Friday, September 14, 2007

BE CAREFUL - BE SHARP

PERVERSE/PERVERTED

Define and use in sentences the words "perverse" and "perverted".
You may not make any reference to sex in your definitions.

WORD OF THE DAY

Today's word is "germane".
Define "germane" and use it in your speech today.

CORRECTIONS AND EXPLANATIONS

Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday morning.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

SOMETHING TRICKY

COPYWRITE/COPYRIGHT

What is the difference between "copywrite" and "copyright"?
What common errors occur with these words?

TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "expiate".
Define "expiate" and use it in your speaking today.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

MY NEW CAMPAIGN

PRONUNCIATION/ENUNCIATION

Explain the difference between "pronunciation" and "enunciation".
Cite examples to illustrate your explanation.

TODAY'S WORD

Today's word is "obviate".

Define "obviate" and use it in a sentence.

WORDS I HATE

I detest the expression, "Guys", especially when used to indicate a mixed-sex group of people. This expression is very often used by hosts, hostesses, waiters and waitresses in restaurants.
I have started a campaign to eliminate the use of "Guys" in restaurants. So far, I have had very good results in Boston Pizza and Tony Roma's in Windsor. Congratulations to them for responding to my complaints. They are both awarded Gold Stars.
Who will be next to earn a Gold Star for good English usage?

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

TUESDAY TESTERS

TV NEWS ITEMS

I suggest there are errors in the following entries. How many? Find them. Explain your choices.

"As a first time candidate herself, Robinson admits it'll be a tough campaign but she's confident both her and the PCs will raise issues on the border and education."
John Lewis, A Channel News, 6 pm, Monday, September 10, 2007.

"Tomorrow, we'll profile the ridings of Windsor West, also Essex."
Jim Crichton, A Channel News, 6 pm, Monday, September 10, 2007.

TODAY'S WORD

Today's word is "miscreant".
Define "miscreant" and use it in a sentence.

Monday, September 10, 2007

FUN MONDAY CHALLENGE

TORTUOUS/TORTUROUS/TORTURED

Define and explain the differences in the words "tortuous", "torturous" and "tortured".

TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "libidinous".
Define "libidinous" and use it in a sentence.
What is the root word of "libidinous"?

Sunday, September 9, 2007

CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - September 9, 2007

Tuesday

INCREDULOUS/INCREDIBLE

"Incredulous" (adj.) indicates disbelief or scepticism.
I was incredulous when told that people still believed that the world was flat.

"Incredible" (adj.) means not believable, too extraordinary to be possible.
The magician performed incredible feats of card wizardry.

Wednesday

Can you find both errors below?

"There is not many people that I would allow to do that to me."

Correction:
"There are not many people whom I would allow to do that to me."

“People” is a plural noun and needs the plural verb “are”.
One cannot refer to people as “that”; a personal pronoun, “whom”, must be used when referring to people. It must be “whom” because it is objective case.


Thursday

ALTOGETHER/ALL TOGETHER

“Altogether" (adv.) means completely or entirely.
She was altogether overwhelmed by the applause for her performance.

“All together" is a phrase meaning “in a group”.
The White Sox fans were all together in their booing of the Tiger player hitting a home run.

Friday

PREDOMINANT/PREDOMINATE

“Predominant" is an adjective meaning prevailing, having dominance or influence.
The predominant colour in Poe’s story was blood red.

“Predominate" is a verb meaning to be the stronger element or to exert control.
I will be tested but I will eventually predominate.

WORDS I LIKE

“Paucity" (n.) means scantiness, fewness or smallness of quantity.
There was a paucity of common sense in the bigot’s ranting.

“Recidivism" (n.) means a repeated or habitual relapse into crime or antisocial behaviour.
Recidivism accounts for a good percentage of the prisoners in penitentiaries.

“Pejorative" (adj.) means depreciative, having a disparaging force or to make worse.
Rush Limbaugh utters nothing but pejorative comments about democrats.

“Ephemeral" (adj.) means short-lived, transitory or lasting but a short time.
Paris Hilton’s fame is as ephemeral as her beauty.

PHRASES I LOATHE

The following needs no explanation other than it reflects the retardation level of the user:

"Whatever...!"