TRIPLE HEADER
Check the following sentences and correct the errors in each.
"The westbound SUV lost control and went into the eastbound lane..."
"The Leamington couple were pronounced dead at the scene."
"The crash site is one of several sections of 401 that don't have barriers."
Sarah McGrath, "Double Fatality on 401", A-Channel News, 11 pm, Thursday, November 22, 2007.
TODAY'S POSER
Identify the author and work of the following quote. (Googling is not allowed.)
“...the law is a ass, a idiot.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "mundane".
Define "mundane" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS AND EXPLANATIONS
All corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted on Sunday.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
PROFESSIONAL CORRECTNESS
POLICY
A comment came to me yesterday criticizing some poor grammar and spelling in the "Letters to the Editor" section of The Windsor Star. The criticism was correct, but I make it a policy of this blog to never select errors from non-professionals for criticism or correction.
I do not expect The Windsor Star to correct errors in letters that the public submits. That is not the job of the editors.
I try to limit my crusade for correct English usage to newspaper writers and editors and TV copy writers and newscasters who are paid to write or deliver newscasts and reports. They are the professionals and, as such, have an obligation to be absolutely correct.
In a spirit of fairness though, I think many "Letters to the Editor writers" could do a better job proofing their own submissions.
The result, I hope, is better English usage by all.
POOR CONSTRUCTION? POETIC LICENCE?
Is there any error below? What is it?
(If you cite my spelling of "licence", read my blog entry for November 7, 2007.)
"Brace yourself Windsor. Because the worst is yet to come."
Gord Henderson, "Worst yet to come", The Windsor Star, Thursday, November 22, 2007.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "scurrilous".
Define "scurrilous" and use it in a sentence.
A comment came to me yesterday criticizing some poor grammar and spelling in the "Letters to the Editor" section of The Windsor Star. The criticism was correct, but I make it a policy of this blog to never select errors from non-professionals for criticism or correction.
I do not expect The Windsor Star to correct errors in letters that the public submits. That is not the job of the editors.
I try to limit my crusade for correct English usage to newspaper writers and editors and TV copy writers and newscasters who are paid to write or deliver newscasts and reports. They are the professionals and, as such, have an obligation to be absolutely correct.
In a spirit of fairness though, I think many "Letters to the Editor writers" could do a better job proofing their own submissions.
The result, I hope, is better English usage by all.
POOR CONSTRUCTION? POETIC LICENCE?
Is there any error below? What is it?
(If you cite my spelling of "licence", read my blog entry for November 7, 2007.)
"Brace yourself Windsor. Because the worst is yet to come."
Gord Henderson, "Worst yet to come", The Windsor Star, Thursday, November 22, 2007.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "scurrilous".
Define "scurrilous" and use it in a sentence.
EASY! EASY!
MEDIUM/MEDIA
"Medium" and "media" are overused and often misused. What is the difference between the two?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "cataclysm".
Define "cataclysm" and use it in a sentence.
TIP OF THE DAY
When defining a word, using the same word to define the word is not allowed; for example, "perturbation is the state of being perturbed," does not honestly define the word.
"Medium" and "media" are overused and often misused. What is the difference between the two?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "cataclysm".
Define "cataclysm" and use it in a sentence.
TIP OF THE DAY
When defining a word, using the same word to define the word is not allowed; for example, "perturbation is the state of being perturbed," does not honestly define the word.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
TODAY'S WINNERS ARE...
SOMETHING NEW
"Double, double, toil and trouble..."
What is the next line?
What is the source of this line? (Be specific)
DOUBLE TROUBLE
What errors occur in the lines below?
"The highest number of deaths were cancer related."
Anna Vlachos, A-Channel News, Monday, November 19, 2007, 6:07 pm.
"The biggest story on the weather front are the weather maps."
Jay Campbell, A-Channel Weather, Monday, November 19, 2007, 6:15 pm.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "perturbation".
Define "perturbation" and use it in a sentence.
(It is not a difficult word if you look at the root.)
COMMENTS
To leave a comment on this blog, click on "Comment" at the end of each entry and make your offering. Your comment will then be attached to the blog entry you are accessing. All comments that are accepted are numbered in the "Comment" section.
TO COMMENTER IAN
Check the explanation of the posting you corrected; you missed the principal error.
"Double, double, toil and trouble..."
What is the next line?
What is the source of this line? (Be specific)
DOUBLE TROUBLE
What errors occur in the lines below?
"The highest number of deaths were cancer related."
Anna Vlachos, A-Channel News, Monday, November 19, 2007, 6:07 pm.
"The biggest story on the weather front are the weather maps."
Jay Campbell, A-Channel Weather, Monday, November 19, 2007, 6:15 pm.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "perturbation".
Define "perturbation" and use it in a sentence.
(It is not a difficult word if you look at the root.)
COMMENTS
To leave a comment on this blog, click on "Comment" at the end of each entry and make your offering. Your comment will then be attached to the blog entry you are accessing. All comments that are accepted are numbered in the "Comment" section.
TO COMMENTER IAN
Check the explanation of the posting you corrected; you missed the principal error.
Monday, November 19, 2007
EASY START
FEWER/LESS
(This is a simple one that is abused far too often.)
Explain the difference between the usage of "fewer" and "less"?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "vitiate".
Define "vitiate" and use it in a sentence.
How is "vitiate" pronounced?
(This is a simple one that is abused far too often.)
Explain the difference between the usage of "fewer" and "less"?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "vitiate".
Define "vitiate" and use it in a sentence.
How is "vitiate" pronounced?
Sunday, November 18, 2007
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - November 18, 2007
Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's entries.
Monday
PALATE/PALETTE/PALLET
“Palate” is the roof of the mouth or one’s sense of taste.
“Palette” is the board on which paints are mixed or a range of colours.
“Pallet” is a bed or a flat platform for carrying loads.
Tuesday
Are there errors below? (Hint: look for two.)
"The city and trustees should review their respective positions and consider whether a compromise can be reached that would allow both of them to save a little face while saving the historic theatre. Because if this dispute goes to court while the theatre remains closed, everyone loses no matter which side wins."
In this sentence, “whether” means “regardless of whether” and must be followed by “or not” because a comparison is presented.
The clause, “Because if...side wins,” is an incomplete thought and should be reworded.
"The city and trustees should review their respective positions and consider whether or not a compromise can be reached that would allow both of them to save a little face while saving the historic theatre. If this dispute goes to court while the theatre remains closed, everyone loses no matter which side wins."
MYSTIC/MYSTIQUE
“Mystic” (n.) refers to a prophet, a religious leader or a believer and is pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable.
“Mystique" (n.) refers to a personal magnetism, a heightened aura about a person or a charisma and is pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable.
Wednesday
ORIENT/ORIENTATE
“Orient”, as a noun, means east and may be capitalized.
“Orient”, as a verb, means to give or find direction.
“Orientation” is the noun form of orient.
“Orientation”, as a verb is outdated, pompous and should not be used.
Thursday
"[We will be affected by winds] coming off of Lake Michigan and off of Lake Huron."
“Off of” is never acceptable. Both words are prepositions which are words that begin phrases such as “off the wall” or “of the brain”. Phrases are not begun with two prepositions together.
"[We will be affected by winds] coming off Lake Michigan and off Lake Huron."
Friday
PRONUNCIATION
The indefinite article “a” is pronounced as in the word “act”. “A”, as in “hayseed”, is incorrect or, at best, regional.
“An” is used in front of words beginning with vowels.
The definite article “the” is not the pronoun “thee”. The closest word I can use to indicate pronunciation is the vowel in “up”. Any other pronunciation suggestions will be considered.
THE WEEKLY WORDS
“Panegyric" (n.) means paean or eulogy or song of praise.
“Elucidation" (n.) is a clarifying interpretation or elimination of ambiguity.
“Elucidate” is the verb form.
“Nexus" (n.) is a tie or link or means of connection.
“Recumbent" (adj.) means lying in a comfortable position or reclining.
“Asperity" (n.) means grimness, harshness or rigourous.
Monday
PALATE/PALETTE/PALLET
“Palate” is the roof of the mouth or one’s sense of taste.
“Palette” is the board on which paints are mixed or a range of colours.
“Pallet” is a bed or a flat platform for carrying loads.
Tuesday
Are there errors below? (Hint: look for two.)
"The city and trustees should review their respective positions and consider whether a compromise can be reached that would allow both of them to save a little face while saving the historic theatre. Because if this dispute goes to court while the theatre remains closed, everyone loses no matter which side wins."
In this sentence, “whether” means “regardless of whether” and must be followed by “or not” because a comparison is presented.
The clause, “Because if...side wins,” is an incomplete thought and should be reworded.
"The city and trustees should review their respective positions and consider whether or not a compromise can be reached that would allow both of them to save a little face while saving the historic theatre. If this dispute goes to court while the theatre remains closed, everyone loses no matter which side wins."
MYSTIC/MYSTIQUE
“Mystic” (n.) refers to a prophet, a religious leader or a believer and is pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable.
“Mystique" (n.) refers to a personal magnetism, a heightened aura about a person or a charisma and is pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable.
Wednesday
ORIENT/ORIENTATE
“Orient”, as a noun, means east and may be capitalized.
“Orient”, as a verb, means to give or find direction.
“Orientation” is the noun form of orient.
“Orientation”, as a verb is outdated, pompous and should not be used.
Thursday
"[We will be affected by winds] coming off of Lake Michigan and off of Lake Huron."
“Off of” is never acceptable. Both words are prepositions which are words that begin phrases such as “off the wall” or “of the brain”. Phrases are not begun with two prepositions together.
"[We will be affected by winds] coming off Lake Michigan and off Lake Huron."
Friday
PRONUNCIATION
The indefinite article “a” is pronounced as in the word “act”. “A”, as in “hayseed”, is incorrect or, at best, regional.
“An” is used in front of words beginning with vowels.
The definite article “the” is not the pronoun “thee”. The closest word I can use to indicate pronunciation is the vowel in “up”. Any other pronunciation suggestions will be considered.
THE WEEKLY WORDS
“Panegyric" (n.) means paean or eulogy or song of praise.
“Elucidation" (n.) is a clarifying interpretation or elimination of ambiguity.
“Elucidate” is the verb form.
“Nexus" (n.) is a tie or link or means of connection.
“Recumbent" (adj.) means lying in a comfortable position or reclining.
“Asperity" (n.) means grimness, harshness or rigourous.
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