FORCEFUL/FORCIBLE/FORCED
Explain the differences in meaning among the words "forceful", "forcible" and "forced".
Create sentences that clearly show the meaning of each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "emulation".
Define "emulation" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday. In celebration of the season, there will be no new postings until January 5, in the new year.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
PHENOMENA/PHENOMENON
Explain the difference between the words "phenomena" and "phenomenon".
Create sentences using "phenomena" and "phenomenon" that depict the meaning of each word.
Cite other examples of this type of usage.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "sonorous".
Define "sonorous" and use it in a sentence.
Explain the difference between the words "phenomena" and "phenomenon".
Create sentences using "phenomena" and "phenomenon" that depict the meaning of each word.
Cite other examples of this type of usage.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "sonorous".
Define "sonorous" and use it in a sentence.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
POLITICAL PLUMS - PART 2
CHECK THIS INVITATION!
Below are excerpts from an invitation I received to attend a Christmas open house at the offices of Brian Masse, M.P. Windsor West.
Find and correct the errors in these examples. (I found four.)
Bonus: get a star for identifying the proofreader.
"Please feel free to stop in and meet my staff and I for a snack and some warm holiday wishes."
"Please also note that we are also holding a canned food drive at this event, and for those that are able, please bring a non-perishable item which will be donated to families in need within our community this holiday seasson."
A QUOTE FOR ALL SEASONS
Identify the author of the following philosophy.
“In peace there's nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness and humility.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "omniscient".
Define "omniscient" and use it in a sentence.
P.S.
Bravo to BJ. He corrected all the errors. Check his comment if you cannot find all of them.
Below are excerpts from an invitation I received to attend a Christmas open house at the offices of Brian Masse, M.P. Windsor West.
Find and correct the errors in these examples. (I found four.)
Bonus: get a star for identifying the proofreader.
"Please feel free to stop in and meet my staff and I for a snack and some warm holiday wishes."
"Please also note that we are also holding a canned food drive at this event, and for those that are able, please bring a non-perishable item which will be donated to families in need within our community this holiday seasson."
A QUOTE FOR ALL SEASONS
Identify the author of the following philosophy.
“In peace there's nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness and humility.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "omniscient".
Define "omniscient" and use it in a sentence.
P.S.
Bravo to BJ. He corrected all the errors. Check his comment if you cannot find all of them.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
POLITICO PLUMS
BAH! HUMBUG!
I watched the Windsor City Council meeting last night and noted the following use of the English language.
Identify and correct the errors in the examples below.
"...they went further into that area."
Drew Dilkens, Councillor, Windsor City Council meeting, Monday, December 14, 2008, 9:35 pm.
"How long have you been doing that for?"
Eddie Francis, Mayor, Windsor City Council meeting, Monday, December 14, 2008, 9:40 pm.
"I presume there is a (as in hay) opportunity...".
Drew Dilkens, Councillor, Windsor City Council meeting, Monday, December 14, 2008, 9:44 pm.
"...when I see the data that is presented...".
Drew Dilkens, Councillor, Windsor City Council meeting, Monday, December 14, 2008, 9:46 pm.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "plutocracy".
Define "plutocracy" and use it in a sentence.
I watched the Windsor City Council meeting last night and noted the following use of the English language.
Identify and correct the errors in the examples below.
"...they went further into that area."
Drew Dilkens, Councillor, Windsor City Council meeting, Monday, December 14, 2008, 9:35 pm.
"How long have you been doing that for?"
Eddie Francis, Mayor, Windsor City Council meeting, Monday, December 14, 2008, 9:40 pm.
"I presume there is a (as in hay) opportunity...".
Drew Dilkens, Councillor, Windsor City Council meeting, Monday, December 14, 2008, 9:44 pm.
"...when I see the data that is presented...".
Drew Dilkens, Councillor, Windsor City Council meeting, Monday, December 14, 2008, 9:46 pm.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "plutocracy".
Define "plutocracy" and use it in a sentence.
Monday, December 15, 2008
"R" AS IN REMEMBER
REPLETE/COMPLETE
Define and explain the difference between the words "replete" and "complete".
Create sentences that clearly depict the word meanings.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "rapprochement".
Define "rapprochement" and use it in a sentence.
Define and explain the difference between the words "replete" and "complete".
Create sentences that clearly depict the word meanings.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "rapprochement".
Define "rapprochement" and use it in a sentence.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - December 14, 2008
Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's entries.
Monday
BUTT/BRUNT
An old meaning of “butt” is target. One can be the target of a joke and, thus, become the butt of a joke.
“Brunt” means a sharp blow or attack. Thus, one has to bear the brunt of a joke. A person can never be a brunt.
Tuesday
SOJOURN/JOURNEY
A “sojourn” is a temporary stay in one place.
A “journey” is a trip, a ride or a voyage. If one is constantly on the move, he is not on a sojourn.
Wednesday
PREMISE/PREMISES
A “premise” is a term in logic meaning something assumed or taken as given in making an argument. It is a basis or foundation of an argument.
“Premises”, regardless of size, means one’s residence or a building where one lives.
Thursday
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.”
“Fulsome” means excessive, immoderate or flattering and always has a negative connotation. The context demands a different meaning such as “fuller”.
“Republicans seized on the corruption charges against Blagojevich, a Democrat, to demand a fuller explanation from Obama about the relationship he and senior members of his inner circle had with the disgraced politician.”
“Food and beverages will be on sale as well as a beer tent.”
The sentence, as written, says that food, beverages and a beer tent will be for sale. I don’t think the tent is for sale. The sentence should be reworded for better sense.
“A beer tent will be provided and food and beverages will be on sale.”
Friday
COLLABORATION/CORROBORATION
“Collaborate” means to share, to join forces or to work together.
“Corroborate” means to strengthen, support or substantiate an argument.
A LIFE ETHIC
“Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.”
Confucius, the Chinese philosopher said this.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Fulminate” (v.) means to explode or detonate with a loud noise. It also means to denounce vehemently or loudly.
The spark caused the leaking gas to fulminate and destroy the lab.
Many Canadians fulminated against the prorogation of Parliament last week.
“Peremptory” (adj.) means absolute, leaving no opportunity for denial or debate or refusal.
“Capacious” (adj.) means large, roomy or voluminous.
“Commodious” (adj.) means roomy, spacious, convenient or amply.
“Corporeal” (adj.) means earthly, human or bodily. The root word is the Latin "corpus" meaning body.
Monday
BUTT/BRUNT
An old meaning of “butt” is target. One can be the target of a joke and, thus, become the butt of a joke.
“Brunt” means a sharp blow or attack. Thus, one has to bear the brunt of a joke. A person can never be a brunt.
Tuesday
SOJOURN/JOURNEY
A “sojourn” is a temporary stay in one place.
A “journey” is a trip, a ride or a voyage. If one is constantly on the move, he is not on a sojourn.
Wednesday
PREMISE/PREMISES
A “premise” is a term in logic meaning something assumed or taken as given in making an argument. It is a basis or foundation of an argument.
“Premises”, regardless of size, means one’s residence or a building where one lives.
Thursday
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.”
“Fulsome” means excessive, immoderate or flattering and always has a negative connotation. The context demands a different meaning such as “fuller”.
“Republicans seized on the corruption charges against Blagojevich, a Democrat, to demand a fuller explanation from Obama about the relationship he and senior members of his inner circle had with the disgraced politician.”
“Food and beverages will be on sale as well as a beer tent.”
The sentence, as written, says that food, beverages and a beer tent will be for sale. I don’t think the tent is for sale. The sentence should be reworded for better sense.
“A beer tent will be provided and food and beverages will be on sale.”
Friday
COLLABORATION/CORROBORATION
“Collaborate” means to share, to join forces or to work together.
“Corroborate” means to strengthen, support or substantiate an argument.
A LIFE ETHIC
“Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.”
Confucius, the Chinese philosopher said this.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Fulminate” (v.) means to explode or detonate with a loud noise. It also means to denounce vehemently or loudly.
The spark caused the leaking gas to fulminate and destroy the lab.
Many Canadians fulminated against the prorogation of Parliament last week.
“Peremptory” (adj.) means absolute, leaving no opportunity for denial or debate or refusal.
“Capacious” (adj.) means large, roomy or voluminous.
“Commodious” (adj.) means roomy, spacious, convenient or amply.
“Corporeal” (adj.) means earthly, human or bodily. The root word is the Latin "corpus" meaning body.
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