This tag is for questions about the meaning or correctness of a word in a sentence. Give as much context as possible.
1
vote
1answer
27 views
Is 'pick up' correct in this context?
Consider this expression
I will be off tomorrow at work, I am going back to my college to pick up a few documents.
Is pick up correct in this context? I have seen it being used in the context ...
5
votes
2answers
59 views
Responding to “Cheers”
I was chatting with one of our clients. He said to me:
Cheers.
What should I say in response? Should I say cheers too?
I know he is saying that to encourage me.
2
votes
0answers
49 views
Should I say “taking the assignment” or “doing the assignment”?
Let's say I am working on my assignments and my friend calls me up. What should I tell him?
I am doing my math's assignment (so I can't come).
or
I am taking my math's assignment. (similar ...
4
votes
3answers
57 views
Are electric gadgets running/working or just switched/left on?
In normal usage(daily more-like), I use sentences/phrases such as:
Water pumps are running.
Switch on the fan.
My system has been working for 20 days now.
Most of us use similar ...
3
votes
1answer
15 views
Should I always use “contents” when talking of things contained in something?
When giving the meaning of content used as "the things that are contained in something," the OALD uses the plural form. Does that mean contents should always be used in that case?
He tipped the ...
2
votes
3answers
56 views
“For” versus “on” in the given sentence
I was shocked when my teacher told me that this sentence is wrong:
Do not congratulate him for his success.
Could anyone explain why we can't use for here? I know that on is another competitor. ...
8
votes
3answers
80 views
Is “further” really used as synonym of “farther”?
The OALD, for the meaning of further says:
(comparative of far) (especially BrE) at or to a greater distance SYN farther
Is further really used as synonym of farther?
As far as I recall, there ...
1
vote
1answer
25 views
Can “go with” be used to suggest a choice?
Can "go with" be used as in the following sentence?
A: What should I do, playing Doom or Hexen II?
B: I would go with Doom.
The second sentence is making a suggestion. Is it correct/acceptable ...
5
votes
2answers
41 views
“Attender” vs “attendee”
The conference drew over 1,000 attendees.
This use of the word attendee seems wrong. I usually think of the "ee" suffix as indicating the subject or recipient of an action. (An employee is one ...
9
votes
3answers
93 views
How do you use the term “running late”?
In a textbook a person said to a waiter:
Could you bring the check with coffee? We're running late.
I'm not sure about its implication. Does this sentence mean that I don't have much time?
...
5
votes
3answers
117 views
Use “accede” or “agree”?
I just want to know whether the word accede in the following sentence makes it formal or would it be better if I swap the word accede with agree in spoken language?
When my friends told me about ...
-3
votes
1answer
45 views
What is difference between “Can”, “Could”, “Will”, “Would”, “Shall”, and “Should”? [closed]
I can work.
I could work.
I will work.
I would work.
I shall work.
I should work.
4
votes
1answer
35 views
Usage of “could”
I know that "could" is used for past ability but also I see some other sentences like "Could you please..." or something like this which actually doesn't mean an ability in the past.
What are the ...
3
votes
1answer
31 views
What is the difference between “quote” and “estimate”?
What is the difference betwen the words quote and estimate?
Is the difference the same in British English and American English?
3
votes
2answers
55 views
Noun to describe a 'radial shape'?
I want to use this in the following sentence:
The shape the blocks make together when seen from above resembles a radial.
Radial adjective: a radial pattern or design consists of straight lines ...
