Questions tagged [phrases]
A phrase is a group of words that make a unit of syntax with a single grammatical function.
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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?
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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 ...
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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 [...]!...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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-...
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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 ...
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Emotionally and professionally unavailable
Is there a phrase to describe a person who is emotionally unavailable to commit?
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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.
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...