1. Tuesday, September 9th,2014 Word of the Day a lot the opposite of “a little” is ALWAYS two words. Mark has a lot of toys. She talks a lot.

2. Tuesday, September 9th,2014 Word of the Day grueling (adjective) extremely tiring and demanding They put themselves through grueling marathons of public scrutiny. It was a grueling journey through horrible heat and humidity.

3. Wednesday, September 10th,2014 Word of the Day conversely (adverb) just the opposite being true / usually at the beginning of a statement She cannot stand sugary food; conversely, her husband is fond of sweets. Conversely, common knowledge is that when the body gets chilled, it is more vulnerable to illness..

4. Thursday, September 11,2014 Word of the Day justification (noun) a reason, fact, circumstance, or explanation Chapter 3 provides a justification for the study of the classics, especially the Greeks. There is no justification for cheating on a test.

5. Monday, September 15,2014 ELPA Tip of the Day there / their / they’re Use there when indicating place (hint: here). Ex: There is an old haunted house. Use their when showing possession (hint: our). Ex: Their dog is so well behaved. Use they’re as a contraction for they are. Ex: They’re coming over for dinner.

6. Tuesday, September 16,2014 ELPA Tip of the Day Affect vs Effect Most of the time, affect with an ‘a’ is a verb and effect with an ‘e’ is a noun. The mnemonic device below can help differentiate the two:

7. Tuesday September 16 th, 2014 Affect with an “a” means: “to influence” or “to transform” Ex: The rain affected my hair. *If you can substitute the word “affect” with influence or transform, you have the correct one. Effect with an “e” means: “the result” or “outcome” or “consequence” Ex: What effect does taking sleep aids have on you? *If you can substitute result, outcome or consequence, you are correct.

8. Wednesday, September 17,2014 ELPA Tip of the Day than vs then Use than as a word indicating comparison Ex: She looks less fierce than Mary. Use then as a word indicating time Ex: I went to the supermarket, then to the salon.

9. Thursday, September 18, 2014 ELPA Tip of the Day To/ too Use to to indicate direction, location, or relationship (this word is a preposition) Ex: “My brother is married to an American.” Use too to mean “also” or “as well” Ex: “I am coming, too!”

10. Monday, September 22, 2014 ELPA Tip of the Day Your / You’re Use your when showing possession. Ex: Your shirt is very nice. Use you’re as a contraction for you are. Ex: You’re getting a new puppy today!

11. Tuesday, September 23 rd,2014 ELPA Tip of the Day Here / hear Use here when indicating location/place. Ex: Please place your assignments here. Use hear when referring to sound. Ex: Do you hear what I hear?

12. Wednesday, September 24, 2014 ELPA Tip of the Day allowed vs aloud Use allowed when meaning permission. Ex: Martha was allowed to go to the school dance. Use aloud when referring to speaking. Ex: When read aloud, the story was much more interesting.

13. Monday, September 29, 2014 ELPA Tip of the Day which / witch Which witch is which? Use which as a preposition. Ex: Which house is yours? Use witch when referring to a person who practices Witchcraft. Ex: The witch brewed a potion and casted a spell last night.

14. Tuesday, September 30, 2014 ELPA Tip of the Day weather / whether Use weather when referring to the climate Ex: The weather forecast says it’s going to be sunny. Use whether when expressing doubt or choice between alternatives Ex: He seemed undecided whether to stay or to go.

15. Wednesday, October 1, 2014 ELPA Tip of the Day patience / patients Use patience when referring to someone who is willing to wait. Ex: My mother has a lot of patience. Use patients when referring to people who see a doctor, dentist, psychologist, etc. Ex: The patients were waiting patiently to see the doctor.

16. Monday, October 2, 2014 ELPA Tip of the Day led / lead Use led when meaning to guide. Ex: The woman led the horse around the corral. Use lead when referring to metal. Ex: The door was made of lead.