CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - September 23, 2007

Monday

"But human kinetics is more economical and the university already has plans to grow space for the program."
One does not “grow” space any more than one grows hair. It is a total misuse of the word. Another word is needed in place of grow.
"But human kinetics is more economical and the university already has plans to create space for the program."

"Between them, GM, Ford and Chrysler estimate their future health care liabilities are about $114 billion, with GM facing most of the liabilities."
“Between” is used to designate two things only. “Among” must be used for lists of more than two.
"Among them, GM, Ford and Chrysler estimate their future health care liabilities are about $114 billion, with GM facing most of the liabilities."

"A group of homeless people in Edmonton are on the move."
“Group” is a singular noun and must have the singular verb “is”.
"A group of homeless people in Edmonton is on the move."

Tuesday

INSURE/ENSURE

“Ensure” means to make sure that something happens or occurs.
“Please ensure that your seatbelt is fastened properly.”

“Insure” means to issue an insurance policy.
I will insure the house and car when I see my broker today.

Wednesday

INQUIRY/ENQUIRY

What is the difference between "inquiry" and "enquiry"?
There is no difference between the two words other than “inquiry” is probably used more often in the US and "enquiry" in Britain.

Thursday

"Because his replacement for a system that favours Roman Catholicism to the exclusion of other religions has all the markings of an expensive and unwieldy education regime that will be all but impossible to oversee with any coherency."

I call it “this group of words” because it is not a complete thought; there is no main verb; it is basically one long subordinate clause. Removing the subordinate conjunction “because” makes it a complete thought.
"His replacement for a system that favours Roman Catholicism to the exclusion of other religions has all the markings of an expensive and unwieldy education regime that will be all but impossible to oversee with any coherency."

Friday

PEEK/PEAK/PIQUE

“Peek” means to look furtively.
“Peak” is the top of a mountain or the highest level.
“Pique” means to needle or prick or irk someone.


Saturday

"I got three pair of tickets [to give away for the Comedy Castle Show tonight]."
“Got” cannot be used in place of “have”
There is “one pair”. There are “three pairs”. Three indicates plural so “pair” must be pluralized."
I have three pairs of tickets [to give away for the Comedy Castle Show tonight]."

THIS WEEK’S WORDS

“Genteel" means belonging to polite society or refined in taste and manners.
The genteel old man always opened doors for his wife.

“Catharsis" means a purging of emotional tensions.
"Cathartic" is the adjectival form.
A well-performed classical tragedy is a catharsis for the audience that may leave them completely drained.

“Rapacious" means predatory or given to seizing for plunder or the satisfaction of greed.
The rapacious army destroyed everything in its destructive path.

“Ludicrous" means devoid of wisdom or ridiculously, amusingly absurd.
His plan to reduce greenhouse gases was considered by most intelligent people to be completely ludicrous.

“Penultimate" means the next to last syllable in a word or the next to last. It does not mean the highest.
Man is considered by many philosophers to be the penultimate being. (Think about that for a while before you discount it.)