Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's entries.
Monday
“Alternate”, as an adjective, means another choice or something different.
“Alternate” can also be a verb but the emphasis is on the last syllable.
“Alternate” can also be a noun.
“Alternative”, as an adjective, means every other as in meeting on alternative weeks throughout the year.
“Alternative”, as a noun, refers to another choice, as in, ‘My alternative to becoming a lazy retiree is to write a daily blog about using English correctly’.
Tuesday
COMMON WORDS/COMMON MISTAKES
What do “phenomena”, “criteria”, “media”, “data” and “stadia” all have in common?
The words are all plural forms.
“Phenomenon”, “criterion”, “medium”, “datum” and “stadium” are the respective singular forms.
The most commonly misused examples are “data” with a singular verb and “stadiums” instead of “stadia”. “Criteria” is often misused when only a single “criterion” is needed.
Wednesday
Correct any errors and give reasons for your choices.
“ ‘Dr. Bernie Warren is a very unique individual who is highly recognized in the medical community,’ said Bird.”
“Unique”, an absolute modifier, means one-of-a-kind and cannot be compared.
“ ‘Dr. Bernie Warren is a unique individual who is highly recognized in the medical community,’ said Bird.”
Thursday
FLOE/FLOW
“Floe” (n.) is a flat mass of ice floating at sea.
“Flow” (v.) means to move smoothly or to stream.
Friday
POPULACE/POPULOUS
Populace”, a noun, refers to the population, as a whole, or the people of a country.
“Populous”, an adjective, refers to the density of population within a country, as in California is more populous than all of Canada.
I REALLY LIKE THIS ONE
“Patterning your life around others' opinions is nothing more than slavery.”
Lawana Blackwell, a Louisiana writer penned this line in her book, “The Dowry of Miss Lydia Clark”.
PET PEEVES - NEW DEPARTMENT
“NO PROBLEM”
Suggest an improvement for the word exchange below.
“Thank you for doing that job.”
“No problem.”
“No problem” has become a substitute for “you’re welcome” and places the importance on the job done by the server instead of responding to the politeness of the job receiver. It suggests the server is doing a favour for the receiver and sounds self-centred. It is better than no response at all but it is not as polite as "Thank you" and is a pet peeve.
“Thank you for doing that job.”
“You’re welcome.”
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Abhorrent” (adj.) means detestable, repulsive or obscene.
“Abhor” is the verb form.
“Abhorrence” is the noun form.
“Kibosh” (n.) refers to nonsense or to rendering something as definitely impossible or out of the question.
“Ruminate” (v.) means to chew, to masticate or to think about or ponder about at length and in depth.
“Rumination” is the noun form.
“Ruminant” refers to any chewing type animal.
“Foppish” (adj.) means affecting extremes in dress and manner or dandyish.
“Fop” is the noun form.
“Foppishly” is the adverb form.
“Expediency” (n.) refers to advantageousness, advisability or something that is quick, easy or politic rather than something that is right and just.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
WORD CORRECTNESS
PET PEEVES - NEW DEPARTMENT
"NO PROBLEM"
Check the exchange below and explain the problem with it.
Suggest an improvement.
"Thank you for doing that job."
"No problem."
POPULACE/POPULOUS
Explain the difference in meaning between the words "populace" and "populous".
What part of speech is each word?
Use "populace" and "populous" in sentences that clearly show their meanings.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "expediency".
What part of speech is "expediency"?
Define "expediency" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
"NO PROBLEM"
Check the exchange below and explain the problem with it.
Suggest an improvement.
"Thank you for doing that job."
"No problem."
POPULACE/POPULOUS
Explain the difference in meaning between the words "populace" and "populous".
What part of speech is each word?
Use "populace" and "populous" in sentences that clearly show their meanings.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "expediency".
What part of speech is "expediency"?
Define "expediency" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
QUICKIES
FLOE/FLOW
Explain the difference between the words "floe" and "flow".
What part of speech is each word?
Create sentences that show the meanings of both words.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "foppish".
What part of speech is "foppish"?
Define "foppish" and use it in a sentence.
List two other forms of "foppish" and identify what part of speech each is.
Explain the difference between the words "floe" and "flow".
What part of speech is each word?
Create sentences that show the meanings of both words.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "foppish".
What part of speech is "foppish"?
Define "foppish" and use it in a sentence.
List two other forms of "foppish" and identify what part of speech each is.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
SOME WORD CHALLENGES
BACK TO BUSINESS
How many errors can you find in the following entry? Correct each and give reasons for your choices.
" 'Dr. Bernie Warren is a very unique individual who is highly recognized in the medical community,' said Bird."
Rajana Bird, vice-president of research, University of Windsor, " 'Clown doctor' honoured by university," Windsor Star, Wednesday, February 10, 2010.
I REALLY LIKE THIS ONE
Identify the author of the following concept.
“Patterning your life around others' opinions is nothing more than slavery.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "ruminate".
What part of speech is "ruminate"?
What other parts of speech can be made with "ruminate"?
Define "ruminate" and use it in a sentence.
How many errors can you find in the following entry? Correct each and give reasons for your choices.
" 'Dr. Bernie Warren is a very unique individual who is highly recognized in the medical community,' said Bird."
Rajana Bird, vice-president of research, University of Windsor, " 'Clown doctor' honoured by university," Windsor Star, Wednesday, February 10, 2010.
I REALLY LIKE THIS ONE
Identify the author of the following concept.
“Patterning your life around others' opinions is nothing more than slavery.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "ruminate".
What part of speech is "ruminate"?
What other parts of speech can be made with "ruminate"?
Define "ruminate" and use it in a sentence.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
THIS SHOULD BE EASY
COMMON WORDS/COMMON MISTAKES
What do "phenomena", "criteria", "media", "data" and "stadia" all have in common?
What is the singular form of each word?
What are the mistakes often associated with each word?
Create a sentence for each word in its singular form.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "kibosh".
What part of speech is "kibosh"?
Define "kibosh" and use it in a sentence.
Hint: you may be surprised at the real meaning of the word.
What do "phenomena", "criteria", "media", "data" and "stadia" all have in common?
What is the singular form of each word?
What are the mistakes often associated with each word?
Create a sentence for each word in its singular form.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "kibosh".
What part of speech is "kibosh"?
Define "kibosh" and use it in a sentence.
Hint: you may be surprised at the real meaning of the word.
Monday, February 8, 2010
"A" GOOD MONDAY MORNING
ALTERNATE/ALTERNATIVE
Explain the difference between "alternate" and "alternative".
What part of speech is each word?
Be sure to refer to "alternate" as two different parts of speech in your explanation.
Create sentences using "alternate" and "alternative". Be sure the sentences clearly show the meanings of the words.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for Monday is "abhorrent".
What part of speech is "abhorrent"?
Define "abhorrent" and use it in a sentence.
What other parts of speech can be made from "abhorrent"?
Explain the difference between "alternate" and "alternative".
What part of speech is each word?
Be sure to refer to "alternate" as two different parts of speech in your explanation.
Create sentences using "alternate" and "alternative". Be sure the sentences clearly show the meanings of the words.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for Monday is "abhorrent".
What part of speech is "abhorrent"?
Define "abhorrent" and use it in a sentence.
What other parts of speech can be made from "abhorrent"?
Sunday, February 7, 2010
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - February 7, 2010
Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's entries.
Monday
APPOSE/OPPOSE
“Appose”, a verb, mean to put or place something close to or next to something else or to put things side by side. A close comparison would be to the word “juxtapose”.
“Football, as apposed to rugby, is a highly sophisticated situation-driven game.”
“The words ‘a verb’ are in apposition to the word ‘appose’ in the explanation above.”
“Oppose”, a verb, means to object to or go against something or someone.
“I oppose that new legislation because I think it infringes upon the common man and I hope it is never brought into law.”
Tuesday
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Correct the subject-verb problems and give the reason for the fix.
“The climate in both places are mild.”
The subject is climate and it is singular. The verb must be in agreement and also be singular.
“The climate in both places is mild.”
“Neither John nor Mary know what caused the problem.”
If one or more singular subject is joined to one or more plural subject by “or” or “nor”, the verb agrees with the subject closest to the verb.
“Neither John nor Mary knows what caused the problem.”
“Joe and his sister knows what the problem is.”
A compound subject whose parts are joined by 'and' normally takes a plural verb.
“Joe and his sister know what the problem is.”
“Every boy and girl have to participate.”
When the compound subject is modified by the words “each” or “every” a singular verb is used.
“Every boy and girl has to participate.”
Wednesday
Find and correct the error in the following piece.
“Clement said the city would one day like to move the fenced and lighted baseball stadium further into the park, clearing the way for a soccer field.”
“Further” means in addition to. “Farther” refers to distance. They are not interchangeable.
“Clement said the city would one day like to move the fenced and lighted baseball stadium further into the park, clearing the way for a soccer field.”
Thursday
FOUNDER/FLOUNDER
“Founder”, as a verb means to fill with water and sink. It is metaphorically used to refer to disasters and catastrophic failures.
“Flounder” means to thrash about in the water and is metaphorically used to refer to desperate struggles.
“If you are sunk, you have foundered; if you are still struggling you are floundering.”
Friday
SET/SIT
“Sit” means to rest on the lower part of the body.
“Set” means to place something or someone down.
“I sit down by the fire because it is warm and comforting and I set my book down beside me when I am tired of reading.”
THINK ABOUT THIS ONE
“Truth persuades by teaching, but does not teach by persuading.”
Quintus Septimius Tertullianus, a Carthaginian who lived from 160 AD to 230 AD, penned this. I didn’t know who wrote it either but I really like its depth of meaning.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Traduce” (v.) means to malign, to pick apart, to badmouth or to drag through the mud.
“Phlegmatic” (adj.) means stolid, cold or unemotional.
“Serendipity” (n.) refers to accidental sagacity, the art of making desirable but unsought-for discoveries by accident.
“Fetish” (n.) refers to any object of blind reverence, a charm, a blind devotion; in psychology, it refers to the compulsive use of some inanimate object in attaining sexual gratification.
“Fetishist”, as a noun refers to a user of fetishes.
“Fetishism”, also a noun, is the psychological compulsive behaviour.
“Fetishistic” is the adjective form.
“Sagacious” (adj.) means acutely insightful and wise, observant and thoughtful or crafty.
“Sagacity” is the noun form.
“Sagaciously” is the adverb form.
Monday
APPOSE/OPPOSE
“Appose”, a verb, mean to put or place something close to or next to something else or to put things side by side. A close comparison would be to the word “juxtapose”.
“Football, as apposed to rugby, is a highly sophisticated situation-driven game.”
“The words ‘a verb’ are in apposition to the word ‘appose’ in the explanation above.”
“Oppose”, a verb, means to object to or go against something or someone.
“I oppose that new legislation because I think it infringes upon the common man and I hope it is never brought into law.”
Tuesday
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Correct the subject-verb problems and give the reason for the fix.
“The climate in both places are mild.”
The subject is climate and it is singular. The verb must be in agreement and also be singular.
“The climate in both places is mild.”
“Neither John nor Mary know what caused the problem.”
If one or more singular subject is joined to one or more plural subject by “or” or “nor”, the verb agrees with the subject closest to the verb.
“Neither John nor Mary knows what caused the problem.”
“Joe and his sister knows what the problem is.”
A compound subject whose parts are joined by 'and' normally takes a plural verb.
“Joe and his sister know what the problem is.”
“Every boy and girl have to participate.”
When the compound subject is modified by the words “each” or “every” a singular verb is used.
“Every boy and girl has to participate.”
Wednesday
Find and correct the error in the following piece.
“Clement said the city would one day like to move the fenced and lighted baseball stadium further into the park, clearing the way for a soccer field.”
“Further” means in addition to. “Farther” refers to distance. They are not interchangeable.
“Clement said the city would one day like to move the fenced and lighted baseball stadium further into the park, clearing the way for a soccer field.”
Thursday
FOUNDER/FLOUNDER
“Founder”, as a verb means to fill with water and sink. It is metaphorically used to refer to disasters and catastrophic failures.
“Flounder” means to thrash about in the water and is metaphorically used to refer to desperate struggles.
“If you are sunk, you have foundered; if you are still struggling you are floundering.”
Friday
SET/SIT
“Sit” means to rest on the lower part of the body.
“Set” means to place something or someone down.
“I sit down by the fire because it is warm and comforting and I set my book down beside me when I am tired of reading.”
THINK ABOUT THIS ONE
“Truth persuades by teaching, but does not teach by persuading.”
Quintus Septimius Tertullianus, a Carthaginian who lived from 160 AD to 230 AD, penned this. I didn’t know who wrote it either but I really like its depth of meaning.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Traduce” (v.) means to malign, to pick apart, to badmouth or to drag through the mud.
“Phlegmatic” (adj.) means stolid, cold or unemotional.
“Serendipity” (n.) refers to accidental sagacity, the art of making desirable but unsought-for discoveries by accident.
“Fetish” (n.) refers to any object of blind reverence, a charm, a blind devotion; in psychology, it refers to the compulsive use of some inanimate object in attaining sexual gratification.
“Fetishist”, as a noun refers to a user of fetishes.
“Fetishism”, also a noun, is the psychological compulsive behaviour.
“Fetishistic” is the adjective form.
“Sagacious” (adj.) means acutely insightful and wise, observant and thoughtful or crafty.
“Sagacity” is the noun form.
“Sagaciously” is the adverb form.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
