CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - June 22, 2008

Here are the corrections and explanation for last week's entries.

Monday

SUBSTITUTE WITH/SUBSTITUTE FOR

Always use “substitute for”. The meaning of “for”, as opposed to the meaning of “with”, is the determining factor because “for” implies replacement.


Tuesday

Which of the following sentences is correct?

"If I was a fly on the wall, I would write a book about the view."

If the occurrence is possible but highly unlikely, “were” should be used even when using “I”, “he”, “she” or “it”. Therefore, in this case, the second sentence is the correct usage.

"If I were a fly on the wall, I would write a book about the view."


Wednesday

COUNCIL/COUNSEL

“Council” (n.) means an official group, assembly or organization.

“Counsel” (n.) means advice or opinion.

“Counsel” (v.) means to give advise or to give an opinion or advice.

“Counsellor” (n.) is a person who gives advice. “Counselor” is the American spelling.



Thursday

Correct the errors in the following:

“He is concerned with the amount of workers needed for work [on both sides of the border].”

“Amount” cannot be used with things that can be counted one by one; “number” should be used.

“He is concerned with the number of workers needed for work [on both sides of the border].”

“I've always believed that if he dropped his tee shot next to, say, Jim Furyk's - or pick a name of any straight, medium hitter - he could win from there as comfortably as he does from 50 yards further downfield, in the rough.”

“Further” cannot be used to indicate distance.

I've always believed that if he dropped his tee shot next to, say, Jim Furyk's - or pick a name of any straight, medium hitter - he could win from there as comfortably as he does from 50 yards farther downfield, in the rough.”


“Both girls were students of Baggio's at Brennan, where he taught religion, leadership, was a guidance counsellor and coached volleyball, basketball and track and field.”

“…of Baggio’s…” is redundant. ( Hello! This is the fourth time I have cited this same error by the same author.)

“Both girls were students of Baggio at Brennan, where he taught religion, leadership, was a guidance counsellor and coached volleyball, basketball and track and field.”


Friday

VERACIOUS/VORACIOUS

“Veracious” (adj.) means speaking truly or habitually observant of the truth. “Veracity” is the more common use of the word.

“Voracious” (adj.) means hungry, ravenous, greedy or gluttonous.



GOOD ADVICE

“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”
Benjamin Franklin authored this line.



THE WEEK’S WORDS

“Beneficence” (n.) is active kindness, goodness or charity.
“Benefit”, benediction” and “beneficiary” are forms of the word. The Italian “bene” is another form of the word.

“Vitriolic” (adj.) means spiteful, venomous cruel or vicious.

“Neanderthal” (adj.) refers to a species of primate from the paleolithic age. The common connotation of the word refers to one who is apish or primitive in nature.

“Preposterous” (adj.) means outrageous, absurd, silly or unbelievable.

“Vilification (n.) means slander, libel disparagement or defamation.