From: Translation Bureau
Language Navigator allows you to search by keyword or by theme to quickly find answers to questions about language or writing in English and French. To learn more about this search engine, consult the section entitled About Language Navigator.
New to Language Navigator? Learn how to search for content in Language Navigator.
Search by keyword
Search fields
Search by theme
Search by theme to quickly access all of the Portal’s language resources related to a specific theme.
About Language Navigator
Language Navigator simultaneously searches all of the writing tools, quizzes and blog posts on the Language Portal of Canada. It gives you access to everything you need to write well in English and French: articles on language difficulties, linguistic recommendations, conjugation tables, translation suggestions and much more.
To translate a term or to find answers to terminology questions in a specialized field, please consult TERMIUM Plus®.
Results 1 to 9 of 9 (page 1 of 1)
Logic 1: What’s wrong with this thinking?
An English-language quiz on identifying logic errors.Each of the following statements represents a logic error. See if you can identify the error.1. If you start letting your teenagers stay out late, soon they will get into drinking and taking drugs, and their lives will be ruined!appeal to traditionbandwagonbiased or suppressed datablack and white thinkingfalse appeal to authorityfalse causenon sequiturslippery slope2. This world-renowned American economist says that Canadian logging practices are environmentally sound.appeal to traditionbandwagonbiased or suppressed datablack and white thinkingfalse appeal to authorityfalse causenon sequiturslippery slope3. It is normal for business writers to use expressions like "pursuant to your request" or "attached herewith please find." This kind of language has been used for decades and sounds professional. So why change?appeal to traditionbandwagonbiased or suppressed datablack and white thinkingfalse appeal to authorityfalse causenon sequiturslippery slope4. The committee was to meet last week to discuss the changes to the project, so a decision still has to be made.appeal to traditionbandwagonbiased or suppressed datablack and white thinkingfalse appeal to authorityfalse causenon sequiturslippery slope5. Most hospital workers think that the health care industry needs more funding. Therefore, hospitals should get more money.appeal to traditionbandwagonbiased or suppressed datablack and white thinkingfalse appeal to authorityfalse causenon sequiturslippery slope6. My son David has been playing a lot with the boy who just moved to the neighbourhood; I recently caught David stealing money out of my purse. He'll have to stop playing with the new boy.appeal to traditionbandwagonbiased or suppressed datablack and white thinkingfalse appeal to authorityfalse causenon sequiturslippery slope7. If you believe in censorship, you have no commitment to free speech.appeal to traditionbandwagonbiased or suppressed datablack and white thinkingfalse appeal to authorityfalse causenon sequiturslippery slope8. Everyone I know believes we should pay women to stay home with their children. It's obviously the right choice.appeal to traditionbandwagonbiased or suppressed datablack and white thinkingfalse appeal to authorityfalse causenon sequiturslippery slopeSource: Quizzes on the Language Portal of Canada
Number of views: 12,396
Weed your words: Clear the clutter
A quiz on weeding out redundancies.We are often told to write the way we speak. But sometimes when we speak, we use more words than we need. While we can get away with redundant and long-winded expressions in speech, we should be careful to avoid this fault in writing. See if you can weed out the unnecessary words in the sentences below.1. No one single person knew the answer.singlesingle and personone2. Children under the age of five must receive this vaccination.the age ofthe and ofunder the age3. By working together, we can build a better community.canby workingno words are redundant4. Take this medication in combination with food to avoid an upset stomach.in combinationstomachno words are redundant5. I worked on the project together with your mother for years before we achieved notable success.togethernotableno words are redundant6. We are in close contact with people in this region, and all without exception have congratulated us on what we have done.closewithout exceptionno words are redundant7. The committee closely scrutinized the report with a fine tooth comb.closelywith a fine tooth combclosely and with a fine tooth combSource: Quizzes on the Language Portal of Canada
Number of views: 10,215
Improve your writing: Say it with a verb!
An English quiz in which the user must identify the verb hidden within a noun in each sentenceDid you know that nouns in a sentence can sometimes contain hidden verbs? For example, in the sentence "I have an objection," the verb to object is hiding within the noun objection. To make your writing clear and effective, avoid hidden verbs. So instead of "I have an objection," get straight to the point with "I object!"In each of the sentences below, there's a verb hidden within a noun. See if you can identify the noun that could be turned into its verb form to create a clear and effective sentence.1. The cook provided an indication that the meal was ready to be served.cookindicationmeal2. Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers took the decision to work together.Keepersdecisionwork3. In school, Mandana displayed a tendency to daydream.daydreamschooltendency4. Twins Patrick and Sammy were in agreement about celebrating their birthday with a day trip to Montréal.agreementbirthdaytrip5. My naturopath has advised that I practise abstinence from all sources of caffeine.abstinencecaffeinesources6. Well-meaning friends launched a bombardment of questions at Finley about her experience.bombardmentexperiencequestions7. Our intention is to continue helping vulnerable populations.helpingintentionpopulations8. The Clerk of the Privy Council made the announcement that she would be retiring after a fulfilling career in the public service.announcementcareerservice9. The investigators conducted an examination of the evidence.investigatorsexaminationevidence10. The store placed a limit on the number of packages customers could buy.storelimitpackagesSource: Quizzes on the Language Portal of Canada
Number of views: 8,729
Plainly said
A quiz on plain language vocabularyHave you ever read a text and wondered "Why doesn't the writer just say what they mean?" That’s where plain language comes in! When you want to communicate a specific message to your audience, it’s important to use clear, simple language.See if you can pick out a simpler word to use in the sentences below.Need a few tips before getting started? Check out our Writing Tips Plus article “clear communication: use clear words and expressions.”1. In Canada, it’s customary to tip your server when dining out.importantunconventionalusual2. The company will terminate his contract.downsizeendlay off3. It’s important to economize now for a future down payment on a house.paysavespend4. The editor found an egregious error in the manuscript.glaringsmalloutstanding5. Five countries will accede to the proposal.agree toappoint todisagree with6. The CRTC will increase its operating budget to cover the aforementioned expenses.aboveincludedattached7. Arlene chided Ernie for taking a long time to finish his homework.praisedscoldedcomforted8. They were able to consolidate the information from the files.spread outseparateput together9. Tom subsequently held a number of positions in the federal government.beforelatercurrently10. The office is using online courses to facilitate employee training. help withdelaysave onSource: Quizzes on the Language Portal of Canada
Number of views: 6,306
Weed your words: Remove redundancies
A quiz on weeding out redundancies.We are often told to write the way we speak. But sometimes when we speak, we use more words than we need. While we can get away with redundant and long-winded expressions in speech, we should be careful to avoid this fault in writing. See if you can weed out the unnecessary words in the sentences below.1. Marisol had to write her essay all over again after her hard drive crashed.overall overno words are redundant2. The mayor and city councillors reached a general consensus of opinion on waste disposal.generalgeneral, of opinionof opinion3. Sidney is the fastest skater of the three Canadian skaters.skaterCanadian skatersno words are redundant4. Use a soft measuring tape to measure around your waist.softsoft, aroundaround5. Rosalie always wakes up at 2 a.m. in the morning.in the morninga.m. in the morningno words are redundant6. There are nine students who signed up for the advanced workshop.whothere arethere are, who7. Manny was both extremely tired and very hungry.bothboth, veryextremely, verySource: Quizzes on the Language Portal of Canada
Number of views: 5,583
Plainly said: Keeping it simple
A quiz on replacing government jargon with plainer languageTechnical terms, specialized language and in-house jargon can make your writing difficult to understand. By using everyday words, you will help readers understand your message. For example, choose pay over remuneration, or change instead of fluctuate. In the sentences below, replace the word in square brackets with the correct plain language equivalent.1. The Government of Canada [allocated] more than $2.5 million to expand the energy-efficient centre.set asidesavedinvested2. The government agency was [vested] with certain powers.refusedstripped ofgiven3. The CEO's responsibilities have [evolved] over time.changedmultiplieddecreased4. The Board wants to help the public understand its members' [expenditures].rolesspendingskills5. The Agency is warning people with peanut allergies not to [ingest] ABC Saltwater Taffy.buyselleat6. Do you [attest] that you have understood the conditions on this form?confirmagreethink7. The Internet [facilitates] registration for licences.increasescomplicatessimplifies8. The committee reached a [consensus].an agreementa decisionan impasseSource: Quizzes on the Language Portal of Canada
Number of views: 3,381
Test yourself—More questions from the inbox
Is the sentence correct or does it contain a problem? Read the article More questions from the inbox to help you out.1. “Cities would be a lot friendlier,” said Jeb, “if they had less people in them.”is correcthas a problem2. There looked to be at least nine students stuffed into the Volkswagen Beetle inexplicably parked on the roof of the administration building.is correcthas a problem3. Having moved away at 12, Rashida’s hometown no longer seemed familiar.is correcthas a problem4. Chuckling contentedly to herself, the baby spattered the opposite wall with applesauce.is correcthas a problem5. The bitter critic who writes for our newspaper belittles any movie made in Hollywood and gives fewer glowing reviews than anyone else in the business.is correcthas a problem6. The security guard’s walk across the lawn, down to the river and along the bicycle path to the stone archway, took him through most of the property under his care.is correcthas a problemSource: Peck’s English Pointers (articles and exercises on the English language)
Number of views: 93
Test yourself—New questions from the inbox
Is the sentence correct or does it contain a problem? Read the article New questions from the inbox to help you out.1. Canada medalled in women’s speed skating again last night, making this the third podium visit for the women’s team in the past four days.is correcthas a problem2. Zara is experienced in web design, social media and public relations; as such, she is a perfect fit for the job.is correcthas a problem3. The Ribinskis’ application to build a combined House of Tacos and Paintball Park is the most intriguing we have seen all year, and we will progress it through council without delay.is correcthas a problem4. Zara is an experienced web designer, social media consultant and public relations specialist; as such, she is a perfect fit for the job.is correcthas a problem5. I would like to set the record straight, that is, to prove to you that I had nothing to do with the damage to Seth’s cubicle or the theft of his Darth Vader action figures.is correcthas a problem6. MineXco has a strict protocol in place at its facilities to prevent any exceedance of pollutants and, as such, the company expects to improve its environmental performance in the coming year.is correcthas a problemSource: Peck’s English Pointers (articles and exercises on the English language)
Number of views: 86
Test yourself—Further questions from the inbox
Choose the correct word. Read the article Further questions from the inbox to help you out.1. Graciously yet firmly, Aunt Matilda declined the kipper-topped waffles we offered her for breakfast, explaining that she was still digesting all the (food/foods) she’d eaten the night before.foodfoods2. Following this section (is/are) several case studies that illustrate the importance of having regular dental checkups.isare3. Ever since we bought the Downturnshire Abbey series on DVD, that British mail order company has been sending monthly catalogues to my roommate and (I/me).Ime4. Omar’s wardrobe for the weekend getaway (comprised/was comprised of) two designer suits, four pressed shirts, a silk bathrobe, flip-flops and a pair of flowered board shorts.comprisedwas comprised of5. If you have celiac disease, always check the ingredients before eating luncheon meat, imitation seafood, sauces, soup mixes and other processed (food/foods) that may contain gluten.foodfoods6. An autographed Trevor Linden jersey, a Harry Potter Half-Blood Prince lunch box and a dog-eared note from the red-haired girl in Grade 6 (comprised/made up) (Fergus’/Fergus’s) collection of most prized possessions.comprisedmade up7. I will always cherish the photo of you and (I/me) at the top of Coliseum Mountain and will never forget the sweat we generated getting there.ImeSource: Peck’s English Pointers (articles and exercises on the English language)
Number of views: 87