british-english

The use of “keep” to mean “put away” (possibly dialectal or novel usage)

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In Welsh, cadw, the verb corresponding to the English verb keep can be used to mean put away or store (something) in its appropriate place. Welsh-speakers will sometimes be teased for transferring this usage into their English, for example: keep the dishes will you? I’ve kept the laundry and now I’m ready to leave. However, … Read more

“Animal skin treated” – what does “treated” mean in this context?

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The skin of animals like cows, buffaloes, goats, crocodiles, snakes and camels are treated and used as leather to make belts, shoes, bags and purses etc. Can you please explain the meaning of treated in above sentence? I saw this sentence in my book chapter. Answer “Treated” means processed in this context, here’s a relevant … Read more

What’s the difference between a reflexive and intensive pronoun?

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There are a few types of pronouns, among other there are reflexive and intensive pronouns. Every website I visit, they give me the same examples. E.g. Found on Grammar Monster: • Reflexive pronouns (e.g., itself, himself) • Intensive pronouns (e.g., itself, himself) What is the difference? Answer [1] Ed hurt himself. [2] Ed himself designed the house. Reflexive pronouns … Read more

“To do as he did” vs. “to do as he had done”

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He advised me/ to do as he did/ but I did not pay any attention/ to his advice. /(No error) The answer is no error , but I think the sentence should say “to do as he had done”. Why is “as he did” acceptable? Answer This is a case of tense change due to … Read more

Meaning of “Right Out” in Context

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A particularly quotable 1970s British comedy film includes the following pseudo-old-english instructions for dispatching a troublesome foe: First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin, then shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou … Read more

How does the pitch change through the phrase “a gorgeous young model”?

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When one pronounces the phrase a gorgeous young model in a very normal way (without any special stress to emphasize a specific meaning), which word will be said in the highest pitch, which word will be said in the lowest pitch and which word will receive the middle range? Information added later: Yeah, I mean … Read more

Which would be appropriate accepts or accept

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thanks in advance for answering the following question. I am trying to figure out which one would be correct. I am in process of writing documentation on a technical subject and I was asked to replace ‘accepts’ with ‘accept’. But not sure why. Both ‘right-click’and ‘double-click’ accept 2 parameters Both ‘right-click’and ‘double-click’ accepts 2 parameters … Read more

Can an intrusive R appear within one word?

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When the word ‘drawing’ is pronounced as /’drɔːrɪŋ/, is that R called intrusive? Is such pronunciation colloquial and unacceptable for formal address? Answer For people who use the term “intrusive r”, it refers to linking /r/ whenever it occurs in a context where the letter R isn’t written. It doesn’t make a difference whether it … Read more