word choice - I use to, or I used to - English Language Usage . . . As reported by the NOAD in a note about the usage of used: There is sometimes confusion over whether to use the form used to or use to, which has arisen largely because the pronunciation is the same in both cases Except in negatives and questions, the correct form is used to: we used to go to the movies all the time (not we use to go to the movies) However, in negatives and questions using
prefixes - When is the prefix non- used vs un-? - English Language . . . "Un-" is defined as "a prefix meaning 'not,' freely used as an English formative, giving negative or opposite force in adjectives and their derivative adverbs and nouns and less freely used in certain other nouns " "Non-" is defined as "a prefix meaning 'not,' freely used as an English formative, usually with a simple negative force as implying mere negation or absence of something (rather
Plural of roof? - English Language Usage Stack Exchange Am only 63 but rooves was the plural of roof just like sheep is the plural of sheep etc Am not finding the new language of the younger generation true Where are the teachers of spelling and grammar?
etymology - What is the story behind the word . . . Sesquipedalian means having many syllables, and you'll probably know what phobia means Thus, "sesquipedaliophobia" is an irrational fear of words with many syllables The prefixes "hippopoto-" and "monstro-", as you might guess, are not there to add anything in terms of meaning, in fact they are rather nonsensical Their only purpose is to make the word longer, in a witty and cruel, sarcastic
grammaticality - Is Thanks a ton a commonly used phrase? - English . . . The commonly used expression, in AmE, is thanks a million I think thanks a ton has derived from the same expression and eventually found its way to the mainstream I can't find anything for thanks a ton in NOAD, but see an entry for thanks a million Furthermore, I can't find the same expression registered in OED, which makes it chiefly American