Thursday, January 22, 2009

Common Errors in English usage: Part II

ALL IN ALL vs. ALL AND ALL

“The dog got into the fried chicken, we forgot the sunscreen, and the kids started whining at the end, but all in all the picnic was a success.” “All in all” is a traditional phrase which can mean “all things considered,” “after all,” or “nevertheless.” People unfamiliar with the traditional wording often change it to “all and all,” but this is nonstandard.

Want a ride in my new toy Yoda?

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The 3 C's of classroom management? No,not exactly...

The time that you wake up, no matter what the actual time is, the moment you come to after a long restful sleep - that for me, has always been the best time for reflection. It's my most lucid moment. It's the juncture where Conscience and Consciousness are miserably duking it out - should I stay or should I go? That's where I fleetingly involuntarily submit to a state of clarity and weigh any personal dilemma I'm in. The answer miraculously dawns upon me at this point. Great!

Then I wake up. Somehow, Consciousness wins but later succumbs to Cynicism. Great.