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  1. etymology - Why is home electricity supply called "mains"?

    Jun 4, 2017 · The word "mains" seems to be a widely understood synonym for home electricity supply. Why is it called so? I always thought it was a corruption of main [electricity supply]. Is it …

  2. Is there a term for "mains power" in U.S. English?

    Apr 12, 2011 · This insinuates that "mains" is not a U.S. term, and that the alternatives are all equally imprecise. Conclusion: Americans are likely to use "grid" as a synonym for "mains", …

  3. When is "Mains" or "grid" no longer the correct electrical term?

    Sep 8, 2015 · Mains means connected to the external utility network (electricity, gas, water, sewerage etc.). So in your example, a "mains" car would have to be connected to the wall …

  4. Are both gasoline and mains gas called "gas" in the USA?

    Dec 16, 2021 · So what if somebody is talking about their gas-stove while casually mentioning their car? I've called the gas company about these outrageous gas bills, oh, and Honey, will …

  5. word choice - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

    Jan 10, 2015 · This length of pipe between the mains and the home is often called the supply line. In the US, the name for the connection between the mains and the supply line is known as the …

  6. What is the proper usage of "quite a few"?

    Oct 15, 2010 · Quite a few expresses that the speaker was impressed or astonished by the number, as they would have expected less. Or the speaker wants to emphasize on the fact …

  7. capitalization - Should it be "Happy Birthday!" or "Happy birthday ...

    I've always simply written it "Happy birthday!" but my wife recently said that "Birthday" should be capitalized as well. What's grammatically correct?

  8. "Whole" vs. "entire" - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

    Jun 15, 2020 · I wonder if there is a difference between the words "whole" and "entire". For example, the following sentences: I spent my whole life waiting for …

  9. differences - "Electronic" vs. "electric" - English Language & Usage ...

    Jun 26, 2011 · An electrician can't just hook it up to the power mains. At some point along the complexity spectrum a device ceases to be merely electric and becomes electronic. Note: I …

  10. past tense - "was called" vs. "has been called" - English Language ...

    Jul 25, 2019 · I know the basics about past tense vs present perfect tense, but I'm wondering in some situations whether the "connection to the present" (which seems to be a necessity for …