Isn’t it time for a quiz? This time it is on prepositions. I’m choosing this because of an article I read on the decline in the use of correct propositions. We are all preposition-challenged, [or is it “prepositionally-challenged”?] said the story. Check out! Choose the most appropriate preposition from those given between the brackets and
Continue Reading…
I am thrilled to start off the New Year with a quiz, that too on usage. 2011 was a great year for new words, new phrases, new expressions. Remember “We are the 99 percent”? “1 percent”? The 9-9-9 theory? Didn’t “occupy” acquire a whole new meaning? So here is a usage quiz. Find out that
Continue Reading…
My “Blog Fodder” file is getting larger. Why do writers (across the world) make so many errors in grammar and usage? Isn’t error-free writing important any more? Isn’t an eye for accuracy – for content and language – a part of the qualifications for being a writer? Is sloppy writing ok? Find your own answer.
Continue Reading…
My dear friend R Gemini sent me this test paper. It is for the A-Levels. I would have thought that someone setting a test paper at that level would have superior spelling ability – but the paper says, “Ministery (sic) of Education, Ireland / Department for Learning / Exam Sheet for A-Levels.” Sigh. The test
Continue Reading…
Malapropism in literature is a type of humor when a character uses a wrong, but similar word. For example, in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, the nurse says the word “confidence” when she really means conference, and “indite” instead of invite. The question remains, what was this type of humor called in Shakespeare’s time?
Continue Reading…
A reader asks: Are “awhile” and “a while” the same? When you split it into two words, is it just a typo error? No. It is not a type error. These two perform different functions. They are used differently, though their meaning could be the same. “Awhile” is an adverb. Which means it says something
Continue Reading…
