Overcoming adversity and maintaining wellbeing by focusing on purpose and beliefs is this month’s theme. Deeply meaningful quotes from a psychiatrist Holocaust victim plus a Greek philosopher prompt meaningful reflection on the power and influence of circumstantial perception:
‘Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, only by lack of meaning and purpose.’ VIKTOR FRANKL
‘It is not events, but our beliefs about them that cause us suffering.’ EPICTETUS
Both quotes are listed in: WELL-BEING – EQ4U
GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES
Words associated with this month’s theme:
• Pertinacious – resolute /holding firmly to an opinion or course of action. • Fervent – intensity of feeling or belief. • Valorous – having strength, courage, bravery.
Authenticity and trust are this month’s themes, with associated words referenced in Grammar/Communication Notes. A quote from a tech titan, a political leader, and an astute self-reflection declaration from the master of wit:
‘In a networked world, trust is the most important currency.’ ERIC SCHMIDT
‘Focus not on ego but on what can be achieved.’ HASSAN DIAB
‘Be yourself – everybody else is already taken.’ OSCAR WILDE
A positive and uplifting theme this month, both for quotations and Grammar/Communication notes: ‘Argue for your possibilities, and sure enough, you will find so much more capacity and ability inside you than you have ever dreamed is possible.’ MICHAEL NEILL
‘The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but it is too low and we reach it.’ MICHELANGELO
The above are included in: LEARNING & ACHIEVEMENT – EQ4U
GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES Many thanks to lexicographer Susie Dent whose English language and etymology knowledge has inspired this month’s input. Words Susie notes that she would love seeing returned to use are:
• Apricity – the joy of the sun on a winter’s day. • Conflicity – joy in other people’s happiness – altruistic happiness for someone else when you’ve got no agenda and you’re not earning anything from it. (Notably, the opposite of ‘schadenfreude’ – happiness in someone else’s displeasure or pain)
This month’s theme is about positivity, daring and action – including possible ‘bucket list’ inspiration! The following quotes have different but related life challenging messages:
‘Being on the tightrope is living; everything else is waiting.’ KARL WALLENDA ‘Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run as outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.’ HELEN KELLER
‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream Discover.’ MARK TWAIN
GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES A singular noun requires a singular verb, and a plural noun a plural verb. I have an ongoing frustration from hearing what seems to be an increasing number of singular/plural verb/noun mix ups. In the first verb error example below, ‘is’ should be ‘are’ to match with the plural word ‘booths’, in the second, ‘is’ should be ‘are’ to match with plural ‘people’. And the third verb error should be ‘were’ to match with the plural ‘witnesses’.
· ‘There is 26 booths’ (relating to a debate about Eurovision on ‘Politics Live’ – 10.5.23 on BBC2, referenced by an MP on the programme) – Should be ‘There are….
· ‘There is too many people in prison’ (on Morning live 12.5.23)
· ‘There was no eye witnesses’ (Police officer on ‘Killer at the Crime Scene’ TV programme Channel 5 – 11.5.23)
As per last month, a personal power theme quote with a deeply meaningful reflection on how we would wish to be remembered:
‘One day you’ll just be a memory for some people. Do your best to be a good one.’ ANONYMOUS The above is listed in EQ4U’s quotes section: CHARACTER – EQ4U
GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES – POSITIVE WORDS:
Meliorism – the notion that the world can be improved by human effort Rapprochement – an establishment or resumption of harmonium relations/ cordial relationship between individuals or groups – especially ref international affairs Solicitude – care or concern for someone or something
Fewer or less? – A reminder grammar note first posted in July 2020:
The simple rule for using ‘fewer’ or ‘less’, is that if things can be counted it’s ‘fewer’, and if unable to be counted it’s ‘less’. Fewer/less distinctions have been noted on my peeve list for many years and Kathy refers to this in her ‘Top 10 misused words’ list on page 137 of her book. A couple of examples of erroneous uses of ‘less’ when it should have been ‘fewer’:
Article, Sunday Times, June 28th 2020, P9 – ‘Less than three months…….’
‘Call Me Dave’ biography, P154 – ‘Less than twelve hours earlier………’
WORD NOTE:
Equivocate (v) / equivocal (adj) – using vague or ambiguous language in order to avoid speaking directly / capable of various interpretations.
*Grammar notes are dedicated to the memory of ‘Ruthless Editor’ Kathy Watson. Kathy’s book: ‘Grammar for people who hate rules’ is a helpful reference source. Link to book: https://amzn.to/2AaV5bE
This month’s theme reflects the critical issue of interdependence, the relationships and connections between people, resources, and systems at international, national, organizational, team and individual levels. Notably demonstrated at international level between member countries of NATO and support for Ukraine, but seemingly frequently unrecognized between different parties involved in industrial unrest.
‘There are no problems that we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves.’ LYNDON B JOHNSON
The above is listed in EQ4U’s quotes section: TEAMS – EQ4U
GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES
A word below that reflects a positive approach to working together effectively:
• Rapprochement – an establishment or resumption of harmonium relations/ cordial relationship between individuals or groups.
The narrative and dialogue associated with ongoing political upheavals and turmoil prompted this month’s ‘tongue in cheek’ quote:
‘Politics is supposed to be the 2nd oldest profession. I have come to realise that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.’ RONALD REAGAN
The above is listed in EQ4U’s quotes section: PHILOSOPHY – EQ4U
GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES
Singular/ plural word errors
A grammatical error that I understand is one of the most common, and one I frequently hear and read, is a mismatch of singular and plural pairing of a singular word or phrase with a plural word or phrase, or vice versa. Link below to informative website:
Keeping the grammar trolls at bay: how to match singulars and plurals – Concise Writing Consultancy
This month’s quote encapsulates a deeply meaningful reflection for the advocation of peace, applicable to scenarios between individuals and groups as well as nations at war – a fitting contemplation for New Year 2023 and beyond:
‘If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man’s life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.’ HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW
The above is listed in EQ4U’s quotes section: COMMUNICATION & UNDERSTANDING – EQ4U
GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES
Grammar/communication notes to be resumed in February.
Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year,
The Christmas season of goodwill prompts reflections of seeking meaningful understanding of and engagement with others:
‘If I cannot understand my friend’s silence, I will never get to understand his words.’ ENOCH POWELL ‘I don’t think’ …..’then you shouldn’t talk’ said the Hatter LEWIS CARROLL (from Alice in Wonderland)
‘People will forget what you said and will forget what you did but will never forget how you made them feel.’ MAYA ANGELOU
This month’s grammar notes from Kathy’s book, pages 60 – 62 referencing clarification of common Latin abbreviations and correct comma usage:
i.e.,- Latin ‘id est’, meaning ‘that is’ or ‘in other words’, generally followed by a comma.
e.g., – Latin ‘exempli gratia’, meaning ‘for example’. It, too, should be followed by a comma.
et al – Latin ‘et alii’ meaning ‘and others’. It does not require a comma.
etc. – Latin ‘et cetera’ meaning ‘and the rest’, ‘and so forth’. It should be preceded by a comma.
Please continue to let me know if you have any grammar or communication notes that you would like me to include or if you have any comments.
*Grammar notes are dedicated to the memory of ‘Ruthless Editor’ Kathy Watson. Kathy’s book: ‘Grammar for people who hate rules’ is a helpful reference source. Link to book: https://amzn.to/2AaV5bE
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