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1500 questions
96
votes
11 answers
What is the difference between “nope” and “no”?
What is the difference caused by using “nope” instead of ”no”?
Is it used because “nope” sounds better and not straight like “no”? In some situations, it feels like nope is better to use than no even though it adds 2 more characters. What is the…
Zterio
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92
votes
3 answers
"As following" vs "as follows"
Which of the following sentences is more appropriate?
The reasons for these decisions are as following:
The reasons for these decisions are as follows:
This operator is defined as following:
This operator is defined as follows:
Sunny88
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91
votes
6 answers
"Once, twice, thrice,...", what comes next?
How would you complete the following sequence, until point 10?
Once
Twice
Thrice
(...)
Any help would be appreciated.
An old man in the sea.
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89
votes
3 answers
Does "a couple" always mean two?
Today I said some event was a couple of weeks away. A native speaker from Australia corrected me and said, no it's at least three weeks away. What followed was a discussion as to whether a couple always means two, or if it can mean more than…
gerrit
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80
votes
6 answers
What's the difference between "center" and "centre"?
Which one is correct: examination center or examination centre? What is the difference between center and centre? Is the difference only in spelling? What is the usage difference?
anish
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78
votes
7 answers
(In, On or At) GitHub?
What's the difference between say:
"The project will be on GitHub",
"The project will be in GitHub" and
"The project will be at GitHub"?
Jéf Bueno
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78
votes
13 answers
What's up with the "pun (not) intended" thing?
Whenever I read a carefully composed English text with a pun in it, the stated "pun" is always followed by an explanation whether or not it was intended.
Why is that?
Where I come from (the Czech Republic) it is considered harmful to the humor to…
Pavel
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76
votes
6 answers
"firstly ... secondly ..." or "first ... second ... "?
Suppose I am enumerating reasons not to fly. Is it then correct to write/say:
Firstly, I prefer the train because I can see the landscape. Secondly, I have control over my luggage, and thirdly, it is better for the environment.
Or is it:
First, I…
gerrit
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76
votes
8 answers
Why should we say "play the piano" instead of "play a piano"?
We can say "ride a bike", "drive a car", why should we say "play the piano" instead of "play a piano"?
August
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76
votes
3 answers
Why is 7 the most feared number?
I was in a computer programming training. A code executed an output number 7 and the trainer asked ( assuming joking) "Why is 7 the most feared number?" and someone said "Because 7,8,9 ... aho ho ho.."
was the expression very native or idiomatic?…
SunMan
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75
votes
9 answers
If potato chips come in contact with humid air, they become what?
In my mother-tongue, there's a word for it. I'm wondering what the English word is.
If potato chips come in contact with humid air (as in rainy days), they lose their crispiness, and become _____________.
Fill in the blank. Note that the chips…
Maulik V
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74
votes
4 answers
Difference between "Do we have a blog?" and "We have a blog?"
I saw a simple question in a comment on SE:
What if I told you there was a sci-fi and fantasy blog?
We have a blog?
But according to my English textbook, that question should be: Do we have a blog? So I just wonder, We have a blog? is a…
Sayakiss
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73
votes
4 answers
Is there any more 'respectful word' than 'beggars' for these wonderful guys?
In India, beggars don't do anything and ask for money. But here, I see this specific practice to ask for money (in foreign countries).
Check this guy
he works harder, shows his skills and asks for money
Well, it's not limited to playing some…
Maulik V
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- 456
73
votes
8 answers
Why do native speakers say 'Come on in' rather than 'Come in'?
Today I passed by a restaurant and got attracted to its menu sticking on the window, so I stopped and had a look at it. Then a staff standing at the gate said to me,'We have nice food. Come on in!' I wonder why she said 'Come on in' rather than…
OhLook
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71
votes
7 answers
Meaning of "respecting" in "no law respecting an establishment of religion"
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for…
dbwlsld
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