WELCOME

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, 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

1. e … hamper
2. 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.

WELCOME

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, 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.

IDIOMS

There are three idioms that use TEA:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theteacher/2009/03/090303_teacher_food_tea.shtml

Watch this video, and then write a sentence that uses one 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 weather channel unhappily forecast heavy snow for Edmonton next week.

Please change only the exact word in the sequence given, and wait until someone else has posted the next change before making another. 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.

Each participant should make just one change at a time, following the order indicated below.

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 -voc/vok (meaning call) 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 wish you a happy birthday ...

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.

My birthday dinner was a real pleasure; the food was good and the company even better!

*VOCABULARY*

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. 

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

exacerbate (verb)     +  miscreant (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 obviously bad as flagrant. 

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 ring.

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.

We celebrate Pancake Day by cooking a lot of traditional pancakes. We think the home-made ones taste better than ones served in restaurants. Tradition calls for using lemon juice and sugar on top of the pancakes. The idea is to use up lots of good, rich ingredients before the fast for Lent starts the next day. 

*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 celebrated Pancake Day by cooking pancakes at home.

Sentence 2: Other people went to restaurants offering “all you can eat” pancakes that day.
Sentence 3: Pancake Day is more properly known as Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent, which is when Christians start the Lenten fast.

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 conditional with the past perfect and an independent clause.

HALF-WAY THERE CHALLENGE!

This is an exercise in advanced sentence combining. It is designed for students who have completed Lesson 9 in the course.

Sentence 1: Chinese New Year was celebrated around the world.
Sentence 2: Most people hoped for a more peaceful year to come.
Sentence 3: This year many are also hoping for more prosperity.

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.