Skip to main content

Questions tagged [phrases]

A phrase is a group of words that make a unit of syntax with a single grammatical function.

3 votes
3 answers
957 views

What does "as to" mean in "to request to be quiet, **as to** start (a meeting)"

A definition from the Collins dictionary for the phrase "call to order" states: "to request to be quiet, as to start (a meeting)" Does "as to" in this context mean... as ...
Static Bounce's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
54 views

Usage of word interception noun / verb and other grammatical way over the simple English

Assume I am penalised in one among the men or a lady where I stand before the counsel and I am not at all a guilty person. I must justify with my simple English, where even political influenced ...
Dev Anand Sadasivam's user avatar
0 votes
4 answers
87 views

Welcome as short version of "you are welcome"

Is it possible to say welcome instead of you are welcome? What would be the short response to a thank you, especially in written communication?
user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
1k views

What do American people call the classes that students go to after school for SATs?

What do American people call the classes that students go to after school for SATs? In Taiwan, we call it a cram school, but there is no such phrase in any American dictionary. Could Americans please ...
Delfino's user avatar
  • 609
0 votes
2 answers
29 views

Poetic construction - phrases placement

I am told by a friend that in English, words and phrases can be placed differently for added poetic expressions, rhythm and readability. #1 How different has turned the promises of the lady who [...]!...
Ammu's user avatar
  • 643
2 votes
3 answers
136 views

Out of love for something/someone

Is the phrase above a natural choice in these two sentences below. (Let's say on a bag of flour, you can read the the following) We made it (the flour) out of love for baking. They gave her a present ...
Idunno's user avatar
  • 195
-2 votes
1 answer
77 views

What are the original and derived senses of "sound off"?

Merriam Webster says: sound off intransitive verb : to play three chords before and after marching up and down a line of troops during a ceremonial parade or formal guard mount : to count cadence ...
Tim's user avatar
  • 4,051
0 votes
1 answer
30 views

Why is there no 'that' before 'meets' in 'more than meets the eye'?

Like, it seems to be more grammatical to say, There's more to his personality than that meets the eye. By the way, since we see it with both our eyes, why is 'eye' in its singular form in the ...
Michael's user avatar
  • 3,488
1 vote
1 answer
37 views

Why is a Hyphen Used in 'Mid-May' but Not in 'Early October'?

I'm trying to understand the rules for hyphenation in compound time expressions. Specifically, I noticed that "mid-May" is commonly hyphenated, while "early October" is not. Mid-...
wxystudio's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
127 views

Should the phrase 'beat that time' be replaced by 'surpassed the record'?

In an article on sporting achievements, the author has compared the performance of two sprinters, Jesse Owens and Usain Bolt [Ref : Burlington English (UK) lesson] : In 1936, Owens set an astonishing ...
James Mathai's user avatar
  • 1,055
0 votes
1 answer
22 views

Emotionally and professionally unavailable

Is there a phrase to describe a person who is emotionally unavailable to commit?
John D's user avatar
  • 1
6 votes
3 answers
789 views

a phrase for describing "shaking hands"

Is there a phrase that describes a "handshake" when reaching an agreement? Where no paper was signed and the "handshake" represents the signing of the contract.
Gilad Kahana's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
103 views

Is it natural to say that houses are "closer/lower to the ground" (compared to apartments)?

Old people like living in houses, closer to the ground compared to apartments. I feel that this is a suitable phrase, but I googled it and didn't find many examples using it. So I'm wondering if it ...
Phoebe's user avatar
  • 1,133
1 vote
1 answer
45 views

Meaning of English phrase "put oneself at someone else's head"

What is the meaning of the phrase "Kemal planned to put himself at their head"? Saw it in the book "A peace to end all peace". I am not a native English speaker. This phrase ...
user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
53 views

How does "head over heels" mean upside down?

How does "head over heels" mean upside down? I can't find its etymology in https://www.etymonline.com/word/head%20over%20heels. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heels%20over%20head ...
Tim's user avatar
  • 4,051

15 30 50 per page
1
2 3 4 5
110