Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's entries.
Monday
BRING/BRANG/BRUNG/BROUGHT
“Bring” is the present tense of the verb “to bring”.
“Brought” is the past tense of the verb “to bring”.
“Brang” and “brung” are not words and are not acceptable in place of brought.
Tuesday
CONSCIENCE, CONSCIOUS, CONSCIOUSNESS
Conscience” is one’s internal recognition of what is right and wrong or one’s faculty of moral quality. It is, for example, what creates a sense of guilt for a bad action.
“Conscious” means to be awake.
“Consciousness” means the inward sensibility of something or the knowledge of one’s own existence.
Wednesday
"A" AS IN "HAY"
The indefinite article, "a", is NOT pronounced "a" as in "hay" or "eh" as in "Canadian, eh!". It is pronounced "a" as in "bad".
The word "about" is not pronounced "Eh-bout".
WAKE UP
“Police had issued an alert asking for the public's help to find Margaret Holmes, 71, who had gone missing around 9:30 Tuesday.”
People do NOT “go missing”.
“Police had issued an alert asking for the public's help to find Margaret Holmes, 71, who had disappeared (vanished) around 9:30 Tuesday.”
Thursday
“ ‘Local firms and local employment will benefit dramatically,’ Duncan said. ‘Sandra (Pupatello) and I will ensure that happens. Obviously there will be a competitive process involved, but make no mistake there will be benefits to both local business - and more importantly people struggling for employment right now,’ ”
The term is “more important", not "more importantly", which is pompous and incorrect.
“ ‘Local firms and local employment will benefit dramatically,’ Duncan said. ‘Sandra (Pupatello) and I will ensure that happens. Obviously there will be a competitive process involved, but make no mistake there will be benefits to both local business - and more important, people struggling for employment right now,’ ”
TWO FOR ONE
“ ‘We try to get as many people working as we can and get as much money in the pockets of business locally. That's why we are anxious to proceed.’ ”
The context demands putting money “into” people’s pockets, not “in” pockets.
“Anxious” does not mean “eager”, which is what the context demands.
“ ‘We try to get as many people working as we can and get as much money into the pockets of business locally. That's why we are eager to proceed.’ ”
Friday
FOREGO/FORGO
“Forego” means to go before or to precede an event.
“Forgo” means to abstain from or to go without.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Equanimity” (n.) means calmness, composure, self-control or poise.
“Consanguineous” (adj.) means related by birth or akin to.
“Judicious” (adj.) means cautious, thoughtful, astute or prudent.
“Fortuitous” adj.) means by chance, accidental, casual or unexpected.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
"F" FRIDAY
FOREGO/FORGO
Explain the difference in meaning between "forego" and "forgo".
Create sentences for "forego" and "forgo" that clearly exhibit the meanings of the words.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "fortuitous".
Define "fortuitous" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
All corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
Explain the difference in meaning between "forego" and "forgo".
Create sentences for "forego" and "forgo" that clearly exhibit the meanings of the words.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "fortuitous".
Define "fortuitous" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
All corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
POLITICIANS BEWARE!
A DEPARTURE
Find and correct the error(s) in the unit below. If you are having trouble, read my blog of Friday, November 7, 2008.
Normally, I concentrate only on the errors of professional writers but Dwight Duncan is a seasoned politician and, as such, is not immune to the demands for correctness.
"'Local firms and local employment will benefit dramatically,' Duncan said. 'Sandra (Pupatello) and I will ensure that happens. Obviously there will be a competitive process involved, but make no mistake there will be benefits to both local business - and more importantly people struggling for employment right now.'"
Dwight Duncan, Ontario Finance Minister, "Border jobs pledged by Duncan", Dave Battagello, The Windsor Star, Thursday, November 13, 2008.
TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE
Find and correct two errors in the sentences below.
"'We try to get as many people working as we can and get as much money in the pockets of business locally. That's why we are anxious to proceed.'"
Dwight Duncan, Ontario Finance Minister, "Border jobs pledged by Duncan", Dave Battagello, The Windsor Star, Thursday, November 13, 2008.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "judicious".
Define "judicious" and use it in a sentence.
Find and correct the error(s) in the unit below. If you are having trouble, read my blog of Friday, November 7, 2008.
Normally, I concentrate only on the errors of professional writers but Dwight Duncan is a seasoned politician and, as such, is not immune to the demands for correctness.
"'Local firms and local employment will benefit dramatically,' Duncan said. 'Sandra (Pupatello) and I will ensure that happens. Obviously there will be a competitive process involved, but make no mistake there will be benefits to both local business - and more importantly people struggling for employment right now.'"
Dwight Duncan, Ontario Finance Minister, "Border jobs pledged by Duncan", Dave Battagello, The Windsor Star, Thursday, November 13, 2008.
TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE
Find and correct two errors in the sentences below.
"'We try to get as many people working as we can and get as much money in the pockets of business locally. That's why we are anxious to proceed.'"
Dwight Duncan, Ontario Finance Minister, "Border jobs pledged by Duncan", Dave Battagello, The Windsor Star, Thursday, November 13, 2008.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "judicious".
Define "judicious" and use it in a sentence.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
RANT!
In case anyone wants to accuse me of plagiarism, I borrowed the term, "Rant!", from Rick Mercer.
"A" AS IN "HAY"
Dear Don Newman, chief political and special events broadcaster, CBC News:
The indefinite article, "a", regardless of how George Bush says it, is NOT pronounced "a" as in "hay" or "eh" as in "Canadian, eh!". It is pronounced "a" as in "bad".
The word "about" is not pronounced "Eh-bout", regardless of how Canadian you are.
Trying to emphasize a word by mispronouncing the "a" before it, such as in "eh dummy" or "eh moron" is incorrect and unacceptable.
Dear newscasters, radio hosts, news readers and all other professional voices:
Read the above and take it to heart.
WAKE UP WRITERS
How many times do I have to point out the mistake below?
If you do not know what it is, go watch television.
"Police had issued an alert asking for the public's help to find Margaret Holmes, 71, who had gone missing around 9:30 Tuesday.
Star Staff, "Windsor police end search after senior returns home, The windsor Star, Wednesday, November 12, 2008.
"A" AS IN "HAY"
Dear Don Newman, chief political and special events broadcaster, CBC News:
The indefinite article, "a", regardless of how George Bush says it, is NOT pronounced "a" as in "hay" or "eh" as in "Canadian, eh!". It is pronounced "a" as in "bad".
The word "about" is not pronounced "Eh-bout", regardless of how Canadian you are.
Trying to emphasize a word by mispronouncing the "a" before it, such as in "eh dummy" or "eh moron" is incorrect and unacceptable.
Dear newscasters, radio hosts, news readers and all other professional voices:
Read the above and take it to heart.
WAKE UP WRITERS
How many times do I have to point out the mistake below?
If you do not know what it is, go watch television.
"Police had issued an alert asking for the public's help to find Margaret Holmes, 71, who had gone missing around 9:30 Tuesday.
Star Staff, "Windsor police end search after senior returns home, The windsor Star, Wednesday, November 12, 2008.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
CAREFUL THINKING REQUIRED
CONSCIENCE, CONSCIOUS, CONSCIOUSNESS
Explain the differences in meaning of the words "conscience", "conscious" and "consciousness".
Create sentences to illustrate the meaning of each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "consanguineous".
Define the five-syllable word "consanguineous" and use it in a sentence.
Explain the differences in meaning of the words "conscience", "conscious" and "consciousness".
Create sentences to illustrate the meaning of each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "consanguineous".
Define the five-syllable word "consanguineous" and use it in a sentence.
Monday, November 10, 2008
MONDAY'S CHALLENGE
BRING/BRANG/BRUNG/BROUGHT
Try to sort this out.
Identify the part of speech of "bring" "brang", "brung" and "brought".
Explain the connection of each word to the others.
Which of these words is not acceptable? Why?
Create sentences to correctly exhibit the meaning of each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "equanimity".
Define "equanimity" and use it in a sentence.
Try to sort this out.
Identify the part of speech of "bring" "brang", "brung" and "brought".
Explain the connection of each word to the others.
Which of these words is not acceptable? Why?
Create sentences to correctly exhibit the meaning of each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "equanimity".
Define "equanimity" and use it in a sentence.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - November 9, 2008
Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's postings.
Monday
There is an error in the unit below. Find it and correct it.
“Palin, herself, isn't gaffe-proof. Her often rambling, incoherent answers...generated fodder for her critics and inspired the hilarious parody by Saturday Night Live alumnus Tina Fey.”
“Alumnus” is masculine. Tina Fey is an “alumna” not an “alumnus” of Saturday Night Live.
“Palin, herself, isn't gaffe-proof. Her often rambling, incoherent answers...generated fodder for her critics and inspired the hilarious parody by Saturday Night Live alumna Tina Fey.”
Tuesday
“Well, yeah, ya know…”
A professional could use better than street lingo. I begrudge sloppy articulation and allow some leeway, but I cannot accept “yeah”. And “well” is just empty air fill.
“Yes…”
“You've got temperatures over there…”
I am not “over there“. I do not have “temperatures” over there. "You've got..." is a ridiculous regionalism.
“The temperatures in the west (or east or anywhere)…”
“Yeah, ya know…”
Check above. Consistency is an asset. “Ya know…” is empty air fill also.
“Yes…”
Wednesday
Fix any errors you find in the following:
“About 50 people worked at the plant. When the government announced a $950,000 grant to the operation in August 2007 - just months after loaning it $2 million - it said the plant was using the money to employ 134 people, growing to 250 employees within four years.”
“Loan” is a noun. “Lend” is the verb form needed.
“About 50 people worked at the plant. When the government announced a $950,000 grant to the operation in August 2007 - just months after lending it $2 million - it said the plant was using the money to employ 134 people, growing to 250 employees within four years.”
Thursday
INSTANTS/INSTANCES
Examples of anything are “instances.” Brief moments are “instants”.
“He exhibited several instances where his team played poorly.”
“The loud sound scared him and, in an instant, he was running frantically away”.
Friday
MORE IMPORTANT/MORE IMPORTANTLY
“More importantly” is pompous and, because of context, is usually wrong. It should never be used.
“More important” is the correct form.
EASY QUOTE
“While there's life, there's hope.”
Cicero, a Roman orator, created this.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Eponymous” (adj.) means giving one’s name to a tribe, a place an institution. It is from the noun “eponym”.
“Hermaphrodite” (n.) means androgynous, genderless, sexless or being both male and female.
“Ominous” (adj.) means threatening, gloomy, menacing or portentous.
“Phantasmagoria” (n.) means a shifting series of phantasms, illusions or deceptive appearances as in a dream. It can mean a series of optical illusions.
“Condescension” (n.) means disdain, arrogance, to treat with contempt or aloofness.
Monday
There is an error in the unit below. Find it and correct it.
“Palin, herself, isn't gaffe-proof. Her often rambling, incoherent answers...generated fodder for her critics and inspired the hilarious parody by Saturday Night Live alumnus Tina Fey.”
“Alumnus” is masculine. Tina Fey is an “alumna” not an “alumnus” of Saturday Night Live.
“Palin, herself, isn't gaffe-proof. Her often rambling, incoherent answers...generated fodder for her critics and inspired the hilarious parody by Saturday Night Live alumna Tina Fey.”
Tuesday
“Well, yeah, ya know…”
A professional could use better than street lingo. I begrudge sloppy articulation and allow some leeway, but I cannot accept “yeah”. And “well” is just empty air fill.
“Yes…”
“You've got temperatures over there…”
I am not “over there“. I do not have “temperatures” over there. "You've got..." is a ridiculous regionalism.
“The temperatures in the west (or east or anywhere)…”
“Yeah, ya know…”
Check above. Consistency is an asset. “Ya know…” is empty air fill also.
“Yes…”
Wednesday
Fix any errors you find in the following:
“About 50 people worked at the plant. When the government announced a $950,000 grant to the operation in August 2007 - just months after loaning it $2 million - it said the plant was using the money to employ 134 people, growing to 250 employees within four years.”
“Loan” is a noun. “Lend” is the verb form needed.
“About 50 people worked at the plant. When the government announced a $950,000 grant to the operation in August 2007 - just months after lending it $2 million - it said the plant was using the money to employ 134 people, growing to 250 employees within four years.”
Thursday
INSTANTS/INSTANCES
Examples of anything are “instances.” Brief moments are “instants”.
“He exhibited several instances where his team played poorly.”
“The loud sound scared him and, in an instant, he was running frantically away”.
Friday
MORE IMPORTANT/MORE IMPORTANTLY
“More importantly” is pompous and, because of context, is usually wrong. It should never be used.
“More important” is the correct form.
EASY QUOTE
“While there's life, there's hope.”
Cicero, a Roman orator, created this.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Eponymous” (adj.) means giving one’s name to a tribe, a place an institution. It is from the noun “eponym”.
“Hermaphrodite” (n.) means androgynous, genderless, sexless or being both male and female.
“Ominous” (adj.) means threatening, gloomy, menacing or portentous.
“Phantasmagoria” (n.) means a shifting series of phantasms, illusions or deceptive appearances as in a dream. It can mean a series of optical illusions.
“Condescension” (n.) means disdain, arrogance, to treat with contempt or aloofness.
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