CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - October 19, 2008

Here are the corrections and explanations for last week’s entries.

Tuesday

JOINT POSSESSIVES

What are the rules governing joint possessives?

"John's and Jane’s home is on a hill."
When there is joint ownership, the last name has the apostrophe.
"John and Jane’s home is on a hill."

"Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is really good."
When there is joint ownership, the last name has the apostrophe.
"Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is really good."

"Bob's and Carol's and Ted's and Alice’s party was a sensation."
When there is joint ownership by many individuals, the last name has the apostrophe.
"Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice’s party was a sensation."

"John’s and Jane’s cars are in the garage."
When each owns his own vehicle, both names have an apostrophe.
"John’s and Jane’s cars are in the garage.

"She and his estate is very fancy."
This is too awkward and should be reworded.
"Their estate is very fancy."
Or
“The estate owned by Dick and Jane is very fancy.”

"His and her estate is in the Yukon."
This is too awkward and should be reworded.
"Both his and her estates are in the Yukon."


Wednesday

LITTLEST/LEAST

“Little” means small in size or amount.
When referring to size, the comparative form is “littler” or “more little“ and the superlative form is “littlest”.
When referring to amount, as in “a small amount of”, the comparative is “less” and the superlative is “least”.


Thursday

ADMINISTER/ADMINISTRATE

“Administer” means to run, to direct, to oversee, to govern or to control.
“Administer” is the verb form for the nouns “administration” or “administrator”.
“Administrate” is an incorrect form of the word “administer” and should not be used.


Friday

HOARD/HORDE

A “horde” is a mob, a gang or a large group of beings.
“A horde of rampaging beasts is frightening.

A “hoard” is a pile, a heap, a collection or a squirreled away treasure.
The miser jealously guarded his hoard of coins.


PONDER THIS

“Ill deeds are doubled with an evil word.”
William Shakespeare penned this quote.


DUMB HEADLINES

(No analysis is needed!)

"Lady's john site of attack"


LAST WEEK’S WORDS

“Forbearance” (n.) means patience, self-control, tolerance or restraint.

“Exemplar” (n.) means example, pattern, archetype or a model to be copied.

“Hypothetical” (adj.) means theoretical, imaginary or supposed. The noun form is hypothesis.