“What to do?” is a very informal way of asking “What can I do?” or “What should I do?” or “What is there to do?” It is sometimes used in headlines. It can have connotations of either boredom (if you don’t have any idea how to spend your time), orRead More →
Most people with a smartphone are at least vaguely aware of the strange turn that the word “ironically” has taken in recent years. … As sarcasm became the default mode of discourse, we needed a word to alert people when we had decided to “break character” and express our opinionsRead More →
“By whom?” is correct. “Who by?” is incorrect, though it is commonly used, especially in speech as opposed to writing. Should I use who or whom? Whom should be used to refer to the object of a verb or preposition. When in doubt, try this simple trick: If you canRead More →
You have to use “had had” if something has been done long back, not recently. But if something has been done recently, then you can use “have had” or “has had” depending on the pronoun. For example, I have had a good lunch this afternoon. He has had his bikeRead More →
Of course there are words like, ‘which way?’ meaning “what’s up” and ‘bungi’ meaning “friend” that are probably more useful when visiting Queensland, but let’s face it, they aren’t nearly as funny. For all the latest Indigenous news, features and video content at NITV like us on Facebook and Twitter.Read More →
They is not only a plural pronoun They is also a singular pronoun, and it has been for centuries. Lexicographers have determined that as far back as the 1300s, they and its related forms have been used to refer to an indefinite referent—that is, an unspecified, unknown person. Is theyRead More →
If you are heading to somewhere, you have a strong expectation of getting there promptly. If you are heading for somewhere, you are going in that route, but there is some possibility of not reaching it, or making of stops along the way. An even less definite phrase is headingRead More →
The Oxford (or serial) comma is the final comma in a list of things. For example: Please bring me a pencil, eraser, and notebook. The Oxford comma comes right after eraser. Use of the Oxford comma is stylistic, meaning that some style guides demand its use while others don’t. WhatRead More →
If you want to follow the strictest guidelines on “less” and “fewer” (which, by the way, I do), here’s the correct way to understand them: “Less” is for singular things. “Fewer” is for plural things. … You have one less item because “item,” unlike “items,” is singular. Are the wordsRead More →
Definitely not. Hardly or not at all. In no way or manner. Prepositional phrase. Under no circumstances. What does man of means by no means mean? by no manner of means definitely not: he was by no manner of means a cruel man. How do you use by any means?Read More →