FYI
If this blog piques your interest, please tell a friend or twelve about it.
Feel free to make suggestions to post. I am always trying to find new, fun material.
If you have the inclination, read the various comments posted, especially those that offer corrections. The corrections are not always correct and they present, in themselves, some new challenges.
Corrections and Explanations will be published Sunday.
A GOOD STEP
Congratulations to the Windsor Star writers. There were no errors in the stories I read today. Bravo! Now, we go to Act II.
A SIMPLE TEST
Correct the errors, if there are any, in the sentences below.
I should have went to the store yesterday because the sale is not on today.
People are in such a hurry they don't hardly ever read newspapers any more.
Where did you get that at?
He successfully moderated the conference titled "Growing Your Business".
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "maladroit".
Define "maladroit" and use it in a sentence.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
MAKE MY DAY!
ONE STORY - MUCH FODDER
How many errors can you find in the following? What are they? (Hint: four is good; a real purist would say there are five.)
"When pigeons roost on people's roofs they pick away at the shingles, the droppings on patios or decks are incredible."
Dave Battagello, "City targets nuisance feeding", The Windsor Star, Thursday, November 8, 2007.
"People get affected when you have a neighbour literally spreading bags full of bird feed across their lawn."
Dave Battagello quoting Fulvio Valentinis in "City targets nuisance feeding", The Windsor Star, Thursday, November 8, 2007.
"But enforcement may be a problem, especially if a large number of complaints are received, according to the council report.
Dave Battagello, "City targets nuisance feeding", The Windsor Star, Thursday, November 8, 2007.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "laconic".
Define "laconic" and use it in a sentence.
How many errors can you find in the following? What are they? (Hint: four is good; a real purist would say there are five.)
"When pigeons roost on people's roofs they pick away at the shingles, the droppings on patios or decks are incredible."
Dave Battagello, "City targets nuisance feeding", The Windsor Star, Thursday, November 8, 2007.
"People get affected when you have a neighbour literally spreading bags full of bird feed across their lawn."
Dave Battagello quoting Fulvio Valentinis in "City targets nuisance feeding", The Windsor Star, Thursday, November 8, 2007.
"But enforcement may be a problem, especially if a large number of complaints are received, according to the council report.
Dave Battagello, "City targets nuisance feeding", The Windsor Star, Thursday, November 8, 2007.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "laconic".
Define "laconic" and use it in a sentence.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
COMMENT FEEDBACK
GOOD JOB
Check the comments from the last few days and you will see that people are checking my entries and finding errors. That is great; it challenges me to follow my own guidelines which I will try to do.
Just so I don't have to create a new apology every day let us say that any time I make an error it is intended to make you read more closely. That way I will always accomplish my objective.
What is really good is that people are becoming aware. Bravo!
THREE REQUESTS
PRONUNCIATION DILEMMA - ACCESSORIES
(Heard on a Radio 800 CKLW pronunciation by an anonymous commenter)
How should the word "accessories" be pronounced?
PRACTICE/PRACTISE
What is the difference between "practice" and "practise" and what is acceptable usage of these words?
LICENCE/LICENSE
What is the difference between "licence" and "license" and what is acceptable usage of these words?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "libertine".
Define "libertine" and use it in a sentence.
Check the comments from the last few days and you will see that people are checking my entries and finding errors. That is great; it challenges me to follow my own guidelines which I will try to do.
Just so I don't have to create a new apology every day let us say that any time I make an error it is intended to make you read more closely. That way I will always accomplish my objective.
What is really good is that people are becoming aware. Bravo!
THREE REQUESTS
PRONUNCIATION DILEMMA - ACCESSORIES
(Heard on a Radio 800 CKLW pronunciation by an anonymous commenter)
How should the word "accessories" be pronounced?
PRACTICE/PRACTISE
What is the difference between "practice" and "practise" and what is acceptable usage of these words?
LICENCE/LICENSE
What is the difference between "licence" and "license" and what is acceptable usage of these words?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "libertine".
Define "libertine" and use it in a sentence.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
CAMPAIGN CONTINUES
MY MISTAKE
What is fun about this blog is that you can find my mistakes as "Anonymous" did with my explanation for one error in the entry "Monday Musings". I was careless and did not think out my explanation correctly. The comment is legitimate; I was in error and I will eat some humble pie. Mea culpa!
THE USUAL
Identify and correct any errors you can find in the following:
"Surprisingly,the staffing levels at these similar-sized municipalities varies greatly, with some having twice as many staffas others."
Gary Rennie, "Municipal Mergers Costly", The Windsor Star, Tuesday, November 6, 2007.
THIS ONE IS A POSER
Some may think there is no error in the entry below. I suggest there is. What is your opinion?
"Under cross-examination by hospital lawyer Patrick Ducharme, Rose said Hotel Dieu managers had been "very reponsive" to Dupont. For example, they offered her a more secure parking spot."
Doug Schmidt, "Hospital expert condemn's Dieu's inaction", The Windsor Star, Tuesday, November 6, 2007.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "collusion".
Define "collusion" and use it in a sentence.
What is fun about this blog is that you can find my mistakes as "Anonymous" did with my explanation for one error in the entry "Monday Musings". I was careless and did not think out my explanation correctly. The comment is legitimate; I was in error and I will eat some humble pie. Mea culpa!
THE USUAL
Identify and correct any errors you can find in the following:
"Surprisingly,the staffing levels at these similar-sized municipalities varies greatly, with some having twice as many staffas others."
Gary Rennie, "Municipal Mergers Costly", The Windsor Star, Tuesday, November 6, 2007.
THIS ONE IS A POSER
Some may think there is no error in the entry below. I suggest there is. What is your opinion?
"Under cross-examination by hospital lawyer Patrick Ducharme, Rose said Hotel Dieu managers had been "very reponsive" to Dupont. For example, they offered her a more secure parking spot."
Doug Schmidt, "Hospital expert condemn's Dieu's inaction", The Windsor Star, Tuesday, November 6, 2007.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "collusion".
Define "collusion" and use it in a sentence.
Monday, November 5, 2007
LATE MONDAY ENTRY
THANKS
I thank Monica Wolfson for the article she wrote about this blog in today's Windsor Star. I appreciate the tone because it captures the essence of the blog mandate.
I also appreciate the publicity and hope it generates some interest in all of us bettering our skills in the use of the English language.
HOW SHARP ARE YOU?
Are there any errors in the following sentences? There may, or may not, be errors and you are expected to defend whichever side you choose.
"The gang of boys are abusing the rest of the children that are in the playground."
"Tom, Harold and myself are going to go skating this afternoon."
"Mary was recently named as the new Director of Personal."
"The premiere of the film occurred last night."
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "supercilious".
Define "supercilious" and use it in a sentence.
FYI
If you sent me a comment and it is not offensive, I publish it. Your comment is then inserted in the "Comment" section of the day to which it refers.
If you ask for an opinion, I will try to answer you the next day. Certainly, I will respond by the end of the week.
Thanks for your patronage and patience.
I thank Monica Wolfson for the article she wrote about this blog in today's Windsor Star. I appreciate the tone because it captures the essence of the blog mandate.
I also appreciate the publicity and hope it generates some interest in all of us bettering our skills in the use of the English language.
HOW SHARP ARE YOU?
Are there any errors in the following sentences? There may, or may not, be errors and you are expected to defend whichever side you choose.
"The gang of boys are abusing the rest of the children that are in the playground."
"Tom, Harold and myself are going to go skating this afternoon."
"Mary was recently named as the new Director of Personal."
"The premiere of the film occurred last night."
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "supercilious".
Define "supercilious" and use it in a sentence.
FYI
If you sent me a comment and it is not offensive, I publish it. Your comment is then inserted in the "Comment" section of the day to which it refers.
If you ask for an opinion, I will try to answer you the next day. Certainly, I will respond by the end of the week.
Thanks for your patronage and patience.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - November 4, 2007
Below are the corrections and explanations for last week's entries.
Monday
LOATH/LOATHE
“Loath” (adj.) is pronounced “lōth” as in “both” and means averse , reluctant or unwilling to do something.
“He was loath to take on extra duties because of his already full schedule.”
“Loathe” (v.) uses the long “th” and means to feel hatred or a physical disgust for something.
“I loathe the use of the word ‘guys’ by anyone talking to a group that has females in it.”
Tuesday
BLOND/BLONDE
“Blond” (adj.) means any person having light hair or skin. In France, it refers to males and “blonde” refers to females.
“Blonde” (adj.) refers to females of light hair or skin and should not be used when talking of males.
Wednesday
HYPOCRITICAL/HYPERCRITICAL
“Hypocritical” (adj.) means being two-faced, false, insincere or devious.
“Hypercritical” (adj.) means being overly critical, or judging too severely.
Thursday
EXOTERIC/ESOTERIC
“Exoteric” (adj.) means suitable for the general public or accessible.
“Esoteric” (Adj.) means confined or limited to only a few or understood only by a select group.
Friday
BLATANT/FLAGRANT
“Blatant” (adj.) means an open disregard for, conspicuous, or without any attempt at concealment
“Flagrant”(adj.) means conspicuously bad, detestable, obscene, offensive or reprehensible.
THIS WEEK’S WORDS
“Threnody" (n.) is a song or hymn of mourning, a memorial to the dead.
“The funeral mass had a threnody that brought tears to the eyes of the mourners.”
“Expiation" (n.) means to make amends or to atone for sin or wrongdoing.
Other forms of the word are “expiate” (v.) and “expiatory” (adj.).
“The contrite thief made atonement for his wrongs by putting many hours of help for the poor.”
"Histrionic" (adj.) means melodramatic or showy in attitude or gesture as in affected stage performances.
"The orator was booed by the audience for his histrionic gesturing and ranting.”
“Egregious" (adj.) refers to a flagrant violation of human rights, offensive or repugnant.
“The egregious politician openly flaunted his willingness to listen to any lobbyist who had money.”
"Harlequin" (n.) is a clown or buffoon. It is a character taken, originally, from old Italian comedy who dressed in motley who was droll and carried a wooden sword or wand.
“Commedia dell‘arte uses many stock characters in its improvisational works, one of which is the buffoon, Harlequin.”
Monday
LOATH/LOATHE
“Loath” (adj.) is pronounced “lōth” as in “both” and means averse , reluctant or unwilling to do something.
“He was loath to take on extra duties because of his already full schedule.”
“Loathe” (v.) uses the long “th” and means to feel hatred or a physical disgust for something.
“I loathe the use of the word ‘guys’ by anyone talking to a group that has females in it.”
Tuesday
BLOND/BLONDE
“Blond” (adj.) means any person having light hair or skin. In France, it refers to males and “blonde” refers to females.
“Blonde” (adj.) refers to females of light hair or skin and should not be used when talking of males.
Wednesday
HYPOCRITICAL/HYPERCRITICAL
“Hypocritical” (adj.) means being two-faced, false, insincere or devious.
“Hypercritical” (adj.) means being overly critical, or judging too severely.
Thursday
EXOTERIC/ESOTERIC
“Exoteric” (adj.) means suitable for the general public or accessible.
“Esoteric” (Adj.) means confined or limited to only a few or understood only by a select group.
Friday
BLATANT/FLAGRANT
“Blatant” (adj.) means an open disregard for, conspicuous, or without any attempt at concealment
“Flagrant”(adj.) means conspicuously bad, detestable, obscene, offensive or reprehensible.
THIS WEEK’S WORDS
“Threnody" (n.) is a song or hymn of mourning, a memorial to the dead.
“The funeral mass had a threnody that brought tears to the eyes of the mourners.”
“Expiation" (n.) means to make amends or to atone for sin or wrongdoing.
Other forms of the word are “expiate” (v.) and “expiatory” (adj.).
“The contrite thief made atonement for his wrongs by putting many hours of help for the poor.”
"Histrionic" (adj.) means melodramatic or showy in attitude or gesture as in affected stage performances.
"The orator was booed by the audience for his histrionic gesturing and ranting.”
“Egregious" (adj.) refers to a flagrant violation of human rights, offensive or repugnant.
“The egregious politician openly flaunted his willingness to listen to any lobbyist who had money.”
"Harlequin" (n.) is a clown or buffoon. It is a character taken, originally, from old Italian comedy who dressed in motley who was droll and carried a wooden sword or wand.
“Commedia dell‘arte uses many stock characters in its improvisational works, one of which is the buffoon, Harlequin.”
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