Go is an irregular verb, meaning that it doesn’t simply take on “-ed” when changing the verb tense to the past or participle (used in the present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect tenses). Go is a verb that someone communicating in English will encounter regularly, so thought it wise to review this one with you.

Examples:
Present tense

• I must go to the store.
• He goes to the store every Sunday.

Past tense

• We went to the store last Sunday.

Participle

• He has gone to the store every Sunday for the past few years.

Ready to test your skills? 

​A very cruel expression that made its first appearance in print in the 1840s is “there’s more than one way to skin a cat”. The variations of this expression are even more vile and graphic.

People use this expression to suggest there are several ways to do something or get something done.

Example:
It’s been quite the challenge to get support for something at work. The colleague I confided in replied that there is more than one way to skin a cat – let’s brainstorm some ideas. While taken aback at the horrendous use of this expression, their heart was in the right place to help me come up with other ways to achieve my goal.

I cannot confirm whether the following is true, but one comforting explanation for this phrase is that it’s not actually referencing skinning our cute little feline friends, but rather a phrase that originated in the American south region that pertains to the preparation of a catfish.
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The question then becomes, “Who shortened it to cat?! WHO?!” 

Reference:
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-mor1.htm

A friend of mine was kind enough to correct me when I mistakenly used the expression “case and point” when trying to present an example that supported an argument. Ironically, he succeeded in his argument by using the correct expression, which is "case in point".

So why do we say “case in point”?

It comes from the French expression a pointe. In English, it was “in point” in the mid-1600s, and then became “case in point” in the 1700s.
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Case in point is a popular expression used more often in conversation than in writing. My example:
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It is difficult to cover a song and have everyone love it as much as the original, but some people can do it successfully. Case in point: Hurt by Johnny Cash. (It was originally written and sung by Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails.

Reference:
https://writingexplained.org/idiom-dictionary/case-in-point

This will be short and sweet.

An asterisk is the term used in many languages for the symbol of the little star (*). It is often used to indicate that there is more information about something in another part of the text.

Not to be confused with…

​Asterix, or in French, Astérix, who is the main character of the satirical, self-titled comic book series.

The official site: Asterix - Astérix - Le site officiel

Let’s talk about Canadian freedoms.
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There are four fundamental freedoms outlined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

1. freedom of conscience and religion
2. freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication
3. freedom of peaceful assembly
4. freedom of association

Let’s dive in quickly to see if any of these freedoms have been taken away from Canadians.

1. Canadians continue to have the freedom of holding their own convictions and religion. This freedom has not been taken from us.
2. Canadians continue to have the freedom to their thoughts, beliefs, opinions, and expression. This freedom is permitted so long as it does not infringe on people’s equality rights – namely to be free of discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, and sex.
3. Canadians continue to have the freedom of peaceful assembly. We all have the right to protest.
4. Canadians continue to have the freedom of association. This freedom allows Canadians to join others to pursue their constitutional rights or freedoms. Freedom of association protects group activities that an individual cannot perform by themselves.

~~~~~~~
Let’s talk about the occupations in Ottawa and across Canada.

Initially, these people were allowed to come to Ottawa because all Canadians have the freedom to protest in peaceful assembly. However, this is not peaceful; they have wreaked havoc and are most notably known for being bigots, racists, and if they had any real powers, tyrants. (Wanting to start their own non-elected government and open their own banks). Ok, there.

Clearly the method taken by the occupiers is that they will not leave until their demands are met. Their occupation has been violent, resulting in several criminal arrests.

Those who support this self-named “Freedom Convoy”: Take a look. Take a really good look.

Are these the kind of people you want to be associated with? The white supremacist organizers preyed on Truck Drivers to do the majority of their bidding. It’s not about the mandates on international border crossings for these folks as those who do not wish to get vaccinated have been re-routed to domestic routes.

Protest 101 tip – make sure you know who the organizers are, what the money being raised is supporting, and what the actual protest is about.

We all have our freedoms in Canada. Nothing has been taken away from us.

References:
WHO announces simple, easy-to-say labels for SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest and Concern
Omicron: Why did WHO skip over two letters in Greek alphabet to name latest variant? (slate.com)

Reference:
​www.history.com/news/history-of-the-jack-o-lantern-irish-origins
​

When we want to express a reciprocal relationship between two or more things/people, we can use the words ‘each other’. 

'Each other' is always spelled as two separate words. Always.

It can be confusing to some because when pronounced, the words are said in quick succession. In other words, it sounds like it should be one word. Have a listen.

​How can we remember that 'each other' is always two words?

My trick is to remember the definition. It’s about describing a relationship between TWO or more things.

Hope this helps. Good luck! 😃