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1500 questions
17
votes
6 answers
The difference between 'extra chair' and 'spare chair'
I was talking to one of my friend about a student who came in to our class and took an extra chair away. My friend corrected me and said, "you mean a spare chair?" and I replied, "yes we have so many of them in our class and they're taking up a lot…
Yuri
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17
votes
3 answers
SB and STH in dictionaries
tell sb to do sth (Cambridge Learner's Dictionary)
When I look in dictionaries, I often see the words sb and sth. Are these proper words? What do they mean?
Can I use these words in my essays, for example?
Can I use these words in my posts on…
Araucaria - Not here any more.
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17
votes
2 answers
How can I explain to a non-native why the plural of a noun isn't used adjectivally?
How can I explain to a non-native speaker that while this is correct:
The felling of trees.
And this is also correct:
tree felling
This is not:
*trees felling
To a non-native it seems very reasonable that since many trees are being felled and…
terdon
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17
votes
4 answers
Should I say "There are (a) very few animals there" with an article or not?
When I'm saying the sentence
"There are (a) very few animals there"
should I add it an article (after the word "are") or not?
Virtuous Legend
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17
votes
4 answers
I got a stomach flu or I got the stomach flu or I got stomach flu?
When I googled stomach flu, there were many questions and statements like
How do you get the stomach flu?
Or
Difference between a stomach flu and food poisoning
Or
Six facts about stomach flu
When do you use the, a or nothing? And which…
Maimai123
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17
votes
2 answers
Singular or plural for seconds
For numbers of seconds, is it smaller or equal to 1 we use second, larger than 1 we use seconds?
For example:
0 second
0.5 second
1 second
1.5 seconds
william007
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17
votes
1 answer
Could you clarify when to use "Though" at the end of a sentence?
Ok, English textbooks mostly teach the structure "Although / though",
for example,
Although my wife and I are so busy,we spend time together every weekend.
Anne was fond of Tim, though he often annoyed her.
However, in reality, I heard a lot…
Tom
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17
votes
4 answers
When to use "wherein" instead of "where"?
I've came across the word "wherein", and I'm doubtful about how different it is from using just plain "where". For example in this sentence:
There is a case, though, wherein you can use the aforementioned property.
Is there any difference in…
Nicolás
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17
votes
3 answers
"When this battle will be finally over" - shouldn't it be "When this battle is finally over"?
I read something in the manga:
When this battle will finally be over... take me out to eat some tasty yakiniku.
"when...will be" seems strange to me, isn't it better saying "When this battle is finally over"? Since this is translated from…
CYC
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17
votes
4 answers
Is "Can I help you" a suitable expression for offering help to a stranger?
A friend of mine, who is local to Japan, noticed someone from abroad with a folding map who looked lost, and would like to know whether or not she could say "Can I help you?".
She had overheard the expression "Can I help you?" while inside stores,…
Andrew Grimm
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17
votes
2 answers
What does "lickered up" mean?
Here are passages from the novel "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell.
"Well, you can't blame her. You did shoot Cade in the leg."
"Well, I was lickered up or I wouldn't have done it," said Stuart.
Everyone liked the four Tarleton boys…
Deep
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17
votes
3 answers
What does the slang word "hammered" actually mean?
I have recently posted a question in English Language and Usage the use of nailed, screwed, and hammered in one sentence. And I used this sentence for correction:
Can someone be so screwed because someone nailed an argument that made
him…
Jaeger Jay
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17
votes
2 answers
This is a good news. This is good news
This is a good news.
This is good news.
Which one is correct? Clarify the difference
I don't know who I am.
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17
votes
2 answers
17 billions of bottles VS 17 billion of bottles
What is the right form for these expressions:
"In 2000 Coca-Cola has sold 17 billions of bottles"
or
"In 2000 Coca-Cola has sold 17 billion of bottles"
Could you please, explain why?
UPDATE based on answers
The present perfect should not be used…
Ilan
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17
votes
3 answers
Difference between "two years old and two-year-old"
What is the difference between 'two years old' and 'two-year-old'?
Are they the same or not?
What is the function of using dash in this phrase: 'two-year-old'?
When we use dash we cannot say 'years' why? What's the reason for that?
Ice Girl
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