texts: What is an adjective for a process that takes time?

texts:
I think there is a better (more formal) way to say this phrase:

  ... and it is obvious this is something that takes time.

I would like to reformulate it like so:

  ... and it is obvious is this a [word] process"

I'm thinking about lengthy, but this is often associated with something tedious, which may not necessarily be the case here. For context, the process is something similar to building a network of friends


texts: "Users resort to seeking..." -- Is it correct to use a gerund like this?

texts:
I am not sure if the use of a gerund is correct in the following sentence:

  Users resort to seekING answers in social media

or

  Users resort to seek answers in social media

I know that the rule is that if we can substitute the gerund with a noun then it's correct, otherwise I should use a verb. However, I'm not sure if using a noun would be correct. For instance:

  Users resort to the search of answers in social media

But in the above sentence I also added the word of, so should I add of after the gerund in the original sentence, i.e. "seeking of answers" or it is correct even without it?


texts: Which one is more correct to say: "I have never been in prison" or "I have never been to prison"?

texts:
I am aware that when talking talking about visiting or having experience of being in some places, we have to use the preposition to with the present perfect. But what about if are talking about being in some some services such school or prison? For example,

  I have never been in/to prison.

  I have never been in/to university.


texts:
Is 'breath off in a razor' an idiom?
I saw it from a book, which goes like this.

  When all of a sudden he was paralyzed into a listening attitude and that smile faded gradually out of his countenance like breath off'n a razor,and the queerest look of surprise took its place.

Source: Mark Twain, A Tramp Abroad


texts: What does this phrase mean in this context?

texts:
‘One might get one’s Greek from the very lips of Homer and Plato,’ the
  Very Young Man thought. ‘In which case they would certainly plough
  you for the Little-go. The German scholars have improved Greek so
  much.’

(From The Time Machine by H.G.Wells)


texts: A single "of" for a noun and two gerunds?

texts:
For example:

  "Some websites allow categorization, editing, and listening of playlists online." (Wikipedia)

As I know, a gerund can't be followed by the preposition "of". Is this sentence wrong, or is the preposition present here because the word "categorization" is kind of defining (and it needs the preposition "of" after it)?

I've also heard that gerunds can become nouns, if you write them with the definite article, and in this case the preposition "of" is necessary. Is it true? If so, is it the rule I'm looking for?

Update

Thank you for the answers. You all say that it is possible to use the preposition "of" with gerunds, though I've found the opposite information.

http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/59703-Prepositions-after-Gerunds
https://www.englishforums.com/English/PrepositionAfterAGerund/bzwdhh/post.htm

Are there any rules for using "of" with gerunds? Is the information given by the links incorrect? If so, is it possible to use "of" with all gerunds followed by direct objects? In this case, is there any sense to operate with the term "verbal noun"? If yes, what would be the difference in using a gerund or a verbal noun?


texts: Is the sentence "I would be going on a vacation." grammatically correct?

texts:
Is this sentence correct?

  "I would be going on a vacation."

I tried searching for similar sentences online and came across Conditional tenses. But from what I understand they have two clause - the 'if' and the main clause.

So if the sentence was,

  "If I completed my work, I would be going on vacation."

it probably would have been correct. But I am unsure if "I would be going on vacation" is correct.


texts: If someone(like a professor) is correcting me or teaching me something I don't know, and there is a pause, can I say "yeah" to mean "yes, I understand, please keep going?". Because it's a really small pause and the explanation wasn't over yet, I don't think I should say "I understand." and I think "keep going" would be kind of rude.


texts: Framing a question on "results" of a malarial infection ("Enlargement of the spleen and liver and blockage of capillaries in the brain")

texts:
What are the results of the infection of malaria?

In the question sentence, is the use of "the results" correct? Can I use "the effects" instead of "the results"? If the answer to the question is :

  Enlargement of the spleen and liver and blockage of capillaries in the brain.

I would like to know how to ask the question.


texts: Could it be "control" in meaning of "to know well something"?

texts: Someone who's not a native English speaker told my friend "In order to know physics well you must control math well.". As I understand from the context "control" could means "to know well". Is it correct or mistake? I didn't find it in the dictionaries. Maybe it's a slang?


texts: Using "excited" or "exciting": "The movie was excited/exciting"

texts:
The movie was excited.

vs.

  The movie was exciting.

What situation we need to use "-ed" or  "-ing"?


texts: $6000 of employment income or employment income of $6000

texts:
(1) If you have earned $6000 of employment income maximum this year, you will not need to declare income tax next year.
(2) If you have earned an employment income of $6000 maximum this year, you will not need to declare income tax next year.
Which one is correct?


texts:
If we refer to a plastic bag (or fabric bag) that its content went outside due to a an heavy weight which the bag can't carry. Which one is more natural?

  The fruits fell down on the street's ground because the bag was torn.

  The fruits fell down on the street's ground because the bag was ripped.


texts: A proverb meaning, "he wanted to do a good thing for others, but he ended up being blamed/hurt"

texts:
In my native language when someone is well-intended to help someone else and does something but he ends up taking the blame or getting hurt, we say, "he wanted to be blessed by God, but got burnt by flames". I did some search and I just found  this:

  Many go out for wool and come home shorn.

Which means many seek to better themselves or make themselves rich, but end by losing what they already have.

I feel this proverb doesn't serve my purpose since it's more about a person who's looking for his own benefits rather than others'.

Let me give you two different contexts that we normally use the proverb/idiom and I'm looking for its English equivalent:

  A: John got fired yesterday, then Paul went to talk to the boss to keep John on board but he got fired, too.

  B: Poor man, [he wanted to be blessed by God, but got burnt by flames].

Or two men get in a fight punching each other. Another meddle in to break up the fight while he get a punch, too. Here also we say,

  [he wanted to be blessed by God, but got burnt by flames].

Note it can also be used when you lose your money/properties, too. For example a company tries to keep another company in business by helping them or loaning them some money. The latter company sinks anyway, the former company makes a tremendous loss consequently.


texts: Is using "general plan of structure" appropriate in biology?

texts:
I'm reading now a book (which was written by a non-native English speaker) that states under the title of the topic:

  "general plan of structure of the digestive tube"

The chapter there explains and describes the structure of the digestive system, and I think that the using of "plan" is relevant for buildings rather than anatomy. Isn't it?

Is it acceptable to use "plan" in this context, or it's a mistake?


texts:
Which preposition do I have to use in the following sentence?

  My car got stuck and we pulled it out on/with a rope.


texts: "Match the answer" is the verb "match" natural in this context

texts:
Many math books  are  published with answer key to the exercises.

Can I say:

  After solving the math problems you should match the answers to see if you have get them correct.

Is the verb match is suitable to use in this context?

How would English speakers say this?


texts: What is the passive form of "I saw Adam going to market"

texts:
I am trying like this

Adam going to market was seen by me.

Is this is correct?

I am confused about the subject.

Adam going to market


texts:
I heard someone saying
"Just started instagram"

And

"Just started on instagram"

Or

"Just started my Instagram"

Which ones correct??


texts: I'm trying to improve the following sentence: "Search criteria and results went out of sync." How can I rephrase this sentence so that the meaning is retained without using "out of sync"?


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

The Biden administration is returning to the Pentagon billions in funds diverted by President Donald Trump to build the wall at the southwestern border, and plans to cancel all related construction contracts, an administration official told ABC News on Friday.
"Border wall construction under the previous administration tied up more than $14 billion in taxpayer funds, shortchanged our military, and diverted attention away from genuine security challenges, like human traffickers. Rushed and haphazard wall construction also resulted in serious life, safety, and environmental issues," the official said.

What would the phrasal verb mean?
Macmillan gives several definitions, but none seem applicable.
Sorry I can't copy and paste all these definitions because of their unique character letters.


texts:
Sometimes peppers, bell peppers, capsicum and chilies confuse me, perhaps, because I am a South Asian, but this article is  written in American English.

  Avoiding nightshade vegetables (including potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers) may help control inflammation related to psoriasis.

For more context see the subtitle Diet of the article http://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis-alternative-treatments

Here is the second meaning of pepper:

  a capsicum, especially a sweet pepper. ( by Google dictionary)

Is bell pepper (yellow,red and green) a capsicum?


texts: is a chip "in" a smartwatch or "on" a smartwatch?

texts:
i am learning Stanford cs230.

the professor is saying

  yesterday's supercomputer is today's processor on your smartwatch

why the professor is using "on" instead of "in"?

intuitively, a chip is "inside" a computer, a smartwatch or a smartphone.


texts:
"The invisibility of women's concerns in society"
Q1. What does "invisibility" mean here? "Ignorance conducted by men?" or something else?
Q2. What does "concerns" mean? Is it "worries" or "interest" or "importance"?
Q3. Would you rephrase the above phrase for me to understand plainly?


texts: The meaning of "next over" in "In the next room over"

texts:
In the movie "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile" (2019) Florida Prosecutor Larry Simpson tells the jury the following:

"In the next room over, another young woman was lying face down in her own blood."

What does "next over mean? I was not able to find a similar example in [this search] (https://www.google.com/search?q=next+over&oq=next+over+&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j69i60l2.4043j0j7&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8)

Thank you!


texts: "Gave me one of the recipes that were/was"?

texts:
I know this is a common question on the web, but I still wasn't sure about this particular sentence.

  "She gave me one of the recipes that were/was in her personal cookbook."

In this sentence, I'm not sure if I should go with were or was because I'm not sure what the main subject is. Should I treat "one" as the subject and go with "was" or should I treat "of the recipes" as a clause and choose "were" to match the subject in the clause?

EDIT: I saw this sentence "This is one of the cars that run on hydrogen" on the web and it said that "run" is correct. Is this a different case from my sentence?


texts: i'm in a catch 22 situation vs i have a catch 22 situation

texts:
Two people were conversing in something I read (I forget the details)

  — I'm caught in a catch 22 situation..."
  —"I have a catch 22 situation myself, and it's going to be the reason I die early."

Here, the speaker is talking about his being in a tough situation which could lead to his early death. The thing that bothers me is, I have never heard anyone say I have a catch-22 situation. Usually, it's "it's a catch 22 (situation)" or "I'm in a catch-22 situation".
So, is it grammatically correct to say I have a catch-22 situation, to convey the meaning that I am in a catch-22 situation?


texts:
Nowadays all merchants of Westeros sell dragonglass. So you can find it ____ .

A.Everywhere

B.Anywhere

Which fits better A, B or both ?

I know A is true, but B also makes sense to me.


texts: How do I describe the two types of adjectives, terminologically?

texts:
In adjectives there are two main groups:

First Group: adjectives that their 3 grades (base, comparative and superlative) are changed whether regularly (nice > nicer > nicest) or irregularly (good > better > best).

Second group:  adjectives that their 3 grades, are changed by adding "more" or "most" (e.g. "more expensive" or "most expensive" rather than expensivier or expensiviest)

Then my question is, how are these two groups distinguished terminologically?


texts: I don't understand the meaning of a line,

texts:
Currently reading this, the 3rd paragraph says,

  "Launching the legalization of cannabis in a way that includes communities left behind for far too long, creates good jobs and expunges thousands of records for those who have lost out on opportunities and ends prohibition," Toi Hutchinson, senior adviser to the governor for cannabis control, said. "Today is a historic new day, and as we move forward with growing this industry, I thank all those who worked hard to make the launch a success and will continue to dedicate themselves to expanding opportunities and righting the wrongs of the past."

I am very sorry I don't understand the bold line. I would like to thank you for your follow ups with my resent questions, but I am happy should anyone generously
explain this.


texts: which one correct "I wish i could get more info. or "I wish i could have gotten more info.?

texts: I was playing a game called "The Evil Within 2" in which the male protagonist is searching for his daughter Lily. In search for her, he enters a building and finds an injured person laying on the ground. Upon inquiring about his daughter the person tells him that he knows his daughter's whereabouts. But he breathes his last before he could tell him anything. After that the person looking for her daughter says this sentence "I wish i could have gotten more info." but according to me the following sentence can also be used "I wish i could get more info." So which one is correct and if both of them are then please tell me the exact difference between them.


texts:
As per this "old joke", told in a discussion of ways to stay fresh on long connecting flights:

  There is an old joke that I use about my quick baths at airports. I strip down to my underwear and while standing at the sink, I wash down as far as possible. Then I wash up as far as possible. Then I go to the stall and wash possible.

I encountered this via the comments to this https://travel.stackexchange.com/a/90443/4188 answer, specifically.
Reproduced below.

Answer:

  As you say, the best way to avoid being that guy is to try and wash yourself in between flights. When showers are not available, you can use (scented or unscented) baby wipes to clean your armpits and other exposed smelly body parts. You can wash your face and neck in any restroom sink. And don't forget to brush your teeth. Changing shirt/t-shirt is also very helpful.

Comments:

  This answer led me to this flyertalk thread -- apparently there are (much) better solutions than just going with baby wipes for this kind of non-shower. – chx
  worth it for the rerun of the "wash possible" chestnut, @chx – Kate Gregory


texts:
I have a question about the choice of the prepositions "on" and "for" here:

  In comparison, State Prison is for inmates serving lengthier sentences on crimes that are more severe in nature.

Would replacing "on" with "for" be better?

Also in the following similar sentence:

  The penalty for/on robbery is severe.

Is either "for" or "on" more appropriate?


texts:
Could anyone tell why "the" is used in the following sentence?

  The person or agency about whom the untrue thing was said can sue the publisher.

It had not been mentioned what untrue thing was said, so why is"a" not used? like "the person or agency about whom an untrue thing..."


texts: "Offer a drink" vs "serve a drink", are they roughly equivalent?

texts:
I am not saying they mean exactly the same thing, but I thought they could be substituted for one another in a casual conversation unless I am completely off the mark on this.

Let's say for example:

"Next time, I will have you served a refreshing drink instead in a hot summer day."

could be substituted for

"Next time, I will offer you a refreshing drink instead in a hot summer day."

The only difference between the two seems to be that the first one imply that the drink was served by a servant and the second one implies the drink was proposed but not necessarily prepared.

Sorry for asking such an obvious question. I am not an English speaker so I sometimes have trouble to understand the exact meaning of common phrases.


texts: Preceding "thousand [noun]" with an article

texts:
I have seen writers use phrases such as

  a thousand novels

and, in song

  a thousand years

preceding it with articles. I've known that articles precede, only, single concrete noun.
Why not in these cases? Is there a grammatical reason that can be explained reasonably or not?

Thank you in advance.


texts:
A: I was too angry. And cold. I had been waiting outside the cinema for three-quarters of an hour.

B: But why? _____________________ (you/not/get) my text?

A: What text?

B: The text I sent you yesterday afternoon.

I have found it in my English grammar book. I understand that correct answer here is 'Didn't you get my text?', but, technically, can I use Past Perfect in that sentence, meaning 'Before you started to wait, hadn't you gotten my message?'

Could you, please, make it clear for me?

Thanks in advance,

N.V.


texts: Linguistic approach to noun-verb transition

texts: I have noticed that many nouns can be used as verbs and vice versa. Why is that so with English? What is the linguistic approach to this? Is that because English is an analytic language?


texts:
A person loves antique showers (showerhead). So is the use of "with" natural in this context?.

  He loves showering with an antique shower. (Shower = Showerhead)

Is the use of "with" natural in this context?


texts:
Let's say you are in a lower level of a performing stage, and the guy you are  currently speaking with, which happens to be on the same stage with you, is in a bit far and higher area from you. Then, you ask him,

  "why are you down there?"

The question is, why is it still valid to say "down" when it should have been "up" in the first place?


texts:
I was chatting with one of our clients. He said to me:

  Cheers.

What should I say in response? Should I say cheers too?
I know he is saying that to encourage me.


texts:
What is the better alternative in a formal context?

  In this talk, a brief overview [of/on/to/OTHER] this topic is given.

I would use 'on', but I've seen that 'of' seems to be the most used option. I actually do not know whether 'on' or 'to' are valid options in this expression.


texts: Proper ways to ask for the amount of time for having something

texts:
What would be some proper ways to ask for the amount of time since someone has acquired something. (formal/informal)

Like the question for the following answer:

A: Oh, your puppies are adorable.

A: ... ?

B: I have got them for 2 years.

Here's what I could come up with, if they are at all correct:

  A: How long has it been since you've got them?

  A: Since when do you have them?


texts: Is the word "gamer" allowed to use in official documents?

texts:
E.g. when I would like to write an official letter to some big company that I want to organize a gamer conference/gathering and I would appreciate their support in form of some kind of sponsoring etc.

Is it OK to use the word "gamer"?

Is it even gramatically correct and do older EN business people know what that word mean?


texts:
Can role model be used as an adjective? For example, in a thank you letter:

  Thanks to my role model friends


texts: Round neck blouse with short sleeves or short sleeve round neck blouse

texts:
I came across these two sentences which refer to the same thing.

Round neck blouse with short sleeves.
Short sleeve round neck blouse

Is the second sentence more correct than the first one? I'm thinking blouse has sleeves while tank top is without sleeves. The first sentence seems to mean it is a tank top with sleeves which makes it a blouse?
Why does the sleeve become plural when with is use?


texts: How can we tell what the speaker wants to confirm in "Everyone thinks the show was great, {don't they/wasn't it}?"

texts:
I came across this question in my exercise book:

Everyone thinks the show was great, _______?

(A) don't they

(B) wasn't it

I think the answer depends on what the speaker wants to confirm. We can't really tell without further context.

However, I also think wasn't it may be wrong, because if the speaker wants to confirm that the show was great, he/she should have said I think... instead of Everyone thinks...

What do you think?


texts:
Is there any word or phrase to call a man, whose wife has given birth to twin children ?

I need to text my friends about one of us, who just became father of twins. How can I describe the party thought, such as Let us wish him by joining the pleasure twin fatherhood !!!


texts:
I was wondering if there's any actual difference between these two clauses:

  Mistakes that I did make so far

and

  Mistakes that I made so far

If I use Google Translate (yeah, I know that is an awful tool) on them, the translations are nearly the same. I speak Spanish BTW.


texts:
In Russian when we are walking to a bus stop or a tram station we can say, "I am going on (Russian "на") the bus/tram" which would mean - " I am going to the bus stop/tram station and am going to travel somewhere by bus/tram" not just stand there or be there for no reason.

What do you say in that case in English when you mean the actions of arriving at a bus stop/tram station and boarding the transport in order to travel somewhere?


texts: How to deal with unknown genders in English?

texts:
When I start a sentence with words like "someone" or "somebody", I don't know how to choose the right pronoun at the end of the sentence.

Examples:

  If anybody asks you about the money, tell (Him - Her - It - Them) that it is in my bank account.

  I felt that somebody was in the garden but I did not see (Him - Her - It - Them).

  Speaker 1: A friend of mine helped me a lot.

  Speaker 2: You should thank (Him - Her - It - Them).

  Congratulations on your new baby! What's (His - Her - Its - Their) name?

Those are the cases or situations that I can think of. If you have any other different situations, please let me know.


texts: Does a noun always require the definite article when the adjective "occasional" is used before it?

texts:
I have noticed that when occasional is used before a noun then the is used. For example:

  The occasional car went by but no taxis.

  The watch was designed so as to withstand the occasional knock.

  He drank the occasional coffee during the break.

Tell me please if this is the case. And if it is then why is the used not a?


texts:
President Trump: We’re looking for a complete deal.  I’m not looking for a partial deal.  China has been starting to buy our agricultural product.  If
  you noticed over the last week — and actually, some very big
  purchases.

  But that’s not what I’m looking for; we’re looking for the big deal.
  We’ve taken it to this level.  We’re taking in billions and billions of dollars of tariffs.  China has devalued their currency and they’re
  putting out a lot of money into their curren- — into their — into
  their economy.

Hi, I looked for the meaning of take in, and a dictionary says:

  to accept something as real or true

  He still hasn’t really taken in his father’s death. Macmillan

Is the meaning I found is correct in this case?

And if so, does it mean the U.S. has to accept the billions dollars of tariffs from China?
I know it's related with the economy, but I'd like to know just the meaning of the phrase.

Thank you.


texts: request an endorsement - recommendation?

texts:
If a person is considering buying something and writing to a company to ask for a recommendation of a product or service, can we say he or she is requesting an endorsement?

I'd appreciate your help.


texts:
I think it would be better to rule out first whether the problem is the computer or not.

Is that a correct way to use rule out?


texts: Difference between "from a distance" and "from the distance"?

texts:
Consider these two phrases:

  "from a distance"
  "from the distance"

Is there a difference in these two terms? When would you use which?


texts: Why does a sentence can be followed by "doing something"?

texts:
Falling

Take a look at the following:

  ... and my head gets a little fuzzy looking at him.

If it's up to me to make this sentence, it would be

  ... my head gets a little fuzzy by looking at him.

So, I don't understand why it can directly link "looking at ..."


texts: Sentence meaning: only semantic gymnastics saved it

texts:
The unyielding growth of rules, then, has persisted through Republican and Democratic administrations (see chart). Several factors explain it. First, Congress has neither the staff nor the expertise to write complex, technical laws. So lawmakers happily let experts in government agencies fill in the blanks. What Congress does write itself, it writes sloppily. In 2015 the Supreme Court found “more than a few examples of inartful drafting” in the Affordable Care Act. One such error nearly saw the court strike down crucial parts of law; only semantic gymnastics saved it. The “Chevron deference”, a doctrine from a 1984 court ruling, gives agencies wide latitude to interpret laws when they are vaguely written. (Neil Gorsuch, Mr Trump’s nominee to the court, is not a fan.)

What's the meaning of that above sentence in bold? Thanks!


texts:
"Prime Minister Tony Abbott is preparing to make his second visit to
  Indonesia in just one week. He’ll head to Bali on Sunday to join 20
  other leaders for the APEC summit. A Push for a high trade effect will
  be high on the agenda." (extract) (Original audio and script)

I don’t hear the a, so I’m wondering if it is all right without the article in the sentence. Is it okay or not? What is the cause of the reply?


texts:
I know how to use relative clause in reduced form i.e. I saw the dog barking.(I saw the dog which barked)

But in a technical book, I see the following sentence and can't figure out.

  This function performs some action appropriate to the condition that
  generated the signal

I think that the author forgot to put is before the signal. If not, is there any usage form like that + past participle? Or, what is the usage of that here? Can you rewrite the sentence with same meaning? Is generated past simple here?


texts: What should I understand "available electronically" in this context?

texts:
In the sentence:

  I needed a language that would run on the machines in our Linux lab as well as on the Windows and Macintosh platforms most students have at home. I wanted it to be free and available electronically, so that students could use it at home regardless of their income.

What should I understand the meaning of  available electronically?
Does this mean, a language should be downloadable? Or, should be used anywhere with computers?

Thank you in advance.


texts: Past simple or past perfect with "think"

texts:
Could you cancel my first order?  As I had thought it did not work, I made another  order for the same item. However, it did work. So I realized that I had ordered same item twice.

Shall I  use the simple past or the past perfect  for think? I choose past perfect because I changed my mind: First I had thought and then, I thought.


texts: What is the difference of "There is/are" in this context

texts:
Which one of the following sentences is correct?

  There are 6 million accidents per year in the US
  There is 6 million accidents per year in the US

If both they are wrong, then what is the difference between 1 and 2?


texts:
The logging industry

The defense of the forest

Those are my mistakes in a recent essay. Although I've got the correction for them, I still don't really understand the way it works. I suppose "The"s are needed there because I was talking about specific, familiar things? And most of the time I use "the" just based on my instinct, like whether it sounds natural or not. I really lack a comprehensive understanding of it.


texts: "helps making", "helps make", "helps to make" - what is the difference?

texts:
For the three sentences below:

Good horizontal spacing helps make individual statements more readable.

Good horizontal spacing helps to make individual statements more readable.

Good horizontal spacing helps making individual statements more readable.

Is one of them preferable to the others? If so, please justify. Are any of them incorrect?


texts: What is the common way to express "to put / plug / install the batteries into the toy car"?

texts:
install something to fix equipment or furniture into position so that
  it can be used

  They're planning to install a new drainage system.

  Make sure the equipment is properly installed.

  A hidden camera had been installed in the room.

  plug something (up) to fill a hole with a substance or piece of
  material that fits tightly into it

  He plugged the hole in the pipe with an old rag.

  Divers succeeded in plugging the leaks from the tanker.

Let's say you have just bought a toy car for your son, you need to "to put / plug / install the batteries into the toy car to make it work".

What is the common way to express it?


texts: Do you say 'during sleep' or 'during sleeping'?

texts:
Are they both correct?
Is there a rule to clarify?

The phrase is 'it is a device you wear during sleep/during sleeping'


texts: difference: "lesser-known" vs. "less-known"

texts:
What difference, if any, is there between "lesser-known"  and "less-known"? Both "lesser" and "less" are adverbials there. I suspect "lesser-known" can be used only attributively. Any other differences?

I'd appreciate your help.


texts: What is the difference between 'the study of' and 'a study on'

texts:
I now try to title a project which focuses on time. Which title is better:

  A study on time

or:

  The study of time

I'm puzzled at differentiating from a study on from the study of. Is there any difference between them?


texts: A word or phrase for a person who doesn't accept new things

texts: I mean that I need a word to describe a person who always opposes the development of society and has outdated concepts and ideas. For example, an Asian person who doesn't like people having tattoos or accept girls who have sex before marriage.


texts: Use of "too ... to" in a certain sentence

texts:
While I was doing a quiz on an English grammar website, I saw this sentence

  I do not have (too - enough) much time to prepare dinner

and "too" as the correct answer. But what I've learned and what is explained on the website, is "too ... to" means more than necessary. I thought it was a mistake, but I've found many sentences like it on Google. Can you explain me its use in this sentence, please?


texts: How should I understand "from a slightly premature but inevitable extinction" in the paragraph?

texts:
Passion seems appropriate to this discussion, because we are living at
a historic  moment, when the young are threatened with paying an
appalling price to preserve  some hundreds of thousands of us oldies,
overwhelmingly the likeliest victims of  coronavirus, from a slightly
premature but inevitable extinction. One of my wife’s favourite
observations is that “none of us is going to get out of this alive”,
and never has this seemed more obvious.

I read the above paragraph in this article. What I'm not sure is the meaning of 'from a slightly premature but inevitable extinction'. My understanding of this is that the young are trying hard to protect the oldies from premature death. Everyone, however, is going to leave this world, which is inevitable.
Is my understanding right? Thank you in advance.


texts:
I think there's a comma that's used when you are omitting the subject and verb (perhaps to avoid a run-on sentence, which would be ungrammatical).
Examples:

He felt good, like he was the king of the world.
(He felt good, he felt like he was the kind of the world.)
He said earnestly, with not the slightest hint of a smile.
(He said earnestly, he said with not the slightest hint of a smile.)

I have two questions:

Is this the case? If not, what kind of comma is this?
Are these sentences grammatically correct without the commas?


texts:
I was wondering which sentence below sounds more idiomatic?

1- He was condemned to 20 years in prison and he paid the cost for his actions.
2- He was condemned to 20 years imprisonment and he paid the cost for his actions.

I am asking this question, because there is the collocation: "life imprisonment", but the original sentence was written with "in prison" (#1)! So that was why I became confused and decided to bring the question up here.
Please kindly explain that to me.


texts: Can I omit "the" in (see also section "Special warnings and precautions for use")

texts:
A phrase from a package insert:

  A similar effect may arise due to the poor general health of the patient, as well as due to seriously compromised liver or kidney function (see also section “Special warnings and precautions for use”)

Is it okay as it is, or should one use the here?

  A similar effect may arise due to the poor general health of the patient, as well as due to seriously compromised liver or kidney function (see also the section “Special warnings and precautions for use”)

Does the "headlinese-style omission of articles" apply to parenthetical constructions?


texts:
Was the word legitimate used as a verb or adjective in the following sentence? If it was used as a verb what does "to legitimate goals" mean?

  Individuals who have a sincere commitment to legitimate goals are more
  likely to conform to society's norm.


texts: Are there tenseless sentences in English?

texts:
It's got nothing to do with you being blind.

Link to the movie: https://youtu.be/afaNyISP2dI?t=1h23m24s

Please, go to 01:23:23.

I've never seen a sentence like that before. Learning this type of sentences can improve my ability to express in English.

Why there's no tense in the second part of this sentence? When can I use verbs like that? What's the rule? Would you give me more examples (with verbs other than the verb "To be"), please?

I would say "It's got nothing to do with you" or "It's got nothing to do with being blind" or "It's got nothing to do with the fact that you're blind".

So I know that when I would like to add two sentences together, I should use the word "That" or any other conjunction. And sometimes the conjunction is omitted but the verb is conjugated.

In this sentences, there's no verb conjugation. No conjunction word. So How can I form a sentence like that? And when I should use them?

Thanks in advance,


texts:
I get a little confused when I'm trying to say something like this:

  This is a sample of my always changing taste in movies.
  This is a sample of my always in change taste in movies.
  This is a sample of my always in changing taste in movies.

Are those 3 sentences correct? Why (If Yes or Not)?


texts: An employer tried to tell me that it is wrong to say, "someone was dead"

texts:
During a job interview, I was asked why I quit my last job.

I told the prospective employer that my grandfather passed away in China all of a sudden. Because he was dead in China, I must go to China for the funeral arrangements according to the ancestor veneration practices of my birthplace's custom. I know what I said might be confusing him, but I could not figure out what was wrong with it when I said, "my grandfather was dead", I could feel that he wanted to laugh on hearing what I told him, but he just tried not to do it. I was not happy with him because he interrupted to ask, "so how is he now? ha ?"

I am not a native English speaker. I don't understand why he was teasing about my grammar but isn't the sentence, "my grandfather was dead" grammatically correct? Did the employer tease me because he wanted to correct the sentence that it should be, "my grandfather is dead"?


texts: How should I refer to, when talking about someone else and myself?

texts:
Usually, when talking about someone else and myself, I should put someone else first to show respect, like "Ronald and I ...". Should I do the same when talking about my son and myself?

My son and I have an agreement ...

I and my son have an agreement ...

Which one should I use?


texts: Meaning of “Matching clothing can also present problems as can decorating house.”

texts:
What is the meaning of the sentence in bold:

“In fact, due to the high rate of color blindness in society web designer have started to take this into account. Matching clothing can also present problems as can decorating house.”


texts: I am up to face it X I am ready to face it

texts:
When someone asks if I would be able to face a full time job, can I answer with the following sentences?

I am ready to face the challenge.

I am up for it.

I am up to face it.

I am up for facing it.

Thanks!


texts: 'Spoken English' Classes - is this title correct?

texts:
In India, they are in thousands, like mushrooms in rains. I really wonder whether the title is justified. In India, we have...

  Spoken English classes

These classes help non-natives speak English in a fluent way.

Is it the right title? Even strange is someone advising students:

  Learn spoken English OR Join Spoken English classes.

Spoken English? What do natives say about it?

But when it is other than English, I see other variant:

   Spoken Spanish Classes Spanish Speaking Classes


texts: "The most delicious fruit is..." - plums or plum?

texts:
So recently I've learned that the word "fruit" is typically a mass noun, which is quite embarrassing to be honest, as I'll probably have to explain some related grammar to my students. The course outline I'm going to be using features these "grammatical structures":

What is the most delicious fruit?
The most delicious fruit is plum.

Is the answer correct? Should it be something like this:

The most delicious fruit is plums.?

Or is "plum" used in an uncountable sense here, i.e. is it referred to as foodstuff (substance) rather than as an item (single object), in the same way "apple" is used in "There's apple in this sauce"? Is the apparent use of "plum" in the singular without "a/an" in that example grammatically correct?


texts: The sentence meaning - found + unfulfilling

texts:
What does the following sentence mean exactly?

  The United States dancer Loie Fuller (1862–1928) found theatrical
  dance in the late nineteenth century artistically
  unfulfilling.

Is the "found" here past tense of "find"? Or it is the verb "found"?

What is the meaning of "unfulfilling" precisely in the sentence?


texts: What does "pull sb back into..." mean in this context?

texts:
Does the phrase in bold mean "it's able to make people not want to work" or "it's able to make people look for work"?

  One of the big surprises over the past 18 months is that the job market continues to be so strong, able to pull people back into the labor force who gave up looking for work altogether, Kashkari  wrote. The United States added 235,000 jobs in February, official data show, far above the level needed to keep up with population growth.

Source: Washingtonpost.com


texts: What does "tailored jackets that definitely don’t come from Next, like Charlie’s" mean here?

texts:
I would like to know what "tailored jackets that definitely don’t come from
Next, like Charlie’s" means in the following sentences:

This man is Duncan, apparently, and he’s married to Georgina. He’s
also one of the ushers, along with the other three guys. Peter – hair
slicked back, a party-boy look. Oluwafemi, or Femi – tall, black,
seriously handsome. Angus – Boris Johnson blond and similarly
pot-bellied. But in a funny way they all look quite similar. They’re
all wearing the same striped tie plus crisp white shirts, polished
brogues and tailored jackets that definitely don’t come from Next,
like Charlie’s. Charlie bought his especially for this weekend and I
hope he’s not feeling too put out by the comparison. But at least he
looks fairly dapper next to the best man, Johnno, who despite his size
somehow reminds me of a kid wearing clothes from the school lost
property cupboard.

Lucy Foley, The Guest List, Chapter 12

This is a thriller novel published in 2020 in the United Kingdom. One hundred and fifty guests would be gathering at some remote and deserted fictional islet called Inis an Amplóra off the coast of the island of Ireland to celebrate the wedding between Jules (a self-made woman running an online magazine called The Download) and Will (a celebrity appearing in a TV show program called Survive the Night). The day before the actual wedding day, Hannah, the wife of Charlie (Jules' friend), arrived at the island and is now at the dinner party for the rehearsal dinner with only some selected guests. And during the party, Hannah sees that other guests, especially the ushers, are dressed with expensive clothes.
(1) In this part, I wonder whether it would be right to see that "that definitely don’t come from
Next, like Charlie’s" modifies only "tailored jackets" that is right before the phrase, or all the "striped tie, crisp white shirts, polished brogues and tailored jackets."
(2) And I am also wondering whether "tailored" here means they measured their body sizes and got their suits at a tailor shop, or just their suits looked as if they had been tailored, because they fit their bodies perfectly.


texts: Second Conditional vs. Third Conditional

texts:
Zero and First conditional shows something will happen in certain degree ,but I don't get about Second Conditional and Third Conditional.

Both of them are impossible and unreal, what is the difference?


texts: Is 'We'll have us a beer' acceptable in Standard English?

texts: I heard sometimes to say 'we're going to have us a beer'. Is this correct? Should it be avoided in standard English? Is it only colloquial?


texts:
My brother exaggerates my way of walking as a mean to ridicule and laugh at me.

Which word can I use to describe his walking? I want a general word to describe mimicry of actions to differentiate it with mimicry of way of speaking or mimicry of dressing style.


texts:
Does the following sentence mean I prefer to go home, or something is just as fine as something else?

  I'd just as soon go home.

Does this other sentence mean that either thing is good?

  I'd just as soon go home as to go to party.


texts:
Can I say: "a group of ten-year-olds" or should I add the noun for example students  "a group of ten-year-olds students"?
Thank you in advance for your answer.


texts: Teacher said I write in a pompous register? Why? Could you help me understand?

texts:
Okay, so I've submitted a proposal to  my teacher. I get the part that I've made inaccurately structured sentences, also I understand that I have missed to an extend the point of the given task. But I sincerely don't understand why she regards my register as pompous. I'm preparing myself for a certificate C1 certificate and we are constantly told to use advanced vocabulary. How come I've gone to far? What's the difference between pompous and advanced? , as it is clear that I probably lack fundamental understanding.
I've copied my proposal down here, the corrections from my teacher are in bold.
I would really appreciate if somebody sheds some light on the matter! :) I'm willing to be criticized, it's just I don't completely understand the feedback.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this proposal is to outline the functionality of the facilities available, to particularize (existent) issues with them that have arisen as well as to put forward some feasible recommendations on how the situation could be enhanced for the better – tautology!

UTILITY OF PRESENT FACILITIES

To begin with, our college has provided with a few common rooms ???, respectively divided by language course ???, which abound with alluring and thought-provoking – too strong and literary a language/report vocabulary should be drier and more clichéd. language learning materials such as books, newspapers, magazines accessible for public use.

PRESENT AMENITY TROUBLES

Notwithstanding the encouragement to students those language rooms provide for well-rounded education to familiarize themselves with – badly structured!!! their Major language’s culture, art & history, it could be a very challenging pursuit sometimes.

Lately our faculty has drastically grown in number, which means there is not enough space for teamwork meetings and shortage of educational materials. It/This has many times led to student’s distress with inefficient assignment completion and missed deadline**???**.

RECOMMENDATIONS
While it is physically not possible to enlarge the rooms, I have thought up – improper vocab. with a more astute approach to the matter. My main suggestion would be to establish new facilities in accordance with original tasks. – What do you mean?
One idea is of ??? culinary classes in the given language – starting off with the history of traditional meals and practices, proceeding with workshops - students will have the chance to follow the evolvement of the foreign culture from an academically unconventional perspective.
Another concept is to introduce a hall where students can watch cinematographic features that depict various aspects of the language and culture they study and after that to make an evaluation of the portrayal’s authenticity.

CONCLUSION

If these recommendations were to be executed, I am positively convinced that our college would mark a great improvement in its foreign language preparation./the environment it provides for foreign language learning.

In your intention to make the proposal sound as formal and advanced as possible, you have gone to the extreme of sounding not only pompous but also unclear. There is not only improperly used vocabulary but also inaccurately structured sentences. This is what the overall impression is when you read the text. As for content, you are supposed to focus on facilities and not on activities, e.g. the culinary classes you propose. As far as the rooms and courses are concerned, I could not understand the connection between them. It is also unclear what you suggest with regard to the insufficient space for meetings and how it affects assignment completion.
I am not going to give you a mark as it would be very low indeed. You had better rewrite it in a more clear, coherent and comprehensible way.


texts: What is the difference between "pick" and "pick out" when used in the sense of choosing?

texts:
What is the difference between pick and pick out when used in the sense of choosing? For example:

  I will try to pick (out) the best place to live.

  He picked (out) the righ career.

Dictionaries say that pick out means to choose something from a group. But doesn't pick mean the same? What does the out add to the meaning?


texts: Using Plural word with the conjunction "And"

texts:
Which one of the below is wrong and why?

We get values for possibilities X and Y.

We get values  for possibility of X and Y.

We get values  for possibilities of X and Y.

The question has some similarities but more specific than  this post. My focus is on how should I write for possibility(ies of).
Edit:
X and Y are just arbitrary object for demonstration purpose.


texts:
I know the meaning of when it comes to but not familiar to when it comes from. My dictionary says nothing about the from idiom.Can from be replaced with to in the following sentence for the same meaning of the idiom?

  When a man is in training, and taking it seriously, does he pay attention to all praise and criticism and opinion indiscriminately, or only when it comes from the one qualified person, the actual doctor or trainer?

If not, what does it mean?


texts: what's it called when you're being carried by many people by your hands and feet?

texts:
What I'm referring to is the situation in which you are being taken somewhere by force (either as a joke or a punishment), by some people who are holding your feet and others your arms; normally you stay suspended off the ground.
I'm pretty sure to have once come across a way to describe all this in one (or two?) word, but I can't remember which. Any help?


texts: What does the phrase "falling far" mean?

texts:
SOURCE

What does this phrase mean:

  "We're falling far tonight"

..especially "falling far"? I really can't find anywhere what that means.


texts: What does "slept with a hanger in your mouth" mean?

texts:
In the pilot episode of Friends Monica meets this handsome guy and they have sex in her flat. Next day in the morning, she kisses him off and then she has this conversation with Rachel:

  Monica: So how're you doing today?
  You-you sleep ok? You talked to Barry? I can't stop smiling.

  Rachel: I can see that. You look like
  you slept with a hanger in your
  mouth.

  Monica: I know, he, he's just so... You
  remember you and Tony DeMarco?

  Rachel Oh, yeah.

  Monica: Well, it's like that. With feelings

  Rachel: Oh wow. Are you in trouble.

  Monica: Big time!

I have no idea what hanger means here and how it is related to her smiling.


texts: Just woke up so my mind is still picking up?

texts:
Let's say you were sleeping, then in the middle of your sleep someone suddenly phoned you. You were a bit surprised, as what we normally feel when someone called us while sleeping , and you responded:

  ''Hello, I'm sorry I just woke up so my mind is still picking up''

Are the bold letters correct and if they are the same as ''regaining itself from its usual mental state''


texts: I was once a fan of..? or I was a fan of...?

texts:
I would like to know if it would be okay to use

  ”I was once a fan”

or

  “I was a fan”

.


texts:
I  found Berhman in his room helpless with pain and fever.

I have read about the following structure associated with the word "find":

"find (object) (adjective)".

But I am somehow confused with this sentence, choosing between

"Berhman in his room" as the object of "found", and
"in his room" as the adverb of "found".


texts: What is the difference between "I used to" and "I had been" in this sentence?

texts:
I used to live in the US for a year before I became a teacher.

  I had been living in the US for a year before I became a teacher.

Is there any difference between the two?


texts: A general term meaning between 10 and 19

texts:
Between 20 and 29- we can say in the twenties.
Between 30 and 39 - we can say in the thirties.
And so on. But what about the range from 10 to 19? Tenties? Is there a general term for it?


texts:
A dialogue from 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001):

  Man 1: Do you like women with large breasts? Or women with huge breasts?
  Man 2: I'm going to go with huge to block.

Is this some kind of joke?


texts: can "way to do something" & "way of doing something" be used interchangeably

texts:
In the dictionary

  way to do something  That's not the right way to hold a
  pair of scissors.  (informal, disapproving) That's no way to speak
  to your mother!  way of doing something  I'm
  not happy with this way of working.

I am not sure if "way to do something" & "way of doing something" can be used interchangeably?

Can I say:

I'm not happy with this way to work.

&

That's not the right way of holding a pair of scissors.


texts: In the spoken English I used to hear to people who ask "Isn't it?" while it is apparently supposed to be "Is it not?". What is the explanation for that? Is it a mistake or there's an explanation for it?


texts:
When should we use the thumb rule word. I got this word from one of my senior resource like. It is the thumb rule you should use this one.

I am having the doubt like shall we use this word for normal talk to when someone is doing something wrong. Or thumb rule is specifically for business.

for example while talking to someone he did something unusual. shall we reply like it is thumb rule that you should not do like this.


texts:
If I stop frequenting a place (like a Gym), should I say "I left..." or "I left the..."?

In my mind, sounds to me like I should use "I left the gym", of if I use the name of the gym "I left HeroesGym" (without "the"). Is it correct?


texts: Usage of “would” and “will” in the given context

texts:
I would like to know why is would used in the following paragraph. For sure, we could have used will or may. Isn’t it?
It is from an editorial section of a newspaper:

India's ease of doing business
Harmonization of laws, procedures and rates of taxes will improve environment of compliance as all returns to be filled online, input credits to be verified online reducing need to deal with different tax authorities. It would also discourage mere invoice shipping.


texts:
By seven, he is shaved, breakfasted and wrapped beautifully in fresh
  unborrowed linen and dark fine wool. Sometimes, at this hour, he
  misses Liz's father; that good old man, who would always be up early,
  ready to drop a flat hand on his head and say, enjoy your day, Thomas,
  on my behalf.

(Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel)

what is the meaning of "unborrowed" here? New? 100% linen? or not the second- hand bought linen?


texts:
Let's say I'm in a restaurant. My friend ordered something and I want to order the same thing.

e.g.
Server: How do you like your steak done?
Friend: Um..I'd like my steak...Medium well, please.
Me:______.

Can I say "Likewise" in this situation?, if I don't want to repeat the same sentence?


texts: Words that differ only in the suffices -cal vs -able

texts:
Predicated on practicable vs practical, is there a more general theme or lesson or motif to be learned?

What are the similarities and differences between two words with the same root X but differ in these suffices, as in: X-cable and X-cal?


texts: Difference between "No good at all" and "Not good at all"?

texts:
I can't understand the difference between the following:

  No good at all
  Not good at all

And I hear them when I'm listening music or watching a movie, bla bla. But it seem to be same meaning?

Can you show me how to use them with the rightly way?


texts: What are the rules for using to-infinitives?

texts:
Okay so let's start with verbs and to-infinitives. For example:
This tool is used for opening ** or **This tool is used to open
Which would be correct and why? I know that the to-infinitives are used to show the purpose of something and someone's opinion about something. But for is actually used for the same thing Isn't it?
For example:
I've got something for reading and I've got something to read
I've been told that the first one sounds unnatural. But how do you determine this? I just can't understand it.


texts:
In the two sentences:

"It is estimared that around one in five people have a sleep disorder of some kind, affecting their abilty to get enough sleep."

and

"The number of people suffering from malnutrition is increasing."

what is the justification for the comma in the former and for the absence of it in the second?To me,both are modifiers that should not be set off by commas.
Thanks in advance.


texts: "Oh! It's a scorpion." - Which option when using reported speech?

texts:
Mother said, "Oh! It's a scorpion. Don't go near it, children."

This is from a multiple-choice question with 4 options I have to choose the 'best' from them. The other two options were completely wrong so I didn't write them, its just these two options which are confusing me. What should be the indirect form of above given sentence?

  Mother exclaimed with disgust that it was a scorpion and told the children not to go near it.
  Mother exclaimed with disgust that, that was a scorpion and told the children not to go near that.

In indirect form just like we change yesterday to previous day, tomorrow to next day same way in above given sentence we will change it into that, Right? But the two "that"s in second option sound awkward.


texts: How would you call something hindering proper development by providing a workaround

texts:
Is there an adjective or a noun for something hindering understanding or further development by providing an easy workaround or a parametrisation (i.e. practical in a zeroth order but unable to provide a consistent description). I want to apply it to the alpha-viscosity theory.

The things like "swindle, fraud, cheat or trick" do not capture the fact that the simplicity of it made it so appealing as to discard a search for other options. An expression like "paved track" does not have a negative shading. Does "a pill" or "a panacea" express that?

Thanks in advance.


texts: Use of "Should" at the beginning of a sentence

texts:
So, I am given this sentence:

  Father will send you a message if his flight is cancelled.

I am supposed to preserve the meaning of this sentence and transform it into another sentence beginning with "Should". So, I thought of this (I don't really know why I thought of this though):

  Should his flight gets cancelled, your father will send you a message.

However, some of my classmates are saying that the correct version is:

  Should his flight get cancelled, your father will send you a message.

I am confused. Which one is correct and why?


texts:
I'm taking some online quizzes in a specific subject and I've faced the following question

Which statement is false?

1- XXX.

2- XXX.

3- XXX

4- No statement is false.

5- All statements are false.

The sentences 1,2, and 3 are true. I've chosen 5 and I got incorrect answer and the teacher said the correct answer is 4. It seems to me the way the question is formulated doesn't test my knowledge in the subject which pisses me off. I would like to know if the question from linguistic point of view is correct or valid so that I can file a claim.


texts: Is it okay to use passive voice after or before "with great interest"?

texts:
Is it okay to use passive voice with "with great interest", such as "With great interest, the book was read." or "The book was read with great interest"?

Mostly I see people say or write "With great interest, I..." I'm not sure whether it is okay that there isn't a clear subject, such as I, you, he, etc. written before or after this phrase. The reason I wanted to write it this way is that it would sound more formal when "I" is not used in such a sentence.


texts: I was helping a friend out who didn't speak English very well on the phone and I told him I would pass off as/pass for him in order to solve his problem with his phone company. I'm not sure if what I said is very natural and usable. So I'm here to ask you guys what should I say when telling someone that I will pretend to be them.


texts: I had studied at St Mary's School. Is this sentence grammatically right or wrong?


texts: What is the grammatical facts of word trained in the following paragraph?

texts:
How can you take advantage of this? A gratitude journal is an easy and
  actually pretty fun way to keep your attention trained on what’s
  important in life: all the beautiful, exciting and wonderful things
  that surround youday to day but which you may have forggten to
  appreciate.

The above contents come from the book The 21 Day of challenge happiness

As for the bold word, trained, is it a past participle? what is the grammatical facts of it?

According to my research, I think trained on is a past participle phrase which modifies attention. Is it true?


texts: Can I always use the present tense for something happening in the future?

texts:
In Italian, I could use the Simple Present for something happening in the future. For example, I could say l'anno prossimo parto per gli Stati Uniti ("the next year I leave for the USA".) This would mean that my plans to travel are set, or at least are mostly in place. Something might come up that would prevent me from visiting the USA (e.g. the person who was to give me hospitality has more urgent affairs), but that is something I don't know when writing the sentence. In any event, the sentence is not just expressing mere willingness to travel but also intent.

Can I use the Simple Present, in English, for a similar situation? If the answer is yes, can it be done with any verb? For example, can I use the following sentence, or is it wrong?

  With the help of my cousin, I pass the exam.

I would take the sentence as meaning that I made arrangements with my cousin, and he is going to help me study for the exam.


texts: "We maybe have a problem" or "Maybe we have a problem"? Do we put "maybe" before a verb?

texts:
Maybe is an adverb.

Normally, people put "Maybe" at the beginning of a sentence.

Ex: Maybe we have a problem

My question is:

Do we put "maybe" before a verb? Ex: "We maybe have a problem" it sounds very strange.

It is very good if your answer includes some referencing source.


texts: "most of the children" vs. "most children"

texts:
Consider these sentences

  In this school, most of the children are from the Chinese community.

  In this school, most the children are from the Chinese community.

  In this school, most of children are from the Chinese community.

  In this school, most children are from the Chinese community.

The first one is definitely grammatically correct, as it's an example from Oxford Dictionary, how about the others?

I guess the last one is also grammatical, since an English tutorial says

  before most nouns in english, you have to use an article

in the pattern of most + countable nouns.


texts: Using “can I do” when ordering food at the restaurant!

texts:
When I'm at a restaurant, I usually hear English native speakers saying:

“Can I do a cheeseburger or Big Mac?”

Does ‘Can I do’ when ordering food at the restaurant, give the same meaning as:

“I would like to have....”,
“I wanna have....”, etc.

How is that do gives the same meaning as get or have?
Note: At least in the North America


texts: What is the meaning of 'dynamic' as a noun in this passage?

texts:
I'm confused about how dynamic can be used as a noun here:

  ODO: {noun}   1. A force that stimulates change or progress within a system or process:

Third Example Sentence thereunder:

  The terrible poverty at the global level he sees as getting worse, with the same dynamic at work within all countries, even industrialised ones.

Is this use wrong? The definition requires change or progress, but this is refuted by  '...poverty... getting worse...". Can you help me resolve this apparent contradiction?


texts: How to say it about my brother in law guitar?

texts:
The most precious thing for me was ....
a) my brother-in-law guitar
b) my brother’s-in-law guitar
c) my brother-in-law’s guitar
d) my brother’-in-law guitar
e) my brother’s-in-law’s guitar


texts:
According to wiki, the definition of block letter is as follows

Block letters (known as printscript, manuscript, print writing or ball and stick in academics) are a sans-serif (or "gothic") style of writing Latin script in which the letters are individual glyphs, with no joining. In English-speaking countries, children are often first taught to write in block letters, and later may advance to cursive (joined) writing. Other countries (Poland, Italy, Austria, Germany, France, etc.) focus on cursive writing from the first grade.

At first, I think the opposite of block letter is cursive letter (let's assume the opposite of block letter is the most common letter among non-block letter). But what if I print some documents using cursive font. Then are the printed letters of cursive font block letters? So what is the actual opposite of block letters?


texts: How to define the verb "lob" in this sentence? Is it a figurative usage?

texts:
I came across this sentence in Washington Post today，

  Three federal appellate judges on Tuesday lobbed critical inquiries at those challenging and defending President Trump’s controversial immigration order — whose immediate fate now rests with the court.

I am curious about the use of the verb "lob" here. In dictionary, there is only one meaning of the verb,

  1.Throw or hit (a ball or missile) in a high arc:
  ‘he lobbed the ball over their heads’

  1.1[with object] (in soccer or tennis) kick or hit the ball over (an opponent) in a high arc:
  ‘he managed to lob the keeper’

Clearly the definition of the word has nothing to do with the "lob" used in that newspaper sentence. I can only guess it's a figurative usage, but what's the exact meaning of "lobbed critical inquiries at..."? It's just hard to fathom.


texts: Articles, a mistake in a job description

texts:
I have found the following job description. I think there is a mistake, isn't it?

FFF asset management is looking for an experienced analyst to join its team. The role requires a strong working knowledge of THE various asset classes with a specific focus on Fixed Income markets.

They don't talk about any concrete company with their assets. They talk about it general. As a listener, I don't know anything about those assets classes.

I think there is no need in the.

EDIT

I searched in google for the exact expression and got the following results:

"knowledge of various asset classes" - 26 000 results

"knowledge of the various asset classes" - 98 results

Almost all job descriptions don't contain the.


texts: What is the passive voice of the sentence?

texts:
What is the passive voice of the sentence -" It is not here ."
 Possible answers :
        "It is there. " or,
        "It is somewhere else ."


texts: Can I use "perfect fit" to describe the way somebody chooses in doing something?

texts:
Can I use "perfect fit" to describe the way somebody chooses to do things?

For example,

  Perhaps, some time in the future she will have to switch to a more
  active mode of learning, but the pace she's been taking so far is just
  a perfect fit for her at the current stage of her English studies.

or

  She decided to take these classes only 3 times a week, while her
  competitors took as many as two or even three classes a day. This , of
  course, may lead to her ultimate failure in the final showdown, but
  given her peculiar character and unstable psychology, I would say that
  the frequency that she has chosen is just a perfect fit for her.


texts:
http://infertility.about.com/od/tryingtoconceive101/a/cervicalmucus.htm

The Writer in the above article talks about the observation of cervical mucus.(for more, look into the fourth point, under subtitle How to Check Your Cervical Mucus.)

He notes as follows

  If what you find seems sticky, or findings are scant, you're probably not ovulating yet.

Does scant means if cervical mucus is less sticky or if the amount of cervical mucus you took from your vagina ( using a finger) are less ?


texts: Meaning of "He compares his..." in this book review

texts:
Excerpted from nytimes.com:

    The personal digressions in “Latest Readings” tend to be first rate. While denouncing hard drugs, Mr. James remarks: “At one period I was the kind of pothead who looked like a small cloud being propelled by a pair of legs.” He compares his imitation of the German soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf to another man’s, and writes that onstage Schwarzkopf “looked as if she were trying to kiss the behind of a hummingbird in midflight.

Based on this article solely, does the bold letters above indicate:

he(Mr. James) mimicked soprano Elisabeth, that means he sang a song imitating her(emphasising on gestures), and then compared this fact(that he sang in her style) to a man(who is not important enough to show his name), who also mimicked Elisabeth before, in order to make fun of Elisabeth?
What does "she were trying to kiss the behind of a hummingbird in midflight" mean? I think it means she has funny gesture, but do nouns like "midflight", or "hummingbird" have any specific implication? Or this sentence is equivalent to "looked as if she were trying to kiss something"


texts:
I know “can” can’t be used in the future tense, where “be able to” is used instead.

How can I use “be able to” in future simple/continuous/perfect in passive voice?

Can I see examples?


texts: What does "Polka dot and plaid" combination mean?

texts:
I have seen it used in a context that seems to imply they are very incompatible but don't quite understand the meaning of the phrase.

One example is the phrase from the "Polka Dots and Plaid" blog:

  Sometimes, you gracefully make polka dots & plaid seem to work together.

Another was a sentence I once saw "Polka Dot seeks Plaid" in personals ad context.


texts: "participants responses" or "participant responses" or "participants responses"

texts:
I have many participants, each will provide a response. Which of the following is the correct sentence to describe all the participants responses?

  We want to get the maximum number of:

participants responses or participant responses or participants responses


texts: What does "given to" mean in this context?

texts:
A dictionary definition of "sharp-tongued" reads:

  (of a person) given to using cutting, harsh, or critical language."

What does "given to" mean?

I don't understand why "given to" is used here.


texts: Question about meaning of the words "goofy" and "support system nearby"

texts:
-Hi there!  I am a native Houstonian, moved out of state to get my college degree, but then came back.  My friends would describe me as sweet, loyal, caring and slightly goofy at times ;-).  My family and friends are very important to me, and I try to do what I can to maintain those relationships.  My immediate family lives in the area, so I like having that support system nearby.  A good chunk of my friends are married and have kids, so that limits the availability of them getting out to do things with me.

-Music is probably my biggest passion and I love going to concerts!  My usual is mostly Rock/Alternative, but it can vary depending on the day and what mood I'm in.  I enjoy going out to eat/drinks with friends, trying new places, photography, travelling, and going to games to name a few.  I enjoy going out on the town for drinks or dancing, but not one that will be at the clubs every weekend.  I prefer places where you can actually hear the people you're with.  I am also good with just having a low key evening at home, and at times rather would do that. I like watching most major sports, baseball in particular.  And yes, I am still an Astros fan! :-)   I also enjoy playing volleyball, sand or court, and currently am playing sand volleyball on a team through work.

-I am looking to find new friends to enjoy Houston with, but ultimately I am at the stage of my life where I am ready for a real relationship.  I am not interested in finding guys who want to just "hook up."  I would like someone that I can feel comfortable with, who is honest, compassionate, and thoughtful.  Laughter is essential in a relationship, so someone that can make me laugh is important (and not only with crude jokes/sayings).

-Feel free to send me a wink or email if you're interested or have questions to know more about me.

Does the word "goofy" is a slang meaning act like a retard person, do things without think? Having unusual habits? Which aspect of it does the slang goofy put emphasize on?
" support system nearby", I think it has two parts , part1 support system part 2 nearby. What is a support system and what kind of support system is a support system nearby? Any idea? Thanks in advance.


texts: Is "this is the man who stolen my car" grammatically correct?

texts:
I had this in my last english exam and I had a to choose between 4 answers
"this is the man (who-whose-who's-which) stolen my car"
"who" is the only answer which makes sense to me although  I think the whole question is grammerlicaly incorrect


texts:
The bank balance is agreed with the bank statement.

I think this is grammatically incorrect. It sounds a bit bothering.

  The bank balance agrees/agreed with the bank statement.

Does this one sound better? Anyone know which one is correct? When will we use is agreed? I think the subject-verb agreement is not correct in the first sentence.


texts: Put the bedsheet on the wrong way(the wrong side up)

texts:
A bedsheet/sheet with patterns put on the bed,and the pattern is inverted(someone put it on the bed the wrong way)

So what would you use to describe that?Is there an expression to express that?

(This one's put on the right way,but what if the flowers were facing the other side (that's not the way they are meant to be))


texts:
Please feel free to cite better examples; I exemplify with "indulge a mania" and "indulge in a mania".
What are the similarities and differences between these ODO definitions?

1(.0). [no object] indulge in = Allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of
1.3. [with object] indulge = Satisfy or yield freely to (a desire or interest):
2. [with object]  indulge = Allow (someone) to enjoy something desired:

1. I see that 1.0 is intransitive and 1.3 transitive, but then what? I exemplify with "indulge a mania" vs"indulge in a mania", but please feel free to cite better examples.
2. Please compare 1.3 vs 2? Does 2 apply only to the construct indulge + someone + in +  something?


texts: Question about meaning of "response" in this context

texts:
To the Bahá’ís of Iran
Papua New Guinea comprises a group of islands in the vast expanse of the waters of the Pacific, far, far away from the Cradle of the Faith.  We recently learned that your sacrifices have so inspired the believers in that vibrant Bahá’í community in their highly energetic response to the exigencies of the Five Year Plan that a group of them are working to make a television programme to bring to the attention of their compatriots the suffering that their deeply cherished fellow believers in Iran endure because of their adherence to the Cause.  In so many ways that extraordinary region, Australasia—where, before long, four Mash riqu’l-Adh kárs will shine out as beacons of the light of divine guidance and as testaments to the magnificent response of its population to Bahá’u’lláh’s call for unity and peace—is the embodiment of this emphatic promise by the Abhá Beauty regarding His Cause:  “Should they attempt to conceal its light on the continent, it will assuredly rear its head in the midmost heart of the ocean, and, raising its voice, proclaim:  ‘I am the life-giver of the world!’”

What does this part mean? Response to the exigencies . I know what exigencies mean. It has to do with development and accomplishment. I have a great deal of difficulty understanding what response here in this context really mean?

Could you also simplify the highlighted part in simple English, if possible.


texts: Is `indefinitely` an equivalence of `endless`?

texts:
The Wiktionary uses endless and forever to explain indefinitely.

The oxford dictionary defines indefinitely as "for an unlimited or unspecified period of time", I think unlimited just means not sure, which might be a short time, or a long time.

Any comments?


texts:
He goes to a barber downtown. (Merriam-Webster’s)

Does a barber mean a person or a shop?


texts:
I wrote the following sentence but am not sure enough if it is appropriate to use it in a job interview and if the word "appropriate" is good choice for the sentence to show your willingness and eagerness.

I can't stress enough how this position/job is appropriate for me

Is 'I can't stress enough" too informal for a job interview or for a job application cover?
Which words I can use instead of " appropriate" if it sounds as if it is not good choice. For example : would suitable or fit better choices?


texts: Question for past progressive with while

texts:
(+) While I was sleeping, a thief stole my purse.
  (-) While I wasn't sleeping, a thief stole my purse.
  (?) While was I sleeping, a thief stole my purse?

Is this correct grammatically?

Thanks a lot!


texts: Is the term "preposition phrase" replacing "prepositional phrase"?

texts:
I've noticed of late that the term preposition phrase is being preferred to prepositional phrase.

Is this a movement or an idiosyncrasy?


texts: What does "seize upon the faintest whiff of trepidation" mean?

texts:
I can tell you firsthand that we are dealing with a regime that is
  not being forthright and will seize upon the faintest whiff of
  trepidation.

I am having a hard time understanding the bold part of the sentence. "Seize upon something" according to Longman "to suddenly become very interested in an idea, excuse, what someone says etc" I don't get it in that context.


texts: "make it clear that" or "make clear that"

texts: I've only learn the former one "make it clear that" but "make clear that" is seen everywhere. Do they mean the same? Are they both grammatical and acceptable?


texts: Difference between 'With regard to' and 'In accordance with'

texts:
_________ your instructions, we have closed your bank account.
(a) With regard to
(b) In accordance with

My guess is it should be "In accordance with" but my book gave the other option (with regard to).
Which option fits well here? Why not the other one?


texts: What does "energy bills" mean? And how do they "increase"?

texts:
I read this in New Oxford American Dictionary:

  Energy bills have increased significantly this year.

I am not sure what energy bills are. And I don't think that bills can "increase" is logically tenable.


texts:
For some unknown reason, these two sentences:

  1a. The report describes the problems at the firm, blaming specific employees.
  1b. The report describes the problems at the firm and it blames specific employees.

are close in meaning.

But these two sentences:

  2a. He refused the offer, knowing that the offer was a trap.
  2b. He refused the offer and he knew that the offer was a trap.

are not as close in meaning.  So, the two nonfinite adverbial clauses above have different functions and meanings?


texts: Should I use 'did' in "not only did he help her also he dropped her home safely"

texts:
Without using 'did' and 'does' in the following sentences we are getting the same meaning then why should we use did / does there.

1.Not only does the number of migrations vary with the month, but also with the type of species.

2.not only did he help her also he dropped her home safely.


texts:
This thing has long since confused me.

When do use a pit and a hole ?

What do we call if they happen to be on a road or on a street ?

Please tell me if there are any more synonyms that i should know.


texts:
According to Cambridge Dictionary, fairly means "more than average, but less than very" while "quite" means "completely".
I totally understand the definition of them, though I don't understand the "QUITE" tag in the definition of "fairly".

What does that mean?


texts: Questions about "from whose known good sense he fully expected to have just such" from "Persuasion"

texts:
I still have a question about the sentence "from whose known good sense he fully expected to have just such resolute measures advised as he meant to see finally adopted" from the novel "Persuasion" that was written by Jane Austen.

https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/a/austen/jane/a93p/chap2.html

  Mr Shepherd, a civil, cautious lawyer, who, whatever might be his hold or his views on Sir Walter, would rather have the disagreeable prompted by anybody else, excused himself from offering the slightest hint, and only begged leave to recommend an implicit reference to the excellent judgement of Lady Russell, from whose known good sense he fully expected to have just such resolute measures advised as he meant to see finally adopted.

Below is the sentence about which I still have a question.

  from whose known good sense he fully expected to have just such resolute measures advised as he meant to see finally adopted

Does "from whose known good sense he fully expected to have just such resolute measures advised" mean "he fully expected to have just such resolute measures advised from Lady Russell's well-known good sense"?
Which meaning of the word "measure" is used in the highlighted sentence?
Which meaning of the word "as" is used in the sentence "as he meant to see finally adopted"?

Thanks a lot for everyone's help in advance.


texts: Why do we use 'have + pp' after 'would have pp' in a sentence?

texts:
Isabelle would have just loved to have met you.

This phrase from a movie and I'm bit confused that why do we use '..to have met you' instead of using '...to have meet'. I know that the clause 'would have just' is being used for showing presumption and I don't get is the part which I pointed before. Would you please explain this for me?


texts: what is the meaning of "Let me get my ass up. "

texts:
Today I saw this sentence surfing on the internet.

  Let me get my ass up and head to the gym.

can you explain it with easy sentence or replacement?

Plus,
which of the followings is the most identical to "Let me get my ass up." ?

OMG, I should get up right now.
OMG, I should hurry up right now.
please anyone gets me up?


texts: Usage of prepositions 'in' and 'at' with toponyms

texts:
Could you clarify to me the difference between using prepositions at and in in such sentences (they are taken from some website, so they might be incorrect):

I arrived at Chicago on Monday.
I've never been in Denver before.

Thank you for your help!

Found this question. Is the explanation from it by Colin Fine applicable in my case?

  Both are equally correct, and have nearly the same meaning. In would
  mean physically within the bounds of the park, while at is slightly
  less precise, because she might be inside the park, or perhaps just
  outside the gates.


texts:
I'd like to know any better ways to casually describe a back/middle office job responsibility when briefly introducing myself. The situation is when you just state your position in short to someone (for 10-15 sec.) and you don't need to explain what you do in detail at that time.

I often say like "I'm at a middle-office position. My job is mainly to support the front office team."
But, I know it sounds immature.

The actual job description is very near to the one in the link below. I'd like to know the natural and elegant way to describe those in short.
https://www.greatsampleresume.com/job-responsibilities/middle-office-analyst-responsibilities/?amp


texts: Which word I can use nearly like "whenever" in this situation?

texts:
Causally asking help,

  If you go to London, purchase things and bring me.

Situation is I don't know if he is going or not. I'm not stress him to go. If he go, then I'm asking help to purchase things and bring them to me.

I am trying to use the words "whenever you go", but in the dictionary, 'whenever' means 'every time that' and I'm asking for one time help.


texts:
https://dianeravitch.net/2014/12/03/how-to-survive-and-prevail-in-this-era-of-greed-and-privatization/

According to the article, can we say;

"We won't lose against this era" or "This era won't prevail against us"


texts: The difference between "proxy of" vs "proxy for" "proxy by"

texts:
What is the difference in meaning between  "proxy for" and "proxy by"?
Is it correct to say "proxy of"?

For example:

proxy for english language learners.
proxy by english language learners.
proxy of english language learners.

What is the difference in meaning between these three sentences? Are they correct in regard to prepositions  usage?


texts:
Is "bosom" a gender-neutral word? Can we use it to describe the chest/breast of a man?
Eg: She embraced his bosom with passion.


texts:
Is it really possible to make a passive form of the sentence

They've just finished filming the new James Bond film.?

The key says that the passive for it is The new James Bond film has just finished being filmed. But I don't quite understand both the grammar and the meaning of that sentence.

Can I just say The new James Bond film has just been finished?

If yes, I don't understand where the word filming or its other form goes?

Thanks in advance:)


texts: What are the phrases about "greener grass"?

texts: These phrases usually mean that every place (city, country, etc), where we don't live, seem better for us to live. I heard something like "grass is greener" but not sure.


texts:
a. Tom gave a present to all of us.
b. Tom gave a present to each of us.
c. Tom gave a present to every one of us.
In which case

Tom gave each person a present

and in which case

He gave one present to all of us to share?


texts: Is "more easy" a correct grammatical way of saying "easier"? What other ways can you express the word "easier"?


texts:
I just need to check with you. Is this sentence correct as it does not sound familiar to me.

After the scan is done, we analyse the results.

What I want to say is after some task "scan" is finished, we do the analysis. The analysis can not be done before the scan is finished.


texts: Cellphones became/have become an indispensable part of our daily lives?

texts:
I think every one of us needs a cellphone. Cellphones have
  become part of daily life and I've always got mine with me.

I'd just like to know if replacing have become with became would still be grammatically acceptable?
What changes could be done to make became somehow fit?


texts:
How to understand whether it is necessary to put the article before this word and before other words like this?
Dictionaries like this(enter link description here) don't give explanations or something I don't understand.

  The audience on the stage. People on stage.

  There were over 50 people on stage. There were 50 people on the stage.

etc.


texts:
Do we say, "How much longer are you going to stay online?", or do we say "How much longer are you going be online."

Or, could we just use either?


texts:
In this post, there's a mentioning as follows.

  Fore warned is fore armed.

I've looked it up and google told me that fore means following things.

situated or placed in front
the front part of something, especially a ship
called out as a warning to people in the path of a golf ball
non-standard form of before.

None of that makes sense to me in the quoted context. While I do understand the intent of it, I still feel uncertain which of the above four alternatives is the one used in sentence (if any).


texts: Could you please explain this paragraph?

texts:
My native language is not English. This paragraph seems too complicated for me. What did "miss crail" told her mother? The whole paragraph is confusing
I need to translate this in my own native language


texts: What does “of” modifies in sentence below?

texts:
I wear  the shirt with flower print of  my father.

In this sentence , does “ of” modifie shirt or  flower. Of It is know that the shirt belongs to my father but I wonder if I use this sentence in this way would it be grammatically correct ?


texts: Difference between "...come in second behind..."and "...come second behind..."

texts:
Who would come in second behind Donald Trump?

Does

  Who would come second behind Donald Trump?

have the same meaning?

I am confused.

Is "come in" a phrasal verb in the above sentence?

or

Is "in second behind" a phrasal preposition in the above sentence?


texts: Adjective order : I saw an (anxious pale/pale anxious?) girl

texts:
I saw an anxious pale girl.
  I saw a pale anxious girl.

I'm familiar with with OSASCOMP rule for order of adjectives used, which states the order of adjectives as

Opinion
Size
Age
Shape
Color
Origin
Material
Purpose

The adjective pale can be categorized as color but I'm not able to decide the type  for the adjective anxious.


texts: The meal / food is ready or is prepared?

texts:
Which choice sounds more natural when talking about meal or foods that are already on the table waiting for their diners.

Should it be

  The meal / food is ready.

or

  The meal / food is prepared

?


texts: Expressing a future desire using 'I wish' / 'I hope'

texts:
Which sentences/s work [best] here?
Carl and Suzan are friends. They are just young kids now. Carl wants to be with Suzan throughout their youth too. Certainly, Carl is wishing for the future and something that is not certain; maybe one dies, maybe one moves house, etc. So he's not sure if he'll be able to be with Suzan, he only can wish so.
a) I wish I could be with Suzan in my youth.
b) I hope I will be with Suzan in my youth.
c) I wish I were with Suzan in my youth.
d) I wish to be with Suzan in my youth.
e) I hope to be with Suzan in my youth.
f) I wish Suzan would be with me in our youth.
Note that Carl's wish could possibly come true but is not certain to occur... and that it is out of his control.


texts:
but cannot be used in the same way at although/though. We use
but to connect items which are the same grammatical type.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/conjunction

The conjunction "although" joins the two clauses in the sentence "He left, although I begged him not to."

You can switch out although with but and other conjunctions, so is the explanation they provide not contradicting this.

He left, but I begged him not to.
He left, and I begged him not to.

Isn't the meaning the same and both grammatically accurate?


texts: what is the appropriate word for a student who always achieve best grades in class?

texts:
In Chinese, we use "Xue Ba" which literally means the study king to describe the students who always achieve the best grade in class. And the phrase "Xue Ba" is a commendatory term in Chinese. Are there any terms or words that bear the same meaning in English?

I have two words in mind that could possibly have the same meaning, but I'm not sure whether they are appropriate? They are studybug and straight "a" student. In accordance with the definition on the website, I don't think studybug is a good to use here, because it seems to have something derogatory in meaning. Am I right?


texts:
Most of the time I have heard people say "Rahul is an honest person."

Which one is correct and why?

  He is an honest person.
  He is honest person.

  She is an honest woman.
  She is honest woman.


texts:
In a book called Collins English Conversation p.265 there is an example:

  I was looking forward to have a rest.

My question is about whether we should use "looking forward to have a rest" or "looking forward to having a rest" ?

In my opinion, we should use "having" after "looking forward to " because we always say "looking forward to hearing from you", so an ing-form of verb should be placed after the phrase " looking forward to".

May someone please explain about the usage for me?


texts: "we left the house that day" or "we were leaving the house that day"

texts:
Which of these are correct?

It was cold when we left the house that day, and a light snow was falling.

It was cold when we were leaving the house that day, and a light snow was falling.


texts:
We compare our tools with others state-of-the-art tools.
  We compare our tools with other state-of-the-art tools.

May I know which one is grammatical?


texts: The daily paper is compiled at ... , but printed far away

texts:
The daily paper is compiled at the editorial headquarters, known as the prepress centre, in the heart of the city, but printed far away in the suburbs at the printing centre.

Why does the writer use present simple and past simple in the same sentence? should's he say:

  but is printed far away in the ...


texts: Difference between "not a + singular noun" vs "not any+ singular noun"

texts:
Is there a difference between not a + singular noun and not any + plural noun in negative sentences? Can I use any with singular nouns? Many people says any should be used with plural nouns in negative sentences. But I have seen many books that says It can be used with singular nouns to in negative sentences. Can any teacher or an expert please clarify?

Last month, I went to a book store. I did not buy any book there.
Last month, I went to a book store. I did not buy a book there.


texts: Does "recenter" have a British spelling?

texts:
I know that "center" and "centre" are the respective American and British spellings of the word, but is "recenter" spelt "recentre" in the British way, or not?  I tried to Google for "recentre", but no dictionary came up with it.  Actually, is that even a real word?  I'm trying to get the word meaning

  to bring back to the middle after being away from it


texts: How do people who do not speak Indian English "prepone" things?

texts:
According to Merriam Webster,

Prepone is an Indian English word which means "to move to an earlier time", used as an antonym to "postpone". For example:

  "The publication date has been preponed from July to June".

Interestingly, it also mentions that the word is largely unheard outside the subcontinent.

So, my question is, what word or phrase do the natives outside Indian English speaking ones use to imply the same thing ? Is it simply "moved" or something else?


texts:
I understand the meaning of "blessing" in this sentence:

  It is a blessing that no one got badly hurt.

But I am not sure what it means if it is used this way:

  Not everybody sees permanent access to fast messaging services as a blessing.


texts: Can the phrase "air pocket" be used figuratively?

texts:
I read a sentence in "The Hindu" which was:

With its most ordered plane's fate undecided, Boeing may well be heading towards an air pocket.

Merriam Webster dictionaries define "air pocket" as a movement or condition of the air that causes an airplane to make a brief and sudden downward drop

I don't think the phrase has been used here in the literal sense.


texts: What is the difference between the words "over" and "above" when used as prepositions?

texts: What is the difference between the words "over" and "above" as far as its usage in prepositions is concerned? I have heard that it is used to differentiate between the things which are static and which are moving. I sincerely do not know whether it is correct or not.


texts: The adverb 'already' and the past simple

texts:
What adverb can I use in sentence which is in the past simple when I cannot use the adverb already? I mean, of course British English. What do different adverbs  have the same meaning as the adverb already?

Thanks for help.


texts: Can I use the conjunction "before" with the main clause in the past perfect continuous or the past continuous? And which is best?

texts:
My textbooks suggest that the only correct option is the one in the past perfect continuous because the past perfect continuous means an action ("planning") which lasted up to the later moment which is in the past simple tense ("I went out").
The past continuous, however, ("I was planning") is wrong here because it is used when one wants to say that an action was happening at an exact point in time - like 5 pm or when Mother was making lunch.
Which of the following sentences is considered grammatically correct and why?

"What was I planning to do before I went out?"

Or

"What had I been planning to do before I went out?"


texts: Is it "a player who always do" or "who always does"?

texts:
I have a doubt question or confusion about the following structure:

I am a player who always do the best.

or

I am a player who always does the best"

Which is the correct version?

I think the "do" version is the correct one but I am not sure.


texts:
I saw "let me have a bit" somewhere, I don't know what does that mean. So I googled it and got the following.

This is an extract from "The People's Journal by John Saunders - 1848"

  I had been many minutes in the house, a young
  man came in for a pint of beer, and was invited to
  take a cup of tea. He excused himself on the
  ground that he had just had tea; but, after considerable  importunity, he sat down to the table.
  He ate his bread and butter as if he would much
  rather have been without. I was famishing. A
  bit of bread would have been to me a luxury. No
  matter, be was pressed to eat against his will,
  while I was ready to weep with hunger. I begged
  a little water—the only thing I bad courage to ask
  for—and went to bed. In the morning I asked
  the landlady to let me have a bit of bread for my
  remaining halfpenny, and I started of with the
  bread in my hands.to walk another forty miles.

What does "let me have a bit" mean?


texts:
Can we use the Article "The" with "Aravali".
Aravali is a mountain range. As per grammatical rule, We can use "The" with name of "Ranges of Mountains". But, My book says that We can't use "The" with 'Aravali'.


texts: Grammaticality of the 'clause' after semicolon

texts:
In Wikipedia I found the sentence:

  The poem is well-known for its departure from Owen's famous style of including disturbing and graphic images in his work; the poem instead having a more soothing, somewhat light-hearted feel to it in comparison.

The part after the semicolon is difficult for me to understand.

I'm confused whether it's a participial clause or something else.

Please explain.


texts:
I am going to say something in English but I don't know what are the best words or grammatical method for expression of it?

This is the concept :

  "Soul is the point at the center of art circle" or "Soul is the
  central point of art circle"

Do you have any idea for replacing of some of words in that sentence by better synonyms!

I need your technical offers.


texts:
We hope this digging method can be useful to those workers.

We hope this digging machine can be useful to those workers.

Is can epistemic or dynamic here?


texts: Is 'I want to thank somebody for having done something' a valid use of present perfect?

texts:
So, I want to build a sentence and mix a present perfect part into it, but the preposition particle only allows continuous form of the verb. Can I say like 'I want to ... smbd for having done smth', or should I divide the parts and union them with 'for' particle so I get 'I want to ... smbd for she has done smth' instead?

For example, 'I want to thank my friend for having revised my book until it has been published'.