INCISIVE/DECISIVE
What is the difference in meaning and use between "incisive" and "decisive"?
Use "incisive" and "decisive" in sentences that clearly show the meaning of each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "simulacrum".
This word has fallen out of use but it has a good ring to it. It reminds me of Poe.
Define "simulacrum" and use it in a sentence.
What is the plural of "simulacrum"?
What word do we use today whose root is the same as "simulacrum"?
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - April 20, 2008
Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's posts.
Monday
WENT/GONE
“Gone” is the past participle of the verb “go”.
“Went” is the past tense of “go”.
“Went” and “gone” are not interchangeable.
I “went” to the store.
I “have gone” to the store in the past.
WRONG: I should “have went” to the store yesterday.
Tuesday
WRAPPED/RAPT/RAPPED - Part 1
“Wrapped” means to be enclosed, hidden or covered.
“Rapt” means to be deeply involved with something, to be deeply engrossed with something, to be carried away or awed by something.
“Rapped” is the past participle of the verb rap and means to hit or strike.
WRAPPER/RAPTOR/RAPPER - Part 2
A “wrapper” is someone who wraps or covers a present or object.
“A “raptor” is a carnivorous bird. “Raptor” has no real connection with “rapt” other than the concept of being carried away as a carnivorous bird might do with its prey..
“A “rapper” is someone who knocks on a door or someone who performs a genre of music.
Wednesday
DIFFUSE/DEFUSE
“Diffuse” means to spread out, to fan out or to permeate the air.
“Defuse” means to remove the trigger or the fuse, to disarm.
Thursday
Choose the correct form of the verb in each example below:
1. Occasionally I (lie, lay) on the couch.
Occasionally I lie on the couch.
2. Yesterday I (laid, lay) in the sun.
Yesterday I lay in the sun.
3. Usually I (lie, lay) on my right side.
Usually I lie on my right side.
4. The town (lies, lays) in a pleasant valley.
The town lies in a pleasant valley.
5. The responsibility (lies, lays) with you.
The responsibility lies with you.
6. When school closed I (laid, layed) my books away.
When school closed I laid my books away.
7. He (laid, layed) claim to the insurance payment.
He laid claim to the insurance payment.
8. That book (has lain, has laid) on my desk for several days.
That book has lain on my desk for several days.
9. Shall I (lie, lay) your book on the desk?
Shall I lay your book on the desk?
10. You cannot (lie, lay) down to sleep but you can (lie, lay) down to sleep.
You cannot lay down to sleep but you can lie down to sleep.
Friday
BACKWARD/BACKWARDS
“Backward” is the only acceptable form when used as an adjective.
“He left the room without even a backward glance.”
“Backwards” or “backward” can be used as an adverb.
“She put her shirt on backwards.”
“He copied her and put his on backward.”
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“A handful of patience is worth more that a bushel of brains.”
This was said by Cato the Elder.
THIS WEEK’S WORDS
“Imperturbable” (adj.) means unshakably calm, collected, unemotional or cool.
“Hypothetical” (adj) means theoretical, abstract, notional or not based on fact.
“Imperturbable” (adj.) means cool, unexcitable, unflappable or giving no sign of feeling
“Stultify” (v.) means to cause to appear foolish, to show to be incompetent or irresponsible.
“Diffidence” (n.) means self-distrust, a lack of self-confidence a reticence or doubt.
Monday
WENT/GONE
“Gone” is the past participle of the verb “go”.
“Went” is the past tense of “go”.
“Went” and “gone” are not interchangeable.
I “went” to the store.
I “have gone” to the store in the past.
WRONG: I should “have went” to the store yesterday.
Tuesday
WRAPPED/RAPT/RAPPED - Part 1
“Wrapped” means to be enclosed, hidden or covered.
“Rapt” means to be deeply involved with something, to be deeply engrossed with something, to be carried away or awed by something.
“Rapped” is the past participle of the verb rap and means to hit or strike.
WRAPPER/RAPTOR/RAPPER - Part 2
A “wrapper” is someone who wraps or covers a present or object.
“A “raptor” is a carnivorous bird. “Raptor” has no real connection with “rapt” other than the concept of being carried away as a carnivorous bird might do with its prey..
“A “rapper” is someone who knocks on a door or someone who performs a genre of music.
Wednesday
DIFFUSE/DEFUSE
“Diffuse” means to spread out, to fan out or to permeate the air.
“Defuse” means to remove the trigger or the fuse, to disarm.
Thursday
Choose the correct form of the verb in each example below:
1. Occasionally I (lie, lay) on the couch.
Occasionally I lie on the couch.
2. Yesterday I (laid, lay) in the sun.
Yesterday I lay in the sun.
3. Usually I (lie, lay) on my right side.
Usually I lie on my right side.
4. The town (lies, lays) in a pleasant valley.
The town lies in a pleasant valley.
5. The responsibility (lies, lays) with you.
The responsibility lies with you.
6. When school closed I (laid, layed) my books away.
When school closed I laid my books away.
7. He (laid, layed) claim to the insurance payment.
He laid claim to the insurance payment.
8. That book (has lain, has laid) on my desk for several days.
That book has lain on my desk for several days.
9. Shall I (lie, lay) your book on the desk?
Shall I lay your book on the desk?
10. You cannot (lie, lay) down to sleep but you can (lie, lay) down to sleep.
You cannot lay down to sleep but you can lie down to sleep.
Friday
BACKWARD/BACKWARDS
“Backward” is the only acceptable form when used as an adjective.
“He left the room without even a backward glance.”
“Backwards” or “backward” can be used as an adverb.
“She put her shirt on backwards.”
“He copied her and put his on backward.”
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“A handful of patience is worth more that a bushel of brains.”
This was said by Cato the Elder.
THIS WEEK’S WORDS
“Imperturbable” (adj.) means unshakably calm, collected, unemotional or cool.
“Hypothetical” (adj) means theoretical, abstract, notional or not based on fact.
“Imperturbable” (adj.) means cool, unexcitable, unflappable or giving no sign of feeling
“Stultify” (v.) means to cause to appear foolish, to show to be incompetent or irresponsible.
“Diffidence” (n.) means self-distrust, a lack of self-confidence a reticence or doubt.
Friday, April 18, 2008
EASY FRIDAY
BACKWARD/BACKWARDS
What is the difference between "backward" and "backwards"?
Are the words interchangeable?
Create sentences using each word correctly.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "diffidence".
Define "diffidence" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations will be posted on Sunday.
Have a sunny weekend!
What is the difference between "backward" and "backwards"?
Are the words interchangeable?
Create sentences using each word correctly.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "diffidence".
Define "diffidence" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations will be posted on Sunday.
Have a sunny weekend!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
ANOTHER LITTLE TEST
CONFUSING?
Choose the correct form of the verb in each example below:
1. Occasionally I (lie, lay) on the couch.
2. Yesterday I (laid, lay) in the sun.
3. Usually I (lie, lay) on my right side.
4. The town (lies, lays) in a pleasant valley.
5. The responsibility (lies, lays) with you.
6. When school closed I (laid, layed) my books away.
7. He (laid, layed) claim to the insurance payment.
8. That book (has lain, has laid) on my desk for several days.
9. Shall I (lie, lay) your book on the desk?
10. You cannot (lie, lay) down to sleep but you can (lie, lay) down to sleep.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "stultify".
Define "stultify" and use it in a sentence.
Choose the correct form of the verb in each example below:
1. Occasionally I (lie, lay) on the couch.
2. Yesterday I (laid, lay) in the sun.
3. Usually I (lie, lay) on my right side.
4. The town (lies, lays) in a pleasant valley.
5. The responsibility (lies, lays) with you.
6. When school closed I (laid, layed) my books away.
7. He (laid, layed) claim to the insurance payment.
8. That book (has lain, has laid) on my desk for several days.
9. Shall I (lie, lay) your book on the desk?
10. You cannot (lie, lay) down to sleep but you can (lie, lay) down to sleep.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "stultify".
Define "stultify" and use it in a sentence.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
ANOTHER EASY DAY
DIFFUSE/DEFUSE
Explain the difference between "diffuse" and "defuse"
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Who said the following?
“A handful of patience is worth more that a bushel of brains.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "imperturbable".
Define "imperturbable" and use it in a sentence.
Explain the difference between "diffuse" and "defuse"
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Who said the following?
“A handful of patience is worth more that a bushel of brains.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "imperturbable".
Define "imperturbable" and use it in a sentence.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
WORD FUN
WRAPPED/RAPT/RAPPED - Part 1
Here is a fun one. Explain the differences in meaning of the words, "wrapt", "rapt" and "rapped".
WRAPPER/RAPTOR/RAPPER - Part 2
How do "wrapper", "raptor" and "rapper" relate to the words above?
Be sure to define each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "hypothetical".
Define "hypothetical" and use it in a sentence.
Here is a fun one. Explain the differences in meaning of the words, "wrapt", "rapt" and "rapped".
WRAPPER/RAPTOR/RAPPER - Part 2
How do "wrapper", "raptor" and "rapper" relate to the words above?
Be sure to define each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "hypothetical".
Define "hypothetical" and use it in a sentence.
Monday, April 14, 2008
EASY START
WENT/GONE
What part of speech is each word? Be specific.
Explain the correct uses of the words "went" and "gone".
Create sentences using each word correctly.
What is the most common misuse of these words?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "imperturbable".
Define "imperturbable" and use it in a sentence.
What part of speech is each word? Be specific.
Explain the correct uses of the words "went" and "gone".
Create sentences using each word correctly.
What is the most common misuse of these words?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "imperturbable".
Define "imperturbable" and use it in a sentence.
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