Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's postings.
Monday
Correct the following:
“Plenty hard enough, if we're to believe the locker-room rhetoric being dished out Sunday.”
This is an incomplete thought. There is no principal clause.
“It is plenty hard enough, if we're to believe the locker-room rhetoric being dished out Sunday.”
“From white-knuckled novice to an adrenaline junkie craving more speed, all in the span of a half hour.”
There is no verb in this, so it is an incomplete thought.
“He went from a white-knuckled novice to an adrenaline junkie craving more speed, all in the span of a half hour.”
Tuesday
BACKWARD/BACKWARDS
Both “backward” and “backwards” can be used as an adverb.
He put his pants on backward.
He put his pants on backwards.
As an adjective, only “backward” can be used.
He lived a backward existence.
Wednesday
Correct, citing your reasons, what you consider error(s) in the following:
"The girls were students of Baggio's at Brennan Catholic high school."
See the corrections for Friday, below.
Thursday
ENVELOP/ENVELOPE
“Envelop” means to wrap something in a cover and the emphasis, or accent, is on the second syllable.
“Envelope” is the special wrapping put around a letter and the accent is on the first syllable.
Friday
Find and fix the errors in the examples below:
"The girls were students of Baggio's at F. J. Brannan Catholic high school.
“Of Baggio” indicates possession; therefore, the possessive form, Baggio’s” is redundant and incorrect.
The complete title of the school is “F. J. Brannan Catholic High School”; therefore “high school” must be capitalized.
"The girls were students of Baggio at F. J. Brannan Catholic High School.
"The girls were students of Baggio's at F. J. Brannan Catholic high school, where Baggio taught religion, was a guidance counsellor and coached volleyball and basketball."
“Of Baggio” indicates possession; therefore, the possessive form, Baggio’s” is redundant and incorrect.
The complete title of the school is “F. J. Brannan Catholic High School”; therefore “high school” must be capitalized.
"The girls were students of Baggio at F. J. Brannan Catholic High School, where Baggio taught religion, was a guidance counsellor and coached volleyball and basketball."
"The girls were students of Baggio's at F. J. Brannan Catholic high school, where Baggio taught religion, was a guidance counsellor and coached volleyball and basketball."
“Of Baggio” indicates possession; therefore, the possessive form, Baggio’s” is redundant and incorrect.
The complete title of the school is “F. J. Brannan Catholic High School”; therefore “high school” must be capitalized.
"The girls were students of Baggio at F. J. Brannan Catholic High School, where Baggio taught religion, was a guidance counsellor and coached volleyball and basketball."
A WONDERFUL METAPHOR
“I did never know so full a voice issue from so empty a heart: but the saying is true ‘The empty vessel makes the greatest sound.”
William Shakespeare penned this.
THE WEEK’S WORDS
“Superciliousness” (n.) means snootiness, arrogance, scorn or disdain.
“Metier” (n.) means trade, art, line of work or job.
“Prodigious” (adj.) means abnormal, extraordinary, unusual, remarkable or huge.
“Truculent” (adj.) means defiant, bad-tempered, hostile, aggressive or confrontational.
“Inexplicable” (adj.) means strange, perplexing, mystifying, curious or bizarre.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
THE ART OF TEACHING: REPETITION
STRIKE 3!
Find and fix the errors in the examples below:
"The girls were students of Baggio's at F. J. Brannan Catholic high school.
Sarah Sacheli, "Teacher sent intimate e-mails, court told", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, June 4, 2008.
"The girls were students of Baggio's at F. J. Brannan Catholic high school, where Baggio taught religion, was a guidance counsellor and coached volleyball and basketball."
Sarah Sacheli, "Teacher wrote love poems for teen, trial told", The Windsor Star, Thursday, June 5, 2008.
"The girls were students of Baggio's at F. J. Brannan Catholic high school, where Baggio taught religion, was a guidance counsellor and coached volleyball and basketball."
Sarah Sacheli, "Cop probe upset teachers", The Windsor Star, Friday, June 6, 2008.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "inexplicable".
Define "inexplicable" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
Find and fix the errors in the examples below:
"The girls were students of Baggio's at F. J. Brannan Catholic high school.
Sarah Sacheli, "Teacher sent intimate e-mails, court told", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, June 4, 2008.
"The girls were students of Baggio's at F. J. Brannan Catholic high school, where Baggio taught religion, was a guidance counsellor and coached volleyball and basketball."
Sarah Sacheli, "Teacher wrote love poems for teen, trial told", The Windsor Star, Thursday, June 5, 2008.
"The girls were students of Baggio's at F. J. Brannan Catholic high school, where Baggio taught religion, was a guidance counsellor and coached volleyball and basketball."
Sarah Sacheli, "Cop probe upset teachers", The Windsor Star, Friday, June 6, 2008.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "inexplicable".
Define "inexplicable" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
SIMPLE BUT CHALLENGING
ENVELOP/ENVELOPE
What is the difference in meaning and pronunciation between "envelop" and "envelope".
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "truculent".
Define "truculent" and use it in a sentence.
What is the difference in meaning and pronunciation between "envelop" and "envelope".
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "truculent".
Define "truculent" and use it in a sentence.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
SOME THINKING REQUIRED
ERROR OR ERRORS?
Correct, citing your reasons, what you consider error(s) in the following:
"The girls were students of Baggio's at Brennan Catholic high school."
Sarah Sacheli, "Teacher sent intimate e-mails, court told", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, June 4, 2008.
A WONDERFUL METAPHOR
Identify the author of the quotation.
Think about the meaning and its application in real life.
I did never know so full a voice issue from so empty a heart: but the saying is true ‘The empty vessel makes the greatest sound’.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "prodigious".
Define "prodigious" and use it in a sentence.
Correct, citing your reasons, what you consider error(s) in the following:
"The girls were students of Baggio's at Brennan Catholic high school."
Sarah Sacheli, "Teacher sent intimate e-mails, court told", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, June 4, 2008.
A WONDERFUL METAPHOR
Identify the author of the quotation.
Think about the meaning and its application in real life.
I did never know so full a voice issue from so empty a heart: but the saying is true ‘The empty vessel makes the greatest sound’.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "prodigious".
Define "prodigious" and use it in a sentence.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
TUESDAY'S TEST
BACKWARD/BACKWARDS
Explain the difference between "backward" and "backwards"?
Clue: it is not in the meaning.
TODAY'S WORD
Today's word is "metier".
Define "metier" and use it in a sentence.
Explain the difference between "backward" and "backwards"?
Clue: it is not in the meaning.
TODAY'S WORD
Today's word is "metier".
Define "metier" and use it in a sentence.
Monday, June 2, 2008
GOOD MONDAY
COMPLETE THOUGHTS, PLEASE!
Correct the following:
"Plenty hard enough, if we're to believe the locker-room rhetoric being dished out Sunday.
Bob Duff, "Wings aim to clinch Cup tonight", The Windsor Star, Monday, June 2, 2008.
"From white-knuckled novice to an adrenaline junkie craving more speed, all in the span of a half hour."
Rebecca Turcotte, "Parachute required", The Windsor Star, Monday, June 2, 2008.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "superciliousness".
Define "superciliousness" and use it in a sentence.
Correct the following:
"Plenty hard enough, if we're to believe the locker-room rhetoric being dished out Sunday.
Bob Duff, "Wings aim to clinch Cup tonight", The Windsor Star, Monday, June 2, 2008.
"From white-knuckled novice to an adrenaline junkie craving more speed, all in the span of a half hour."
Rebecca Turcotte, "Parachute required", The Windsor Star, Monday, June 2, 2008.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "superciliousness".
Define "superciliousness" and use it in a sentence.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - June 1, 2008
Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's postings.
Monday
Identify and fix the errors in the following:
“A final that features two puck-possession teams.”
This is an incomplete thought and is not a sentence.
“[This will be] a final that features two puck-possession teams.”
“Two high-end skills clubs who put the emphasis on playing an up-tempo, fast-paced brand of attacking hockey.”
This is an incomplete thought and is not a sentence.
“[The series features] two high-end skills clubs who put the emphasis on playing an up-tempo, fast-paced brand of attacking hockey.”
“Many of whom will skate on both sides of the ice in this best-of-seven set.”
This is an incomplete thought and is not a sentence.
“Many will skate on both sides of the ice in this best-of-seven set.”
(I have no idea what is meant by this. Is it one of those esoteric clichés known only to hockey jocks? Does it mean top-to-bottom or side-to-side? Or, does it have any meaning at all?)
Tuesday
INTERMURAL/INTRAMURAL
“Intramural” means within the walls; therefore, intramural means within an institution itself. House league games are competitions within a school itself and have nothing to do with outside schools.
Intermural” is not really correct and “intercollegiate” should be used.
Wednesday
TACTICS/STRATEGY
“Tactics” is the science and art of handling troops and military units. The connotation is of adroitness and cleverness.
“Strategy” is the study or science of military position on a broad scale for winning in a war. It can also be applied to business or politics.
Thursday
The three entries below are all from the same newspaper story.
Are there any errors in the entries?
I suggest that newspaper writers should use correct English sentence formatting and avoid using “poetic license” that should be reserved for poetry.
"Or perhaps, Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final."
This is not a sentence because there is no verb.
“For a night, or for the remainder of the series? Hard to say.”
The first is not a sentence because there is no verb.
The second also has no verb and is not a sentence.
“No one in black and gold was fooling themselves into thinking the guys in red and white are about to fade away.”
“No one” is singular. Therefore, “themselves”, which refers to “no one”, should also be the singular, “himself”.
The verb “are” should be “were” to keep tenses consistent.
“No one in black and gold was fooling himselve into thinking the guys in red and white were about to fade away.”
Friday
WHEELBARROW/WHEELBARREL
A “barrow” is an open container used for carrying people or goods. Add a wheel and it becomes a “wheelbarrow”.
There is no such thing as a “wheelbarrel”.
A POSER?
Is there an error in the example below?
"He was the second driver Wednesday who face more serious charges because Lambton OPP believe the use of cellphones while driving contributed to the driver committing the traffic violation."
The verb “face” is the problem. The principal clause is in the past tense, so the subordinate clause should also be in the past tense and the verb should be “faced”.
"He was the second driver Wednesday who faced more serious charges because Lambton OPP believe the use of cellphones while driving contributed to the driver committing the traffic violation."
CODE OF CONDUCT
Identify the author of the following:
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
Abraham Lincoln was the creator.
THIS WEEK’S WORDS
“Vilify” (v.) means to malign, belittle, libel, denigrate or run down.
“Sedition” (n.) means agitation, treason or subversion.
“Foment” (v.) means to stimulate, stir up or provoke.
“Suffused” (adj.) means covered, submersed or inundated. The verb form is “suffuse”.
“Bilious” (adj.) means pertains to an excess secretion of bile. It usually refers to the character traits of peevishness, testiness or crossness.
Monday
Identify and fix the errors in the following:
“A final that features two puck-possession teams.”
This is an incomplete thought and is not a sentence.
“[This will be] a final that features two puck-possession teams.”
“Two high-end skills clubs who put the emphasis on playing an up-tempo, fast-paced brand of attacking hockey.”
This is an incomplete thought and is not a sentence.
“[The series features] two high-end skills clubs who put the emphasis on playing an up-tempo, fast-paced brand of attacking hockey.”
“Many of whom will skate on both sides of the ice in this best-of-seven set.”
This is an incomplete thought and is not a sentence.
“Many will skate on both sides of the ice in this best-of-seven set.”
(I have no idea what is meant by this. Is it one of those esoteric clichés known only to hockey jocks? Does it mean top-to-bottom or side-to-side? Or, does it have any meaning at all?)
Tuesday
INTERMURAL/INTRAMURAL
“Intramural” means within the walls; therefore, intramural means within an institution itself. House league games are competitions within a school itself and have nothing to do with outside schools.
Intermural” is not really correct and “intercollegiate” should be used.
Wednesday
TACTICS/STRATEGY
“Tactics” is the science and art of handling troops and military units. The connotation is of adroitness and cleverness.
“Strategy” is the study or science of military position on a broad scale for winning in a war. It can also be applied to business or politics.
Thursday
The three entries below are all from the same newspaper story.
Are there any errors in the entries?
I suggest that newspaper writers should use correct English sentence formatting and avoid using “poetic license” that should be reserved for poetry.
"Or perhaps, Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final."
This is not a sentence because there is no verb.
“For a night, or for the remainder of the series? Hard to say.”
The first is not a sentence because there is no verb.
The second also has no verb and is not a sentence.
“No one in black and gold was fooling themselves into thinking the guys in red and white are about to fade away.”
“No one” is singular. Therefore, “themselves”, which refers to “no one”, should also be the singular, “himself”.
The verb “are” should be “were” to keep tenses consistent.
“No one in black and gold was fooling himselve into thinking the guys in red and white were about to fade away.”
Friday
WHEELBARROW/WHEELBARREL
A “barrow” is an open container used for carrying people or goods. Add a wheel and it becomes a “wheelbarrow”.
There is no such thing as a “wheelbarrel”.
A POSER?
Is there an error in the example below?
"He was the second driver Wednesday who face more serious charges because Lambton OPP believe the use of cellphones while driving contributed to the driver committing the traffic violation."
The verb “face” is the problem. The principal clause is in the past tense, so the subordinate clause should also be in the past tense and the verb should be “faced”.
"He was the second driver Wednesday who faced more serious charges because Lambton OPP believe the use of cellphones while driving contributed to the driver committing the traffic violation."
CODE OF CONDUCT
Identify the author of the following:
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
Abraham Lincoln was the creator.
THIS WEEK’S WORDS
“Vilify” (v.) means to malign, belittle, libel, denigrate or run down.
“Sedition” (n.) means agitation, treason or subversion.
“Foment” (v.) means to stimulate, stir up or provoke.
“Suffused” (adj.) means covered, submersed or inundated. The verb form is “suffuse”.
“Bilious” (adj.) means pertains to an excess secretion of bile. It usually refers to the character traits of peevishness, testiness or crossness.
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