CALLOUS/CALLUSED
What is the difference between "callous" and "callused"?
Create sentences that depict your definitions.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "ebullient".
Define "ebullient" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted on Sunday.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
PROOFREADING?
CHOICES...CHOICES...CHOICES
How many errors can you find in the entries below?
Correct what you think in wrong.
"RCMP in Kamloops, B.C., are calling their decision to use a Taser on a man brandishing a butcher knife earlier this week."
Canwest News Service, "COPS USE TASER ON JILTED LOVER", The Windsor Star, Thursday, February 28, 2008.
"'We arranged a land swap with St. Clair college and had made agreements in terms of when they could take over the old building which we were not able to fulfil. We had arrangements for furniture that had to be put in storage. There are a number of issues that we're going to have to deal with.'"
Trevor Wilhelm, "Huron Lodge flaws a 'hazard'", The Windsor Star, Thursday, February 28, 2008. (In fairness to the writer, this is a quote by the Lodge spokesperson.)
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "reprove".
Define "reprove" and use it in a sentence.
How many errors can you find in the entries below?
Correct what you think in wrong.
"RCMP in Kamloops, B.C., are calling their decision to use a Taser on a man brandishing a butcher knife earlier this week."
Canwest News Service, "COPS USE TASER ON JILTED LOVER", The Windsor Star, Thursday, February 28, 2008.
"'We arranged a land swap with St. Clair college and had made agreements in terms of when they could take over the old building which we were not able to fulfil. We had arrangements for furniture that had to be put in storage. There are a number of issues that we're going to have to deal with.'"
Trevor Wilhelm, "Huron Lodge flaws a 'hazard'", The Windsor Star, Thursday, February 28, 2008. (In fairness to the writer, this is a quote by the Lodge spokesperson.)
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "reprove".
Define "reprove" and use it in a sentence.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
BE CAREFUL: THINK TWICE
TORTUROUS/TORTUOUS
Explain the difference between "torturous" and "tortuous".
PLURALS
What is the plural form of "cupful" and of "spoonful"?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "presage".
Define "presage" and use it in a sentence.
Explain the difference between "torturous" and "tortuous".
PLURALS
What is the plural form of "cupful" and of "spoonful"?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "presage".
Define "presage" and use it in a sentence.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
A DAY OF FEELING
SENSUOUS/SENSUAL
Explain the difference in meaning between "sensuous" and "sensual" and use each word in a sentence that displays its meaning.
FUN QUOTE
Identify the author of the following quote.
"Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children."
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "obstreperous".
Define "obstreperous" and use it in a sentence.
Explain the difference in meaning between "sensuous" and "sensual" and use each word in a sentence that displays its meaning.
FUN QUOTE
Identify the author of the following quote.
"Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children."
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "obstreperous".
Define "obstreperous" and use it in a sentence.
Monday, February 25, 2008
BACK TO THE BASICS
WHO'S/WHOSE
Explain the difference between "who's" and "whose".
Create sentences using each.
YOUR/YOU'RE
Explain the difference between "your" and "you're".
Create sentences using each.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "vestigial".
Define "vestigial" and use it in a sentence.
Explain the difference between "who's" and "whose".
Create sentences using each.
YOUR/YOU'RE
Explain the difference between "your" and "you're".
Create sentences using each.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "vestigial".
Define "vestigial" and use it in a sentence.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - February 24, 2008
Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's postings.
Monday
Find and correct the errors in the sentences below.
"A small number of private schools were found in the study."
“Number” is a singular, collective noun and needs a singular verb.
"A small number of private schools was found in the study."
"How long do you plan to have that closed down for?"
“For” is redundant and is a dangling preposition. The meaning is conveyed without it.
"How long do you plan to have that closed down for?"
"He said the group of protesters are upset with the 'feudal lord' approach by the bridge of shutting down the exit of the bridge."
“Group is a singular, collective noun and needs a singular verb.
"He said the group of protesters is upset with the 'feudal lord' approach by the bridge of shutting down the exit of the bridge."
Tuesday
AMONG/BETWEEN
“Between” is used when referring to two persons or things.
“Among” is used when referring to three or more persons or things.
DESERT/DESSERT/DESERT
The “desert” is very dry and sandy. (emphasis on the first syllable)
The “dessert” after a meal is really very tasty. (emphasis on the second syllable and the “ss” pronounced like a “z”)
He will “desert”, or abandon, his men because he is a coward. (emphasis on the second syllable)
Wednesday
DISINTERESTED/UNINTERESTED
“Disinterested” means objective or neutral or impartial.
“Uninterested” means bored or not curious about something.
Thursday
"So bad, in fact, that Leone, like other inmates before him, is seeking extra credit from the sentencing judge for the almost 2 1/2 years spent in pre-sentence custody."
This is an incomplete thought.
“Conditions are so bad, in fact, that Leone, like other inmates before him, is seeking extra credit from the sentencing judge for the almost 2 1/2 years spent in pre-sentence custody."
"Not only do ambulances wait to unload patients, police officers needed to escort mental health patients into care can be tied up,” Bildfell said."
This is an awkward and poorly worded sentence and should be reworded. There are too many ideas for one sentence.
"Not only do ambulances wait to unload patients, but police officers needed to escort mental health patients, can be tied up as well,“ Bildfell said."
"She's tried being authoritative, combative, even vulnerable on the campaign trail - but none of those political styles have worked for more than a few fleeting political moments."
“None” is the subject of the verb “have worked” and is singular; a singular verb is required.
"She's tried being authoritative, combative, even vulnerable on the campaign trail - but none of those political styles has worked for more than a few fleeting political moments."
Friday
"A", the indefinite article is pronounced "a" as in "fat", NOT "a" as in "hay", regardless of how Bush and Harper say it.
"The OPP offer many opportunities for training and special service, but forced transfers are a rarity."
“OPP” is a singular collective title and must have a singular verb.
"The OPP offers many opportunities for training and special service, but forced transfers are a rarity."
"It's obvious the OPP can save money by sharing senior management between four county detachments, Southward said."
“Between” is used with two objects.
“Among” is used when listing more than two objects."It's obvious the OPP can save money by sharing senior management among four county detachments, Southward said."
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"I am not young enough to know everything."
Oscar Wilde said this.
THIS WEEK’S WORDS
“Aphorism" (n.) is a short, pithy saying, adage or maxim.
“Carnage" (n.) means butchery, massacre or slaughter or brutal slaying of people.
“Indolent" (adj.) means lazy, shiftless, sluggish or slothful.
“Diatribe" (n.) means an attack, a loud verbal rant or harangue.
“Vagary" (n.) means an impulse, a whim, a notion or an idea.
Monday
Find and correct the errors in the sentences below.
"A small number of private schools were found in the study."
“Number” is a singular, collective noun and needs a singular verb.
"A small number of private schools was found in the study."
"How long do you plan to have that closed down for?"
“For” is redundant and is a dangling preposition. The meaning is conveyed without it.
"How long do you plan to have that closed down for?"
"He said the group of protesters are upset with the 'feudal lord' approach by the bridge of shutting down the exit of the bridge."
“Group is a singular, collective noun and needs a singular verb.
"He said the group of protesters is upset with the 'feudal lord' approach by the bridge of shutting down the exit of the bridge."
Tuesday
AMONG/BETWEEN
“Between” is used when referring to two persons or things.
“Among” is used when referring to three or more persons or things.
DESERT/DESSERT/DESERT
The “desert” is very dry and sandy. (emphasis on the first syllable)
The “dessert” after a meal is really very tasty. (emphasis on the second syllable and the “ss” pronounced like a “z”)
He will “desert”, or abandon, his men because he is a coward. (emphasis on the second syllable)
Wednesday
DISINTERESTED/UNINTERESTED
“Disinterested” means objective or neutral or impartial.
“Uninterested” means bored or not curious about something.
Thursday
"So bad, in fact, that Leone, like other inmates before him, is seeking extra credit from the sentencing judge for the almost 2 1/2 years spent in pre-sentence custody."
This is an incomplete thought.
“Conditions are so bad, in fact, that Leone, like other inmates before him, is seeking extra credit from the sentencing judge for the almost 2 1/2 years spent in pre-sentence custody."
"Not only do ambulances wait to unload patients, police officers needed to escort mental health patients into care can be tied up,” Bildfell said."
This is an awkward and poorly worded sentence and should be reworded. There are too many ideas for one sentence.
"Not only do ambulances wait to unload patients, but police officers needed to escort mental health patients, can be tied up as well,“ Bildfell said."
"She's tried being authoritative, combative, even vulnerable on the campaign trail - but none of those political styles have worked for more than a few fleeting political moments."
“None” is the subject of the verb “have worked” and is singular; a singular verb is required.
"She's tried being authoritative, combative, even vulnerable on the campaign trail - but none of those political styles has worked for more than a few fleeting political moments."
Friday
"A", the indefinite article is pronounced "a" as in "fat", NOT "a" as in "hay", regardless of how Bush and Harper say it.
"The OPP offer many opportunities for training and special service, but forced transfers are a rarity."
“OPP” is a singular collective title and must have a singular verb.
"The OPP offers many opportunities for training and special service, but forced transfers are a rarity."
"It's obvious the OPP can save money by sharing senior management between four county detachments, Southward said."
“Between” is used with two objects.
“Among” is used when listing more than two objects."It's obvious the OPP can save money by sharing senior management among four county detachments, Southward said."
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"I am not young enough to know everything."
Oscar Wilde said this.
THIS WEEK’S WORDS
“Aphorism" (n.) is a short, pithy saying, adage or maxim.
“Carnage" (n.) means butchery, massacre or slaughter or brutal slaying of people.
“Indolent" (adj.) means lazy, shiftless, sluggish or slothful.
“Diatribe" (n.) means an attack, a loud verbal rant or harangue.
“Vagary" (n.) means an impulse, a whim, a notion or an idea.
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