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1500 questions
16
votes
1 answer

"If anyone knows" or "Does anyone know"?

I am a native English speaker who is living abroad and as such I get many questions about English that I find hard to answer having never studied English grammar. One of them is the following: Does anyone know If anyone knows Why does the verb "to…
Groky
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2 answers

How can I say "can" in the future form?

If someone wants to say me that he can not do something in the next week but just after this next week. What is the way on English to say that? I will not can do that or simply I can not do that next week Is there no form for the future like…
Virtuous Legend
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16
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2 answers

Why not Indian fisherman? Article headline: "India fisherman killed as Pakistan navy opens fire"

I read an article which has a title (but it's now changed): India fisherman killed as Pakistan navy opens fire at two boats off Gujarat Coast My questions are: Which word is correct in this context, 'India' or 'Indian'? Why? Thanks for your help.…
Rucheer M
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16
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2 answers

Saying for distracting someone with other activity?

There's a Polish saying jak pies je to nie szczeka, which (literally translated) means "when dog is eating, it is not barking." What is the English saying with the same meaning, used to mean that if we involve someone in other activities, he/she…
Danubian Sailor
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16
votes
6 answers

How does the grammar work in "here be dragons"?

Why is the phrase here be dragons not here are dragons? Is this a special grammatical form? If so, what is it? I found a related ELU question on the topic.
gerrit
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16
votes
3 answers

How to say 'give your seat/place to somebody' on transport?

How would you call that if I'm on public transport, sitting comfortably on a chair, and then a senior or a lady in red walks in and so I want to stand up and give my place to that person ? like, I ... my place/chair (to) that person. I'm not sure,…
Arman
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16
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4 answers

If you agree, you 'nod'; if you don't agree, you _________?

It is all about gestures and not uttering a word. If you agree, you nod i.e. move your head up and down. But what if you don't agree? Do we have a word to describe the gesture? In short, what's opposite to 'nodding'? Actually, the Indian Head…
Maulik V
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16
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4 answers

"we women", "you women", "they women", "we men", "you men", "they men"

''A woman from the government said, 'We women are walking with our heads up, and you men will have to put your tails down,' '' Loroupe recalled. (The New York Times) I know that one subject is enough, but supposing that due to some idiomatic…
user114
16
votes
5 answers

Usage of "eyeglasses" and "glasses"

I heard in some movies "I lost my glasses" (eyeglasses), but if I insert this word into search, this return some jars, bottles. Is it wrong? In a conversation I must use "eyeglasses", or "glasses" is enough? There is a difference between American…
sumitani
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16
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3 answers

"I am hurting" in the meaning of "I am hurt"? Why?

Once in a while I hear someone use the phrase I am hurting. It appears to mean I am hurt, not I am hurting you. For example, consider the text on this drawing: When and why is it correct to say I'm hurting in the meaning of I'm hurt? Is there…
gerrit
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16
votes
3 answers

Using "Contain" vs. "Include" vs. "Consist of" appropriately

I am looking for the differences between contain, include, and consist of; I am interested in precise use of each word in an appropriate context. Aside from their general meaning which implies something exists inside something else, can anybody…
qartal
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16
votes
5 answers

What is Latin Grammar?

Another product of the eighteenth century was the invention of "English grammar". As English came to replace Latin as the language of scholarship, it was felt that one should also be able to control and dissect it, parse and analyze it, as one…
gaoxinge
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16
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4 answers

"Animals which lay eggs are called birds." and "Animals that lay eggs are called birds." What is the difference between these two sentences?

I am confused between "which" and "that". I don't know in above sentences which is correct. According to me, both sentences are right. I have read some posts on the usages of "which" and "that", but I didn't get my answer. Which of these sentences…
1010
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16
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4 answers

“I talk dog talk to the dog.”

I read a kids’ story book. In the story book, it says: I talk dog talk to the dog. [. . . .] I talk baby talk to the baby, and the baby talks back to me.Source: Talk, Talk, Talk, by Joy Cowley Is it grammatically correct?
bingo bin
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2 answers

When should I use "didn't" instead of "haven't"?

Is haven't supposed to mean something I may still do and didn't not? Can I use didn't for something I might still do?
user47