The expression comes from the following meme of Stevie Wonder How I feel while backing up with 5% window tint I think it’s some kind of insulting the blinds. I don’t enjoy those things, but the expression quite bugs me so bad. Can you substitute the expression ‘while backing up with’? I cannot figure out … Read more
What does the sentence in bold mean? It from the movie ‘Poirot’: Poirot: And you, Hastings, do not you run away with such celerity. I have work for you too. Hastings: Oh! Er… As a matter of fact, I was thinking of popping down to Sandown this afternoon … There’s a horse running a pal … Read more
Which of the following two sentences is correct? A and B are the minimum and maximum value, respectively. A and B are the minimum and maximum values, respectively. I tend to think that the first one is correct as it is a reduced version of the following sentence: A and B are the minimum value … Read more
Is the ellipsis of “it is” in the following sentence acceptable/preferred? Once [it is] put in the context of philosophy of language, the problem X can be recast as follows. Such ellipse after once seems to be more popular than when full verb comes after it. Source Answer “Once” is a subordinating conjunction here in … Read more
Electricity has a velocity (that is) as high as light’s. Electricity has a velocity (that is) as high as light’s is. These two sentences both seem to be correct to me, but I am in doubt about the second one. If the latter is erroneous, could someone explain why? Answer This answer ignores the physics … Read more
How would you correctly punctuate dialogue that trails off, but then picks up again? A: “Something about the way she smells …” The man breathed in deep, a smile spreading across his face. “… just drives me wild.” B: “Something about the way she smells …” The man breathed in deep, a smile spreading across … Read more
First, I have to admit that I don’t know a good term to refer to this case, nor do I have a concrete example. Everything is just from a vague memory. So if you can correct me or suggest a good correction, please feel free to do so. I believe that I have sometimes come … Read more
What does this phrase mean? I’m catching a 4:00 at Logan Does it mean “I’m taking off a 4 o’clock”? This is coming from the movie “Scent of Woman”. Al Pacino’s sentence: “…but I’m catching a 4:00 at Logan, I’m looking out my window, and there’s not a taxi in sight.” Answer Logan is an … Read more
There wasn’t much light, only a glimmer of the moon. In this sentence, is the highlighted part an example of ellipsis? Could we expand this to the following sentence? There wasn’t much light, as there was only a glimmer of the moon. In English, we don’t talk like robots, so it’s not uncommon to encounter … Read more
Would it be correct to fast forward inside a quotation to remove obsolete information by using three periods (…) as shown in the following examples? “ ‘Do you want me to question this boy?’ Justice Asked. … ‘No!’ Harris said violently, explosively. ‘Damnation! Send him out of here!’ ” “ ‘Do you want me to … Read more
