Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's entries.
Monday
INTERMENT/INTERNMENT
“Interment” (n.) means burial or entombment.
“Internment” (n.) means imprisonment, confinement or incarceration.
Tuesday
I HATE THESE ADS
Find and correct the errors.
Bonus: identify the irony in the Bose commercial.
“I wouldn't trade it for nothing!” Bose, the most respected name in sound.
Bose commercial
There is a double negative in the first sentence which creates the irony of the “most respected name” being so grammatically incorrect. Technically, the second group of words in not even a sentence. Ads are short and pithy but should be correct if the company wants their stated respect.
“I wouldn't trade it for anything!” Bose, the most respected name in souns.
“You don't drive like her, so why should you pay the same insurance premiums as her?”
Grey Power commercial
The subjective form of the pronoun should be used in both clauses.
“You don't drive like she does, so why should you pay the same insurance premiums as she does?”
Wednesday
“Here a truck heads toward the bridge off of Patricia Road.”
“Off of” is two prepositions which can never be put together. The word should really be changed.
“Here a truck heads toward the bridge near Patricia Road.”
“The caller left the vehicle to get a tow truck and when they returned it was gone.”
The “caller” is singular, so why is a plural relative pronoun being used in the second clause to refer to a singular noun? The generic “he” should be used.
“The caller left the vehicle to get a tow truck and when he returned it was gone.”
“ ‘A lot of contracting companies have scaled back and a lot of small businesses have went out west or moved elsewhere where the grass is greener,' said Dinchik.”
“Have went” is an incorrect form of the verb “have”.
“ ‘A lot of contracting companies have scaled back and a lot of small businesses have gone out west or moved elsewhere where the grass is greener,” said Dinchik.”
Thursday
MATERIAL/MATERIEL
“Material” (n.) refers to fabric, cloth, textile or stuff.
“Material” (adj.) means significant or important.
“Materiel” (n.) is a French word meaning the equipment and supplies used by armies and other organizations.
The words are not interchangeable.
Friday
SPIRITUALISM/SPIRITUALITY
Spiritualism” (n.) is the belief in the possibility of communication with the spirits of the dead.
“Spirituality” (n.) refers to religious beliefs and activities.
THINK ABOUT THIS
“Minds, like bodies, will often fall into a pimpled, ill-conditioned state from mere excess of comfort.”
Charles Dickens (1812-1870) wrote this aphorism.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Oscillate” (v.) means to swing, to move back and forth or to fluctuate.
“Vacuous” (adj.) means empty-headed, unintelligent or inane.
“Altruism” (n.) means unselfishness, humanity or the principle or practice of seeking the welfare of others before oneself.
“Narcissism” (n.) means vanity, self-absorption, conceit or egotism.
Narcissism is based in the myth of a beautiful youth, Narcissus, who was so entranced with his own image when he looked at himself in the water that he metamorphosed into a showy, bulbous plant.
“Compendium” (n.) is a comprehensive summary of a subject or a concise treatise.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
MULTI-SYLLABIC WORDS
SPIRITUALISM/SPIRITUALITY
Explain the difference in meaning and connotation between the words "spiritualism" and "spirituality".
Create sentences that delineate the meaning of each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "compendium".
Define "compendium" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
Explain the difference in meaning and connotation between the words "spiritualism" and "spirituality".
Create sentences that delineate the meaning of each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "compendium".
Define "compendium" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
WORD CHALLENGES
MATERIAL/MATERIEL
Explain the difference in meaning and usage for the words "material" and"materiel".
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "narcissism".
Define "narcissism" and use it in a sentence.
Bonus: detail the story of the roots of "narcissism".
Explain the difference in meaning and usage for the words "material" and"materiel".
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "narcissism".
Define "narcissism" and use it in a sentence.
Bonus: detail the story of the roots of "narcissism".
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
THE USUAL CARELESSNESS
FIND & FIX
Identify and fix the errors in the following.
"Here a truck heads toward the bridge off of Patricia Road."
Photo Tagline, "Border truck traffic falls", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, January 14, 2009.
"The caller left the vehicle to get a tow truck and when they returned it was gone."
Unknown writer, "Stranded car stolen from shoulder of 401, The Windsor Star, Wednesday, January 14, 2009.
This comes from a non-professional writer, but it is the first time I have had the opportunity to cite the problem. There is, though, a careless editorial slip to be found.
"'A lot of contracting companies have scaled back and a lot of small businesses have went out west or moveed elsewhere where the grass is greener,' said Dinchik."
"Housing starts for 2008 expected to be under 500", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, January 14, 2009.
THINK ABOUT THIS
Identify the author of the following piece of wisdom.
“Minds, like bodies, will often fall into a pimpled, ill-conditioned state from mere excess of comfort.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "altruism".
Define "altruism" and use it in a sentence.
Identify and fix the errors in the following.
"Here a truck heads toward the bridge off of Patricia Road."
Photo Tagline, "Border truck traffic falls", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, January 14, 2009.
"The caller left the vehicle to get a tow truck and when they returned it was gone."
Unknown writer, "Stranded car stolen from shoulder of 401, The Windsor Star, Wednesday, January 14, 2009.
This comes from a non-professional writer, but it is the first time I have had the opportunity to cite the problem. There is, though, a careless editorial slip to be found.
"'A lot of contracting companies have scaled back and a lot of small businesses have went out west or moveed elsewhere where the grass is greener,' said Dinchik."
"Housing starts for 2008 expected to be under 500", The Windsor Star, Wednesday, January 14, 2009.
THINK ABOUT THIS
Identify the author of the following piece of wisdom.
“Minds, like bodies, will often fall into a pimpled, ill-conditioned state from mere excess of comfort.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "altruism".
Define "altruism" and use it in a sentence.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
ABYSMAL ADS
I HATE THESE ADS
Each of the following TV ads, has at least one major grammatical error. Find and correct the errors.
Bonus: identify the irony in the Bose commercial.
"I wouldn't trade it for nothing!" Bose, the most respected name in sound.
Bose commercial, CBC Newsworld.
"You don't drive like her, so why should you pay the same insurance premiums as her?
Grey Power commercial, CBC Newsworld.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "vacuous".
Define "vacuous" and use it in a sentence.
Each of the following TV ads, has at least one major grammatical error. Find and correct the errors.
Bonus: identify the irony in the Bose commercial.
"I wouldn't trade it for nothing!" Bose, the most respected name in sound.
Bose commercial, CBC Newsworld.
"You don't drive like her, so why should you pay the same insurance premiums as her?
Grey Power commercial, CBC Newsworld.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "vacuous".
Define "vacuous" and use it in a sentence.
Monday, January 12, 2009
A SIMPLE START
INTERMENT/INTERNMENT
Explain the difference between the words "interment" and "internment".
Create a sentence for each word that clearly slows its meaning.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "oscillate".
Define "oscillate" and use it in a sentence.
Explain the difference between the words "interment" and "internment".
Create a sentence for each word that clearly slows its meaning.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "oscillate".
Define "oscillate" and use it in a sentence.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - January 11, 2009
Here are the corrections and explanations for last week’s entries.
Monday
Check the following. Correct the errors.
“I like to think of myself as a nice guy. A reasonable guy. A positive, self-aware person who's pleasant to be around and makes the world a better place.”
There are two incomplete thoughts because the punctuation is wrong.
For balance, “who” should be added to the last clause.
Poetic licence should be reserved for poetry, not newspaper writing.
“I like to think of myself as a nice guy, a reasonable guy, a positive, self-aware person who's pleasant to be around and who makes the world a better place.”
“If someone's not a dumbass, I tolerate them.”
How does “them” relate to “someone”? Pronominal consistency is needed.
“If someone's not a dumbass, I tolerate him (or her, if there is a need to be absolutely politically correct).
“Which only goes to show that little guys like you and me are at as much risk as big banks.”
This is an incomplete thought because of the use of the subordinate conjunction, “which”.
I will not even start on the word “like”.
“This only goes to show that little guys like you and me are at as much risk as big banks.”
Tuesday
The Window Sign - 7 words, 4 errors - a record!
“Sorry we closed. We out of meet.”
Are they sorry they are closed or are they apologizing for having to close. Without a comma after “sorry”, there is confusion.
“We closed” is an incorrect verb construction; an auxiliary verb, “are”, is needed.
“We out” is an incorrect verb construction; an auxiliary verb, “are”, is needed.
“Meet” is the wrong word.
“Sorry, we are closed. We are out of meat.”
BONUS
“The Medium is the Message” was coined by Marshall McLuhan, 1911-1980, Canadian educator, scholar and philosopher.
Wednesday
There are errors in the following pieces. Find, explain and correct them.
“But it will surely slow things down, and that's not what we need. Not when more than 100,000 vehicles and $800 million crosses the border from Ontario to the U.S. on a daily basis.”
The second word group is an incomplete thought. A comma should be used, not a period.
“But it will surely slow things down, and that's not what we need, not when more than 100,000 vehicles and $800 million crosses the border from Ontario to the U.S. on a daily basis.”
“Instead of requiring the signature of a notary, a person with a valid passport can now act as a guarantor, providing they've know the applicant for at least two years.”
“Know” is incorrect; it should be “known”
“The subject of the first clause is “person”, a singular noun. The subject of the second clause is “they”. But “they” refers back to the singular “person” in the first clause and thus, is incorrect. A singular pronoun is needed.
“Instead of requiring the signature of a notary, a person with a valid passport can now act as a guarantor, providing he has known the applicant for at least two years.”
Thursday
PRESUME/ASSUME
“Assume” means “to take up or on oneself,” “to suppose or take for granted,” “to pretend” or “to be taken up.”
“Presume” is related to and similar to “assume” but it has the sense of doing it beforehand. It means “to venture without prior knowledge,” “to assume as believable without proof” or “to behave arrogantly”.
Friday
AURAL/ORAL
“Aural” has to do with things heard, as in the aural canal of the ear.
“Oral” has to do with things said or relating to the mouth, such as an oral exam.
A GOOD ONE
“Love is the difficult realization that something other than oneself is real.”
Iris Murdoch, a British novelist, coined this phrase.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Pedagogy” (n.) is the function, work or art of teaching or instruction. A “pedagogue”, or teacher, is often considered dogmatic and formal.
“Commiserate” (v.) means to sympathize, to pity or to show compassion.
The correct use is to say, “We commiserate with you over your loss.” We do not “commiserate” with a loss but rather with a person regarding a loss.
“Concomitant” (adj.) means associated, connected, attendant or affiliated with.
“Vacillate” (v.) means to waver, to fluctuate or to hesitate.
“Sanguine” (adj.) means optimistic, cheerful, hopeful or confident.
Monday
Check the following. Correct the errors.
“I like to think of myself as a nice guy. A reasonable guy. A positive, self-aware person who's pleasant to be around and makes the world a better place.”
There are two incomplete thoughts because the punctuation is wrong.
For balance, “who” should be added to the last clause.
Poetic licence should be reserved for poetry, not newspaper writing.
“I like to think of myself as a nice guy, a reasonable guy, a positive, self-aware person who's pleasant to be around and who makes the world a better place.”
“If someone's not a dumbass, I tolerate them.”
How does “them” relate to “someone”? Pronominal consistency is needed.
“If someone's not a dumbass, I tolerate him (or her, if there is a need to be absolutely politically correct).
“Which only goes to show that little guys like you and me are at as much risk as big banks.”
This is an incomplete thought because of the use of the subordinate conjunction, “which”.
I will not even start on the word “like”.
“This only goes to show that little guys like you and me are at as much risk as big banks.”
Tuesday
The Window Sign - 7 words, 4 errors - a record!
“Sorry we closed. We out of meet.”
Are they sorry they are closed or are they apologizing for having to close. Without a comma after “sorry”, there is confusion.
“We closed” is an incorrect verb construction; an auxiliary verb, “are”, is needed.
“We out” is an incorrect verb construction; an auxiliary verb, “are”, is needed.
“Meet” is the wrong word.
“Sorry, we are closed. We are out of meat.”
BONUS
“The Medium is the Message” was coined by Marshall McLuhan, 1911-1980, Canadian educator, scholar and philosopher.
Wednesday
There are errors in the following pieces. Find, explain and correct them.
“But it will surely slow things down, and that's not what we need. Not when more than 100,000 vehicles and $800 million crosses the border from Ontario to the U.S. on a daily basis.”
The second word group is an incomplete thought. A comma should be used, not a period.
“But it will surely slow things down, and that's not what we need, not when more than 100,000 vehicles and $800 million crosses the border from Ontario to the U.S. on a daily basis.”
“Instead of requiring the signature of a notary, a person with a valid passport can now act as a guarantor, providing they've know the applicant for at least two years.”
“Know” is incorrect; it should be “known”
“The subject of the first clause is “person”, a singular noun. The subject of the second clause is “they”. But “they” refers back to the singular “person” in the first clause and thus, is incorrect. A singular pronoun is needed.
“Instead of requiring the signature of a notary, a person with a valid passport can now act as a guarantor, providing he has known the applicant for at least two years.”
Thursday
PRESUME/ASSUME
“Assume” means “to take up or on oneself,” “to suppose or take for granted,” “to pretend” or “to be taken up.”
“Presume” is related to and similar to “assume” but it has the sense of doing it beforehand. It means “to venture without prior knowledge,” “to assume as believable without proof” or “to behave arrogantly”.
Friday
AURAL/ORAL
“Aural” has to do with things heard, as in the aural canal of the ear.
“Oral” has to do with things said or relating to the mouth, such as an oral exam.
A GOOD ONE
“Love is the difficult realization that something other than oneself is real.”
Iris Murdoch, a British novelist, coined this phrase.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Pedagogy” (n.) is the function, work or art of teaching or instruction. A “pedagogue”, or teacher, is often considered dogmatic and formal.
“Commiserate” (v.) means to sympathize, to pity or to show compassion.
The correct use is to say, “We commiserate with you over your loss.” We do not “commiserate” with a loss but rather with a person regarding a loss.
“Concomitant” (adj.) means associated, connected, attendant or affiliated with.
“Vacillate” (v.) means to waver, to fluctuate or to hesitate.
“Sanguine” (adj.) means optimistic, cheerful, hopeful or confident.
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