I just wanted to share with you a good resource for MS Office (Word, Excel, etc.) troubleshooting. It is also a WordPress site, and it is called the Cybertext Newsletter. The Cybertext Newsletter, authored by Rhonda, is my favourite bit of news that I welcome into my email inbox. She is easy to understand, approachable,Continue reading “MS Office Resource”
Category Archives: Types of Words
Find My Cursor
Mouse Properties Pointer Options Check the box for “Show Location…” Now that it is set up, when you press the CTRL button on the keyboard, your mouse cursor will be indicated [I was going to say “pointed out”, but then you would all groan and know that I tell bad jokes] It is especially usefulContinue reading “Find My Cursor”
The “I Can’t Cook” Cookbook
I have created a unique cookbook, designed to help people who say they can’t cook. The cost is $15 (contact me if you’d like to purchase one mctracy14@gmail.com) Here is one of my favourite September recipes: Apple Crisp 3/4 cup brown sugar3/4 cup Tbsp flour3/4 cup Tbsp oats1 tsp cinnamon1/2 tsp nutmeg1/2 cup margarine orContinue reading “The “I Can’t Cook” Cookbook”
Dak loves snowflakes, and that makes for super cute cat video.
Course vs Coarse
Know when to use ‘course’ and when to use ‘coarse’.
What is the plural of ‘index’?
From the Microsoft Style Guide: Use indexes as the plural form of index. Use indices only in the context of mathematical expressions.
Have vs Has vs Had
The verb is To Have Have – can be used to show the present tense example: I have a cat. Has – is also present tense, but third person example: Sam has a cat. Had – can be used to show the past tense example: I had a cat when I was young, but nowContinue reading “Have vs Has vs Had”
Up On vs Upon
Up On = location that is elevated (e.g. Up on the mountain, there is plenty of fresh air.) Upon = a formal and antiquated version of the word ‘on’, and sometimes “used to show that something happens soon after, and often because of, something else.”* (e.g. Upon seeing her test grade, she contacted the teacherContinue reading “Up On vs Upon”
What is a kangaroo word? This is new to me.
While I was looking something up online, I came across a term I had never heard of: kangaroo word. It means a word that contains its own synonym. Dictionary.com explains it best here: https://www.dictionary.com/e/s/kangaroo-words/#what-is-a-kangaroo-word The website even has a place for you to “play along”, how fun is that!?
Lose vs Loose
These two words are commonly mixed up, but maybe this will help you to remember when to use each one. Lose – You might lose your earring or lose a game. Loose – If something is loose, it is not tight. If you lose weight, your pants will be loose!
Cent — Sent — Scent
Cent = in currency, a penny. One cent (1¢) = $0.01“C” is the first letter of the word, and the symbol is a “C” with a vertical line through it, which helps us to remember which word to use. Sent = arranged for someone or something to be taken away to another location Scent =Continue reading “Cent — Sent — Scent”
Capitol vs Capital
Capitol with an “-ol” = the building where a state legislature meets Only use upper-case “C” when referring to the one in Washington, D.C., “Capitol Hill” Capital with an “-al” = for everything else : – ) e.g. Upper case letters, as in capital H e.g. “That’s a capital idea!” (British) e.g. The capital of Manitoba isContinue reading “Capitol vs Capital”
Did someone “accidently” spell “accidentally” wrong?
Although it sometimes sounds like accidently, it is spelled accidentally.
Complement vs Compliment
Complement means “to go well with”, for example, “Those bright pillows complement the neutral colour of the sofa.” To compliment means to comment in a positive way on a trait of a person or thing. For example, “I meant to compliment her on the intelligent question she asked, but didn’t catch her before she leftContinue reading “Complement vs Compliment”
Mold vs Mould
It surprised me to learn that both spellings of this word mean both typical definitions. Definition #1: The frame around which an object is constructed. (e.g. gelatin mold/mould) Definition #2: A fungal growth on decaying matter. Mold is an American spelling. Mould is a British spelling.
Inquire vs Enquire
These words are the same, you can use them interchangeably. Inquire is more commonly used. When you are writing for a British audience, you would use enquiry as ‘ask’ and inquiry for formal investigations.
Perspective vs Prospective
Perspective is a specific point of view. Prospective is something that has potential, or something that is likely. This might be easier to remember if you picture a prospector from the gold rush era: The prospective wealth that lies beneath the rock causes the gold rush prospector to work very hard.
Cord vs Chord
Cord string Chord 3 or more musical notes together HOW to REMEMBER THIS HARMONY H stands for Harmony ( in this example) CHORD has an “H” inContinue reading “Cord vs Chord”
Breath or Breathe?
A trick to remembering which one to use is this: There is an “e” on the end of the word “breathe”. Breathe is an action. You breathe the air. The “e” on the end makes the one in the middle sound like a long “e” . The “th” is like in “those”. The other word,Continue reading “Breath or Breathe?”
There
Correct Use of There: If it’s a location ⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒ use “there” If it belongs to somebody ⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒ use “their” ⇒ Read your sentence out loud Do you reallyContinue reading “There”
Quit, Quiet or Quite
Notice there is no “e” in one of the words. Also, the “e” is in a different place in the other two words. Rule: Quit has no “e”, therefore the “i” is a “short i“. So the “i” in quit sounds like the “i” in pit. Meaning: Quit = Stop Quiet. If you sound it out byContinue reading “Quit, Quiet or Quite”
Then vs Than
Often people will use “then” in places where they need “than”. Incorrect: The girl in red is taller then the girl in blue. Correct: The girl in red is taller than the girl in blue. It’s a comparison, like “stranger than”, “more than you would think”, or “colder than”. Side note: Winnipeg, where I am,Continue reading “Then vs Than”
Gerund
A gerund is a word that looks like a verb (because it ends in ‘ing’) but acts like a noun. For example: Your quizzing him is helping his test grades.