VERACIOUS/VORACIOUS
What is the difference in meaning between "veracious" and "voracious"?
Use each word in a sentence.
Try using each in your speech today.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "vociferous".
Define "vociferous" and use it in a sentence and in your diction today.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's entries.
Monday
THERE'S/THEIRS/THEIR'S
“There’s” is a contraction for “there is”.
“There’s going to be trouble in the old barn tonight.”
“Theirs” is a possessive pronoun.
Theirs is not to reason why; theirs is but to do or die.”
“Their’s” does not exist.
Tuesday
ELICIT/ILLICIT
“Elicit” is a verb meaning to bring out, to draw out, to obtain or to extract.
“Illicit” is an adjective meaning something illegal or bad.
Wednesday
Identify and correct the errors in the following pieces:
"So senior management say they're taking the situation very seriously."
“Management” is a collective singular noun when using it to designate an entire group. It can be considered plural if it is referring to many individuals. I expect the reporter did not speak to all the managers, so he should use it collectively."
So senior management says they’re taking the situation very seriously."
"...they've also spoke with various [people?]..."
The participial form of “to speak” must be used when using perfect tenses.
"...they've also spoken with various [people?]..."
Thursday
CARELESS AD PROOFING
Seen on the back window of a van in Windsor:
"Diva Floral Designs: Unigue Floral Decorations"
The person who put this sign on the van should learn to spell. The word is “unique”.
Seen on numerous signs last week in Sears, Windsor, 2nd floor:
"On Sale: Save $101.11 on Chan Saw"
Proofreading takes a bit of effort. It should read “chain saw”.
Friday
EMIGRATE/IMMIGRATE
“Emigrate" is a verb meaning to leave one’s country.
The root is “ex” meaning out of, as in exit.
They emigrated from Ireland to escape the famine.
“Immigrate" is a verb meaning to enter a country.
The root is “im” as in import.
They immigrated to Canada with high hopes.
AN INTERESTING OBSERVATION
“Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.”
This was written by Oscar Wilde.
THE WORDS
“Surreal” (adj.) means dreamlike or characterized by irrational or fantastic imagery, beyond or above reality.
“Ephemeral” (adj.) means transitory, short-lived, passing quickly or lasting for a very short time.
“Aberrant” (n.) means one whose behaviour departs from or is anomalous from the norm.
“Aberrant” ( adj.) describes behaviour that is deviant or perverse.
“Pontificate” (v.) means to talk in a pompous or dogmatic manner.
“Pontificate” (n.) means the government of the Roman Catholic Church. The root word is “pontiff” which means Pope.
“Moribund” (adj.) means on the point of death or expiration.
Monday
THERE'S/THEIRS/THEIR'S
“There’s” is a contraction for “there is”.
“There’s going to be trouble in the old barn tonight.”
“Theirs” is a possessive pronoun.
Theirs is not to reason why; theirs is but to do or die.”
“Their’s” does not exist.
Tuesday
ELICIT/ILLICIT
“Elicit” is a verb meaning to bring out, to draw out, to obtain or to extract.
“Illicit” is an adjective meaning something illegal or bad.
Wednesday
Identify and correct the errors in the following pieces:
"So senior management say they're taking the situation very seriously."
“Management” is a collective singular noun when using it to designate an entire group. It can be considered plural if it is referring to many individuals. I expect the reporter did not speak to all the managers, so he should use it collectively."
So senior management says they’re taking the situation very seriously."
"...they've also spoke with various [people?]..."
The participial form of “to speak” must be used when using perfect tenses.
"...they've also spoken with various [people?]..."
Thursday
CARELESS AD PROOFING
Seen on the back window of a van in Windsor:
"Diva Floral Designs: Unigue Floral Decorations"
The person who put this sign on the van should learn to spell. The word is “unique”.
Seen on numerous signs last week in Sears, Windsor, 2nd floor:
"On Sale: Save $101.11 on Chan Saw"
Proofreading takes a bit of effort. It should read “chain saw”.
Friday
EMIGRATE/IMMIGRATE
“Emigrate" is a verb meaning to leave one’s country.
The root is “ex” meaning out of, as in exit.
They emigrated from Ireland to escape the famine.
“Immigrate" is a verb meaning to enter a country.
The root is “im” as in import.
They immigrated to Canada with high hopes.
AN INTERESTING OBSERVATION
“Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.”
This was written by Oscar Wilde.
THE WORDS
“Surreal” (adj.) means dreamlike or characterized by irrational or fantastic imagery, beyond or above reality.
“Ephemeral” (adj.) means transitory, short-lived, passing quickly or lasting for a very short time.
“Aberrant” (n.) means one whose behaviour departs from or is anomalous from the norm.
“Aberrant” ( adj.) describes behaviour that is deviant or perverse.
“Pontificate” (v.) means to talk in a pompous or dogmatic manner.
“Pontificate” (n.) means the government of the Roman Catholic Church. The root word is “pontiff” which means Pope.
“Moribund” (adj.) means on the point of death or expiration.
Friday, May 2, 2008
CHECK YOUR ROOTS
EMIGRATE/IMMIGRATE
Explain the difference between "emigrate" and "immigrate".
Use each word in a sentence.
What is the root form for each word that determines the meaning?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "moribund".
Define "moribund" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations will be published on Sunday.
Explain the difference between "emigrate" and "immigrate".
Use each word in a sentence.
What is the root form for each word that determines the meaning?
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "moribund".
Define "moribund" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations will be published on Sunday.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
AROUND TOWN
CARELESS AD PROOFING
Seen on the back window of a van in Windsor:
"Diva Floral Designs: Unigue Floral Decorations"
Seen on numerous signs in Sears, Windsor, 2nd floor:
"On Sale: Save $101.11 on Chan Saw"
AN INTERESTING OBSERVATION
Can you identify the author?
“Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "pontificate".
Define "pontificate" and use it in a sentence.
Seen on the back window of a van in Windsor:
"Diva Floral Designs: Unigue Floral Decorations"
Seen on numerous signs in Sears, Windsor, 2nd floor:
"On Sale: Save $101.11 on Chan Saw"
AN INTERESTING OBSERVATION
Can you identify the author?
“Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "pontificate".
Define "pontificate" and use it in a sentence.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
THE GRAMMAR BEAT
GRAMMAR COP ON THE PROWL
Identify and correct the errors in the following pieces:
"So senior management say they're taking the situation very seriously."
Daryl Newcombe, A-Channel News, "City Workers May Not Be Heeding Ministry Warnings.", Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 6:05 pm.
"...they've also spoke with various [people?]..."
Daryl Newcombe, A-Channel News, "City Workers May Not Be Heeding Ministry Warnings.", Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 6:05 pm.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "aberrant".
Define "aberrant" and use it in a sentence.
Hint: it can be used as an adjective and as a noun.
Identify and correct the errors in the following pieces:
"So senior management say they're taking the situation very seriously."
Daryl Newcombe, A-Channel News, "City Workers May Not Be Heeding Ministry Warnings.", Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 6:05 pm.
"...they've also spoke with various [people?]..."
Daryl Newcombe, A-Channel News, "City Workers May Not Be Heeding Ministry Warnings.", Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 6:05 pm.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "aberrant".
Define "aberrant" and use it in a sentence.
Hint: it can be used as an adjective and as a noun.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
SHORT & QUICK
ELICIT/ILLICIT
What is the difference between "elicit" and "illicit"?
Create sentences for each word that suggest the meanings.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "ephemeral".
Define "ephemeral" and use it in a sentence.
What is the difference between "elicit" and "illicit"?
Create sentences for each word that suggest the meanings.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "ephemeral".
Define "ephemeral" and use it in a sentence.
Monday, April 28, 2008
MONDAY FUN
THERE'S/THEIRS/THEIR'S
Identify the part of speech of each of the following: "there's", "theirs" and "their's".
Explain the correct usage of each.
Create a sentence for each.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "surreal".
Define "surreal" and use it in a sentence.
Identify the part of speech of each of the following: "there's", "theirs" and "their's".
Explain the correct usage of each.
Create a sentence for each.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "surreal".
Define "surreal" and use it in a sentence.
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