Here are the corrections and explanations for last week’s postings.
Monday
INTERMURAL/INTRAMURAL/EXTRAMURAL
“Intramural” literally means within the walls and refers to events taking place entirely within an institution.
“House league teams at universities are examples of “intramural” sports activities.”
“Extramural”, therefore, means outside the walls and means outside the institution.
“When the University of Windsor football Lancers travel to London to compete against the University of Western Ontario Mustangs they are playing an extramural competition.”
“Intermural” is a rare word meaning between the walls. It has fallen out of use and is most often mistaken for “intramural”.
Tuesday
EMINENT/IMMINENT/IMMANENT
“Eminent” (adj.) means prominent, famous or above others in character.
“Vasco da Gama was an eminent Portuguese explorer.”
“Imminent” (adj.) means expected to follow in the near future. It often has a negative connotation such as in “imminent disaster” but can also be positive as in “imminent promotion”. The key is that it will occur very soon.
“A brutal storm is imminent because the sky is so dark and the wind is so calm.”
“Immanent” (adj.) is a thought process meaning inherent, intrinsic or within the mind. It is a mental act occurring within the mind of a subject and having no effect outside of it. Philosophically it means “inherent” and by theologically it means “present throughout the universe” when referring to God.
“Being kind to others is an immanent philosophy throughout the religions of the world.”
Wednesday
EMULATE/IMITATE
“Imitate”, a verb, means to copy something or someone.
“Emulate”, also a verb, is purely positive and means to strive to equal or match someone or something.
“A child may “imitate” his peers when he throws stones at windows but he “emulates” a kind person when he tries to help someone in need.”
Thursday
HIS AND HER’S/HIS AND HERS
“His and hers” is correct one because “hers” is a possessive pronoun and does not take an apostrophe.
“The house was his and hers.”
BOY'S BALL/BOYS' BALL
“Boy’s ball” means that the ball belonged to one boy.
“Boys’ ball” means that the ball belonged to many boys.
Friday
CONNOTE/DENOTE
“Denote”, a verb, means to attest, to certify, to demonstrate. It is the direct meaning of a term.
“Denotation” is the noun form.
“Their nods denote a willingness to continue.”
“Connote”, a verb, means to express or state indirectly, to imply, to denote secondarily, to represent or to symbolize in addition to the primary meaning.
“Connotation” is the noun form.
I think of “denote” as what a word means and “connote” as what a word implies.
“I connote, from observing their restlessness when the police drive by, that they are planning something illegal.”
A GOOD THOUGHT
Identify the speaker of the following truism.
“Civilization is a method of living, an attitude of equal respect for all men.”
This was said by Jane Addams, US suffragist (1860 - 1935).
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Emeritus” (adj.) means retired or advanced, particularly from assigned duties, but retaining one’s title.
“Repugnant” (adj.) means abhorrent, obscene repulsive or detestable.
“Duplicitous” (adj.) means deceitful, double-dealing, two-faced or beguiling.
“Untenable” (adj.) means indefensible, mindless, reasonless or absurd.
“Anecdotal” (adj.) means relating to, or telling of, incidences or stories of an interesting nature.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
WORDS TO USE
CONNOTE/DENOTE
Explain the differences in meaning of the words "connote" and "denote".
What is the noun form of each word?
Use "connote" and "denote" in sentences that clearly show their meanings.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "anecdotal".
What part of speech is "anecdotal"?
Define "anecdotal" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
GET INVOLVED
Check the websites of "MY FRIENDS".
You will be pleasantly surprised.
Join my "ENGLISH PURISTS CLUB".
Let it be known that you advocate and support the use of correct English.
Explain the differences in meaning of the words "connote" and "denote".
What is the noun form of each word?
Use "connote" and "denote" in sentences that clearly show their meanings.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "anecdotal".
What part of speech is "anecdotal"?
Define "anecdotal" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
GET INVOLVED
Check the websites of "MY FRIENDS".
You will be pleasantly surprised.
Join my "ENGLISH PURISTS CLUB".
Let it be known that you advocate and support the use of correct English.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
POSSESSIVES
HIS AND HER’S/HIS AND HERS
Which is not correct: "his and her's" or "his and hers"?
Explain your choice. Be specific.
Create a sentence using the correct version.
BOY'S BALL/BOYS' BALL
Explain the difference between the terms "boy's ball" and "boys' ball".
Create a sentence to illustrate each term.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "untenable".
What part of speech is "untenable"?
Define "untenable" and use it in a sentence.
Which is not correct: "his and her's" or "his and hers"?
Explain your choice. Be specific.
Create a sentence using the correct version.
BOY'S BALL/BOYS' BALL
Explain the difference between the terms "boy's ball" and "boys' ball".
Create a sentence to illustrate each term.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "untenable".
What part of speech is "untenable"?
Define "untenable" and use it in a sentence.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
MID-WEEK OFFERINGS
EMULATE/IMITATE
Explain the difference in meaning of the words "emulate" and "imitate".
What part of speech is each word?
Create sentences for "emulate" and "imitate" that show the meaning of each word.
A GOOD THOUGHT
Identify the speaker of the following truism.
“Civilization is a method of living, an attitude of equal respect for all men.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "duplicitous".
What part of speech is "duplicitous"?
Define "duplicitous" and use it in a sentence.
TREATS
Check the websites of "MY FRIENDS".
You will be pleasantly surprised.
Join my "ENGLISH PURISTS CLUB".
Let it be known that you advocate and support the use of correct English.
Explain the difference in meaning of the words "emulate" and "imitate".
What part of speech is each word?
Create sentences for "emulate" and "imitate" that show the meaning of each word.
A GOOD THOUGHT
Identify the speaker of the following truism.
“Civilization is a method of living, an attitude of equal respect for all men.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "duplicitous".
What part of speech is "duplicitous"?
Define "duplicitous" and use it in a sentence.
TREATS
Check the websites of "MY FRIENDS".
You will be pleasantly surprised.
Join my "ENGLISH PURISTS CLUB".
Let it be known that you advocate and support the use of correct English.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
MULTI-SYLLABIC WORDS
EMINENT/IMMINENT/IMMANENT
Explain the differences in meanings of the words "eminent", "imminent" and "immanent".
What is the root, or derivation,of each word?
Use each word in a sentence that clearly displays its meaning.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "repugnant".
What part of speech is "repugnant"?
Define "repugnant" and use it in a sentence.
Explain the differences in meanings of the words "eminent", "imminent" and "immanent".
What is the root, or derivation,of each word?
Use each word in a sentence that clearly displays its meaning.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "repugnant".
What part of speech is "repugnant"?
Define "repugnant" and use it in a sentence.
Monday, June 15, 2009
ACADEMICALLY SPEAKING
INTERMURAL/INTRAMURAL/EXTRAMURAL
The three terms "intermural", "intramural" and "extramural" are often seen on sports pages. What does each specifically mean? Which word is the least used or confused?
Create a sentence for each word that clearly shows its meaning.
TODAY'S WORD
Today's word is "emeritus".
Define "emeritus" and use it in a sentence.
What part of speech is "emeritus"?
The three terms "intermural", "intramural" and "extramural" are often seen on sports pages. What does each specifically mean? Which word is the least used or confused?
Create a sentence for each word that clearly shows its meaning.
TODAY'S WORD
Today's word is "emeritus".
Define "emeritus" and use it in a sentence.
What part of speech is "emeritus"?
Sunday, June 14, 2009
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - June 14, 2009
Here are the corrections for last week’s entries.
Monday
Find and correct the errors in the following examples.
“Later in the same game, Johann Franzen's flip shot from behind the goal line banked into the net off of Fleury's pad.”
“Off” and “of” are prepositions. It is grammatically incorrect to use them together.
“Later in the same game, Johann Franzen's flip shot from behind the goal line banked into the net off Fleury's pad.”
“In games like this, all the pressure falls on one guy.
The fellow between the pipes.”
(Note the two paragraphs in the example.)
There must be only one paragraph because of the direct connection between the ideas.
The second group of words is an incomplete thought because there is no verb. It should be combined with the first.
“In games like this, all the pressure falls on one guy, the fellow between the pipes.”
Tuesday
A.D./B.C.
“A.D.” means “anno domini” and is Latin for “in the year of the Lord”, meaning the birth of Jesus Christ from which our calendar is derived.
“B.C.” is an English phrase meaning “before Christ” or before the birth of Jesus Christ.
Most scholars suggest Christ was born in 6 B.C. which, technically, throws the calendar completely out of whack.
A.M./P.M.
“A.M.” is a Latin phrase meaning “ante meridiem” or “before noon”.
“P.M.” is a Latin phrase meaning “post meridiem” or “after noon”.
“Ante” means “before”. “Post” means “after”. Note the spelling of “meridiem”, meaning “mid-day”.
Wednesday
CANON/CANNON
Canon” refers to a list of approved works or a musical form such as Pachelbel”s Canon.
A “cannon” is a large piece of artillery such as a large gun.
Thursday
MORE INITIALS
e.g./i.e.
The term “e.g.” is taken from the Latin phrase meaning “exempli gratia” and means “for example”.
The term “i.e.” is taken from the Latin phrase “id est” and means “that is”.
The two terms are not interchangeable.
Friday
Define and fix the error in the following piece.
“How the Tigers might effect that decision remains to be seen.”
“Effect” is a noun as in, “The effect of brutal cold is often frostbite”.
“Affect” is a verb as in, “They will affect us greatly is they abandon us”.
There are variations when each word can be used differently, but the context of this sentence demands the use of “affect”.
“How the Tigers might affect that decision remains to be seen.”
THINK!
Who created the following line?
“You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try.”
Beverly Sills, an American opera singer said this.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Largess” (n.) means a generous bestowal of gifts, openhandedness or philanthropy.
“Ulterior” (adj.) means lying beneath what is revealed, deliberately concealed or clandestine.
“Abject” (adj.) means hopelessness, utter resignation, dismal or gloomy.
“Pillory” (v.) means to expose to public scorn or ridicule.
“Pillory” (n.) is a framework with holes cut in it to secure the head and hands and which is used to expose an offender to public derision.
“Calumniate” (v.) means to charge falsely, to defame, to smear or to denigrate someone.
Monday
Find and correct the errors in the following examples.
“Later in the same game, Johann Franzen's flip shot from behind the goal line banked into the net off of Fleury's pad.”
“Off” and “of” are prepositions. It is grammatically incorrect to use them together.
“Later in the same game, Johann Franzen's flip shot from behind the goal line banked into the net off Fleury's pad.”
“In games like this, all the pressure falls on one guy.
The fellow between the pipes.”
(Note the two paragraphs in the example.)
There must be only one paragraph because of the direct connection between the ideas.
The second group of words is an incomplete thought because there is no verb. It should be combined with the first.
“In games like this, all the pressure falls on one guy, the fellow between the pipes.”
Tuesday
A.D./B.C.
“A.D.” means “anno domini” and is Latin for “in the year of the Lord”, meaning the birth of Jesus Christ from which our calendar is derived.
“B.C.” is an English phrase meaning “before Christ” or before the birth of Jesus Christ.
Most scholars suggest Christ was born in 6 B.C. which, technically, throws the calendar completely out of whack.
A.M./P.M.
“A.M.” is a Latin phrase meaning “ante meridiem” or “before noon”.
“P.M.” is a Latin phrase meaning “post meridiem” or “after noon”.
“Ante” means “before”. “Post” means “after”. Note the spelling of “meridiem”, meaning “mid-day”.
Wednesday
CANON/CANNON
Canon” refers to a list of approved works or a musical form such as Pachelbel”s Canon.
A “cannon” is a large piece of artillery such as a large gun.
Thursday
MORE INITIALS
e.g./i.e.
The term “e.g.” is taken from the Latin phrase meaning “exempli gratia” and means “for example”.
The term “i.e.” is taken from the Latin phrase “id est” and means “that is”.
The two terms are not interchangeable.
Friday
Define and fix the error in the following piece.
“How the Tigers might effect that decision remains to be seen.”
“Effect” is a noun as in, “The effect of brutal cold is often frostbite”.
“Affect” is a verb as in, “They will affect us greatly is they abandon us”.
There are variations when each word can be used differently, but the context of this sentence demands the use of “affect”.
“How the Tigers might affect that decision remains to be seen.”
THINK!
Who created the following line?
“You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try.”
Beverly Sills, an American opera singer said this.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Largess” (n.) means a generous bestowal of gifts, openhandedness or philanthropy.
“Ulterior” (adj.) means lying beneath what is revealed, deliberately concealed or clandestine.
“Abject” (adj.) means hopelessness, utter resignation, dismal or gloomy.
“Pillory” (v.) means to expose to public scorn or ridicule.
“Pillory” (n.) is a framework with holes cut in it to secure the head and hands and which is used to expose an offender to public derision.
“Calumniate” (v.) means to charge falsely, to defame, to smear or to denigrate someone.
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