WELCOME!

Welcome to the English Skills blog for English 140 (Grammar), English 143 (Writing for Academic Purposes), and English 146 (Reading for Academic Purposes) at Athabasca University. 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 to provide students with an opportunity to communicate with each other and to practice the skills taught in these courses. If you post general questions about the assignments or the course, they will be addressed in the blog. If you have detailed questions you want answered, then e-mail your instructor.

Feel free to post comments and suggestions on how to improve this site!

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.

Assignments marked with asterisks (*.*) are mandatory for ENGL140 students (Assignment 9).

For information on how to participate, please visit the instructions page or contact the administrator.

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. 

Also, be sure to let your tutors know the nickname you have chosen for this blog; otherwise, they will not be able to give you the marks/bonus marks that you have earned for your participation.

Next blog: Thursday, October 13, 2016

PREVIOUS GRAMMAR QUESTION

Its important that we are on time for todays meeting on affective marketing techniques so please be picking Bryan and I up prompt at 8 am avoiding the trouble with the boss.

1. Mood:

Noun clauses that express urgency or importance usually take the subjunctive mood, which uses the simple (base) form of the verb. In this case, use "be" instead of "are".

2. Apostrophe use:

In most cases, we add an apostrophe and an "s" to indicate the possessive. In this case, "todays" should be "today's".

3. Word confusion:

"Affective" and "effective" are often confused. In this sentence we need "effective", not "affective".

4. Punctuation:

As a rule, it is best to insert a comma before a coordinating conjunction (like "so") that introduces an independent clause.

5. Command (imperative):

When producing this form of sentence, the subject is omitted and the simple (base) form of the verb is used. In this case, use "pick" instead of "be picking".

6. Object pronoun:

Bryan and the speaker are both the object of the verb "pick up", so the pronoun must be in the objective case: "me" (rather than "I"). This is often confused because such phrases frequently form the subject of the verb ("Bryan and I picked up our friends at school"/"Our friends picked up Bryan and me and at school").

7. Word form:

“Prompt” is an adjective. But we need a word to modify the verb ("pick up"). That is, we need an  adverb: "promptly".

8. Infinitive:

In this sentence, "avoiding" indicates the purpose or intention of the action ("pick up"). In such cases, we use the infinitive ("to avoid") rather than the gerund ("avoiding").

9. Abbreviations:

Lower case abbreviations generally require a period after each letter ("a.m."). Upper case abbreviations do not require any periods ("AM"). Either form is acceptable.

10. Article:

Unless you are expecting some specific (i.e. "definite") type of trouble, omit the definite article ("the"). Use "trouble" rather than "the trouble".Possible solution:

It’s important that we be on time for today’s meeting on effective marketing techniques, so please pick up Bryan and me promptly at 8 a.m. to avoid trouble with the boss.

*GRAMMAR QUESTION*

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

When the committee had met last week it is decided that they approved constructing of a new retiring centre for benefiting Seniors and there family’s which had been living in a surrounding area.

The solution will be posted in the next edition of the blog.

PUZZLE

Solution to the previous puzzle:

1. Humility 2. Proclaim 3. Terrible 4. Vexation 5. Overtake

New Puzzle:

This one is a classic. What phrase is represented by the following?

JG
UN
MI
PP
IM
NU
GJ
Good
New
New

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

IDIOMS

There are three idioms that use the word white:

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 participants.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theteacher/2009/02/090226_teacher_white.shtml

*ALL CHANGE!*

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated.

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

For instance, if the original sentence is "Benson hurriedly told the bad news to his friends":

participant 1 could write "#1 Subject Noun: Michael hurriedly told the bad news to his friends";

participant 2 could then write "#2 Direct Object Noun: Michael hurriedly told the bad joke to his friends";

participant 3 could then write "#3 Indirect Object Noun: Michael hurriedly told the bad joke to his wife";

etc.

You are free to make as many changes as you wish. Just remember to number each change (and indicate the part of speech) so it is clear to everyone where we are on the list.

Participants who make all 7 changes will receive 2 bonus marks for their efforts.

When all 7 changes have been made, do not repeat the original sentence; return to the top of the list, but keep building on the changes made by the previous participant.

Here is the sentence:

My new accountant kindly offered me some financial advice.

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 -chron- (meaning "time") occurs in many words. 

1. Add an affix to this stem to make another word.
2. Explain the meaning of the word and use it in a complete sentence.

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:*

... The sky is blue ...

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) and do not use a semi-colon to join your independent clause.

*NUMBER CHANGE*

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

The first participant to make the correct changes will receive the bonus mark.

For dessert, I would like to have a large glass of milk, peppermint tea, two chocolate-chip cookies, and some cheesecake!

*VOCABULARY*

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. 

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

manipulate (verb) and squeamish (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/wordoftheday/


You can also test your skills while contributing to the World Food Programme here:
http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1498

SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS

We can describe someone who is self-satisfied as complacent. 

First, write a sentence that uses this word.

Then rewrite the sentence, first using a synonym and then using an antonym for this word. 

Each participant should suggest a different synonym and antonym.


Example: easy.

Answer: 
This exercise is easy.

Synonym: simple. This exercise is simple.

Antonym: difficult. This exercise is difficult.

*ACTIVE vs. PASSIVE*

Write two sentences using the verb embarrass.

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

*TIME CHANGE*

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

Last month, I was waiting outside for my friend to arrive so we could go to the park together, when the clouds suddenly gathered and the rain started coming down. 

*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. Do not use a semi-colon.

Sentence 1: Hillary Clinton is the leader of the Democratic Party of the United States.
Sentence 2: She is currently leading in the polls.
Sentence 3:  I wonder if she will win the election.

BUILD-A-SENTENCE

Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated. Do not use a semi-colon.

Today's exercise will be a real test of your skills!

Write a sentence that begins with a dependent clause in the present perfect tense and an independent clause in the simple present followed by an independent clause in the simple future and a dependent clause in the simple present.

Good luck!

WELCOME!

Welcome to the English Skills blog for English 140 (Grammar), English 143 (Writing for Academic Purposes), and English 146 (Reading for Academic Purposes) at Athabasca University. 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 to provide students with an opportunity to communicate with each other and to practice the skills taught in these courses. If you post general questions about the assignments or the course, they will be addressed in the blog. If you have detailed questions you want answered, then e-mail your instructor.

Feel free to post comments and suggestions on how to improve this site!

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.

Assignments marked with asterisks (*.*) are mandatory for ENGL140 students (Assignment 9).

For information on how to participate, please visit the instructions page or contact the administrator.

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. 

Also, be sure to let your tutors know the nickname you have chosen for this blog; otherwise, they will not be able to give you the marks/bonus marks that you have earned for your participation.

Next blog: Thursday, September 29, 2016

PREVIOUS GRAMMAR QUESTION

Peter and me are needing knowing to who to address the letter before its written in it's envelope and than being posted by us too the company in the states.

1. Pronoun confusion:

"Peter" is the subject of the verb "are needing" -- and so is the pronoun, which should therefore be "I" rather than "me".

2. Verb tense:

For something that is generally true and not specifically ongoing, use the simple present tense ("need") instead of the present progressive ("are needing").

3. Relative Pronoun confusion:

"Who" is the subject pronoun, but in this case we need the object pronoun, which is "whom". This may sound a little too formal in this case, but it is important to understand the grammatical rule.

4. Apostrophe confusion:

In this sentence, "it's" is meant to be possessive. And this is normally how we signal the possessive: by adding an apostrophe s. For example, the possessive form of "envelope" is "envelope's". "It", however, is a special case. By adding an apostrophe s, we are indicating that the word is a contraction of "it is". If we want the possessive form, we just add the s: "its".

5. Word confusion:

Be careful not to confuse "than" with "then". "Than" is used in comparisons; "then" is used to order events in time. Also, be careful not to confuse "to" (a preposition) with "too" (an adverb).

6. Verb form:

"Being posted" is the progressive form of the verb, which is easily confused with "been posted" (the passive form that was intended). Here, however, the passive voice is not our best choice. Instead, we should use the active voice in the simple present tense: "post" (cf. comment 8 below).

7. Capitalization:

Whether we say "the United States" or just "the States", we are referring to the name of a country, which is a proper noun that must be capitalized.

8. Passive voice:

As a rule, it is better to use the active voice as it usually makes the the meaning clearer. Instead of saying "it's written", we should say "we write"; and instead of "posted by us", we should say "we post".

9. Preposition:

We write the address "on" the envelope, not "in" it.

Possible solution:

Peter and I need to know whom to address the letter to before we write on its envelope and post it to the company in the United States.

*GRAMMAR QUESTION*

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

Its important that we are on time for todays meeting on affective marketing techniques so please be picking Bryan and I up prompt at 8 am avoiding the trouble with the boss.

The solution will be posted in the next edition of the blog.

PUZZLE

Solution to the previous puzzle

1. Pass by→Temporary failure (elapse/lapse)
2. Picture→ Wizard (image/mage)
3. Brave →Fortunate (plucky/lucky)
4. Enthusiastic meetings →Partners (rallies/allies)
5. Attacked →Helped (raided/aided)
6. Choose →Choose (select/elect)
7. Fragments →Dice game  (scraps/craps)
8. Customary practice→ Spiritual mentor (usage/sage)

New Puzzle:

Hint: Without changing the order of the letters, place the four letter words in the spaces below to form eight letter words.

Veto, Rake, Hilt, Clam, Tile

1. __ um__ __ i __ y
2. Pro __ __ __ i __
3. __ err __ b __ __
4. __ __ xa __ i __ n
5. Ove __ t __ __ __

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

IDIOMS

There are three idioms that use the word red:

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 participants.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theteacher/2009/03/090312_teacher_colour_red.shtml

*ALL CHANGE!*

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated.

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

For instance, if the original sentence is "Benson hurriedly told the bad news to his friends":

participant 1 could write "#1 Subject Noun: Michael hurriedly told the bad news to his friends";

participant 2 could then write "#2 Direct Object Noun: Michael hurriedly told the bad joke to his friends";

participant 3 could then write "#3 Indirect Object Noun: Michael hurriedly told the bad joke to his wife";

etc.

You are free to make as many changes as you wish. Just remember to number each change (and indicate the part of speech) so it is clear to everyone where we are on the list.

Participants who make all 7 changes will receive 2 bonus marks for their efforts.

When all 7 changes have been made, do not repeat the original sentence; return to the top of the list, but keep building on the changes made by the previous participant.

Here is the sentence:

The elderly gentleman carefully explained his concerns to the visiting doctor.

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 dict- (meaning "to speak") occurs in many words. 

1. Add an affix to this stem to make another word.
2. Explain the meaning of the word and use it in a complete sentence.

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 always look forward to the fall ...

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) and do not use a semi-colon to join your independent clause.

*NUMBER CHANGE*

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

The first participant to make the correct changes will receive the bonus mark.

If your friends want to play cards with us in the next few weeks, 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 parts of speech).

recourse (noun) and chronic (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/wordoftheday/


You can also test your skills while contributing to the World Food Programme here:
http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1498

SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS

We can describe our awareness of something as cognizance. 

First, write a sentence that uses this word.

Then rewrite the sentence, first using a synonym and then using an antonym for this word. 

Each participant should suggest a different synonym and antonym.


Example: easy.

Answer: 
This exercise is easy.

Synonym: simple. This exercise is simple.

Antonym: difficult. This exercise is difficult.

*ACTIVE vs. PASSIVE*

Write two sentences using the verb fly.

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

*TIME CHANGE*

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

When I took my vacation last week, I toured the mountain parks in Alberta. I started by driving to Waterton Lakes National Park, and then I drove north through Kananaskis Country to Banff National Park, and then I continued north to Jasper National. The weather was good, so I enjoyed hiking in the mountains, and I certainly enjoyed the views. 

*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. Do not use a semi-colon.

Sentence 1: The price of gasoline remains high even though the price of oil remains low.
Sentence 2: Some may blame the weakening dollar.
Sentence 3: There always seems to be one excuse or another for the high cost of gasoline..

BUILD-A-SENTENCE

Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated. Do not use a semi-colon.

Write a sentence that includes a dependent clause in the present progressive tense and an independent clause in the simple present tense.

WELCOME!

Welcome to the English Skills blog for English 140 (Grammar), English 143 (Writing for Academic Purposes), and English 146 (Reading for Academic Purposes) at Athabasca University. 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 to provide students with an opportunity to communicate with each other and to practice the skills taught in these courses. If you post general questions about the assignments or the course, they will be addressed in the blog. If you have detailed questions you want answered, then e-mail your instructor.

Feel free to post comments and suggestions on how to improve this site!

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.

Assignments marked with asterisks (*.*) are mandatory for ENGL140 students (Assignment 9).

For information on how to participate, please visit the instructions page or contact the administrator.

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. 

Also, be sure to let your tutors know the nickname you have chosen for this blog; otherwise, they will not be able to give you the marks/bonus marks that you have earned for your participation.

Next blog: Thursday, September 15, 2016

PREVIOUS GRAMMAR QUESTION

Seeing that starbucks' opens at safeway stores now and they had also opened at many book stores';  I wonder if it would now loose customer’s from their regular outlets.

1. Capitalization:

Both Starbucks and Safeway are proper nouns, so they should be capitalized.

2. Singular or plural:

Company names are usually collective nouns and are usually treated as singular nouns even when they end in "s", so the verbs and pronouns should also be in the singular form in order to have proper "subject-verb agreement".

3. Apostrophe error:

"Starbucks", "book stores" and "customers" are not being used in the possessive, so they should not have an apostrophe.

As an aside, note the difference between "Starbucks" and "stores": "Starbucks" always has an "s" at the end, while "stores" only has an "s" because it is being used in the plural. As a result, if we were to use "Starbucks" in the possessive, we would add the apostrophe and the "s" as we usually do (e.g. "Starbucks's new CEO"). But if we were to use "stores" in the possessive, we would just the apostrophe and not the extra "s" (e.g. "The book stores' employees").

4. Verb form:

Using "opens" in the simple present tense indicates a habitual action. Instead, we probably want to describe something that began in the past and continues in the present; for that, we should use the present perfect tense ("has opened") or the verb "is" + the predicate adjective "open", or perhaps even the present progressive tense ("is opening").

5. Verb tense:

Try to be consistent with the verb tense. If you use the present perfect ("has opened”) then you should continue using it later in the sentence instead of switching to the past perfect ("had opened").

6. Conditional clauses:

The word "if" introduces a conditional clause. Whenever the main clause uses the simple present tense, the conditional clause should use the simple future tense ("will" + main verb).

7. Word confusion:

Try not to confuse the  verb "lose" with the adjective "loose".

8. Punctuation:

A semicolon divides two independent clauses. In this case, the first clause is a dependent one, so we need to use a comma instead of the semicolon.

9. Wordiness:

Try to avoid repeating the same subject/verb construction in a sentence. In this case, we have already used the verb "opened", so we can replace the second instance with something like "in addition to" or "as well as".

Possible solution:

Seeing that Starbucks has opened at Safeway stores as well as many bookstores, I wonder if they will now lose customers from their regular outlets.

*GRAMMAR QUESTION*

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

Peter and me are needing knowing to who to address the letter before its written in it's envelope and than being posted by us too the company in the states.

The solution will be posted in the next edition of the blog.

PUZZLE

Solution to the previous puzzle

FemUR, RemIND, ANemIA, PHLOem, CHemIST

New Puzzle:

Hint: Find the words that fit the definitions below. The two words should be the same except for the extra letter at the beginning of the first word.

Example: Begin → Sour
Answer:   Start   → Tart

1. Pass by → Temporary failure
2. Picture → Wizard
3. Brave → Fortunate
4. Enthusiastic meetings → Partners
5. Attacked → Helped
6. Choose → Choose
7. Fragments → Dice game
8. Customary practice → Spiritual mentor

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

IDIOMS

There are three idioms that use the word gold:

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 participants.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theteacher/2009/03/090326_teacher_colour_gold.shtml

*ALL CHANGE!*

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated.

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

For instance, if the original sentence is "Benson hurriedly told the bad news to his friends":

participant 1 could write "#1 Subject Noun: Michael hurriedly told the bad news to his friends";

participant 2 could then write "#2 Direct Object Noun: Michael hurriedly told the bad joke to his friends";

participant 3 could then write "#3 Indirect Object Noun: Michael hurriedly told the bad joke to his wife";

etc.

You are free to make as many changes as you wish. Just remember to number each change (and indicate the part of speech) so it is clear to everyone where we are on the list.

Participants who make all 7 changes will receive 2 bonus marks for their efforts.

When all 7 changes have been made, do not repeat the original sentence; return to the top of the list, but keep building on the changes made by the previous participant.

Here is the sentence:

The dying man bequeathed all his money to an animal charity.

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 mal- (meaning "bad")occurs in many words. 

1. Add an affix to this stem to make another word.
2. Explain the meaning of the word and use it in a complete sentence.

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:*

... summer is the best time of the year in Canada ...

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) and do not use a semi-colon to join your independent clause.

*NUMBER CHANGE*

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

The first participant to make the correct changes will receive the bonus mark.

When my friends went fishing at various lakes these last few months, sometimes they were lucky and actually caught several local varieties of fish, but at other times they just enjoyed the weather, some quiet times, and the views they had of nature.

*VOCABULARY*

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. 

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

excoriate (verb) and disparage (verb).

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/wordoftheday/


You can also test your skills while contributing to the World Food Programme here:
http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1498

SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS

We can describe something we like as being congenial. 

First, write a sentence that uses this word.

Then rewrite the sentence, first using a synonym and then using an antonym for this word. 

Each participant should suggest a different synonym and antonym.


Example: easy.

Answer: 
This exercise is easy.

Synonym: simple. This exercise is simple.

Antonym: difficult. This exercise is difficult.

*ACTIVE vs. PASSIVE*

Write two sentences using the verb wake up.

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

*TIME CHANGE*

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

Summer is almost over, but I have not been able to do some of my favourite activities as the weather has not cooperated. I have not been able to eat dinner on the patio because of the mosquitoes and wasps, and I have not been able to relax in the park with a book. Whenever I have gone outside, I have had to cover up well. 

*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. Do not use a semi-colon.

Sentence 1: I was worried about you.
Sentence 2:  I thought we were going to meet at the gym after class on Friday.
Sentence 3: When I got there, you were nowhere in sight, and you weren't answering your phone.

BUILD-A-SENTENCE

Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated. Do not use a semi-colon.

Write a sentence that includes a dependent clause in the past perfect progressive tense and a dependent clause in the past perfect and an independent clause in the  simple present.