Are you not very thankful to have such a fine place to live at? —Jane Eyre Being familiar with the expression “aren’t you […],” it’s quite strange to meet this one. Is it the expression used just in the writer’s age, or is it still prevalent? Answer “Are you not” is definitely a far less … Read more
Consider these sentences: I was traveling by bus the other day, and I was a little distracted at the time, so I failed to notice when my stop came. I realized it 20 minutes later and by then bus had travelled 5 miles. Is there a word or an expression to describe going past your … Read more
I’d like to know if there is any difference between these two phrases when they are used for expressing the feeling that you think something is wrong with somebody. He’s acting very weird. What’s up with him? and He’s acting very weird. What’s with him? Answer They both can be used to ask about the … Read more
A friend of mine, who is local to Japan, noticed someone from abroad with a folding map who looked lost, and would like to know whether or not she could say “Can I help you?”. She had overheard the expression “Can I help you?” while inside stores, but she doesn’t know whether it sounds natural … Read more
