GRAMMAR QUESTION, June 29th

Correct the errors in the following sentence overheard in the supermarket:

A visitor to Vietnam must to remember taking their anti-malaria medicine regular to be affective preventing them from sickness and it would spoil the trip.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

ALL CHANGE, June 29th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. For instance, student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 7. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

Caring parents skillfully nurture their children's talents.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the adjective
5. change the adverb 6. change the verb name
7. change the verb tense

VOCABULARY, June 29th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

irrevocably (adverb) + propensity (noun)

Correct answers will be saved to the Blog archive.


To further improve your vocabulary, check Word of the Day every day! There are also word games and puzzles on this site.

COMPLETE THE SENTENCE ... June 29th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

…Canada Day is on Wednesday this week …

1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note:you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

PLAIN ENGLISH, June 29th

span style="font-style:italic;">Writing clear, direct English is particularly important in a business context. Please rewrite the following item; there are many different but correct ways of doing this.


In order to construct a a highly effective ant trap, the Health and Wellness Committee recommends that small containers should be brought from home by every single employee. After inserting something sweet into the container to act as bait, petroleum jelly can be applied to the rims of these containers as that will prevent the crawling pests from getting back out of the jars once they have entered them to go after the sweet bait inside.

Hint: Check Chapter 9 of Barron's Business English, and avoid using the passive voice and other wordy construction!

GRAMMAR QUESTION, June 18th

Correct the errors in the following sentence overheard in the supermarket:

When the committee had met last week it was decided that they approved constructing of a new retiring centre.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

ALL CHANGE! June 18th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. For instance, student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 7. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

The talented pianist played music regularly for the appreciative seniors.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the adjectives
5. change the adverb name 6. change the verb name
7. change the verb tense

VOCABULARY, June 18th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

maladroit (adjective) + pandemonium (noun)

Correct answers will be saved to the Blog archive.


To further improve your vocabulary, check Word of the Day every day! There are also word games and puzzles on this site.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, June 18th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

…hockey season is finally over …

1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note:you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

PLAIN ENGLISH, June 18th

span style="font-style:italic;">Writing clear, direct English is particularly important in a business context. Please rewrite the following item; there are many different but correct ways of doing this.

In view of the fact that receipt of the shipment of the ant entrapment devices has been delayed due to an unfortunate oversight in the Purchasing Dept., the committee undertakes to provide all the necessary step-by-step instructions for the on-site development of the necessary devices, including a list of all required materials.

GRAMMAR QUESTION, June 9th

Correct the errors in the following sentence overheard in the supermarket:

Every one of the runners who are in the race are here but we can't get started with the first ones until you line up on a starting line.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

ALL CHANGE! June 9th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. For instance, student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 7. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

My younger brother happily lent his best friend his new bicycle.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the adjectives
5. change the adverb name 6. change the verb name
7. change the verb tense

VOCABULARY, June 9th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

autonomy (noun) + discredit (verb)

Correct answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, June 9th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

…I have/don't have a good remedy for jet lag …

1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note:you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.