Friday, December 12, 2008

"C" DAY

COLLABORATION/CORROBORATION

Explain the difference in meaning between "collaboration" and "corroboration".
Use each word in a sentence that illustrates the meaning of the word.


TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "corporeal".
Define "corporeal" and use it in a sentence.
Bonus: identify the root of "corporeal" and receive a star to paste on your forehead.


CONNECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS

Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

FINENESS OF MEANING REQUIRED

TWO CHALLENGES

What is not right in the following examples? Make and explain your corrections.

"Republicans seized on the corruption charges against Blagojevich, a Democrat, to demand a more fulsome explanation from Obama about the relationship he and senior members of his inner circle had with the disgraced politician."
Sheldon Alberts, Canwest News Washington correspondent, “Disgraced gov. urged to quit”, The Windsor Star, Thursday, December 11, 2008.

“Food and beverages will be on sale as well as a beer tent.”
The Windsor Star, Thursday, December 11, 2008.


TODAY’S WORD

The word for today is “commodious”.
Define “commodious” and use it in a sentence.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

ANOTHER MILESTONE

20,000 HITS UNDER THE BELT

I am happy to report that the blog received its 20 thousandth hit yesterday.
I thank all of you who have visited and encourage you to continue to do so.
I also hope you will make some suggestions for inclusion on the blog. Feel free to click on COMMENT below to make your suggestions. Remember, you can remain anonymous if you wish.
Thank you.



PREMISE/PREMISES

Explain the difference in meaning of the words "premise" and "premises".
Use each word in a sentence that shows its meaning.


A LIFE ETHIC

Identify the author of the following.

“Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.”


TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "capacious".
Define "capacious" and use it in a sentence.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

EASY STUFF

SOJOURN/JOURNEY

Explain the difference between a "sojourn" and a "journey".
Create sentences that clearly exhibit the meanings of each word.


TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is “peremptory”.
Define "peremptory" and use it in a sentence.

Monday, December 8, 2008

TOUGHER THAN YOU THINK

BUTT/BRUNT

Explain the difference in meaning between "butt" and "brunt" as they relate to each other.
Create sentences that exhibit the meanings of the words.


TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "fulminate".
Define "fulminate" and use it in a sentence.
There are two separate, but related, meanings for "fulminate". Try to create sentences for each meaning.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS, December 7, 2008

Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's entries.
Be patient; there are many similar errors.



Monday

NAUSEATED/NAUSEOUS

Nauseous” is an adjective which means disgusting or loathsome.

Nauseated” is the past tense of the verb “nauseate” and means to sicken or to affect with nausea.


Identify and correct the errors in the following entry.

“Winona Ryder was loaned a bracelet...and it has now gone missing.”

“Loan” is a noun and cannot be used as a verb. The correct form is “lent”, the past participle of the verb, “to lend”.
Things and people do not “go missing”. Such usage is completely inaccurate and unacceptable.


“Winona Ryder was lent a bracelet...and it has now disappeared.”


“Especially when your version of green will be the envy of Canada.”

This is a subordinate clause and is not a complete thought.

“[This is true,] especially when your version of green will be the envy of Canada.”


Tuesday

BENEFACTOR/BENEFICIARY

Benefactors” give gifts.

Beneficiaries” receive gifts.



Wednesday

EXALT/EXULT

Exult” is a verb meaning to celebrate joyfully.

Exalt” is a verb meaning to elevate or to raise something high.


Thursday

Find and correct the errors in the following entries.

“So far, only $110,197, 950 worth of permits have been issued, compared to $173,549,505 a year ago.”

The subject, worth”, is singular and demands a singular verb.

“So far, only $110,197, 950 worth of permits has been issued, compared to $173,549,505 a year ago.”


“One third of new recruits are female.”

The subject, “one third”, is collectively singular and demands a singular verb.

“One third of new recruits is female.”


“Still about one in four local residents don't have a family doctor - a higher rate than the provincial average of one in five.”

The subject, “one”, is singular and demands a singular verb.

“Still about one in four local residents doesn't have a family doctor - a higher rate than the provincial average of one in five."“


Friday

Find and correct the errors in the following entries.

“Almost three-quarters of Canadians say they are 'truly scared' for the future of the country and a solid majority say they would prefer another election to having the minority conservative government replaced by a coalition led by Stephan Dion, a new Ipsos-Reid poll says.”

The subject, “three-quarters, is collectively singular and demands a singular verb.
The second clause subject, “majority”, is singular and demands a singular verb.


“Almost three-quarters of Canadians says they are 'truly scared' for the future of the country and a solid majority says they would prefer another election to having the minority conservative government replaced by a coalition led by Stephan Dion, a new Ipsos-Reid poll says.”


“As the last of the knapsacks were packed at the McDougall Avenue residence, there were still boxes of supplies left over that will be used next year.”

The subject, “last”, is singular and demands a singular verb.

“As the last of the knapsacks was packed at the McDougall Avenue residence, there were still boxes of supplies left over that will be used next year.”


“A number of Facebook groups have popped up, including one boasting more than 144,000 members.”

The subject, “number”, is singular and demands a singular verb. (If you would like to argue that the author is talking of the individuals in the group, you could use a plural verb. I don’t think that is the case here.)

“A number of Facebook groups has popped up, including one boasting more than 144,000 members.”


“Younger drivers should carry less passengers on highways particularly.”

“Less” is used with quantities. “Fewer” is used with numbers.

“Younger drivers should carry fewer passengers on highways particularly.”


“Any measures that are aimed at protecting and improving drivers is welcomed,' said Staff Sgt. Ed McNorton.

The principal clause subject, “measures” is plural and demands a plural verb.

"Any measures that are aimed at protecting and improving drivers are welcomed,” said Staff Sgt. Ed McNorton.


GREATNESS

“To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act.”
Anatole France, a French novelist, created this thought.


LAST WEEK’S WORDS

Histrionics” (n.) means affected, hysterical or emotional behaviour.

Prorogue” (v.) means to discontinue, to defer or to postpone a session or parliament or of a similar governing body.

Rapturous” (adj.) means overjoyed, elated or ecstatic.

Patronize” (v.) means to support, shop at, frequent or utilize.

Patronize” (v.) means to denigrate, to belittle or to talk down to.

Slovenly” (adj.) means sloppy, dishevelled, untidy or messy.