex emeritus.
(CNN)

Why does the journalist prospect the possibility of calling Benedict XVI "pope emeritus"? Since "emeritus" is a modifier of the name "pope", shouldn't it be "emeritus pope" in any case, without any possible alternative?


texts:
I want to ask you please why the right answer in this sentence

Easter ____ at the end of April this year

is "is" and not "is going to be"


texts: What does well-read author mean in this context?

texts:
I read a sentence in Word by Word by Kory Stamper which was:

  Not only are there more print sources around than ever before, but the Internet gives everyone with access the opportunity to be a well-read author. That's not hyperbole. In June 2014, a 16-year-old teen named Peacheses Monroee made 6 second video in which she called her eyebrows "on fleek" meaning "good" or "on point".
  In November, just five months after Monroee posted her video nearly 10% of all Google searches were for "on fleek".

According to the context, I think "well-read author" means one whose work has been widely read. But dictionary definition tells that it mean one who is very knowledgeable.  So is my conclusion right?


texts: If a sentence starts with an adverbial phrase, should I place a comma after it?

texts:
Someone was proofreading a letter I wrote and stating that I use too many commas.  Many of the examples are cases where a sentence starts with an adverbial phrase:

Furthermore, I have developed
In particular, I have focused
With this toolkit, we have created
For this study, I have cooperated

Are the commas in these examples correct?


texts:
There didn't exist computers.

  Will there happen similar events in the future?

Are these sentences grammatical or is my mind making stuff up? I haven't been able to find much on the net.


texts: How am I supposed to form the sentence given below? Can someone help me with it?

texts:
Why my new year has to go exactly opposite to what I have planned?
Why does my new year have to go exactly opposite to what I have
planned?

Which is the correct sentence?


texts: Using the past perfect to express the idea of completion

texts:
He went out before he had completed the sentence.

M. Swan says that the using of the past perfect expresses the idea of completion. Is the past perfect common for such past-completion cases? Can we use another tense to express a similar idea?


texts: What is the difference between "Which of the following" and "Which of the below"?

texts:
What is the difference between the below two questions? And please explain to me the use cases for both.

Which of the following is correct?
Which of the below is correct?


texts:
Do we talk about songs in the OST album or on the OST album? Am I correct that we use in to mean songs included in the album, and on to mean songs listed on the album, and therefore both have roughly the same meaning?

And what does it mean when someone says "What are the chorus singing on the movie's opening?" Shouldn't on be in in this case?


texts:
The context is about a girl who's been helping another girl (still helping her) and gave her her position at work . so she asks the first : you've been helping me I don't deserve this etc " why would you go that far for me ? "

What does it mean ? Why do you help me or why did you help me or something else ?


texts: Questions about "a lively curiosity to see him prevailed" and "speaking presence"

texts:
Excerpted from slate.com of the book review of Emma by Austin.

The action takes place entirely in Highbury, a small town in Surrey. This setting provides what Austen described to her niece as “the delight of my life—2 or 3 families in a Country village is the very thing to work on.” In more than any of her other novels, however, the town becomes a speaking presence, with its collective opinion often remarked upon: “Mr. Frank Churchill was one of the boasts of Highbury, and a lively curiosity to see him prevailed.”

Based on this article only

Does the town become speaking presence(as if it were a living person that could speak), because people, with their collective opinion, there depict the town well? (For example the town(collective opinion) was proud of Mr. Frank Churchill)

What does a lively curiosity to see him prevailed mean? Does it mean "It was a spectacular thing(lively curiosity) to see him prevailed in town"?
But doesn't the sentence structure "Mr. Frank was XXX and a lively curiosity." make "lively curiosity=Mr. Frank", miss subject in "to see him prevailed" and make it very strange as not depicting how people felt about seeing him
prevailed? Is it better to write "Mr. Frank Churchill was one of the
boasts of Highbury, and it is a lively curiosity to see him prevailed."?


texts: IF Conditional Sentences Using Could + V2

texts:
If you could managed to reduce the crime rate and more promotion towards tourism in Mexico, I believe Mexico could easily be one of the top 10 most visited countries in the world.

a) What is the meaning of above sentence in given context? Does it referring to future of Mexico's Tourism or Past of Mexican tourism.

For context read below Link.

https://www.quora.com/Can-Mexico-turn-to-China-or-Russia-for-greater-trade-if-the-U-S-A-decides-to-place-higher-tariffs-on-trade-over-the-payments-of-the-border-wall

Brief.

I have doubt because of use of "If You could Managed". What Does it mean, i.e. controlling Crime rate is referring to past or future or present.

Also, I think It should be "If you could manage to reduce..........." for referring future course.


texts:
I found that it seems "a good command of" is only used for languages. To confirm that, I fulltext searched 5 dictionaries and all usages are for languages.  The COCA corpus also proved that.
Is this true? If so, why? It's a little strange to me. It's like the word "red" can be only used to describe apple.


texts: Can be thought of as [verb]+ing ... What's the grammar and use?

texts:
Consider this example:

  Subjectivity detection or ranking at the document level can be thought
  of as having its roots in studies in genre classification.

I don't get what is the type of clause after thought of as, and what meaning this structure is trying to convey.


texts:
What's the correct form of the word "size" in this sentence?

  Do you have these shirts in large size?

or

  Do you have these shirts in large sizes?


texts: what's the part of speech of "nothing but"?

texts:
I am curious what the part of speech of "nothing but" is. I have some examples:

We could see nothing but fog.
nothing but the best will do.

In my opinion, there's no difference between "nothing but" and "only". So I think the part of speech of "nothing but" is adv.


texts: "article deleting route" - which word order is correct?

texts:
I want to briefly say that I've added the URL route which deletes the specified article record from the website. I'm hesitant which word order is correct and which articles to use:

Added (a|the|) article deleting (a|the|) route.
Added (a|the|) deleting article route.
Added the route deleting (an|the) article.


texts: Is there a difference between "to update you" and "to keep you updated"?

texts:
How should be use "update":

  I'll update you?
  Keep me update or updated?

I'm not English and the system is considering me as it.


texts:
Why are the small barcode stickers placed on checked bags sometimes nicknamed  "bingo tags" or " bingo stickers"? Is that somehow a reference to the Bingo game? Or the bingo! expression? Or some other reference?

I saw that expression used on:

What's the point in placing small barcode stickers on one's check-in bags?
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/design/2012/10/airline_baggage_tags_how_their_brilliant_design_gets_bags_from_point_a_to_point_b_.html
https://www.ausbt.com.au/this-simple-trick-helps-ensure-your-suitcase-arrives-on-the-belt


texts: Why do we drop the "the" in "first place"?

texts:
Apparently it's technically correct to say "He won the first place" (or so people tell me), but that sounds odd to me. I'm more familiar with hearing "He won first place".
Is there a linguistic/grammatical reason for why we drop "the" from that sentence? Or is it that over time, people couldn't be bothered to say it?
Google Ngram Results


texts:
I am a bit confused about the meanings of "School". I included my thoughts in parentheses and in bold.

Ok, in dictionary,

School could be

  [countable] a place where children go to be educated.

  Ex: There are a school & a church in that village. (I think this is
  a physical school).
  [uncountable] (used without the or a) the process of learning in a
  school; the time during your life when you go to a school (British
  English)

  Ex: to start/leave school

  (North American English) to start/quit school

  (British English) All my kids are still at school. (I would think this
  sentence means the kids are still at the age of schooling & have not
  graduated high-school yet)

  (North American English) All my kids are still in school.
  [uncountable] (used without the or a) the time during the day when
  children are working in a school

  Ex: Shall I meet you after school today?

  The kids are at/in school until 3.30. (I would think this sentence
  means the kids are studying at school at this moment & have not gone
  home yet)
  [countable, uncountable] (North American English, informal) a college
  or university; the time that you spend there

  Ex: (as a countable noun) There are 5 schools in my city (I think they are 5 physical colleges or universities)

  (as an uncountable noun) All my kids are still in school. (I would
  think this sentence means the kids are still at the process of
  learning in their higher-education & have not graduated higher
  education programs yet)

I am not sure my thinking is right or not. But that is what I understand the meanings of "School" from the dictionary.

Could you please clarify the meanings of "School"?


texts: Can we say “you can pay when the order gets ready”?

texts:
Is it true to say “you can pay when the order gets ready”?
Can we use “get + ready” for the things that will happen in future??


texts:
Are these sentences correct? And what's the difference?

  1- The last few days were a nightmare for me. I don't want to think about those days.

  2- The last few days have been a nightmare for me. I don't want to think about those days.

Note that the bad days are gone.


texts:
Are these two sentences correct?

I've read a lot about this topic lately
I've read a lot on this topic lately

If both are valid, is there any difference in their meaning?


texts:
The place of confinement would not be different,
  since in those days the dangerously insane in the District of Columbia were confined in the same jail
  as indicted criminals. (There was no insane asylum in the district until 1852; between 1841 and 1852
  the dangerously insane from the district were accommodated in the Maryland Hospital in Baltimore,
  and before then they were left in jail.) Counsel for the prisoner intimated, however, that the court
  could “meliorate his condition, or change his custody.”
  Despite the prosecutor’s agreement that the writ should issue, the court denied the petition on
  grounds that clearly show the close relationships among the various mechanisms of preventive
  confinement:

User3169 generously suggested:

  Definition 16. to be printed or published; be put forth and circulated

Then does issue equate to be issued?  What are the similarities and differences?

Source: P64, America on Trial, by Alan Dershowitz


texts: What's the meaning of "stand" in this context?

texts:
Following is one of the verses from the song Billy Jean by Micheal Jackson (this is the full version of the lyrics of the song):

  For forty days and forty nights
  Law was on her side
  But who can stand when shes in demand
  Her schemes and plans
  Though we danced on the floor in the round
  So take my strong advice
  Just remember to always think twice
  (Do think twice, do think twice)

What does "stand" in line 3 of the verse mean?


texts: The difference between to fry and to braise

texts:
What is the difference between to fry and to braise. According to the internet, both means cooking something in oil without soaking in it.

I watched different videos on youtube using these words but it seems like they do the same thing .For example fry pan steak and braised steak.


texts:
I understand some subjunctive rules, but when the subordinate clause doesn't have a subject I don't know how to combine the sentence.
Could you please check it to me? Is it possible to combine like this?

  This is advisable. Do not permit our competitors to know our plans.
  This is advisable that do not permit our competitors to know our plans.
  This is imperative. Get your passport renewed before you leave the country.
  This is imperative that get your passport renewed before you leave the country.


texts: What is the difference among “when, where, should”?

texts:
Anybody can interpret what the difference is among “when, where, should”?
The example sentence I find is: A tenant may be liable to his landlord should a fire cause damage to the premises he rents.
I think “should” can be replaced by "when or where". Can you tell me the rules or reason why?
If possible, please give me a few examples to distinguish the three.
Thanks.


texts: Using articles 'a', 'an', 'the' with 'and'

texts:
I have a doubt about if the articles should be used on both sides of 'and' or just on one side.

For Example:
[1] There were a pen and a pencil.
OR
[2] There were a pen and pencil.


texts: 'Have you?' vs. 'Do you?' after 'I've had a lot of fun!'

texts:
Jair: I've had a lot of fun! Have you? (1)
Jair: I've had a lot of fun! Do you? (2)

Which is correct, if any, 'Do you?' or 'Have you?'?


texts: Are "wallet" for men and "purse" for women?

texts: I always used "wallet" for both men and women but I was told that it is a mistake and wallet is for men and purse is for women. Checking this information on internet confused me as you can see in the pictures bellow. It seems that wallet can be both for men and women, but in Cambridge dictionary it's written that wallet "is used especially by men". What in fact I have to use?


texts: Is the following sentence grammatically correct?

texts:
I have found two opposite views about the following sentence here : https://tinyurl.com/y7dvc48l

"I love it very much."

One view is that this sentence is incorrect because you either love something or you don't. There are no degrees of love.
Another view is that this sentence is grammatically correct because love is emotional, and it is subjective, so you can have degrees of love.
Is it correct to say "I love it very much"?


texts:
Elizabeth did not want to tell Dexter about her mother. Although the news
was more than a year old, he would be so portentously and profoundly sorry
for her that she would be embarrassed into making some smart crack, which
would shock and grieve him and then he would rebuke her and she would
not be able to prevent herself from blushing and hanging her head. She
wanted to say, as well, ‘Don’t call me Morty. Nobody calls me that any
more.’ But that would sound snotty and he would laugh at her.
‘Mum died,’ she said. ‘And don’t you dare feel sorry for me.’

Does "smart crack" mean "wisecrack"?
Does the sentence "she would be embarrassed into making some smart crack" mean: because she would not want to be more embarrassed and awkward she would say somethings that would be funny and comical?
Does "making smart crack" mean "saying somethings ironically to someone"?
Source: The Children's Bach by Helen Garner.


texts: Is there a second meaning or connotation behind "you want to use"?

texts:
On a question I got the answer

  In an AFTER UPDATE trigger, you want to use the new ID.

When I translate it literaly to german, "... möchten Sie verwenden", then there is a second meaning or hidden message in this statement. Using this in german builds a gap between the participants. A teacher can use this or father who is instructing his child. In other cases it would sound a bit presumptuous.

Is there a similar connotation in English or is it just a polite form of "you should do it this way"?


texts: Use of the word 'kindly' in an invitation

texts: I have just received an invitation to an event. Instead of using R.S.V.P., there is a request that I "kindly respond". Doesn't that presuppose my demeanor when I reply as opposed to their kindly asking me to respond?


texts: 'Hard work never hurt anyone' Why not 'hurts'?

texts:
I saw this sentence:

  Hard work never hurt anyone.

It's a good phrase, but I wonder why it is 'hurt' not 'hurts'? I think 'hurts' (3rd-person singular present) is more correct. Why is it 'hurt'?


texts:
Could you please check if I understood them correctly?

  1)The overwhelming majority of the houses on the Currituck Outer Banks
  were constructed within the last decade, most of them to accommodate
  vacation rentals. (= and most of the houses were constructed in order to
  accommodate vacation rentals.)

  2)Ford issued four recalls Thursday covering 1.3 million vehicles in
  North America, most of them to fix a power steering defect in SUVs.
  (= and most of the recalls were issued in order to fix a power steering
  defect in SUVs.)

  3)Over the next 200 years, around 600,000 more slaves were brought to
  the American colonies, most of them to work the tobacco and cotton
  fields. (= and most of the slaves were brought to in order to work the
  tobacco and cotton fields.)

  4)Hundreds of thousands more were expelled, many of them to die in the
  camps and the convoys.(= and many of them ended up dead in the camps and
  the convoys.)


texts: When should I use "glanced at" or "glanced to"?

texts:
With ant-sized steps, glancing a couple of times to/at Aida, Fumiko
  walked toward Takashima until she stood right on his left.

Should it be to or at. I ask, because I've seen both cases.


texts:
I just came across the following sentence;

  Many Americans love to watch reruns of the I Love Lucy show.

and think that the in there is extraneous. What rule applies to it?


texts: when I need to omit the rest part of infinitive,but keeping "to"

texts:
A: Are you going to watch the football match this afternoon?

B1: I'd like to, but
B2: I'd like, but
B3: I'd like to watch, but

which answer is correct?  Is there any Grammar here?


texts: From one side of the bridge to the other

texts:
Let's say we have a bridge over a river. If we say "cross the bridge" or "go across the bridge", or "go over the bridge" we mean this movement:

But what do we say if we want to go from one side of the bridge to the other?


texts: Is 'ex' of 'extinct' pronounced differently from that of 'exactly'?

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

  Choose the word whose underlined part is pronounced differently from that of the other words

  a. exactly
  b. exist
  c. exhaust
  d. extinct

(Because I couldn't underline the part of each word in this post, I made it bold)

After trying reading aloud each word a few times, I couldn't notice any differences of the above 'ex' parts. Then I looked it up in Oxford Dictionary and it showed each word's phonetic transciption like this:

  a. exactly   /ɪɡˈzæktli/
  b. exist   /ɪɡˈzɪst/
  c. exhaust   /ɪɡˈzɔːst/
  d. extinct  /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/

If the /ɪɡ/ and /ɪk/ are at the end of the word, like 'big' or 'tick', I can see the differences and pronounce them easily. However, in the exercise, it seems to me that the /ɡ/ and /k/ of all the words are canceled or silent.

Could you advise me on whether I'm correct or not in this case?


texts:
what is the meaning of "no less poor" in this context?

  Some idea of the pressure upon the Fox girls at this time may be
  gathered from Mrs. Hardinge Britten's* description from her own
  observation. She talks of "pausing on the first floor to hear poor
  patient Kate Fox, in the midst of a captious, grumbling crowd of
  investigators, repeating hour after hour the letters of the alphabet,
  while the no less poor, patient spirits rapped out names, ages and
  dates to suit all comers." Can one wonder that the girls, with
  vitality sapped, the beautiful, watchful influence of the mother
  removed, and harassed by enemies, succumbed to a gradually increasing
  temptation in the direction of stimulants?

from http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0301051h.html


texts: "When you ......... your homework, you can go out"

texts:
The options for this question are

finished
have finished
will finish
had finished

I chose the option 1 but the book says it is wrong.  Why can't we use "finished" here?

If we use doesn't it make any sense?


texts: Does "turnover" here mean "a cycle of purchase, sale, and replacement of a stock of goods"?

texts:
Currently reading this article, there is a line,

The increase “isn’t altruism,” Jelinek said at a hearing of the Senate Budget Committee. “At Costco, we know that paying employees good wages ... makes sense for our business and constitutes a significant competitive advantage for us. It helps us in the long run by minimizing turnover and maximizing employee productivity.”

According to a dictionary, there are 3 sales related definitions, which are,

1a(1): the amount received in sales for a stated period

(2): the ratio of sales for a stated period to average inventory

(3): a cycle of purchase, sale, and replacement of a stock of goods

b: the number of persons hired within a period to replace those leaving or dropped from a workforce
also : the ratio of this number to the number in the average force maintained

c: movement (as of goods or people) into, through, and out of a place


texts:
We use the word report with on or about. For example:

  He reported on man's first view from space.

  He reported about the effects of SARS.

It seems there aren't so much differences between on and about. Are there any particular differences between them?


texts: aboard: part of speech and its replacement for 'on board'

texts:
Gus was aboard the president's train as it steamed out of Union
  Station in Washington, D.C., at seven o'clock in the evening on
  Wednesday, September 3. Wilson was dressed in a blue blazer, white
  pants, and a straw boater. His wife, Edith, went with him, as did Cary
  Travers Grayson, his personal physician. Also aboard were
  twenty-one newspaper reporters including Rosa Hellman. (Ken Follett,
  Fall of Giants)

Bas Aarts says prepositions can be alone without their complements. And I can imagine ‘aboard’ as a preposition without complement, for there's no dictionary that calls aboard adjective. But can ‘aboard’ substitute ‘on board’ below?

Have the passengers gone on board yet?
-> Have the passengers gone aboard yet?


texts:
I'll cite a quote from the Godfather book by Mario Puzo:

  He pondered for a moment. "A couple of our people will come to stay
  here". He saw her look of fright and said impatiently, "You don't have
  to be scared, I just want them here. Do whatever they tell you to do.
  If you wanna talk to me, get me on Pop's special phone but don't call
  me unless it's really important. And don't worry." He went out of the
  house.

  Darkness had fallen and the December wind whipped through the mall

I confused by the whipped through the mall phrase. What could it mean mean there? I guess whip means to move air flow quckly there. But about mall? What's that got to do with Sonny go through the street?


texts: What does the word "out" mean in the sentence "the correlation is very out"?

texts:
I just bumped into a sentence spoken by a native speaker that went as "I think the correlation is very out there."
From the context, I thought he meant the correlation was low/weak. Google Translate, however, says that "out" here means high/strong, which is exactly the opposite.
What does that suppose to mean? Is that a legit English phrasing, or it's merely an informal/casual expression?
Or he was actually saying it like, "the correlation is very out there"? What does "out there" mean in this sentence?


texts: difference between won't and don't in "It is high time to visit xyz headquarters if the mail won't (doesn't) come within 2 days."

texts:
"It is high time to visit xyz headquarters if the mail won't come within 2 days."

Please correct this sentence. Please explain the usage of won't and doesn't.