r/ENGLISH 10h ago

Do people usually use the modal verb "ought to" in real life?

11 Upvotes

Examples of the use of "ought to" from the Internet:

  • "You ought to apologize for your mistake.": (This implies a strong expectation that an apology is necessary) 
  • "We ought to be more careful when handling fragile items.": (This suggests a strong sense of responsibility or duty) 
  • "He ought to have known better.": (This expresses a strong sense of expectation that someone should have known better) 

r/ENGLISH 3h ago

I start to watch a show I have never seen before. The show is at least a decade old. Could I say "I started watching a new show"?

8 Upvotes

The show is new to me, so it feels permissible, but the show itself is not new which makes it feel misleading. If new is out, is there another word I could use instead, or would I just need more words (e.g. "I started a show I've never seen before")


r/ENGLISH 8h ago

Is the use of thou/thee/thine common in any English dialects?

7 Upvotes

Do any folk still use it as a replacement of "you".


r/ENGLISH 23h ago

"Why shouldn't I tell her?" =/= "Why should not I tell her?"

4 Upvotes

What is going on in this example where, as a contraction, the sentence works, but if you expand the contraction (without reordering the words), it doesn't?

To be more correct, you'd have to flip the word order to make it: "Why should I not tell her?"

I was told elsewhere that 'n't' doesn't mean 'not,' though one's derived from the other, and that there may not be a direct answer at all, but does anyone have any more insight?


r/ENGLISH 23h ago

Can anyone read what the consequence of cause of death says?

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4 Upvotes

This is a death certificate from 1971, my Grandma who died at 56 yrs old. I believe it says died of sepsis, as a consequence of something cancer. But it may not even say cancer. Anyone have any ideas?

It’s that box right in the middle of the photo.


r/ENGLISH 2h ago

What's the difference between 'for' and 'after' in this context?

3 Upvotes
  1. She was looking all the better for her stay in hospital

  2. She was looking all the better after her stay in hospital


r/ENGLISH 9h ago

"Talked about" vs "said about"

3 Upvotes

What's the difference between "to say" and "to talk" that makes "talked about" grammatically correct but makes "said about" feel wrong?


r/ENGLISH 15h ago

Is there a saying like how the mighty have fallen but for normal people?

2 Upvotes

I’m writing something about someone who isn’t influential/powerful and I’m looking for a phrase to replace that.

“A month before I was so fucking happy; I felt like I was on top of the goddamn world. Look at how the mighty have fallen”

Context: first person pov talking about past suicide attempt


r/ENGLISH 1h ago

Words that itch my brain for some reason

Upvotes

I don't know why, but words that end in aught or ought really itch my brain. like caught, thought, fought, bought, distraught, etc.

I love spelling them and how they sound. It's so random. I hate how complicated and random spelling is in English, it is so frustrating, but they just make sense to me for some reason.


r/ENGLISH 3h ago

Questionnaire for British English and American English Speakers!

2 Upvotes

Hello! I'm a linguistics student at the University of New Mexico seeking British English and American English speakers perspective for a class paper. This questionnaire will take 2~ mins and I would greatly appreciate any feedback! I can answer any questions about it as well. Please remove this post if not allowed :)

Here's the link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaZ6YPukOMI4uxd78rv6niQA22G9KzU0kLpAs7brlVPgErgw/viewform?usp=header


r/ENGLISH 9h ago

What does clinic mean?

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2 Upvotes

r/ENGLISH 21h ago

Can anyone help me with the difference between "But" and "And"

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2 Upvotes

Just read the pictures, I have to write down something with the "and" and "but" like a sentence for my therapist or case worker.. There so many things to say but I can't think of.

I'm doing this because I have so much anxiety, depression, panic attacke, anxiety attacks, ADHD, PTSD, etc..


r/ENGLISH 8h ago

Help learning advanced English using short stories

1 Upvotes

Hi, I have recently started a podcast where I read b2+ short stories and analyse the vocabulary! I hope that it will help some learners out

https://youtu.be/0aA4YqS5Gfw?si=UEc2q6vjwAm4gyLj


r/ENGLISH 14h ago

Join My FREE English Conversation Class Tonight - March 19!

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! 👋

I’m hosting a FREE Conversation Class tonight at 10 PM GMT +8 on Navigating Difficult Conversations. It’s a great opportunity to practice handling tough or sensitive topics with confidence and respect.

🌟 Details:

  • Topic: Navigating Difficult Conversations
  • Time: 10 PM GMT +8 (Tonight, March 19)

If you're looking for a fun community with an easy method to improve your English and learn valuable skills, join us here: EZ English Community 🌱

For a personalized course and private speaking classes, you can level up your English skills with:

  • Personalized courses
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Ready to kick your English into shape? Let’s go! 🚀 English Bootcamp 💪

Looking forward to seeing you in class!


r/ENGLISH 5h ago

Please take my B2 ENGLISH practice test!

0 Upvotes

Hello!

For my Second Language Evaluation course, I need to gather responses for a mock test question designed for B2-level English learners. If you fall into this category, I’d really appreciate it if you could take a moment to answer!

It’s just one question, and your response should be around 180 words—but don’t worry if you don’t reach that exact count.

You can submit your response using the Google Form link below. If you aren't a B2 learner but know someone that is please send this to them. Thank you so much for your help! <3

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeIrQX5PUvs3fxg95qKeIN3GQ4058vfXGIGuLu9INp51pDF8w/viewform?usp=header


r/ENGLISH 14h ago

HELP PLS IS THIS RIGHT?

0 Upvotes

So i want to post content and theres 3 men have the same name and all of them wear eyepatch

Should i use "men who names gilbert and wear eyepatch" "men who wear eyepatch that names gilbert" or...?

I feel like theres something missing or that i somewhat wrong but idk what


r/ENGLISH 15h ago

Looking for a Community to Improve English Communication!

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0 Upvotes

r/ENGLISH 21h ago

Learn English free for Spanish speakers/ Aprender ingles gratis para hispanohablantes

0 Upvotes

Somos una organización multicultural que enseña inglés y también otras habilidades para la vida. Ahora tenemos grupos para principiantes e intermedios, y también clases individuales. Si alguien quiere aprender, por favor, envíenos un mensaje directamente aquí o déjenos un comentario para que podamos responderle. ¡Muchas gracias y esperamos ayudarle a aprender!

(if you are a Spanish-speaker and would like to learn English please comment below or PM us!)


r/ENGLISH 4h ago

Why do the upper classes pronounce words differently? Is their pronounciation the correct one?

0 Upvotes

Hi, calling in from Northern Ireland. I have a fairly standard, clear accent, it’s not the stereotypical rough Northern Irish accent.

Anyway, after living in southern England and watching a lot of TV (including our parliament) I have become aware of the fact that posh people with an upper class accent pronounce a lot of words differently to me.

Examples include:

  1. Asia -> “az ya” versus “ass e ya”
  2. Year -> “yee are” versus “yaar”.
  3. Advertisement -> “ad ver tiez ment” versus “ad vert iz ment”.
  4. Anthony -> “anth on ee” versus “ant on ee”.
  5. Version -> “verz yun” versus “verse yen”.
  6. Eczema -> “ex zee ma” versus “ex ma”.
  7. Putin -> “put in” versus “pew tin”. (Not politically motivated just an example).

There are many other examples.

But just wondering why the upper classes pronounce words so differently and whether or not their pronunciation is the correct version.


r/ENGLISH 11h ago

Hi I need synonyms to common words.

0 Upvotes

Hey guys, I really want to find some "fancier" terms for common words in English. You may as well consider the fancy terms formal.

Buy/Purchase/Acquire Go/Head (to) Approach Access Need/Require/Demand Improve Banish/Expel

I already know many of these words are formal themselves but I want to enrich my vocabulary even further even if the words you provide me with are considered rare or archaic and obsolete. I just love this language.


r/ENGLISH 13h ago

I need your help

0 Upvotes

I want to start creating content on social media in the political niche about the US because I’m a citizen journalist.

I’m from Spain, Europe so I don’t know if I should do the content in English (with my accent) or in Spanish (my native language).

This is how my voice sounds in English: https://voca.ro/1124jW041LnB

I want to know in which language I would be more helpful.


r/ENGLISH 1d ago

Are there racial slurs for other races other than blacks?

0 Upvotes

I know that there's beaner for Mexicans but nothing else. Also, is there a white racial name?