Do It Today!
Read Lynn Johnston's Comic Strip For Better or For Worse in today's newspapers. It illustrates exactly the mandate of this blog.
Bravo for Lynn!
Bravo # 2
Another pat on the back goes to the Anonymous commentor who correctly identified and explained the error in yesterday's posting.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
A Common Slip (pun intended)
TERRIBLE TOP TEN
A List of Very Annoying Language Misuses
NUMBER 6
The child was not paying attention and fell off of the swing.
NUMBER 7
"The fact that she's a young person makes it that much more unique."
Star News Services, The Windsor Star, Thursday April 19, 2007
NUMBER 8
I am going to run across that busy street irregardless of the consequences.
NUMBER 9
I am extremely flattered; I don't hardly know what to say.
NUMBER 10
Yous are going to think this is hilarious, but it is really pathetic.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for the day is superfluous.
Define the word and use it in a sentence.
A List of Very Annoying Language Misuses
NUMBER 6
The child was not paying attention and fell off of the swing.
NUMBER 7
"The fact that she's a young person makes it that much more unique."
Star News Services, The Windsor Star, Thursday April 19, 2007
NUMBER 8
I am going to run across that busy street irregardless of the consequences.
NUMBER 9
I am extremely flattered; I don't hardly know what to say.
NUMBER 10
Yous are going to think this is hilarious, but it is really pathetic.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for the day is superfluous.
Define the word and use it in a sentence.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
CHECK THIS ONE!
TERRIBLE TOP TEN
A List of Very Annoying Language Misuses
NUMBER 7
"The fact that she's a young person makes it that much more unique."
Star News Services, The Windsor Star, Thursday April 19, 2007
NUMBER 8
I am going to run across that busy street irregardless of the consequences.
NUMBER 9
I am extremely flattered; I don't hardly know what to say.
NUMBER 10
Yous are going to think this is hilarious, but it is really pathetic.
A PUNCTUATION QUESTION
This question was sent to me yesterday: "Is there an improper use of the semi-colon?"
The semicolon can be used with two related sentences where there is no conjunction and where a comma would be grammatically incorrect: I love that girl; her name is Betsy.
Generally, a semicolon can be used in place of a conjunction but using a semicolon between unrelated sentences would be an incorrect usage. So too, it cannot be used in place of a colon.
A List of Very Annoying Language Misuses
NUMBER 7
"The fact that she's a young person makes it that much more unique."
Star News Services, The Windsor Star, Thursday April 19, 2007
NUMBER 8
I am going to run across that busy street irregardless of the consequences.
NUMBER 9
I am extremely flattered; I don't hardly know what to say.
NUMBER 10
Yous are going to think this is hilarious, but it is really pathetic.
A PUNCTUATION QUESTION
This question was sent to me yesterday: "Is there an improper use of the semi-colon?"
The semicolon can be used with two related sentences where there is no conjunction and where a comma would be grammatically incorrect: I love that girl; her name is Betsy.
Generally, a semicolon can be used in place of a conjunction but using a semicolon between unrelated sentences would be an incorrect usage. So too, it cannot be used in place of a colon.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Congratulations, but...
A Silver Star is awarded to those who were able to identify an error in yesterday's post, "The family of nine that lived there were out of town."
But, nobody, as yet, has earned a Gold Star by identifying the second error. Some may challenge that there is no other error; but we are striving for perfection. Actually, there is a hint of the error in my first sentence above. So...
TODAY'S WORD
Today's word is fastidious.
Define the word and use it in a sentence.
TERRIBLE TOP TEN
A List of Very Annoying Language Misuse
NUMBER 8
I am going to run across that busy street irregardless of the consequences.
NUMBER 9
I am extremely flattered; I don't hardly know what to say.
NUMBER 10
Yous are going to think this is hilarious, but it is really pathetic.
But, nobody, as yet, has earned a Gold Star by identifying the second error. Some may challenge that there is no other error; but we are striving for perfection. Actually, there is a hint of the error in my first sentence above. So...
TODAY'S WORD
Today's word is fastidious.
Define the word and use it in a sentence.
TERRIBLE TOP TEN
A List of Very Annoying Language Misuse
NUMBER 8
I am going to run across that busy street irregardless of the consequences.
NUMBER 9
I am extremely flattered; I don't hardly know what to say.
NUMBER 10
Yous are going to think this is hilarious, but it is really pathetic.
Monday, April 16, 2007
TUESDAY TESTERS
A TV DOUBLE DOSE
"The family of nine that lived there were out of town."
Jim Crichton, A Channel News Report (6 pm), Monday, April 16, 2007.
Identify the errors in the sentence above. You must be able to prove your corrections.
TERRIBLE TOP TEN
Today, I continue the Top Ten List of the common misuses of the English language.
NUMBER 9
I am extremely flattered; I don't hardly know what to say.
NUMBER 10
Yous are going to think this is hilarious, but it is really pathetic.
"The family of nine that lived there were out of town."
Jim Crichton, A Channel News Report (6 pm), Monday, April 16, 2007.
Identify the errors in the sentence above. You must be able to prove your corrections.
TERRIBLE TOP TEN
Today, I continue the Top Ten List of the common misuses of the English language.
NUMBER 9
I am extremely flattered; I don't hardly know what to say.
NUMBER 10
Yous are going to think this is hilarious, but it is really pathetic.
TERRIBLE TOP TEN
Today, I begin a list of what I consider to be the worst, but unfortunately, extremely common, misuses of the English language.
If you would like to make an offering, please let me know.
NUMBER 10
Yous are going to think this is hilarious, but it is really pathetic.
TODAY'S WORD
Today's word is inexorable.
Define the word and use it in a sentence.
If you would like to make an offering, please let me know.
NUMBER 10
Yous are going to think this is hilarious, but it is really pathetic.
TODAY'S WORD
Today's word is inexorable.
Define the word and use it in a sentence.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
The Week in Review
This Week’s Explanations
Saturday’s Entry
The words below are very often misused. Which word would be more appropriate in each of the following sentences? Why?
Anxious/Eager
I was (anxious,eager) to hear the outcome of the game.
I was eager to hear the outcome of the game.
I was (anxious,eager) to hear the outcome of my EKG test.
I was anxious to hear the outcome of my EKG test.
Anxious is from the word “anxiety” and denotes uneasiness or a troubled state of mind. Eager means keen or ardent and does not suggest anxiety. Context dictates the word to be used.
Amount/Number
The (amount, number) of people attending the concert was staggering.
The number of people attending the concert was staggering.
The (amount, number) of food he ate at one sitting was astounding.
The amount of food he ate at one sitting was astounding.
I was amazed at the (amount, number) of kids playing on the new equipment.
I was amazed at the number of kids playing on the new equipment.
“Amount” denotes quantity, aggregate or total numbers. “Number” refers to a count in which units are considered as individuals.
SUGGESTION FOR THE DAY
Try to go through an entire day without using any form of the word "GOT".
“Got”is so overused and misused. A question such as, ‘How many toes you got?’ really is offensive. The easiest way to correct this is to not use the word.
Friday’s Entry - Three Errors
It's time for a Cougar reunion. A Centennial secondary school reunion, that is. Its been four years since the last big party for students who went to the South Windsor school which closed in 1986 and was reopened as Holy Names.
It's time for a Cougar reunion, a Centennial Secondary School reunion, that is. It has been four years since the last big party for students who went to the South Windsor school which closed in 1986 and was reopened as Holy Names.
Centennial Secondary School is a proper name or title and all words should be capitalized.
“A Centennial...that is.” is an incomplete sentence.
“Its” should be “it has”.
Today's Word
Invective (n.) means vehement denunciation, violent censure or reproach.
Many commentators spoke of Don Imus with tremendous invective this past week.
Thursday’s Entry
"It's been at the museum for the past 27 years, loaned by its late owner, Lakeshore resident Ted Dudley."
"It has been at the museum for the past 27 years, lent by its late owner, Lakeshore resident Ted Dudley."
“It’s” means “it is” and should be “It has”.
“Loan” is a noun and is not interchangeable with “lend”, a verb. I lend money to someone. I obtain a loan at my local bank, if the rate is low enough.
Today's Word
Mellifluous (adj.) means sweetly or smoothly flowing.
The accomplished orator captivated his audience with his mellifluous voice.
Wednesday’s Entry
Today's Words
Penurious (adj.) means stingy, parsimonious or cheap.
The penurious man would not buy a new pair of pants because he thought they were too expensive.
Onomatopoeia (n.) means the association of the sound of the word with its meaning.
The roomer was anxious about his safety when he heard the screeching hissing of the old radiator.
Tuesday’s Entry
"A mature student who swims three times a week to stay in shape, Poisson, 42, said he's been complaining to security and maintenance staff since shortly after his arrival, but nothing has been done."
A mature student who swims three times a week to stay in shape, Poisson, 42, said he has been complaining to security and maintenance staff since shortly after his arrival, but nothing has been done.
The contraction “he’s” means “he is; it should be “he has”.
Today's Word
Mendacious (adj.) Means false, untrue, untrue.
The detractor’s mendacious comments were cruel and destroyed the teen’s reputation.
Monday’s Entry
"There are a variety of colours to choose from."
"There is a variety of colours from which to choose."
The subject (there) and the verb (is) must agree. “Colours” is not the subject.
Today's Word
Conflagration (n.) means a large and destructive fire.
Read Poe’s “The Black Cat” to see the word in use.
Saturday’s Entry
The words below are very often misused. Which word would be more appropriate in each of the following sentences? Why?
Anxious/Eager
I was (anxious,eager) to hear the outcome of the game.
I was eager to hear the outcome of the game.
I was (anxious,eager) to hear the outcome of my EKG test.
I was anxious to hear the outcome of my EKG test.
Anxious is from the word “anxiety” and denotes uneasiness or a troubled state of mind. Eager means keen or ardent and does not suggest anxiety. Context dictates the word to be used.
Amount/Number
The (amount, number) of people attending the concert was staggering.
The number of people attending the concert was staggering.
The (amount, number) of food he ate at one sitting was astounding.
The amount of food he ate at one sitting was astounding.
I was amazed at the (amount, number) of kids playing on the new equipment.
I was amazed at the number of kids playing on the new equipment.
“Amount” denotes quantity, aggregate or total numbers. “Number” refers to a count in which units are considered as individuals.
SUGGESTION FOR THE DAY
Try to go through an entire day without using any form of the word "GOT".
“Got”is so overused and misused. A question such as, ‘How many toes you got?’ really is offensive. The easiest way to correct this is to not use the word.
Friday’s Entry - Three Errors
It's time for a Cougar reunion. A Centennial secondary school reunion, that is. Its been four years since the last big party for students who went to the South Windsor school which closed in 1986 and was reopened as Holy Names.
It's time for a Cougar reunion, a Centennial Secondary School reunion, that is. It has been four years since the last big party for students who went to the South Windsor school which closed in 1986 and was reopened as Holy Names.
Centennial Secondary School is a proper name or title and all words should be capitalized.
“A Centennial...that is.” is an incomplete sentence.
“Its” should be “it has”.
Today's Word
Invective (n.) means vehement denunciation, violent censure or reproach.
Many commentators spoke of Don Imus with tremendous invective this past week.
Thursday’s Entry
"It's been at the museum for the past 27 years, loaned by its late owner, Lakeshore resident Ted Dudley."
"It has been at the museum for the past 27 years, lent by its late owner, Lakeshore resident Ted Dudley."
“It’s” means “it is” and should be “It has”.
“Loan” is a noun and is not interchangeable with “lend”, a verb. I lend money to someone. I obtain a loan at my local bank, if the rate is low enough.
Today's Word
Mellifluous (adj.) means sweetly or smoothly flowing.
The accomplished orator captivated his audience with his mellifluous voice.
Wednesday’s Entry
Today's Words
Penurious (adj.) means stingy, parsimonious or cheap.
The penurious man would not buy a new pair of pants because he thought they were too expensive.
Onomatopoeia (n.) means the association of the sound of the word with its meaning.
The roomer was anxious about his safety when he heard the screeching hissing of the old radiator.
Tuesday’s Entry
"A mature student who swims three times a week to stay in shape, Poisson, 42, said he's been complaining to security and maintenance staff since shortly after his arrival, but nothing has been done."
A mature student who swims three times a week to stay in shape, Poisson, 42, said he has been complaining to security and maintenance staff since shortly after his arrival, but nothing has been done.
The contraction “he’s” means “he is; it should be “he has”.
Today's Word
Mendacious (adj.) Means false, untrue, untrue.
The detractor’s mendacious comments were cruel and destroyed the teen’s reputation.
Monday’s Entry
"There are a variety of colours to choose from."
"There is a variety of colours from which to choose."
The subject (there) and the verb (is) must agree. “Colours” is not the subject.
Today's Word
Conflagration (n.) means a large and destructive fire.
Read Poe’s “The Black Cat” to see the word in use.
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