CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - June 17, 2007

Monday


IS THE EXAMPLE BELOW ACCEPTABLE?
"Amherstburg is a lovely small community. One of the oldest and, perhaps, the most historic in Ontario."
"Amherstburg is a lovely small community, one of the oldest and, perhaps, the most historic in Ontario."
“One of the oldest...in Ontario,” is an incomplete thought and cannot stand on its own.

Tuesday

What is the difference between "accuse" and "allege"?
“Accuse” means to blame or charge with wrong deeds.
“Allege” means to claim something that has not been proven to be true.
The shop owners accuse the boys of stealing candy.
The prosecutors, in court, allege that the boys committed a crime.

Wednesday

"Any plans for developing the land where a pair of bald eagles have built their nest are on hold for the foreseeable future, a Ministry of the Environment said Tuesday."
"Any plans for developing the land where a pair of bald eagles has built its nest are on hold for the foreseeable future, a Ministry of the Environment said Tuesday."
“Pair” is a singular collective noun and must have the singular verb “has”.

Thursday

"Lawson loaned the track $1 million and the other two each put in $500,000."
"Lawson lent the track $1 million and the other two each put in $500,000."
“Loan” is a noun and cannot be used as a verb. The past tense of “lend” is “lent” and must be used.

What is the difference between "sure" and "surely"?
“Sure” in an adjective.
“Surely” is an adverb.
I am sure that “surely” cannot be used to modify a noun because it is an adverb.
It is surely hot outside today.

THE WORDS

"Pretentious" (adj.) means ostentatious or making an outward show.
The pretentious actor pranced around the stage in a fit of pique.

"Spurious" (adj.) means counterfeit, not genuine or true.
The argument that the world is flat is spurious and completely out of date.

"Reprobate" (n., adj., v.) means an unprincipled or morally depraved or reprehensible person.
The reprobate knocked the old woman down and stole her purse.

"Axiomatic" means self-evident or aphoristic.
The right of free thought is axiomatic in a democratic society.


There was no posting last Friday.