Friday, July 17, 2009

SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT

ATTRIBUTE/CONTRIBUTE

Esplain the difference in meaning between "attribute" and "contribute".
What part of speech is each word?
Create a sentence for each word that clearly shows the meaning of the word.
Explain how one of these words changes when the emphasis is put on a different syllable?


TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "exponentially".
What part of speech is "exponentially"?
Define "exponentially" and use it in a sentence.


CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS

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

Thursday, July 16, 2009

WHEN WILL THEY EVER LEARN?

HEADLINE: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Identify and correct the error in the following Windsor Star, "Letters to the editor" headline of July 16, 2009.

"Cash for clunkers make sense"


TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "consummate".
What part of speech is "consummate"?
Define "consummate" and use it in a sentence.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

A MIXED BAG

DREDGE/DRUDGE/TRUDGE

"Dredge", "drudge" and "trudge" may sound similar but they have very different meanings.
What part of speech is each word?
Explain the differences in meaning of the three words.
Use "dredge", "drudge" and "trudge" in sentences that express thieir meanings.


THINK ABOUT THIS ONE

Identify the author of the thought below.

“A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding.”


TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "torpor".
What part of speech is "torpor"?
Define "torpor" and use it in a sentence.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

HELP! GET INVOLVED!

A REQUEST

I would like to draw attention to the flagrant misuse of the English language by advertising companies and I need your suggestions.
Click on "Comment" below and make your suggestions. I will gladly listen or watch a commercial and then cite it on this blog.
Offer your suggestions. I cannot do it all by myself.


BEMUSE/AMUSE

Explain the difference in meaning between the words "bemuse" and "amuse".
What part of speech is each word?
What is the noun form of each word?
Use "bemuse" and "amuse" in sentences that show their respective meanings.


TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "disreputable".
Define "disreputable" and use it in a sentence.
What part of speech is "disreputable"?

Monday, July 13, 2009

I'M BACK!

OPINION

I had a good rest over the last two weeks and am ready to reboot my crusade for correct English use. So professional writers: beware! You are my favourites because you have a powerful, influential forum and you must never cease to be the vanguard of correctness. If you pander to sloppy and incorrect writing, I will use you as my teaching tool. Remember, as Marshall McLuhan said: "The medium is the message". If your medium is incorrect, what does that say about you and your message?


WHAT IS A SENTENCE?

Read the following entries and explain why each is, or is not, a sentence.

"Every gesture captured in close-up by coordinated stage cameras, the images sent to jumbo screens for mass viewing."

"No irony involved."

"A souvenir of Windsor."
Dalson Chen, "Kiss made city want to rock 'n' roll all night, The Windsor Star, Monday, July 13, 2009.


TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "eviscerate".
Define "eviscerate" and use it in a sentence.
What part of speech is "eviscerate"?