PROFESSIONALS AT WORK
Find and explain the flaws in the following pieces.
[He expressed] "...the need for he to be at his grandmother's side...".
Henry Champ, CBC Newsworld, Friday, October 25, 10:15 am.
"The better choice,even with the disadvantage of having an inexperienced running mate in Sarah Palin, who doubtless spies every last Air Canada plane taking the northern route to Europe."
Barbara Yaffe, "McCain best for Canada, The Windsor Star, Saturday, October 25, 2008.
"One in five Britons find monogamy undesirable and nearly a third think it is unnatural, according to a sex survey out Sunday."
"Survey finds a third think monogamy unnatural", London, The Windsor Star, Monday, October 27, 2008.
TODAY'S WORD
Today's word is "pathetic".
Define "pathetic" and use it in a sentence.
List all the other forms of the word that come to mind.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - October 26, 2008
Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's postings.
Monday
ALLEGED/ ALLEGEDLY
“Alleged” is an adjective (technically a participle) meaning supposed, suspected, so-called or assumed.
“Allegedly” is an adverb meaning purportedly or supposedly.
How are "alleged" and "allegedly" misused and overused.
To say that a crime is alleged when there is an obvious victim of the crime or abuse is ridiculous. The crime had been committed; there is no alleged victim or alleged crime; there is a victim and a crime. Thus, in this case, by deduction there is no such thing as an alleged perpetrator. Reporters and writers often make this mistake in a seeming attempt to not influence a case.
Tuesday
PRONUNCIATION/ARTICULATION
“Pronunciation” means the stress that is put on a syllable.
Other words for this are emphasis or accent.
In Canada we should say “finance” with the stress on the second syllable. In the states, the stress is on the first syllable.
“Articulation” is the clarity with which a syllable is spoken. Another word for this is enunciation.
“Little” has two “ts” in the middle and should not be sloppily spoken as “liddle”.
Wednesday
DRAUGHT/DRAFT
“Draft” (n.) means a drawing or sketch, a current of air or a levy such as conscription.
The beer industry has adopted “draft” in place of “draught” for obvious marketing and advertising reasons.
“Draught” (n.) means a current of air such as in a room or chimney, a drawing of a liquid.
Today, the words are almost completely interchangeable.
Thursday
ACCEPT/EXCEPT
“Accept” (v.) means to receive.
“Except” is usually a preposition meaning but or leaving out.
“Except” can be used as a verb such as in , “He excepted the results.” The meaning is that he did not include them in whatever conclusion he was drawing.
The two words are almost perfect antonyms.
Friday
Identify and correct the error in the following entry.
“The number of homicides in Canada went down last year from the year before, although an increasing number of slayings are related to gang warfare, Statistics Canada reported Thursday.”
If “number” refers to all individuals, “are” is acceptable. Normally, “number” is a collective singular noun and a singular verb, “is” is required.
“The number of homicides in Canada went down last year from the year before, although an increasing number of slayings is related to gang warfare, Statistics Canada reported Thursday.”
A GREAT LIFE APHORISM
“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt said this.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Recrimination” (n.) means an accusation, blame or reproach.
“Interlocutor” (n.) is a person who takes part in a conversation or dialogue with another.
“Acquisitive” (adj.) means greedy, covetous, avaricious or grasping.
“Morbid” (adj.) means gloomy, morose, dark or moody.
“Tipple” (n.) means a cocktail, a pint, a beer, a nip or an intoxicating liquor. As a verb, it means to drink or tip one.
“Tipple” (n.) is a device that is used to overturn a freight car to dump its contents. It also means a place where the cars are emptied of their contents.
Monday
ALLEGED/ ALLEGEDLY
“Alleged” is an adjective (technically a participle) meaning supposed, suspected, so-called or assumed.
“Allegedly” is an adverb meaning purportedly or supposedly.
How are "alleged" and "allegedly" misused and overused.
To say that a crime is alleged when there is an obvious victim of the crime or abuse is ridiculous. The crime had been committed; there is no alleged victim or alleged crime; there is a victim and a crime. Thus, in this case, by deduction there is no such thing as an alleged perpetrator. Reporters and writers often make this mistake in a seeming attempt to not influence a case.
Tuesday
PRONUNCIATION/ARTICULATION
“Pronunciation” means the stress that is put on a syllable.
Other words for this are emphasis or accent.
In Canada we should say “finance” with the stress on the second syllable. In the states, the stress is on the first syllable.
“Articulation” is the clarity with which a syllable is spoken. Another word for this is enunciation.
“Little” has two “ts” in the middle and should not be sloppily spoken as “liddle”.
Wednesday
DRAUGHT/DRAFT
“Draft” (n.) means a drawing or sketch, a current of air or a levy such as conscription.
The beer industry has adopted “draft” in place of “draught” for obvious marketing and advertising reasons.
“Draught” (n.) means a current of air such as in a room or chimney, a drawing of a liquid.
Today, the words are almost completely interchangeable.
Thursday
ACCEPT/EXCEPT
“Accept” (v.) means to receive.
“Except” is usually a preposition meaning but or leaving out.
“Except” can be used as a verb such as in , “He excepted the results.” The meaning is that he did not include them in whatever conclusion he was drawing.
The two words are almost perfect antonyms.
Friday
Identify and correct the error in the following entry.
“The number of homicides in Canada went down last year from the year before, although an increasing number of slayings are related to gang warfare, Statistics Canada reported Thursday.”
If “number” refers to all individuals, “are” is acceptable. Normally, “number” is a collective singular noun and a singular verb, “is” is required.
“The number of homicides in Canada went down last year from the year before, although an increasing number of slayings is related to gang warfare, Statistics Canada reported Thursday.”
A GREAT LIFE APHORISM
“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt said this.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Recrimination” (n.) means an accusation, blame or reproach.
“Interlocutor” (n.) is a person who takes part in a conversation or dialogue with another.
“Acquisitive” (adj.) means greedy, covetous, avaricious or grasping.
“Morbid” (adj.) means gloomy, morose, dark or moody.
“Tipple” (n.) means a cocktail, a pint, a beer, a nip or an intoxicating liquor. As a verb, it means to drink or tip one.
“Tipple” (n.) is a device that is used to overturn a freight car to dump its contents. It also means a place where the cars are emptied of their contents.
Friday, October 24, 2008
LOTS OF STUFF
JUST FOR PRACTICE
Identify and correct the error in the following entry.
"The number of homicides in Canada went down last year from the year before, although an increasing number of slayings are related to gang warfare, Statistics Canada reported Thursday."
"Homicide rate in Canada goes down", Canwest News Service, Ottawa, The Windsor Star, Friday, October 24, 2008.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "tipple".
Define "tipple". Be aware that there are two distinct meanings for this word: one as a noun; one as a verb. Create sentences using "tipple" as a noun and as a verb.
MEDIA WATCH WEEK
Remember, next week is MEDIA WATCH (& LISTEN) WEEK!
All contributions of errors are welcome!
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
Identify and correct the error in the following entry.
"The number of homicides in Canada went down last year from the year before, although an increasing number of slayings are related to gang warfare, Statistics Canada reported Thursday."
"Homicide rate in Canada goes down", Canwest News Service, Ottawa, The Windsor Star, Friday, October 24, 2008.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "tipple".
Define "tipple". Be aware that there are two distinct meanings for this word: one as a noun; one as a verb. Create sentences using "tipple" as a noun and as a verb.
MEDIA WATCH WEEK
Remember, next week is MEDIA WATCH (& LISTEN) WEEK!
All contributions of errors are welcome!
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
INTERESTING CHALLENGES
ACCEPT/EXCEPT
Explain the difference between "accept" and "except".
What part of speech is each word?
Which word can be used as more than one part of speech? Explain.
Create sentences to illustrate the various meanings of the two words.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "morbid".
Define "morbid" and use it in a sentence.
MEDIA WATCH WEEK
Remember, next week is MEDIA WATCH WEEK!
All contributions are welcome!
Explain the difference between "accept" and "except".
What part of speech is each word?
Which word can be used as more than one part of speech? Explain.
Create sentences to illustrate the various meanings of the two words.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "morbid".
Define "morbid" and use it in a sentence.
MEDIA WATCH WEEK
Remember, next week is MEDIA WATCH WEEK!
All contributions are welcome!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
A BIT TRICKY
DRAUGHT/DRAFT
Define and explain the difference between the words "draught" and "draft".
A GREAT LIFE APHORISM
Identify the author of the following.
“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "acquisitive".
Define "acquisitive" and use it in a sentence.
Define and explain the difference between the words "draught" and "draft".
A GREAT LIFE APHORISM
Identify the author of the following.
“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "acquisitive".
Define "acquisitive" and use it in a sentence.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
A BIG WORD DAY
PRONUNCIATION/ARTICULATION
Explain the difference between "pronunciation" and "articulation".
Identify as many synonyms as you can for each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "interlocutor".
Define "interlocutor" and use it in a sentence.
NEXT WEEK
I think it is about time that I devote some effort to highlighting the extremely sloppy use of the English language by radio and television readers, reporters and talk show hosts.
If anyone would like to draw attention to a particularly egregious error or media contributor, please let me know by clicking on COMMENT below.
Explain the difference between "pronunciation" and "articulation".
Identify as many synonyms as you can for each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "interlocutor".
Define "interlocutor" and use it in a sentence.
NEXT WEEK
I think it is about time that I devote some effort to highlighting the extremely sloppy use of the English language by radio and television readers, reporters and talk show hosts.
If anyone would like to draw attention to a particularly egregious error or media contributor, please let me know by clicking on COMMENT below.
Monday, October 20, 2008
MEDIA MISUSE
ALLEGED, ALLEGEDLY
Define "alleged" and "allegedly".
What part of speech is each term?
Explain how "alleged" and "allegedly" are misused and overused.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "recrimination".
Define "recrinination" and use it in a sentence.
Define "alleged" and "allegedly".
What part of speech is each term?
Explain how "alleged" and "allegedly" are misused and overused.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "recrimination".
Define "recrinination" and use it in a sentence.
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