CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - June 10, 2007

Monday
What is the difference between "already" and "all ready"?
“Already” is an adverb and means “by then” or “by now”.
She had already sung her aria by the time we arrived at the theatre.
“All ready” means prepared or set and is two words.
We were all ready to leave but could not find our keys.

Tuesday
"I like them peaches".
"I like those peaches"
“Those” is a pronominal adjective and “them” cannot be substituted for it.

Wednesday
"Have you made up your mind who to vote for?"
"Have you made up your mind for whom you will vote?"
The correction may sound pretentious but it is correct. “Whom” must be objective case and a sentence cannot be ended in a preposition.

"I shoulda took that book back to the library yesterday."
"I should’ve taken book back to the library yesterday."
This one was not contrived; it was actually spoken by a person I know. “Shoulda” is a result of poor articulation and “took” cannot be used after “should have”. The present participle form must be used.

Thursday
"Less bird watchers means big dip in local tourist dollars."
"Fewer bird watchers means big dip in local tourist dollars."
“Less” cannot be used with objects that can be counted one by one. This was a headline, so it can be more cryptic.

Friday
"That's a favourite of Diane Chamberlain's."
"That's a favourite of Diane Chamberlain."
“Of” implies possession so making “Chamberlain” possessive is redundant.

"There are a number of fundraising events planned."
"There is a number of fundraising events planned."
“Number” is a collective singular noun and must have a singular verb.

TODAY'S WORDS

“Cacophony” (n.) means a harsh sound or noise.The cacophony of the children’s band as it warmed up was ear-splitting.

"Excoriate" (v.) means to strip skin from, flay or censure.It is reputed that Dr. Mengele would excoriate his victims and use their skin for lamp shades.

"Frenetic" (adj.) means frantic or frenzied.The frenetic screams of the terrified girl could be heard throughout the neighbourhood.

"Licentious" (adj.) means lewd or sensually unbridled.Much of today’s rapper music is licentious and chauvinistic.

"Ignoramus" (n.) means a person who is ignorant, is unlearned or is destitute of knowledge. The effete snob thought the cowboy was a complete ignoramus because of his lack of knowledge about Shakespeare.