CRITERIA/CRITERION
Explain the difference in meaning between "criteria" and "criterion".
When is it correct to use "criteria" and when is it correct to use "criterion"?
Create sentences using each word correctly.
Cite as many examples of other words that follow the same rules.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "antithetical".
What part of speech is "antithetical"?
Define "antithetical" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
TIME FOR A BREAK
JUNE 29 - JULY 12
I am taking a break, so there will be no postings on the blog from Monday, June 29 through Sunday, July 12.
If you are in need of a grammar fix, check the archives. There are, literally, hundreds of postings from which to choose.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
BE PRECISE
RETROSPECTIVE/RETROACTIVE
Define "retrospective" and "retroactive" and explain the differences in meaning between the words.
What part of speech is each word?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "cadre".
What part of speech is "cadre"?
Define "cadre" and use it in a sentence.
TIME FOR A BREAK
JUNE 29 - JULY 12
I am taking a break, so there will be no postings on the blog from Monday, June 29 through Sunday, July 12.
If you are in need of a grammar fix, check the archives. There are, literally, hundreds of postings from which to choose.
Have a ball! Read them all!
Define "retrospective" and "retroactive" and explain the differences in meaning between the words.
What part of speech is each word?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "cadre".
What part of speech is "cadre"?
Define "cadre" and use it in a sentence.
TIME FOR A BREAK
JUNE 29 - JULY 12
I am taking a break, so there will be no postings on the blog from Monday, June 29 through Sunday, July 12.
If you are in need of a grammar fix, check the archives. There are, literally, hundreds of postings from which to choose.
Have a ball! Read them all!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
HUMP DAY OFFERINGS
REBUT/REFUTE
Explain the difference in meaning between the words "rebut" and "refute".
Create a coherent sentence for each word.
A TRUTH
Identify the author of the following truism.
“The goal of life is living in agreement with nature.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "melancholy".
What part of speech is "melancholy"?
Define "melancholy" and use it in a sentence.
Explain the difference in meaning between the words "rebut" and "refute".
Create a coherent sentence for each word.
A TRUTH
Identify the author of the following truism.
“The goal of life is living in agreement with nature.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "melancholy".
What part of speech is "melancholy"?
Define "melancholy" and use it in a sentence.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
EASY STUFF
PERSPECTIVE/PROSPECTIVE
Explain the difference in meaning between the words "perspective" and "prospective".
What part of speech is each word?
Create sentences that clearly show the meanings of the words "perspective" and "prospective".
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is ""atavistic".
What part of speech is "atavistic"?
Define "atavistic" and use it in a sentence. Try creating two sentences using the word.
Explain the difference in meaning between the words "perspective" and "prospective".
What part of speech is each word?
Create sentences that clearly show the meanings of the words "perspective" and "prospective".
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is ""atavistic".
What part of speech is "atavistic"?
Define "atavistic" and use it in a sentence. Try creating two sentences using the word.
Monday, June 22, 2009
A FUN ONE
APPOSE/DEPOSE/OPPOSE/REPOSE/SUPPOSE
"Appose", "depose", "oppose", "repose" and "suppose" share the same root but all have different meanings.
What is the root of each word?
What clue to the meanings does the root present?
What part of speech is each word?
What is the meaning of "appose", "depose", "oppose", "repose" and "suppose"?
Use each word in a sentence that shows its meaning.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "devolve".
Define "devolve" and use it in a sentence.
What part of speech is "devolve"?
JOIN THE CLUB
Check the websites of "MY FRIENDS".
You will be pleasantly surprised.
Join my "ENGLISH PURISTS CLUB".
Let it be known that you advocate and support the use of correct English.
"Appose", "depose", "oppose", "repose" and "suppose" share the same root but all have different meanings.
What is the root of each word?
What clue to the meanings does the root present?
What part of speech is each word?
What is the meaning of "appose", "depose", "oppose", "repose" and "suppose"?
Use each word in a sentence that shows its meaning.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "devolve".
Define "devolve" and use it in a sentence.
What part of speech is "devolve"?
JOIN THE CLUB
Check the websites of "MY FRIENDS".
You will be pleasantly surprised.
Join my "ENGLISH PURISTS CLUB".
Let it be known that you advocate and support the use of correct English.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - June 21, 2009
Here are the corrections and explanations for last week’s postings.
Monday
INTERMURAL/INTRAMURAL/EXTRAMURAL
“Intramural” literally means within the walls and refers to events taking place entirely within an institution.
“House league teams at universities are examples of “intramural” sports activities.”
“Extramural”, therefore, means outside the walls and means outside the institution.
“When the University of Windsor football Lancers travel to London to compete against the University of Western Ontario Mustangs they are playing an extramural competition.”
“Intermural” is a rare word meaning between the walls. It has fallen out of use and is most often mistaken for “intramural”.
Tuesday
EMINENT/IMMINENT/IMMANENT
“Eminent” (adj.) means prominent, famous or above others in character.
“Vasco da Gama was an eminent Portuguese explorer.”
“Imminent” (adj.) means expected to follow in the near future. It often has a negative connotation such as in “imminent disaster” but can also be positive as in “imminent promotion”. The key is that it will occur very soon.
“A brutal storm is imminent because the sky is so dark and the wind is so calm.”
“Immanent” (adj.) is a thought process meaning inherent, intrinsic or within the mind. It is a mental act occurring within the mind of a subject and having no effect outside of it. Philosophically it means “inherent” and by theologically it means “present throughout the universe” when referring to God.
“Being kind to others is an immanent philosophy throughout the religions of the world.”
Wednesday
EMULATE/IMITATE
“Imitate”, a verb, means to copy something or someone.
“Emulate”, also a verb, is purely positive and means to strive to equal or match someone or something.
“A child may “imitate” his peers when he throws stones at windows but he “emulates” a kind person when he tries to help someone in need.”
Thursday
HIS AND HER’S/HIS AND HERS
“His and hers” is correct one because “hers” is a possessive pronoun and does not take an apostrophe.
“The house was his and hers.”
BOY'S BALL/BOYS' BALL
“Boy’s ball” means that the ball belonged to one boy.
“Boys’ ball” means that the ball belonged to many boys.
Friday
CONNOTE/DENOTE
“Denote”, a verb, means to attest, to certify, to demonstrate. It is the direct meaning of a term.
“Denotation” is the noun form.
“Their nods denote a willingness to continue.”
“Connote”, a verb, means to express or state indirectly, to imply, to denote secondarily, to represent or to symbolize in addition to the primary meaning.
“Connotation” is the noun form.
I think of “denote” as what a word means and “connote” as what a word implies.
“I connote, from observing their restlessness when the police drive by, that they are planning something illegal.”
A GOOD THOUGHT
Identify the speaker of the following truism.
“Civilization is a method of living, an attitude of equal respect for all men.”
This was said by Jane Addams, US suffragist (1860 - 1935).
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Emeritus” (adj.) means retired or advanced, particularly from assigned duties, but retaining one’s title.
“Repugnant” (adj.) means abhorrent, obscene repulsive or detestable.
“Duplicitous” (adj.) means deceitful, double-dealing, two-faced or beguiling.
“Untenable” (adj.) means indefensible, mindless, reasonless or absurd.
“Anecdotal” (adj.) means relating to, or telling of, incidences or stories of an interesting nature.
Monday
INTERMURAL/INTRAMURAL/EXTRAMURAL
“Intramural” literally means within the walls and refers to events taking place entirely within an institution.
“House league teams at universities are examples of “intramural” sports activities.”
“Extramural”, therefore, means outside the walls and means outside the institution.
“When the University of Windsor football Lancers travel to London to compete against the University of Western Ontario Mustangs they are playing an extramural competition.”
“Intermural” is a rare word meaning between the walls. It has fallen out of use and is most often mistaken for “intramural”.
Tuesday
EMINENT/IMMINENT/IMMANENT
“Eminent” (adj.) means prominent, famous or above others in character.
“Vasco da Gama was an eminent Portuguese explorer.”
“Imminent” (adj.) means expected to follow in the near future. It often has a negative connotation such as in “imminent disaster” but can also be positive as in “imminent promotion”. The key is that it will occur very soon.
“A brutal storm is imminent because the sky is so dark and the wind is so calm.”
“Immanent” (adj.) is a thought process meaning inherent, intrinsic or within the mind. It is a mental act occurring within the mind of a subject and having no effect outside of it. Philosophically it means “inherent” and by theologically it means “present throughout the universe” when referring to God.
“Being kind to others is an immanent philosophy throughout the religions of the world.”
Wednesday
EMULATE/IMITATE
“Imitate”, a verb, means to copy something or someone.
“Emulate”, also a verb, is purely positive and means to strive to equal or match someone or something.
“A child may “imitate” his peers when he throws stones at windows but he “emulates” a kind person when he tries to help someone in need.”
Thursday
HIS AND HER’S/HIS AND HERS
“His and hers” is correct one because “hers” is a possessive pronoun and does not take an apostrophe.
“The house was his and hers.”
BOY'S BALL/BOYS' BALL
“Boy’s ball” means that the ball belonged to one boy.
“Boys’ ball” means that the ball belonged to many boys.
Friday
CONNOTE/DENOTE
“Denote”, a verb, means to attest, to certify, to demonstrate. It is the direct meaning of a term.
“Denotation” is the noun form.
“Their nods denote a willingness to continue.”
“Connote”, a verb, means to express or state indirectly, to imply, to denote secondarily, to represent or to symbolize in addition to the primary meaning.
“Connotation” is the noun form.
I think of “denote” as what a word means and “connote” as what a word implies.
“I connote, from observing their restlessness when the police drive by, that they are planning something illegal.”
A GOOD THOUGHT
Identify the speaker of the following truism.
“Civilization is a method of living, an attitude of equal respect for all men.”
This was said by Jane Addams, US suffragist (1860 - 1935).
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Emeritus” (adj.) means retired or advanced, particularly from assigned duties, but retaining one’s title.
“Repugnant” (adj.) means abhorrent, obscene repulsive or detestable.
“Duplicitous” (adj.) means deceitful, double-dealing, two-faced or beguiling.
“Untenable” (adj.) means indefensible, mindless, reasonless or absurd.
“Anecdotal” (adj.) means relating to, or telling of, incidences or stories of an interesting nature.
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