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1500 questions
16
votes
3 answers

The meaning of 'already' in the sentence 'Let's go already!'

Does Let's go already! mean Let's go now? Then, does already in the sentence mean "we should be going now; we're late?" That's what I understood so far. Could you please tell me what Let's go already! means? You should already know how to do…
Elaung
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16
votes
6 answers

Is "forenoon" commonly used?

I came across this word in some software code written by someone else. I knew what it meant (in Dutch we call it voormiddag), but I didn't know the word exists. I've always heard/seen people refer to morning and afternoon, never to forenoon and…
Stijn
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16
votes
3 answers

Is "people" a countable or a non-countable noun?

I saw these sentences on the Internet: There are three people here. A few people didn't enjoy the play. Now I'm not sure whether people and other collective nouns like team, family and police are countable nouns or uncountable nouns. Is there…
nkm
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16
votes
8 answers

"I am finished" vs "I have finished"

What is the difference between "I am finished" and "I have finished"? For example, when finishing a task, should I say "I have finished" or "I am finished". Is there a difference in meaning?
16
votes
5 answers

Simple present for speaking about the future the way natives do

I searched the whole internet but couldn't find anything else than the standard rules/guidelines as to how to use the simple present for future events. I understand that when something is scheduled, e.g. 'The train arrives at 10am,' the simple…
16
votes
4 answers

Do some people call all horses “Pony” and if so, why?

I’ve recently noticed the word “pony” being overused, in books and conversation. Sometimes it seems highly unlikely that ponies are so prevalent in the setting. So I was thinking. Maybe there is a region in which “pony” is colloquial for “horse”?…
Nomenator
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15
votes
4 answers

When can you respond with "affirmative"?

When is it appropriate to respond with "affirmative"? Could some examples be provided? This dialog has been taken from Knight Rider TV series season 2 episode 15: Michael: KITT, analyze these tire tracks. KITT: They're still warm, Michael. Made by…
Masterpiece.beta
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15
votes
2 answers

Meaning of ""I won't let a flat tire get me down," Tom said, without despair""

I've been reading Tom Swifties on a website, and could not understand one of them: "I won't let a flat tire get me down," Tom said, without despair. Where is the pun in that?
CowperKettle
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15
votes
3 answers

Plural subject + Linking Verb + Singular predicate nominative

All people are a mystery. Since the subject is plural, should the the predicate nominative mystery be also plural? And would the meaning still be the same? As in All people are mysteries. How about the following? All people are a phenomenon. All…
Sherlock
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15
votes
6 answers

What does "Heaven" mean here

Does "Heaven" have the same meaning as "God" here? Couldn't keep it in,Heaven knows I tried. It is in the animation "Frozen" in the Elsa thought. Just another question: do we have to write "Heaven" or "heaven" when it is not the first word of the…
Taha Akbari
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15
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2 answers

How to express that instructions (i.e. a recipe) should be followed precisely?

Suppose I'm giving a recipe (let's say, for a special cake) to a friend. I'd like to make sure he follows the recipe precisely down to the last minute detail. Is there an idiom that I could use to express this? As in, "But you have to follow the…
doppelfish
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15
votes
5 answers

Do decades ever get apostrophes?

In researching whether to write 1960s or 1960's, I have found several sources stating that 1960s is correct: one, two, three. On the other hand, this source states that: In British usage, we do not use an apostrophe in pluralizing…
gerrit
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15
votes
2 answers

What does capital 'L' signify in labour?

Source:https://www.google.co.in/webhp?hl=en#hl=en&q=opposite+number The agriculture minister and his Labour opposite number Is that a mistake?
Anubhav
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15
votes
6 answers

Can I use "chance" as a future-tense verb?

I will never chance to meet him in my life Is this sentence correct English, if it's intended to mean: I will never get a chance to meet this person in my life. Update: Since ambiguities arose, in respect of the acceptance of the phrase above,…
a_hanif
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15
votes
8 answers

"the police conspiracy" vs. "the police's conspiracy"

I am firmly convinced he is innocent and his accusation is the result of the police conspiracy. I am firmly convinced he is innocent and his accusation is the result of the police's conspiracy. Which sentence do you think is a better choice?
bart-leby
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