`Utopian’

The word `utopia’ comes from the Greek `ou’ and `topos’ meaning `nowhere’; in other words, it is a place that doesn’t exist.

Utopia is an imaginary island created by Sir Thomas More in his book written in 1516. The happy inhabitants of this make-believe island enjoyed near perfect living conditions; they had the perfect social and political systems. Nowadays, when you say that a person is `utopian’, what you mean is that he always aims for something that is impossible to achieve. When you dismiss someone’s plan as being `utopian’, you are ridiculing it because you believe that it is unrealistic. Utopian has acquired a negative meaning.
Examples:  Padma, like her father, was pursuing a utopian dream of world peace. *The singer was truly utopian. He believed that countries could exist without borders.
Samuel Butler wrote a novel in 1872 called `Erehwon’ in which he made fun of utopian concepts. `Erehwon’ is actually `nowhere’ spelt backwards!

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 24, 2006

Proved vs Proven

“Proved" or "proven" is another one of those sets of words journalists, writers and speakers mix up constantly. While the use or should I say the misuse of these two words will not greatly affect the lives of most people, it's the responsibility of aspiring writers and professional writers, however, to know the difference.

Understand that both "proved and proven" are noted by some dictionaries as past participles of "prove."
Professional writers take a more particular view of the use of these words. But you can use whichever word sounds and works the best for you, Just be sure to use "proven" for the adjectives.

Example: "She used a proven method."


Know that "proved" is the current choice for the past participle of the verb "prove."
An example: The child has proved his strengths in numbers.


You may notice that journalist use "proven" as an adjective in journalism always.
"Proven" is not used as a past participle in journalism.


Apply the rules for predicate adjective in a linking verb construction as well by using "proven." Use "proven" as an adjective that modifies another word as in the following example: The child's ability to add has been proven. "Proven" modifies "ability;" it is not a part of the verb.


Be a careful writer when using "proved" and/or "proven" if you are a journalist where rules reign. But for most of us, we can use either word as a past participle if it applies. But remember to use "proven" as the adjective in all cases, just to be on the safe side.

13 rules to using Apostrophes

Rule 1. Use the apostrophe with contractions. The apostrophe is always placed at the spot where the letter(s) has been removed.
Examples: don't, isn't
You're right.
She's a great teacher.

Rule 2. Use the apostrophe to show possession. Place the apostrophe before the s to show singular possession.
Examples: one boy's hat
one woman's hat
one actress's hat
one child's hat
Ms. Chang's house
NOTE: Although names ending in s or an s sound are not required to have the second s added in possessive form, it is preferred.
Mr. Jones's golf clubs
Texas's weather
Ms. Straus's daughter
Jose Sanchez's artwork
Dr. Hastings's appointment (name is Hastings)
Mrs. Lees's books (name is Lees)

Rule 3. Use the apostrophe where the noun that should follow is implied.
Example: This was his father's, not his, jacket.


Rule 4. To show plural possession, make the noun plural first. Then immediately use the apostrophe.
Examples: two boys' hats
two women's hats
two actresses' hats
two children's hats
the Changs' house
the Joneses' golf clubs
the Strauses' daughter
the Sanchezes' artwork
the Hastingses' appointment
the Leeses' books

Rule 5. Do not use an apostrophe for the plural of a name.
Examples: We visited the Sanchezes in Los Angeles.
The Changs have two cats and a dog.

Rule 6. With a singular compound noun, show possession with 's at the end of the word.
Example: my mother-in-law's hat

Rule 7. If the compound noun is plural, form the plural first and then
use the apostrophe.
Example: my two brothers-in-law's hats

Rule 8. Use the apostrophe and s after the second name only if two people possess the same item.
Examples:
Cesar and Maribel's home is constructed of redwood.

Cesar's and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed next year. (Indicates separate ownership.)
Cesar and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed next year. (Indicates joint ownership of more than one contract.)

Rule 9. Never use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns: his, hers, its, theirs, ours, yours, whose. They already show possession so they do not require an apostrophe.

Examples:This book is hers, not yours.
Incorrect: Sincerely your's.

Rule 10. The only time an apostrophe is used for it's is when it is a contraction for it is or it has.
Examples: It's a nice day.
It's your right to refuse the invitation.
It's been great getting to know you.

Rule 11. The plurals for capital letters and numbers used as nouns are not formed with apostrophes.

Examples:She consulted with three M.D.s.
BUT
She went to three M.D.s' offices.
The apostrophe is needed here to show plural possessive.
She learned her ABCs.
the 1990s not the 1990's
the '90s or the mid-'70s not the '90's or the mid-'70's

She learned her times tables for 6s and 7s.
Exception: Use apostrophes with capital letters and numbers when the meaning would be unclear otherwise.
Examples: Please dot your i's.
You don't mean is.
Ted couldn't distinguish between her 6's and 0's.
You don't mean Os.

Rule 12. Use the possessive case in front of a gerund (-ing word).
Examples: Alex's skating was a joy to behold.
This does not stop Joan's inspecting of our facilities
next Thursday.

Rule 13. If the gerund has a pronoun in front of it, use the possessive form
of that pronoun.
Examples: I appreciate your inviting me to dinner.
I appreciated his working with me to resolve the conflict.

pore and pour

Pore: intransitive verb; : to gaze intently, to read or study attentively —usually used with over,
to reflect or meditate steadily.

She will pore over the book to get ready for the test.

Pour: transitive verb; to cause to flow in a stream, to dispense from a container
to supply or produce freely or copiously
to give full expression to : vent

intransitive verb; to move with a continuous flow , to rain hard, to move or come continuously, stream
to score easily or freely (as in basketball) —used with in

The waiter will pour drinks for the guest while we serve the food.

Did the rain pour down hard in your area?

Beside and Besides

Take a close look at these words and notice that one has a "s" on the end which changes the meaning.

Beside: preposition, near, next to, at the side of

I will stand beside you through good times or bad.
She stood beside the fence gate.

Besides: in addition to, apart from, except
It was the most popular book ever written, besides the Bible.
Everyone besides Anna wanted to go swimming.

Can the word `doctor’ be used as a verb?

Yes, it can. When someone `doctors’ something, he makes some changes in it in order to deceive people. For example, companies, in order to show a huge profit, sometimes change the figures in their accounts. They do this in the hope that their share prices will go up. This practice of changing figures dishonestly is called doctoring.

*These reports suggest that it was the Professor who doctored the figures. *According to the film star, her ex-husband doctored the photographs.
When someone doctors your drink or food, they spice it up with a little bit of poison!
*The police suspect that it was the partner who doctored the drink. *The dog’s food had been doctored.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 24, 2006

Crime and punishment related vocabulary

Crime - Crimes

arson

assault

blackmail

burglary

fraud

hijacking

hooliganism

kidnapping

mugging

Crime - Criminals

mugger

murderer

robber

shoplifter

smuggler

terrorist

thief

vandal

Crime - Justice System

appeal

barrister

caution

cell

community service

court

court case

death penalty

defense

fine

gaol, jail

guilty

imprisonment

innocent

judge

jury

justice

lawyer

offence

sentence

prison

probation

prosecution

punishment

capital punishment

corporal punishment

remand home

solicitor

trial

verdict

witness

Crime - Verbs

arrest

ban

break in

break out

break the law

burgle

charge

commit a crime

escape

get away

get away with

hold up

investigate

rob

steal

Crime - Other Related Words

alibi

armed

burglar

car alarm

alarm

legal

illegal

store detective

private detective

weapon