Questions tagged [word-choice]
This tag should be used for questions about choosing the right words for the context of your writing. Questions about etymology and grammar are off-topic.
16 questions from the last 365 days
0
votes
0
answers
45
views
How do I describe a pain that courses through the whole body but it happens suddenly?
I'm starting to write something is just a fan fict but I hope to better my writing. English is not my mother language so when it comes to describing this exact scenario is hard for me. This is what I ...
- 1
2
votes
2
answers
71
views
Equivalent idioms for "Throw me a bone"
The phrase "throw me a bone" is now forever linked to Dr. Evil (Mike Myers). Are there any equivalent idioms or common modern slang that I can use for a comedy bit? Being literal, like "...
- 123
1
vote
1
answer
56
views
Using "poise" as standalone verb
English as second language person trying to increase vocabulary and learning to to write.
Can I use the word "poise" as verb like I used in following statement? While Dictionary defines it ...
- 111
9
votes
7
answers
4k
views
"Riiiight," he said. What synonym of said can be used here?
This the excerpt:
“I can take him,” a man standing beside the entrance interrupted. Approaching them, he continued, “I can take him there, Uncle Graham, help him find a room.”
“What are you up to ...
- 233
6
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Should I use the speaker's native language for single word exclamations?
I'm writing in English and most of the dialogue is translated to English. But the character in question is actually speaking Dutch. In the instance when they touch something hot and jerk their hand ...
- 340
2
votes
5
answers
5k
views
Is it considered vulgar to use "massive" to describe female breast size?
I’m currently working on the outlines for my main characters, and my female lead has very specific features and measurements. Breast size and buttocks shape and size has always been the most difficult ...
- 21
1
vote
1
answer
68
views
In a writing test, if the question uses British terms, but I tend to follow American style guides, should I use the American terms instead?
In a writing test where I need to report data given in a table, if the question uses British terms, but I tend to follow American style guides, should I use the equivalent American terms instead?
For ...
- 13
1
vote
2
answers
105
views
Is there a word or a phrase for faking a laugh [closed]
I want to know how to describe someone faking a laugh without having to say "faking a laugh"
- 33
2
votes
3
answers
507
views
Onomatopoeia for a noise people make when shutting someone up?
When someone wants to shut someone else up, they often make a noise that sounds kind of like "up-up-up," or "ah-ah-ah," often while putting a finger to the person's mouth. How ...
- 121
9
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How do you convey that an action is subconscious when writing in first person?
My protagonist had a traumatic experience that means she keeps her distance from men. Sometimes, if she genuinely feels in danger, all her actions will be calculated and thought-through. However, most ...
- 902
3
votes
5
answers
576
views
Is there another, more formal, word for 'ride' in this circumstance?
Imagine a man standing by the highway, asking for a ride. Not a free ride like in hitchhiking, but a paid one. Is there another term for 'ride' that would better suit the situation here?
Setting is a ...
- 233
1
vote
2
answers
299
views
How do you describe someone who's talking while brushing their teeth?
I don't think there's a specific word for that, so how would you describe it?
The scene is that someone shouts something while they're in the bathroom, brushing their teeth. It's still intelligible, ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
55
views
Is this sentence unneeded, or even detrimental?
I'm writing an essay, and I have in it this paragraph clip:
"Finally, euphemisms are constantly used in both films in order to
lessen the impact of what the American government was doing to
...
- 133
1
vote
2
answers
140
views
'Finally' in penultimate paragraph
I'm writing a professional essay for an argument, and I'm trying to find a good paragraph starter to use for the penultimate paragraph.
I'm leaning towards writing something similar to 'finally,' or '...
- 133
3
votes
2
answers
118
views
Help with writing letters!
In a story I'm writing, the two main characters write letters to each other frequently. The characters are close, and have a romantic relationship that starts midway through the story. The story takes ...
- 53
3
votes
1
answer
378
views
How to modify the title "All paths lead to hubs: the case of water isotopologues" such that it will be one statement only?
We are in the process of publishing a paper in Communications Chemistry, for which we devised the following title:
All paths lead to hubs: the case of water isotopologues
However, the editor asked ...
- 133