Questions tagged [terminology]
This tag is for questions seeking or discussing a term (or terms) belonging or peculiar to a science, art, or specialized subject (e.g. linguistics, mathematics, physics, biology, finance, theatre, music, philosophy, astronomy, medical, nautical etc.). Consider adding [single-word-requests] and [phrase-requests] tags also if relevant.
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What exactly is an "adverb"?
From comments to “Weekdays” used as an adverb", I learn that The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary says "open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.", shows the word weekdays is an adverb.
It seems to me ...
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How can I reliably and accurately identify the passive voice in writing or speech?
How can I reliably and accurately identify the passive voice in writing or speech? I'm not interested in advice about whether or not to use it yet... I just want to know for sure what it is, so that I ...
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"log in to" or "log into" or "login to"
When writing an instruction about connecting to a computer using ssh, telnet, etc., I'm not sure what spacing to use in this familiar spoken phrase:
"Log in to host.com"
"Log into host.com"
"Login to ...
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"pros and cons", "black and white", "ups and downs". Always in a fixed sequence, is there a word or phrase for these?
Is there a word or phrase for two nouns or adjectives joined by a conjunction (usually "and") in a fixed sequence?
alive and well
fast and furious
hat and gloves
pen and pencil
...
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What is a word/phrase for using a term for a popular special case instead of a generic term?
Some people use a term for a popular special case in place of a generic term. (Often this popular special case is a particular product in that category.) I think that this is a common phenomenon. ...
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What is the term for the double consecutive use of a word with stress on one of the words to alter its severity?
What is the term when a word is used consecutively twice, with intentional stress placed on the first word, as a means to alter the severity of the word's meaning? I am not referring to a past ...
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A special use of "should"?
I saw a sentence like this:
Wilkinson is contesting the release, and threatened to sue should it be released.
I could understand it but do you know what do they call this kind of use of "should" ...
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Is there a term for words that have a single meaning or are only used in a single context?
Certain words you hear in English are only ever heard in a single context. For example, skirl is used to describe the sound a bagpipe makes. Etymonline generously says the word is "rarely" heard ...
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Difference between an acronym and abbreviation?
TLA is an acronym for "Three Letter Acronym". Is it also an abbreviation, since it abbreviates the original phrase?
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What are sentences like "the longer X, the more Y" called and can they be used in formal written English?
What is the type of sentence exemplified below called? Is it appropriate to use it in a scientific paper and formal written English in general?
1. The more pronounced the variation, the
more the ...
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What Is the Real Name of the #?
I used to say "sharp sign" to refer to the # sign.
Today a friend told me that the correct term is number sign or hash sign or even just hash.
What is the difference between these options and what'...
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What do you call a response which does not address the question?
When some one is asked a question, sometimes if they are trying to avoid answering the question, they respond with something unrelated. What is the word for that response?
Eg. A: Why were you late?
...
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Garbage/stuff words
I've watched two interviews. One with Grace Park, one with Eliza Dushku.
What one can't miss is that Eliza uses an awful lot of garbage words (or what these are called) — um, so, like, you know, ...
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Logging in or on?
There are a plethora of words for user accounts, like logon, login, signon, and also the action of logging in (or logging on) or signing in.
Are there any usage guidelines here?
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What is the name of the tactic that politicians use to bury people with torrent of words?
Some people write bloated books and long essays with skilful use of hooks, e.g. Jared Diamond; some others speak in long-drawn sentences with torrents of words, e.g. Noam Chomsky. It reminds me of a ...
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