Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's entries.
Monday
The following examples are all based on material covered in this blog over the last month or so.
Correct the errors and state the reason for your corrections.
1. The couple were arrested at the scene and charged with robbery.
“Couple” is a singular, collective noun and needs a singular verb.
The couple was arrested at the scene and charged with robbery.
2. The woman was (reluctant, reticent) to reveal her age to the nosey teen.
“Reticent” can only refer to when one is unsure of speaking, so “reluctant” must be used.
The woman was reluctant to reveal her age to the nosey teen.
3. She stopped under the street light, she lit a cigarette.
This is a punctuation error called a comma splice. A semi-colon, a coordinate conjunction or a period must be used.
She stopped under the street light; she lit a cigarette.
4. The old man (hocked, hawked) his watch to buy a little food.
“Hock” means to trade and “hawk” means to sell.
The old man hocked his watch to buy a little food.
5. In this race I ran further than I had ever done before.
“Farther” must be used in reference to distance.
In this race I ran farther than I had ever done before.
6. Neither the skunk nor the officer were injured.
“Neither”/”nor” means a choice of one or one other so the verb must also be singular.
Neither the skunk nor the officer was injured.
7. I seen her when she ran away.
“Seen” must have an auxiliary verb such as “have”.
I saw her when she ran away.
8. The girl went missing last week and hasn’t been seen since.
People and things do not “go missing”. This is an overly trite and incorrect use of language.
The girl disappeared last week and hasn’t been seen since.
9. He don’t see very well any more.
The third person singular must use “doesn’t”. “Does not” is preferable.
He doesn’t see very well any more.
10. Jethro brang home a moose he shot in WaWa.
“Brang” is not a word. The past tense of “bring” is “brought”.
Jethro brought home a moose he shot in WaWa.
Tuesday
Identify the errors in the following pieces and correct them.
“Neither of the assailants have prior criminal records.”
“Neither” is the singular subject and the verb must agree. See number 6 above.
“Neither of the assailants have prior criminal records.”
“That and the corporate downsizing the mayor wants to contain costs and cap tax increases.”
This is an incomplete thought.
“City Council’s reorganizing plans and the corporate downsizing the mayor wants to contain costs and cap tax increases are the reasons for the fear-mongering seizing City Hall.” (You have to know the context.)
“True, a bunch of former city managers were fired or forced into early retirement with buyout packages paid for by taxpayers.”
The subject is “bunch” and it is a collective, singular noun needing a singular verb.
“True, a bunch of former city managers was fired or forced into early retirement with buyout packages paid for by taxpayers.”
Wednesday
THERE'S/THEIRS/THEIR'S
“Theirs” is a contraction of “there is”.
“Theirs” is a possessive showing ownership by “them”.
“Their’s” is not a word and any use of such a form is incorrect.
Thursday
FOR/FORE/FOUR
“For” is a preposition which begins a phrase and takes an object.
“He sat for a while and then fell to sleep.”
“Fore” is a noun referring to the front part of a boat. As an adjective it means situated toward the front. As an interjection it is a warning, particularly in golf.
“‘Fore!’ Tiger yelled as he shanked his ball into the crowd.”
Four” is a noun referring to the number after three and before five.
“I have four fingers and one thumb on my left hand.”
Friday
Read the following, determine the errors and correct them.
BONUS: find and correct the non-plural problem.
“The machinery and office equipment was also liquidated.”
There are two things as subject, so a plural verb is needed.
“The machinery and office equipment were also liquidated.”
“The dead man was removed from the water with the use of one of the fire trucks' extendable apparatus.”
“Trucks’” is plural possessive, but the context is singular.
“Apparatus” should be plural because the context suggests there is more than one apparatus. I suggest it should be “apparati”, but “apparatuses” could be used.
“The dead man was removed from the water with the use of one of the fire truck’s extendable apparati.”
TRY THINKING
Identify the author of the following thought.
“The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.”
Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher, said this.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Cataclysm” (n.) refers to a sudden violent change in the earth’s surface. It also means a catastrophe, havoc or a calamity.
“Habituate” (v.) Means to adapt, to become accustomed to, to adjust to, to conform to something. It also means to harden oneself to something.
“Cogitation” (n.) refers to attentive scrutiny or thought, meditation, musing or thoughtfulness.
“Cogitate” is the verb form.
“Cogitative” is the adjective form.
It comes from the Latin “cogito” meaning “I think”.
“Verisimilitude” (n.) refers to the appearance of truth, believability or credibility.
“Petulance” (n.) refers to fussiness, peevishness, irritability or quick temper.
ANNOUNCEMENT
HAPPY THANKSGIVING CANADA!
There will be no entries tomorrow.
Have a great day!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
A PLETHORA OF PLURAL PROBLEMS
PLURAL PROBLEMS PLUS
Read the following, determine the errors and correct them.
BONUS: find and correct the non-plural problem.
"The machinery and office equipment was also liquidated."
Sarah Sachelli, "CAW mulls Match Plate lawsuit", The Windsor Star, Friday, October 9, 2009.
"The dead man was removed from the water with the use of one of the fire trucks' extendable apparatus."
Area Briefs, "Elderly man found dead in river", The Windsor Star, Friday, October 9, 2009.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "petulance".
What part of speech is "petulance"?
Define "petulance" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
Read the following, determine the errors and correct them.
BONUS: find and correct the non-plural problem.
"The machinery and office equipment was also liquidated."
Sarah Sachelli, "CAW mulls Match Plate lawsuit", The Windsor Star, Friday, October 9, 2009.
"The dead man was removed from the water with the use of one of the fire trucks' extendable apparatus."
Area Briefs, "Elderly man found dead in river", The Windsor Star, Friday, October 9, 2009.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "petulance".
What part of speech is "petulance"?
Define "petulance" and use it in a sentence.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
DESERVED KUDOS
THANK YOU WINDSOR STAR & REUTERS
Last week I posted an entry about this very word. This article proves my point. Thank you. If you click on the article, you will be able to see a larger print version.
FOR/FORE/FOUR
Do I really have to do this one?
Explain the difference in meaning of the words "for", "fore" and "four".
What part of speech is each word?
Use "for", "fore" and "four" in sentences that clearly show their meanings.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "verisimilitude".
What part of speech is "verisimilitude"?
Define "verisimilitude" and use it in a sentence.
Last week I posted an entry about this very word. This article proves my point. Thank you. If you click on the article, you will be able to see a larger print version.
FOR/FORE/FOUR
Do I really have to do this one?
Explain the difference in meaning of the words "for", "fore" and "four".
What part of speech is each word?
Use "for", "fore" and "four" in sentences that clearly show their meanings.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "verisimilitude".
What part of speech is "verisimilitude"?
Define "verisimilitude" and use it in a sentence.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
THINK BEFORE ACTING
THERE'S/THEIRS/THEIR'S
Explain the difference in meaning and use of "there's", "theirs" and "their's".
Create sentences to show the correct use of each word.
TRY THINKING
Identify the author of the following thought.
“The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "cogitation".
What part of speech is "cogitation"?
Define "cogitation" and use it in a sentence.
What other forms of the word can you list?
Explain the difference in meaning and use of "there's", "theirs" and "their's".
Create sentences to show the correct use of each word.
TRY THINKING
Identify the author of the following thought.
“The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "cogitation".
What part of speech is "cogitation"?
Define "cogitation" and use it in a sentence.
What other forms of the word can you list?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
HERE WE GO AGAIN
MY BEST CONTRIBUTORS
Identify the errors in the following pieces and correct them.
"Neither of the assailants have prior criminal records."
Sarah Sacheli, "Teen girls avoid custody in assault", The Windsor Star, Tuesday, October 6, 2009.
"That and the corporate downsizing the mayor wants to contain costs and cap tax increases."
Chris Vander Doelen, "City hall turnover is small", The Windsor Star, Tuesday, October 6, 2009.
"True, a bunch of former city managers were fired or forced into early retirement with buyout packages paid for by taxpayers."
Chris Vander Doelen, "City hall turnover is small", The Windsor Star, Tuesday, October 6, 2009.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "habituate".
What part of speech is "habituate"?
Define "habituate" and use it in a sentence.
Identify the errors in the following pieces and correct them.
"Neither of the assailants have prior criminal records."
Sarah Sacheli, "Teen girls avoid custody in assault", The Windsor Star, Tuesday, October 6, 2009.
"That and the corporate downsizing the mayor wants to contain costs and cap tax increases."
Chris Vander Doelen, "City hall turnover is small", The Windsor Star, Tuesday, October 6, 2009.
"True, a bunch of former city managers were fired or forced into early retirement with buyout packages paid for by taxpayers."
Chris Vander Doelen, "City hall turnover is small", The Windsor Star, Tuesday, October 6, 2009.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "habituate".
What part of speech is "habituate"?
Define "habituate" and use it in a sentence.
Monday, October 5, 2009
SURPRISE TEST!
TRY THIS TEST
The following examples are all based on material covered in this blog over the last month or so.
Correct the errors and state the reason for your corrections.
1. The couple were arrested at the scene and charged with robbery.
2. The woman was (reluctant, reticent) to reveal her age to the nosey teen.
3. She stopped under the street light, she lit a cigarette.
4. The old man (hocked, hawked) his watch to buy a little food.
5. In this race I ran further than I had ever done before.
6. Neither the skunk nor the officer were injured.
7. I seen her when she ran away.
8. The girl went missing last week and hasn’t been seen since.
9. He don’t see very well any more.
10. Jethro brang home a moose he shot in WaWa.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "cataclysm".
What part of speech is "cataclysm"?
Define "cataclysm" and use it in a sentence.
Identify another form of the word.
The following examples are all based on material covered in this blog over the last month or so.
Correct the errors and state the reason for your corrections.
1. The couple were arrested at the scene and charged with robbery.
2. The woman was (reluctant, reticent) to reveal her age to the nosey teen.
3. She stopped under the street light, she lit a cigarette.
4. The old man (hocked, hawked) his watch to buy a little food.
5. In this race I ran further than I had ever done before.
6. Neither the skunk nor the officer were injured.
7. I seen her when she ran away.
8. The girl went missing last week and hasn’t been seen since.
9. He don’t see very well any more.
10. Jethro brang home a moose he shot in WaWa.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "cataclysm".
What part of speech is "cataclysm"?
Define "cataclysm" and use it in a sentence.
Identify another form of the word.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - October 4, 2009
Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's entries.
Monday
EXTEND/EXTENT
“Extend” is a verb only and cannot be used as a noun. It means to expand on, to widen or to elaborate upon.
“He sarcastically told the lazy brat not to expend himself because he might get a headache.”
“Extent” is a noun and refers to the point or degree to which something extends. It also means a wide open space or area.
“I like him to the extent that he is leaving very soon.”
Tuesday
DOESN'T/DON'T
“Doesn't”, “does not” and“does” are used with the third person singular words such as “he”, “she” and “it”.
“It really doesn’t matter now.”
“Don’t”, “do not” and “do” are used for other subjects.
“His glasses are so old they don’t help him with reading anymore.
“She don’t see good,” is not correct and is not acceptable English, for two reasons.
Wednesday
WHENEVER/WHEN
“Whenever” refers to repeated events or can refer to events whose date and time are uncertain.
“Whenever I go out into the cold weather my nose begins to run.”
“When” is used when an event is unique or the date and time are known.
“When I wake up I will start functioning again.”
“Whenever!” as a jingoistic teeny-bopper expletive, is just that. It should be dropped from one's lexicon by the time one reaches the age of majority.
Thursday
BRING/BRANG/BRUNG/BROUGHT
“Brought” is the past tense and past participle of the verb “to bring”.
“Today, I bring to you a host of good wishes.”
“Yesterday, I brought to you a nest of golden daffodils.”
“He has brought wonderful things to me several times.”
“Brung” and “brang” are not acceptable forms of “to bring” and should never be used.
Friday
FEWER/LESS
Use “fewer” (adj.) with objects that can be counted one by one.
“There were fewer days above ninety degrees than there were last year.” (“Days” can be counted.)
Use “less” (n., adj., adv., depending on use) with qualities or quantities than cannot be individually counted.
“I drank less water today than I did yesterday.” (“Water” cannot be counted.)
Bonus
“There were less days without rain last month than the previous one,” is an incorrect use of the word.
When referring to time and money, “less” is normally used, even with numbers.
“I have less money than I need.”
Specific units of time or money use “fewer” only in cases where individual items are referred to.
“She worked fewer hours than I did.”
HAPPINESS
“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”
Helen Keller said this.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Debauchery” (n.) refers to a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity or to seduction from virtue or morality.
“Debauch” is the verb form.
“Debauchee” is the noun form for one addicted to excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures.
“Stricture” (n.) refers to severe criticism or remarks or guidelines.
A second definition refers to a morbid contraction of any passage or duct of the body.
“The severe stricture of his windpipe by the thug’s garrote cut off his air and he suffocated.”
The root of the word is “strictus” a Latin word meaning “strict” or “severe”.
“Redact” (v.) means to formulate, frame or cast in a particular style or language. It also means to make editorial changes to text.
“Devolution” (n.) means devolvement or the act of passing on from stage to stage.
“Approbation” (n.) refers to official approval, recognition or acceptance.
Monday
EXTEND/EXTENT
“Extend” is a verb only and cannot be used as a noun. It means to expand on, to widen or to elaborate upon.
“He sarcastically told the lazy brat not to expend himself because he might get a headache.”
“Extent” is a noun and refers to the point or degree to which something extends. It also means a wide open space or area.
“I like him to the extent that he is leaving very soon.”
Tuesday
DOESN'T/DON'T
“Doesn't”, “does not” and“does” are used with the third person singular words such as “he”, “she” and “it”.
“It really doesn’t matter now.”
“Don’t”, “do not” and “do” are used for other subjects.
“His glasses are so old they don’t help him with reading anymore.
“She don’t see good,” is not correct and is not acceptable English, for two reasons.
Wednesday
WHENEVER/WHEN
“Whenever” refers to repeated events or can refer to events whose date and time are uncertain.
“Whenever I go out into the cold weather my nose begins to run.”
“When” is used when an event is unique or the date and time are known.
“When I wake up I will start functioning again.”
“Whenever!” as a jingoistic teeny-bopper expletive, is just that. It should be dropped from one's lexicon by the time one reaches the age of majority.
Thursday
BRING/BRANG/BRUNG/BROUGHT
“Brought” is the past tense and past participle of the verb “to bring”.
“Today, I bring to you a host of good wishes.”
“Yesterday, I brought to you a nest of golden daffodils.”
“He has brought wonderful things to me several times.”
“Brung” and “brang” are not acceptable forms of “to bring” and should never be used.
Friday
FEWER/LESS
Use “fewer” (adj.) with objects that can be counted one by one.
“There were fewer days above ninety degrees than there were last year.” (“Days” can be counted.)
Use “less” (n., adj., adv., depending on use) with qualities or quantities than cannot be individually counted.
“I drank less water today than I did yesterday.” (“Water” cannot be counted.)
Bonus
“There were less days without rain last month than the previous one,” is an incorrect use of the word.
When referring to time and money, “less” is normally used, even with numbers.
“I have less money than I need.”
Specific units of time or money use “fewer” only in cases where individual items are referred to.
“She worked fewer hours than I did.”
HAPPINESS
“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”
Helen Keller said this.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Debauchery” (n.) refers to a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity or to seduction from virtue or morality.
“Debauch” is the verb form.
“Debauchee” is the noun form for one addicted to excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures.
“Stricture” (n.) refers to severe criticism or remarks or guidelines.
A second definition refers to a morbid contraction of any passage or duct of the body.
“The severe stricture of his windpipe by the thug’s garrote cut off his air and he suffocated.”
The root of the word is “strictus” a Latin word meaning “strict” or “severe”.
“Redact” (v.) means to formulate, frame or cast in a particular style or language. It also means to make editorial changes to text.
“Devolution” (n.) means devolvement or the act of passing on from stage to stage.
“Approbation” (n.) refers to official approval, recognition or acceptance.
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