In a comment, Azadeh said:
Today I have been sluggish which is strange for the middle day of the week and alongside all the things in my to-do list.
Which was shortly followed by this comment from Hassan:
Shouldn’t it be “on my to-do list”?
To which I answered:
What can I say… what can I say… I’ll post an explanation soon…
Well, it took a long time but here is the explanation:
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Pejman, it’s a real nightmare! But a funny one.
I have enjoyed your article.
jp
Glad you liked it.
Yes, the haphazard way in which languages evolve and language variations can be a pain in the neck.
What words in this comment mean the following?
– happening or done in a way that is not planned or organized
– very annoying
– happening or done in a way that is not planned or organized :
haphazard
– very annoying :
a pain in the neck
I think a good point to consider is how such confusing issues are marked in international exams.
I suppose you are well advised to play it safe in an exam.
As explained above, I would go for:
Be on the list.
Put on the list.
Add to the list.
Included in the list.
What expression in this comment means the following?
– Not take any risks
I think the expression for “not take any risks” is:
To play safe
I think you’re right Pejmân about our priorities for the day. But, it’s often difficult to keep up with a to-do-list when we are disturbed by the phone, our colleagues or our boss who always asks for work and work, more than our plan. But now, if I didn’t finish the work of my list, I try to stop working and I add it on another list… for the next day…
I think I should have written:
– I don’t finish the work on my list
– add to another list