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01:31
Hello everybody
morning
 
2 hours later…
03:14
@CowperKettle A-ha!
@toha Morning!
morning,
03:28
Also interesting, because the question asks about "people" rather than "a person", using the presumptuous works if used properly, e.g., The presumptuous are alarmed, and they may be awakened and redeemed.Damkerng T. 1 min ago
Morning!
Morning!
morning..
 
1 hour later…
04:44
Quote of the Day: That's a valiant flea that dare eat his breakfast on the lip of a lion.
Word of the Day: trepidation
05:15
2
Q: Text, open parenthesis, text, ellipses, close parenthesis, period? (Like this…)?

Jordan JamingsonsI was wondering, what if write something like: 1. There once was a black bird (it was warm, simple, etc...). Is the sentence correct in terms of punctuation, or do I need to write four consecutive dots, as follows: 2. There once was a black bird (it was warm, simple, etc....) or maybe even ...

I guess most of us would go about it intuitively.
So when someone ask how I should write it (, etc ....) , etc ...)., and all that jazz), nobody doesn't want to write an answer.
(Like, "etc. and ... together! How did you come up with that idea?!")
05:43
hey guys i'm new here and i have one large question
Is it math or maths?
@shaihorowitz Where do you live?
It depends on the dialect of English you choose to use.
In the US, math is preferred.
Is one more correct on specific occasions?
Hmm... both of them are a bit informal. I think they both are equally correct.
05:46
For instance stat and stats are used slightly differently
they are the same type of informal
That's a different word (or words).
yeah i'm just illustrating what i meant
stat doesn't even make it to several dictionaries.
(where stats, math, and maths are all documented)
i'm going to go tell my stat teacher about this. she's going to be pissed
but thats very enlightening thank you
Informally, I don't think stat is that wrong.
You're welcome!
06:29
Stats are always wrong.
Why does my question still go unanswered? (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
At least it's not closed with two pile-on votes.
20
Q: Be proud of tag wikis!

Won'tWas interested in learning more about a particular tag (in a single tag filter page) when I realized just how much tag wikis must be embarrassing to the folks who run this joint Look at that anemic "learn more...", hidden in a bunch of other links. If I were a new user, what would I think whe...

@PhMgBr It's difficult, I suppose.
 
1 hour later…
07:54
> in standard English themself was the normal form to c1540, but disappeared c1570. Themselfs, themselves appears c1500, and became the standard form c1540.
Hmm... and I thought spelling themself was new.
Hello @D
Can You explain why the answer is D:
10. The adder is a venomous snake ... bite may prove fatal to humans.
A. its
B. whom its
C. that
D. whose
My guess is wrong
I give A
since the adder is animal
D is a more logical choice.
Its can't be used to join two sentences.
> a) The adder is a venomous snake, and its bite may prove fatal to humans.
> b) The adder is a venomous snake whose bite may prove fatal to humans.
a) is a compound sentence; b) is a complex sentence.
Great answer @DamkerngT. :)
07:58
:D
Good afternoon, @johnchae!
Afternoon :)
I have something for you to answer too, if you allow me :p @DamkerngT.
(Note that though a) may be grammatical, it's not as good as b).)
@johnchae Sure! (if I can :-)
"We are looking for an individual who has compared/comparable qualifications and knowledge of marketing to take over Mr.Q's position."
comparable
compared doesn't make sense in this sentence.
It I'm not mistaken, comparable is preffered, but I wonder if compared used there is correct too?
Oh? Can you elaborate?
08:03
Hmm... basically, it sounds wrong. I can't assign any good meaning for it to make it work in that sentence.
Let's see ... judging by its form, it could be either a main verb, or an adjective, right?
Yeah
If we take it as a main verb, what will it mean?
Someone who has done so? -- That doesn't make much sense.
But I think it acts there as an adjective.
Okay, if we take it as an adjective ...
Someone whose qualifications and such knowledge was compared? -- That doesn't make much sense either.
Why would we look for someone whose knowledge is/was/has been compared, and to/with/against whose?
In this kind of context, comparable roughly means "competitive".
@DamkerngT. I see, but again, I got confused when to use a participle or an adjective, like in my comment above "comparable is preferred", why "preferable" cannot be used here?
08:08
Actually, I think you could use preferable in your sentence.
(Though, of course, preferred is more idiomatic.)
@DamkerngT. Oh, then "compared" in my example above doesn't work like "preferred", right?
Your understanding is correct.
One way to think about -able words (this is off the top of my head, so it could be inaccurate) is to think of them as "can/could be -ed".
Noted!
Whey you say "X is preferred", you mean that you prefer X (to some other choices), right? That's why you can rephrase it as "X is preferable" (because it "can" be said that "X is preferred").
But comparable in your sentence isn't like that. It means that the knowledge or qualifications can be compared to that of anyone else.
Note that "can be" part. We didn't or haven't compared anything yet. We want to say that the knowledge or qualifications are good enough if we want to compare them to those of someone else, but we didn't or haven't done it yet.
So I guess it sounds about as odd as saying "We go to New York if we want to" rather than "We can go to New York if we want to".
(But the oddness is stronger if you use compared in your sentence.)
It could sound wrong in the other direction in other sentences. E.g., I want only "selected goods"!
I want only "selectable goods"! would sound wrong if you meant "selected goods".
Perfect example for me to understand :)
Thank you so so much!
Anonymous
08:21
@DamkerngT. Themself is still around in non-standard varieties! :-)
Anonymous
But you know that.
@snailplane Ah, I thought it's become standard usage already!
(Because I found it in a comment below. I thought maybe it's another someday meaning some day case.)
In my opinion neither viola sentence is correct: "having" doesn't sound right. I'd prefer "I play viola well considering I taught myself", or "I play viola well for someone who taught themself." — nnnnnn May 14 at 3:16
@johnchae Yay! (And welcome!)
Anonymous
@DamkerngT. Well, maybe it depends on the speaker.
Anonymous
@DamkerngT. It might not be altogether wrong to call it new.
Anonymous
08:32
Clearly in one sense it's an old word.
Anonymous
But I think it might be spreading these days.
Anonymous
I don't know. I'm not really qualified to discuss the trajectory of themself.
Anonymous
I think it's a great topic for discussion, though :-)
It's still safer to write themselves or maybe himself or herself in relatively formal written English, I think.
@snailplane nods!
Anonymous
@DamkerngT. Yes, if we want to give advice to learners, the safest advice is to avoid themself.
Anonymous
08:34
Not all speakers find themself acceptable.
Anonymous
That much I'm sure of :-)
Mr. @D
15. The various types of bacteria are classified according to...shapes.
A. whose
B. how they are
C. have
D. their
Why the answer is B instead of D?
Because the answer is wrong?
How can It be wrong?
08:45
The various types of bacteria are classified according to how they are shapes. -- This sounds very strange!
actually, I doubt some of the answers
The key said B..
My guess is D
It's true that sometimes we use according to how-CLAUSE, but this one just doesn't work.
oh..
I agree with you. D is correct.
Hi @Wanda
Hi @chocolate
Thank You Mr @DamkerngT.
08:49
No problem. :D
@DamkerngT. BTW, how about asimo robo at present?
@toha I think he can do many things!
Just one step away to conquer our earth help us in our homes.
:P
Anonymous
Yes, the answer key must have had an error.
I wish I had a good way to search my comments on ELL ...
Anonymous
The other possibility is that the question itself has an error. If it was meant to say shaped rather than shapes, then choice B would work.
08:54
don't you afraid when asimo error, they are infected by virus and kill people? @DamkerngT.
Like what happened at I, Robot film by will smith
don't you afraid when asimo error, they are infected by virus and kill people? @DamkerngT.
@toha Be careful to check the color of his eyes every morning before leaving home if you happened to have him in your home someday. Make sure it's not red. ;-)
Hello @snail bike.. :) Nice to meet you
Anonymous
Hi, toha! :-) Greetings from snail vehicle land!
Anonymous
We have all sorts here. Snail boats, snail trains, snail cars, snail planes.
:)
Anonymous
08:57
I'm not sure why we have boats on land, now that I think about it.
@toha see you again is better than meet, I think. IIRC, this is not the first time you've met our Snails.
Yes, Red is big mistake.. About the system damage.
Anonymous
@DamkerngT. That's true. I suppose we were never properly introduced, though :-)
oh, ok.. So many correction make me grow fast.. :) Thank You
@toha He'd become Angry Asimo! (a bit like Angry Birds :P)
08:58
@DamkerngT. Speaking of this, I guess I can say "Just one step away to helping us in our homes", or "... away to being able to help us in our homes" Right?
@snailplane Ahh
Also hey @toha :)
Anonymous
We usually say away from.
@johnchae Come to think of it, I think I like your Just one step away from helping us in our homes better.
my english teachers all is asian. So, my english is not so good. Sorry. This makes me come to this place.
09:00
Thanks guys @snailplane and @DamkerngT. Got it!
Anonymous
Please don't apologize :-) You should feel free to speak English here without being self-conscious.
Hello @johnchae
@toha May I ask where are you from?
+1 to what snailplane said.
Indonesia
09:01
Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a 1987 American comedy film written, produced and directed by John Hughes. The film stars Steve Martin as Neal Page, a high-strung marketing executive, who meets Del Griffith, played by John Candy, an eternally optimistic, outgoing, overly talkative, and clumsy shower curtain ring salesman who seems to live in a world governed by a different set of rules. They share a three-day odyssey of misadventures trying to get Neal home to Chicago from New York City in time for Thanksgiving dinner with his family. This is the second film to feature Martin and Candy; the first...
Where do you live, @johnchae
@toha A great country.
@toha Hey, fellow Asian, I'm from Vietnam, to be more specific, I'm living in Hochiminh city :) Nice to meet you.
Yes.. This country is not so bad. I guess.
@CowperKettle The image shown in the one-box doesn't give any hint that it's a movie!
09:02
Nice to meet You @johnchae
Rain alert! Rain alert!
(at my place)
Vietnamese are good in english..
@D Beware, shorting (electrical)
The last heavy rain flooded part of a room.
(And yes. Power outage. Internet connection lost. ...)
Farewell, comrade Dam!
09:06
@CowperKettle Not yet! Not just yet!
Please ask asimo to go to higher floor
@DamkerngT. Shucks. I just wanted to wish you "Fair winds and following seas".
/upper floor
@CowperKettle Hehe!
09:08
looking for his boat ...
In boating, a following sea refers to a wave direction that matches the heading of the boat. For example, if the waves of the body of water are heading in the same direction as the sailor, then the water is "following" the sailor's boat. The word "sea" in this phrase is used regardless of whether or not the situation involves a seafaring vessel. == Usage == Sailors use this term synonymously with the points of sail below a beam reach, since the wind direction is generally the same as the sea direction. Therefore, the phrase "Fair winds and following seas," implies that a vessel will have good winds...
I still don't know which part of the wall caused the leak.
(Maybe I'll know today!)
I think japanese create asimo just for show off
@DamkerngT. I thought that in a country with such heavy rains, all the houses are prepared for this
09:11
@toha Well, not everyone :) Anyway, you should come here more often, take me as an example, I went from having a sh!tty English to having a better one now, after getting to know SE and this chatroom. Everyone in this room has helped me a lot :)
@CowperKettle When the house gets older, it could happen!
Of course.. There is no task given to me at present, so I come here..
@toha Could you tell what language you use for programming?
I'm curious
ASP.NET
at present
Ah.. that's a platform.
Meaning, you can use a lot of languages compatible with it.
Yes..
You are writing web applications?
Yes..
Web application
Nice.
> ASP.NET uses the multi-language abilities of the .NET Common Language Runtime, allowing Web pages to be coded in VB.NET, C#, J#, Delphi.NET etc.
You must be fluent in reading English-language documentation.
I wonder how long it takes to learn .NET at a practical level.
09:17
Yes, mostly in C#. Old program use VB.NET here.
I read about C# a little, and I liked it. I used to program on an amateur level using C++, and they are alike I guess.
To learn how to code.. I am not so sure.. But I do not recommend... If you do not have passion..
Just for fun is ok
Oh. Yes..
They are close..
@CowperKettle Now come to think of it, could you tell me why you didn't use "to" as in "to do programing"/"to code"? My guess is, if I'm not mistaken, "for+gerund" is preferred when talking about, well, a function of something?
@johnchae I dunno. It seemed okay. "Language used to program. Language used for programming"
I don't understand your point about "a function of something"
I read so many russian articles.. They are great at code. Maybe you are one of them @CowperKettle
or You have talent, maybe. Who knows?
09:24
@toha I should just spend 200 to 300 hours doing it to see if I still can code.
Like I spent several hundred hours on chemistry and discovered it's not so bad.
BBL
@CowperKettle I have read an article about when to use "to+bare verb" or "for + gerund" on ELU IIRC, let me find it. By "a function of something", in your example, I mean, "programing" here is a function of the language you're talking about. I would use "for+gerund" over "to+bare verb" in this case as well, but I'm not sure why :/
It's on ELL though :)
09:44
@CowperKettle I looked into it a little bit. I think both alternatives are possible. I didn't feel wrong when I wrote it, but when you suggested the correction, your suggestion read fine to me as well (so I fixed it before I would run out of the time limit).
@johnchae Yay!
It looks like I'm not going to find the leak spots today ...
@DamkerngT. "12 years a slave" <-- Peripheral modifier in an NP, or a verbless clause? What d'you think?
@DamkerngT. (i.e. is 12 years a peripheral modifier in the NP "12 years a slave")
nods -- I think either would work. Personally, I read it as "12 years ((of) being) a slave". Not sure how most speakers would read it.
Maybe I shouldn't've complicated the matter with of.
@DamkerngT. The thing is that this phrase can function as a PC: "He was twelve years a slave".
@Araucaria It looks like it could be use both ways, I think.
What do you think of my example from Les Miserables?
yesterday, by Damkerng T.
I know the meaning of those nineteen years a slave of the law! --Jean Valjean.
10:02
@DamkerngT. it's interesting. It's a bit difficult to parse.
In the musical, it would sound somewhat like I know the meaning of those nineteen years, a slave of the law!
I wonder if the structure of He was twelve years a slave is related to He was so brave a man.
See You later.. I will be back at monday..
@toha Have a nice weekend!
I want to Go home
Have a nice weekend, @DamkerngT.
@DamkerngT. So "I still don't know which part of the wall that caused the leak." is okay? Interesting.
Bye, Toha!
10:08
@CowperKettle I think it's okay because it's which part (of the wall) rather than just which.
I sounds wrong to me..
(It could be interesting to look deeper later.)
@DamkerngT. @CowperKettle Is that part of a sentence or a whole sentence?
> I still don't know which part of the wall it is that caused the leak \\ this looks better
I wrote I still don't know which part of the wall that caused the leak.
10:10
@Araucaria The whole sentence.
CowperKettle commented on that (which I agreed) that that that shouldn't be there.
Later I thought about it a bit more, and at the moment, I think both alternatives would be okay.
(Not 100% sure if I'm right.)
@DamkerngT. Ah, that would be ungrammatical for us. But you could have "I don't know which part of [the wall that caused the leak] needs repairing"
I see. Resumptive pronouns strike again!
@DamkerngT. That's a relative clause inside another relative clause.
:)
So it's settled, then. Thanks @Araucaria @CowperKettle!
10:14
It was a tough one!
Especially for a speaker from a language that using resumptive pronouns is the normal way!
@DamkerngT. Well exactly. And the relativised element is inside a larger fronted phrase. So which doesn't represent a noun phrase here. It's a determinative. So it's complicated!
Agree on all accounts!
(I guess StoneyB would simply use on all counts rather than on all accounts.)
It looks like Thai accepts all alternatives:
@DamkerngT. Oops, but I need to replace all the instances of relative with the word interrogative in the conversation above!
> a) ไม่รู้ว่าอันไหนเสีย ~ I don't know which is broken.
> b) ไม่รู้ว่าอันไหนที่เสีย ~ I don't know which that is broken.
> c) ไม่รู้ว่าอันไหนที่มันเสีย ~ I don't know which that it is broken.
> (all translations are literal, not in standard English)
10:23
Oooh, that's interesting - and weird for me!
I'm not even sure which one we used originally!
It looks like we've gotten some of the alternatives by accommodating texts from other countries through translation.
(On the bright side, it's hard to say anything wrong in Thai. :P)
11:09
@DamkerngT. About my sentence posted above: "We are looking for an individual who has comparable qualifications and knowledge of marketing to take over Mr.Q's position."
Is “comparable” used here kinda understood as “sufficient” (as in “sufficient” for the job position). Or we’re comparing the qualifications and knowledge if they’re similar to Mr.Q’s, so that the chosen one can replace him in that position?
It's better than just "sufficient". It's more like "competitive".
So we’re comparing the qualifications and knowledge if they’re similar to Mr.Q’s?
Not really. But his are comparable.
In other words, his qualifications and knowledge can be compared to anyone's.
(If anyone chooses to compete against him.)
And can I rephrase it to: "We are looking for an individual who has the qualifications and knowledge of marketing that are (or can be?) COMPARED to Mr.Q’s to take his position."
?
But I don't think people would really give too much thought when they use it. It's just idiomatic.
@johnchae That sounds odd. (The alternative "can be compared" may work, but there are other alternatives that are more idiomatic.)
Oh! Another round of rain!
11:18
I see!
How is your room right now? @DamkerngT.
Still dry. :D
I think the wall has to be soaking wet first before the leak will begin.
But once the water starts to seep in and the leak starts, the water will keep coming, much enough that I can paddle a boat in my room! (BTW, I exaggerated it a bit. :P)
Tough! That's all I can say, hopefully you can find the leak spots soon!
Anyway, this is really cool to see: pbs.twimg.com/media/CirK0JlVAAIyQfy.jpg:large
:D
11:34
@johnchae Thanks!
Aww, it should be "this is really cool to look at", I mean I think it's preferred to say it that way.
:)
nods -- Using see makes me think it's a movie or a game trailer (which it might really be!).
Yeah, that's a full body Hideo Kojima has just revealed for his company logo: img.kojimaproductions.jp/ogp.png
And yeah, he's a game maker :) Who is known for his famous Metal Gear Solid games :)
12:10
I'm off to dine. See you!
See you!
 
3 hours later…
15:35
> I'd like to speak for all Americans when I say, "Challenge accepted." Come on. Three pounds? Three? That all you-- IS THAT ALL YOU GOT!
:D
Just popping through ...
> So I'm calling on all Americans to fight the Gouda fight. We don't do this because it is easy cheese, but because it is Havarti. We must walk softly and carry a big mozzarella stick. We must boldly Asiago where no Manchego has gone brie-fore, and--
> And if we do, we will become Cheddar than all the rest. So dig deep and find that extra Gruyère. Get in and the calzone and join me, because I'm Feta-up to here. And if you think I can do this Provalone, you ricotta be kidding me. We must come together and slay the muenster. Just fondue it!
Love that! (I learned a lot of cheese names in under a minute!)
(Not sure if "brie-fore" ("briefore") is a cheese name.)
Hey, found a similar line!
> To Moudly go, where no Parmesan has gone Brie-fore
A-ha! It's this Brie! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brie
16:15
Dictionaries define convince sb to do sth as persuade them to do it, but I feel that convince connotes previous reluctance or disagreement, while persuade is neutral about that. I'm not sure if I'm right.
I think both could be used for all cases.
(Just my opinion, though.)
Mm..
Maybe I've seen too many of those schemers and manipulators in TV series. They usually use "persuade" (note the air quotes) for everything.
Also instead of deceive, you mean?
Yup! Or "push" or "manipulate" or even "trick".
16:23
That's my point: another difference between persuade and convince is that you may be able to use the former for deceive, but not the latter, IMO.
Hmm... I think you're right. Though "not" is probably a bit strong.
Anonymous
There was a famous book in the 50s called The Hidden Persuaders by Vance Packard.
Anonymous
Somehow The Hidden Convincers doesn't seem like it would quite work :-)
@snailplane True, that!
Ha, right!
16:26
I think convince sounds somewhat milder.
Anonymous
I think convince requires the conscious thought of the convincee. You're presenting them with information, arguments and so forth to change their mind, and they change their mind.
Anonymous
Persuasion usually has the same meaning, but
Anonymous
I think the core meaning might be closer to other people changing how the persuadee thinks.
Anonymous
Maybe without the focus on the conscious participation of the persuadee.
I think when you persuade someone to do something, you make it seem appealing to them.
Anonymous
16:29
That's what my intuition says.
Anonymous
Persuade can definitely have more of a negative connotation.
Anonymous
Convince seems fairly neutral.
Anonymous
I mean, not that persuade can't be neutral too.
@snailplane Conscious is a good word for it.
Anonymous
I think there's a lot of overlap, so I have to look for situations where they're used differently.
16:31
"persuade" sounds close to "insinuate" (0:
You have given me a good outline so for, @snailplane. Thanks.
I'm off to dinner. Or supper. Or whatever. :)
o/
Anonymous
When I was a teenager, there was a computer game called Syndicate.
Anonymous
Syndicate is an isometric real-time tactical game from Bullfrog Productions created in 1993. It is the first title in the Syndicate series. An expansion pack, Syndicate: American Revolt, a sequel, Syndicate Wars, and a reboot Syndicate have also been released. The original game and expansion pack were re-released together in 1996 as Syndicate Plus. == Gameplay == Gameplay of Syndicate involves ordering a one to four-person team of cyborg agents around cities displayed in a fixed-view isometric style, in pursuit of mission goals such as assassinating executives of a rival syndicate, rescu...
Persuade sounds a bit more "active" to me. In other words, it could be "pushier".
Anonymous
> In addition, the player can use [...] the "Persuadertron" to brainwash the player's targets into blind obedience.
16:34
Persuadertron!
LOL
@snailplane I remember playing that on my i486 sx-33
It had SVGA graphics, which was cool
Anonymous
Oh! You played it :-)
Oh, so it was even before Warcraft the original?
I wish I didn't (0:
Anonymous
That must have been your first contact with the English word Persuadertron.
16:36
nods
Anonymous
I never played it.
Anonymous
I just remember someone talking about the Persuadertron.
Anonymous
Was it bad?
(BTW, Warcraft is coming soon to the theater near you.)
Good for you! It's better to read books and play sports than to play any PC game.
No, it was a good game.
The best game I played was Grim Fandango
And maybe some other quests
They had some good English, made me learn words.
Loom. Full Throttle. Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis.
Old quest games.
"Manny Calavera"
16:48
Looks realistic.
0
Q: How to use the word discipline

LordbalmonIf I wish to state that I wish to be discipline, which of these statements are correct? I wish to be discipline I wish to be disciplined

A rather unfortunate word choice, I think.
 
2 hours later…
18:40
> we measured hormone levels in saliva and found significantly increased dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and reduced estrone levels in KC patients compared to healthy controls. Nature
I've got to check my DHEA-S. (0:
18:51
@DamkerngT. I think all the positions for being a disciple are now filled.
19:09
0
Q: Hello! I am a Finnish immigrant in Texas. Why should I learn English in Texas?

user34452I'm too afraid to learn English because of the Finnish stereotypes.

Of course you should learn Texian.
Texan English is a dialect of Southern American English. Because of Texas's unique history and immigration background, it is often assumed that Texas English is unique as well. However, linguistically speaking, very few features of Texas English do not also occur elsewhere. What makes a "Texas accent" stand apart somewhat from the rest of the South, is the "confluence of its influences". As the most extensive recent study ever undertaken on the subject puts it: "The most basic explanation of a Texas accent is that it is a Southern accent with a twist." This "twist" is the blending result of the...
 
3 hours later…
22:19
@tchrist Aww... no position left.
@CowperKettle Oh, what about this stereotypical?
o_O
22:38
0
A: What's "A Slave" in "12 Years A Slave"?

JavaLatteThree points have been raised about this text: it's not a complete sentence the word order seems unusual there appears to be two nouns but no prepositions. The fact that it's not a complete sentence is irrelevant: this is normal for titles of films and books. There are many examples of comple...

Another wrong answer (/¯◡ ‿ ◡)/¯ ~ ┻━┻
22:49
2
Q: "Buried alive", "burned alive"

오준수 He is buried alive or He is burned alive. Is the word "alive" an adjective? In such a case, it's more likely an adverb.

Both answers are close but not quite.
I think it's better explained here: linguistics.stackexchange.com/questions/8448/…
Because they are more or less correct, but not quite, it's difficult to touch (or make them more "correct").
@PhMgBr It's not really wrong, but I think it doesn't answer the question ("What is 'it'?").
Yeah, it really goes to irrelevant details

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