Non-native speakers often get confused about what the tenses in English mean. With input from some of the folk here I've put together a diagram that I hope will provide some clarity on the matter.
I offer it as the first answer to this question. Consider it a living document. Input is welcome, ...
@RegDwight Technically, only 3 have been spotted (I almost fell right on a poor one on the way down the stairs, didn't see the critter), but it's generally a sign that so many seen in so short a time means more.
@RegDwight Wow, Pacerier's running a number on English as well?
> Maybe the least offensive thing to do would be to not chastise people (yourself or otherwise) on the basis of their perceived mental adeptness. Sugarcoating an offensive idea doesn't make the idea of it less offensive. – nohat♦ Aug 12 '10 at 23:02
@GraceNote In hot countries, maybe yes, they do venture inside in search of moisture. But in temperate regions you can usually bet safely they are not alone.
@RegDwight I'm asking the other moderators about their experience to see if they can give some advice - Pacerier has been bothersome elsewhere as well.
My next vocabulary question will be "Is there a term for a black, left-handed, gay a capella group?" And the only answer I will accept will be: "Yes. It's called a vocal minority."
My next vocabulary question will be "Is there a term for a black, left-handed, gay a capella group?" And the only answer I will accept will be: "Yes. It's called a vocal minority."
All right, I'm out. I just wanted to know the single-word response for a "black, left-handed, gay a capella group" since I did (show/madrigal) choir for years and years.
@AarthiDevanathanΨ — You may feel free to quote me. But if you use the name in an actual a capella group, I will need some royalties, I think. Or at least comp tickets for the performances.
See context below:
Bloomberg is well known for his malapropisms and mispronunciations:
he's introduced former Yankee manager Joe Torre as "Joe Torres," waxed
rhapsodic about the famous singing duo "Simon and Garfinkle," and
referred to Shania Twain as "Shun-agua Twain" and Tim McGraw as...
The wax in the phrase "wax philosophical" is a pretty strange bird. Its wax is obviously not the ordinary definition of wax, which my dictionary summarizes as an "oily, water-resistant substance", a definition which also serves as a fair summary of other, closely related "waxes", as in earwax or...
What is the semantic difference between apostrophe and single quote?
I see people use both of them interchangeably, but we people never create two words to denote one concept. There should be a difference.
@JSBangs Seriously though, I think he must mean "Why are there two names for the same punctuation mark?" In other words, it would be like calling the letter A "A" and "Rufus."
@JSBangs — My Hebrew vocabulary is limited to a very few words: shalom aleichem, bris, mitzvah, mezuzzah, yarmulke ... plus holidays and various foods.
@Robusto i am always secretly speaking hebrew, or else the secret Enochian tongue that infidels cannot be allowed to hear. i just translate it to English when i type
what's a polite word to mean fucker?
See context below:
Bloomberg is well known for his malapropisms and mispronunciations:
he's introduced former Yankee manager Joe Torre as "Joe Torres," waxed
rhapsodic about the famous singing duo "Simon and Garfinkle," and
referred to Shania Twain as "Shun-agua Twain" and Tim McGraw as...
What is the semantic difference between apostrophe and single quote?
I see people use both of them interchangeably, but we people never create two words to denote one concept. There should be a difference.
English Language & Usage: Multi-Layer…
English Language & Usage: Multi-Layer…