ad449

Free editing help with your English school work

2009-01-27T21:10:00.000-08:00

If you have any English composition assignment that you want edited for spelling or grammar errors, e-mail it to us. This service is absolutely for free, but is good only till February 28, 2009.

One reference book I'm using is this gem by Paul Brians.

Answers to flyer questions

2006-11-23T23:33:00.000-08:00

The correct answers in italics.

1. What’s the correct answer to the question “Who’s calling?”
a) It’s I. b) It’s me.
2. Which is correct? A) He is taller than I. b) He is taller
than me.
3. She is a better skater than (a. he b. him).
4. a. We b. Us Christians believe in eternal life.
5. Please give this car to a) whoever b) whomever needs it.
6. But although he a) was b) were dead, yet shall he live.
7. How should you answer if greeted “Hi, how are you?” a) I’m fine.
b) I’m good (In both cases assuming that you woke up feeling
like a million dollars.)
8. Tell your brother that he (a. need b. needs) not come tomorrow.
9 Which is correct? b) Who said, “Et tu, Brute?”? b) Who said,
“Et tu, Brute?”
10. What’s wrong with this sentence? “Look at that”! he exclaimed. “Did
you see that”? In this particular sentence, the exclamation point and the
question mark shoould come inside the quotation marks.
11. How about this one? “Darling”, the wife purred, “buy me a Jaguar”. (Commas
and periods come inside quotation marks.)
12. Colons and semi-colons come a) inside b) outside quotation marks.
13. (a) With regard b) With regards) to your proposal,
please know that it has been tabled for today’s meeting.
14. The swindler got his a) just deserts b) just desserts.
15. Which is correct? a) One cannot eat his pie and have it too.
b) One cannot have his pie and eat it too.
16 Which is correct? a) To boldly go where no man has gone before…
b) To go boldly where no man has gone before…
17 Ice tea or iced tea? Stain glass or stained glass?
Teenage daughter or teenaged daughter?
18 After completing your work, do you say “I’m finished.”? Or “I’m
done.”?
19. Which is correct? a) The country is comprised of 7,000 islands.
b) The country comprises 7,000 islands.
20. Which is correct? a) I had never done business with him before.
b) I have never done business with him before.
21. Which is correct? Experts ( had, have) not thought the sound
barrier could be breached until Chuck Yeager did it.

AND, over five hundred tricky pronunciations like stabilize, tortoise, lambast, pivot, granite, martyr, vale (as in “vale of tears). Four hundred prepositions, five hundred plural forms, four dozen irregular verbs and their present, past, and past participle.

The Kids in the 3rd Xavier Estates Spelling Open Nov 11.06

2006-11-20T19:11:00.000-08:00

"Vale" and "martyr"

2006-11-19T21:28:00.001-08:00

It's amazing how bloopers can be made quite so easily even by people who by nature like to be accurate.

In the original post, I said "It's amazing but I recently realized that Filipinos have been praying the Hail Holy Queen for as long as I can remember but have been mispronouncing the "vale" in "To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning, and weeping in this VALE of tears..."

All it needed was a quick check with "Hail Holy Queen" in the Internet to find out that sometimes the word is "vale," but often it's "valley." So as Pete Millan of Forzamillan.blogspot.com has pointed out, both are correct.

My mistake.

To continue with the rest of the original post:

Another word which I realized we have been mispronouncing al the while is "martyr."

martyr
2 entries found for martyr.
To select an entry, click on it.
martyr[1,noun]martyr[2,transitive verb]

Main Entry: 1mar·tyr
Pronunciation: 'mär-t&r
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin, from Greek martyr-, martys witness
1 : a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion
2 : a person who sacrifices something of great value and especially life itself for the sake of principle
3 : VICTIM; especially : a great or constant sufferer - mar·tyr·i·za·tion /"mär-t&-r&-'zA-sh&n/ noun
- mar·tyr·ize /'mär-t&-"rIz/ transitive verb

Legerdemain

2006-11-04T19:18:00.000-08:00

Go easy on those nice-looking, foreign-sounding words like "legerdemain." A columnist in the Philippine Star of November 4 used the word in a way that she probably wouldn't have had she been aware of the connotation of the word.

She used "legerdemain" to describe the "wizardry" of a pianist. It's true the word has to do with the skilful use of one's hands, but this is usually in a context implying deceit, as in a "shells" artist in a rural fiesta who manages to flick the tiny seed off any of the shells and "palm" it, making it impossible for the mark to make a correct guess.

The rule is: Try to be thoroughly familiar with a word before using it.

About ad449

2006-08-16T16:33:00.001-07:00

It must have been in longships like this that the Germanic Jutes
landed in southeast England in A.D.449.

The local king had some problem with neighbors so he called in his allies, the Jutes, to help.

Well, the Jutes came, bringing not only fighting men but also their language which eventually became the English that we know.

The Norman conquest and other events in English history spiced the original language with French and Latin influences making it the rich and vibrant language that it is now.

Today, English-- next only to Chinese and Hindi-- is the most widely-spoken language in the world, thanks to the post-WWII American hegemony which brought the language to all corners of the world.

Note: Picture is owned by CoolPrint.

Charles the Hammer

2006-08-15T02:12:00.000-07:00

1
Both their house and pickup truck (was were)
washed away by Hurricane Katrina.
2
His generosity and compassion (was were)
well known.
3
The logic and practicability of his proposal
(is are) clear.
4
Neither of the twins (was were) allowed to go.
5
Either the parents or I (are am) to blame.
6
Neither the skipper nor his crew (know knows).
7
Each of those who (is are) there should
register.
8
She is one of the most able officials
who (has have) ever held a government
position.
9
He is the only one among the faculty who
(speak speaks) Latin fluently
10
The best part of the meal (is are) coffee and
the small talk after the meal.
11
Coffee and the small talk after the meal
(is are) the best part of a meal.
12
It (is are) the wives who will decide.
13
In the center of the whole complex
(stand stands) the monument to the founder.
14
There (was were) cocktails, peanuts, and
canapes.
15
Happily, there (exist exists) supporters who
have sworn to help us.
16
The gang (has have) a request.
17
The gang (is are) checking in anytime now.
18
The family (is are) surnamed Co.
19
The family (is are) seated on the lawn.
20
This is one of the most popular concoctions
that (has have) ever come out of the
laboratory in years.

Bene Crucero's one for the road

2006-08-15T02:09:00.001-07:00

1
The reason for all the disturbance and unrest
(is are) bad governance.
2
I, the party spokesman, (is am) the sole
interpreter of official party stand.
3
I, together with the whole team, (is am) going.
4
The youngest son, as well as all the members
of his family, (is are) determined to stay.
5
No one (bake bakes) cakes better than Mom.
6
One of you (has have) made the withdrawal.
7
None (is are) prettier than my little girl Teresa.
8
The agenda for today's meeting (is are)
posted on the board.
9
The media (was were) treated to a sumptuous
dinner by the President.
10
His mumps (is are) giving him discomfort.
11
Virgilio Garcillano's whereabouts (was, were) a
closely guarded secret.
12
Politics in this country (is are) often dirty.
13
For some newspaper publishers, the news
(is are) a source of great profit.
14
The mechanics of the contest (has have)
certain provisions that are not acceptable
to some parties.
15
In the debate on the population issue,
economics (is are) sometimes used to push
claims that have been soundly debunked.
16
Mathematics (is are) child's play to some
people.
17
Ten less five (is are) five.
18
Sixty minutes of brisk walking (is are) too much
for him.
19
Behind his success (stand stands) a loving
wife and wonderful kids.

Peanuts for Joel

2006-08-15T02:07:00.000-07:00

1
In his last fight, Mike Tyson punched so
hard his blows would have (knock out,
knocked out) a horse.
2
The connoisseur (began, begun) to taste
the wine, the Cabernet Sauvignon first,
then the Chardonnay.
3
She could have (swam, swum) all the way to
Marseilles had not leg cramps stopped her.
4
Without considering his own safety, he
(dived, dove) into the cold Thames.
5
Please get from the maitre d'hotel the
(sitting, seating) arrangement.
6
Please tell our Iroquois guests to be
(sitted, seated).
7
In the Hotel Oberoi in Bali, even picture
frames have to be (hung, hanged) a certain way.
8
The posse caught up with bank robbers
and brought them back to town to be
(hung, hanged).
9
Please check if the boatswain had (drew,
drawn) the specs for the gunwale repair.
10
The gypsy mountebank (sprang, sprung) a
surprise on the carabinieri last night by
picking the lock of his pillory.
11
(Set, sit) the priceless Ming jar very gently on
the pedestal and set sit down
12
Even before the loquacious hostess had
(spoke, spoken) a word, the obsequious
party coordinator was already telling the
guests how nice the hostess is.
13
Please ask the concierge how many (sits,
seats) the party from Massachusetts will need.
14
The queue of people lining up for the U2
concert (snake, snaked) all the way to the quay.
15
Please take your (sit ,seat).
16
The protesters (hear, heard) their demands
broadcast over the radio.
17
And Jesus (weeped, wept).
18
Seeing the extent of his wounds, the gladiator
(lied down, lay down) on the blood-stained
pavement of the Collosseum to die.

Alex's special

2006-08-15T02:04:00.000-07:00

Use the correct tense of the verb.
1
The shaman had his arm (bite) by a snake
believing this will transfer to him some of
the snake's power.
2
The farmer would have (harvest) the crop
yesterday had not the combine (break) down.
3
He is so parsimonious he cannot remember
the last time he has (give) money to the
people who have come knocking at his door.
4
He has become everyone's bete noire
that nobody wants to be (see) in his company.
5
White water river rafting has (become)
a de rigueur among Cagayan de Oro
visitors that one has not really been to CDO
if he has not (do) the river.
6
Even if Lazarus had (want) to, he could not
have (aid) the rich man because of a wide
chasm that separated them.
7
Modesty is all but (forget) in the orgy of eating
and drinking that accompanies each
bacchanalian feast.
8
Middle East moolah has (raise) the standard
living in this community of ramshackle huts.
9
The rampaging Huns (leave) in their wake
a swath of destruction.
10
The twins Romulus and Remus were (bear)
of woman but suckled by a she-wolf.
11
With daggers (draw), the two fighters lunged
at each other's throat.
12
The G.I.'s erected a cairn on Mt. Suribachi as
a memorial to all who have (fall) in Iwo Jima.
13
(Tear) away from his Auschwitz-bound
parents, the Jewish boy was taken in by a
kindly German couple.
14
Bucephalus had never been (ride), until the
strapping youth Alexander (broke) it.
15
While his brothers and sisters lead normal
lives, the poor gamete-- product of in vitro
fertilization-- has (know) only life in a
Petri dish.

Benjie's favorite

2006-08-09T01:11:00.000-07:00

1
The supervisor conferred (with, to) the committee about the proposal.
2
She was oblivious (to, of) everything around her.
3
Let it be clear that I'm doing this (in, on) my own initiative.
4
The entire nation thanked the foundation for taking the initiative (in, on) bringing
literacy to the barrios.
5
All babies have a need (of, for) constant attention.
6
His abhorrence (of, for) traditional politics is well known.
7
I promise to abide (with, by) your decision.
8
The island the Spaniards discovered abound (in, with) turtles and reptiles.
9
Abounding (in, with) rich natural resources, the little country was fair game for invaders.
10
Confession absolves (from, of) eternal punishment but not from temporal punishment.
11
If you do not know anything about the candidates, abstain (in, from) voting.
12
They found the stream abundant (of, with) fish.
13
The staterment is in accord (to, with) Church teachings.
14
According (with, to) my grammar teacher, whom is never a subject.
15
Tim has been accused (of, with) stealing watermelons.
16
I am not accustomed (to, with) this kind of weather.
17
I did not acquiesce(with, in) the unjustified suppression of evidence
18
The accused man was finally acquitted (of, from) the crime.
19
Adapted (for, to) Valencia climate, soil, and water, Valencia oranges do not
thrive anywhere else but in Valencia, Spain.
20
This program is especially adapted (to, for) television. (prepare for television)
21
Some types of squirrels adapted (with, to) the need for quick transfer from branch
to branch by growinig "wings," actually flpas between their bodies and limbs.
22
I have not adapted (with, to) this climate. (become accustomed to)
23
You must adhere (with, to) the contract you signed.
23
The commission, while finding no clear indication of fraud, declared that the
action admits (of, with) the possiblity of culpable negligence.
25
This document admits (of, with) conflicting interpretations. (to give
the possibility of something)
26
He admitted (of, to) his part in the robbery. (to confess or tell the truth about)
27
The decision of the court is adverse (with, to) our interests.
28
The affinity (of, between) humans and dolphins is remarkable.
29
The sailors were afflicted (with, of ) some sickness the ship's doctor couldn't
as yet ascertain.
30
The ozone layer is deteriorating fast, aggravated (with, by) widespread burning of
the forest cover, unchecked deforetation, and the release of flurocarbons into the air.
31
At least the parties agreed (with, on) the shape of the table.
32
The council could not agree (with, on) the number that constitutes a majority.
(to decide on; to have the same opinion about)
33
The place's indigenous people agreed (with, to) a disarming of both lumad and loggers.
34
We will agree (with, to) your proposal if you will postpone action.
(to promise to follow something)
35
Generally, everybody agrees (with, to) the experts' opinion that the disease is
not air-borne.
36
In all matters of importance, I promise to agree (with, to) you.
(to have the same opinion about)
37
I aim to prove that your accusation is unjust.
38
Beach residents are alarmed (at, of) the news of the hurricane’s approach.
39
I am amazed (at, with) your audacity.
40
Finally, the lumad group looks amenable (to, with) a negotiated settlement.
41
The first amendment (to, of) the Constitution abolished the death penalty.
42
I was angry (about, at) the missing jewels.
43
He was angry (of,with) himself for not seeing through the ruse.
44
I get the impression that you are angry (to, with) me.
45
The clerk was very annoyed ( at, with) the customer’s condescending tone.
46
You are answerable (for, to) your supervisor
47
You should apologize (from, for) starting the baseless rumor.
48
He apologized (for, to) me for that rude remark.
49
As far (as, in) he is concerned, you don't exist.
50
(As regards, As regard) whether or not the president lied, it is up to the people to see.

Dressed to the nines

2006-08-03T23:07:00.000-07:00

a change of heart - a change of resolve or opinion
> The assassin had a change of heart when he saw the target nursing a baby.

a chip off the old block - somebody who looks and behaves very much like one of his parents
> Everyone agrees he is a a chip off the old block; he looks every inch like his father.

a chip on one's shoulder - ill will towards another
> From what was merely a chip on his shoulder was spawned an enmity so consuming it resulted in violence.

a closed book- a person or thing of which little is known or understood.
> Many consider the fertilizer scam a closed book, I do not.

a dog in the manger- a scoundrel who, unable to get what he wants, prevents others from getting it
>Beware of him, he can be a dog in the manger.

a dog’s breakfast or dinner - something that is messy, disorganized, or badly done
> No dog's dinner for this fastidious client; why, even the plates have to be bone china.

a dog’s life - a less-than-human existence
> He led a dog's life for so long he was profoundly touched by the kindness of his new-found friends.

a drop in the bucket - a very small and inconsequential part
> A hundred grand is a drop in the bucket for the high rollers in Las Vegas.

a far cry from -- so much different
> The rock star is a far cry from the street urchin that he used to be.

a feather in one’s cap - an achievement
> The rapprochement with China was a feather in Nixon's cap.

a frog in one's throat - to speak in a hoarse, unclear way
> Gloria speaks like there's a frog in her throat.

a hair's breadth - almost didn't make it
> The race driver came to a hair's breadth from sure death when he hit the restraining wall at 220 kph.

a kick in the teeth- a setback
> The loss of its profitable North American division dealt the company a kick in the teeth it never recovered from.

a losing battle - a struggle that's increasingly becoming hopeless
> The opposition is waging a losing battle against corruption.

a monkey on one's back- a drug habit
> Try as he may, he was never able to kick off the money on his back.

a nail in somebody’s coffin- an action that further weakens somebody who's already weak
> The events of July 2005 happened fast: Gloria's "confession," the widespread calls for her
resignation, the resignation of ten of her cabinet members-- each one a nail in her coffin.

a raw deal - a deal where one is shortchanged
> They are looking for the murder suspect who's said to be the victim in a raw deal.

a safe bet - something that's probably true or will likely happen
> It's a safe bet that Britain will go the way of Holland, Belgium, and Spain in approving
same-sex marriages.

a shot in the arm - something that has a sudden good effect on somebody or something
>The US government bailout was a shot in the arm for Chrysler

a shot in the dark - an attempt at something with little chance of success
> In what was basically a shot in the dark, Abscam operatives laid out a sting for congressmen and senators. Quite a few took the bait.

a storm in a teacup- putting too much concern over something unimportant
> The dean dismissed as just a storm in a teacup the brewing unrest in the campus.

a walk in the park - something that's easy to do
> Turning losing companies around is a walk in the park for him.

Achilles' heel - someone's weakness
> Some say his attachment to the bottle is his Achilles' heel.

actions speak louder than words- the real motivation for something can be known more through the things that one does rather than on the words he says
> For some, Garci's actions speak louder than words; indeed why run if you have nothing to hide?

afraid of one's own shadow - to imagine that everyone is plotting all sorts of bad things against one's self
> It came to the point that Howard Hughes became afraid of his own shadow.

after a fashion - somewhat or somehow but not completely
> The prince imagined himself king after a fashion.

all along the line - throughout the whole process
> When the leader is corrupt, you can bet that all along the line everyone is corrupt as well.

all ears- to listen attentively
> The Senate was all ears as the official began weaving his lies.

all in good time- something will definitely happen, but no sooner than it should
> The liars will be exposed and punished, and decency will return to the nation all in good time.

all the time-without ceasing; also used to indicate one is always welcome
> The official was lying through his teeth all the time that he was professing his love for the truth.

all thumbs - clumsy
> He is not only empty between the ears, he is also all thumbs.

an open book - a person or thing of which much is known or understood
> Ideally, the life of a leader must be an open book.

armed to the teeth- fully armed
> At least eight bank robbers -- all armed to the teeth-- staged the daring robbery in broad daylight.

as old as Methuselah - someone very old
> There is this small mountain village in Japan where people normally live to be as old as
Methusela.

as the crow flies- in a straight line
> The next town is ten miles from here as the crow flies.

at any hour - at any time, nobody knows when
> The end will come at any hour.

at bottom (or at heart) - basically; essentially
>Despite having converted to Catholicism to marry his beloved, he remained at bottom a Protestant.

at heart - in essence or reality, and despite contrary appearances
> Despite having converted to Catholicism to marry my mother, my father remained at Protestant at heart.

Gerry's seasoning

2006-07-31T23:13:00.000-07:00

Quiz on correct usage. Put a circle around the
corect answer.

1. He (avenged, revenged) his wife's murder by running
to the ground her murderers.
2. She feels she has a religious (avocation, vocation).
3. Weekends you will find her busy with her (avocation,
vocation): tending her orchids.
4. Please let me use your phone (awhile, a while).
5. Please let me use your phone for (awhile, a while).
6. The students' (behavior, behaviors) while on tour in
Europe brought the school much embarrassment.
7. Thoroughly (amused, bemused) the crowd of spectators
started to disperse, impressed with the performance
of the stand-up street comedians.
8. Thoroughly (amused, bemused) the crowd of
started to disperse, unsure whether the elephant
that materialized in the New York subway was for real
or not.
9. (Beside, besides) owning half a dozen karaoke sets,
he also has nine billiards tables- all in Cogon market.
10. He sat (beside, besides) Ai-Ai, but all Ai-Ai seemed
to be interested in was Troy.
11. You guys (better, had better) get this roadshow on
the road, or the owners will be very angry.
12. There were between fifteen (and, to) twenty guests
at the restaurant when her party came.
13. He remembers having stayed with his uncle between
1997 (and, to) 1999.
14. I hope the pageant judges will not have a hard time
choosing between you and (I, me).
15. As soon as you (bring, take) the payment to me, I will
(bring, take) the goods to you.
16. The security people discovered a (breach, breech)
in the perimeter wall.
17. The BIR sent a refund check to my wife and (I, me).
18. Caller: "Who's calling please?" Called: "It's (I, me)."
19. Jim and (I, me) will go with you.
20. (I am, Me is) going with you.
21. The contract has to be signed by both Joe and (I, me).
22 The suspects fired at PO1 Bala and (me, myself).
23. I was (born, borne) on an airplane en route to Jordan.
24. Our pet cat has (born, borne) another litter of kittens.
25. His club features a (jacuzzi, Jacuzzi).

Paella Valenciana

2006-07-31T23:12:00.000-07:00

Quiz on correct usage. Put a circle around the
corect answer.

1. If you want to lose weight, eat (fewer, less) cookies
and drink (fewer, less) milk.
2. He had one glass of beer too (many, much).
3. If you eat too (many, much) cookies, people will
probably say you have had too (many, much) dessert.
4. One must not have too (many, much) wine; neither
must one have too (many, much) glasses of milk.
5. The company does not manufacture battle tanks
(anymore, any more).
6. Do you have (anymore, any more) pancakes?
7. Don't make the same mistake (anymore, any more).
8. Tell me when you're ready; I will meet you (anytime,
any time).
9. (Apart, a part) from a few bruises, she's all right.
10. Midnight has become such (apart, a part) of the
family that losing her was too much for Midge, six.
(Midnight was the family's cat.)
11. Next to them live the (Browns, Brown's).
12. Which is the correct sign?
a) For customer's use only.
b) For customers' use only.
13. They called in a professional outfit to (appraise,
apprise) the property.
14. Keep the president (appraised, apprised) of any
development.
15. There are ongoing discussions (about, around) the
proposed merger.
16. My drop-off points are (as follow, as follows).
17. Enclosed is a box of three pieces of AK-47 rifles
(as per, per) your order of June 12.
18. Which is the better sentence?
a) Maria Reesa used to be with CNN, and as such is
eminently qualified to head ABS-CBN News.
b) Maria Reesa used to be with CNN, and therefore is
eminently qualified to head ABS-CBN News.
19. The dictator found her popularity slipping (as time
passed, as time progressed.)
20. Please (assure, ensure, insure) your father that I
will make good my promise to him.
21. Please (assure, ensure, insure) that the shipment will
arrive per schedule.
22. Please (assure, ensure, insure) your property with
my insurance firm.

Pasta Mornay Seafoods

2006-07-31T23:11:00.000-07:00

Quiz on correct usage. Put a circle around the
corect answer.

1. The congressmen insisted that the millions of pesos
in dole-out from the palace did not (affect, effect) their
vote on the impeachment issue.
2. In a bid to (affect, effect) a change in the procurement
procedures of their plant, the Purchasing Manager
made some powerful enemies.
3. With the arrogance typical of the (affluent, effluent), the
movie star insisted to have her hotel suite with its own
sauna and Jacuzzi.
4. An (agnostic, atheist) is one who insists that the
existence of God cannot be known.
5. An (agnostic, atheist) is one who does not believe in
God.
6. He proposed to his girlfrined on the Pacific (aisle, isle)
they were vacationing; the following month, they
walked down the aisle of the St. Patrick Cathedral.
7. It rained cats and dogs, and the roof of the restaurant
leaked, but (all and all, all in all) the party was a success.
8. She felt she's the one (alluded, eluded) to by the blind
article.
9. In a bid to (allude, elude) the cops, the bank robbers
sought refuge in, of all places, a police station.
10. Which sentence says that the foundation almost got
a million dollars from Belinda Gates?
a) Belinda Galtes almost gave the foundation US1 million.
b) Belinda Gates gave almost US$ 1 million to the
foundation.
11. She likes him (alot, a lot).
12. Wait a few more minutes; she is just about (already,
all ready).
13. She was (already, all ready) gone when we arrived.
14. Don't bother to call 911; the kids are (alright, all right.
15. Is it (alright, all right) to bring home some cake?
16. The police were (altogether, all together) at a loss as
to how the detainee was able to get out of his cell.
17. Let's give a hearty "hooray" for the couple; (altogether,
all together) now, one, two, three, hooray!
18. Before he died, the wealthy bachelor left (ambiguous,
ambivalent) instructions as to how his billions would
divided among his relatives.
19. Paris Hilton remains (ambiguous, ambivalent) on
whether or not to marry his current boyfriend.
20. He doesn't care at all about his career; his (indifference,
disinterest) has miffed his manager.

Cloves

2006-07-31T23:10:00.001-07:00

Quiz on correct usage. Put a circle around the
corect answer.

1. The police investigators tried to (elicit, illicit) a
confession from the suspect.
2. She received an (email, e-mail) from her college
e-group.
3. Her family (emigrated, immigrated) to the United States
when she was five.
4. In many states in the US can be found Filipino
(emigrants, immigrants).
5. (Eminently, imminently) talented, Miss India easily won
the judges' nod.
6. Martial law can be declared only in the the face of
(imminent, immanent) danger.
7. There is no recourse if the government wants to have
one's land in the exercie of its power of (eminent,
imminent) domain.
8. When you feel sorry for another, you (empathize,
sympathize) with him.
9. If you feel what another feels, you (empathize,
sympathize) with him.
10. The coach (emphasized, emphasized on) the need
to play with honor.
11. The coach (placed stress on, stressed on) the need
to play with honor.
12. Don't (emulate, imitate) your father's despicable
despicable habit of slurping on his food.
13. This recommendation is the (end rsult, result) of many
years of study on the migration techniques of birds.
14. Please make discreet (enquiries, inquiries) on her
preferences.
15. Please (assure, ensure) the president of our
continued support.
16. Please (ensure, insure) complete attendance tomorrow.
17. Please (ensure, insure) your car with us.
18. She is very interested in the (entomology, etymology)
of words.
19. The lady passed him an (envelop, envelope)
containing an old letter.
20. Fog soon began to (envelop, envelope) the harbor
making navigation difficult.

Brutus' et tu

2006-07-31T23:10:00.000-07:00

Quiz on correct usage. Put a circle around the
corect answer.
1. To resolve the conflict to the satisfaction of both parties,
it is important that the mediator be (disinterested,
uninterested).
2. Post of list of (dos and don'ts, do's and don't's) to
guide everybody.
3. Mechanics use a (dolly, hand truck) to get under a car
quickly and easily.
4. The (dominate, dominant) baboon tends to (dominate,
dominate) all other baboons.
5. I doubt (that, whether ) Tim has really locked the door
as he has claimed.
6. I doubt (that, whether) Larios will last the whole twelve
rounds against Pacquiao.
7. You have (doubtless, doubtlessly) seen the speed,
power, and stamina of Pacquiao.
8. As soon as they got to the resort, the shrieking kids
(dived, dove) into the swimming pool.
9. The patient showed a (dramatic, drastic) improvement
in his vital signs.
10. Put the laundry in the (drier, dryer), will you?
11. Don't (dribble, drivel) the ball too much. Pass it.
12. I won't put up with your (dribble, drivel); shut up or
I'll make you shut up.
13. Instead of the largesse that the politician promised,
all that the people got was aid in (dribs and drabs,
drips and drabs).
14. At the height of the SARS scare, (duck, duct) tapes
sold like hotcake.
15. Each of the students (has, have) to memorize a
passage from the book.
16. May peace reign on (earth, Earth). (non-fiction)
17. Improperly discarded refrigerators harm the (ecology,
environment).
18. The students proposed to their teacher an (economical,
economic) plan to see the world.
19. The (economic, economical) effect on the world of
recent banking lending malpractices in China is yet to
be known.
20. Which sentence is correct?
a) His father either wanted to climb Mt. Everest or K2.
b) His father wanted to climb either Mt. Everest or K2.

Thyme

2006-07-31T23:09:00.000-07:00

Quiz on correct usage. Put a circle around the
corect answer.
1. (The continual, contunuous) static on the radio made
contacting the Mt. Everest team impossible.
2. The continual, continuous) ringing of the telephone
could be heard at the garden.
3. The (cut-and-dried, cut and dry) plan was received by
the crew with much trepidation.
4. The news that not all of the American B-17s have been
accounted for (damped, dampened) the initial euphoria
over the success of the operation.
5. Which is the better sentence?
a) Roasting over a slow fire, Tim smelled the Twin Rivers
salmon.
b) Tim smelled the Twin Rivers salmon roasting over a
slow fire.
6. In a feat reminiscent of the (daring-do, derring-do) of
their WWII predecessors, a team of 101st Airborne
Screaming Eagles overran an Iraqi missile emplacement
in the opening phase of Desert Storm.
7. The attack (annihilated, decimated) the Huns; not one
of them was alive when the smoke of battle cleared.
8. Her Tommy Hilfiger perfume (defused, diffused)
throughout the room, causing everyone to turn around
to see who wears the perfume.
9. Police negotiators are skilled at (defusing, diffusing)
tense situations especially ones involving hostages.
10. (Denied, denied of) sleep and sensation, the suspect
caved in and told the polce everything he knows.
11. (Deprived, deprived of) sleep and sensation, the suspect
caved in and toldf the police everything he knows.
12. It (depends, depends on) who has the stronger card.
13. The con man got his just (deserts, desserts).
14. Once in a while we read in the papers about a social
(deviant, deviate) whose behavior upsets people.
15. The fugitive (deviced, devised) a plan to lose his
pursuers.
16. Management will (dialogue, have a dialogue) with
the employees on the matter of vacation leaves.
17. The family found itself in (dire straights, dire straits)
after the head of the family died.
18. The hostess (discreetly, discretely) seated the two
warring patriarchs far from each other.
19. The camp director divided the group into two (discrete,
discreet) groups: smokers and non-smokers.

Appaloosa

2006-07-31T23:08:00.000-07:00

Quiz on correct usage. Put a circle around the
corect answer.
1. Stay with suspect car black Mustang NJB 920
(heading northbound, northbound) to Bicutan exit.
2. The incumbent candidate is (heavily, heartily) admired
in his city. There is no way you can beat him.
3. A lot of people would like to (help the problem of,
help solve the problem of) poverty; only, they don't
know how.
4. The main female character in a narrative is the
(heroin, heroine).
5. The leading character in modern literature and film is
the (hero, protagonist).
6. (Her and me, She and I) are working together on a
song composition.
7. (He and she, Him and her) won the lottery and PCSO
mailed the check to (he and she, him and her).
8. Followers of Hinduism are called (Hindus, Hindi).
9. (Hindu, Hindi) is a language.
10. Her father used to be a ( hippie, hippy) in the sixties.
11. Her mother is (hippie, hippy), measuring fifty inches
around the hips.
12. The June 12 declaration of independence by
Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite is a (historic, historical)
event in the history of the country.
13. The Huluga caves in Cagayan de Oro has a (historic,
historical) value of interest to anthropologists and
historians.
14. The whereabouts of the pirates' (hoard, horde)
remains unknown.
15. The war games revolve around the scenario of a
(hoard, horde) of Chinese soldiers barrelling down the
38th Parallel.barrel
16. It's amazing how the speaker has managed to (hold
her peace, hold her piece) in the face of the heckling
of the audience.
17. The committee told me you have something to say;
(say our peace, say your piece) and leave.
18. I wonder (if, whether) you would be willing to play
the role of Judas in the Lenten activity.
19. If I (was, were) the owner of Rustan's, I will give you
everything you can put into your cart in one minute.
20. That's one (ignorant, stupid) suggestion.

Toto Arlene's fly-by

2006-07-31T23:07:00.000-07:00

Quiz on correct usage. Put a circle around the
correct answer.
1. The nightly raids are intended to (flash, flush) out
criminal elements among the rsidents of Isla Putting Bato.
2. He needs more time to (flash out, flesh out) the ideas
originally expounded by Michaelangelo.
3. Her (flier, flyer) husband runs a flying school.
4. The little boat started to fill with water and (flounder,
founder).
5. (Floundering, Foundering) Nissan received a
timely shot in the arm when cost-cutter Ghosn became
CEO.
6. Which is correct?
a) In a fluke win, Italy edged Germany to win the World
Cup.
b) In a fluke loss, Germany bowed to Italy.
7. The applicant had to make countless (follow up,
follow-up) visits before finally getting his apllication
approved.
8. Applicants can (followup, follow up) with our office
only during (follow up, follow-up) hours.
9. My car's (for sale, on sale); after I've sold it, I'm going
to buy a new one.
10. Certain items have been marked down and are
(for sale, on sale).
11. Across the (forbidding, foreboding) desert the party
walked, until they reached a bedouin camp.
12. The erstwhile clar skies turned a (foreboding,
forbiding) gray, causing Control to postpone launch
the next day.
13. Evidence of (forceful, forcible) entry was everywhere:
a bent barrel bolt, and broken window glass.
14. Hitler was a (forceful, forcible) speaker who knew
how to whip up his audience into a frenzy.
15. Nicole decided to (forgo, forego) her teramisu in favor
of a chocolate mousse.
16. It's now a (foregone, forgone) conclusion; regardless
of whether he fights or declines, he is USD5 million
richer.
17.She went to see him knowing (full well, fully well) that
this is forbidden.
18. (With regard, With regards) to the tail, I don't know if
the FAA investigators will still be interested in
examining it.

Fetuccine Al Cartoccio

2006-07-31T22:45:00.000-07:00

Quiz on correct usage. Put a circle around the
correct answer.
1. He is (envious, jealous) of his girlfriend's fondness
for their gym instructorl.
2. He is (envious, jealous) of his girlfriend's charisma
and popularity.
3. Amy Vanderbilt is the (epitome, epitomy) of good
etiquette.
4. Trading on the floor reached its (epitome, peak) just
before closing time.
5. In an executive order that looks like it was penned
by Siopaoman, Lastik Man, Juan Tamad, (et al., et. al. )
than by the Justice secretary, the president ordered
the warrantless arrest and indefinite detention of
protesters.
6. (Ever so often, Every so often) the guard would check
the perimeter fence for breaches.
7. (Ever since, Every since) the couple won the British
lotto, they have stopped their weekly visits to the
church to pray.
8. I take shower (every day, everyday).
9. He noticed that people would start melting away
(every time, everytime) he approaches.
10. Running the red light twice is evidence (of, to) Tom's
inability to follow simple rules.
11. She vowed to (exact, extract) revenge from the
people who murdered her entire family.
12. She (farther, further) stated that one of the two men
who abducted her diplomat father speaks Swahili.
13. (Farther, Further) down the road is a fork; take the
one to your left.
14. The RAF delivered the (fatal, fateful) blow to the
German war-making capacity, delivering bombs
right at the heart of industrial Germany.
15. On that (fatal, fateful) day, the entire nation village
up to thank their American liberators.
16. (Fearful, Fearsome) that the sentries would hear him,
the escapee decided for the sentries to fall asleep
before making his escape.
17. With a (fearful, fearsome) banshee scream- its
signature sound when executing a dive- the Stuka
started its strafing run, both machine guns firing.
18. Her (fiance, fiancee) is her former masseur.
19. James Bond fits every one's idea of a spy, and
Pierce Brosnan (fills, fits) the bill well.