What is the difference between “evolve into” and “devolve into”? Example: Evolve into savages. Devolve into savages. Is that similar or not? Answer “Evolve” conveys the notion of progression, moving forward: “a process of continuous change from a lower, simpler, or worse to a higher, more complex, or better state”. (MW). “Devolve” conveys the notion … Read more
everyone, I have difficulities in understanding the following sentence. All the while, the flamboyant and irreverent Mr. Branson has tweaked the business establishment, particularly in Britain, and displayed a good command of publicity and showmanship to gain priceless cachet for the Virgin brand. (source: https://www.strategy-business.com/article/13416?gko=74f03) I have two questions: The first one is: what does … Read more
I am particularly fond of Alan Watts. So I was listening to one of his recordings the other day and I haven’t been able to figure out what is said at 32:05. It is highly complex to my foreign ears. It might be just as hard for the natives present. Answer He says “Is the … Read more
What is the role of had the Chinese not come in this sentence? What is the relationship of the second half of this sentence to the first? The significance of decorations on Chinese pottery may have remained clear had the Chinese not come under foreign influence. Answer Cambridge Online Dictionaries offers the following explanation: Had … Read more
Just as painted designs on Greek pots may seem today to be purely decorative, whereas in fact they were carefully and precisely worked out so that at the time, their meaning was clear, so it is with Chinese pots. Answer As deadrat pointed out, punctuation could be better: Just as painted designs on Greek pots … Read more
Joyce’s sparing use of commas sometimes makes sentences difficult to parse for me, e.g. The gossip of his fellowstudents which strove to render the flat life of the college significant at any cost loved to think of him as a young fenian.33 His nurse had taught him Irish and shaped his rude imagination by the … Read more
The following question appeared in an Indian company’s recruitment exam. Read the passage carefully and answer the question that follows. The Postmaster, a native of Calcutta. took up his duties in the remote village of Ulapur. He felt very lonely and homesick. At times he wrote verses. Ratan was his only companion. She was an … Read more
I am aware that this might not be a good question because you probably won’t be able to understand what I am asking if you haven’t read "Space Odyssey 2010", and it’s impossible for me to introduce the whole background in detail, but I will try my best provided that space odyssey is a quite … Read more
Could you please help me understand what the lady says in the below video at 9:46 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k95ln3wfTFs Just one sentence that is not totally clear to me. Thank you. Answer It sounds like, “Just one moment.” AttributionSource : Link , Question Author : Pete S , Answer Author : trident
Most of the luxuries, and many of the so called comforts of life, are not only indispensable, but positive hinderances to the elevation of mankind. ~ “Walden”, Henry David Thoreau In my dictionary indispensable means “absolutely necessary”, but if we substitute that in the above quote seems nonsensical, but I can’t find any mention online … Read more
