CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - February 21, 2010

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

Monday

WORD RELATIONSHIPS

Bonus: connect your correction to today's word and win a silver star.
Bonus: connect your correction to today's title and win a gold star.

“Jensen compared the 500 to a Volkswagen. But she said its smaller size wouldn't fit she and her husband's lifestyle.”

“She” is subjective. “Her” is objective. “Her” must be used because it is the indirect object of the verb “fit”.
The speaker should put the other person first and herself last.

Silver Star Winner: this example is a word relationship between a verb and its object.
Gold Star Winner: fixing the error is an amendment or “amelioration”.

“Jensen compared the 500 to a Volkswagen. But she said its smaller size wouldn't fit the lifestyle of her husband and her.”


Tuesday

WRITING STYLE OR WRITING ERROR?

“Not surprising for a toddler who has probably never seen temperatures below 26 C.”

This is not a sentence because it is not a complete thought. What is not surprising for a toddler? Who knows? I, the reader, should not have to go on an expedition to be able to understand a story. The fault is laziness or ignorance of correct writing rules on the part of the writer.

“Complete wonder at snow is not surprising for a toddler who has probably never seen temperatures below 26 C.”


Wednesday

COPYWRITE/COPYRIGHT

“Copywrite” is not a word.

“Copyright” is the correct word and refers to one’s right to copy the material he owns.

“I own the copyright to my play ‘The Mien of Maude’.”


Thursday

SUBMITTAL/SUBMISSION

“Submittal” is the act of giving in, surrendering or submitting. It does not refer to the thing being submitted.

“Your submittal to the punishment will sit well with the public.”

“Submission” is a message, an entry, a recommendation or a compliance.

“Your submission to the play publishing committee has been turned down.”


Friday

BREAKUP/BREAK UP

A “breakup” occurs when two people separate.

“Our breakup was painful but necessary.”

A “break up” is the separating of things.

“The ice jam will break up when the weather gets warmer.”


TRUE CYNICISM

“Some editors are failed writers, but so are most writers.”

T. S. Eliot, dramatist & poet, penned this.


PET PEEVES

Diner: "Thank you for seating us so quickly."
Server: "No problem. What can I get yous guys to drink?"

I hate the self-centred “no problem” that people use in lieu of “You’re welcome.” This was my pet peeve last week and I am emphasizing hgow much I detest it.

“Yous” IS NOT A WORD! “You” can be singular or plural. “Yous” is just plain ignorant.

“Guys” is a universally abused word but it's gender is male; women and girls who want to be “one of the guys” should gives their heads a big shake.


LAST WEEK’S WORDS

“Ameliorate” (v.) means to improve, amend, comport, ease or make better.

“Hoar”, as a noun, refers to ice.
“Hoar”, as an adjective, means covered with frost or showing the grey signs of age.

“Mesmerize” (v.) means to bewitch, to induce hypnotism, to thrill or to magnetize.

“Sybaritic” (adj.) means luxurious, sensuous, voluptuous or epicurean.
A “sybarite” is one devoted to luxury and decadence.

“Burgeoning” is the present participle of the verb “burgeon” meaning growing and flourishing or sprouting.
“Burgeon” is the verb form.