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.
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Latest Posts : Grammar
A fairly authorative, university entrance exam site says this:
Identical with (not to): This bid is identical with the one submitted by you.
However, I have found that “identical to” is more commonly used. Is there a difference? The dictionaries accept both versions.
I’ve been told before that I should always avoid the word “got”.
I was reading another question and the phrase “I got burnt” was being thrown around quite a bit, whereas I think “I was burnt” sounds much better grammatically.
Similarly, instead of “I got some mail”, “I received some mail”, and, “I earned straight A’s” instead of “I got straight A’s”.
Is there any basis for this, or are there times when “got” really is the best choice?
I don’t think there are any rules about which adjectives come before others in describing something, but nobody would say “red big ball”. Unless they were emphasising the “red” part, as opposed to the *blue* big ball. In what order would you use “mediastinal”, “cystic” and “benign” to modify “teratoma”? Maybe it’s just a matter of what I want to emphasise more, eh?
“1. I am a carnivore and a predator though sometimes I will scavenge. I live in the Arctic where I stay by myself most of my life. I am well camouflaged in the snow, though my skin is actually black to absorb the heat of the sun. I will kill and eat seals and walruses, but I will also eat carrion, such as a dead whale. I love water and am such a strong swimmer that I can swim miles at a time. Who am I?” From rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org
How would the removal of “will” affect the meaning of the above passage? Would the writer’s intended effect still be fully appreciated?
I teach English to adults as a second language. I am having difficulty explaining to my current group the difference of “back” and “behind” and its usage. Can anyone help me out here.... FYI, I am teaching 3 26 year-olds with elementary (literally) knowledge of spoken English.
Hi
Would it make a major difference to the meaning of the sentence below if “now” were omitted?
“Three months after his father’s death, Dave was now running the shop.”
Can anyone tell me why “by” and not “with” was used in the following?
“In the course of his narrative he refreshes himself by a draught from the drinking-horn into which meanwhile Hagen has pressed the juice of an herb.”
“or succeedeth in smuggling in a drink, or after much importuning, the janitor is induced to cool the coppers by a draught from the spigot that sizzes and adds to the thirst that is not quenched;”
“With these preliminary remarks, and after wetting his whistle by a draught from a small pocket flask, he made the echoes of Kenmuir ring with the following, which he sung to the old Gaelic air, ‘I am asleep, do not waken me:’-”
Which is correct? (Intentional use of telegraphic style) Assists attorney in drafting documentation. Assists attorney with drafting documentation.
Thanks
Which is the correct usage of a proper noun and you? It was a pleasure meeting Jane and you. It was a pleasure meeting you and Jane.
Thanks!!
When do you use “in to” versus “into”?
