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Proofing Power Minutes

May 15, 2021

In my hometown, the florist shop was owned by the Plant family. From then on, aptronyms (names that are surprisingly appropriate to careers) fascinated me, and I began keeping a list. Do you have any favorite aptronyms? Be sure to share them with me.

Here is a sampling of my list of aptronyms. Emily Moynihan has also added some from her collection.

Forrest Hammond, Fish and Wildlife
William B. Lawliss former dean of Notre Dame Law School
Tim Lawliss, Vermont Family Court judge
Dr. Michael Beach, Centers for Disease Control, Deadly
       Amoeba in Lakes and on Beaches

Paul Rainwater, Interim Executive Director, Sewage and
     Water Board in New Orleans
Holly Daisey, florist in Vermont
Tiffany, clerk at Rockingham Electric in New Hampshire

From Emily Moynihan:

John Marshall Sound, producer of audio books
Lucy Baker, author of The Boozy Baker
Nancy Baggett, author of Kneadlessly Simple
       (a bread-baking book)
America Sews with Sue Hausmann
Burt Wolf, What We Eat
Glass with Vicki Payne
DK McCool, “Measurement of Frost Depth”
John Oakes Tree Service


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April 15, 2021

Adjectives vs. Adverbs: Proofread the sentences below and make the correct word choices.
Click on the sentences for the answers.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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February 15, 2021

Adjectives vs. Adverbs: Proofread the sentence below and make the correct word choice.
Click on the sentence for the answer.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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January 15, 2022

We can create concise sentences by eliminating or replacing unnecessary phrases.
What simple words can replace each phrase below?
Click on each phrase for a better word choice.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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November 15, 2021

When I heard these statements on television,
I was momentarily confused by a surprising timeline.
To avoid confusing your readers, you must avoid misplacing
your modifiers.
Click on the sentence for my suggestion.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)



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September 15, 2021

How do you think people are feeling about going out to dinner during a pandemic?
Click on the sentence for my suggestion.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)



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July 15, 2021

The question of writing use to versus used to comes up a lot.
Give these sentences a try.
Click on the sentence for my suggestion.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)



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June 15, 2021

I often hear people make the grammar error in the sentence below.
Can you find the error, and do you understand why it’s wrong?
Click on the sentence for my suggestion.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)



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May 15, 2021

Do you confuse further with farther? Everyone seems to be confused lately.
These are all actual sentences that I’ve heard recently.
Let’s practice by selecting the correct word in the parentheses.
Hint: (1) Farther refers to physical distance.
(2) Further is figurative. It means to a greater degree or in addition.
Click on the sentences for my choices.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)



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April 15, 2021

Choosing to use the word historic vs. historical can be confusing.
And then, do you use a or an before them? Try out this
Power Minute by selecting the correct word in the parentheses.
Click on the sentence for my suggestion.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)



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February 15, 2021

Something isn’t right in the following sentence.
The sentence isn’t saying what you may think it is. How would you edit it?
Click on the sentence for my suggestion.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)



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January 15, 2021

Frequently used wordy constructions include the phrase to be able.
How would you edit the following sentences to eliminate this wordy phrase
that I heard repeatedly on a podcast? You may want to edit more;
but in this exercise, we are focusing on to be able.
Click on the sentence to find my edits.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)


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November 15, 2020

Do we capitalize company, college, or university when
referring to a specific institution while dropping its proper name?
Click on the sentence for my suggestion.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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August 15, 2020

Acronyms and initialisms have you baffled? Here’s an explanation. Next time, we’ll troubleshoot their editing issues.

Acronyms are terms based on initial letters of their various elements and read as single words:


NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Initialisms are terms read as a series of letters.

FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
RNC (Republican National Committee)
DNC (Democratic National Committee)
NBA (National Basketball Association)

You’ll find variations to these definitions:

Not an initial letter but a sound: XML (extensible markup language)
Use of a number: W3C (World Wide Web Consortium)
Combined: JPEG (Joint Picture Expert Group)


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July 15, 2020

Oregon State University’s School of Writing, Literature, and Film is answering your questions about literary terms—on YouTube!

With humor and well-crafted examples in more than two dozen YouTube videos, OSU writing teachers share their take on a wide range of literary terms including hyperbole, metaphor, and enjambment.

Check out the “Oregon State Guide to Literary Terms” at bit.ly/OSUliteraryterms.


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June 1, 2020

As we follow social-distancing orders throughout the country, many of us are learning to work, to school our children, or to file for benefits from home. We must understand instructions to use new tools in completing our tasks.

I've noticed how difficult it is to complete instructions that are poorly written. Are you writing instructions that guarantee your readers’ success? Let’s review how to write easy-to-understand instructions.

  1. Consider what your reader knows about the process. Don’t assume that they know more than they do.

  2. Be complete. Don’t leave out any steps.

  3. Number or bullet each step of your instructions.

  4. Describe only one step in each item.

  5. Be complete and accurate. If you say to click on “File Weekly Claim” on the main page, make sure that it’s on the main page.

  6. Ask someone unfamiliar with the instructions and the process to test your instructions.

  7. Once you publish your instructions online, proofread and edit once more to ensure that your instructions translated to the online platform correctly.


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May 15, 2020

We can communicate our message more effectively by streamlining our writing.
How would you edit the following sentence?
Click on the sentence for my suggestion.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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April 15, 2020

Agree the subject with the verb.
Click on the sentence for my suggestion.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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March 15, 2020

Our readers rely on our choosing correct words.
Which word would you choose below?
Click on the sentence for my suggestion.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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February 15, 2020

In our February 1 Punctuation Power Minute, we discussed
an issue with possessives. Here is a similar issue on joint ownership.
Do you see anything wrong?
Click on the sentence for my suggestion.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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January 15, 2020

Proofread the sentence below.
Click on the sentence for my suggestion.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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December 15, 2019

Do you use sarcastic interrogatives?

A sarcastic interrogative is an echo question: you answer a question with a question. You lead someone to an answer without giving them your answer. Sometimes sarcastic interrogatives are used as quick and witty retorts intersecting sarcasm. Here are a few popular examples:

Is the pope Catholic?
Does a duck swim?
Does a one-legged duck swim in circles?
Does Betty like butter?
Is a pig pork?

Some can be used to elicit deeper meanings. When answering a question on the views of Pope Francis, one author asked, “Is the pope still Catholic?”


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November 15, 2019

Proofread the sentence below.
Click on the sentence for my answer.
(Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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July 15, 2019

Does this sports commentator’s piece on Tiger Woods need edits?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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April 15, 2019

Edit the following sentence; be concise.
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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March 15, 2019

Do you notice anything awry in the following sentence?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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February 15, 2019

Consider a word usage issue below.
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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January 15, 2019

Consider the word choice below.
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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December 15, 2018

Lots to consider below. What simple changes would you make?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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September 15, 2018

Cut the fat!
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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August 15, 2018

Do you see a problem with the sentence below?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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July 15, 2018

Do you see a problem with the sentence below?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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June 15, 2018

Proofread the sentence below. How would you change it?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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May 15, 2018

Proofread the quote below. How would you change it?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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April 15, 2018

Proofread this sentence for a word choice error. How would you change it?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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March 15, 2018

I’m on a roll with past participles; and since I’m a swimmer, we must discuss swim.
Choose the correct past participle of the verb swim.
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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February 15, 2018

Choose the correct past participle of the verb prove.
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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January 15, 2018

Choose the correct past participle of the verb drag.
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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November 15, 2017

Would you change anything in the sentence below?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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October 15, 2017

I thought that this was going to be a simple Power Minute, but research has proven otherwise.
Which preposition do you think is correct?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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September 15, 2017

Here’s a sentence from an article about uncounted ballots. Anything wrong with the grammar?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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July 15, 2017

Is there something wrong with the sentence below?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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June 15, 2017

Ensure, assure, insure—confusing.
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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May 15, 2017

Proofread carefully. Would you make any changes?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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April 15, 2017

Here is a great discussion on “Is it ‘I couldn’t care less’ or ‘I could care less’?”
Remember that Merriam-Webster’s videos are another great resource
for your editing questions. Follow this link for a useful discussion on this topic:

 https://www.merriam-webster.com/video/could-care-less-or-couldnt-care-less 

 

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March 15, 2017

Proofread carefully. Would you make any changes?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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February 15, 2017

Here is a frequent spoken error. Don’t make the same mistake in writing.
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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January 15, 2017

Edit this musician’s reflections.
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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December 15, 2016

Edit this sentence.
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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November 15, 2016

How would you answer a reader’s question: “Which verb do I choose?”
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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October 15, 2016

Something is wrong.
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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September 15, 2016

Which is it?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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August 15, 2016

Which is it?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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July 15, 2016

Something seems wrong to me with this church bulletin notice.
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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June 15, 2016

Notice anything not quite right?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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April 15, 2016

Proofread carefully. Would you make any changes?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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March 15, 2016

Proofread carefully. Would you make any changes?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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February 15, 2016

Proofread carefully. Would you make any changes?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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January 15, 2016

How many people will be hired?
Click on the sentence for my answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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September 15, 2015

Do you see something to edit below?
Click on the sentence for my suggestion. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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July 15, 2015

Is there something amiss in this auto dealership’s radio advertisement?
Click on the sentence for my suggestion. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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May 15, 2015

Who? Whoever? Who you gonna call for help?
Click on the sentence for my suggestion. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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April 15, 2015

Edit this introductory statement from a letter.
Click on the sentence for my suggestion. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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March 15, 2015

In January, we discussed capitalization. So, do you think the following statement uses
proper capitalization?
Click on the sentence for my suggestion. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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February 15, 2015

Listen to A Way with Words, NPR’s show about language. Ever want to know the origins of a word or a common phrase? This is the place!

Download podcasts for your commute to work. Enjoy!

http://www.waywordradio.org/

I thought only my family talked about traveling “half way around Wake Robin’s Barn.” I learned the source of that phrase, and it doesn’t refer to the barn on Wake Robin Road in my hometown.

 

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January 15, 2015

Edit this announcement.
Click on the sentence for my suggestion. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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December 15, 2014

Is something not quite right with this warning from a pharmaceutical company?
Click on the sentence for my suggestion. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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November 15, 2014

Proofread the sentence below.
Click on the sentence for my suggestion. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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October 15, 2014

On a positive note . . . How would you change this negative introduction to a positive announcement?
Click on the sentence for the answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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September 15, 2014

How would you edit the sentence below?
Click on the sentence for the answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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August 15, 2014

Don't strike out on the sentence below. You can find the error!
Click on the sentence for the answer. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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July 15, 2014

Proofread this sentence.
Click on the sentence for my suggestions. (Double click to return the sentence to the original example.)

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