HA!HA! DEAR COMMENTER
Try again! On both counts! I told you not to use George Bush as your mentor. (Note the poetic sentence structure I used.)
All corrections and explanations will be posted tomorrow.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
FRIDAY CORRECTNESS
PRONUNCIATION
What is the correct pronunciation of the indefinite article "a" and of the definite article "the"?
(Hint: don't use George Bush as your example.)
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "asperity".
Define "asperity" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday morning.
What is the correct pronunciation of the indefinite article "a" and of the definite article "the"?
(Hint: don't use George Bush as your example.)
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "asperity".
Define "asperity" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday morning.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
THURSDAY THINK
CARELESS ERROR
"[We will be affected by winds] coming off of Lake Michigan and off of Lake Huron."
Paraphrase: Julie Atchison, A Channel Weather, 11:14 pm, Wednesday, November 14, 2007.
What is the error? More importantly, why is it an error?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "recumbent".
Define "recumbent" and use it in a sentence.
"[We will be affected by winds] coming off of Lake Michigan and off of Lake Huron."
Paraphrase: Julie Atchison, A Channel Weather, 11:14 pm, Wednesday, November 14, 2007.
What is the error? More importantly, why is it an error?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "recumbent".
Define "recumbent" and use it in a sentence.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
EASY WEDNESDAY
ORIENT/ORIENTATE
What are the meanings of "orient" and "orientate"? What is the correct usage of each word?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "nexus".
Define "nexux" and use it in some fashion in your speech today.
What are the meanings of "orient" and "orientate"? What is the correct usage of each word?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "nexus".
Define "nexux" and use it in some fashion in your speech today.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
TUESDAY TEASERS
A PERIOD PIECE
Are there errors below? (Hint: look for two.)
"The city and trustees should review their respective positions and consider whether a compromise can be reached that would allow both of them to save a little face while saving the historic theatre. Because if this dispute goes to court while the theatre remains closed, everyone loses no matter which side wins."
Lead Editorial, "The Capitol", The Windsor Star, Tuesday, November 12, 2007.
MYSTIC/MYSTIQUE
What is the difference between "mystic" and "mystique" both in meaning and pronunciation?
(Compliments of Merrick Sutherland, A Channel Sports, 6:45 pm, Monday, November 11, 2007.)
YESTERDAY'S TRIBUTE
Read the comment analysing my brief Remembrance Day Tribute on November 11. Do you agree with the comment?
If you disagree with my spelling of "analysing", check a non-American dictionary.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "elucidation".
Define "elucidation' and use it in a sentence. What is the verb form of the word?
Are there errors below? (Hint: look for two.)
"The city and trustees should review their respective positions and consider whether a compromise can be reached that would allow both of them to save a little face while saving the historic theatre. Because if this dispute goes to court while the theatre remains closed, everyone loses no matter which side wins."
Lead Editorial, "The Capitol", The Windsor Star, Tuesday, November 12, 2007.
MYSTIC/MYSTIQUE
What is the difference between "mystic" and "mystique" both in meaning and pronunciation?
(Compliments of Merrick Sutherland, A Channel Sports, 6:45 pm, Monday, November 11, 2007.)
YESTERDAY'S TRIBUTE
Read the comment analysing my brief Remembrance Day Tribute on November 11. Do you agree with the comment?
If you disagree with my spelling of "analysing", check a non-American dictionary.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "elucidation".
Define "elucidation' and use it in a sentence. What is the verb form of the word?
Monday, November 12, 2007
A DAY TO REMEMBER
PLEASE REMEMBER
Please, do not ever forget the sacrifices of life and limb made to give us our freedoms.
PALATE/PALETTE/PALLET
What is the difference in meaning for "palate", "palette" and "pallet"?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "panegyric".
This is an uncommon word but is appropriate.
Define "panegyric" and use it in a sentence.
Please, do not ever forget the sacrifices of life and limb made to give us our freedoms.
PALATE/PALETTE/PALLET
What is the difference in meaning for "palate", "palette" and "pallet"?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "panegyric".
This is an uncommon word but is appropriate.
Define "panegyric" and use it in a sentence.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - November 11, 2007
Monday
HOW SHARP ARE YOU?
"The gang of boys are abusing the rest of the children that are in the playground."
“Gang” is the subject of the sentence; it is singular and needs a singular verb.
“Children” are people, so a personal pronoun, “who” is needed in referring to them.
"The gang of boys is abusing the rest of the children who are in the playground."
"Tom, Harold and myself are going to go skating this afternoon."
“Myself" is a reflexive pronoun and cannot be used as the subject of a sentence.
"Tom, Harold and I are going to go skating this afternoon."
"Mary was recently named as the new Director of Personal."
“Personal” refers to a particular person or to his private affairs.
“Personnel” refers to a group of people and must be used.
"Mary was recently named as the new Director of Personnel."
"The premiere of the film occurred last night."
This is a correct sentence.
Tuesday
"Surprisingly, the staffing levels at these similar-sized municipalities varies greatly, with some having twice as many staff as others."
“Levels” is plural and as subject of the sentence it demands a plural verb.
"Surprisingly, the staffing levels at these similar-sized municipalities vary greatly, with some having twice as many staff as others."
"Under cross-examination by hospital lawyer Patrick Ducharme, Rose said Hotel Dieu managers had been "very reponsive" to Dupont. For example, they offered her a more secure parking spot."
The punctuation is incorrect. There must be a semi-colon after “Dupont” and “for example” is not capitalized. A period before “for example” is incorrect. You may argue this if you want, but I do not accept that “for example” can start an independent sentence.
"Under cross-examination by hospital lawyer Patrick Ducharme, Rose said Hotel Dieu managers had been "very reponsive" to Dupont; for example, they offered her a more secure parking spot."
Wednesday
PRONUNCIATION - "ACCESSORIES"
“Accessories” is pronounced “Ack-sessories”. Saying the two “Cs” as “S” is wrong.
PRACTICE/PRACTISE
“Practice”is a noun in British spelling and means training by multiple uses or the exercise of a profession.
“Practise” is the verb form in British spelling and means to learn by repetition or to do a job.
“Practise” is used for both the noun and the verb in the US.
I prefer the British usage.
LICENCE/LICENSE
“Licence”is a noun in British spelling and means permission or leave to do something.
“License” is the verb form in British spelling and means to authorize officially
“License” is used for both the noun and the verb in the US.
I prefer the British usage.
Thursday
How many errors can you find in the following?
"When pigeons roost on people's roofs they pick away at the shingles, the droppings on patios or decks are incredible."
This is a perfect example of a comma splice. A period or a semi-colon is needed. (# 1)
"When pigeons roost on people's roofs they pick away at the shingles; the droppings on patios or decks are incredible."
"People get affected when you have a neighbour literally spreading bags full of bird feed across their lawn."
People do not “get” affected; they “are” affected. Think of the sense of the words. (# 2)
“You” brings a second person point of view in a third person point of view sentence. It is unacceptable to mix these two points of view. (#3)
“People” is a plural noun. Therefore, “people” must have more than one “lawn”. This is reinforced by the word “their”.
"People are affected when they have a neighbour literally spreading bags full of bird feed across their lawns." (#4)
"But enforcement may be a problem, especially if a large number of complaints are received, according to the council report.
“Number” is singular and demands a singular verb.
"But enforcement may be a problem, especially if a large number of complaints is received, according to the council report. (# 5)
Friday
If this blog peaks your interest, please tell a friend or twelve about it.
“Peaks” is incorrect. The sense of the sentence implies “piques”.
If this blog piques your interest, please tell a friend or twelve about it.
I should have went to the store yesterday because the sale is not on today.
This is an unacceptable formation of the present perfect tense.
I should have gone to the store yesterday because the sale is not on today.
People are in such a hurry they don't hardly ever read newspapers any more.
This is an unacceptable double negative.
People are in such a hurry they hardly ever read newspapers any more.
Where did you get that at?
“Where” designates the place; “at” is not needed and is a dangling infinitive.
Where did you get that?
He successfully moderated the conference titled "Growing Your Business".
You do not “grow your business” any more than “your grow your hair”. This is a complete misuse of the meaning of the word.
He successfully moderated the conference titled "Developing Your Business".
THIS WEEK’S WORDS
“Supercilious" (adj.) means having an arrogant superiority, haughty or self-important.
“Collusion" (n.) means a secret agreement or arrangement.
“Libertine" (n.) means a person who is morally unrestrained or corrupt, a degenerate or a profligate.
“Laconic" (adj.) means crisp, effectively concise, brief or terse.
“Maladroit" (adj.) means awkward or not dexterous.
HOW SHARP ARE YOU?
"The gang of boys are abusing the rest of the children that are in the playground."
“Gang” is the subject of the sentence; it is singular and needs a singular verb.
“Children” are people, so a personal pronoun, “who” is needed in referring to them.
"The gang of boys is abusing the rest of the children who are in the playground."
"Tom, Harold and myself are going to go skating this afternoon."
“Myself" is a reflexive pronoun and cannot be used as the subject of a sentence.
"Tom, Harold and I are going to go skating this afternoon."
"Mary was recently named as the new Director of Personal."
“Personal” refers to a particular person or to his private affairs.
“Personnel” refers to a group of people and must be used.
"Mary was recently named as the new Director of Personnel."
"The premiere of the film occurred last night."
This is a correct sentence.
Tuesday
"Surprisingly, the staffing levels at these similar-sized municipalities varies greatly, with some having twice as many staff as others."
“Levels” is plural and as subject of the sentence it demands a plural verb.
"Surprisingly, the staffing levels at these similar-sized municipalities vary greatly, with some having twice as many staff as others."
"Under cross-examination by hospital lawyer Patrick Ducharme, Rose said Hotel Dieu managers had been "very reponsive" to Dupont. For example, they offered her a more secure parking spot."
The punctuation is incorrect. There must be a semi-colon after “Dupont” and “for example” is not capitalized. A period before “for example” is incorrect. You may argue this if you want, but I do not accept that “for example” can start an independent sentence.
"Under cross-examination by hospital lawyer Patrick Ducharme, Rose said Hotel Dieu managers had been "very reponsive" to Dupont; for example, they offered her a more secure parking spot."
Wednesday
PRONUNCIATION - "ACCESSORIES"
“Accessories” is pronounced “Ack-sessories”. Saying the two “Cs” as “S” is wrong.
PRACTICE/PRACTISE
“Practice”is a noun in British spelling and means training by multiple uses or the exercise of a profession.
“Practise” is the verb form in British spelling and means to learn by repetition or to do a job.
“Practise” is used for both the noun and the verb in the US.
I prefer the British usage.
LICENCE/LICENSE
“Licence”is a noun in British spelling and means permission or leave to do something.
“License” is the verb form in British spelling and means to authorize officially
“License” is used for both the noun and the verb in the US.
I prefer the British usage.
Thursday
How many errors can you find in the following?
"When pigeons roost on people's roofs they pick away at the shingles, the droppings on patios or decks are incredible."
This is a perfect example of a comma splice. A period or a semi-colon is needed. (# 1)
"When pigeons roost on people's roofs they pick away at the shingles; the droppings on patios or decks are incredible."
"People get affected when you have a neighbour literally spreading bags full of bird feed across their lawn."
People do not “get” affected; they “are” affected. Think of the sense of the words. (# 2)
“You” brings a second person point of view in a third person point of view sentence. It is unacceptable to mix these two points of view. (#3)
“People” is a plural noun. Therefore, “people” must have more than one “lawn”. This is reinforced by the word “their”.
"People are affected when they have a neighbour literally spreading bags full of bird feed across their lawns." (#4)
"But enforcement may be a problem, especially if a large number of complaints are received, according to the council report.
“Number” is singular and demands a singular verb.
"But enforcement may be a problem, especially if a large number of complaints is received, according to the council report. (# 5)
Friday
If this blog peaks your interest, please tell a friend or twelve about it.
“Peaks” is incorrect. The sense of the sentence implies “piques”.
If this blog piques your interest, please tell a friend or twelve about it.
I should have went to the store yesterday because the sale is not on today.
This is an unacceptable formation of the present perfect tense.
I should have gone to the store yesterday because the sale is not on today.
People are in such a hurry they don't hardly ever read newspapers any more.
This is an unacceptable double negative.
People are in such a hurry they hardly ever read newspapers any more.
Where did you get that at?
“Where” designates the place; “at” is not needed and is a dangling infinitive.
Where did you get that?
He successfully moderated the conference titled "Growing Your Business".
You do not “grow your business” any more than “your grow your hair”. This is a complete misuse of the meaning of the word.
He successfully moderated the conference titled "Developing Your Business".
THIS WEEK’S WORDS
“Supercilious" (adj.) means having an arrogant superiority, haughty or self-important.
“Collusion" (n.) means a secret agreement or arrangement.
“Libertine" (n.) means a person who is morally unrestrained or corrupt, a degenerate or a profligate.
“Laconic" (adj.) means crisp, effectively concise, brief or terse.
“Maladroit" (adj.) means awkward or not dexterous.
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