English Language Learners Stack Exchange
English Language Learners Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [sentence-choice]

The Sentence-Choice tag is for when you can have multiple ways to write a sentence but are not sure which way is most appropriate. Please explain which sentence you prefer and why.

When faced with multiple ways to express yourself, the best way to help us help you is to list all of your options and then explain both which one you prefer, and why. Another useful detail to include is the source of confusion, and what you are trying to convey.

Example:

I am meeting a friend tomorrow at a certain place and I will be there first. How should I express myself:

  1. I am to wait for your arrival.
  2. I will be waiting for your arrival.
  3. I am awaiting for your arrival.

I was told the second is correct but none of these sound right to me. I do not know why. Please explain.

680 questions
6
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3 answers

Wait or be waiting?

Which one is correct? I'm coming please be waiting. (Also, is waiting gerund here?) I'm coming please wait.
Rocky
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5
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1 answer

I am cold vs I feel cold vs I got cold

There are three sentences which makes me confused. I think one of them is used to say you don't feel good or you literally are sick. Other one is used to imply that the temperature in the room where you stay is probably lower than average so you are…
Mrt
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4
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1 answer

"While asking" vs "Asking" vs "While I was asking"

A. While asking a previous question I was not sure whether to conclude by asking "A" or "B". B. Asking a previous question I was not sure whether to conclude by asking "A" or "B". C. While I was asking a previous question I was not sure whether to…
user114
4
votes
3 answers

I'm living in a sharing apartment

Currently I'm living in an apartment with some roommates. In this case how can I say when I'm asked about my room? I'm living in a sharing apartment. I'm sharing an apartment. Which one is better? Or is there more naturally expression for it?
ironsand
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3
votes
1 answer

How/What is it like?

How is it like to live in Helsinki? What is it like to live in Helsinki? How is living in Helsinki? What are the differences between these three sentences and what is the common way to ask someone for their opinion about the city they live in?
Bora
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3
votes
4 answers

Leaking valve - which sentence sounds most professional

Which of the following sentence sounds more professional for a technology report? The valve was found in leakage The valve was leaked The valve leaked
Kieu
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3
votes
1 answer

Which is the more natural way to ask the reason for which no one's here?

There are 2 sentences asking for a reason: Why is there no one here? Why is no one here? They both seem grammatically correct, but which is more natural? Is there any nuance between the two?
Michael
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3
votes
5 answers

"What is 'bleach'?" or "What does 'bleach' mean?"

What is 'bleach'? What does 'bleach' mean? I want to ask about the definition of a word. Are both sentences OK? I don't know why I sometimes think that it is not suitable to use the word 'mean' or 'meaning' for some words like some materials,…
Mahdi
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3
votes
3 answers

Should the adjective "local" get the noun that it describes?

Should the adjective "local" get the noun that it describes? I mean to ask if I should say: We are local. or we should say: We are local + people / residents etc.
Virtuous Legend
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3
votes
4 answers

Sentence correction on subjunctive mood

From my textbook: I wish the earthquake never happened. Answer key: I wish the earthquake had never happened. Can I say the following sentence? I wish (that) the earthquake didn't happen. If I could, what's the difference between them? I wish…
A Learner
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2
votes
2 answers

position of adverbs in no sooner ---than

No sooner did I lie down last night than I fell asleep. No sooner did I lie down than I fell asleep last night. Which is better. ? Thanks in advance.
learner
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2
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2 answers

She played / replayed the song repeatedly

Which one is correct ? She played the song repeatedly. She replayed the song repeatedly. Since the adverb repeatedly adds a meaning that something is done over and over again, should we use the verb play or this kinds of adverbs cause to use…
Mrt
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2
votes
1 answer

Dedication of my thesis to my late father

My father passed away when I was studying my PhD. Now I want to dedicate my thesis to him. I want to say that I am afraid that I couldn't finish my studies sooner. How do you feel about something like "a late thesis to the memory of my father"? Or…
Helium
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2
votes
1 answer

"Which one has the answer yes" vs. "Which one is affirmatively answerable"

When I edited an earlier question I wasn't sure whether to completely change the "A" form into the "B" form: A. How do the below three sentences differ in their meaning and which one has the answer 'yes'? B. How do the below three sentences differ…
user114
2
votes
2 answers

What's more natural choice when talking about menstruation bleeding?

What's the more natural choice when talking about the decrease in the menstruation flow? Today I have less blood. or Today I'm less bleeding. or Today the bleeding is decreased. The first choice sounds to me a bit ridiculous since it also has…
Virtuous Legend
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