Most Popular
1500 questions
26
votes
7 answers
"I did my best" vs "I did the best I could"
In one post, a commenter maintained that the phrases "I did my best" and "I did the best I could" don't mean quite the same thing.
If it is true, what is the fine difference between the two?
Victor B.
- 9,525
- 7
- 42
- 91
26
votes
3 answers
"(Noun) the sh*t out of this" — What nouns work?
In the recent feature film The Martian, Mark Watney, played by Matt Damon, has to figure out a way to grow food on Mars when it's never been done before in order to survive until he can possibly be rescued, he says
In the face of overwhelming odds…
Peter
- 66,233
- 6
- 65
- 125
26
votes
18 answers
Is there a word or slang word to call a girl who loves brand products?
Is there a word or slang expression for girls who are preoccupied with materialistic things, such as bags, rings, necklaces and so on, and with showing such things off to others?
Girls for whom superficial appearance is more important than internal…
GT Kim
- 849
- 3
- 11
- 22
26
votes
4 answers
Term for bed sheet that embraces and partially encapsulates the mattress
I went to IKEA and got me a new sheet. It's awesome on the bed because instead of being "sheety", it's got those rubber parts so one doesn't fold it under the mattress to keep it in place but rather skewers it or maybe embraces it onto it.
What's…
Konrad Viltersten
- 4,367
- 10
- 38
- 72
26
votes
2 answers
Should always use uppercase "I"?
Should "I" (first person pronoun) always be used in uppercase, or does it depend on situation (uppercase in the first word of a sentence)?
And why are other pronouns not capitalized?
ᴀʀᴍᴀɴ
- 447
- 5
- 15
26
votes
10 answers
What does "meat" mean?
I asked my friend what he was cooking and he replied, "I am cooking meat." I asked "what meat?" He said, "dude, meat. Don't you know meat?" I asked him again in a more clear way, "Yes, but what meat? Chicken, mutton, fish?" He replied, "Mutton."
I…
user25493
26
votes
5 answers
How would a native speaker understand "Time flies like an arrow"?
“Time flies like an arrow” is often cited to illustrate problems with computer aided language processing. It is also an example of how ambiguous English can be.
But is it really so ambiguous? How would it be understood by a native speaker?
Danubian Sailor
- 5,780
- 8
- 32
- 52
26
votes
5 answers
"I don't have the time to cook" or "I don't have time to cook"?
Should I say:
I do not have the time.
Or
I do not have time.
Which option is the correct one? If both are correct, is there any difference in meaning or other difference between them?
Sherley
- 261
- 1
- 3
- 3
26
votes
2 answers
Does "It snowed hard Monday" require an "on"?
I came across an English learner writing
It snowed hard Monday.
After saying that it didn't snow on Friday and Saturday.
It didn't quite feel right to me.
I'd be okay with
It snowed hard.
or
It snowed Monday.
Is it okay for there to be two…
Golden Cuy
- 5,917
- 14
- 59
- 85
26
votes
3 answers
What are the differences between "to talk" and "to speak"?
Both verbs "to talk" and "to speak" refer to the same action.
Is their meaning exactly the same?
When is more appropriate to use one, or the other verb?
Marco Leogrande
- 945
- 2
- 10
- 19
26
votes
2 answers
"fits" or "suits" my needs?
In a formal letter, what kind of sentence could I write?
The programme perfectly suits my needs.
The programme perfectly fits my needs.
EDIT: According to a dictionary the phrase with "fits" makes more sense. I use this phrase for a educational…
John Brunner
- 441
- 1
- 5
- 7
26
votes
5 answers
a joyous and restful three days -- a three days?
Example:
After a joyous and restful three days, I left this beautiful city.
Although it still kind of sounds weird to my ears, I know that when a noun, even though in the plural, is used to mean a certain amount or quantity of something,…
Michael Rybkin
- 37,600
- 29
- 167
- 310
26
votes
6 answers
"Thanks, but no thanks" OR "No, thanks". Isn't 'thanks' in the former redundant?
Would you like to have a cup of tea?
Sure. Thanks!
Would you like to have a peg?
No, thanks!
When someone offers me a peg, I first deny the proposal and then say thanks. Why? Because he offered me something.
But then, there exists a…
Maulik V
- 66,059
- 109
- 310
- 456
26
votes
10 answers
Does this have two meanings: 'how do you like your coffee'?
How do you like your coffee?
Can I use the above sentence either on an offering situation that I ask if they like it black or with sugar, or during having situation that I ask if the coffee tastes good?
When the latter is possible, can next both…
Listenever
- 24,139
- 38
- 136
- 254
26
votes
4 answers
When to use "drank" and "drunk"
I am a bit confused in using drank and drunk. I know we use it with past tense but not when to use drank and when to use drunk. What are the better ways to use these?
I visited this, too, but it does not explain when to use which form. What…
ARG
- 585
- 4
- 10
- 21