Most Popular
1500 questions
14
votes
5 answers
Help explaining "Where am I?" vs "...where I am"
I would like to explain to a non-native girlfriend that it's correct to say "Where am I?" on its own as a question, but if you want to say "Can you guess where I am?" or "Do you know where I am?" or "I don't know where I am" then the word order is…
rjh
- 241
- 1
- 2
- 5
14
votes
5 answers
Pick vs Select vs Choose
How do we know when to use which, when they convey the same meaning?
The dictionaries say this:
Pick - choose (someone or something) from a number of alternatives.
Select - to choose (someone or something) from a group
Choose - to decide that a…
SovereignSun
- 24,670
- 35
- 139
- 257
14
votes
3 answers
In programming contexts, "a call for a function" or "a call of"?
In programming context, you can call a function. This usage is listed on the dictionary ("cause the execution of (a subroutine)" by Oxford), and although I wasn't able to confirm with the dictionaries I have, I'm assuming call as a noun can be used…
Yosh
- 779
- 1
- 5
- 14
14
votes
2 answers
The name of this part of a spoon
What do we call the element that is between the bowl and the fiddle-shaped end of the handle?
I found several names: neck, shoulder, transition, curve, bend, bolster. But which one is correct?
SovereignSun
- 24,670
- 35
- 139
- 257
14
votes
5 answers
How to politely ask someone to repeat what they said after they've already repeated it once?
If you do not clearly hear what another person said, you can say "Excuse me" or "Pardon me" to ask them to repeat it politely.
But if you still don't get it, what should you say to ask them to repeat it again? Will a native speaker consider it rude?
user448
14
votes
4 answers
Why do we have to use 'have got' instead of 'got'?
I saw the sentence on the internet like this:
I don't know how much money he has got.
I think that
I don't know how much money he got.
is only possible here.
What is the difference between the two?
박용현
- 3,243
- 13
- 50
- 90
14
votes
3 answers
Is "have to" a modal verb?
I have heard people say that "have to" is a modal verb. Other people have told me it is not. Why exactly is "have to" a modal verb? Or why exactly is it not?
I have also heard that it is a periphrastic modal verb. Is a periphrastic modal verb a…
Araucaria - Not here any more.
- 25,487
- 4
- 50
- 111
14
votes
1 answer
How long does an owl live?
I've seen the following joke on Pinterest.
How long does an owl live?
Six and a half books.
I don't get it. Googling gave me no connotations to the context that I recognized as related or relevant.
Konrad Viltersten
- 4,205
- 10
- 34
- 70
14
votes
2 answers
Why is there the indefinite article in: “a Victorian 23 knots”?
I've recently watched Top Gear and one of the presenters said there: ...In fact, I was only doing a Victorian 23 knots.
Why did he use the indefinite article when the noun is in the plural? And what does "Victorian" mean in this context?
Rusty
- 697
- 5
- 15
14
votes
1 answer
What is the relation between "dark side" and "mic check" in these lyrics?
I just listened to The Hills (Remix) by Eminem. People in the Youtube comment section were saying this line was great.
I let you see my dark side, but like a mic check, you got one too.
Lyric video is available here.
I don't understand what Eminem…
Mohd Zulkanien Sarbini
- 8,658
- 5
- 33
- 64
14
votes
2 answers
What's the meaning of "be it" used in this sentence below?
"My happiness comes from women, be it my mother, someone who had me in her womb for 9 months, then had to deal with my behavior for 13 more years, be it my sisters who have supported me and tried their best to make me happy"
user48106
- 141
- 1
- 1
- 5
14
votes
4 answers
Difference between "raise" and "lift"
Is there any difference between the phrases "I lifted my left hand" and "I raised my left hand"?
Serguei
- 1,423
- 2
- 13
- 27
14
votes
2 answers
Double 'in' in one sentence
Is the sentence below correct? I want to use the phrasal verb to stay in and the adverbs in the evening. I know how to write the sentence in different forms but I ask you if the form below is correct.
I'm going to stay in in the evening.
Thanks…
Ľubomír Masarovič
- 865
- 4
- 17
- 27
14
votes
3 answers
Are "Arc" and "Arch" interchangeable?
I've checked the dictionaries and both words have a common meaning:
arc - a shape or structure resembling an arc.
arch - a curved symmetrical structure spanning an opening and typically supporting the weight of a bridge, roof, or wall above it.
Can…
SovereignSun
- 24,670
- 35
- 139
- 257
14
votes
3 answers
"Here you are & Here you go"
When somebody asks you for something and you give it to them, which expression is correct or more common?
eg., My little sister plays with toys and she wants to give one of her toys to me. So what should she say? 'here you are' or 'here you go'?…
Ice Girl
- 4,217
- 24
- 46
- 65