INCREDIBLE!
Find and explain the errors in the following pieces.
Correct them.
"Daniel Carcillo could care less if Maple Leafs and their supporters don't like him."
Mike Zeisberger, "Them's fighting words", Toronto Sun, Thursday, January 14, 2010.
"So jeer him if you want. He couldn't care."
Mike Zeisberger, "Them's fighting words", Toronto Sun, Thursday, January 14, 2010.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "deprecate".
What part of speech is "deprecate"?
Define "deprecate" and use it in a sentence.
What other forms of the word can you list?
Try to use it in your speech today.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
CORRECTNESS: A CROSS TO CARRY
CROSS/ACROSS/ACROSSED
What parts of speech are "cross", "across" and "acrossed"?
What is the correct way to use each word?
Create sentences for"cross", "across" and "acrossed" that clearly show the correct meaning of each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "ignominious".
What part of speech is "ignominious"?
Define "ignominious" and use it in a sentence.
Use "ignominious" in your speech today.
COMMENTS
If you want to leave a comment on any of my postings, please do so, but it must, at the very least, make sense and be relevant.
What parts of speech are "cross", "across" and "acrossed"?
What is the correct way to use each word?
Create sentences for"cross", "across" and "acrossed" that clearly show the correct meaning of each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "ignominious".
What part of speech is "ignominious"?
Define "ignominious" and use it in a sentence.
Use "ignominious" in your speech today.
COMMENTS
If you want to leave a comment on any of my postings, please do so, but it must, at the very least, make sense and be relevant.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
WRITING SUBTLENESS
TWO CHALLENGES
I suggest there are two errors in the following piece: one should be obvious; one is potentially debatable. Find and correct what you consider incorrect. Give reasons for your choices.
"Francis said other factors looked at include the 48 new daycare centres that have become established locally in the past five years, as well as the poor economy that has seen less parents needing daycare services because more are out of work."
Doug Schmidt, "CITY PONDERS DAYCARE CUTS", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, January 13, 2010.
THIS SAYS IT ALL!
Identify the author of the following truism.
“Where is there dignity unless there is honesty?”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "impeccable".
What part of speech is "impeccable"?
Define "impeccable" and use it in a sentence.
Try using it in your speech today.
I suggest there are two errors in the following piece: one should be obvious; one is potentially debatable. Find and correct what you consider incorrect. Give reasons for your choices.
"Francis said other factors looked at include the 48 new daycare centres that have become established locally in the past five years, as well as the poor economy that has seen less parents needing daycare services because more are out of work."
Doug Schmidt, "CITY PONDERS DAYCARE CUTS", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, January 13, 2010.
THIS SAYS IT ALL!
Identify the author of the following truism.
“Where is there dignity unless there is honesty?”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "impeccable".
What part of speech is "impeccable"?
Define "impeccable" and use it in a sentence.
Try using it in your speech today.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
FINE DISTINCTIONS
PARTAKE/PARTICIPATE
This was triggered by the misuse of one of the terms by a CBC television reporter during yesterday's morning news.
Explain the meaning and correct use of the terms "partake" and "participate".
What part of speech is each word?
Use "partake" and "participate" in sentences that clearly show their meanings.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "expurgate".
What type of word is "expurgate"?
Define "expurgate" and use it in a sentence.
RECRUITING FOLLOWERS
I am still recruiting followers for this blog. Join michaelsenglishusage.com by
clicking on "Followers" in the right column and following the instructions. It can be anonymous and it is a worthwhile endeavour.
This was triggered by the misuse of one of the terms by a CBC television reporter during yesterday's morning news.
Explain the meaning and correct use of the terms "partake" and "participate".
What part of speech is each word?
Use "partake" and "participate" in sentences that clearly show their meanings.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "expurgate".
What type of word is "expurgate"?
Define "expurgate" and use it in a sentence.
RECRUITING FOLLOWERS
I am still recruiting followers for this blog. Join michaelsenglishusage.com by
clicking on "Followers" in the right column and following the instructions. It can be anonymous and it is a worthwhile endeavour.
Monday, January 11, 2010
MONDAY WORD MOTIF
COMMENTS
I happily accept, encourage and, generally, publish, comments sent to this blog by readers.
I do not accept and do not publish comments by those who want to use my blog as a forum to promote their agenda, product or service.
If any comment does not relate directly to the use of the English language or to some information I have put forth on that topic, it is summarily rejected.
I will not allow this blog to be a platform for free advertising of vapid tripe, so, spam freaks, quit cluttering my time.
If you want to advertise, show me the money and we will talk; otherwise, get lost!
IGNORANT/STUPID
Explain the difference between the words "ignorant" and "stupid".
What type of word is each?
What is the noun form of each word?
Create sentences for "ignorant" and "stupid" that clearly show the meanings of the words.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "aliterate".
What part of speech is "aliterate"?
What words can you list that are similar to "aliterate" but have slightly different meanings?
Create a sentence using "aliterate".
Define "aliterate" and use it in a sentence.
I happily accept, encourage and, generally, publish, comments sent to this blog by readers.
I do not accept and do not publish comments by those who want to use my blog as a forum to promote their agenda, product or service.
If any comment does not relate directly to the use of the English language or to some information I have put forth on that topic, it is summarily rejected.
I will not allow this blog to be a platform for free advertising of vapid tripe, so, spam freaks, quit cluttering my time.
If you want to advertise, show me the money and we will talk; otherwise, get lost!
IGNORANT/STUPID
Explain the difference between the words "ignorant" and "stupid".
What type of word is each?
What is the noun form of each word?
Create sentences for "ignorant" and "stupid" that clearly show the meanings of the words.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "aliterate".
What part of speech is "aliterate"?
What words can you list that are similar to "aliterate" but have slightly different meanings?
Create a sentence using "aliterate".
Define "aliterate" and use it in a sentence.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - January 10, 2010
Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's entries.
Monday
Find and correct the errors in the following examples.
“By sharply increasing the maximum penalties for those he says don't follow the rules.”
This is not a complete thought.
“He will reward drivers by sharply increasing the maximum penalties for those he says don't follow the rules.”
“Just as we missed the debate on lowering the blood alcohol limit to .05 and the option of jailing a driver under the recently instituted 'street racing' legislation without that person being able to launch a legal defence.”
This, also, is not a complete thought.
“If there was any debate, we missed it, just as we missed the debate on lowering the blood alcohol limit to .05 and the option of jailing a driver under the recently instituted 'street racing' legislation without that person being able to launch a legal defence.”
Tuesday
Identify and correct the errors in the following pieces.
“More than 9,000 investors lost over $100 million in funds that went missing from Norbourg over a five-year period.”
How many times do I have to say it? “PEOPLE AND THINGS DO NOT GO MISSING!”
“More than 9,000 investors lost over $100 million in funds that disappeared from Norbourg over a five-year period.”
“Particularly since, as McGuinty noted, these workers have 'been sheltered from the full ravages of this private-sector recession.’ ”
This is an incomplete thought.
“McGuinty noted these workers have 'been sheltered from the full ravages of this private-sector recession.’ ”
Wednesday
THEORY/HYPOTHESIS
A “theory” is a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact.
“Einstein’s theory of relativity was the seminal addition to the understanding of speed and light.”
A “hypothesis” is a proposition proposed as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena. It can be thought of as a mere assumption or guess to guide an investigation of facts.
“The detective used the concept of greed in trying to understand a motive for the crime.”
Thursday
MAJORITY ARE/MAJORITY IS
“Majority” can be either singular or plural.
“Majority” should be used only with countable nouns.
“Majority is” must be used when referring to a group in its entirety.
“The majority council opinion is that DRIC is short-changing the city.”
“Majority are” must be used when referring to the group as individuals.
“The majority of callers are opposed to daylight savings time changes.”
Friday
TORTUROUS/TORTUOUS
“Torturous” means painful or unpleasant as with torture.
“The constant loudness of the amplified drumming was torturous and harmful to her sense of hearing.”
“Tortuous” means tangled or twisted.
“The winding path through the brambles was brutally tortuous.”
DO YOU AGREE?
“The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.”
Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher who lived from 1844 to1900, wrote this idea.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Matriculate” (v.) means to enroll as a student, to enter or to sign up for something.
“Voluminous” (adj.) means large in volume or bulk, sizable or large.
Other forms of the word are “volume”, “voluminously”, “voluminousness” and “voluminosity”.
“Minion” (n.) refers to a follower, a parasite or a servile or base favourite of a prince or parton.
“Meticulous” (adj.) means precise, finicky, fussy or excessively concerned about niceties.
The noun form is “meticulosity”.
“Rakish” (adj.) means dashing, jaunty, modish or stylish.
Monday
Find and correct the errors in the following examples.
“By sharply increasing the maximum penalties for those he says don't follow the rules.”
This is not a complete thought.
“He will reward drivers by sharply increasing the maximum penalties for those he says don't follow the rules.”
“Just as we missed the debate on lowering the blood alcohol limit to .05 and the option of jailing a driver under the recently instituted 'street racing' legislation without that person being able to launch a legal defence.”
This, also, is not a complete thought.
“If there was any debate, we missed it, just as we missed the debate on lowering the blood alcohol limit to .05 and the option of jailing a driver under the recently instituted 'street racing' legislation without that person being able to launch a legal defence.”
Tuesday
Identify and correct the errors in the following pieces.
“More than 9,000 investors lost over $100 million in funds that went missing from Norbourg over a five-year period.”
How many times do I have to say it? “PEOPLE AND THINGS DO NOT GO MISSING!”
“More than 9,000 investors lost over $100 million in funds that disappeared from Norbourg over a five-year period.”
“Particularly since, as McGuinty noted, these workers have 'been sheltered from the full ravages of this private-sector recession.’ ”
This is an incomplete thought.
“McGuinty noted these workers have 'been sheltered from the full ravages of this private-sector recession.’ ”
Wednesday
THEORY/HYPOTHESIS
A “theory” is a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact.
“Einstein’s theory of relativity was the seminal addition to the understanding of speed and light.”
A “hypothesis” is a proposition proposed as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena. It can be thought of as a mere assumption or guess to guide an investigation of facts.
“The detective used the concept of greed in trying to understand a motive for the crime.”
Thursday
MAJORITY ARE/MAJORITY IS
“Majority” can be either singular or plural.
“Majority” should be used only with countable nouns.
“Majority is” must be used when referring to a group in its entirety.
“The majority council opinion is that DRIC is short-changing the city.”
“Majority are” must be used when referring to the group as individuals.
“The majority of callers are opposed to daylight savings time changes.”
Friday
TORTUROUS/TORTUOUS
“Torturous” means painful or unpleasant as with torture.
“The constant loudness of the amplified drumming was torturous and harmful to her sense of hearing.”
“Tortuous” means tangled or twisted.
“The winding path through the brambles was brutally tortuous.”
DO YOU AGREE?
“The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.”
Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher who lived from 1844 to1900, wrote this idea.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Matriculate” (v.) means to enroll as a student, to enter or to sign up for something.
“Voluminous” (adj.) means large in volume or bulk, sizable or large.
Other forms of the word are “volume”, “voluminously”, “voluminousness” and “voluminosity”.
“Minion” (n.) refers to a follower, a parasite or a servile or base favourite of a prince or parton.
“Meticulous” (adj.) means precise, finicky, fussy or excessively concerned about niceties.
The noun form is “meticulosity”.
“Rakish” (adj.) means dashing, jaunty, modish or stylish.
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