INTERMENT/INTERNMENT
Explain the difference between the words "interment" and "internment".
Create a sentence for each word that clearly slows its meaning.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "oscillate".
Define "oscillate" and use it in a sentence.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - January 11, 2009
Here are the corrections and explanations for last week’s entries.
Monday
Check the following. Correct the errors.
“I like to think of myself as a nice guy. A reasonable guy. A positive, self-aware person who's pleasant to be around and makes the world a better place.”
There are two incomplete thoughts because the punctuation is wrong.
For balance, “who” should be added to the last clause.
Poetic licence should be reserved for poetry, not newspaper writing.
“I like to think of myself as a nice guy, a reasonable guy, a positive, self-aware person who's pleasant to be around and who makes the world a better place.”
“If someone's not a dumbass, I tolerate them.”
How does “them” relate to “someone”? Pronominal consistency is needed.
“If someone's not a dumbass, I tolerate him (or her, if there is a need to be absolutely politically correct).
“Which only goes to show that little guys like you and me are at as much risk as big banks.”
This is an incomplete thought because of the use of the subordinate conjunction, “which”.
I will not even start on the word “like”.
“This only goes to show that little guys like you and me are at as much risk as big banks.”
Tuesday
The Window Sign - 7 words, 4 errors - a record!
“Sorry we closed. We out of meet.”
Are they sorry they are closed or are they apologizing for having to close. Without a comma after “sorry”, there is confusion.
“We closed” is an incorrect verb construction; an auxiliary verb, “are”, is needed.
“We out” is an incorrect verb construction; an auxiliary verb, “are”, is needed.
“Meet” is the wrong word.
“Sorry, we are closed. We are out of meat.”
BONUS
“The Medium is the Message” was coined by Marshall McLuhan, 1911-1980, Canadian educator, scholar and philosopher.
Wednesday
There are errors in the following pieces. Find, explain and correct them.
“But it will surely slow things down, and that's not what we need. Not when more than 100,000 vehicles and $800 million crosses the border from Ontario to the U.S. on a daily basis.”
The second word group is an incomplete thought. A comma should be used, not a period.
“But it will surely slow things down, and that's not what we need, not when more than 100,000 vehicles and $800 million crosses the border from Ontario to the U.S. on a daily basis.”
“Instead of requiring the signature of a notary, a person with a valid passport can now act as a guarantor, providing they've know the applicant for at least two years.”
“Know” is incorrect; it should be “known”
“The subject of the first clause is “person”, a singular noun. The subject of the second clause is “they”. But “they” refers back to the singular “person” in the first clause and thus, is incorrect. A singular pronoun is needed.
“Instead of requiring the signature of a notary, a person with a valid passport can now act as a guarantor, providing he has known the applicant for at least two years.”
Thursday
PRESUME/ASSUME
“Assume” means “to take up or on oneself,” “to suppose or take for granted,” “to pretend” or “to be taken up.”
“Presume” is related to and similar to “assume” but it has the sense of doing it beforehand. It means “to venture without prior knowledge,” “to assume as believable without proof” or “to behave arrogantly”.
Friday
AURAL/ORAL
“Aural” has to do with things heard, as in the aural canal of the ear.
“Oral” has to do with things said or relating to the mouth, such as an oral exam.
A GOOD ONE
“Love is the difficult realization that something other than oneself is real.”
Iris Murdoch, a British novelist, coined this phrase.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Pedagogy” (n.) is the function, work or art of teaching or instruction. A “pedagogue”, or teacher, is often considered dogmatic and formal.
“Commiserate” (v.) means to sympathize, to pity or to show compassion.
The correct use is to say, “We commiserate with you over your loss.” We do not “commiserate” with a loss but rather with a person regarding a loss.
“Concomitant” (adj.) means associated, connected, attendant or affiliated with.
“Vacillate” (v.) means to waver, to fluctuate or to hesitate.
“Sanguine” (adj.) means optimistic, cheerful, hopeful or confident.
Monday
Check the following. Correct the errors.
“I like to think of myself as a nice guy. A reasonable guy. A positive, self-aware person who's pleasant to be around and makes the world a better place.”
There are two incomplete thoughts because the punctuation is wrong.
For balance, “who” should be added to the last clause.
Poetic licence should be reserved for poetry, not newspaper writing.
“I like to think of myself as a nice guy, a reasonable guy, a positive, self-aware person who's pleasant to be around and who makes the world a better place.”
“If someone's not a dumbass, I tolerate them.”
How does “them” relate to “someone”? Pronominal consistency is needed.
“If someone's not a dumbass, I tolerate him (or her, if there is a need to be absolutely politically correct).
“Which only goes to show that little guys like you and me are at as much risk as big banks.”
This is an incomplete thought because of the use of the subordinate conjunction, “which”.
I will not even start on the word “like”.
“This only goes to show that little guys like you and me are at as much risk as big banks.”
Tuesday
The Window Sign - 7 words, 4 errors - a record!
“Sorry we closed. We out of meet.”
Are they sorry they are closed or are they apologizing for having to close. Without a comma after “sorry”, there is confusion.
“We closed” is an incorrect verb construction; an auxiliary verb, “are”, is needed.
“We out” is an incorrect verb construction; an auxiliary verb, “are”, is needed.
“Meet” is the wrong word.
“Sorry, we are closed. We are out of meat.”
BONUS
“The Medium is the Message” was coined by Marshall McLuhan, 1911-1980, Canadian educator, scholar and philosopher.
Wednesday
There are errors in the following pieces. Find, explain and correct them.
“But it will surely slow things down, and that's not what we need. Not when more than 100,000 vehicles and $800 million crosses the border from Ontario to the U.S. on a daily basis.”
The second word group is an incomplete thought. A comma should be used, not a period.
“But it will surely slow things down, and that's not what we need, not when more than 100,000 vehicles and $800 million crosses the border from Ontario to the U.S. on a daily basis.”
“Instead of requiring the signature of a notary, a person with a valid passport can now act as a guarantor, providing they've know the applicant for at least two years.”
“Know” is incorrect; it should be “known”
“The subject of the first clause is “person”, a singular noun. The subject of the second clause is “they”. But “they” refers back to the singular “person” in the first clause and thus, is incorrect. A singular pronoun is needed.
“Instead of requiring the signature of a notary, a person with a valid passport can now act as a guarantor, providing he has known the applicant for at least two years.”
Thursday
PRESUME/ASSUME
“Assume” means “to take up or on oneself,” “to suppose or take for granted,” “to pretend” or “to be taken up.”
“Presume” is related to and similar to “assume” but it has the sense of doing it beforehand. It means “to venture without prior knowledge,” “to assume as believable without proof” or “to behave arrogantly”.
Friday
AURAL/ORAL
“Aural” has to do with things heard, as in the aural canal of the ear.
“Oral” has to do with things said or relating to the mouth, such as an oral exam.
A GOOD ONE
“Love is the difficult realization that something other than oneself is real.”
Iris Murdoch, a British novelist, coined this phrase.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Pedagogy” (n.) is the function, work or art of teaching or instruction. A “pedagogue”, or teacher, is often considered dogmatic and formal.
“Commiserate” (v.) means to sympathize, to pity or to show compassion.
The correct use is to say, “We commiserate with you over your loss.” We do not “commiserate” with a loss but rather with a person regarding a loss.
“Concomitant” (adj.) means associated, connected, attendant or affiliated with.
“Vacillate” (v.) means to waver, to fluctuate or to hesitate.
“Sanguine” (adj.) means optimistic, cheerful, hopeful or confident.
Friday, January 9, 2009
FRIDAY'S FUN
AURAL/ORAL
Explain the difference in meaning between "aural" and "oral".
Create sentences that clearly exhibit the meaning of each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "sanguine".
Define "sanguine" and use it in a sentence.
ADDING YOUR COMMENTS
Your comments and corrections are always welcome and I will publish them unless you request that I not do so.
The comment that came in about Wednesday's posting did not catch the error in the first Windsor Star editorial cited. Feel free to try again.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
Explain the difference in meaning between "aural" and "oral".
Create sentences that clearly exhibit the meaning of each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "sanguine".
Define "sanguine" and use it in a sentence.
ADDING YOUR COMMENTS
Your comments and corrections are always welcome and I will publish them unless you request that I not do so.
The comment that came in about Wednesday's posting did not catch the error in the first Windsor Star editorial cited. Feel free to try again.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
SUBTLETY OF MEANING
PRESUME/ASSUME
Explain the differences in meaning between the words "presume" and "assume".
Create sentences using "presume" and "assume" that clearly show the words' meanings.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "vacillate".
Define "vacillate" and use it in a sentence.
Explain the differences in meaning between the words "presume" and "assume".
Create sentences using "presume" and "assume" that clearly show the words' meanings.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "vacillate".
Define "vacillate" and use it in a sentence.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
SUBTLE, BUT STILL INCORRECT
COMMON USAGE DOES NOT MAKE CORRECTNESS
There are errors in the following pieces. Find, explain and correct them.
Hint: the quotation gives a clue to one of the errors.
"But it will surely slow things down, and that's not what we need. Not when more than 100,000 vehicles and $800 million crosses the border from Ontario to the U.S. on a daily basis."
Lead editorial, "The border", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, January 7, 2009.
"Instead of requiring the signature of a notary, a person with a valid passport can now act as a guarantor, providing they've know the applicant for at least two years."
Lead editorial, "The border", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, January 7, 2009.
A GOOD ONE
Identify the author of the following:
“Love is the difficult realization that something other than oneself is real.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "concomitant".
Define "concomitant" and use it in a sentence.
There are errors in the following pieces. Find, explain and correct them.
Hint: the quotation gives a clue to one of the errors.
"But it will surely slow things down, and that's not what we need. Not when more than 100,000 vehicles and $800 million crosses the border from Ontario to the U.S. on a daily basis."
Lead editorial, "The border", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, January 7, 2009.
"Instead of requiring the signature of a notary, a person with a valid passport can now act as a guarantor, providing they've know the applicant for at least two years."
Lead editorial, "The border", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, January 7, 2009.
A GOOD ONE
Identify the author of the following:
“Love is the difficult realization that something other than oneself is real.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "concomitant".
Define "concomitant" and use it in a sentence.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
THE MEDIUM IS THE MESSAGE
I CAN'T RESIST THIS ONE!
This sign was spotted in a fast food restaurant window. Correct the errors in the text.
WORD OF THE DAY
Today's word is "commiserate".
Define "commiserate" and use it in a sentence.
Bonus: explain the correct usage of the word to receive a star for your forehead.
BONUS # 2
Identify the author of the title of today's blog and receive a gold star.
This sign was spotted in a fast food restaurant window. Correct the errors in the text.
WORD OF THE DAY
Today's word is "commiserate".
Define "commiserate" and use it in a sentence.
Bonus: explain the correct usage of the word to receive a star for your forehead.
BONUS # 2
Identify the author of the title of today's blog and receive a gold star.
Monday, January 5, 2009
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION
PAY ATTENTION!
"PROFESSIONAL WRITERS: LEARN TO WRITE!"
Good writing demands the following: correct spelling, complete sentences, proper grammar and appropriate punctuation. Anything else is unacceptable.
Check the following. Do these examples meet the criteria? Correct them if they do not.
"I like to think of myself as a nice guy. A reasonable guy. A positive, self-aware person who's pleasant to be around and makes the world a better place."
Dalson Chen, "2009 anti-resolutions", The Windsor Star, Monday, January 5, 2009.
"If someone's not a dumbass, I tolerate them."
Trevor Wilhelm, "2009 anti-resolutions", The Windsor Star, Monday, January 5, 2009.
"Which only goes to show that little guys like you and me are at as much risk as big banks."
Daphne Bramham, Internet blunders of 2008, "2009 anti-resolutions", The Windsor Star, Monday, January 5, 2009.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "pedagogy".
Define "pedagogy" and use it in a sentence.
"PROFESSIONAL WRITERS: LEARN TO WRITE!"
Good writing demands the following: correct spelling, complete sentences, proper grammar and appropriate punctuation. Anything else is unacceptable.
Check the following. Do these examples meet the criteria? Correct them if they do not.
"I like to think of myself as a nice guy. A reasonable guy. A positive, self-aware person who's pleasant to be around and makes the world a better place."
Dalson Chen, "2009 anti-resolutions", The Windsor Star, Monday, January 5, 2009.
"If someone's not a dumbass, I tolerate them."
Trevor Wilhelm, "2009 anti-resolutions", The Windsor Star, Monday, January 5, 2009.
"Which only goes to show that little guys like you and me are at as much risk as big banks."
Daphne Bramham, Internet blunders of 2008, "2009 anti-resolutions", The Windsor Star, Monday, January 5, 2009.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "pedagogy".
Define "pedagogy" and use it in a sentence.
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