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1500 questions
39
votes
8 answers
What does "resp." mean in these sentences?
The abbreviation resp. has been used a number of times in the following paragraph:
For each of these problems (resp., tools), we start by presenting the
natural concern underlying it (resp., its intuitive objective), then
define the problem…
Masroor
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39
votes
5 answers
Is Let us = Let's?
Many times I heard these words interchangeably. I want to know if "Let's" and "Let us" are used for the same meaning.
I think (for me):
"Let us" is word used for requesting. Like Let us do something means requesting to allow us do…
Pandya
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39
votes
7 answers
Why is 'The Chinese have invented the printer' wrong?
In the textbook by by Raymond Murphy, Intermediate English Grammar, 2nd edition, on page 26:
"The Chinese invented printing."
Raymond Murphy says that we can't use the present perfect here. I question why?
According to Murphy:
"We can't use…
Dinusha
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39
votes
5 answers
Working in / for / at?
Which is the correct way to tell where I'm working?
I'm working in XYZ company.
I'm working for XYZ company.
I'm working at XYZ company.
Or is there any difference in the meaning?
Nalaka526
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39
votes
5 answers
How can one differentiate between "who" and "whom"?
Many times, I've been asked the difference between "who" and "whom". I myself know the difference, but it is hard to explain to others. What is the easiest way to explain it to those with a basic understanding of English? A mnemonic (if possible)…
Manishearth
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39
votes
3 answers
Why did my "seldom" get corrected?
In an answer in the Spanish site about the use of timbre in European Spanish I tried to say that there is a specific meaning of the word that I know but very infrequently get to use, so I wrote this:
I also know and seldom use the meaning of the…
Charlie
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39
votes
6 answers
Can fluent English speakers distinguish between “steel”, “still”, and “steal”?
Can fluent English speakers understand this sentence the first time they hear it?
What? They still steal steel?
Can they hear a difference between the pronunciation of the words still, steal, and steel?
Han Jae Sook
39
votes
6 answers
Can I say: "When was your train leaving?" if the train leaves in the future?
The context of this sentence is that I know that I had asked before what the departure time is of the train that my friend was going to take. Unfortunately I had forgotten it, so my brain decided that a past tense would make sense and ask:
"When…
Bob
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39
votes
6 answers
What's a polite way of asking "who are you?" on the phone?
Say, you're working in a company. The phone rings and you pick it up. On the other line, someone wants to speak to one of your co-workers. You want to tell your co-worker who this person is.
I think asking "May I know who you are?" is a bit rude?…
alex
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39
votes
5 answers
Are the terms "girlfriend" and "boyfriend" limited to some age in the spoken language?
Are the terms "girlfriend" or "boyfriend" limited to some age in the spoken English?
I'm asking it because the word "girlfriend" is a closed compound noun which literally (in the narrow meaning of these two components of this closed compound word)…
Virtuous Legend
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39
votes
4 answers
Why is wine made 'from' grapes, but tables are made 'of' wood?
(1) Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented grapes or other fruits. (Wikipedia)
(2) Tables were made of marble or wood and metal (typically bronze or silver alloys), sometimes with richly ornate legs. (Wikipedia)
Why is 'from' used in…
user2903
38
votes
5 answers
Is "says you" grammatically correct?
So I heard it from a character in a movie, and looked it up.
If it's correct, why add '-s' to say when the subject is "you"?
Qian
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38
votes
5 answers
How to understand "throwing science at the wall here to see what sticks"?
It's said by Cave Johnson -- an character in Portal2. Full voice line is:
"Just a heads up: We're gonna have a superconductor turned up full
blast and pointed at you for the duration of this next test. I'll be
honest, we're throwing science at…
Sayakiss
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38
votes
5 answers
Is "thru" for "through" acceptable? "Tho" for "though"?
I've been told that in American English, sometimes words ending in -ough are written -u: for example thru instead of through.
Is this correct English, or is it simply a common error?
If it is correct, what are the rules for this spelling?
gerrit
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38
votes
4 answers
What does 'the very next day' mean?
In the song, Last Christmas, I heard the phrase "But the very next day." I'm not sure what it was supposed to mean, but from context I guess it's the day after Christmas
Is it grammatically correct to say "very next"? Something is next or is not…
FolksLord
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