CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - July 25, 2009

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

Monday

MILITATE/MITIGATE

“Militate” should be followed by the word “against” as in militating or working against a silly law.

“Mitigate” means to make easier or moderate. It means to lessen and should never be followed by “against”.


Tuesday

Identify and fix the problems in the following entries.

FURNITURE STORE COMMERCIAL

“One out of two people buy at Art Van.”
The subject and verb are not in agreement.
“One out of two people buys at Art Van.”

GLOBAL NEWS STORY

“He may have hung himself.”
The correct verb is “hanged” when referring to capital punishment.
“He may have hanged himself.”


Wednesday

LYSOL COMMERCIAL

“You can see the stains bleach leave behind.”
“Bleach” is a singular subject and requires a singular verb.
“You can see the stains bleach leaves behind.


Thursday

GRAMMAR CHECK

Identify the incorrect sentences and explain the errors.

“The result of all these calls are that the phone lines are jammed.”
The subject of the sentence is “result”, which is singular, so a singular verb must be used.
“The result of all these calls is that the phone lines are jammed.”

“Mary and Tom are going to stay for a week.”
This sentence is correct.

“Mary, along with her boyfriend, are coming to visit tomorrow.”
The subject is “Mary”, which is singular, so a singular verb must be used.
“Along with her boyfriend is an adjective phrase modifying “Mary”. “Mary, along with her boyfriend, is coming to visit tomorrow.”


Friday

SOMETIME/SOME TIME

“Sometime” refers to some indefinite time in the future.

“Some time”, when “some” modifies the word “time” refers to a specific time or moment in the future.


WORTH THINKING ABOUT

“Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge.”
This was created by Mark Twain (1835 - 1910).


LAST WEEK’S WORDS

“Recondite” (adj.) means abstruse, obscure or incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding.

“Rapprochement” (n.) refers to the reestablishment of cordial relations or reconciliation.

“Simulacrum” (n.) refers to an insubstantial or vague semblance or the likeness of a person as in a sculpture or on a coin.

“Disreputable” (adj.) Means dishonourable or lacking respectability in character, behaviour or appearance.

“Obeisance” (n.) refers to bending the body, head or knees as a sign of submission or shame.


COMMENT
I will tackle "acting stupidly" next week.