CAUTION
I received a comment which was written entirely in Chinese or Mandarin or some character form. I have rejected that comment because I have no idea what it says or if it might contain a virus.
I thank the person for sending me a comment, but if one wants a comment published, it must be written in English; after all, this is an correct English usage blog.
Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's entries.
Monday
Identify and correct the errors in the following pieces.
You get a GOLD STAR if you can identify the irony in the last entry. You must be sure to read the entire entry to find it.
You go to the head of the class if you can explain what is wrong with the word order of example three.
"Just as it would be for a CUPE insider to whisper the union's plans to management in the midst of a bitter stand-off."
This is not a complete thought; it is only a subordinate clause dependant upon the preceding sentence for its sense.
"It is a legal no-no, just as it would be for a CUPE insider to whisper the union's plans to management in the midst of a bitter stand-off."
"But my sense is Jones is going to need that lawyer; unfortunately for him."
The semi-colon is incorrect; it should be a comma.
"But my sense is Jones is going to need that lawyer, unfortunately for him."
"A group of homeowners on Windsor's west side have hired a lawyer and will approach city council tonight to push for demolition of dozens of unsightly homes on Indian Road owned by Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Maroun."
Dave Battagello, "Group pushes for demolitions", The Windsor Star, Monday, November 23, 2003.
“Group” is the subject and it is singular; its verb must also be singular.
The word order makes it appear as if Indian Road is owned by Matty Maroun whereas the intent is that Maroun owns the homes.
The irony is that the title of the articles has the subject/verb correctly structured but it is incorrect in the body of the article. Al least there could be some consistency, one would think.
"A group of homeowners on Windsor's west side has hired a lawyer and will approach city council tonight to push for demolition of dozens of unsightly homes on Indian Road owned by Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Maroun."
Tuesday
AFFLUENCE/EFFLUENCE
“Affluence” is abundant wealth or riches.
“The affluence of the neighbourhood was evident in the size of the houses.
“Effluence” is sewage.
“The effluence back-washed into his basement and created a terribly foul smell.”
Wednesday
GRAMMAR REVIEW - ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE
“Active voice” refers the subject doing the action.
“He kicked the door so hard that it broke off its hinges.”
“Passive voice” means that the subject receives the action.
“The cruel trained was kicked by the wild horse.”
Thursday
VERACIOUS/VORACIOUS
“Veracious” (adj.) means conforming with truth, actual or genuine. It comes from the word Latin veritas.
“The Benedictine monk was a veracious witness in the trial.”
“Voracious” (adj.) means excessively greedy and grasping, devouring or craving food.
“The lion pup had a voracious appetite for something so young.”
BONUS
“Validation” is a noun referring to the finding or testing of the truth of something.
“Valid” is the adjective form.
“Validate” is the verb form.
“Validity” is a noun form referring to the soundness of an argument.
Friday
BREAK/BROKE/BROKEN
“Break”, as a verb, means to slow down.
“Broke” is the past tense of the verb “break”.
“Broken” is the past participle of the verb break.
The misuse occurs when “broke” is used when “broken” should be used.
“Broke” and “broken” are not interchangeable.
“His car is broke.” Wrong.
“His car is broken.” Correct.
WORTH REMEMBERING
“There is no remedy for love but to love more.”
Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862) wrote this.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Paroxysm” (n.) refers to an attack, a convulsion, an explosion or a fit.
“Gregarious” (adj.) means social or friendly or wanting to be with others.
“Remonstrate” (v.) means to argue in opposition to or in protest against or to plead in protest.
“Remonstrance” is the noun form.
“Vainglorious” (adj.) means boastful, bragging, arrogant or overbearing.
“Fatalism” (n.) is a philosophy that says that all events are subject to fate or are predetermined or inevitable. It is the acceptance that all things are inevitable.
“Fate”, “fatality” and “fatal” share the root of this word.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
GO FOR BROKE
F.Y.I
I gladly accept comments on any posting that I make but I will not accept comments that include advertising or links to other sites.
This blog is meant to be a teaching tool, not a free billboard for advertisers, regardless of their worth.
If advertisers wish to place ads on my blog, they can make arrangements by contacting me and expressly stating their intent and willingness to compensate me accordingly; I am not opposed to capitalism.
BREAK/BROKE/BROKEN
Explain the correct uses of the words "break", "broke" and "broken".
What part of speech is each word? Be very specific.
Identify the misuses of these words.
Create a sentence for each word to illustrate its correct meaning and use.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "fatalism".
What part of speech is "fatalism"?
Define "fatalism" and use it in a sentence.
Identify three other forms of the word. Create a sentence for each word.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
I gladly accept comments on any posting that I make but I will not accept comments that include advertising or links to other sites.
This blog is meant to be a teaching tool, not a free billboard for advertisers, regardless of their worth.
If advertisers wish to place ads on my blog, they can make arrangements by contacting me and expressly stating their intent and willingness to compensate me accordingly; I am not opposed to capitalism.
BREAK/BROKE/BROKEN
Explain the correct uses of the words "break", "broke" and "broken".
What part of speech is each word? Be very specific.
Identify the misuses of these words.
Create a sentence for each word to illustrate its correct meaning and use.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "fatalism".
What part of speech is "fatalism"?
Define "fatalism" and use it in a sentence.
Identify three other forms of the word. Create a sentence for each word.
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
Corrections and explanations for this week's entries will be posted Sunday.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
V AS IN "VALIDATION"
VERACIOUS/VORACIOUS
Define and explain the difference between the words "veracious" and "voracious".
What part of speech is each word?
Create sentences using "veracious" and "voracious" is such a way as to convey their meanings.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "vainglorious".
What part of speech is "vainglorious"?
Define "vainglorious"" and use it in a sentence.
BONUS
Define the title word "validation" and list all the forms of the word that you can.
Be sure to identify what part of speech each is.
Create a new sentence for each word you list.
Define and explain the difference between the words "veracious" and "voracious".
What part of speech is each word?
Create sentences using "veracious" and "voracious" is such a way as to convey their meanings.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "vainglorious".
What part of speech is "vainglorious"?
Define "vainglorious"" and use it in a sentence.
BONUS
Define the title word "validation" and list all the forms of the word that you can.
Be sure to identify what part of speech each is.
Create a new sentence for each word you list.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
TEST YOUR VERB SKILLS
GRAMMAR REVIEW
What is the active voice of a verb?
Create a sentence using the active voice of a verb.
What is the passive voice of a verb?
Create a sentence using the passive voice of a verb.
WORTH REMEMBERING
Identify the author of the following thought.
“There is no remedy for love but to love more.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "remonstrate".
What part of speech is "remonstrate"?
Define "remonstrate" and use it in a sentence.
What is the noun form of this word?
What is the active voice of a verb?
Create a sentence using the active voice of a verb.
What is the passive voice of a verb?
Create a sentence using the passive voice of a verb.
WORTH REMEMBERING
Identify the author of the following thought.
“There is no remedy for love but to love more.”
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "remonstrate".
What part of speech is "remonstrate"?
Define "remonstrate" and use it in a sentence.
What is the noun form of this word?
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
EASY TUESDAY FARE
AFFLUENCE/EFFLUENCE
Explain the difference in meaning between the words "affluence" and "effluence".
What part of speech is each word?
Use "affluence" and "effluence" in sentences that demonstrate their meanings.
Identify another form for each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "gregarious".
What part of speech is "gregarious"?
Define "gregarious" and use it in a sentence.
Explain the difference in meaning between the words "affluence" and "effluence".
What part of speech is each word?
Use "affluence" and "effluence" in sentences that demonstrate their meanings.
Identify another form for each word.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "gregarious".
What part of speech is "gregarious"?
Define "gregarious" and use it in a sentence.
Monday, November 23, 2009
GOOD MONDAY MORNING?
"WHEN WILL THEY EVER LEARN...?"
Identify and correct the errors in the following pieces.
You get a GOLD STAR if you can identify the irony in the last entry. You must be sure to read the entire entry to find it.
You go to the head of the class if you can explain what is wrong with the word order of example three.
"Just as it would be for a CUPE insider to whisper the union's plans to management in the midst of a bitter stand-off."
Chris Vander Doelen, "Playing a dangerous game", The Windsor Star, Saturday, November 21, 2009.
"But my sense is Jones is going to need that lawyer; unfortunately for him."
Chris Vander Doelen, "Playing a dangerous game", The Windsor Star, Saturday, November 21, 2009.
"A group of homeowners on Windsor's west side have hired a lawyer and will approach city council tonight to push for demolition of dozens of unsightly homes on Indian Road owned by Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Maroun."
Dave Battagello, "Group pushes for demolitions", The Windsor Star, Monday, November 23, 2003.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "paroxysm".
What part of speech is "paroxysm"?
Define "paroxysm" and use it in a sentence.
Identify and correct the errors in the following pieces.
You get a GOLD STAR if you can identify the irony in the last entry. You must be sure to read the entire entry to find it.
You go to the head of the class if you can explain what is wrong with the word order of example three.
"Just as it would be for a CUPE insider to whisper the union's plans to management in the midst of a bitter stand-off."
Chris Vander Doelen, "Playing a dangerous game", The Windsor Star, Saturday, November 21, 2009.
"But my sense is Jones is going to need that lawyer; unfortunately for him."
Chris Vander Doelen, "Playing a dangerous game", The Windsor Star, Saturday, November 21, 2009.
"A group of homeowners on Windsor's west side have hired a lawyer and will approach city council tonight to push for demolition of dozens of unsightly homes on Indian Road owned by Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Maroun."
Dave Battagello, "Group pushes for demolitions", The Windsor Star, Monday, November 23, 2003.
TODAY'S WORD
The word for today is "paroxysm".
What part of speech is "paroxysm"?
Define "paroxysm" and use it in a sentence.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - Novenber 22, 2009
Here are the corrections and explanations forlast week's entries.
Monday
PERSPECTIVE/PROSPECTIVE
“Perspective” is usually a noun and has to do with displaying objects to express dimensions and spatial relations. It also refers to the relationship of parts to one another or a mental view of things.
“The architectural perspective was a three-dimensional drawing of beauty and functionality.”
“Prospective” is usually an adjective and refers to the future or one’s expectations of the future.
“The prospective future for the young physics genius, Einstein, was immortality and he achieved it.”
Tuesday
LITERAL/LITTORAL
“Literal” (adj.) means following the exact words of an original text, following the letter of the law or sticking to the strict meaning of something.
“The literal translation of the Bible is often changed to ease understanding for children.”
“Littoral” (adj.) refers to the region of the shore of a lake, sea or ocean.
“The littoral region of east Florida is beautifully sandy and is saturated with tourists.”
PUNCTUATION REVIEW - PERIOD
A “period” is punctuation used to end a sentence that is declarative or a command. It is also used with abbreviations.
“The cat sat on the mat.”
“Marcus Welby M.D. was a well-known TV doctor.”
Wednesday
PUNCTUATION REVIEW - COMMA
A “comma” is used to indicate a pause in a sentence, to separate elements in a series or to separate coordinate conjunctions with different subjects.
A “COMMA” CANNOT BE USED IN PLACE OF A PERIOD even though Dickens did.
Get a Gold Star if you can identify Dickens’s very famous misuse of the comma.
“Tom is wise, intuitive and fully in love with himself.”
“Tom looked at himself in the mirror, and Mary gagged.”
Thursday
PUNCTUATION REVIEW - SEMI-COLON
A “semi-colon" can be used in place of a period to connect sentences that are related to each other or to help sort out a huge list.
“Tom looked at himself in the mirror; Mary gagged.”
“The candidates in the race are: John, from Windsor; Mary, from, Winnipeg; Isabelle, from Belle River; and Angelo, from Amherstburg.”
Friday
PUNCTUATION REVIEW - COLON
A “colon” is used before a list or explanation that is preceded by a clause that can stand by itself.
See the use of the colon in the example for semi-colons for the use of a colon in a list.
“There is one thing yet to do: confess your wrongs and beg forgiveness.”
WORTH A SECOND GLANCE
“There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you.”
There is a clue to the identity of the author of the line. You get a gold star if you can find and explain the clue.
The clue is the word “humorist”. The saying was penned by Will Rogers, an American humorist (1879 - 1935).
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Obdurate” (adj.) means stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing, perverse or unrepentant.
“Rancid” (adj.) means sour, foul, stale or smelly.
“Irreconcilable” (adj.) means cannot be harmonized or adjusted, incompatible or opposed to agreement.
“Presumptuous” (adj.) means excessively forward, brash, cheeky, nervy or assumptive.
“Presumption” is the noun form.
“Presumptive” is another adjectival form meaning affording grounds for presumption or assuming to be true.
“Pedantry” (n.) is a ostentatious, undue or inappropriate display of learning.
Monday
PERSPECTIVE/PROSPECTIVE
“Perspective” is usually a noun and has to do with displaying objects to express dimensions and spatial relations. It also refers to the relationship of parts to one another or a mental view of things.
“The architectural perspective was a three-dimensional drawing of beauty and functionality.”
“Prospective” is usually an adjective and refers to the future or one’s expectations of the future.
“The prospective future for the young physics genius, Einstein, was immortality and he achieved it.”
Tuesday
LITERAL/LITTORAL
“Literal” (adj.) means following the exact words of an original text, following the letter of the law or sticking to the strict meaning of something.
“The literal translation of the Bible is often changed to ease understanding for children.”
“Littoral” (adj.) refers to the region of the shore of a lake, sea or ocean.
“The littoral region of east Florida is beautifully sandy and is saturated with tourists.”
PUNCTUATION REVIEW - PERIOD
A “period” is punctuation used to end a sentence that is declarative or a command. It is also used with abbreviations.
“The cat sat on the mat.”
“Marcus Welby M.D. was a well-known TV doctor.”
Wednesday
PUNCTUATION REVIEW - COMMA
A “comma” is used to indicate a pause in a sentence, to separate elements in a series or to separate coordinate conjunctions with different subjects.
A “COMMA” CANNOT BE USED IN PLACE OF A PERIOD even though Dickens did.
Get a Gold Star if you can identify Dickens’s very famous misuse of the comma.
“Tom is wise, intuitive and fully in love with himself.”
“Tom looked at himself in the mirror, and Mary gagged.”
Thursday
PUNCTUATION REVIEW - SEMI-COLON
A “semi-colon" can be used in place of a period to connect sentences that are related to each other or to help sort out a huge list.
“Tom looked at himself in the mirror; Mary gagged.”
“The candidates in the race are: John, from Windsor; Mary, from, Winnipeg; Isabelle, from Belle River; and Angelo, from Amherstburg.”
Friday
PUNCTUATION REVIEW - COLON
A “colon” is used before a list or explanation that is preceded by a clause that can stand by itself.
See the use of the colon in the example for semi-colons for the use of a colon in a list.
“There is one thing yet to do: confess your wrongs and beg forgiveness.”
WORTH A SECOND GLANCE
“There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you.”
There is a clue to the identity of the author of the line. You get a gold star if you can find and explain the clue.
The clue is the word “humorist”. The saying was penned by Will Rogers, an American humorist (1879 - 1935).
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Obdurate” (adj.) means stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing, perverse or unrepentant.
“Rancid” (adj.) means sour, foul, stale or smelly.
“Irreconcilable” (adj.) means cannot be harmonized or adjusted, incompatible or opposed to agreement.
“Presumptuous” (adj.) means excessively forward, brash, cheeky, nervy or assumptive.
“Presumption” is the noun form.
“Presumptive” is another adjectival form meaning affording grounds for presumption or assuming to be true.
“Pedantry” (n.) is a ostentatious, undue or inappropriate display of learning.
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