FRIDAY'S FOLLIES

A PLETHORA OF  EXAMPLES

Find and fix the errors in the following pieces. Be sure to cite the rule for each error.

"First, to give the impression Earl Woods is in a galaxy far, far away, a virtual Obi-Wan Kenobi offering words of wisdom to a much younger Tiger; the one we knew and loved before all those sordid details about his mistresses and sex life hit the press."
Karen Hall, "Shame on you, Tiger Woods", The Windsor Star, Friday, April 9, 2010.

"Or for those of us who refuse to buy it, cowardice and more cowardice."
Karen Hall, "Shame on you, Tiger Woods", The Windsor Star, Friday, April 9, 2010.

"He acts like a kid who's just been taken to the woodshed; a sombre, stoic, sheepish look on his face."
Karen Hall, "Shame on you, Tiger Woods", The Windsor Star, Friday, April 9, 2010.

"And the par-five 13th when he went in the creek with his second shot, and survived."
Cam Cole, "Watson wows Augusta", The Windsor Star, Friday, April 9, 2010.

TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "ambiguity".
What part of speech is "ambiguity"?
What other parts of speech can be made from "ambiguity"?
Define "ambiguity" and use it in a sentence.

CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS

Corrections and explanations for the entries from this week and last week will be posted Sunday.

ANOTHER YEAR - A CONTINUING MISSION

 NOTHING

Correct the following sentences and cite the rule that applies.

"Nothing but weeds grows in my yard."

"Nothing except sweet candies appeal to Tiffany."
  

TODAY'S WORD

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

CONGRATULATIONS TO ME:

THREE YEARS AND COUNTING

On April 6, 2007, I published my first blog entry, citing lofty ideals and a mandate to harass professional writers, newscasters and radio and television speakers for so much abuse of the English language. I like to think that, in a small way, I have pushed them to be aware of their obligations to the public and, especially, to young and impressionable readers and listeners.


I take pride in offering a word-a-day to challenge people to broaden their vocabularies.

I also take pride in trying to improve punctuation, sentence structure and grammar.

Today's posting is number 881 and I fully intend to keep going, to keep challenging and to always champion the correct use of the English language.


Please visit my "FRIENDS" who are listed in the column to the right.

Please join the  "FOLLOWERS" of this blog by clicking on "follow" in the box to the right.


Thank you. Come back often.

BAD STRUCTURAL WRITING

SPORT BLOOPERS

Identify and correct the errors in the following pieces.

"And waded right in to the unbearable heaviness of being Tiger."
Cam Cole, "Rival feels Tiger's pain", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, April 7, 2010.

"Some of it self-imposed, some out of self-preservation."
Cam Cole, "Rival feels Tiger's pain", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, April 7, 2010.

ONE TRUE RULE

Identify the author of the following truism.

“One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love.”

TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "naught".
What part of speech is naught"?

Define "naught" and use it in a sentence.
What is the most commonly used word that is derived from "naught"?

BRANCHING OUT

TIMES/MULTIPLY

In the world of math, what is correct: to "times" numbers, or to "multiply" numbers? 

Explain the correct use of the terms "times" and "multiply".

TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "solicitous".
What part of speech is "solicitous"?
Define "solicitous" and use it in a sentence.
List four other forms of "solicitous" and identify what part of speech each is.

BACK TO WORD BUSINESS

SURE/SURELY

Explain the differences between the words "sure" and "surely".
What part of speech is each word?
Create sentences that clearly show the correct use of "sure" and "surely".

TODAY'S WORD

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

REMEMBER

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