Questions tagged [word-choice]
This tag is for questions about choosing the best word FROM A GIVEN SELECTION for a particular context or meaning. The selection to choose from must appear in the question. If you do not know the word already, use single-word-requests.
117
questions
11
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why do we say "commit" a crime?
How did the word "commit" become so associated with performing a criminal act ("he committed a crime", "she committed a robbery" - also generally applies to errors, ...
2
votes
5
answers
415
views
Formal written form for a 2x something? [closed]
In a sentence where I want to say a title or position that has been awarded twice, how do I phrase it? For instance "He was a 2x runner-up for the Champion title", would it be "two time&...
1
vote
1
answer
39
views
serviceman / servicewoman / serviceperson etc (US)
What's the generally accepted way to refer to someone in the US military whose gender is not known (as the precise individual concerned is unknown)?
I notice that the USAF uses/used Airman as a rank ...
0
votes
0
answers
23
views
When to use the possessive with 's in "Contact photo" or "contact's photo"? [duplicate]
"Click on a contact photo" or "click on a contact's photo"?
"The contact photo is there" or "the contact's photo is there"?
"It means the contact updated ...
-1
votes
0
answers
24
views
Reasons for doing something and reasons to do something :do that make a difference? [duplicate]
You attended a XXX workshop...Your teacher has asked you to write a review…
The content should include:
…
The reasons for joining it
…
This is my writing task and I am pretty confused about ...
-1
votes
1
answer
49
views
Is the statement, "pursuant Bachelors of Science: Computer Systems Engineering" proper English?
In a resume does it make sense to simply add the word pursuant in front of the degree to indicate that the degree was not obtained?
1
vote
2
answers
106
views
When is a person referred to as a 'scout'?
One meaning of the word scout is "Informal An individual; a person: a good scout" according to the American Heritage Dictionary, 4th ed.
I wonder in what context is this meaning used and ...
0
votes
1
answer
57
views
Correct usage: "Which" or "that" in a trailing em dash clause
In the case of a trailing em dash clause, should one use "which" or "that" to add qualifying detail about an object that has been previously introduced?
To make use of a concrete ...
0
votes
0
answers
24
views
Is it more grammatically correct to ask "When do your exams end?" or "When do your exams finish?" [duplicate]
If neither of these sentences are correct, what would be the correct way to ask this question?
0
votes
0
answers
19
views
summer holiday or summer vacation [duplicate]
When school ends in summer what starts then: summer holiday (BrE) or summer vacation (US English) or both can be used interchangeably in Britain and the US, or the term summer holiday is "...
-1
votes
1
answer
64
views
What's the meaning of "QTY"? [closed]
I found the abbreviation "QTY" in an assay (not essay!😊). Can you tell me the meaning of this abbreviation? How can I paraphrase/explain it into ordinary words?
1
vote
3
answers
155
views
What is the difference between "endless July" and "eternal July"?
What is the difference between "endless July" and "eternal July" and which one is correct or is preferable?
It's a metaphor, it's about happiest month in a person's life, so he ...
0
votes
1
answer
31
views
Usage of “Effects” [duplicate]
I came across this sentence:
“This new patch commit can be cherry-picked directly to the main branch to fix the bug before it effects more users.”
I find the usage of “effects” here to be weird. Is ...
1
vote
0
answers
46
views
What pronoun should I use, "by we who" or "by us who"? [duplicate]
He will be yelled at by we who hate him.
He will be yelled at by us who hate him.
After by you use us, but in this case I'm confused. Which one of these sentences is correct?
13
votes
9
answers
4k
views
The words to describe a slave's mentality
I am trying to translate a Chinese word 奴才 into English. Quite often it is translated to slave. But 奴才 is more about a person's mentality, e.g. obedient servant and being numb, timid, apathetic, and ...