Why Did My Teacher Deduct Points for My Sentence?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a student's experience with a vocabulary test, specifically the use of the word "recluse" in a sentence. Participants explore the grammatical and contextual appropriateness of the sentence, as well as the implications of spelling and capitalization in English. The conversation includes elements of language usage, spelling variations, and humorous exchanges about place names.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the sentence "Osama was believed to live in recluse" misuses the word "recluse," as it is typically used to describe a person rather than a state of living.
  • One participant proposes that "reclusion" would be a more appropriate term for the intended meaning of living a solitary life.
  • There is a discussion about the capitalization of "Recluse," with some noting it should be capitalized, possibly referring to a place.
  • Several participants engage in a humorous exchange about spelling, particularly the word "sentence," and the differences between British and American English.
  • One participant humorously mentions the existence of places with unusual names, contributing to a light-hearted tone in the discussion.
  • Another participant draws a parallel between historical figures in physics and language evolution, suggesting that language, like scientific understanding, can change over time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct usage of "recluse" and the appropriateness of the student's sentence. There is no consensus on the reasons for the teacher's point deduction, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the grammatical correctness of the sentence.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various interpretations of language usage, spelling conventions, and the significance of capitalization, indicating a range of assumptions and contextual factors that influence their arguments.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to students learning about vocabulary usage, educators discussing grading criteria, and language enthusiasts exploring the nuances of English spelling and grammar.

Willis666
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Today I had a vocabulary test at school. One of the words on the test was recluse, and I had to use it in a sentence. I wrote the following:

Osama was believed to live in recluse.

The teacher put a -1 mark next to the sentence. Usually the teacher will write next to the sentence why it was wrong, but she just wrote -1. Why would she take points off? I didn't have time to bring it up with her today. I also had been drawing in the margins and such on the test, since I finished early, so I was thinking she may have been mad about that and took it out on Osama. My other thought was that she didn't know what Osama was. I really want this one right, since I got an 89%, and with that 1 point, I would have gotten a 92%, which looks a lot better.
 
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Have you looked up the usage of the word? You understand the meaning the root word, but you have used the word incorrectly.
 
Plugging "definition of recluse" into Google gives me this:

"Noun: A person who lives a solitary life and tends to avoid other people."

I don't think you intended to write something that means "Osama was believed to live in a person who lives a solitary life and tends to avoid other people."

A related noun that would fit your sentence better is "reclusion" ("the state of living apart from society, like a hermit").

"Osama was believed to live in reclusion."
 
In other words, a person can be a recluse, but they cannot live in recluse.

Substitute the word "hermit" for recluse. "Osama was believed to live in hermit." See how that doesn't work?
 
I thought sentence was spelt exactly that way, not sentance?
 
StevieTNZ said:
I thought sentence was spelt exactly that way, not sentance?
It is *spelled* sentence. And spelt is an ancient form of wheat. Brit! or NZ person (even worse) :biggrin: You probably have *tyres* on your car.
 
Evo said:
It is *spelled* sentence.
Ah yes! Of course!

Evo said:
or NZ person (even worse) :biggrin:
Clearly

Evo said:
You probably have *tyres* on your car.
My dad has tyres on his car. I never want to drive.
 
Recluse should be capitalized.
 
Jimmy Snyder said:
Recluse should be capitalized.

Ah...Recluse, New Jersey. I've never been.
 
  • #10
Osama lived in reclusion but it was a delusion..
 
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  • #11
lisab said:
Ah...Recluse, New Jersey. I've never been.
Wyoming actually. When I was 17 I was born there and haven't been seen since. Not that I'm much to look at. Anyway, when the population hit 13, the contradiction got to be too much for me and I moved to Wisconsin where I live as a recluse on Hermit Island.
 
  • #12
Here I thought Recluse only existed in fantasy fiction. Do they export much black iron from Wyoming?
 
  • #13
Forget Recluse, Wyoming. I've always wanted to visit Intercourse, Pennsylvania. :-p
 
  • #14
Pennsylvania's the Quaker State, so it's pretty disappointing.
 
  • #15
russ_watters said:
Pennsylvania's the Quaker State, so it's pretty disappointing.
Perhaps Lititz would be more to your liking.
 
  • #16
Curious3141 said:
Forget Recluse, Wyoming. I've always wanted to visit Intercourse, Pennsylvania. :-p

You better go there via Truth Or Consequences.
 
  • #17
You're all going to Hell, Michigan.
 
  • #18
I actually went to Hell, Cayman Islands over Christmas.
 
  • #19
Saladsamurai said:
You're all going to Hell, Michigan.

Been there already:

http://www.aabts.org/ohr/

About thirty years ago I rode a train through Hell, Norway:

hell.JPG
 
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  • #20
None of you ever been in "****ing", Austria?
 
  • #21
jtbell said:
Been there already:

http://www.aabts.org/ohr/

About thirty years ago I rode a train through Hell, Norway:

hell.JPG
I suppose a snowball has a pretty good chance there.
 
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  • #22
Also, click to see my vaykay pix to Cozumel.
pic005.jpg
 
  • #23
Evo said:
It is *spelled* sentence. And spelt is an ancient form of wheat. Brit! or NZ person (even worse) :biggrin: You probably have *tyres* on your car.

Who was using English before America was even discovered.

OH YES, the English!

So who do you think has to right to judge the others spelling?
 
  • #24
rollcast said:
Who was using English before America was even discovered.

OH YES, the English!

So who do you think has to right to judge the others spelling?
Americans do, we fixed their mistakes. :approve:
 
  • #25
Evo said:
Americans do, we fixed their mistakes. :approve:

This English vs. Americanised (note the use of an s and not a z) English could end up like this comedy sketch.

 
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  • #26
rollcast said:
This English vs. Americanised (note the use of an s and not a z) English could end you like this comedy sketch.

That was funny. :biggrin:
 
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  • #27
Wow, that's a lot of replies. Thanks for the answers!
 
  • #28
rollcast said:
Who was using English before America was even discovered.

OH YES, the English!

So who do you think has to right to judge the others spelling?

Newton "discovered" gravity before Einstein, but had it wrong. Would you have Newtonians judge Einstein's physics?

Same with language. The Brits had it first but got it wrong, and we Americans have corrected tons of their mistakes.
 

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