Monday
DENOTATION/CONNOTATION
“Denotation” refers to the meaning of a term, its dictionary meaning or the class to which a term is applicable.
Connotation” refers to the implied or suggested or secondary meaning of a word.
The denotation of “man” is as the adult male of a species.
The denotation of “woman” is as the adult female of the species.
The connotation of “man” is one of strength, honour, skill and power.
The connotation of “woman” is one of motherliness, compassion, endurance and emotions.
“Now don’t get all bent out of shape about the imagery of men and women as presented in the examples because there are more connotations than I could ever posit.”
Tuesday
Find and correct the error in the following piece. Explain the applicable rule.
“Defence lawyer Frank Miller, who represents Billy pressed Hilborn on the amount of people who visited the apartment.”
I have cited this three or for times and some writers just don’t learn. So I will repeat.
Amount words relate to quantities of things that are measured in bulk.
Number words relate to things that can be counted.
“Defence lawyer Frank Miller, who represents Billy pressed Hilborn on the number of people who visited the apartment.”
Wednesday
UNDUE/UNDO
“Undue”, an adjective, is the opposite of “due”; it means unwarranted or improper.
“She resented his undue attention every time she went for a stroll.”
“Undo”, a verb, is the opposite of “do”; it means to cancel or to reverse.
“It is very easy to undo mistakes on a computer.”
Thursday
MOOT/MUTE
“Pronunciation’” is the stress or emphasis that is put on a word.
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“Moot”, an adjective, means open to discussion, to argue or to debate. It is pronounced as in the word “boot”.
“Which hockey team, Canada or the United States, is better ought to be a moot point; after all, it is our game.”
“Mute”, an adjective, means refraining from speech, silence or soundless. It is pronounced as in the word “cute”; the “u” sounds like “you”.
“The man was mute in front of the judge when confronted with an extensive list of his crimes.”
Friday
"THEIR" - PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK
“Every person must have their passport to cross the border.”
“Every person” is singular. “Their” is plural and must be changed to match the subject. If you don’t like “his”, use “her”.
“Every person must have his passport to cross the border.”
BARELY, HARDLY, SCARCELY
“Barely”, “hardly” and “scarcely” are negatives; to couple them with a negative verb is incorrect since two negatives make a positive.
“He was so proud he couldn't hardly speak.” (wrong)
“He was so proud he could hardly speak.”
“We weren't scarcely able to do the job because of the cold.” (wrong)
“We were scarcely able to do the job because of the cold.”
“I don't barely know her but I would like to.” (wrong)
“I barely know her but I would like to meet her.”
The Bonus star is for not ending the preceding sentence with a preposition. Read it again to see the correction.
A GOOD PHILOSOPHY
“Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.”
Henry Miller, a US author who lived from 1891 to 1980, said this.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Myopic” (adj.) means not being able to focus on near objects; it is a vision impairment called short-sightedness.
The connotation of “myopic” refers to a personality trait wherein a person is short-sighted and cannot see beyond the moment.
“Exigent” (adj.) means demanding immediate notice or attention, urgent, precise accuracy and much effort.
“Exigency” is the noun form.
“Exigence” is another noun form.
“Titillation” (n.) is an aroused excitement or exhilaration.
“Twitter” (v.) means to utter a succession of small, tremulous sounds, as a bird, to tremble with excitement.
A “twitterer” is a bird that twitters.
“Twittery” (adj.) means tremulous, bird-like excitement.
“Twit” (v.) means to jibe at, to reproach or upbraid.
“Twit”, as a noun, connotes one who has a brain the size of a bird. Might this definition apply to a certain form of communication popular of the internet?
“Diffidence” (n.) refers to a lack of self-confidence, self-distrust, self-doubt or reticence.
NATIONAL GRAMMAR DAY
March 4, 2010
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