English 177-189 Blog: 2014

Friday, May 9, 2014

UPDATE

This blog has now been merged with ENGL 155 blog to form the new Effective Writing Blog (http://effectivewritingblog.blogspot.ca/).

Please go there for a visit and see the updates!

Friday, April 25, 2014

Welcome to the English 177-189 Blog. English 177 is English for Academic Purposes; English 189 is English for Business. These courses may be taken separately or as part of the English Language Proficiency Program.The goal is to increase communication between students and instructors, and also provide you with an opportunity to communicate with each other. If you post general questions about the assignments or the course, they will be answered in the blog. If you have detailed questions you want answered, then e-mail your instructor. Note that some activities are more appropriate to one course or the other.

WELCOME NEW STUDENTS!

A hearty welcome to all the new students joining these courses. We hope you enjoy your studies and have fun participating in this blog.

IMPORTANT: This blog site is open to the public; do not post personal information that could identify you--first name and the initial of your last name are the only personal information you should post. Please watch this video from the Canadian Government explaining privacy issues and social networking.

Next blog: Friday, May 9, 2014.

PREVIOUS GRAMMAR QUESTION

The commentator said its the most unique program was skated at the competition and they are skating unbelievable therefore it hasn't been surprised that the audience have given them the standing ovation.

1. Word choice:

We often use the phrase "very unique". But "unique" really means "the only one", so it should not be qualified. Delete the word "most" or change the description to something that can be modified, like "innovative".

2. Pronoun reference:

As a rule, the pronoun should refer to a previous noun. In this case, unless we assume the referent was established in an earlier sentence, we don't know what "it" is. To avoid confusion, it might be better to say something like "...the skaters' program was...".

3. Apostrophe:

If we decide to keep the word "its" in the sentence, we need to keep in mind that it's a contraction of "it is" and that we therefore need an apostrophe to indicate that a letter has been omitted.

4. Passive voice:

The verb form depends on how we construe the subject. If we go with something like "...the skaters' program", we can use the simple past: "...the skaters' program was the most innovative...". Otherwise, we might use the past participle: "...it was the most innovative program skated..."

5. Pronoun reference:

Again, unless we assume the referent was established in an earlier sentence, we don't know who "they" are. It might be better here to make this clear by saying something like "the pair" or "the skaters".

6. Word form:

"Unbelievable" is an adjective, but we want to modify a verb ("are skating"), so we need an adverb ("unbelievably"). Otherwise, we need to change the verb into a noun and say something like "...their skating was unbelievable..."

7. Verb tense/form:

The action happened over a very short period of time, so it might be better to use the simple past tense ("wasn’t") instead of the present perfect ("hasn’t been"), and follow it with the present participle ("surprising") instead of the past participle ("surprised").

8. Verb tense:

Again, use the simple past ("gave") instead of the present perfect ("have given").

9. Article use:

“The” refers to something definite, but in this case "standing ovation" is indefinite (there could have been any number of standing ovations during the competition), so we need to use the indefinite article ("a").

10. Punctuation:

We could use direct speech here (putting the comments in quotation marks), but we often report speech indirectly. In that case it might be helpful to put "that" after the reporting verb ("...said that... and that..."). Also, remember to put a comma before the dependent (after "competition").

Possible solution:

The commentator said that the skaters' program was the most innovative one at the competition and that their skating was unbelievable; therefore, it was no surprise that the audience gave them a standing ovation.

GRAMMAR QUESTION

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

Studying on my own pace is a lot of benefit for me do to I am not needing to be worrying about no time for attend class.

Solutions will be posted in the next edition of the blog.

PUZZLE

Solution to the previous puzzle:

1. prosecute SUE
2. scoundrel CUR
3. falsities LIES
4. stockings SOCKS
5. pantaloons PANTS
6. brackets BRACES

New Puzzle:

The last puzzle was a little too easy, so this time you will have to work for the solution.

Five words that contain GM as a letter pair have had all of their other letters removed and placed into a pool.

You have to put those letters back in their proper places to find the words.

Here are the words:

**GM*, **GM**, ***GM*, ****GM, **GM***

And here is the pool:

A, A, A, A, B, E, E, H, I, L, N, N, P, P, S, T, T, U, Y, Y

*Note, the first person with the correct answer gets the bonus point.

IDIOMS

There are three idioms that use HEAD:

Watch this video, and then write a sentence that uses one (or more) of these three idioms.

Try not to use the same idiom as the other posters.

ALL CHANGE!

Change the words in the following sentence as indicated.

Yasmin excitedly rode her new bicycle to school.

Please change only the exact word in the sequence given. Each participant should build on the changes made by the previous participant.

For instance, Participant 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Participant 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes the direct object noun, etc.

Normally, I request that each participant make just one change at a time, following the order indicated below. Once again, you are free to make as many changes as you wish. Just remember to number each change so it is clear to everyone where we are on the list.

When all 7 changes have been made, return to the top of the list and continue.

Changes:

1. subject noun
2. direct object noun
3. indirect object noun
4. adjective(s)
5. adverb(s)
6. verb name
7. verb tense

AFFIXES

The word stem -mit (meaning "send") occurs in many words.

Add an affix (either a prefix or a suffix) to this stem to make another word.

Each participant should add a different word to the list.

COMPLETE THE SENTENCE

Follow the instructions below to create three different sentences from the following clause.*

... we are already one-third of the way through the year ...

Sentence 1. Add a phrase
Sentence 2. Add a dependent clause
Sentence 3. Add an independent clause

*Add your words to the beginning or end of the clause (but not both).

NUMBER CHANGE

If the sentence is singular, change it to the plural; if it is plural, change it to the singular.

Yesterday, I noticed a child in the park feeding bread to the pigeons.

VOCABULARY

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing.

Use the following two words in one sentence (note the part of speech).

abdicate (verb) + democracy (noun)

To further improve your vocabulary, remember to check out the Word of the Day.

The site also has word games and puzzles.

http://dictionary.reference.com/

SYNOYMS AND ANTONYMS

We can describe food as sustenance.

Provide a synonym and an antonym for this word. Each participant should suggest a different word.

ACTIVE vs. PASSIVE

Write two sentences using the word take.

In the first sentence, use the verb in the active voice; in the second sentence, use it in the passive voice.

TIME CHANGE

Change the time in the following sentence by using a different verb tense and replacing any necessary time clues. Each student should choose a different verb tense.

Easter came and went very quickly; even though it was a holiday, I was kept busy with work around the house.

SENTENCE COMBINATION

Learning to combine ideas into more complex sentences is an important writing skill. There are many ways to do this. Try to combine the following three sentences.

Sentence 1: Many people in Canada are looking forward to spring.
Sentence 2: Spring is particularly appreciated in a country where most people experience a very long winter.

Sentence 3:This winter has seemed longer than most, with snow still on the ground in many parts of the country.

BUILD-A-SENTENCE

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the ENGL140 final exam. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

Write a sentence using a dependent clause in the past perfect tense and an independent clause in the simple past tense.

HALF-WAY THERE CHALLENGE!

This is an exercise in advanced sentence combining.

Sentence 1: My next-door neighbour was taken ill last week.
Sentence 2: She was rushed to hospital by ambulance.

Sentence 3: She had had a heart attack.

Grammar:

1. Use a gerund to combine the sentences.

2. Use an infinitive to combine the sentences.
2. Use a relative pronoun to combine the sentences.

Friday, April 4, 2014

WELCOME

A hearty welcome to all the new students joining these courses. We hope you enjoy your studies and have fun participating in this blog.

Next blog: Friday, April 25, 2014.

PREVIOUS GRAMMAR QUESTION

There were to much peoples at the mall so I was hurried up shopping, I was too hurried that the shirt’s I bought's not big enough and I'm having to return them.

1. Word confusion:

We need to use “too” (not “to”) as an intensifier.

2. Modifier use:

“Much” is used to modify uncountable nouns. Since “people” is countable, you should use “many”.

3. Plural form:

“People” is already plural (unless you are referring to something like a racial group), so it doesn’t need to be pluralized again.

4. Passive or active voice:

Do not use the passive form (“was hurried”) unless you mean to suggest that something was causing the speaker to be hurried. In this situation, use the active voice.

4. Modifier use:

To convey the extent of the modifier, use “so” (not “too”)

5. Apostrophe error:

“Shirts” is plural, not possessive, so there is no apostrophe. “Bought” is the past tense of “buy”, so it should never have an “s” or an apostrophe.

6. Subject-verb agreement:

Since ‘shirts’ is plural, you need the plural form of the verb (“are”).

7. Verb tense:

The present progressive (“am having”) would indicate that the action is happening now. It’s better to use the simple present tense (“have”) or the simple future (“will have”).

8. Punctuation:

When a coordinating conjunction such as ‘so’ separates two independent clauses, use a comma before it. When there is no coordinating conjunction, you need a period or (if the ideas are very closely related) a semicolon.

Suggested solution:

There were too many people in the mall, so I hurried with my shopping; I was in such a hurry that the shirts I bought are not big enough, and I will have to return them.

GRAMMAR QUESTION

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

Solutions will be posted in the next edition of the blog.

PUZZLE

Solution to the previous puzzle:

o … honor (o/or/nor/horn/honor)
i … detail (i/id/lid/idle/ideal/detail)
i … elation (i/it/lit/lint/latin/latino/elation)

IDIOMS

There are three idioms that use FRUIT:

Watch this video, and then write a sentence that uses one (or more) of these three idioms.

Try not to use the same idiom as the other posters.

ALL CHANGE!

Change the words in the following sentence as indicated.

The avid gardener waited impatiently for spring to arrive so she could plant her flowers.

Please change only the exact word in the sequence given. Each participant should build on the changes made by the previous participant.

For instance, Participant 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Participant 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes the direct object noun, etc.

Normally, I request that each participant make just one change at a time, following the order indicated below. But I don't remember the last time we actually made it to the end of the list, let alone started again from the top, so this time you are free to make as many changes as you wish. Just remember to number each change so it is clear to everyone where we are on the list.

When all 7 changes have been made, return to the top of the list and continue.

Changes:

1. subject noun
2. direct object noun
3. indirect object noun
4. adjective(s)
5. adverb(s)
6. verb name
7. verb tense

AFFIXES

The word stem tele- (meaning "far") occurs in many words.

Add an affix (either a prefix or a suffix) to this stem to make another word.

Each participant should add a different word to the list.

COMPLETE THE SENTENCE

Follow the instructions below to create three different sentences from the following clause.*

... This year I will celebrate Earth Day ...

Sentence 1. Add a phrase
Sentence 2. Add a dependent clause
Sentence 3. Add an independent clause

*Add your words to the beginning or end of the clause (but not both).

NUMBER CHANGE

If the sentence is singular, change it to the plural; if it is plural, change it to the singular.

The little boy is going on an Easter Egg hunt with his older brother and sister, but he needs to be quick if he wants to find more than just a few eggs, for the other children have had a lot more practice.

VOCABULARY

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing.

Use the following two words in one sentence (note the part of speech).

malign (verb) + discrepancy (noun)

To further improve your vocabulary, remember to check out the Word of the Day.

The site also has word games and puzzles.

http://dictionary.reference.com/

SYNOYMS AND ANTONYMS

We can describe feeling confident about the truth of something as certitude.

Provide a synonym and an antonym for this word. Each participant should suggest a different word.

ACTIVE vs. PASSIVE

Write two sentences using the word eat.

In the first sentence, use the verb in the active voice; in the second sentence, use it in the passive voice.

TIME CHANGE

Change the time in the following sentences using a different verb tense and replacing and necessary time clues. Each student should choose a different verb tense.

My parents will arrive for a visit tomorrow. I am concerned that they could feel crowded in my small apartment and wish that they had gone to a hotel instead.

SENTENCE COMBINATION

Learning to combine ideas into more complex sentences is an important writing skill. There are many ways to do this. Try to combine the following three sentences.

Sentence 1: Earth Day is celebrated on April 22^nd.
Sentence 2: It is associated with spring.

Sentence 3: In many parts of Canada, spring doesn’t arrive until May.
Sentence 4: When I woke up yesterday, there was fresh snow on the ground.

BUILD-A-SENTENCE

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the ENGL140 final exam. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

Write a sentence using a dependent clause in the past progressive tense and an independent clause in the simple past tense.

HALF-WAY THERE CHALLENGE!

This is an exercise in advanced sentence combining.

Sentence 1: Easter is a major religious celebration for many people.
Sentence 2: Other people really enjoy the spring time symbolism associated with the holiday.

Sentence 3: Children, however, rarely appreciate anything more than chocolate Easter eggs and bunnies.

Grammar:

1. Use an gerund to combine the sentences.

2. Use an infinitive to combine the sentences.
2. Use a relative pronoun to combine the sentences.

Friday, March 21, 2014

WELCOME

A hearty welcome to all the new students joining these courses. We hope you enjoy your studies and have fun participating in this blog.

Next blog: Friday, April 4, 2014.

PREVIOUS GRAMMAR QUESTION

Less people in Canada are planning travelling over this year because of the worse weather that happened in to many parts of the country recently and because it is expensive.

1. Word Form:

“Less” is used with uncountable nouns. “People” is a countable noun, so you should use “fewer”.

2. Gerund/Infinitive:

After the verb “plan” use the infinitive “to travel” rather than the gerund.

3. Redundant word:

“over” should be omitted because “this year” means “over the course of the year”.

4. Adjective form:

“worse” is the comparative adjective for “bad”. Since nothing is being compared, you should use “bad”.

5. Verb tense:

The time frame is from a point in the past until now, so you should use the present perfect tense (“has happened”) than the simple past.

6. Redundant word:

“To” isn't needed as a preposition here.

Suggested solution:

Fewer people in Canada are planning to travel this year because of the bad weather that has happened in many parts of the country recently, and also because it is expensive.

GRAMMAR QUESTION

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

There were to much peoples at the mall so I was hurried up shopping, I was too hurried that the shirt’s I bought's not big enough and I'm having to return them.

Solutions will be posted in the next edition of the blog.

PUZZLE

Solution to the previous puzzle:

e … hamper (e/he/her/hare/harem/hamper)
o … erosion (o/so/son/ones/snore/sooner/erosion)

IDIOMS

There are three idioms that use HORSE:

Watch this video, and then write a sentence that uses one (or more) of these three idioms.

Try not to use the same idiom as the other posters.

ALL CHANGE!

Change the words in the following sentence as indicated.

Jason often told his friends about the funny people he encountered at work.

Please change only the exact word in the sequence given. Each participant should build on the changes made by the previous participant.

For instance, Participant 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Participant 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes the direct object noun, etc.

Normally, I request that each participant make just one change at a time, following the order indicated below. But I don't remember the last time we actually made it to the end of the list, let alone started again from the top, so this time you are free to make as many changes as you wish. Just remember to number each change so it is clear to everyone where we are on the list.

When all 7 changes have been made, return to the top of the list and continue.

Changes:

1. subject noun
2. direct object noun
3. indirect object noun
4. adjective(s)
5. adverb(s)
6. verb name
7. verb tense

AFFIXES

The word stem -pathy (meaning feeling or disease) occurs in many words.

Add an affix (either a prefix or a suffix) to this stem to make another word.

Each participant should add a different word to the list.

COMPLETE THE SENTENCE

Follow the instructions below to create three different sentences from the following clause.*

... I have mixed feelings about April Fools’ Day ...

Sentence 1. Add a phrase
Sentence 2. Add a dependent clause
Sentence 3. Add an independent clause

*Add your words to the beginning or end of the clause (but not both).

NUMBER CHANGE

If the sentence is singular, change it to the plural; if it is plural, change it to the singular.

If your friends want to play board games these next weekends, we can arrange some tournaments.

VOCABULARY

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing.

Use the following two words in one sentence (note the part of speech).

expedite (verb) + myriad (noun)

To further improve your vocabulary, remember to check out the Word of the Day.

The site also has word games and puzzles.

http://dictionary.reference.com/

SYNOYMS AND ANTONYMS

We can describe something unstable or unpredictable as volatile.

Provide a synonym and an antonym for this word. Each participant should suggest a different word.

ACTIVE vs. PASSIVE

Write two sentences using the word consider.

In the first sentence, use the verb in the active voice; in the second sentence, use it in the passive voice.

TIME CHANGE

Change the time in the following sentences using a different verb tense and replacing and necessary time clues. Each student should choose a different verb tense.

When my parents arrived yesterday, I was worried that they might not approve of the way I live.

SENTENCE COMBINATION

Learning to combine ideas into more complex sentences is an important writing skill. There are many ways to do this. Try to combine the following three sentences.

Sentence 1: The French were the first Europeans to settle in what is now Canada.
Sentence 2: Many of the British who came to Canada went to the New England colonies first.

Sentence 3: The American War of Independence prompted many Loyalists to leave the colonies and head for

Canada

as it was still under British control.

BUILD-A-SENTENCE

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the ENGL140 final exam. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

Write a sentence using a dependent clause in the simple present tense and an independent clause in the simple future tense.

HALF-WAY THERE CHALLENGE!

This is an exercise in advanced sentence combining.

Sentence 1: The students eagerly exchanged information about how to work together on the presentation they were making.
Sentence 2: They posted their information and ideas to a wiki they had created specifically for that presentation.

Grammar:

1. Use an gerund to combine the sentences.

2. Use an infinitive to combine the sentences.

Friday, February 28, 2014

WELCOME

A hearty welcome to all the new students joining these courses. We hope you enjoy your studies and have fun participating in this blog.

Next blog: Friday, March 21, 2014.

WHAT’S NEW?

Where should you place “only” in a sentence? It’s a confusing situation for many people and can lead to confusion and ambiguity.

http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/only-misplaced-modifier.aspx?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Critical thinking:

http://io9.com/5888322/critical-thinking-explained-in-six-kid+friendly-animations

What makes an argument good or bad?

http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-write-dialogue.aspx

PREVIOUS GRAMMAR QUESTION

As the matter of fact, she was a person who hard being convinced for instant, she certainly would likes to thinks that his opinion are the corrected then any one else view.

1. Article use:

Only use “the” to refer to specific items; for singular non-specific items use “a”.

2. Word form:

Although the sound is similar, don’t confuse “instant” with “instance”. The meanings are quite different.

3. Passive form:

While “hard being convinced” seems to be a passive construction, the form is incorrect. Hard needs to be introduced by “was” and followed by an infinitive ("was hard to convince").

4. Verb form:

After a modal verb, use the verb name (“like” not “likes”).

5. Infinitive:

The infinitive is formed from “to” + the verb name. There is no “s” or any other verb ending on an infinitive, so use “to think” not “to thinks”.

6. Pronoun agreement:

It makes more sense if you change “his” to “her”. "His” is possible, but it doesn't make as much sense.

7. Word form:

“Corrected” is a past participial adjective. Here, however, a comparison is needed (i.e. something like "more correct"). A good solution would be to change this expression to “better”.

8. Word confusion:

“Then” and “than” often sound alike, but they are quite different. Here, you need “than” because there is an implicit comparison.

9. Possessive:

“View” belongs to someone (in this case, “anyone else”), so it needs to be possessive (anyone else’s).

10. Punctuation:

The first independent clause ends with “convince”, so a semicolon is needed here.

Suggested solution:

As a matter of fact, she is a person who is hard to convince; for instance, she certainly likes to think that her opinion is better than anyone else’s.

GRAMMAR QUESTION

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

Less people in Canada are planning travelling over this year because of the worse weather that happened in to many parts of the country recently and because it is expensive.

Solutions will be posted in the next edition of the blog.

PUZZLE

Solution to the previous puzzle:

1. Push PIN Cushion
2. Digital CAMERA Shy

3. Crystal BALL Park
4. First CLASS Clown
5. Bed ROCK Candy

New Puzzle:

Add one letter at a time to make a new word:

Example: a ... adios
Answer: a/as/sad/dais/adios

e … hamper
o … erosion

*Note, the first person with the correct answer gets the bonus point.

IDIOMS

There are three idioms that use BEE:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theteacher/2009/03/090311_teacher_animal_bee.shtml

Watch this video, and then write a sentence that uses one (or more) of these three idioms.

Try not to use the same idiom as the other posters.

ALL CHANGE!

Change the words in the following sentence as indicated.

Canadians often play winter sports in the cold weather.

Please change only the exact word in the sequence given. Each participant should build on the changes made by the previous participant.

For instance, Participant 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Participant 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes the direct object noun, etc.

Normally, I request that each participant make just one change at a time, following the order indicated below. But I don't remember the last time we actually made it to the end of the list, let alone started again from the top, so this time you are free to make as many changes as you wish. Just remember to number each change so it is clear to everyone where we are on the list.

When all 7 changes have been made, return to the top of the list and continue.

Changes:

1. subject noun
2. direct object noun
3. indirect object noun
4. adjective(s)
5. adverb(s)
6. verb name
7. verb tense

AFFIXES

The word stem -hetero- (meaning different or other) occurs in many words.

Add an affix (either a prefix or a suffix) to this stem to make another word.

Each participant should add a different word to the list.

COMPLETE THE SENTENCE

Follow the instructions below to create three different sentences from the following clause.*

... Daylight Saving Time begins next weekend ...

Sentence 1. Add a phrase
Sentence 2. Add a dependent clause
Sentence 3. Add an independent clause

*Add your words to the beginning or end of the clause (but not both).

NUMBER CHANGE

If the sentence is singular, change it to the plural; if it is plural, change it to the singular.

The rabbits that run up and down the roads in my neighbourhood eat plants from people’s gardens and chew on the bark of young trees; they can cause a lot of damage.

VOCABULARY

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing.

Use the following two words in one sentence (note the part of speech).

subserviently (adjective) + malicious (adjective)

To further improve your vocabulary, remember to check out the Word of the Day.

The site also has word games and puzzles.

http://dictionary.reference.com/

SYNOYMS AND ANTONYMS

We can describe something that proves or supports our position as vindication.

Provide a synonym and an antonym for this word. Each participant should suggest a different word.

ACTIVE vs. PASSIVE

Write two sentences using the word give.

In the first sentence, use the verb in the active voice; in the second sentence, use it in the passive voice.

TIME CHANGE

Change the time in the following sentences by replacing the word "yesterday" and any other time clue.
Each student should choose a different verb tense.

While I was going to a concert yesterday, I was also planning what to do to celebrate my friend’s birthday.

SENTENCE COMBINATION

Learning to combine ideas into more complex sentences is an important writing skill. There are many ways to do this. Try to combine the following three sentences.

Sentence 1: Daylight Saving Time begins on March 9^th this year.

Sentence 2: Spring officially starts on March 20^th this year.
Sentence 3: Despite the calendar information and time change, most of Canada is still definitely experiencing winter.

BUILD-A-SENTENCE

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the ENGL140 final exam. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

Add a time-related adverb clause to the following:

… I am going to a St. Patrick’s Day parade this year…

HALF-WAY THERE CHALLENGE!

This is an exercise in advanced sentence combining.

Sentence 1: Experts believe that an economic recession is imminent.
Sentence 2: Reports from various experts indicate that unemployment is up and spending is down.

Sentence 3: In the U.S.A., many people have lost their homes because banks foreclosed on their mortgages.

Grammar:

1. Use an appositive to combine the sentences.

2. Use a gerund to combine the sentences.
3. Use a relative pronoun to combine the sentences.

Friday, February 14, 2014

WELCOME

A hearty welcome to all the new students joining these courses. We hope you enjoy your studies and have fun participating in this blog.

Next blog: Friday, February 28, 2014 .

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Here are some of the things happening in the few days.

February: Black History Month (continues)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_History_Month

Feb. 14th: Valentine's Day

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine%27s_Day

Feb. 17th: Family Day, Louis Riel Day, Islander Day
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/canada/family-day
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/canada/louis-riel-day
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/canada/islander-day

Have I missed something interesting? Be sure to let us know!

WHAT’S NEW?

Helpful learning resources can be accessed at the CBC:

http://www.cbc.ca/edmonton/learning-english/

PREVIOUS GRAMMAR QUESTION

I am always eating my dinner late while I get home at 8:00 pm but the food is warmed quick in a microwave we brought at a neighbours garage sale.

1. Verb tense:

For repeated actions use the simple present tense: change “am eating” to “eat”.

2. Word confusion:

With a specific time reference, use ‘when” not “while”.

3. Word form:

The adverb is “quickly”--“quick” is an adjective.

4. Word confusion:

The word needed here is “bought”. The simple past tense of “buy”; “brought” is the past tense of “bring”.

5. Missing word:

The correct usage is “to warm [something] up”: “the food is warmed up”.

6. Article usage:

A specific microwave is referred to, so use the definite article (“the”).

7. Punctuation:

Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (but) when it separates 2 independent clauses. Also note that an apostrophe is needed in neighbours (neighbour’s) because it is a possessive noun.

8. Capitalization:

Capitalize PM. (MLA format).

Suggested solution:

I always eat my dinner late when I get home at 8:00 PM, but the food is quickly warmed up in the microwave we bought at a neighbour’s garage sale.

GRAMMAR QUESTION

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

As the matter of fact, she was a person who hard being convinced for instant, she certainly would likes to thinks that his opinion are the corrected then any one else view.

Solutions will be posted in the next edition of the blog.

PUZZLE

Solution to the previous puzzle:

1. blankout + beep BLEEP

2. pain + sting PANG

3. haggle + tussle HASSLE

4. dumb + confound DUMBFOUND

5. bold + rash BRASH

6. chuckle + snort CHORTLE

7. internal + communication INTERCOM

8. blow + spurt BLURT

New Puzzle:

Insert one word in each pair to link the two words together.
The end of the first word is the beginning of the second.

1. Push __ __ __ Cushion

2. Digital __ __ __ __ __ __ Shy
3. Crystal __ __ __ __ Park
4. First __ __ __ __ __ Clown
5. Bed __ __ __ __ Candy

*Note, the first person with the correct answer gets the bonus point.

	Online Reference Dictionary, Encyclopedia & more
Word:
Look in:	Dictionary & thesaurus Computing Dictionary Medical Dictionary Legal Dictionary Financial Dictionary Acronyms Idioms Wikipedia Encyclopedia Columbia Encyclopedia Periodicals Literature
by:

Coordinators		Subordinators
F	for	W	who, what, where, when, why, which, whether, while	A	as, after, although
A	and	I	if	B	before, because
N	nor	S	since, so that	O	once
B	but	H	how	U	unless, until
O	or			T	than, that, though
Y	yet
S	so

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