ELEMENTARY
Find and fix the error in the following. Cite a reason for the correction.
"A Ontario pet owner has been charged with killing an animal after a puppy fell from a 10th-story balcony Wednesday night."
Canwest News Service, "Man charged with killing puppy", The Windsor Star, Friday, November 21, 2008.
DOMINATE/DOMINANT
Explain the difference between "dominate" and "dominant".
Create sentences that illustrate the meanings of each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "frivolous".
Define "frivolous" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
FUTURE LINGUISTS
I JUST CANNOT RESIST THIS ONE!
Identify and correct the errors in the following piece.
"But when it comes to the passenger prohibition, Baraoniciu sees another case of society's bias against teen drivers. 'Us as young people, we are already getting screwed over by the insurance companies with large monthly payments and such.'"
Dalson Chen, "Young drivers balk at proposed restrictions", The Windsor Star, Thursday, November 20, 2008.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "sinecure".
Define "sinecure" and use it in a sentence.
Identify and correct the errors in the following piece.
"But when it comes to the passenger prohibition, Baraoniciu sees another case of society's bias against teen drivers. 'Us as young people, we are already getting screwed over by the insurance companies with large monthly payments and such.'"
Dalson Chen, "Young drivers balk at proposed restrictions", The Windsor Star, Thursday, November 20, 2008.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "sinecure".
Define "sinecure" and use it in a sentence.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
MY CONTINUING CRUSADE
IF NOTHING ELSE, BE CONSISTENT
Check the following photo caption for errors. Identify and correct them all.
"FEWER WORKERS: With Chrysler Financial moving most of its employees to Toronto there will even be less people in Chrysler's Windsor headquarters."
Chris Vander Doelen, "Chrysler Financial packs up", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, November 19, 2008.
A GOOD PHILOSOPHY
Identify the author of the following wise words.
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "malapropism".
Define "malapropism" and use it in a sentence.
Identify the very famous source of the word.
Check the following photo caption for errors. Identify and correct them all.
"FEWER WORKERS: With Chrysler Financial moving most of its employees to Toronto there will even be less people in Chrysler's Windsor headquarters."
Chris Vander Doelen, "Chrysler Financial packs up", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, November 19, 2008.
A GOOD PHILOSOPHY
Identify the author of the following wise words.
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "malapropism".
Define "malapropism" and use it in a sentence.
Identify the very famous source of the word.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A PLETHORA OF CONTRIBUTIONS
PLEASE! TIME FOR AN UPGRADE!
What is unacceptable with each of the following entries? Fix the problems.
"...pushing further to the south..."
Sonya Singh, A Channel Weather, Monday, November 17, 2008, 6:30 pm.
"Oh, yeah!"
Sonya Singh, A Channel Weather, Monday, November 17, 2008, 6:30 pm.
Ignatieff has learned the language of inclusiveness, he has survived the bumbling rituals of retail politics, but he kept coming back to his urgent need to 'explain to Canadians' what exactly is going on."
Susan Riley, Ottawa Citizen columnist, "Snob! Yes, but a hardworking one", The Windsor Star, Monday, November 17, 2008.
But what if the country needs straight talk and specific ideas instead of patient instruction: Would Ignatieff bail out the auto industry, for instance?"
Susan Riley, Ottawa Citizen columnist, "Snob! Yes, but a hardworking one", The Windsor Star, Monday, November 17, 2008.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "sclerotic".
Define "sclerotic" and use it in a sentence.
What is unacceptable with each of the following entries? Fix the problems.
"...pushing further to the south..."
Sonya Singh, A Channel Weather, Monday, November 17, 2008, 6:30 pm.
"Oh, yeah!"
Sonya Singh, A Channel Weather, Monday, November 17, 2008, 6:30 pm.
Ignatieff has learned the language of inclusiveness, he has survived the bumbling rituals of retail politics, but he kept coming back to his urgent need to 'explain to Canadians' what exactly is going on."
Susan Riley, Ottawa Citizen columnist, "Snob! Yes, but a hardworking one", The Windsor Star, Monday, November 17, 2008.
But what if the country needs straight talk and specific ideas instead of patient instruction: Would Ignatieff bail out the auto industry, for instance?"
Susan Riley, Ottawa Citizen columnist, "Snob! Yes, but a hardworking one", The Windsor Star, Monday, November 17, 2008.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "sclerotic".
Define "sclerotic" and use it in a sentence.
Monday, November 17, 2008
A MIXED BAG OF BADDIES
CARELESS! CARELESS!
Find and fix the errors in the following sentences.
"The entire family visited Sea World, the Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios, road on the teacups and merry-go-round, and watched a fireworks show."
Julian Revin, "Madelyn's moment as a princess", Living Magazine, The Windsor Star Magazine for fine Lifestyles, November, 2008.
"But these are the first layoffs in quite awhile and there's a possibility some will be called back after the new year."
Dave Hall, Auto supplier down to 44 workers", The Windsor Star, Monday, November 17, 2008.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "averse".
Define "averse" and use it in a sentence.
Find and fix the errors in the following sentences.
"The entire family visited Sea World, the Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios, road on the teacups and merry-go-round, and watched a fireworks show."
Julian Revin, "Madelyn's moment as a princess", Living Magazine, The Windsor Star Magazine for fine Lifestyles, November, 2008.
"But these are the first layoffs in quite awhile and there's a possibility some will be called back after the new year."
Dave Hall, Auto supplier down to 44 workers", The Windsor Star, Monday, November 17, 2008.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "averse".
Define "averse" and use it in a sentence.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's entries.
Monday
BRING/BRANG/BRUNG/BROUGHT
“Bring” is the present tense of the verb “to bring”.
“Brought” is the past tense of the verb “to bring”.
“Brang” and “brung” are not words and are not acceptable in place of brought.
Tuesday
CONSCIENCE, CONSCIOUS, CONSCIOUSNESS
Conscience” is one’s internal recognition of what is right and wrong or one’s faculty of moral quality. It is, for example, what creates a sense of guilt for a bad action.
“Conscious” means to be awake.
“Consciousness” means the inward sensibility of something or the knowledge of one’s own existence.
Wednesday
"A" AS IN "HAY"
The indefinite article, "a", is NOT pronounced "a" as in "hay" or "eh" as in "Canadian, eh!". It is pronounced "a" as in "bad".
The word "about" is not pronounced "Eh-bout".
WAKE UP
“Police had issued an alert asking for the public's help to find Margaret Holmes, 71, who had gone missing around 9:30 Tuesday.”
People do NOT “go missing”.
“Police had issued an alert asking for the public's help to find Margaret Holmes, 71, who had disappeared (vanished) around 9:30 Tuesday.”
Thursday
“ ‘Local firms and local employment will benefit dramatically,’ Duncan said. ‘Sandra (Pupatello) and I will ensure that happens. Obviously there will be a competitive process involved, but make no mistake there will be benefits to both local business - and more importantly people struggling for employment right now,’ ”
The term is “more important", not "more importantly", which is pompous and incorrect.
“ ‘Local firms and local employment will benefit dramatically,’ Duncan said. ‘Sandra (Pupatello) and I will ensure that happens. Obviously there will be a competitive process involved, but make no mistake there will be benefits to both local business - and more important, people struggling for employment right now,’ ”
TWO FOR ONE
“ ‘We try to get as many people working as we can and get as much money in the pockets of business locally. That's why we are anxious to proceed.’ ”
The context demands putting money “into” people’s pockets, not “in” pockets.
“Anxious” does not mean “eager”, which is what the context demands.
“ ‘We try to get as many people working as we can and get as much money into the pockets of business locally. That's why we are eager to proceed.’ ”
Friday
FOREGO/FORGO
“Forego” means to go before or to precede an event.
“Forgo” means to abstain from or to go without.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Equanimity” (n.) means calmness, composure, self-control or poise.
“Consanguineous” (adj.) means related by birth or akin to.
“Judicious” (adj.) means cautious, thoughtful, astute or prudent.
“Fortuitous” adj.) means by chance, accidental, casual or unexpected.
Monday
BRING/BRANG/BRUNG/BROUGHT
“Bring” is the present tense of the verb “to bring”.
“Brought” is the past tense of the verb “to bring”.
“Brang” and “brung” are not words and are not acceptable in place of brought.
Tuesday
CONSCIENCE, CONSCIOUS, CONSCIOUSNESS
Conscience” is one’s internal recognition of what is right and wrong or one’s faculty of moral quality. It is, for example, what creates a sense of guilt for a bad action.
“Conscious” means to be awake.
“Consciousness” means the inward sensibility of something or the knowledge of one’s own existence.
Wednesday
"A" AS IN "HAY"
The indefinite article, "a", is NOT pronounced "a" as in "hay" or "eh" as in "Canadian, eh!". It is pronounced "a" as in "bad".
The word "about" is not pronounced "Eh-bout".
WAKE UP
“Police had issued an alert asking for the public's help to find Margaret Holmes, 71, who had gone missing around 9:30 Tuesday.”
People do NOT “go missing”.
“Police had issued an alert asking for the public's help to find Margaret Holmes, 71, who had disappeared (vanished) around 9:30 Tuesday.”
Thursday
“ ‘Local firms and local employment will benefit dramatically,’ Duncan said. ‘Sandra (Pupatello) and I will ensure that happens. Obviously there will be a competitive process involved, but make no mistake there will be benefits to both local business - and more importantly people struggling for employment right now,’ ”
The term is “more important", not "more importantly", which is pompous and incorrect.
“ ‘Local firms and local employment will benefit dramatically,’ Duncan said. ‘Sandra (Pupatello) and I will ensure that happens. Obviously there will be a competitive process involved, but make no mistake there will be benefits to both local business - and more important, people struggling for employment right now,’ ”
TWO FOR ONE
“ ‘We try to get as many people working as we can and get as much money in the pockets of business locally. That's why we are anxious to proceed.’ ”
The context demands putting money “into” people’s pockets, not “in” pockets.
“Anxious” does not mean “eager”, which is what the context demands.
“ ‘We try to get as many people working as we can and get as much money into the pockets of business locally. That's why we are eager to proceed.’ ”
Friday
FOREGO/FORGO
“Forego” means to go before or to precede an event.
“Forgo” means to abstain from or to go without.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Equanimity” (n.) means calmness, composure, self-control or poise.
“Consanguineous” (adj.) means related by birth or akin to.
“Judicious” (adj.) means cautious, thoughtful, astute or prudent.
“Fortuitous” adj.) means by chance, accidental, casual or unexpected.
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