Friday, February 23, 2007

Happy Women's Day - March 8


International Women's Day (IWD) is marked on 8 March every year. It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women. The first IWD was observed on 28 February 1909 in the United States following a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. The day remains an official holiday in Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, and is observed by men giving the women in their lives - mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc., flowers and small gifts. In some countries it is also
observed as an equivalent of Mother's Day, where children also give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers. In India, IWD holds a lot of significance. One can see a lot of celebrations going on this day. This portrays the power of women in the modern era and how vital their role is in the society.

On this occasion, I would like to say:

Woman…..Many times referred to as the weaker sex, the strength of her mind and soul cannot be beaten easily. A woman is the first association of life for a newborn, be it a boy or a girl. Long before finding speech for expression, it is the touch of the mother that teaches all of us some of the best feelings, which goes on to make our lives more beautiful and meaningful. Love, warmth, caring, understanding each other without uttering a word, the serene touch, softness – would all have been well-spoken of, if a few months old could talk. Since ages, across societies, countries and faiths, woman has been said to have held affinity with incredible sensibilities such as patience, tolerance and sensitivity. An epitome of sacrifice, she is the best example to site for when it comes to learning how to put someone else’s needs before our own. A befitting honour to a woman’s selfless giving nature is, perhaps, addressing our planet as “Mother” Earth. Numerous Goddesses and female figures in any of the known mythologies substantiate the recognition of women’s evident worthiness, thereby placing her among the reverent ones forever. If ever God had cursed woman to bear all the pain then at the same time, unseen and unknown to the rest, He had also infused her with enormous courage to be able to smile through the sufferings. It is this valiant spirit curtained by the gentle feminity, which is delved for by even the strongest of men in their times of distress. Thought to be always in search of support, it is the same woman who builds any healthy relationship, forms the roots of every flourishing family and culminates in being the most concrete pillar of humanity. I do not want this to be taken as demeaning to men. My only wish is that everyone who reads this if a woman learns to take pride in herself and if a man, learns to respect every woman in his life. But the supreme blessing of The Almighty, which He eminently bestowed only upon woman, is the power to give birth, to be the chosen one to be able to nurture life inside her. It is a pleasure beyond words to have another heart beating with another soul taking form inside you, finally bringing a new life into this wonderful world. This in itself, I believe, is the utmost essence of being a woman. So revel in the glory of your power, stand up and salute yourself, cherishing your existence it being unique in more than a million ways.

HAPPY WOMEN’S DAY !!!!

Beautiful Quotes

Feel free to add some more nice, inspirational and romantic quotes that will insprire people around the globe!

1. Dance – as though no one is watching you!
Love – as though you have never been hurt before!
Sing – as though no one can hear you!
Live – as though heaven is on earth or as if there is no tomorrow!

2. The best and the most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart!

3. Be the change you wish to see in the world!

4. Some joys are better experienced in silence as a smile holds more meaning than words. I was asked if I enjoy having you in my life….I just smiled!

5. Since you came into my life, my heart does not beat anymore, it sings.

6. It always happens when u love someone more than yourself then he always leaves you alone to cry forever and ever.....

7. Love is a feeling which needs no words to be explained....it is self explanatory....

8. It is not important what others think about you but it is important what you think about your self.

9. love indeed is self explanatory...but remember...it's not a feeling...feelings and emotions change...but love is everlasting...and remember...no one can make you cry or smile...except your own self...when u look into the mirror...just remember that...U R LOOKIN AT THE FACE...WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR UR SMILE...

10. To be unique is to be YOURSELF......

11. Love is like the soul...it’s always with you, by your side forever...you only need to realise its presence. And the moment you have found it, you will feel life is so much more beautiful than it ever was!! You are always smiling and you don’t need a reason for it!

12. Love is a gentle smile on the face of beauty.

13. like a rose love is beautiful in the eyes, with a smell that pleases the soul, but with the trunk that can bleed a heart.

14. The essence of love is when you both share the ups and down of life, sacrifice is the best evidence of it.

15. Do you know how important to me you are?After you, I'd name each star.

16. Sometimes a person you can’t live with becomes the person you can’t live without.

17. The deepness of love is when you learn to forget yourself and give whatever you have to the person that other think is unworthy of your love.

18. Love is only deep when you take a risky jump into the deep end, so jump on in!!!

19. Deepness of Love is when you give love regardless of what you get in turn i.e. when you are not been loved. Love without reservation, ready to die for love.

20. The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible.

21. The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose.

22. To be in Love is the best way to see the life at it's best!

23. You know its love when you can't fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams.

24. Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere.

25. The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

26. Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is a quiet voice at the end of the day saying: I will try again tomorrow!

27. Enjoy your life today because yesterday had gone and tomorrow may never come.

28. Deeds, not words shall speak me.

29. Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.

30. Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere.

31. Its true when someone said "life is a like a drama", It all depends on how well you act ur role.. And I guess I am very poor in that, --- Sorry, What's my role?

32. There are no classes in life for beginners: right away you are always asked to deal with what is most difficult.

33. Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.

34. Experience is the child of Thought, and Thought is the child of Action.

35. The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible.

36. If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes.

37. You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.

38. Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles.

39. Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change.

40. Love is the master key which opens the gates of happiness.

41. A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and honest people are screwed first.

42. God gives every bird its food, but does not always drop it into the nest.

43. Excellence is not a destination but a continuous journey that never ends.

44. When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.

45. Love is when you look into someone's eyes, and see everything you need.

46. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

47. I know God will never give me more than I can handle, I just wish He didn't trust me so much.

48. Sometimes a person you can live without becomes the person you cant live with.

I LOVE YOU in different languages!

Here is something lovers from all over the world would love to hear from their partners; I LOVE YOU. In 100 different languages from around the world, now you can say these 3 magic words to the one you love in any language you want. Most of the languages you might not even heard about. ENJOY and amaze your lover!

Afrikaans - Ek het jou liefe
Afrikaans - Ek is lief vir jou
Albanian - te dua
Albanian - te dashuroj
Alentejano(Portugal) - Gosto De Ti, Porra!
Alsacien - Ich hoan dich gear
Amharic - Afekrishalehou
Arabic - Ana Behibak (to a male)
Arabic - Ana Behibek (to a female)
Arabic - Ib'n hebbak.
Arabic - Ana Ba-heb-bak
Arabic - nhebuk
Arabic - Ohiboke (male to female)
Arabic - Ohiboka (female to male)
Arabic - Ohibokoma (male or female to two males or two females)
Arabic - Nohiboke (more than one male or female to female)
Arabic - Nohiboka (male to male or female to male)
Arabic - Nohibokoma (m. to m. or f. to two males or two females)
Arabic - Nohibokom (m. to m. or f. to more than two males)
Arabic - Nohibokon (m. to m. or f. to more than two females)
Arabic (not standard) - Bahibak (female to male)
Arabic (not standard) - Bahibik (male to female)
Arabic (not standard) - Benhibak (more than one male or female to male)
Arabic (not standard) - Benhibik (male to male or female to female)
Arabic (not standard) - Benhibkom (m. to m. or female to more than one male)
Assamese - Moi tomak bhal pau
Basc - Nere Maitea
Batak - Holong rohangku di ho
Bavarian - I mog di narrisch gern
Bengali - Ami tomAy bhAlobAshi
Bengali - Ami tomake bhalobashi.
Berber - Lakh tirikh
Bicol - Namumutan ta ka
Bolivian - Quechua qanta munani
Bulgarian - Obicham te
Burmese - chit pa de
Cambodian - Bon sro lanh oon
Cambodian - kh_nhaum soro_lahn nhee_ah
Canadian - French Sh'teme (spoken, sounds like this)
Cantonese - Moi oiy neya
Cantonese - Ngo oi ney
Catalan - T'estim (mallorcan)
Catalan - T'estim molt (I love you a lot)
Catalan - T'estime (valencian)
Catalan - T'estimo (catalonian)
Cebuano - Gihigugma ko ikaw.
Chickasaw - chiholloli (first "i" nasalized)
Chinese - (see the entries for mandarin or cantonese!)
Corsican - Ti tengu cara (to female)
Corsican - Ti tengu caru (to male)
Croatian - LJUBim te
Czech - miluji te
Czech - MILUJU TE! (colloquial form)
Danish - Jeg elsker dig
Dutch - Ik hou van jou
Dutch - Ik ben verliefd op je
Ecuador - Quechua canda munani
English - I love you
English - I adore you
Esperanto - Mi amas vin
Estonian - Mina armastan sind
Estonian - Ma armastan sind
Farsi - Tora dust midaram
Farsi - Asheghetam
Farsi (Persian) - 0 doostat dAram
Filipino - Mahal ka ta
Filipino - Iniibig Kita
Finnish - Mina" rakastan sinua
Flemish - Ik zie oe geerne
French - Je t'aime
French - Je t'adore
Friesian - Ik hald fan dei
Gaelic - Ta gra agam ort
German - Ich liebe Dich
Greek - s'ayapo (spoken s'agapo, 3rd letter is lowercase 'gamma')
Greek (old) - (Ego) philo su (ego is only needed for mphasis)
Greenlandic - Asavakit
Gujrati - Hoon tane pyar karoochhoon.
Hausa - Ina sonki
Hawaiian - Aloha I'a Au Oe
Hebrew - Ani ohev otach (male to female)
Hebrew - Ani ohev otcha (male to male)
Hebrew - Ani ohevet otach (female to female)
Hebrew - Ani ohevet otcha (female to male)
Hindi - Mai tumase pyar karata hun (male to female)
Hindi - Mai tumase pyar karati hun (female to male)
Hindi - Main Tumse Prem Karta Hoon
Hindi - Mai Tumhe Pyar Karta Hoon
Hindi - Main Tumse Pyar Karta Hoon
Hindi - Mai Tumse Peyar Karta Hnu
Hindi - Mai tumse pyar karta hoo
Hokkien - Wa ai lu
Hopi - Nu' umi unangwa'ta
Hungarian - Szeretlek
Hungarian - Szeretlek te'ged
Icelandic - Eg elska thig
India- Mai Tujhe Pyaar Kartha Ho
Indonesian - Saya cinta padamu (Saya, commonly used)
Indonesian - Saya cinta kamu ( " )
Indonesian - Saya kasih saudari ( " )
Indonesian - Aku tjinta padamu (Aku, not often used)
Indonesian - Aku cinta padamu ( " )
Indonesian - Aku cinta kamu ( " )
Iranian - Mahn doostaht doh-rahm
Irish - taim i' ngra leat
Italian - ti amo (if it's a relationship/lover/spouse)
Italian - ti voglio bene (if it's a friend, or relative)
Japanese - Kimi o ai shiteru
Japanese - Aishiteru
Japanese - Chuu shiteyo
Japanese - Ora omee no koto ga suki da
Japanese - Ore wa omae ga suki da
Japanese - Suitonnen
Japanese - Sukiyanen
Japanese - Sukiyo
Japanese - Watashi Wa Anata Ga Suki Desu
Japanese - Watashi Wa Anata Wo Aishithe Imasu
Japanese - Watakushi-wa anata-wo ai shimasu
Japanese - Suki desu (used at 1st time, like for a start, when you are not yet real lovers)Javanese - Kulo tresno
Kannada - Naanu Ninnanu Preethisuthene
Kannada - Naanu Ninnanu Mohisuthene
Kiswahili - Nakupenda
Klingon - qabang
Klingon - qaparHa' (depends where in the galaxy you are)
Konkani - Aau tuzo mog karta
Korean - No-rul sarang hae (man to woman in casual relation)
Korean - Tangsinul sarang ha yo
Korean - Tangshin-ul sarang hae-yo
Korean - Tangsinul Sarang Ha Yo
Korean - Tangshin-i cho-a-yo (i like you, in a romantic way)
Korean - Nanun tangshinul sarang hamnida
Korean - Nanun Dangsineul Mucheog Joahapnida
Korean - Nanun Dangsineul Saranghapnida
Korean - Nanun Gdaega Joa
Korean - Nanun Gdaereul Saranghapnida
Korean - Nanun Neoreul Saranghanda
Korean - Gdaereul Hjanghan Naemaeum Alji
Korean - Joahaeyo
Korean - Saranghae
Korean - Saranghaeyo
Korean - Saranghapanida
Kurdish - Ez te hezdikhem (?)
Lao - Koi muk jao
Lao - Khoi huk chau
Latin - Te amo
Latin - Vos amo
Latin (old) - (Ego) amo te (ego, for emphasis)
Latvian - Es milu tevi (Pronounced "Ess tevy meeloo")
Lebanese - BahibakLingala - Nalingi yo
Lisbon - lingo gramo-te bue', chavalinha
Lithuanian - TAVE MYLIU (ta-ve mee-lyu)
Lojban - mi do pramiLuo - Aheri
Macedonian - SAKAM TE!
Madrid - lingo Me molas, tronca
Malay - Saya cintakan mu
Malay - Saya sayangkan mu
Malay/Indonesian - Saya sayangkan engkau
Malay/Indonesian - Saya cintakan awak
Malayalam - Njyaan Ninne' Preetikyunnu
Malayalam - Njyaan Ninne' Mohikyunnu.
Malayalam - Ngan Ninne Snaehikkunnu
Malaysian - Saya Cintamu
Malaysian - Saya Sayangmu
Malaysian - Saya Cinta Kamu
Mandarin - Wo ai ni (Wo3 ai4 ni3 in tonal notation)
Marathi - me tujhashi prem karto (male to female)
Marathi - me tujhashi prem karte (female to male)
Marathi - Mi tuzya var prem karato
Mohawk - Konoronhkwa
Navaho - Ayor anosh'ni
Ndebele - Niyakutanda
Norwegian - Eg elskar deg (Nynorsk)
Norwegian - Jeg elsker deg (Bokmaal) (pronouncedyai elskedai)
Nubian – Ikka dollil
Op - Op Lopveop Yopuop
Osetian - Aez dae warzyn
Pakistani - Mujhe Tumse Muhabbat Hai
Persian - Tora dost daram
Pig Latin - Ie Ovele Ouye
Polish - Kocham Cie
Polish - Ja cie kocham
Polish - Yacha kocham
Polish - Kocham Ciebie
Portuguese - Amo-te
Portuguese (brazilian) - Eu te amo
Punjabi - Mai taunu pyar karda
Punjabi - Main Tainu Pyar Karna
Quenya - Tye-mela'ne
Romanian - Te iu besc
Romanian - Te Ador
Russian - Ya vas liubliu
Russian - Ya tebya liubliu
Russian - Ya polubeel s'tebya
Russian (malincaya) - Ya Tibieh Lublue
Scot - Gaelic Tha gra\dh agam ort
Serbian - ljubim te (I kiss you/love you, 'lj' pronounced like 'll' in Spanish, one sound, 'ly'ish)Serbocroatian - Volim te
Serbocroatian - Ljubim te
Shona - Ndinokuda
Sinhalese - Mama oyata adarei
Sioux - Techihhila
Slovak - lubim ta
Slovene - ljubim te
Spanish - Te quiero
Spanish - Te amo
Srilankan - Mama Oyata Arderyi
Swahili - Naku penda (followed by the person's name)
Swedish - Jag a"lskar dig
Swiss-German - Ch'ha di ga"rn
Syrian/Lebanese - BHEBBEK (to a female)
Syrian/Lebanese - BHEBBAK (to a male)
Tagalog - Mahal kita
Tahitian - Ua Here Vau Ia Oe
Tamil - Ni yaanai kaadli karen (You love me)
Tamil - n^An unnaik kAthalikkinREn (I love you)
Tamil - Naan Unnai Kadalikiren
Tcheque - MILUJI TE^
Telugu - Neenu ninnu pra'mistu'nnanu
Telugu/india - Nenu Ninnu Premistunnanu
Thai - Phom Rak Khun (formal, male to female)
Thai - Ch'an Rak Khun (formal, female to male)
Thai - Khao Raak Thoe (affectionate, sweet, loving)
Thai - Phom Rak Khun
Tunisian - Ha eh bak *
Turkish - Seni seviyo*rum (o* means o)
Turkish - Seni Seviyurum
Turkish - Seni Seviyorum
Ukrainian - ja tebe koKHAju (real true love)
Ukrainian - ja vas koKHAju
Ukrainian - ja pokoKHAv tebe
Ukrainian - ja pokoKHAv vas
Urdu - Mujhe tumse mohabbat hai
Urdu - Main Tumse Muhabbat Karta Hoon
Vietnamese - Em ye^u anh (woman to man)
Vietnamese - Toi yeu em
Vietnamese - Anh ye^u em (man to woman)
Vlaams - Ik hue van ye
Vulcan - Wani ra yana ro aisha
Welsh - 'Rwy'n dy garu di.
Welsh - Yr wyf i yn dy garu di (chwi)
Yiddish - Ich libe dich
Yiddish - Ich han dich lib
Yiddish - Ikh Hob Dikh Lib
Yugoslavian - Ya te volim
Zazi - Ezhele hezdege (sp?)
Zulu - Mena Tanda Wena
Zulu - Ngiyakuthanda!
Zuni - Tom ho' ichema

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Choosing the Correct Word: Clearing Up Common Confusions

It's easy to confuse words that are similar in sound, spelling, or meaning. But with a bit of review it's also easy to clear up such confusions.
Here you will find some commonly confused words. After studying the definitions and examples in each set, do the short practice exercises that follow. Complete each blank with an appropriate word; then compare your responses with the answers at the bottom of the page.
1. accept, except, expect
Accept is a verb that means "to take in." The preposition except means "other than." The verb expect means to "depend on" or "await."Examples:Everyone except the elves accepted the wage offer. We expect to return to work soon.Practice:(a) Because nobody _____ Shrek would _____ your excuse, I _____ an apology.(b) I _____ you to pay the rent by Friday, and I'll _____ no more excuses.
2. advice, advise
The noun advice means "guidance. The verb advise means to "recommend" or "counsel."Examples:Em's father advised her not to see Sam. She should have followed his advice.Practice:(a) _____ after injury is like medicine after death.(b) I _____ you to mind your own business.
3. affect, effect
Affect is usually a verb meaning "to influence." Effect is usually a noun meaning "result." When used as a verb, effect means "to cause."Examples:Peace is a natural effect of trade. War affects trade in various ways.Practice:(a) Scientists continue to study the _____ of sweeteners on humans.(b) Controversies over sweeteners have not seriously _____ the sales of diet soft drinks.
4. all ready, already
The phrase all ready means "completely prepared." Already is an adverb meaning "previously" or "by this time."Examples:Our bags have already been inspected. We are all ready to board the plane.Practice:(a) The ballplayers have _____ taken batting practice.(b) The players are _____ to start the game.
5. a lot (much, many)
Spell a lot as two words, not one. In formal writing (such as essays and exams), avoid a lot in favor of much or many.Examples:A lot of students finished the exam early. (informal)Many students finished the exam early. (formal)Practice:(a) Professor Legree received _____ of complaints. (informal)(b) Professor Legree received _____ complaints. (formal)
6. amount, number
Use amount to refer to a quantity. Use number to refer to people or things that can be counted.Examples:An enormous amount of energy was exerted by a small number of people.Practice:(a) Expect a certain _____ of madness when you marry someone with pets.(b) A great _____ of pets can drive you mad.
7. beside, besides
Beside is a preposition meaning "next to." Besides is a preposition meaning "except" or "in addition to." As a conjunctive adverb, besides means "also."Examples:Merdine was too proud to sit beside Gus; besides, she preferred to sit outside.Practice:(a) Thoreau lived ____ a pond.(b) Few people _____ his aunt ever visited him.
8. choose, chose, chosen
Choose is an irregular verb, with chose as the past form and chosen as the past-participle form.Examples:Last week I chose my classes for next semester, but I haven't yet chosen a major. It's hard to choose between podiatry and penology.Practice:(a) Fate chooses our relatives, but we _____ our friends.(b) Last year, she _____ to ignore me, but now I have _____ to ignore her.
9. complement, compliment
Complement means "something that completes or brings to perfection." Compliment is an expression of praise.Examples:He said that men and women have strengths that complement each other. She did not take his remark as a compliment.Practice:(a) Last night I _____ Jocko on the fine meal that he had prepared.(b) The fine meal was _____ by the fine service and warm atmosphere.
10. conscience, conscious
The noun conscience means "the sense of what is right and wrong." The adjective Conscious means "being aware" or "deliberate."Examples:Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response. My conscience tells me so.Practice:(a) No pillow is as soft as a clear _____.(b) I am always _____ of my faults.
11. device, devise
The noun device means "a gadget." The verb to devise means "to plan."Examples:Reading is sometimes a clever device for avoiding thought. We need to devise a new way of thinking.Practice:(a) We must _____ a way to rescue Lassie from the well.(b) Maybe a _____ involving pulleys and kittens will work.
12. few (fewer), little (less)
Few and fewer refer to people or objects that can be counted. Little and less refer to a small quantity.Examples:"I'm a woman of few words," Mae West said. I have even less to say than Mae.Practice:(a) I have _____ money than I thought. A _____ bills are missing from my wallet.(b) Now that I'm broke, I have _____ time to argue and _____ friends than before.
13. formally, formerly
The adverb formally means "in a formal way." The adverb formerly means "at an earlier time."Examples:Formerly an art movement, surrealism is no longer distinguishable from everyday life. I have never studied art formally.Practice:(a) This cafe was _____ a swank restaurant.(b) Guests were _____ greeted at the door.
14. have, of
Use have, not of, as a helping verb with could, must, should, would, may, and might. Of is a preposition.Examples:One of the first things that you should have done was call me.Practice:(a) One _____ us made a mistake.(b) It must _____ been you.
15. hoping, hopping
Hoping is the present-participle form of hope ("to wish for"). Hopping is the present-participle form of hop (like a bunny).Examples:Alice was hopping on one foot, hoping that she wouldn't fall.Practice:(a) She saw him _____ along the pier.(b) She was _____ that he wouldn't trip.

16. imply, infer
A speaker implies ("suggests") something; a listener infers (or "deduces").Examples:The manager implied that I was a bad risk. I inferred from her remarks that she thought I was lazy.Practice:(a) The reporter _____ that an employee started the fire.(b) I _____ from the article that the police have a suspect.
17. its, it's
Its is a possessive pronoun. It's is a contraction of "it is."Examples:When it's hot, the dog sleeps in its hiding place under the porch.Practice:(a) Although _____ not yet fall, this tree is already losing _____ leaves.(b) Either _____ dying, or _____ a sign that cold days are coming soon.
18. lay, lie
The verb lay means "to put"; it takes a direct object. The verb lie means "to rest"; it does not take a direct object. Don't confuse the past and past participle forms of these verbs:
LAY (present), laid (past), and laid (past participle)
LIE (present), lay (past), and lain (past participle)Examples:The pumpkin that I had laid on the porch lay there for a month.Practice:(a) The cat always _____ curled up under the table.(b) Don't shout when you _____ your cards down.(c) Linda _____ down for a nap after yoga last night.
19. lead, led
Led is both the past and past-participle form of the verb lead.Examples:We led the game until the eighth inning. Now the Cubs lead.Practice:(a) Your advice will _____ me into trouble.(b) Your advice has _____ me into trouble many times before.
20. loose, lose
The adjective loose means "not tight." The verb lose means "not to win" or "not to keep."Examples:Because your belt is loose, you will probably lose your pants.Practice:(a) The button on my sleeve is _____.(b) If I _____ that button, I'm in trouble.
21. passed, past
Passed is both the past and past-participle form of pass. Past is a noun (meaning "a previous time"), an adjective (meaning "ago"), and a preposition (meaning "beyond").Examples:The past two weeks have been hard for Sally. She has not passed any of her exams. When she walked past me, I told her to forget the past and look toward the future.Practice:(a) We drove _____ the exit five minutes ago.(b) We _____ the exit five minutes ago.(c) In the _____, students wore caps and gowns.(d) In _____ years, students had to do kitchen chores.
22. precede, proceed
Precede means "to come before." Proceed means "to go forward."Examples:Bill Clinton preceded George W. Bush in the White House. Bush proceeded with his plans to increase military spending.Practice:(a) After keeping us for an hour, the guard let us _____.(b) The storms of April _____ the gentle rains of May.
23. principal, principle
As a noun, principal means "administrator" or "sum of money." As an adjective, principal means "most important." The noun principle means "basic truth" or "rule."Examples:According to the Peter Principle, a worker will rise to his or her level of incompetence.Ms. Benson said that boredom was her principal reason for retiring.Practice:(a) Mr. Bill retired as school _____.(b) His _____ ambition now is to tend to his garden.(c) The _____ of gardening is the same as the _____ of teaching: to provide nourishment.
24. quiet, quit, quite
Quiet means "silence." Quit means "to leave." Quite means "very" or "actually."Examples:I was quite tired and wanted a quiet place to nap. I asked the boys to quit playing games.Practice:(a) Henry needed peace and _____.(b) He _____ his job and moved to the woods.(c) Now he is _____ content.
25. than, then
Use than to make a comparison. Use then when referring to time.Examples:The quiz was harder than I had expected. I answered two questions and then got stuck.Practice:(a) I filled out a form and _____ waited in the lobby.(b) I had to wait much longer _____ you did.
26. their, there, they're
Their is the possessive form of they. There is an adverb (meaning "at that place") and a pronoun used to start a sentence. They're is a contraction of they are.Examples:There are three kids in our family. They're all girls. Two of them are sitting over there. Their sister is at home.Practice:(a) _____ are geese in the garden.(b) _____ nibbling the roses.(c) _____ honking can be heard for miles.
27. to, too
The preposition to refers to a place, direction, or position. To is also used before the verb in an infinitive. The adverb too means "also" or "excessively."Examples:Meg was too tired to walk home. I was tired, too. We walked to a phone booth and called a cab.Practice:(a) I have wanted _____ visit Boise for years.(b) I was always been _____ busy _____ go.(c) Next week I am driving _____ Boise, and you may come _____.
28. which, who
The pronoun who refers to people; which refers to things.Examples:The man who just left drives a Pacer, which once was called "the car of the future."Practice:(a) Nan's book, _____ was published in May, is now a bestseller. (b) A writer is a lucky person _____ has found a way to talk without being interrupted.
29. whose, who's
Whose is the possessive form of who. Who's is the contraction of who is.Examples:Whose turn is it to drive? Who's driving tomorrow?Practice:(a) _____ car was damaged?(b) _____ going to pay for repairs?
30. you're, your
Your is the possessive form of you. You're is the contraction of you are.Examples:You're responsible for your own behavior.Practice:(a) _____ car is blocking mine.(b) _____ going to have to move your car.