English Language Learners Stack Exchange
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1500 questions
49
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10 answers

Better way to say "No bulls--t"

I'm the person who like concise, and don't like the literature style stuffing in lots of irrelevant information to distract you from the main idea. So when I saw a book called "No bullshit Java", I know that's exactly the kind of writing style I…
xpt
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10 answers

IS or ARE? "The only thing that I want you to hit right now IS/ARE the books"

In this sentence, which is the right word? The only thing that I want you to hit right now is/are the books.
asterisk
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49
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2 answers

How many meanings does "I am in" have?

I have heard the phrase ‘I am in’ or ‘I am absolutely in’ (and similar variations) several times. As I understand it, it means I agree with the idea and I will join you in your efforts. Recently, I wanted to use this phrase in a written form and I…
MasterPJ
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49
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4 answers

"How it works?" vs "How does it work?"

What is the difference between: "How it works?" and "How does it work?"
zgjie
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49
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5 answers

I demand that he leave or leaves?

I am confused between the two. I demand that he leave!or I demand that he leaves! I demand that this man leave!or I demand that this man leaves! Which is correct with s or without and why?
Seekerofanswers
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49
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9 answers

What does "call BS" mean in the sentence "We call BS"?

What does BS mean in the sentence "We call BS"? I saw an article about protests in the US that said the following (see here the video): Florida student Emma Gonzalez to lawmakers and gun advocates: 'We call BS' I've checked Cambridge dictionary…
Virtuous Legend
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49
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6 answers

Do all native English speakers actually pronounce the "th" sound?

One of the things that were very unnatural for me while learning English was the "th" sound. Do all native English speakers actually pronounce it this way or does it vary between accents (Canadian, US, Australian, UK islands)? Does it actually stand…
d33tah
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48
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3 answers

When is the past perfect exactly needed?

I have never had this problem before. But after seeing some questions posted on ELU, I started to doubt. I have been through links1, pages of grammar books2, a lot of questions3 posted here and ELU. I now still can't seem to understand how the past…
user1513
48
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4 answers

Why do people, incorrectly, begin a sentence with the word "But"?

I find myself editing a good number of people's questions on Stack Exchange sites in order to correct grammatical errors. A large number of these edits include fixing what appears to be the common mistake of beginning a sentence with "But". A…
Greenonline
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48
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6 answers

Meaning of "Sue me"

I came across a dialog between two people struggling on a cutting the line situation. Here is the dialogue: A: Hey man, the end of the line is over there. B: Yeah... A: No seriously, I was here first, and you can’t cut in the line like this. …
Ali Sherafat
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48
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6 answers

Is "she don't" sometimes considered correct form?

Recently I was exposed to a lot of uses of "She don't + infinitive" (3rd person singular + don't), instead of "she doesn't + infinitive" (3rd person singular + doesn't). I'm not sure if it is a mistake or just accepted usage sometimes. I found it…
Virtuous Legend
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8 answers

Is it rude to say "I'd appreciate if you could reply as soon as possible"?

Recently I have emailed my teacher and asked for my transcript. I've thought that I asked for it politely, but my teacher emailed me back that he was currently busy and "your tone was quite rude" I discussed this with my friend and she said "I would…
Maimai123
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48
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8 answers

"To death" vs "to the death"

Sometimes I see the former, as in "starve to death". But sometimes I see the latter as well, as in "fight to the death", or in the following quote: I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. – Evelyn Beatrice…
Leaky Nun
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47
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3 answers

"An hour" or "a hour"

Which indefinite article should precede hour — a or an? an hour a hour Does the usage of an vs a depend on the pronunciation — a history, a hobby, but an hour, an honor?
user20
47
votes
6 answers

Does the English language have a word explaining a song in your head that you can't stop singing?

Sometimes after listening to a popular song you can't stop repeating it in your head. Is there any term for this in English? You can't say the same in Russian using one word.
Maryia Beliankova
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