texts: Is dropping the word "University" standard in all variants of English?

texts:
I came across the following conversation.
Person 1: Which school are you attending?
Person 2: Georgetown
Why do people drop the word "university" here? Is it obvious for native speakers? Won't it be ambiguous when a city has more than one university with a similar name? I see this only in the US. Indians invariably add the word "University". What is standard English usage?
Edit: Is it also common to drop the word "college"?
P.S.: I don't have difficulty when the word "university" is dropped from famous universities like Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge, etc.


texts:
I have been learning British English. I found a sentence in a TV series:

'I heard an alley cat screeching.'

also

'Stop screeching like an alley cat!'

However, I don't quite understand the meaning. I have googled 'alley cat', but it turned out that 'alley cat' is a bar... I guess 'screeching like an alley cat' may mean 'being very emotional' but I am not sure. Could anyone tell me what does it mean?


texts: How do I say that something was done “automatically” when I did something else

texts:
Assume I needed to do X and Y. It looked like X and Y are not connected, but when I did Y, I also involuntary did X because, apparently, you can't do Y without doing X (or you can but with a lot of additional and needless effort).

I want to say that X was done “automatically” when I did Y. How can I word it correctly?


texts:
I'm reading the novel *Me Before You*. The male hero Will is a handicapped people. Now, the travelling agent was persuading Will's nursing assistant - Lou - to go to Florida.

  ‘They accommodate everyone. Why don’t you try Florida, Miss Clark? If
  you don’t like it you could go on to SeaWorld. And the weather is
  lovely.’

  ‘In Will versus killer whale I think I know who would come off worst.’

I can't understand the precipitate come off worst.
After looked it up, I nearly half understand it -

  Fare in a specified way in a contest.

But I still can't understand the sentence under this situation.

Why would she say that? And, according her meaning - "I know who would ...", Who would come off worst (I don't know)?


texts: Difference between "went through numerous" vs "went through the numerous"?

texts:
The full sentence was:

  He went through the numerous pavilions and buildings, bridges and corridors, before arriving at the training hall’s door.

What is the use of "the" before "numerous" in this sentence? Is it emphasizing something?

Edit: These buildings, pavilions, bridges and corridors haven't been mentioned before this sentence.


texts: We denote scalars with lowercase or with lowercases?

texts:
I wonder which form(s) are correct amongst the following:

We denote scalars with lowercase.
We denote scalars with lowercases.

Example (let's ignore the space between lower and cases):

Lowercase can be a noun:


texts:
Is the phrase "more and more x the more y" idiomatic? I think it is, but it's hard for me to know if it's the case and if there are some constraint to the phrase and how we can use it.

For example:

  He became more and more angry the more the audience ignored him.

  The vampire became more and more powerful the more blood he drank from
  his victims.

  The legend became more and more widespread the more time went on.


texts: Why can't we say "explain me it" or "say me it"?

texts:
By putting the direct object before the indirect object we can say:

  tell it to me
  say it to me
  explain it to me

And if we put the indirect object before the direct object we can say:

  tell me it

But not:

  say me it
  explain me it

Why is this?


texts:
If I am somewhere on behalf of someone or to represent someone which way is best to say it in formal English?

I'm here in the name of Daniel Swift.
I'm here in Daniel Swift's name.
I'm here under Daniel Swift's name.

Is there a difference between the three?

Is it better to say:

I'm here to represent Daniel Swift.
I'm here on behalf of Daniel Swift.


texts: Does "will" in this sentence concern only the future or also include the present?

texts:
I wonder whether the "will" in the last sentence of the paragraph below indicates only the future or also includes the present. I am confused whether she means the alteration will happen as time passes in the future, or whether it can be regarded differently depending on the perspective even right now.

  If this semantic reversal feels too radical to stick, consider the word “peruse,” which has gone from meaning “to read carefully or pore over” to meaning “skim or browse” within the past few decades. Words and phrases shift meaning all the time, sometimes even coming to mean their opposite, and sometimes conveying opposing meanings depending on context (as in “sanction” or “dust”). As a historian of the language, I am mindful of the fact that what strikes older speakers as illogical and absurd right now will in all likelihood seem more interesting than nonsensical in retrospect.

That paragraph is from here, an article by Anne Curzan about the idiom "Sight for Sore Eyes". She talks about the fact that lots of young students regard certain idioms differently from their standard meanings.

Thank you.


texts:
Is it grammatically correct to say that Yesterday is the best day of my life instead of was?? My reasoning is that the best day of my life is yesterday. It has not changed.

If someone says yesterday was the best day of my life, does that mean yesterday is no longer the best of his/her life? Maybe he/she won the lottery today so he/she thinks that today is his best day instead of yesterday?


texts: Which one is right? "born for" or "born to"

texts:
I want to say "a son was born for the king and queen"
or "a son was born to the king and queen"
Which one should I use?


texts: a book "said"...? Which expression do you use when you refer from books?

texts:
A few weeks ago, one of my friend and I talked about tomorrow's traveling course. I said, "my guidebook said a city walking course."

But books can't say anything. So I thought "said" was a wrong expression.
What should I have said? Which verb do you use when you refer information from a book?
Or just I could have said "There is a city walking course in my guidebook."?
If you know any alternative expression in the situation please let me know.


texts: Doubt regarding noun used as adjectives and possessive case.

texts:
I've come to know the rules while using two nouns together but have some doubt regarding the possessive case in case of two nouns used together. The two sentences are..

Based on newspaper's reports we can conclude that......
Based on newspaper reports we can conclude that......

Why is the first sentence wrong?


texts:
I read a sentence in "Word Power Made Easy" which was:

  Believe me the old saw that claims you cannot teach an old dog new tricks is a baseless, if popular, superstition.

Does the "if popular" part mean that the superstition is baseless "only if" it is popular or does it mean that superstition is baseless "even if" it is popular? Don't you think the right word should have been written before "if" by the author?


texts:
He prides himself on his singing.

  A restaurant that prides itself on speed of service.

  She prides herself on being a good listener.

What does 'on' mean when it is collocated with 'Pride oneself'?

As far as I guess at its meaning in such context, I think it would only mean 'supported by' as in

  He prides himself supported by his singing.

I wasn't able to find any other meanings of 'on' which would be well fit with the idiom.


texts: 'king of the lionfish' or 'the king of the lionfish'

texts: I came across the headline "Becoming king of the lionfish to save the ocean" from CNN but grammatically I guess the king of the lionfish seems better correct as the king is of the lionfish. Is it grammatically correct not to use the in this case, or does it give different meaning with or without the article?


texts: What's the difference between 'I have worked in this company before' and 'I had worked in this company before'

texts:
If I used to work in a company, which one of the sentences given below is correct when I am telling someone about this experience:

(1) I have worked in this company before; or

(2) I had worked in this company before.

I was taught that it's fine to use 'have + p.p.' as a way of description when we are talking about our experience. However, I was also taught that if the thing we are talking about has been done/over in the past, we should use 'had + p.p.' instead. Therefore, I was wondering which one is correct or are these two sentences both available for this context?


texts:
which one is correct option: began or had its beginning:

  The interesting tale "had its beginning/began" more than fifty years ago.

Had takes third form of verb with it. So grammatically had its beginning is wrong. Please correct me if I am wrong.


texts: How do I have students open their books at a specific page by speaking

texts:
Imagine I am teaching in a classroom and trying to have students open their books at a specific page.

Should I say this or something else?

  dear students, please turn to page 35 and look at figure 2.3

Does it sound natural and nice?


texts: What is the difference between I will have lived vs I will have been living

texts:
What is the difference between have lived vs have been living.
For example.

This August, I will have lived in Yemen for three years.

This August, I will have been living in Yemen for three years.


texts: Is it correct to say: the federal government [of Canada] introduced an Act? Looking for correct terminology to fit my sentence

texts:
I am not sure if this is the right question for this site. I asked a similar question in WordReference.com which resulted in this query (I have modified my question).

This is how I want to word it:

  In view of such problems, the federal government in 1918 introduced the Employment Offices Coordination Act and subsequently created the Employment Service of Canada (ESC).

Question: Is it correct to say the Federal government introduced the Act and created the department of ESC?

The book (No Fault of Their Own, James Struthers, 1983) that I am using as reference uses different terms:

  "The Union government developed two [one of which is that Act] programs..."

  "Through it [ESC] Ottawa established a link with the nation's labour markets..."

  "Like much of the Union government's subsequent legislation in housing, education..., the ESC was financed through conditional grants. Ottawa provided subsidy of $150,000..."

  "The Dominion authorities were not willing to acept full responsibility..."

  "the creation of ESC was an evidence of federal commitment to tackling unemployment..."

To me it seems they are terms used to refer to Ottawa and that it might be okay to use federal government.

Others suggested that Canada's federal government does not pass/enact Acts. Acts/Bills receive royal assent (they are correct). Here is my earlier effort: https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/tthe-federal-government-enacted-the-employment-offices-coordination-act.3493606/

They suggested the following sentence:

  The Employment Offices Coordination Act was introduced/received royal assent/was passed in 1918.

But it did not work for me as it doesn't say who was responsible in creating the Act. I am trying to say that the federal government responded to some problems with this Act.


texts: it seems that both "A comprises B" and "B comprises A" are correct, is my understanding right?

texts:
dictionary.cambridge gives 2 explanation of comprises

to have things or people as parts or members; to consist of
to be the parts or members of something; to make up something

Consider a set A = {B, C, D}, is it appropriate to say

"A comprises B, C and D"

and

"B comprises a fraction of A"?


texts: What is the word for the description below

texts:
Declining someone for a reason besides the primary reason. Like rejecting help for a reason other than the reason that they don't need help.
So basically how would I rephrase this sentence: The women thought I declined her offer because of her appearance and the state of the situation however I declined due to not needing help.
The woman thinking "I declined her for reasons not relating to the question" sat melancholic.


texts: Can I say "pain is relieved" or "soreness is relieved"?

texts: I am emailing a professor and I wonder if the saying "has your tooth soreness been relieved a bit" or "has your toothache been relieved a bit" is the correct saying. Is the passive voice a correct usage? And is "relieve" a good word for usage?


texts: How to use the underline character in English?

texts:
I've been learning English for 5 years, but I don't understand when or how to use underline character (_) in English.
Please can you help me explain it to me?

Example about hyphen, I read here and then I understood it. But underline I can't.


texts: How to interpret "with _of_ before the thing communicated"?

texts:
I noticed that in business English, "please advise" is often used as a fixed phrase in context where it basically means "please respond". I looked at Wiktionary and found this among the definitions:

  (transitive) To give information or notice to; to inform or counsel; — with of before the thing communicated.

Does "of" have a special meaning here?


texts:
In the Oxford Dictionary definition of account, under the "Phrasal Verbs" section this definition:

  account for somebody/something
  1. to know where somebody/something is or what has happened to them, especially after an accident

has the example sentence:

  All passengers have now been accounted for.

Is this saying the current status, or saying the search for all passengers has just finished right this moment?


texts:
I found a sentence in my "Preparation and Practice Exam TOEFL" book a sentence states "Not until 1895 did Cornell University begin to offer a degree in ornithology" . anyone can explain what the word "did" means in the sentence?
I mean, as we know "did" is a verb and should have a subject, but in that sentence I found that the subject is "Cornell University" and its verb is "begin". so why does "did" in the sentence exist? what for?


texts:
Is it okay to say

  "a big news"

for example,

  "I am telling you a big news"

or is it wrong? I heard a non-native English speaker say that.

The word "news" is mystery to me. It has a plural form, but it's singular non-countable. I have no idea how to use it properly.


texts:
Is there an apostrophe after the name of my university?

I.e. is the apostrophe in this sentence correct?

  Of these 7 were postgraduate students at the University of Glasgow's School of Computing Science.


texts: Superman & superwoman: countable or uncountable?

texts:
I suppose you know you can turn into superwoman or superman in an
  emergency. Mrs Pam Weldon reported that her baby nearly slipped under
  the wheels of a car. Mrs Weldon weighs only 50 kilos, but she said she
  lifted the car to save her baby. Dr Murray Watson, a zoologist, wrote
  that he jumped nearly three metres into the air to grab the lowest
  branch of a tree when hyenas chased him in Kenya. Perhaps you wonder
  if you can perform such feats. The chances are that you can. Doctors
  say that we can find great reserves of strength when we are afraid.
  It's well-known that adrenalin can turn us into superwomen or
  supermen!

Source: Longman English grammar practice, L. G. Alexander, Page 11

I looked up both superman and superwoman in many dictionaries and they all know them as countable nouns. Shouldn't there be an a before superwoman in the first line:

  I suppose you know you can turn into a superwoman or superman in an
  emergency.


texts:
My friend wrote me that he is coming in march to see me

Shall I write " happy to see you in march   but a bit sad we can't see sooner".

Can I use the present because it is a fixed arrangment or Is it  better to write" sad not to see sooner".


texts:
Can we use 'but' to mean 'and'?

The animal was classified in that category, because people had a hard time classifying it, but (and, although people had a hard time classifying it, because) that category made the most sense for most world-renown experts at that time, before it was put in a different category.

which could be broke down into

because X1, but X2.

which is meant to mean

because X1, and X2 although X1 somewhat contradicts X2.

I've never seen but to be used to reinforce a predicate that's introduced by because.


texts:
I'm a U.S. speaker, and I'm editing a text using Australian speech. The way they are using this term "out the front" sounds like the way U.S. English would say "out front", meaning in the front part of a building or some sort of enclosed location, but I can't find this anywhere, and I want to make sure.

e.g.

  The buildings were all the same, with the same colour roofs and with gardens out the front.

Thanks for any help you can provide,
Michelle


texts: What's the difference "Thank you for making a helpful post." and "Thank you for making the helpful post." in this context?

texts:
When I come across the post that helps me, I make a comment, "Thank you for making a helpful post", meaning "Thank you for making ONE post that helps me."

I know that "Thank you for making the helpful post" is also correct, clearly indicating the exact post they made.

What's the difference in meaning or nuance between the above two sentences?
Which one is more natural or commonly used?


texts: "Male and female athelete that has" versus "Male and female atheletes that have"

texts:
Which would be correct?

Male and female athlete that has shown good sportsmanship?

OR

Male and female athletes that have shown good sportsmanship?


texts:
Source: Lessons In Electric Circuits—Volume I

Example:

  If using a Microsoft operating system such as DOS or Windows, a couple of text editors are readily available with the system. In DOS, there is the old Edit text editing program, which may be invoked by typing edit at the command prompt. InWindows (3.x/95/98/NT/Me/2k/XP), the Notepad text editor is your stock choice. Many other text editing programs are available, and some are even free. I happen to use a free text editor called Vim, and run it under both
  Windows 95 and Linux operating systems.

What exactly do you think that means?


texts: How to reference previously mentioned words without ambiguity?

texts:
There are TV programmes produced by the Ministry of Education for high school students, and (1) they \ students can attend (2) these lectures remotely without traveling to schools.

Assuming you are a native English speaker:

1) Do you feel that it will be better to use students instead of they, because they can refer to programmes.

2) Is it clear that "these lectures" refer to TV programmes ?


texts: "Either" and "too" in pairs of sentences

texts:
I wrote these sentences:

①  I am unable to speak. I am unable to hear either.
② I felt humiliated at the party last night. I was unable to sleep well, too.

Here is my analysis:  In ①, the first sentence is negative and the second one is negative as well. For this reason, either is used.
But in ② the first sentence is positive, and though unable is negative, since the first sentence is positive, too is used.
Is my analysis correct?


texts: Why does "common" come after "diseases" in "diseases common among older people"?

texts:
I have a question about below sentence:

  Diseases common among older people

my problem is why "common" which is an adjective in this sentence has come after the subject "diseases"?

Thanking in advance for your kind consideration.

Sara


texts: Is "atestat" a synonym for "certificate"?

texts:
I would like to know whether the word "atestat" exists in the English language or if it is just a bad usage from speakers in my country due to the similarity with a word in our native language.

It is supposed to be a synonym for "certificate", but I couldn't find it in any dictionary (apart from Google Translate if it may be regarded as a dictionary, but I don't really trust this source in general).


texts: Why do two sentences have different structures?

texts:
Now I study about relative clauses. But I have found something wrong.

I met a woman. She can speak six languages.
-> I met a woman who can speak six languages.
A man phoned. He didn't give his name.
-> A man who phoned didn't give his name. (Book's answer)
But I think it should be like this: -> A man phoned who didn't give his name.

My questions are: 1. Why is there a difference in structure between (1) and (2)?
2. Is my sentence (2) correct?

Why do the two sentences have different structures?


texts: What verb should I use for a roll call in a classroom? (see example)

texts:
The teacher entered the classroom and did/made/read/gave a roll call.

From the results I found on google, it seems as if the term "roll call" (a reading of the students' name to check if they are present) is not used this way and none of the options in bold are common. What are the most used phrases to say what I mean in the example?


texts: What does "shoulder-rolling" mean in this context?

texts:
I have heard "roll your shoulders" used, but I am not quite sure what "shoulder-rolling" means as an adjective. The word is rare enough to not figure in any dictionaries.

  Appealing as they are, the two leads are readily upstaged by Miss Ruehl and, especially, by Mr. Stockwell. His shoulder-rolling caricature of this suave, foppish and thoroughly henpecked kingpin is the film's biggest treat. (source)


texts: Should I use "figure" or "figure out" in the following sentence?

texts:
At that instant the bell rang and my friends darted to class, leaving
  me there, thinking what to do next. It didn’t take me long to figure:
  if I wanted my marble back I had to venture into the forest. I had to
  be careful, though.

Should it be figure or figure out? If so, why?


texts: I'm ready in the meaning I've just finished something

texts:
I saw the answer to the I'm finished == I'm ready entry but it seems to me that the answers miss the point. What my question is, and probably the user before me also wanted an answer to is, if I'm ready can be used in the meaning of I have just completed something.
It is clear that to be ready means you are prepared to start a next course of action, but is it good English or at least does it sound natural if I use it at the end of an activity implicating that I am over it now. (using the phrase I' ready in the meaning of I have just finished something.) Like when you have just made 40 burpees and you sigh: I'm ready.

Or for example you are doing your morning exercise and your brother wants to go somewhere with you and to his suggestion you answer: "Ok, we can go when I am ready."


texts: Describing the position of elements of a web page

texts:
Here is a screenshot of the Visual Dictionary Online website's homepage as displayed in my browser:

My question is: How would you refer to the position of the image of the reindeer on the web page?

In this case, I don't want you to tell me the reindeer is "above the Image of the Week box", or "below the heron", etc.; i.e., I don't want its position expressed in relation to other elements of the web page; the only thing allowed for now is the page itself, which you may picture as a blank sheet of paper with our buddy Rudolph on it. I'm only insisting on this requirement because those (other) elements may not be present on other web pages.

I'd describe the position of the reindeer like this:

  1a. The picture of the reindeer is at the right side of the web page.
  1b. The picture of the reindeer is on the right side of the web page.
  1c. The picture of the reindeer is in the upper-right section/area/quadrant of the web page.

The second question is regarding the position of the Search button, which is located just below the navigation bar, in the middle: How would you describe the position of the Search button with respect to the Google Custom Search search field?

My attempt:

  2a. The Search button is (located) to the right of the search field.
  2b. The Search button is next to the search field, at the right.
  2c. The Search button is next to the search field, on the right.


texts: tolerance is a learning over instinct... (From the french "un apprentissage sur l'instinct")

texts:
I'm trying to translate a french expression

  La tolérance est "un apprentissage sur l'instinct".

which literaly means "tolerance is a learning over instincts" ("instinct" in french doesn't refer to a specific instinct but to "primal urges in general") (Thanks Crazy Eyes!).

This handy expression pictures a learning "against" the instinct, it reminds that the learning is made above instincts, to control it or to cover it. It pictures a learning that gain ground against the instinct.

I did google my try "learning over the instinct" if that's the right one, it seems that I'm the first one to use it... Any idea?

Thanks to crazy eyes and stoneyB, I updated my question.

Which one would best fit (in a social scientist style):

  tolerance is the fruit of a learning process over "instinct" (or "primal urge", primal instinct)
  tolerance is the fruit of a learning process that conquers instinct


texts: When you want to ensure someone that what they are looking for has not been lost and it is right here and you'll find it

texts:
Please imagine you've lost your wallet and have looked for it everywhere in the house.Your mom wants to help you, but she notices that you're getting angry and wants to ensure you that it is in the house and somehow tell ask you to keep your cool. There is a saying in my mother language which can be used here by the mom! I would be thankful if you could let me know if it works in natural English. If not, then please let me know what shall the mom say instead:

  It’s somewhere staring you right in the face.

P.S. This is a translation.


texts:
I am a non-English speaker and am reading Essential English for Journalists, Editors and Writers. There is a headline that I can't understand, thus I can't see the problem of splitting the headline at that position. This is the headline I'm struggling with:

WILSON: SMITH RIGHT
OFF COURSE

What is the true meaning of this headline? And what's the problem when splitting it like below?


texts:
From an American sitcom Friends S06E23, Transcript Here

  [Scene: Joey and Rachel's, continued from earlier. Chandler is showing
  Rachel the ring.]

  Chandler: Check out the ring.

  Rachel: (gasps) Nice! One and a half carat easy.

What's the meaning of "easy" here?


texts:
I've been thinking of how 'yet' in the affirmative statement works. I think [1] through [3] work but I'm not sure about [4].

[1] A: We've got to hurry!

B: Calm down. It's early yet.

[2] A: Is he coming back soon? Has he finished his job in Beijing?

B: No, he has two years yet.

[3] We have a long time yet. We can go to the gym.

[4] We are thirty minutes into the work yet. But I'm already tired.


texts:
I'm describing a bar graph and I'm little bit confused.

I want to write something like that:

On the second bar we can see the first peak: somesite.com was visited by almost 19 percent of internet users.

Should there be any article before the name of the site? Should I write the name of the site with a capital letter?


texts: What is the difference between “reenact” and “react”?

texts: Can they be used in the same situation?I tried to find the answer on google but still don’t understand.


texts:
Last summer Modric was one of the first who approached the club to
  talk about what had happened and what was to come

What does this phrase "what was to come" in the sentence mean?

  what was supposed to happen = what was to come , or not?


texts: Can I use "turn me off" in daily life without sexual meaning?

texts:
A: So how is your new roommate?
B: She really turns me off.
A: What happened?
B: She's always making loud noises at midnight.

This is conversation from one of my English book. I found the meaning of "turn me off" is If something or someone turns you off, you do not find them sexually attractive or they stop you feeling sexually excited.
My question is can I use this in daily life as like my book examples?


texts:
Traffic congestion wastes fuel, which in turn produces more carbon dioxide through the car exhausts and contributes to the greenhouse effect.

In this sentence, does the phrase 'in turn produces more carbon dioxide through the car' mention about the reason?
I cannot find the real verb in this sentence.


texts:
As I understand, a bird can be:

Game or a game bird can be any bird that is hunted anywhere with a rifle (for example). Game lives in the open (in wild conditions) hunted by hunters.
If a duck is shot by a hunter, it's game.  If it is grown or bred on a farm, it's a domestic bird.
So, if we breed a chicken for meals, is it poultry or fowl?  If we shoot it while hunting, it's game.  Am I correct?


texts:
I want to describe the location of the restaurant which I will go with my friends.
a restaurant [at/on/in] the [road/street/avenue]
Which one is correct?
Is there a difference between those sentences?


texts:
Which variant is correct? I would say "on Crete" ("ON an island", the general rule):

  "I live on Crete".

(At the same time, I assume that in the case of Cyprus both variants are correct since Cyprus is an island and a state. Crete is not a state.)

Please, correct me if I am wrong.


texts: What is the main noun in "a year's worth of learning" in the following sentence?

texts:
I wonder which noun in the phrase "a year's worth of learning" in the following sentence is the main noun of the phrase. If "a year's worth" is the main noun, then "of learning" should be a phrase that modifies "a year's worth". Otherwise, "learning" should be the main noun and "a year's worth of" be a phrase that modifies "learning".

  Why not buy yourself a year's worth of learning at our discount price?

The sentence is from an advertising email sent by a site that sells learning courses.
Thank you.


texts:
The following sentence

Often, we're so trapped in thoughts of the future or the past that we forget to experience, let alone enjoy, what's happening right now.

I understand that "that we forget to experience what's happening right now." is a relative clause describing thoughts.

But is "let alone enjoy" a participle phrase modifying we ?


texts:
If I were taller, I would not buy those heels.

Does this mean I still have the opportunity to get tall
and if I become tall in near future, I will not buy heels? Or have I already bought the heels and thinking about future?

I know its type 2 conditional but negative construction is confusing me.


texts: The meaning of "Very" in a particular sentence

texts:
What is the meaning of "Very" in this sentence:

  He started flailing professionally and found out how hard it is to
  deal with the very treatment he himself once dished out.


texts:
There are various types of vice-principal:

The person who oversees the school inventory (things they have, things they need, what to buy, when to buy, etc.)
The person who oversees curriculum (setting curriculum for next academic year, evaluating the current curriculum, etc.)
The person who oversees the student activity (which student goes to what competition, which student earn/deserve scholarship, school clubs, etc.)
The person who oversees communication with the public and other schools

How do you call these vice-principals in English: inventory vice-principal, curriculum vice-principal? Is that how they are called, or is there a special term for them?


texts: "Transfer complete", "transfer is complete" or "transfer is completed" - difference?

texts: While "transfer is complete" and "transfer is completed" are more or less clear for me, I can't understand what "Transfer complete" means against other phrases. What part of speech complete belongs in "Transfer complete"? Why it is used without is?


texts: Is "an independent clause" the same as "a sentence?"

texts: Knowing that the clause is a group of words that contain mainly a subject and a tense , and it may be dependent or independent, what is the difference between the latter and a sentence.?  This doubt is due to the fact that the author of a textbook, uses "a sentence" in the middle of explanations related to connectors after having been using "clauses" all the time, so I am in doubt whether he is referring to the same but with a different name.


texts:
There’s a lot of repetitiveness in these sentences. Would it sound better if I replaced ‘the child’ with ‘them’?

Are there any mistakes?

1)  The tree asked Witch on behalf of the child who used to play on it; so Witch gave the child a box of sweets. The tree then asked Witch to give the child more; so Witch gave the child a box of silver. Then the child was asked to come forward, and they were given a gold apple for every step they took.

2)  The tree asked Witch on behalf of the child who used to play on it; so Witch gave them a box of sweets. The tree then asked Witch to give them more; so Witch gave them a box of silver. Then they were asked to come forward, and they were given a gold apple for every step they took.

Thank you.

I have used semicolons in my sentences. Is this wrong? Would commas be better? I read that a semicolon should not be used before conjuctions (so).

Also, could I replace the full stops with semicolons in 1.?


texts: Is it correct to say, " could you set down the massage bill to my room"?

texts: Is it correct to ask " could you set down the massage bill to my room"?


texts: Word for 'getting removed from Hot Network Question'

texts:
When a question becomes a Hot Network Question, it attracts so many views. I have noticed that after few days of becoming hot, the question loses its effect and slowly "......"es from Hot Network Question. I need a word in the blank whose meaning should be "getting removed".
How can I say that? Is there a word for that?

the question is now ".....ing" from Hot Network Question


texts:
There is a sentence:

  While Mary was writing a letter, the children were playing outside.

Since “while” means “during the time”, can I replace “while” with “when”? If not, please explain.


texts: "do not find it easy" vs. "find it difficult"

texts:
In the post "is difficult for me" vs. "is difficult to me", a comment suggests this expression to describe something difficult for me.

I do not find it easy.

Another alternative might be

I find it difficult.

For the particular example of learning English, which one is more natural?
I’m pretty sure I saw a rule before about putting negative as early as possible, though I don't remember the name of it.
However, Ngram Viewer shows the opposite of it.

Could someone please help me on this?


texts:
It is from this video. It is at 5 minute and 34 second.

  Finally, make your speech legend -- wait for it -- dary by telling a great story.


texts: "is risky TO you" vs. "is risky FOR you"

texts:
Could anyone clarify to me the difference between for and to in this context? Are these two prepositions interchangeable in this phrase?

  Going out during the pandemic would be really risky TO you?

  Going out during the pandemic would be really risky FOR you?


texts: Big Smoke: Yeah, yeah, it's cool. Now, the way I see it is that we don't have a choice. Ain't nothing to feel bad about. You put a gun to a brother's head, brother's gonna do what he's told, no matter if he's a fool or a wise man. You don't want a bullet in the brain, but if you can make it work and make some benjamins while you at it, then that's cool.


texts:
I know that we can use the intensifier "fantastically" in constructions such as:

  The team played fantastically well.
  The car is fantastically expensive.

But can we say

  He was fantastically thirsty


texts:
I've found this sentence in Google Books:

  Somewhat more permanent are small anodized metal “A.T.” diamonds that
  the original trailblazers nailed along the path in the 1930s and
  1940s.

Context here.

Am I right that "A.T." means "Appalachian Trail" here? The following sentence in Wikipedia made me think so:

  The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the
  Appalachian Trail or simply the A.T., is a marked hiking trail in the
  Eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia
  and Mount Katahdin in Maine.


texts: In AmE, which term is used for a student who studies a lot?

texts:
Grind / Nerd / Bookworm / Swot
Which one of the following words describes a student who studies a lot in American English?
I think the first two choices sound natural.


texts: Is it correct to end a sentence with “I thought to myself”?

texts:
I was reading a novel and a sentence in the novel did not sound correct to me. Please check and let me know if it sounds normal or not. If it is correct, then please let me know what it means.

From the novel:

  Unless you try to talk to guys, genius, I thought to myself. Walking
  over to the door, I closed and locked it. Next time I wanted to do
  something like spin in circles, I needed to close my door first.Source: Bad for You, by Abbi Glines

As per my opinion:

  Unless you try to talk to guys, genius, I thought myself. Walking
  over to the door, I closed and locked it. Next time I wanted to do
  something like spin in circles, I needed to close my door first.

“I thought of myself” or “I thought about myself” could also be possible, but they do not suit the situation.


texts: Can i use "if and only if" and "then and only then" in the same sentence for emphasis?

texts:
I want to be crystal clear and add much emphasis that something will happen if and only if a specific condition is met. I thought of If and only if and then and only then.

Can i use both in the same sentence to give emphasis to the condition that must be met?

Example:
"If and only if you are wearing your spacesuit, then and only then can may you exit the spacecraft."

Would a native speaker express in such a way to give emphasis or that would sound unfamiliar in English?


texts: Difference between 'the all backup' or 'all the backup'?

texts:
I am confused about the difference between

  we can store all the backup
  we can store the all backup

Can any one help me with which one is correct or both? What is the logic behind which is right?


texts:
He is travelling the mountains.
He is travelling to the mountains.

These two sentences look similar to me but I am still puzzled between them. Are they similar?

Does my first sentence imply that he is travelling to many mountains around the country/cities/towns, he has come with an objective to travel the mountains?

Does my second sentence imply that he is travelling in the direction of mountains, he is gonna reach there?


texts:
Spending on cosmetic surgery in UK  has risen by more than a third,
  driven by the rising number of businesspeople who are going under the
  knife to help them climb the career ladder.

What does the "driven by" in this sentence mean?


texts: Why is the auxilary verb omitted in the "how long before you get off work"?

texts:
Why is the auxilary verb omitted in the following question?

  How long before you get off work?

Shouldn't it be asked with the auxilary verb? For example:

  How long before do you get off work?


texts:
a. One of my friends who works at your office told me that.
b. One of my friends, who works at your office, told me that.
Are both sentences grammatically correct?
Is the punctuation of both sentences acceptable?
Does either sentence imply that I have only one friend who works at your office?
I think both are correct and neither has that implication.
Many thanks


texts: using a descriptive phrase in place of a pronoun

texts:
Consider the example below:

For hours, al-Fadl had trudged through sand and shouted fruitlessly
for help. Now, as the severely dehydrated cleric collapsed into
the suffocating sand and felt his heart give out, he asked himself the
same question he had been asking for hours.

a descriptive phrase "the severely dehydrated cleric" is used instead of pronoun "he". I was wondering what the purpose of this kind of writing technique is. An obvious effect is to introduce the description ("severely dehydrated"). Are there any others?


texts:
It would be better if you finish out the term at least.

What does finish out mean? Can I just remove out and say finish the term? What is the difference between the finish and finish out?


texts: Understanding sentences from The Ferryman

texts:
I'm having trouble understanding of this passage from The Ferryman (Jez Butterworth) What are the meanings of these sentences according to the passage: "get a bead on", "I’m a ways past bailing", "pull a muscle".

UNCLE PAT. So what is it, Father? Have you come get a bead on? Sleeves
up, shoulder to the wheel. Has the clergy finally come to earn its tithe,
now?
HORRIGAN. Oh, I think I’m a ways past bailing, Pat.
UNCLE PAT. Well, you know what they say. It’s never too late to pull a
muscle.


texts: What style to follow when adding a question to the end of a sentence?

texts:
In the following paragraph, I want to ask a question after but the question is, as seen in bold.

  In general, there is a consensus on the advantages of academic self-efficacy in students, but the question is, how a sense of academic self-efficacy can be reinforced so that it guarantees students’ efficiency and academic performance?

Is use of question mark correct for the
Should the question part be placed in double quotes? Should it follow reported speech rule? Please note I am not quoting someone's question.


texts:
I have a sentence which contains two objects, first of which is a noun, and second of which is a noun clause. Is this possible ?

  The human race always needs something beneficial to survive and
  maintain its life. The reason for such a necessity is the obstacles
  the humankind is encountered by and the fact that the people are
  vulnerable to life conditions.

If it is grammatically wrong, how can I specify the statement ?


texts: Use of preposition "ran to" and "ran for"

texts:
I have read a story. In it little sister screams inside the house. Her brother was playing in the garden when he heard the scream "he ran for the house." He wanted to find what was happening inside the house. He wasn't scared.
I would like to know why "he ran for the house". Why not "he ran to the house." What is the difference between the two?


texts: Can "guidance" be in line with an "occupation"?

texts:
I am currently writing statement of purpose for my graduate studies and I find myself struggling with a particular turn of phrase.

I'd like to convey (at this point in my letter in a rather abstract fashion) that I have identified features of the particular style of teaching at a certain institution that I believe to be immensely conducive to the development of certain traits that I find indispensable for my ideal scientific career.

I ended up writing:

  "... that the guidance I stand to receive at [institution] is perfectly aligned with the scientist that I aspire to become."

Broken down to its components, the sentence above assets that a specific type of "guidance" is in line with "the scientist I aspire to become".
I have to admit that I am not perfectly happy with that. I suppose, "guidance" can be in line with traits of a "scientist" but not the "scientist" himself.

So my questions are:

Is the sentence above entirely non-sensical?
and (if not)
Does it sounds natural to a native speaker's ear?

Would I be better off writing something along the lines of:

  "...that the guidance I stand to receive at [institution] will make me best-equipped to become the scientist that I aspire be."


texts: would you more readily explain the explanations about the articles?

texts:
The automobile has changed our way of life.( the is used for the class itself)
automobiles have changed our way of life.( automobiles includes all representatives in the class)
but not An automobile has changed our way of life( An is interpreted here as indefinite a)
The madrigal is popular.
(being popular is characteristic of madrigrals)
Madrigals are popular.
(being popular is normal for madrigrals)
*A madrigal is popular.
(being popular is required for madrigrals)
... and of course this last conclusion is wrong, producing the star.
Would you possibly more simple explain the bold parts? and especially I couldn't understand what exactly the word class means here.


texts: went off and used surveying instruments - meaning of "went off"

texts:
Now, the reason that we think computer science is about computers is pretty much the same reason that the Egyptians thought geometry was about surveying instruments. And that is, when some field is just getting started and you don't really understand it very well, it's very easy to confuse the essence of what you're doing with the tools that you use. And indeed, on some absolute scale of things, we probably know less about the essence of computer science than the ancient Egyptians really knew about geometry.
  Well, what do I mean by the essence of computer science? What do I mean by the essence of geometry? See, it's certainly true that these Egyptians went off and used surveying instruments, but when we look back on them after a couple of thousand years, we say, gee, what they were doing, the important stuff they were doing, was to begin to formalize notions about space and time, to start a way of talking about mathematical truths formally.

What does it really mean they went off and used?


texts: Meaning of the phrasal verb "clean up" in context

texts:
It was in the ninth episode of ninth season of Friends. Here is the transcription:

[Scene: Ross and Rachel's apartment. Ross is in the living room
covering Emma. Rachel enters wearing a sexy dress.]
ROSS: Wow! (pause) Wow, You look . . . uh . . .It's just, ah . . .
That dress . . . uh . . .
RACHEL: Well, I hope the ends of these sentences are good.
ROSS: Well, well, they're good. It's been a while since I've seen you
like this. You, you clean up good.


texts: What part of speech? --He arrived __moments__ later

texts:
He arrived moments later.

Here moments is noun and clearly later must be adverb, then how is it modifying the noun?


texts: Do "living with no rules" and "living without rules" have the same meaning?

texts: As the title said, Do these 2 sentences have the same meaning?


texts: What does "troubled the counsels of the Wise and the Great" mean?

texts:
But in the days of Bilbo, and of Frodo his heir, they suddenly became, by no wish of their own, both important and renowned, and troubled the counsels of the Wise and the Great.

I usually see 'trouble', as a verb, is often followed by a person, e.g. trouble you.  But I don't understand "troubled the counsels" in the quote.
What does the phrase mean here?


texts: What does "divorce from affair" and "divorce from marriage" mean?

texts:
divorces, from affairs as well as marriages, could take unexpected
  bitter turns.

Divorce means "..., their marriage is legally ended."
A and B are in affair (They haven't legally married), then the parted. Can this be called divorce? (I think cann't)

And what does 'take bitter turns' mean?


texts: I'll finish this in ONE Day - does it mean 24 hr?

texts:
This has actually happened with me! This is the conversation I had with my teammate:

Scene 1 (11 am):

  "Well, this is to be finished earliest possible."   "Okay Maulik, this'll be done. It's easy. I'll do it in one day."   "Are you sure because I think it's a bit lengthy work."   "Ah, don't worry. As I said, I'll do it in one day."

When I was leaving my premises, the work did not happen. And, I went home (from where I do work). At 10 pm, I got a mail from my teammate and the work was finished.

Scene 2 (10 pm):

  "Maulik, I sent you mail. The work is done."  "Well, but you said you'll do it in one day."   "Exactly, the day is not over yet! It's the same day right? Monday! I never let Tuesday happen!"

And, I was speechless, thought for a while and agreed!

Is this the flaw in the language or is it something else? Of course if someone is completing the task in one day, it's in a few hours i.e. before the dusk but then Monday remains Monday till midnight.


texts:
Is Following sentence grammatically correct,

  is it possible to do theorizing without storymaking?

or this one,

  is it possible to go theorizing without storymaking?

Note: I want to make a sentence that express "making a theory" is began from "making a story", thanks.


texts: Is there a more well-fit work than "wide" and "concrete" in this context?

texts:
When I receive a call from a recruiter or such (e.g. a seller etc.) they usually start by presenting themselves and thereafter glide into asking me questions. I've concluded that those can be split up into three stages: courteous, complimentary and investigative.

The first one is manageable; as is the second, if yet slightly annoying since its aim's to massage my ego and soften me into compliance to whatever crappy rest product of Mr. Cow they're about to lay upon me.

The last part's target is to obtain sensitive insight about my situation that I'd perhaps not share if requested directly. However, it still might be filtered out by analyzing a longer reply to a wide, open question. Examples of such two types could be as follows.

To-the-pointy type.

  How long have you been with your current company?
  Do you live close to Stockholm's central parts?
  Have you worked developing in TypeScript?

Snoopy-sneaky type.

  So, how do you feel about your current project?
  Can you tell me what you would like to consider in the future?
  What are your thoughts on a prospectively new employer?

Usually, when faced with the wide kind, I refuse to provide an answer inferring information I don't want to share. The problem's that being silent, saying "next question, please", dodging by "can't say" - all that leads sooner or later to annoyance or infected situation. And in the end, I want to give some information as it might be beneficial to me.

So I started to use the following phrase.

  Oh, that's a very wide question. Could you be more concrete?

I have no sense of how it's being perceived by a native speaker, though. I considered terms like narrow it down, be more specific, ask to the point (as a substitute for be more concrete). I also played with broad, abstract, fuzzy (instead of broad). Didn't arrive in a satisfactory spot, though.

The message I'm trying to convey is to point out that I see through the trick and won't step into that pile of poo. However, and this is the tricky part for me, I also don't want to insult the counterpart by accusing them of trying said trick (since, humbly regarded, I can't know for sure). I also want to provide them with information as long as it's something that is okay to ask and not some kind of excavation on my inner considerations.

After googling, consulting both Webster and Oxford, checking a bunch of blogs on interpersonal relations, I arrived at the conclusion that I need to ask the question here. Which terms would be polite and inviting enough to encourage inquires but formal and strict enough to tell them to respect the boundaries?


texts: What does "for the corbeille had been of rare quality" mean?

texts:
Some weeks later there was a curious scene enacted at L'Abri. In the centre of the smoothly swept back yard was a great bonfire. Armand Aubigny sat in the wide hallway that commanded a view of the spectacle; and it was he who dealt out to a half dozen negroes the material which kept this fire ablaze.

  A graceful cradle of willow, with all its dainty furbishings, was laid upon the pyre, which had already been fed with the richness of a priceless layette. Then there were silk gowns, and velvet and satin ones added to these; laces, too, and embroideries; bonnets and gloves; for the corbeille had been of rare quality

This sentence seemed vague to me does it mean that as the corbeille was antique he didn't fire it?

This passage is from a short story named: Desiree's Baby by Kate Chopin.


texts:
Are this and that both used to refer the thing/person/situation just mentioned or not?please help me in this or that.

E.g,

Two persons are talking about a man. That/this man is not on the spot. The first person tells the second person that I will find out the man who did this or that. The second person replies "How will you find this or that man?

Please tell me where should I use this and where that.


texts: Does "drive home" have a Literal meaning (like going home but by car)?

texts:
In dictionary, "drive home" has 2 meanings

  carry out or perform

  “The boxer drove home a solid left”

  make clear by special emphasis and try to convince somebody of something

  “drive home a point or an argument”

  “I'm trying to drive home these basic ideas”

My question is:

Does "drive home" have a literal meaning?

Does it also mean "go home by car"? Ex: I want to drive home.


texts: Doing a chemistry experiment or work on a chemistry experiment?

texts:
Doing a chemistry experiment or working on a chemistry experiment?

Which one is correct? Did some google search but found nothing related. Should I use do or work on?


texts:
I am reading a computer article about virtual machines.

My question is that what "sad" means in the sentence below?

I don't think it means "unhappy", because the writer says that he loves virtual machines.

  I love virtual machines (VMs) and I have done for a long time. If that
  makes me “sad” or an “anorak”, so be it. I love them because they are
  so much fun, as well as being so useful.


texts: Another phrasing for 'to make a mobile phone call'

texts:
What are informal short phrases for 'to make a mobile phone call'?

I can not call on (from/ by) the mobile right now, because I ran out of money.
I cannot use my mobile because
I cannot ring...


texts: Is this correct?- 'This Organisation is S.H.I.E.L.D..'

texts:
is this correct?

  'This Organisation is S.H.I.E.L.D..'

Note the 2 dots that I put there after 'D'. What I meant was the first dot would indicate full form of 'D' & second dot the full stop.


texts: Making a facial expression involving both eyes looking towards the nose

texts:
Her eyes are normal without any defects. But, she tried to roll her eyes' pupils into either the left or right corners of the eyes on purpose as showed in the picture.

Do we say "she is squinting her eyes"?


texts:
The medico went to the nearest village and there in the bazaar he found various kinds of meat and fish.

In this sentence,what does the word 'there' refer?why?


texts: Can "keep clear of sb/sth" and "keep sb/sth away from sb/sth" be interchangeable?

texts:
I am wondering whether "keep clear of sb./sth.;" and "keep (sb./sth.) away (from sb./sth.)" can be interchangeable.

Do the following sentences have the same meaning?

Please keep clear of the barking dog.

Please keep (yourself) away (from the barking dog.)


texts: What does “purple” mean in “earthworms frolicked purple in the slush”?

texts:
What does purple mean, other than its definition which tells what type of color it is, in the below paragraph:

  Heaven opened and the water hammered down, reviving the reluctant old well, greenmossing the pigless pigsty, carpet bombing still, tea-coloured puddles the way memory bombs still, tea-coloured minds. The grass looked wetgreen and pleased. Happy earthworms frolicked purple in the slush. Green nettles nodded. Trees bent.

This para is from God of small things by Arundhita Roy.


texts:
If our body part comes in contact with someone such as we are walking through a crowd and our elbow touches someone hard that hurts them although we've not done this on purpose, can we say:

  My elbow hit him mistakenly.

problem with this sentence

  I hit him with my elbow mistakenly

is that it feels as if there was force in this. Since the meaning of 'hit' is:

  to bring your hand, or an object you are holding, against somebody/something quickly and with force

  I stumbled over his shoulder/ hand...

What about this?


texts: The correct way to refer using "their" in a sentence

texts:
I need to choose a title for a paper and I'm unsure of the usage of "their":

  Development of an orange juice for monkeys to enhance their jumping-capabilities in trees

Is "their" in this context referring correctly to the monkeys or is it grammatically wrong, because "Development of an orange juice for monkeys" is the construct that "their" would refer to?

Do I need to use something like this instead?:

  Development of an orange juice for monkeys to enhance the monkeys' jumping-capabilities in trees

UPDATE

Maybe its would be better to compare constructs that are more related to things than to beings because it is more closely related to my actual use case (I don't know if that would even make a difference):

  Development of a language for protocols to enhance their applicability in automatic communication

Is "their" in this case still referring grammatically correct to "protocols"?


texts: The significance of the preposition "From" in the given sentence, and the difference between the given sentences

texts:
Where did you get that chipset/ (anything you want IT to be) from?

Where did you get that chipset/ (anything you want IT to be)?

What's the difference in the two sentences?
What's the significance of the preposition "From" in the first sentence?


texts:
“In my new home, I live right next to a farm. I think that explains why recently I've been seeing a chicken in our yard.” (JenniferESL; her orgiginal (00:21))

Jennifer, the ESL online teacher, pronounces ‘seeing a’ as /si: ŋ-gə/ - I expect /si: ŋ-ə/ from dictionaries. So Kindly she brought her captions onto her YouTube channel, I can tell what she was pronouncing. However is the /g/ sound her unique way of saying, or is it one used by many people?


texts:
This is the original sentence:

  This novel has to do with peasant life after the reform.

We cannot say

  This novel concerns peasant life after the reform.

but we can say

  This is a novel concerning peasant life after the reform.

What is the difference between the second sentence and the third?  How to understand the meaning of the word ‘concerns’?


texts: The grammar in "Callous though it may seem,"

texts:
Callous though it may seem, the effects of structural reliability can be measured no only in terms of cost in human lives but also in material terms.

Callous though it may seem = though it may seem callous ????
Is these the same? The order looks weird.


texts: Standing roadside: shouldn't it be "on the roadside" or "at the roadside"?

texts:
I was reading this page and came accross this sentence:

  But there is one other attraction of the race that gets those standing roadside to scream almost as loudly: The publicity caravan -- La Caravane Du Tour.

I would have written it as "standing on the roadside".

What would have been the difference?

I am also wondering what type of structure is that? As far as I know, roadside is neither adjective nor adverb. Does it have anything to do with "to stand"? Is "stand" a linking verb here? Is it a kind of ellipsis?

Reference: https://edition-m.cnn.com/2017/07/17/sport/tour-de-france-caravan/index.html?r=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F


texts: Are these expressions valid, "do you want to put the box over yourself?", "do you want me to put the box over you?", etc?

texts:
Some children like to play like this. That is they cover themselves with a big box.

Are these expressions valid:

-do you want to put the box over yourself?

-do you want me to put the box over you?

-do you want to put yourself in the box like that?

-do you want me to put you in the box like that?


texts: that still leaves a boy who paid me to come here -- I don't understand what that means -- from the movie "Ironclad 2: Battle for Blood"

texts:
You know you're free to go. If there's a debt, it's been paid.
  Not yet. That still leaves a boy who paid me to come here.
  What's a hired man without his word?
  A man who ain't hired no more. A long ride through France taught us that. That's all we are, brother. Swords for hire. Willing to shed a cup of blood now and then. Well, that's me. What's keeping you here?
  Like you said, what's a hired man who doesn't stick to his word?
  You sure there wouldn't be a lord's daughter keeping it too?

I don't understand that sentence.


texts:
There is an exercise wich asks to: "Write a logical sentence to follow each statement. Use the correct passive or causative form of the verbs in brackets.

1. We couldn´t use our washing machineall week. (repair)". My question is wether it would be correct to answer with: "The washing machine needs to be repaired".

Thanks in advance.


texts: What we saw was/were + plural noun + V-ing

texts:
The intended context is as follows.

You saw a video that had been transmitted from the drones that had flown over terror suspects and killed them. In that video, you didn't see any of the drones, because the camera attached to the drones recorded the video.

In the video, you only saw those terror suspects being killed by the drones. After watching the video, you say one of these sentences:

  (1) What we saw in the video was the drones killing terror suspects.

  (2) What we saw in the video were the drones killing terror suspects.

  (3) What we saw in the video was terror suspects being killed by the drones.

  (4) What we saw in the video were terror suspects being killed by the drones.

In this context, are all of the above sentences natural?

If not, please tell me which is natural and which is not, and why.


texts:
Get closer to vs get more closer to

When do you say get closer to and can you say get more closer to someone?

Is it awkward to say get more closer to someone?

Can the phrase become intimate with someone - be interchangeable with get closer to?

I've just learnt that become intimate with someone has a more sexual meaning...

I would like to know the difference in usage and meaning between these phrases.

the word " intimate" usually use online??


texts:
   That evening, Dudley paraded around the living room for
  the family in his brand-new uniform. Smeltings' boys wore maroon
  tailcoats, orange knickerbockers, and flat straw hats called boaters.
  They also carried knobbly sticks, used for hitting each other while
  the teachers weren't looking. This was supposed to be good training
  for later life.
       As he looked at Dudley in his new
  knickerbockers, Uncle Vernon said gruffly that it was the proudest
  moment of his life. Aunt Petunia burst into tears and said she
  couldn't believe it was her Ickle Dudleykins, he looked so handsome
  and grown-up. Harry didn't trust himself to speak. He thought
  two of his ribs might already have cracked from trying not to laugh.

  (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)

Does trust mean “to commit or consign with trust or confidence" (dictionary.reference.com, trust.19)?


texts:
Is there any difference in the meaning of these phrases ? They seem interchangeable to me, any context in which "off" and "from" give different meaning to the verb?

Example:

  hang the bag from the hook
  hang the bag off the hook

Thank you.


texts:
Is the following statement correct:

  I have found a very unique book.

meaning that the book I found is very rare.

I was told that statements very unique and extremely unique do not make much sense. If that is true, can you please explain why that is?


texts: An adjective for a method or a way of doing things that does not take unnecessary time or doesn't waste time?

texts:
I am looking for an adjective for a method or a way of doing things that does not take unnecessary time or doesn't waste time?

Example:

  This journal has reviewed my paper without taking unnecessary time,
  without wasting time. Their method is _____ .


texts: Verb for adding something to a database or table

texts:
What verb should be used for adding an entry/row to a table in a database - which is NOT "add"?

Edit

Searching "Word for adding row to database" or the similar sort does not give any helpful results


texts:
If you (or other people) are searching an area for something (in my case I'm searching for a number in a wide grid), and you get the searching area smaller.

What is the expression for that?

I'm not sure if I'm clear enough.

I googled and I got,

"closing a search" : to stop looking
"tightening a search" : I got nothing

So what should I use?

I'm going to use it like, ___ the search over a smaller area.


texts: How to discern a grammatical function of this phrase? Where to place commas?

texts:
“We've got to live, no matter how many skies have fallen.”
  ― D.H. Lawrence, Lady Chatterley's Lover

What may you discern a grammatical function of this phrase no matter how many skies have fallen.?

I thought a comma mostly goes after dependent phrases, or maybe mostly clauses(?), maybe like

  No matter how many skies have fallen, we've got to live.

May you get to write it like that?


texts: Shouldn't there have been "upon" or some preposition after "open" in this sentence?

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

  Steve and Madeline both have an abundance of plants in their cubicles; one of our cross-reference editors has set up pictures of her cats (and other people's cats) along the long banked bookshelf each of us has to keep multiple dictionaries open at once.

The part I have a question about is the highlighted one. Since it is a relative clause and its antecedent is "bookshelf" (I suppose), I think there should have been "upon" or some preposition like that after "upon" to relate it to the antecedent "bookshelf". Am I right?


texts: Can I say that "excludes" is an antonym of "includes"?

texts:
Can I say that the word "excludes" is the antonym of "includes"?

Actually for me it look like as one origin with two different prefixes only: EX-clude and IN-clude.
But I didn't find it as an antonym and that's why I suspect maybe it is not considered so. Look carefully in the list of the antonyms made by google - below:


texts: What does "get a pass" mean in this context?

texts:
A: how come Dianne Feinstein gets a pass having a Chinese spy on her payroll?
B: She gets a pass cuz she was ignorant as hell.

I saw this exchange from a comment of this article. What does "get a pass" truly mean in this context?  I looked it up and it seem not to be a set.


texts:
While reading an article I came across the following sentence:

The more successful group, in terms of their creativity quality of their solutions...

Is this grammatically correct? Can a noun be used to describe another noun?


texts: Is the letter "c" always silent in words which have the letters "sc"?

texts: In words which have the letters "sc" is the letter "c" always silent? (for example: Fascinate)


texts:
The sentence in question is:

  Everyone always talks about the process of grief, which is as much the activity that is going on below the surface as above.

As far as I know, this should mean that the activity that is going on below the surface has the same amount as the activity that is going on above the surface.

However, it's not logical and definitely not what the author states immediately after the sentence, which is:

  The image often used to illustrate it is an iceberg: what we see above the waterline -- our words, our appearance, our expressions -- is only a third of the whole.

Is it that I misinterpret the first sentence?


texts: Would anyone please help me with terms of divorce?

texts:
They have agreed to  get a divorce.

They have agreed  getting divorce.

Would anyone possibly kindly tell me if there is any difference here, or not?

Thanks in advanced.


texts:
A simple question:

  What would you call a criminal who is responsible for driving a car and helping the others escape?

For instance, if a group of robbers rob a bank, there would be a person waiting in the car responsible for driving so that they can escape.  Is there a word for that person?


texts: What is the term for "a" or "An" in sentence structure

texts: In the English language, there seems to be a term for any word that shows up in a sentence; be it a noun, verb, adjective, etc. What's the correct term for "a" or "an" in a sentence? This is actually much harder to Google than it sounds due to Google stripping out simple words such as "a" and "an".


texts: Does "located outside a rod" make sense?

texts:
The solid rod is located in the hollow tube.

I am trying to rewrite this such that the hollow tube is the subject. My example is as follow:

  The hollow tube is located outside the solid rod.

I am not sure that this sounds natural because the rod has no space inside.


texts:
could you please explain in which tense is the sentence?

  I’ve been sick and haven’t been able to do the library research I need for the paper.

Is it present perfect or not?


texts:
I've read this here.

  The story of "In a Season of Calm Weather" takes place when Picasso was creating his greatest masterpieces. George Smith, an American, is captivated by the beauty of Picasso's art, and while he and his wife are vacationing in France, George becomes ecstatic when he learns that Picasso is visiting friends in a small fishing town only a few miles away.

Why takes place? Why not took place?


texts: Is in this case "you" valid to refer to men?

texts:
We have this discussion in a board. A man was talking and he said this

  The theory states that women have higher attractiveness level in their most fertile years 18-25 while men 26-35. In short we are "Late Bloomers". But still you need to improve yourself mentally, financially & emotionally

The guy, with "you" was refering to men. I'm from another country and I understood it right. Then a girl thought he was refering to her and took it in the wrong way like "you" refered to her, and that the guy was telling her to improve. Then the guy clarified, but the girl is still convinced this is gramatically wrong and than you can't use "you" to mean "men" (in this case) because that is gramatically wrong. is it? Can you give an explanation if it is gramatically valid to use "you" to refer to yourself when talking and not to another person?


texts: Is it correct and natural to say "wish for someone to do something"?

texts:
Could you tell me if it's correct and natural to say wish for someone to do something in the sense of wanting the person to be able to achieve something? For example:

I wish for you to finish your work very soon.

If it's not correct or natural, what would you say?


texts: How does one use the auxiliary verbs, went and gone

texts: I hear people say, I had/have went as in, ‘I had went to the movies the other night. Shouldn’t it be either I had gone or I went?


texts:
SpaceX becomes first private company to launch humans into orbit. Source

Is it correct to use "the first" or "a first" here？What's the difference among them if so?


texts: would I be making - what kind of grammatical structure is that?

texts:
How would I be making it his day by buying myself a new dress?

Tell me please what kind of grammatical structure is that?
Why -ing form is there?


texts: Are these sentences grammatically correct? "Climbing in winter can't be safe." "Can climbing in winter be dangerous?"

texts:
I'm a Japanese learner of English.
I have some questions about the usage of an auxiliary verb "can."
I think the following two sentences are grammatically correct.

Climbing in winter can be dangerous.
Your tomorrow's climbing can't be safe.

However, I'm not sure if the following two sentences are also correct.

Climbing in winter can't be safe.
Can climbing in winter be dangerous?

supplementary explanation
In a dictionary, I learned about "can" that expresses possibility (not ability or permission) as follows:

In positive sentences, "can" expresses general possibility, that is, possibility that a thing happens irregularly several times, and "can" isn't able to express specific possibility, that is, possibility that a thing happens specifically only once.
For example, the next sentence is not correct.

It can rain tomorrow.

In contrast, the following sentence is correct.

It may rain tomorrow.

Also, in negative sentences and interrogative sentences, "can" expresses specific possibility.

In the dictionary, there isn't a explanation of whether "can" in negative sentences and interrogative sentences is able to express general possibility.
So I post this question.
I think possibility that climbing in winter is safe/dangerous is general, that is, it happens irregularly several times.


texts:
Are there differences between "lady" and "woman" ?

Google say lady is a polite social woman. But we don't use them just as this. Do we? English isn't my native language so I am better clarifying myself.


texts:
The following extract is from Frankenstein. Does anyone know why the adverb gloomily is used after the linking verb felt?

Yet, as I drew nearer home, grief and fear again overcame me. Night also closed around; and when I could hardly see the dark mountains, I felt still more gloomily. The picture appeared a vast and dim scene of evil, and I foresaw obscurely that I was destined to become the most wretched of human beings.


texts:
How could I use has/have with passive.

For example,

This has already proofed in 1990.

or

This has already been proofed in 1990.

Which one is correct?


texts: Can we say "Tell it to me" instead of "Tell me"?

texts:
"Tell it to me first."

Is this sentence correct, or should the sentence be "Tell me first"?


texts: How to translate "mention bien" and "mention très bien" in English?

texts: I'm applying to universities. I was thinking to translate "mention bien/très bien" by "with honors" but on my transcripts I had both (on different diplomas), so I would like to know if I can distinguish them


texts: Use of “the” in between "most of ___ Earth's"

texts:
In this sentence :

New research suggests most of Earth's heavy metals were spewed from a largely overlooked kind of star explosion called a collapser.

Here the should be used or not between "most of ___ Earth's"? I'm asking about this due to the presence of “most of” - it's limiting here Earth's heavy metals.


texts: what exactly is the difference in the meaning of the words opinion and perspective ?

texts:
I have been thinking about the words perspective and opinion for quite sometime.
I see them used a lot by many like "Your perspective is not same as mine, which is perfectly fine" and "Your opinion is purely subjective and so is your perspective".

Do the words mean the same or completely different from each other?

Thanks and Regards,
Karthik Shandilya


texts:
From this stemmed my misinterpretation of the meaning.

Is this sentence grammatically OK in terms of the word order? Is here inversion possible as in the case of an adverbial expression of place at the beginning on the sentence (On the table was all the money we had lost)?


texts: Is it correct to use "build" in the headline "The safest Olympic Stadium build ever"?

texts:
I found this article on the Internet but I wonder if there may be a mistake in the headline:

  The safest Olympic Stadium build ever: Olympic Park to receive prestigious safety award (source)

Shouldn't "built", past participle, be used instead of "build"?


texts: Sentence formation, how do I explain why the second choice is better?

texts:
1) the other three diseases are increasing enormously all over the country

  2) the other three diseases are increasing in an enormous rate all over the country

I think the second option sounds, but how do I explain why?
Is the first option incorrect somehow?


texts: Please help me understand this sentence "It was possible that the barbarian suspected..."

texts:
"It was possible that the barbarian suspected as much, that by some slow process of rumination he had arrived at his fixed and inveterate impression, by no means a clear reasoned conviction."

This sentence is from Arthur Machen's "The Hill of Dreams". It's about ignorant people, who don't understand literature. Actually, there is more of the sentence but this part can be removed as a sentence and this is the part that I didn't understand. It is a very complex sentence for me and I need a simple, short explanation with a different way. I don't know if it is okay to ask here this but what do you understand about this sentence?


texts: How would you describe an aggressive guy who tends to fight people most of the time in AmE?

texts:
What do you call someone who is an aggressive guy who is always making some kind of trouble which usually leads to a fight? Such a guy tends to turn a small issue into a fight. I found two terms and I was wondering if someone could let me know which one works here in a natural way:

  He is a trouble.
  He is a hell-on-wheels.

For me they both work properly, but I didn't find any reference showing that "trouble" works in this sense. Urban dictionary and some other sources somehow refer to the meaning in my question, though not completely.

I would appreciate it if they do not work properly here, someone could let me know what native speakers would call such a person in AmE.

Added: what I need is an AmE informal term.


texts: "cure for the COVID-19" vs. "cure for COVID-19"

texts:
According to post Difference between "infected with" and "infected by", "COVID-19" might be the name of that disease. Therefore, there should be a "the" before it when one mentions it, right?

  cure for the COVID-19

However, lots of posts use

  cure for COVID-19

Is "the" there obligatory, optional or unnecessary?


texts:
Can "dangling" mean "something that won't leave your mind"? One of the definition is:  2. to hang around or follow a person, as if seeking favor or attention. So if the thing follows a person, then I thought it could mean "something that a person obsess over", but looking at the synonyms, I am not sure you can really use it to mean that.

For example:

  The error he saw in the script was a dangling error that sucked in all
  his attention.


texts: It's me who do it or it's me who does it?

texts:
I just want to check which one native speakers say (more often)
"It's me who do it" or "It's me who does it"?

xpda said: ""It is me," is more common, and correct. However, "It is I who am here," is also correct, and "who am here" can be left off and implied, making "It is I," also correct." at this link: https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/10643/which-one-is-correct-to-say-its-me-or-its-i


texts:
What is a correct way of using "pay off" phrase?

Your hard work is paying off.

vs.

Your hard work is paid off.

I thought that the one correct way is the second, because I thought "pay off" should be used only in passive for such kind of meaning.


texts: Structure of "what...waste my waking..."

texts:
Excerpted from Araby by James Joyce:

  What innumerable follies laid waste my waking and sleeping thoughts after the evening!

I can't understand the sentence structure above, What at the beginning indicates it's exclamatory, but I don't see the normal structure of exclamatory sentence. Lay is supposed to have some nouns after it, so I assume waste is a noun there, but then how can my waking attached directly after a noun like that?


texts:
Is learning a gerund or it is a kind of noun I am confused plz clear me
The sentence I am confused is

When Varsha was six , she started learning music .

Here the word started is finite verb and learning is what I am confused **


texts: Parse "Inflation surge and asset prices to alter monetary policy"

texts:
“The recent minutes and speeches suggested that the FOMC (the Federal
Open Market Committee) was not sufficiently concerned about the
inflation surge and asset prices to alter monetary policy and that
seems the most likely outcome from the testimony,” Steven Englander,
global head of Group of 10 foreign-exchange strategy at Citigroup Inc.
in New York, said in a report. “In consequence, the U.S. side will
probably be USD negative and risk positive.”
Bloomberg News

In this particular sentence, how does "to alter monetary policy" modify "the inflation surge and asset prices", in the deontic sense or the epistemic sense?


texts: May I use 'Good job, sir' to appreciate my boss' work?

texts:
Somewhat, I feel it down using this sentence to our seniors, especially our boss.

  Good job, sir

Or...for that sake..

  Well done, sir

I need natives' input for this. If I'm working for you/under you, and want to appreciate your efforts, may I say those sentences? Will you feel down/offended/ridiculous? Because I'm too small to speak this?

On the other hand, a CEO can certainly say this to another CEO. My basic question is good job/well done is okay when a person in low hierarchy refers to the higher authorities?


texts: until+Subject+Verb(simple present tense) and until+Ving

texts:
The reduced form of "I do something until I get somewhere" is "I do something until getting somewhere"?
If it is yes, is the sentence structure, "until+Ving", of latter one a commom and natural usage?

Thanks for your time:)


texts: Singular they and each - is it ambiguous?

texts:
CONTEXT: a card game involving more than 2 players. Each player can do multiple things during their turn (including picking a card).

Considering the following sentence:

  During each player's turn, they pick a card from their deck.

Can it be understood as:

  During each player's turn, each of them picks a card from their respective deck

Or is it clear that only the player whose turn it is picks a card ?

Original sentence was:

  During each player's turn, he or she picks a card from his or her deck.

If there is an ambiguity, is there an elegant way to rephrase the sentence to remove that ambiguity?

EDIT: For instance, would it be clearer rephrased the other way round?

  Each player picks a card from their deck during their turn.

or

  During their turn, each player picks up a card from their deck.


texts: Should I write "who doesn't go" or "who don't go"?

texts:
Which one is correct?

  I am a food lover who doesn't go by the reputation of the food sellers.

  I am a food lover who don't  go by the reputation of the food sellers.

Help me either to use doesn't or don't


texts: Meaning of 'Have you ever been a student at XX university'?

texts:
I am required to fill in a form. One of the questions is 'Have you ever been a student at AAA university?' I am currently enrolled at AAA university but before this enrollment I wasn't a student of this university.
So how to answer this question?

Thanks


texts:
Christopher Columbus discovered America and was the Indians' best friend. He helped the Indians win their war against Frederick Douglass and freed the Hebrews from Napoleon…

This is a part from the famous surrealistic speech by Mr. Garrison from the TV series South Park (quoted according the comic version). I would like to ask why "to" is omitted before the verb "win". Does it have dealings with the differences between American English and British English?


texts: Confused about when to use whom and whose

texts:
Which is correct:

  With whom are you going to the park?

or

  Who are you going to the park with?

There is also another confusing part of something similar.
Example;

  This note comes from Bob. He wanted to give it to you. Excuse me. I
  didn't hear the name. You said the note comes from who?

or

  ... the note comes from whom?


texts: What is the meaning of "holds no small amount of contempt"?

texts:
SOURCE

  Brick's wife Maggie is clever and outspoken, and
  holds no small amount of contempt for Gooper and Mae's entitled
  attitudes and five spoiled and obnoxious offspring who run around the
  house unsupervised.

Is author indirectly saying that Maggie always like Gooper and Mae's attitude?


texts:
I'm trying to understand the sentence construction and the meaning of this quote by Otto Von Bismarck. Can someone please help?

  People never lie so much as before an election, during a war, or after a hunt.


texts: Why it is changed from a man to the man?

texts:
We does often use like this sentence.
For example: : Jill is talking to a man.
And we can swap object and subject .
Then the sentence made like this.
For example : The man jill is talking to.

Here is my question.
Why does it use the man instead a man?


texts: What does the phrase "human onslaught" mean in the following passage?

texts:
Change of such scope and intensity is bound to raise questions. Thousands of people are converging on the area, looking for work, looking for redemption, looking for trouble. And jobs are plentiful. In Williston, in the heart of the oil patch, the unemployment rate is less than one percent. But how does a region of farms and small towns weather the human onslaught?

I've searched for the meaning of this sentence,but it doesn't match the context?
your help and replies would be much appreciated.


texts: What is a block? Describe a block by streets

texts:
Cambridge Dictionary gives this definition about "block"

  the distance along a street from where one road crosses it to the place where the next road crosses it, or one part of a street like this, especially in a town or city

Consider the area pointed out by the red rectangle shown below

From the left to the right, the first part "the distance along a street" becomes "the distance along Independence Avenue"; then second part "where one road crosses it to the place where ..." becomes

  "where 4th st SW crosses it to the place where ..."

question#1: Is the area pointed out by the red rectangle called a block?

question#2: Does "it" here refer to Independence Avenue?

question#3: Does "the place" here refer to the block?

question#4: I guess "one part of a street like this" means some other style/shape of block, What does that refer to?


texts: What does "their own qualifications" refer in this context?

texts:
The manager is responsible for the following:

  The designation of persons working under his or her supervision.
  Their own qualifications for working with the type of firearms being used.

In this context, does "their qualification" mean the qualification of the persons designated by the manager? Or does it mean the qualification of the manager?


texts: 'using' as preposition in the beginning of the sentence

texts:
Can 'using' correctly be used as a preposition in the beginning of the sentence and if so, is this structure natural, formal ? What are other alternatives. Here's the example:

Using ..., somebody did something
Using the results of the analysis, we assigned ambiguous items to specific factors and removed unstable items.


texts:
You say to a kid: "Drink [some] water" and he shakes his head. The following are possible responses. Which is the best?

No drinking water?
Not drink water?
Not drinking water?
No drink water?

I know that what has to follow after no and not, but with the situation above what would people usually start with, and also that after?


texts:
I am not a native English speaker, I have a idiom that is difficult to understand.

She's still living off her parents.

I think this sentence means: She lives here alone and her parents live there. (because of 'off'='away')
but in dictionary 'live off' means : to get the money or the things you need from somebody/something
Why does 'live off' means that?

ah, this is one more sentence.

I've been living off rats mostly. (in Harry Potter)

What I think: I hate rats, so I have been living away from rats.
but this means: I have been eating rats.
I'm so confused

This is the original sentence:

  Harry pulled open his bag and handed over the bundle of chicken legs and bread. "Thanks," said Sirius, opening it, grabbing a drumstick, sitting down on the cave floor, and tearing off a large chunk with his teeth. " I've been living off rats mostly. Can't steal too much food from Hogsmeade.


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

texts:
This is the definition of report from OALD:

  2 [transitive, intransitive] to present a written or spoken account of an event in a newspaper, on television, etc
  - The stabbing was reported in the local press.
  - It was reported that several people had been arrested.
  - The TV news reported that several people had been arrested.
  - She reports on royal stories for the BBC.

What does present mean in the above definition of report? From the same dictionary, there are several definitions of present that seems to fit the context, but I'm unsure which one is the most appropriate, they are:

  2 to show or offer something for other people to look at or consider

  The committee will present its final report to Parliament in June.
  *Eight options were presented for consideration.*
  Are you presenting a paper at the conference?
  *He presents a convincing case.*
  The banks will begin to present their arguments today.

  3 to show or describe something/somebody in a particular way

  The company has decided it must present a more modern image.
  *It is essential that we present a united front*
  You need to present yourself better.
  *He likes to present himself as a radical politician.*
  The press presents this as a kind of victory.
  *The article presents these proposals as misguided.*

Definitions #6 and #7 below states that it only applies to television programmes/broadcasts, but not newspapers as it is included in the original definition of report?

  6 to appear in a radio or television programme and introduce the different items in it

  She used to present a gardening programme on TV.

  7 to produce a show, play, broadcast, etc. for the public

  Compass Theatre Company presents a new production of ‘King Lear’.
  *The string orchestra of the Music School of Lemgo will present a concert in the Guildhall.*

  10 present something (to somebody) (formal) to offer or express something in speech or writing

  Please allow me to present my apologies.


texts:
In this sentense

  Trump said the U.S. would begin charging additional duties of 25 percent on $50 billion worth of Chinese imports in response to what he says is theft of American intellectual property.

I think the to in ~ in response to is a preposition. so i expected in response to + Noun. But I guess what he says is a subject and is theft of American intellectual property is a predicate verb. I don't think ~ in response to + S + V possible. How does this sentence make sense?


texts:
The type of music peter listens depends on his mood
or
The type of music peter listens depend on his mood.
My question is which one is correct? And which word determines it: music, Peter or listens?


texts:
Which one of the following is correct?

Be the reason of someone's smile.
Be the reason of someone smile.

Million of thanks.


texts: How can I identify tenses in passive forms?

texts:
What tense is used in the sentence: "You will be amazed"

If it is the future perfect tense then the rules on the internet say in order to form the future perfect tense one must use will + have + past participle(verb)
for example "You will have worked" I have read that here - http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/tenses/future_perfect.htm

But in order to form the future progressive tense we use will + be + present participle for eg - You will be walking .
But then why we say "You will be amazed" despite saying "You will be amazing or You will have amazed" .
Why are we mixing the rules for future progressive and future perfect
Or can we also use will + be + past participle for eg - You will be amazed .
Please clear this confusion of mine !


texts: When to use articles before adjectives in a sentence?

texts:
I am struggling a bit with when I need to use a/an/the before adjective followed by a noun. I understand the rules for articles in general but I discovered that this particular case is always confusing me. For example, I wrote a sentence:

  The key to successful business development in this industry is understanding the market from regional perspective as Canada is a large country with different local dynamics.

Do I need articles before "successful", "regional", and "different"? It doesn't sound right to me. Another example is:

  The proof of their success is evident in acquisition interest by larger players and ongoing creation of smaller companies by their former employees.

Do I need articles before "acquisition", "larger", and "smaller"?

Thank you very much for the help!


texts:
In my CV I described one of the companies I worked in the past as follows:

  The company was established by the participation of two Turkish companies in order to undertake works in Romania. In March 2003 the shareholders decided to dissolve the company for some reasons.

Is it correct? I think I should write something else instead of "was established."
What is your suggestion?


texts: What is the difference between 'finished' and 'completed'?

texts:
What is the difference between 'finished' and 'completed', as both words gives the same meaning?

Ex 1: He finished his homework.
Ex 2: He completed his homework.

And also how or where to use these words?

Dictionary Reference:
Completed: Finish making or doing.
Finished: Brought to an end; completed.

As for me both sentences have the same meaning. So is there any real difference between them?


texts: Does "I am not discussing it" mean "I am not going to discuss it"?

texts:
In a movie Lagaan, there was a cricket match going on between the ruling British Empire and the native Indians. In that match, a very important bowl (from the view point of both of the teams) was decided to be a "no ball" by the umpire. Then the fielding side i.e. the British team's captain angrily went to the umpire and demanded the decision to be reviewed. But as in cricket the umpire's decision is final and he does not stand to clarify his position to anybody, the umpire refused to discuss it with the captain and replied (somewhat diplomatically)

I am not discussing it.

It seemed to me the statement means "I am not going to discuss it with you". Is that correct? If it is, then are such constructs used in cases to bypass any question or hide some emotion (in this case the fear of being caught or to sit for a debate)?


texts:
1. When I had opened the door, children ran in.

2. When I had written my letter, I did some gardening.

In the first sentence the usage of past perfect is not allegedly necessary. Why? Both sentences after all contain two actions one of which precedes the other. Is that so that in the case of the first sentence opening the door and running in come immediately after?


texts: "Not only ... but also" with a normal verb and an adjective

texts:
Is it natural to say

  The pop-up message here does not only carry sufficient information but also is confusing

when I have these two facts:

The pop-up message doesn't carry sufficient information
What's worse, it is rather confusing

Also, should I insert "rather" somewhere in my sentence?


texts:
Should it be "at" or "with"?
For example :
The boy cycled down the hill at/with great speed.
How do we differentiate?
Thanks


texts: order of present participle before or after noun

texts:
"Sports teaching at the college doesn't even approach the required standard".

This sentence has been taken from Cambridge Dictionary. To know the meaning of "approach" I searched in this dictionary and I found this sentence.

What would happen if I wrote "Teaching sports at the college..." instead of "Sports teaching at the college.."?


texts: Article title without the definite article before the word best

texts:
I have learned that before phrases like the best, the latest, the smallest, etc, I have to use the definite article because the best is only one thing. Is this title of an article correct?

  Shopping Guide for Best Women's Running Shoes

If I would write that, I would write for the Best Women's Running Shoes


texts: Meaning of "Even on nights we can't see the stars, they're up there sparkling away"?

texts:
Why did it use the word "nights" instead of the word "night" and use the word " on nights" instead of the word "at night or at nights" in the following sentence,

  Even on nights we can't see the stars, they're up there sparkling
  away.

?

At night, if stars sparkle, we can see the stars. but,
This sentence is interpreted as meaning that if stars sparkle at night, we can not see the stars. Did I misunderstand the sentence?

Does it mean "Because the stars sparkle, we can't see the stars at night" or "Although the stars sparkle, we can't see the star at night' ?

What does "Even on nights" mean?
What does the sentence mean?

source :: A pocket full of kisses

  "Every night, just before the sun goes down, it reaches out with its
  rays and touches every star in the universe. One by one, the stars
  light up and shine down upon us. Even on nights we can't see the
  stars, they're up there sparkling away. No matter how many stars fill
  the sky, the sun will never run out of light, and its rays will never
  stop reaching out to them.


texts: "A fear of something" vs "fear of something"

texts:
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the word "fear" is both countable and uncountable. So, when referring to the fear of flying, can I say:

  I have fear (uncountable) of flying?


texts:
It is 10 o'clock in the evening and I am tired because I had a busy day at work. (I finished work at 6 o'clock.) Can I say

  I'm tired because I've been working hard all day

or do I have to say

  I'm tired because I worked hard all day

because the working stopped a few hours ago?