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16
votes
2 answers
Are double contractions formal? Eg: "couldn't've" for "could not have"
Are double contractions, such as following, formal (ie allowed in formal documents/papers)?
it'll've for "it shall have" or "it will have"
mightn't've for "might not have"
How about multiple contractions such as y'all'd've for "you all would have"…
Zeeshan Ali
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16
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4 answers
What do you call the main part of a joke?
If I start a joke with a question, then answer it as part of a joke. What is the answer of the joke called? Is there a specific term for it? I am pretty sure there is, but can't remember what it was. Also, what if the main part of the joke isn't an…
frbsfok
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16
votes
7 answers
Does "Until when" sound natural for native speakers?
In some languages such as my native languages (Kurdish and Persian), when we want to ask about the exact limit point of time for something, we use two words which are exactly equal to this two words in English: Until When?
For example, we say:
Until…
Yazdan Samiei Poor
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16
votes
4 answers
Why doesn't "adolescent" take any articles in "listen to adolescent agonising"?
"Now, if you will excuse me, I have better things to do than listen to adolescent agonizing ... good-day to you."
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
'Adolescent' is a countable word. But why doesn't it take any articles in this context? I…
dan
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16
votes
4 answers
Executer vs executor
I don't understand the difference between those words.
The Collins dictionary defines executor as "one who executes," and then defines executer as:
executer (noun)
= executor
I use executor for entity which execute commands (for example, names…
Mediator
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16
votes
3 answers
Strange words people say when leaving
I've been at parties or other gatherings, and, when it was time to leave, native speakers would come up with odd ways of saying "It's time to go."
One way would be:
Let's make like a bakery truck and haul buns.
Another was:
Let's blow this…
J.R.
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16
votes
6 answers
Is it not correct to say "I have the brown eyes" instead of "I have brown eyes", and why?
I encountered the following sentence in a Duolingo course (and there are no other sentences):
I have brown eyes.
However, I was told that "I have the brown eyes." is not correct here. I don't understand the reason, so I would like to ask, why is…
Blaszard
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16
votes
5 answers
How can I remember the difference between "loose" and "lose"?
Although both words can be found in dictionaries, I'm constantly forgetting which one is which.
Are there any mnemonic rules that would help me remembering them?
Be Brave Be Like Ukraine
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16
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5 answers
How do you describe a nut which does not tighten
Suppose that you want to use a pair of bolt and nut to connect two things. However, the nut is like you can screw it forever and does not tighten!
What do you call this kind of nuts?
Is there an adjective for them?
I would say the nut is broken, but…
Cardinal
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16
votes
4 answers
"Is there a" vs "is there any"?
Which one of these is right?
Is there a way [...]?
Is there any way [...]?
May I use either? If yes, what's the difference?
Mohsen Kamrani
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16
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5 answers
What is the difference between "I still use" vs "I am still using" in this sentence?
What's the difference between :
It's 2018 already and I still use an iPhone 5S.
vs
It's 2018 already and I am still using an iPhone 5S.
Does the use of the word 'using' mean I am thinking of upgrading really soon, or is there any other…
Bavarian Subrat
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16
votes
6 answers
What do we call glasses with thick lenses
What do we call glasses with thick lenses that people use when they are very near-sighted? Here is a picture of what I mean:
helen
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16
votes
1 answer
Going up in smoke vs. going up in flames
The idioms "to go up in smoke" and "to go up in flames" are very similar. They both mean burning and getting destroyed by fire. But if we use them to talk about failure, aren't there any nuances to remember? Aren't there any shades of meaning that…
Enguroo
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16
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4 answers
Idiom for blaming a bad act on the devil
Some people believe the Devil could inspire wrong-doings. I'm looking for a common expression where you can blame on the Devil such an action you have done. Implicit in the meaning is that we don't take full responsibility for doing it because we…
Sara
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16
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5 answers
"What is the weather today?" or "How is the weather today?"
If I want to ask about the weather today whether is cold or hot, worm or cloudy or foggy, rainy or snowy etc. What should I choose of these two (or may be there's another way)?
"What's the weather today?"
or
"How's the weather today?"
What's…
Virtuous Legend
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