Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's postings.
Monday
[He expressed] “...the need for he to be at his grandmother's side…”.
“For” is a preposition which takes an objective pronoun; “he” is subjective and must be replaced .
[He expressed] “...the need for him to be at his grandmother's side…”.
“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.”
This is an incomplete sentence because there is no verb. It is also confusing in meaning and should be reworded.
"The better choice, even with the disadvantage of having an inexperienced running mate, is Sarah Palin, who doubtless sees every last Air Canada plane taking the northern route to Europe.”
“One in five Britons find monogamy undesirable and nearly a third think it is unnatural, according to a sex survey out Sunday.”
The subject is “one”, not “five”, and it requires a singular verb, “finds”.
“One in five Britons finds monogamy undesirable and nearly a third think it is unnatural, according to a sex survey out Sunday.”
Tuesday
[He] “...shoulda went right to second base…”.
The sports caster should learn to articulate. Also, “went” is the past tense of “go” and cannot be used with the auxiliary verb “have”.
[He] “...should have gone right to second base...".
“I was doing good.”
“Good” is an adjective and an adverb is required to describe the verb “was doing”.
“I was doing well.”
Wednesday
"Is it true, do men get more romantic with age? The most romantic age 53? Do you agree? We are told he is wiser and will work for his partner, be more likely to make an effort. is it true? Is your man more romantic than ever? Would you choose an older man over a young man, anytime?"
There are so many errors here, I don’t have the inclination to list them. Check below for a better version. I have no idea how to incorporate “anytime” with any sort of connectivity, so I am leaving it out.
“Is it true that men get more romantic with age? Is the most romantic age 53? Do you agree? We are told that, at that age, he is wiser and will work for his partner and be more likely to make an effort. Is it true? Is your man more romantic than ever? Would you choose an older man over a young man?”
“Young, childless, and snipped. Men as young as 21 are seeking vasectomies. With one couple suing for $50,000 because his didn't take. Should they collect for an unplanned pregnancy?”
The first group of words is an incomplete thought. The third group is not either.
“Young, childless, and snipped, men as young as 21 are seeking vasectomies. One couple is suing for $50,000 because his didn't take. Should they collect for an unplanned pregnancy?”
Thursday
“Because it's stomach churning to think that those dear old grandparents, Bill and Helene Regier of Mount Carmel, aged 72 and 73, were killed in cold blood by someone who surely knew their deaths would be 'freebies' on his maxed-out crime account.”
This is an incomplete thought; the word “because” makes it a subordinate clause that cannot stand by itself.
“It's stomach churning to think that those dear old grandparents, Bill and Helene Regier of Mount Carmel, aged 72 and 73, were killed in cold blood by someone who surely knew their deaths would be 'freebies' on his maxed-out crime account.”
“Three for the price of one. A volume discount.”
Both groups of words are incomplete thoughts.
“He killed three for the price of one and will get a volume discount [at trial].”
“...says members are impacted for life…”
"Impact" is a noun. I do not like “impacted” being used as a verb, although it seems to be creeping into the language.
“...says there are impacts on members for life…”
Friday
“Jesse Imeson looks good in chains. What else to say about a man who killed three times in four days?”
The second group of words is poorly constructed and incomplete.
“Jesse Imeson looks good in chains. What else is there to say about a man who killed three times in four days?”
“Food and liquor are going missing, articles of clothing, fishing equipment.”
“Things do not “go missing”; that is an impossibility. The last part is a weak ad-on. It should be completely reworked.
“Food and liquor, articles of clothing and fishing equipment are disappearing."
“Because better people, in the end, always win.”
This is an incomplete thought. As printed, it is a subordinate clause only.“Better people, in the end, always win.”
AN INTERESTING PHILOSOPHY
“Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.”
Oscar Wilde created this quote.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Pathetic” (adj.) means exciting pity or sympathy, wretched, dismal, sad, pitiable or weak. The noun form is “pathos”. “Pathology” is a derivation.
“Self-effacement” (n.) refers to humility or is the act of keeping oneself in the background.
“Euphemism” (n.) refers to the substitution of a mild, indirect or vague expression for a harsh or blunt one.
“Frivolity” (n.) means playfulness, merriment or giddiness.
“Languorous” (adj.) means lazy, sleepy, dreamy or languid.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
MEDIA WATCH WEEK - DAY 5
ONE STORY - MANY HITS
Find and correct the errors in the following pieces.
"Jesse Imeson looks good in chains. What else to say about a man who killed three times in four days?"
"Food and liquor are going missing, articles of clothing, fishing equipment."
"Because better people, in the end, always win."
Kelly Egan, Ottawa Citizen Columnist, "With a killer on the loose, brave neighbours prevail, Kelly Egan, The Windsor Star, Friday, October 31, 2008.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "languorous".
Define "languorous" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted on Sunday.
Find and correct the errors in the following pieces.
"Jesse Imeson looks good in chains. What else to say about a man who killed three times in four days?"
"Food and liquor are going missing, articles of clothing, fishing equipment."
"Because better people, in the end, always win."
Kelly Egan, Ottawa Citizen Columnist, "With a killer on the loose, brave neighbours prevail, Kelly Egan, The Windsor Star, Friday, October 31, 2008.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "languorous".
Define "languorous" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted on Sunday.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
MEDIA WATCH WEEK - DAY 4
ACCEPTABILITY?
Read the following and decide whether or not they contain writing errors.
Identify the errors and correct them.
"Because it's stomach churning to think that those dear old grandparents, Bill and Helene Regier of Mount Carmel, aged 72 and 73, were killed in cold blood by someone who surely knew their deaths would be 'freebies' on his maxed-out crime account."
Gord Henderson, "Where's the justice?", The Windsor Star, Thursday, October 30, 2008.
"Three for the price of one. A volume discount."
Gord Henderson, "Where's the justice?", The Windsor Star, Thursday, October 30, 2008.
"...says members are impacted for life..."
Rob Shervill, AM800 CKLW News, Thursday, October 30, 2008, 9:03 am.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "frivolity".
Define "frivolity" and use it in a sentence.
Read the following and decide whether or not they contain writing errors.
Identify the errors and correct them.
"Because it's stomach churning to think that those dear old grandparents, Bill and Helene Regier of Mount Carmel, aged 72 and 73, were killed in cold blood by someone who surely knew their deaths would be 'freebies' on his maxed-out crime account."
Gord Henderson, "Where's the justice?", The Windsor Star, Thursday, October 30, 2008.
"Three for the price of one. A volume discount."
Gord Henderson, "Where's the justice?", The Windsor Star, Thursday, October 30, 2008.
"...says members are impacted for life..."
Rob Shervill, AM800 CKLW News, Thursday, October 30, 2008, 9:03 am.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "frivolity".
Define "frivolity" and use it in a sentence.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
MEDIA WATCH WEEK - DAY 3
ON-LINE SHOW SCHEDULE
Read the following paragraphs that list "Other Upcoming Events..." for the Lynn Martin radio show on AM800, CKLW . Find and correct the errors.
"Is it true, do men get more romantic with age? The most romantic age 53? Do you agree? We are told he is wiser and will work for his partner, be more likely to make an effort. is it true? Is your man more romantic than ever? Would you choose an older man over a young man, anytime?"
"Young, childless, and snipped. Men as young as 21 are seeking vasectomies. With one couple suing for $50,000 because his didn't take. Should they collect for an unplanned pregnancy?"
AN INTERESTING PHILOSOPHY
Identify the author of the following barb.
“Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "euphemism".
Define "euphemism" and use it in a sentence.
CONGRATULATIONS!
I congratulate "Yusuf" for finding the spelling error that I made last week. Well done!
To those who did not find the error: "Too bad! You lose! I corrected the mistake."
If you are really curious, you will find Yusuf's comment attached to one of my postings. Read it.
M.
Read the following paragraphs that list "Other Upcoming Events..." for the Lynn Martin radio show on AM800, CKLW . Find and correct the errors.
"Is it true, do men get more romantic with age? The most romantic age 53? Do you agree? We are told he is wiser and will work for his partner, be more likely to make an effort. is it true? Is your man more romantic than ever? Would you choose an older man over a young man, anytime?"
"Young, childless, and snipped. Men as young as 21 are seeking vasectomies. With one couple suing for $50,000 because his didn't take. Should they collect for an unplanned pregnancy?"
AN INTERESTING PHILOSOPHY
Identify the author of the following barb.
“Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "euphemism".
Define "euphemism" and use it in a sentence.
CONGRATULATIONS!
I congratulate "Yusuf" for finding the spelling error that I made last week. Well done!
To those who did not find the error: "Too bad! You lose! I corrected the mistake."
If you are really curious, you will find Yusuf's comment attached to one of my postings. Read it.
M.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
MEDIA WATCH WEEK - DAY 2
CHECK THESE GEMS!
Find and correct the errors in the entries below.
[He] "...shoulda went right to second base..."
Brian Dunstan, CBC Newsworld, Monday, October 27, 2008, 2:35 pm.
"I was doing good."
(I think this was in reference to his previous weather predictions in which he failed to predict the rain that cancelled the World Series Monday.)
Sam Champion, weatherman, ABC Good Morning America, Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 7:15 am.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "self-effacement".
Define "self-effacement" and use it in a sentence.
Find and correct the errors in the entries below.
[He] "...shoulda went right to second base..."
Brian Dunstan, CBC Newsworld, Monday, October 27, 2008, 2:35 pm.
"I was doing good."
(I think this was in reference to his previous weather predictions in which he failed to predict the rain that cancelled the World Series Monday.)
Sam Champion, weatherman, ABC Good Morning America, Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 7:15 am.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "self-effacement".
Define "self-effacement" and use it in a sentence.
Monday, October 27, 2008
MEDIA WATCH WEEK - DAY 1
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.
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.
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.
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