Discussion Groups / English Usage / November 2006

Is it correct to use quotation marks to highlight a word that is used
as a figure of speech? For example, the word "frozen" when used to
describe hesitation. I have read that quotation marks should only be
used for quotations, and not for highlighting figures of speech or any

Now I major in English in colleage. I'm interested in the courses about
English teaching, because I want to be an English teacher in the
future. What can I read or prepare to accumulate my knowledge for the
future?

When someone says,
"a calorie is a calorie is a calorie"
what is he or she trying to say?
Is it just an emphasizing the fact that a calorie is a calorie?

Maybe it's because I went to school in England, but when Google Groups
tells me that my message will appear 'momentarily' I experience a
brief, or even momentary frisson of fear that my post will only be
visible for an instant. After all that typing! Similarly, I feel

When a film is produced, for example in America, his DVD should come with
american english audio track, right?
Now, I wonder what happens for example in England when we buy this DVD. We
find the original american audio track,

Is this natural these days: "fell down her area?"
I'd have expected "_in_ her area."
I mean, I know one can "fall down something (stairs, etc)" but fall
down an AREA?"

I'm looking for an expression which probably contains the word "tail".
It is used to describe the situation in which a person relies on
another to obtain a position, etc., like an instance of nepotism. What
is it?

I have to admit to having been unfamiliar with the work of August
Wilson.  Yesterday we saw a performance of "Ma Rainey's Black
Bottom" at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.  It's a tribute
to the quality of the largely British cast that the presence of Huggy

In the beginning of my ventures, I came to realize
how important it is to have good copywriting that will
make your website sell.
I have seen many websites come and go, however I found

Joe Sestak, a former Navy vice admiral who won a Republican House seat
in Pennsylvania, said: "I honestly believe this nation in its vote
has said: 'What are we doing in Iraq? We can't stay there.' I
think they are rightfully leading the leaders to say, 'Set a date;

Unleash The Real Joker in You ...
Score big at your next gathering,
cocktail or sales appointment with politically-correct jokes.
http://poke-a-joke.blogspot.com/

I want to clarify the definition of 'single' in the US. Do we call a
person who is not married but with relationship as 'single'? If not,
what do we call on that?
please advice. thanks...

"I'll miss a friend who will go away.  It is not because he always
makes us laugh, but because he always makes us feel good about
ourselves."
Here what does "feel good about ourselves" mean?

Is there a web site with recordings of the different regional accents
found in Britain?

How to improve a person's grammar ability in a short time?
Please give some advise !
Thank you.