Tuesday, September 9th,2014
Word of the Day
a lot
the opposite of “a little”
is ALWAYS two words.
Mark has a lot of toys.
She talks a lot.
Tuesday, September 9th,2014
Word of the Day
grueling
(adjective)
extremely tiring and demanding
They put themselves through grueling marathons of
public scrutiny.
It was a grueling journey through horrible heat and
humidity.
Wednesday, September 10th,2014
Word of the Day
conversely
(adverb)
just the opposite being true / usually at the beginning of a statement
She cannot stand sugary food; conversely, her
husband is fond of sweets.
Conversely, common knowledge is that when the
body gets chilled, it is more vulnerable to illness.
.
Thursday, September 11,2014
Word of the Day
justification
(noun)
a reason, fact, circumstance, or explanation
Chapter 3 provides a justification for the study
of the classics, especially the Greeks.
There is no justification for cheating on a
test.
Monday, September 15,2014
ELPA Tip of the Day
there / their / they’re
Use there when indicating place (hint: here).
Ex: There is an old haunted house.
Use their when showing possession (hint: our).
Ex: Their dog is so well behaved.
Use they’re as a contraction for they are.
Ex: They’re coming over for dinner.
Tuesday, September 16,2014
ELPA Tip of the Day
Affect vs Effect
Most of the time, affect with an ‘a’ is a verb and
effect with an ‘e’ is a noun.
The mnemonic device below can help differentiate the two:
Tuesday September 16th, 2014
• Affect with an “a” means: “to influence” or “to
transform”
• Ex: The rain affected my hair.
• *If you can substitute the word “affect” with
influence or transform , you have the correct one.
• Effect with an “e” means: “the result” or “outcome”
or “consequence”
• Ex: What effect does taking sleep aids have on you?
• *If you can substitute result, outcome or
consequence , you are correct.
Wednesday, September 17,2014
ELPA Tip of the Day
than vs then
Use than as a word indicating comparison
Ex: She looks less fierce than Mary.
Use then as a word indicating time
Ex: I went to the supermarket, then to the salon.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
ELPA Tip of the Day
To/ too
Use to to indicate direction, location, or
relationship (this word is a preposition)
Ex: “My brother is married to an American.”
Use too to mean “also” or “as well”
Ex: “I am coming, too!”
Monday, September 22, 2014
ELPA Tip of the Day
Your / You’re
Use your when showing possession.
Ex: Your shirt is very nice.
Use you’re as a contraction for you are.
Ex: You’re getting a new puppy today!
Tuesday, September 23rd,2014
ELPA Tip of the Day
Here / hear
Use here when indicating location/place.
Ex: Please place your assignments here.
Use hear when referring to sound.
Ex: Do you hear what I hear?
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
ELPA Tip of the Day
allowed vs aloud
Use allowed when meaning permission.
Ex: Martha was allowed to go to the school dance.
Use aloud when referring to speaking.
Ex: When read aloud, the story was much more
interesting.
Monday, September 29, 2014
ELPA Tip of the Day
which / witch
Which witch is which?
Use which as a preposition.
Ex: Which house is yours?
Use witch when referring to a person who practices
Witchcraft.
Ex: The witch brewed a potion and casted a spell
last night.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
ELPA Tip of the Day
weather / whether
Use weather when referring to the climate
Ex: The weather forecast says it’s going to be sunny.
Use whether when expressing doubt or choice between
alternatives
Ex: He seemed undecided whether to stay or to go.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
ELPA Tip of the Day
patience / patients
Use patience when referring to someone who is
willing to wait.
Ex: My mother has a lot of patience.
Use patients when referring to people who see a
doctor, dentist, psychologist, etc.
Ex: The patients were waiting patiently to see the
doctor.
Monday, October 2, 2014
ELPA Tip of the Day
led / lead
Use led when meaning to guide.
Ex: The woman led the horse around the corral.
Use lead when referring to metal.
Ex: The door was made of lead.