Discussion Forum
This is a forum to discuss the gray areas of the English language for which you would not find answers easily in dictionaries or other reference books.
Do You Have a Question?
Latest Posts : Misc
I thought you could put /s/ on a copy of a signed letter to indicate the original had been signed. Right or wrong?
Can anyone tell me why the second ‘a’ in Canada and Canadian is pronounced differently?
I’m English/British and I and from England/Britain.
Surely it should either be Can-a-da & Can-a-dian or Can-ay-da & Can-ay-dian...
My guess is it has something to do with the French influence, but I would love to know for sure.
Here in the UK our language has been heavily influenced over the years, including by the French and it has always interested where these things start or change.
I was in empty space in an elevator one day when it occurred to me that it’s actually “pains-taking”, the taking of pains to do something thoroughly. I’d never thought about it before.
But it’s too hard to pronounce “painz-taking”, because the “z” sound must be voiced; whereas the unvoiced “s” combines easily with the “t” to make “-staking”, so that’s what we say. That’s my theory, but BrE might be different. Is it?
Why does the Western media have so many different spellings for some Arabic terms?
eg:
1. hezbollah hesbollah hizbullah hizbollah hisbollah
2. ayatollah ayatullah
I’m having a custom item made to indicate when our home was established. The year will be the year my husband and I were married and started our family. My issue is I’m not sure how our name should appear. Here is the text.
The (LAST NAME)
Est. 2008
Our last name is Myers. Please help! I’m not sure if it should be possessive (ownership of the home/family) or plural (for the people).
At the clinic I was directed to the “subwait area” and left to ponder my fate. I did wonder whether this should be sub-wait and how fully portable “sub” has become as a preposition and/or prefix, when attached to a Germanic-rooted word. What other words are there where “sub” is used as an English word, apart from phrases like “sub judice” and “sub” as a short form of “substitute” eg in sport “he was subbed off”?
Can you please comment on a trend that I have noticed recently. More and more people seem to be pronouncing words that contain the letters “str” as if they were written “shtr”. Strong sounds like shtrong, strange sounds like shtrange, and so on. I have noticed even my favorite NPR journalists mispronouncing these words. I first noticed this pronunciation in one of Michelle Obama’s early speeches. I’d appreciate any insight that you might have.
I have always believed, probably in common with most Scots, that the pronunciation of “gill” varies depending on whether one is referring to the organ of respiration in fishes and other water-breathing animals ( /ɡɪl/ ), or a measure of liquid (/dʒɪl/ ), or even one of the many other variations of the word. I was therefore somewhat surprised recently when watching an episode of QI to hear the erstwhile Stephen Fry and his guests use /ɡɪl/ for both the fishy organ and the liquid measure..
Does anyone know if there are rules governing the pronunciation of “a”? It’s either “AYE” or “UH”, depending on the word following. My preference is dictated by how it sounds and how it flows off the tongue, but I have never been able to establish if actual rules exist.
Americans and Australians tend to use “AYE” all the time and sometime it just sounds ridiculous, like...”Aye man driving aye car stopped at aye traffic light”
What diacritic would I use over the word YANA to accent the first a as an “ah” (short o) sound. It is pronounced Yahna. Thanks!
Latest Comments
Past perfect with until
- user116298
- April 18, 2024, 1:37pm
After years of playing at different online casinos, I finally found my perfect choice at https://ak8aud.casino/, where ak8 casino has become my favorite place to play. The wide variety of games, from slot machines to live dealer games, makes every experience I have unique. I am especially grateful for their bonus programs that greatly enhance my gaming sessions. The support team is always in touch and ready to help with any questions, which makes my stay on the site not only enjoyable but also safe.
my same school
- user116298
- April 18, 2024, 1:36pm
As an outdoor adventure enthusiast, sometimes you need a break from activity. The site has become my choice for this. The ak8 casino website with its user-friendly interface and a wide range of activities helps me find variety and new hobbies. A large number of promotions and ease of access make my visit to the site always pleasant.
Can a singular noun represent a plural non-collective noun?
- kimmorgan
- April 16, 2024, 8:38am
When considering whether a singular noun can adequately represent a plural non-collective noun, it's essential to delve into the nuances of language and context. While it may seem straightforward, language often operates in shades of ambiguity and flexibility. In certain instances, a singular noun can indeed encapsulate the essence of a plural non-collective noun, depending on the context and the speaker's intention. For example, "the committee" may refer to a group of individuals collectively making decisions, even though "committee" itself is singular. However, this representation isn't always seamless and can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. Exploring these intricacies enriches our understanding of language usage and communication dynamics. For more insights on linguistic topics, you can check out https://writepaper.com/write-my-discussion-post, where various perspectives and analyses are shared.
Treatment of abbreviations and superscript items in full capital case
- kimmorgan
- April 16, 2024, 8:37am
good job
I would argue that "and yet" implies a degree of disdain or contempt.
You hold to xyz yet the scientific consensus is abc. (Stating a fact about one opinion vs the scientific consensus).
You hold to xyz and yet the scientific consensus is abc. (You moron vs the scientific consensus).
The phrase "try and" is commonly used in informal speech, and while it is technically grammatically correct, some style guides prefer "try to" for formal writing. Both "try and" and "try to" convey the idea of attempting to do something, but there is a subtle difference in emphasis.
"Try and" suggests an intention to make an effort towards a goal, with less certainty about the outcome. It implies that the action may or may not be successful.
"I'm going to try to stop him" emphasizes the intention to make an effort towards stopping him, with a slightly stronger sense of determination. It implies a clearer intention to achieve the goal, although success is not guaranteed.
In everyday conversation and informal writing, both "try and" and "try to" are acceptable, and the choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the specific context of the sentence. However, in more formal writing or when precision is important, "try to" may be preferred for clarity and emphasis.
Is “painstaking” pronounced the same in Britain as here, as “pain-staking”?
- user116289
- April 8, 2024, 6:13am
Thanks for a wonderful share. Here is the great example related to you blog.
Eddie Murphy Jacket
my same school
- user116187
- April 6, 2024, 11:07am
Bună ziua, aș dori să vă recomand un site interesant https://topcasedepariuri.com/, datorită căruia am reușit să găsesc cea mai bună casă de pariuri, site-ul lor se remarcă prin instrumentele sale interactive de comparare care permit utilizatorilor să compare direct casele de pariuri. Această caracteristică simplifică procesul de luare a deciziilor, evidențiind diferențele cheie în ceea ce privește opțiunile de pariere, metodele de plată și asistența pentru clienți. Consider că aceste instrumente sunt extrem de utile atunci când evaluez alegerea mea de case de pariuri. Le-aș recomanda cu siguranță.
sap classes in pune
Best SAP Fico Course in Pune
sap training institute Pune
sap course in pune
sap Course in pune
Best SAP SD Course in Pune
sap training institute in Pune
sap class in pune
sap courses in Pune with placement
Best SAP MM Course in Pune
sap training institute Mumbai
sap class in Mumbai
sap institute in Pune
Best SAP MM Course in Pune
sap course in pune
Best SAP MM Course in Pune
sap HANA course in Mumbai
Best SAP MM Course in Pune
sap course in Mumbai
Best SAP SD Course in Pune
sap fico Courses in Thane
sap mm Courses in Thane
sap hana courses in Thane
sap basis course in Thane
sap sd course in Thane
sap QM course in Thane
sap HCM course in Thane
sap ABAP course in Thane
sap PP course in Thane
sap course fees in Thane
"badly miscalculated" — double negatives?
After years of playing at different online casinos, I finally found my perfect choice at https://ak8aud.casino/ , where ak8 casino has become my favorite place to play. The wide variety of games, from slot machines to live dealer games, makes every experience I have unique. I am especially grateful for their bonus programs that greatly enhance my gaming sessions. The support team is always in touch and ready to help with any questions, which makes my stay on the site not only enjoyable but also safe.