uwloo

ENGL 140RThe Use of English

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
English

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 0 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course examines the use of English in a variety of contexts (colloquial, scientific, legal, political, commercial, journalistic, literary, etc.) to increase critical awareness of the language and help students write more clearly and effectively.

Prerequisites

None listed.

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Reviewed on UW Flow

45% liked it81% easy48% useful

From 55 ratings and 10 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Had lecture titles like "apostrophes: when and when not?" and "semicolons: just for academics, or can real people use them too?"

    Apr 2014 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • boring, boring, boring

    Jun 2013 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This course is a good way to fulfill the first year English requirement for health studies, as it does not take up much of your time. I also learned so many new things (i.e. grammar conventions) and assignment habits (i.e. planning process), that I will be able to take with me for the rest of my undergraduate career.
    Vinh handled this remote term very well. He assigned us about 5 discussion forums, 4 small quizzes, and 2 major assignments that he gave us plenty of time to work on. He was always available if you ever need help. and kept students very engaged throughout the term. Take this course if you are looking to fulfill your program requirement or looking for an easy elective.

    Apr 2021 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • I recommend this ENGL course as the PH/Health Studies English requirement.

    Sep 2020 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • It's required if you are in SDS, and while it's not going to teach you any life changing lessons, you might catch a new tip here or there. The grammar tests on actually editing with and using 13 styles of writing are difficult if you have too many tests in other classes too.

    Mar 2017 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

25 posts and comments in 20 threads mention ENGL 140R, October 2011 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Spring 2022

Fall 2021

Spring 2021

Spring 2020

eng140r vs. eng109 1 point, 7 comments

“i took eng140r for my fall semester with Bratton. do you think i should change it to eng109? i've been hearing really good things about eng109, is it easier than eng140? what's the course load like? …”

u/Zeno714: “You can find course and prof reviews on UW flow. ENGL 140R ENGL 109 But, you probably won’t be actually able to get in the course. I’ve tried swapping my comm course/prof a few times with no luck.”

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ENGL 108F, ENGL 108A, ENGL 140R 4 points, 4 comments

u/crystal-waters: “I'm an incoming first year planning to major in English RMPC! Any input on profs or how engaging/fun the courses (The Rebel, The Superhero, The Use of English) are would be great! I'm most likely taking ENGL 101B already so I'm only going to take one or two of the above courses.”

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Fall 2019

english 109 or 140R 1 point, 2 comments

u/linobby: “health studies student here! english course is required and i dont know whether to choose between ENGL 109 or ENGL 140R. I'm hearing varying reviews about both, anyone have any input? (not going to take online 109)”

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Spring 2019

Public health electives 2 points, 2 comments

“Can you guys recommend me good and easy electives to take for my first year in public health? It would really help me out thank you!!!”

u/UrDadEd: “Engl109 or ENGL140R and HLTH 173 (food, nutrition and health)”

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Winter 2018

ENGL 140R VS ENGL 109 3 points, 10 comments

u/tigerbeast117: “Which is the easier / more engaging course? And which would you recommend taking?”

u/bobawhine: “ENGL 140R is very easy. You don't write as much as you have to for ENGL 109. It's easy to deal with 140R content and assignments because it's a very engaging class. …”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar