THIS AND THAT

TRY THESE!

Identify the errors in the following passages:

"A new product for the plant has long been sought after."
Jim Crichton, A-Channel News, Monday, May 12, 2008, 6:06 pm.

"...while they were turning off of Janette Avenue..."
Anna Vlachos, A-Channel News, Monday, May 12, 2008, 6:10 pm.


TODAY'S WORD

Don't use this word unless you want to sound very pretentious; it is just an old-fashioned but fun word. Just try to define it and then articulate it.

The word for today is "perspicacity".
Define "perspicacity". What is its adjectival form?

SINK INTO THIS

FLOUNDER/FOUNDER

Explain the difference between "flounder" and "founder".
Use each word in a sentence so the the meaning is obvious.


TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "propensity".
Define "propensity" and use it in a sentence.

CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - May 11, 2008

Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's entries.


Monday

VERACIOUS/VORACIOUS

“Veracious” means being truthful or honest as in the words “veracity” or “verify”.

“Voracious” means being extremely hungry or devouring food in huge quantities.


Tuesday

CONFLICTED/CONFLICTING

Feeling “conflicted” is jargon for feeling ambivalent. “Conflicted” should not be used when referring to feelings.

“Conflicting” means being at variance, at odds or clashing.


Wednesday

FORTUITOUS/FORTUNATE

“Fortuitous” refers to events that occur accidentally, by chance or are unexpected. They need not be fortunate.

“Fortunate” refers to good fortune, favourable results or luck.


Thursday

SHRUNK/SHRANK

The simple past tense of “shrink” is “shrank”.
The past participle of “shrink” is “shrunk”.
Disney’s movie should be “Honey, I Shrank the Kids,” NOT ”Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.”


Friday

GIBE/JIBE/JIVE

“Gibe” (v.) means to tease, or make fun of.

“Jibe” (v.) means to agree. It is also a term used in sailing meaning to “come about” in the wind or to shift from one side to the other.

“Jive” as a noun refers to a type of swing music. As a verb it slangily means to put someone on.

“Jibe” and “jive” DO NOT mean the same thing.


THIS WEEK'S APHORISM

"Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star."
Confucius wrote this thought.


THIS WEEK’S WORDS

“Vociferous” (adj.) means loud , raucous,noisy or strident.

“Mercurial” (adj.) means sprightly or volatile, flighty, fickle or changeable.

“Salubrious” (adj.) means healthy, respectable, decent or wholesome.

“Ineptitude” (n.) means ineffective, lacking in skill, useless, clumsy or incompetent.

“Reprehensible” (adj.) means guilty, in the wrong, blameworthy or at fault.

THINK CAREFULLY

GIBE/JIBE/JIVE

Explain the use and misuse of "gibe", "jibe" and "jive".
Use each word in a sentence that correctly defines its meaning.


TODAY'S WORD

Today's word is "reprehensible".
Define "reprehensible" and use it in a sentence.
Try to use "reprehensible" in your speech today.


CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS

Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted late Sunday.


HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

EASY MISCUE

SHRUNK/SHRANK

Explain the correct usage for the words "shrunk" and "shrank".
What part of speech is each?
How has Disney muddied the waters?


TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "ineptitude".
Define "ineptitude" and use it in a sentence.

AN INTERESTING MIX

FORTUITOUS/FORTUNATE

Explain the difference between "fortuitous" and "fortunate".


THIS WEEK'S APHORISM

Identify the person who coined the following:

"Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star."


TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "salubrious".
Define "salubrious" and use it in a sentence.
What part of speech is "salubrious"?

JARGON VS. PROPER USAGE

CONFLICTED/CONFLICTING

Explain the proper use of the words "conflicted" and "conflicting".
Create sentences using each word correctly.


TODAY'S WORD

The word for today is "mercurial".
Define "mercurial" and use it in a sentence.