Cast Your Vote
Ask About English Ask About English
to 75557@stomp.com.sg. A language expert from the Ministry of
Education will answer your questions.
“Alternative route to Marina Square” or “alternate route to Marina Square”?
An “alternative” is something you can choose or have instead of something else. Therefore, “alternative route” is correct.
"Alternate" in American English is used to denote something that is different from the usual. So you may find "alternate" route being used in some writing.
Source: Edited from "English As It is Broken" on STOMP. Visit www.stomp.com.sg for more.
I stay in a/an HDB apartment?
Generally, when we say it, it would be "an" because of the silent H.
However, when it is written, the abbreviation actually stands for Housing and Development Board apartment, hence, we can use "a" as well.
I would not want to be prescriptive for the written form and say it must only be "an" and not "a" because of the silent "H".
Also, note that it should be "I live in an HDB apartment." ‘Stay’ is temporary as in “I’m staying at the hotel at Changi Village”.
Source: Edited from "English As It is Broken" on STOMP. Visit www.stomp.com.sg for more.
Should I say “If I were a billionaire” or “If I was a billionaire” in instances like these when talking about unreal/hypothetical situations?
There are also instances when we say "If I am a billionaire..."
Which is preferred: was, were or am?
All are possible. But note how they are used as follows:
“If I were” is more formal than “If I was”. However, you can use them interchangeably.
We would use "was/were" with "if" when we are talking about unreal situations – to distance our language from reality.
The use of the “am/is/are" with "if" is possible only with reference to circumstances which are probable and likely to happen.
Source: Edited from "English As It is Broken" on STOMP. Visit www.stomp.com.sg for more.
"Everyone wants to change the world but no one wants to change themselves."
Should it be "themselves" or "himself"?
It should be “himself” because “no one” is singular.
Source: Edited from "English As It is Broken" on STOMP. Visit www.stomp.com.sg for more.
Should I say “in” a meeting or “at” a meeting? Should it be “report to” or “report at”?
I am in/at a meeting. Both are possible.
Please report to Mr Ang (person) at ten tonight (time).
Please report to Mr Ang at the club (place).
Source: Edited from "English As It is Broken" on STOMP. Visit www.stomp.com.sg for more.
