TELAWAA: Saturday, July 16, 2016

 I keep hearing that one event or the other is scheduled to hold.... Sorry, may I say it for the umpteenth time: Events, activities, programmes,etc., don't hold. Instead, people hold them. Just say: "The event/programme/party would be held...." or "We will hold the event...." "They hold the meeting on a monthly basis." As such, you are saying people, rather, would gather to perform the act of holding the event, activity, programme, and so on. Don't even say: "My English class would hold tomorrow". It is totally incorrect to say, please! Is that clear enough?

TELAWAA: Thursday, July 14, 2016
 My big boss, teacher and mentor, Professor Segun Awonusi, an astute scholar of English, sent this to me and gave me the permission to post to all: "The English language has some wonderfully anthropomorphic collective nouns for the various groups of animals. We are all familiar with: a herd of cows a flock of chickens a school of fish a gaggle of geese However, less widely known is: a pride of lions, a murder of crows (as well as their cousins the rooks and ravens), an exaltation of doves, and presumably because they look so wise. a congress of owls... Now, consider a group of Baboons. They are the loudest, most dangerous, most obnoxious, most viciously aggressive and least intelligent of all primates. And what is the proper collective noun for a group of baboons? Believe it or not -- "parliament"... "A PARLIAMENT OF BABOONS" Guess that pretty much explains the things that come out from the Parliaments we have these days. MY TAKE: I hope you get the crux of the gist?

TELAWAA: Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Just now, I heard an event facilitator, on TV, say:

"When people gather together...."


I simply asked loudly, as if she could hear me:

"Can you ever gather separately?"

Does anyone get my point here?

You simply "gather".
Saying "gather together" makes you guilty of tautology, but that is what you hear most people say, too often.

That brings to mind a popular song we often sing in our churches:

"We are gathering together unto Him...."

Imagine how much of blunder we commit, singing that song!

Is this clear enough?

TELAWAA: Tuesday, July 12, 2016

 In a bid to sound sarcastic on English and perhaps its users, someone posted: "N500 worth of airtime for anybody that can translate this to correct English 'OGBAMUGBAMU OJU ORUN O SE GBAMU." (In Yoruba, that's one of the eulogies for God, the Almighty) Well, I often receive a lot of such posts from people, sending to me directly, perhaps in a bid to ridicule English or so. Well, I usually smile at their ignorance but here is my comment to the latest one: "Jokes apart, there is a difference between translation and transliteration. NB: You don't translate idioms, clichés, indigenous names, technical terms, jargon, and the like. You simply transliterate! Let's leave out the sarcasm that that is meant to have on English, as a language. Mind you, it applies to every language, not just English. Linguistically, you don't translate such linguistic properties; rather, you transliterate. To "transliterate" is to cleverly summarise the idea, message or sense in a structure". Worthy of note is the fact that language is first a cultural property before it is anything else! Simple!

TELAWAA: Monday, July 11, 2016
 Every time you use the word "diaspora", ensure the article "the" precedes it. This is a necessity, please! Always say "the diaspora". e.g. Government should protect all its citizens, including those in the diaspora ( not just "diaspora"). Kindly note!

TELAWAA: Sunday, July 10, 2016

 May I ask: What comes to your mind when you hear or come across the word 'bogus'? I smile when people use the word 'bogus' to mean "big", "large". You now hear an expression like "My friend likes small cars but his latest car is very bogus". What a big blunder! CAUTION: The word "bogus" simply means "fake". Sorry, it doesn't mean "big" or "extremely large", like you think. e.g. He was arrested by the police because he had bogus car papers (meaning "fake papers"). This is interesting, isn't it?

When you use "anniversary"...

TELAWAA: Tuesday, June 14, 2016

 The word "anniversary" talks about an annual celebration; hence, it is a blunder to say: "Tenth year anniversary" "Second year wedding anniversary" "Fifteenth year church anniversary" Isn't that not what you often say? Every time you say "anniversary", you don't need to add the word "year". When you do, you are guilty of tautology. Just say: "Tenth anniversary" "Second wedding anniversary" "Fifteenth church anniversary"
 I feel you now know better, right?

See this!

TELAWAA: Friday, June 3, 2016

One of my jolly good fellows requested that I should explain the difference between "despite" and "inspite" (Just the way he put it).

To him, that is very difficult to figure out.

Hear me out, please: There is no such single word as "inspite"; what we have is "in spite".

People often write "inspite", but that doesn't exist in English, please.
What we have is "in spite", which can be substituted for "despite".

NB: Can you note that "in spite" is not one word. It is two words.

Please note this, and mind your grammar, will you?

"en route"

TELAWAA: Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Have you noticed the way most people use "en route"?


CAUTION: It is when you want to refer to where you are going to that you use "en route". It cannot be used to refer to where you are coming from.

e.g. I am en route Kaduna. (That means I am heading to Kaduna.)

NB: You cannot say " en route" when you mean you are coming from Kaduna.

Is that clear?

No word exists as "outrightly"

TELAWAA: Monday, May 30, 2016

Is there ever a word like "outrightly"?

Sorry, NO!

CAUTION: The word there is "outright" which exists as an adverb as well as an adjective.

e.g. He had enough guts to say it outright (not "outrightly").

:: If I were you, I won't accept to get the whole property outright (not "outrightly").

:: He isn't ready to pay the whole money outright, but he promised to pay in instalments (not "outrightly").

Raise your hand, if you are among many guilty of that!

Mind your grammar, will you?

See this and digest!

 Sunday, May 29, 2016
 Two days ago, we celebrated Children's Day and today, it's Democracy Day.
 May I say that special days like these should have their initials written in capital letters.
 Note the way I wrote mine. I never wrote: "democracy day" or "children's day".

 I hope you get my point?

"cheater"?

TELAWAA: Saturday, May 28, 2016

 Someone that cheats is called a cheat, not a cheater. You probably mean that animal called "cheetah", but that never refers to that person that cheats u.
 So, say: He is a cheat (not "cheater").
 Please note!

Funny, but...

Friday, May 27, 2016
 It dawned on me to correct an old cliché that we have always abused, especially while growing up as kids. "Jangilova epo moto". Sorry, it's actually "jingle over like a motor".
 Is that understood?

I bet you could be guilty of this!

Thursday, May 26, 2016
 "It was when she finally spoke up that I suspected that something was fishing." Could you check that expression and tell me what is wrong with it.

 That word is"fishy", not "fishing". Now, say: It was when she finally spoke up that I suspected that something was fishy (not "fishing").

 I hope you now know better?

Using "furniture", "equipment"

Wednesday, May 25, 2016
 "He imported all the furnitures in his entire house." I heard that, and what do you think is wrong with that expression? CAUTION: Can the word"furniture" ever take on an 's' plural marker, as in "furnitures"? No way! The word "furniture"is always "furniture", in any case whatsoever. So is the case with "equipment". e.g. He imported all the furniture in his entire house (not "furnitures").
 The new building requires as many equipment for its completion. (not "equipments"). Good enough!

Too many people are caught guilty of this!

 Tuesday, May 24, 2016

 "This exercise is scheduled for June 6 and will hold at the same time in the whole federation...." I got that from an online post, and what do you see wrong with the expression?
 CAUTION: Events, meetings, activities don't hold. Rather, people hold them. My point here is that it is a blunder to say that "an event will hold...".
 Let me now put it correctly: "This exercise is scheduled for June 6 and will be held at the same time in the whole federation...." (That now means the event would be held by humans not the event holding by itself, as implied in the first expression.)

 I hope you get my point?

How to use "compare"

Monday, May 23, 2016
 I was glued to watching an exclusive interview with a popular Nollywood actor and I heard him say: "You cannot compare me with Nonso Diobi".m My question: Isn't that a blunder to say? It is "compare to", not "compare with".
 Examples: I can't compare my taste now to what I had as a child (not "compare with"). Beans contains more nutritional supplements when compared to rice (not "compared with").
 I think this is clear enough, isn't it?

How to use "on" and "off"

 Sunday, May 22, 2016
 Someone said this to my hearing: "Off the TV and on it again". Do you "on" and "off" an appliance? Hell no! Let me emphasise that you add "put" or "switch" to "on" or "off".
 Hence, the extension should be: "Switch/put off the TV and switch/put it on again".
 Kindly note!

You may now get this right!

Saturday, May 21, 2016
 Most people would rather get confused as to whether certain words are singular in form or plural. For examples, let's consider the words "police", "team". Say: The Police is working hard to arrest the criminal (not "are") The team is good enough to win the league (not "are"). I'm sure you feel the nouns should take on "are". NB: Note that the words "police"and "team" suggest plurality, although having a singular structure. I hope to teach another layer to this, soon. Thanks!

This is crucial to note

Friday, May 20, 2016
 These are pairs of words people often substitute wrongly: "am versus I'm"; "ear versus hear"; "being versus been","here versus hear". You see expressions like: Am fine thank you, instead of "I'm". She's been stupid, instead of "being". I'm hear, instead of "here".
 Caution, please!

You have to know this, please!

Thursday, May 19, 2016
 May I instruct that you learnt to use partitives with non-count nouns, rather that making them suffer abuse in your hands.
 Words like "bread", "yam", "milk" and "salt" should take on partitives as this: a loaf of bread/ a slice of bread a tuber of yam/ a slice of yam a tin of milk/a sachet of milk a pinch of salt It's a blunder when you just say: "Give me one bread" or "Give me yam" These are incorrect.
 Please, note!

"trickish"?

Wednesday, May 18, 2016
 Is there anything wrong with this grammatical expression: "She asked me a very trickish question." Is there ever any word like"trickish"? Sorry, you actually mean to say "tricky", every time you say "trickish".
 Now,say: He asked me a very tricky question." Another example: One tricky person I don't want to ever meet is your brother (not "trickish").
 NB: "tricky" is the word, not "trickish". Do you now know better?

Check this, please!

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Some would rather say "Do you know that..." when they should actually say "Did you know that...".

CAUTION: By the first, you are saying that you mean to say or assume that you expect a response from the person, as a way of checking whether or not they have an information at their disposal.
e.g. Do you know the house of Davido?
Do you think I should invest in that business?
NB: By this, you are expecting to give an answer, isn't it?

But when you hope to divulge an information, while asking a question, you say "did", not "do".

e.g. Did you know that Eko Hotel was built by a group of investors? (Not "do", because you now know.)

Did you know that lions study their preys before attacking them? (Not "do", because you now know.)


Tell me you don't get my point.

This you must know!

 Monday, May 9, 2016
 The word "symposium" has as its plural "symposia", although "symposiums" is often used and adjudged correct too.
 Similarly, the plural of the word "stadium" is "stadia", although "stadiums" is often adjudged correct too.
 I need you to digest these, please!

This is crucial to know!

 Sunday, May 8, 2016
 Just today, my little nephew of age four and little niece of age two were on a date with me. I looked at my little niece in the face and asked "Pamilerin, are you okay?" While she nodded, next thing my nephew said was "Okay with what?" I just burst into laughter because I imagined how smart but ignorant he is, in this regard. Yes, many people can be guilty of that too. "Are you okay?" is like asking how you are, in an attempt to be sure that you are in a good mood. Funny enough, elders and maybe certain cultures will frown at it, especially if it is coming from a younger person.
 I wish you get my point.

This will really interest you.

Saturday, May 7, 2016
 May I emphasise that every time you try to make a list and you want to indicate that there are more similar examples on the list, say "...and the like", not "...and the likes".
 Too bad that most people often say "and the likes", which is incorrect. e.g. It is good to eat a lot of fruits like orange, paw-pawpaw pine-apple, guava and the like (not "and the likes"). Now, get this: You say "The likes of Amaka, Tunde, Musa should be employed for the job.
 Can you now compare the two?

This tautology!

Friday, May 6, 2016

 A correspondent on a local TV station just said this: "Speaker Yakubu Dogara has reinstated the commitment of the government to resettle the IDPs back to their communities." I ask: "resettle back?" CAUTION: Sorry, that is a tautology. You simple "resettle", you don't "resettle back"; same way you don't "reverse back".
 Is that clear now?

I wish you know this and adjust!

 Thursday, May 5, 2016

 May I tell you that there is a deference among "talk to" , "talk with" and "talk at". NB: When you "talk to", you do that with the intention of doing the talking alone. To "talk with" is to engage the second party in the conversation such that you talk and he/she talks too, in response. To "talk at" is quite derogatory. It is to ridicule, insult or look down on someone in a conversation. e.g. Tee Billz talked at Tiwa Savage, in a bid to expose what people didn't know about them. CAUTION: Almost everyone keeps saying "Tee Billz talked with or talked to. No, please! I see you can now differentiate the three!

I bet you don't want to miss this!

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

The adjectives "angry", stupid" can take on the "-er" marker of the comparative form of adjectives and the "-est" superlative form. As a matter of fact, it is Standard English to do so. e.g. "angry/angrier/angriest "stupid/stupider/stupidest e.g. I told her I am angrier than anybody else in that class although she claimed she was the angriest of all. He behaves stupider than the rest, although the stupidest person I know in this world is Gbenga. I hope you get my point?

"nephew", "niece"

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

 Your "nephew" is the son of any of your siblings while your "niece" is the daughter of any of your siblings. Please, don't get it twisted. Many often mix them up.
 Caution, please!

"mince words"

Monday, May 2, 2016

 "Without mincing words, I want to say I love you dearly."
 That word is "mince", not "miss; not even "mix". CAUTION: I hear some people say: "Without missing words...."; "Without mixing words...."

 That's never correct, please! To "mince words" is to say something indirectly.
 Do you now understand?

How many people have committed these blunder, today?

 Sunday, May 1, 2016
 Today is Sunday, the first day of the month and Workers' Day. If you must send your greetings to people, say: "Happy Sunday, Happy New Month and Happy Workers' Day" See the way I wrote mine. My point here is that days of the week, festive seasons and special holidays must have their initials written in capital letters.
 See what most people have been posting: "happy sunday, happy new month and happy workers' day" That's a blunder, please!

Who is your "uncle", "aunt"?

Saturday, April 30, 2016
 Sequel to a recent lesson, I said I was going to ask what is your idea of "uncle" and "aunt". Who is your "uncle" or "aunt"? Truth is that in Original English, that is Standard British English (SBE), your "uncle" is the younger brother of your father or mother. Similarly, your "aunt" is the younger sister of your father or mother. Hence, it is even a case of tautology to say "biological uncle/aunt".

 My point here is that, often times, we call every older person around us, "uncle", "aunt". In fact, children would rather call their teachers in school, "uncle", "aunt", and even the teachers are not saying anything about that. Please, an Englishman frowns at that! You now see?

See this and adjust!

 Friday, April 29, 2016

 "At what point did you demand for your money?" That is a question asked by someone. Sorry, let me sound it to your hearing: You don't "demand for"; you simply "demand". Say: "At what point did you demand your money?" Someone also said: "Order for your beads and hats"; Sorry, you don't "order for", you simply "order". Say : "Order your beads and hats"; How I wish you digest this and pass it on to other prospective culprits. Thanks.

Who is your "brother", "sister"?

Thursday, April. 28, 2016

 When I say "This is my brother", it is a blunder for you to ask me: "Is he your biological brother?" Truth is that in Standard English, your "brother" is your male sibling that you share the same blood with. i.e. From the same parents, same father or mother. In this part of the world, we call every male "brother"; say Church mates, classmates, friends, etc.
Same applies to "sister".

Let me treat "uncle " and "aunt" later.

 I understand that idea though, but we are talking English here. Is that clear?

Check out your spellings!

 Wednesday, April 27, 2016

 Check your spellings: "accommodation", "occasion", "pronunciation". For accommodation, note that it is double C and double M. For "occasion", note that it is Double C and single S. For "pronunciation", note that there is no letter O before the U.
Most people often spell as "pronounciation" and that is very wrong.

 Is that clear now?

Mind this "grammar", please!

 Tuesday, April 26, 2016

 See this: "One of the boys (is/are) here." Which of the options is correct? It is "IS".
CAUTION: Many people are likely to think that the correct is "ARE", maybe because of the word "boys" which is a plural noun and closer to the verbal space. No, "boys" isn't the subject of the sentence. It is the phrase "one of the boys", meaning just one out of many boys.




 Don't get it twisted, please!

"junks", "jargons"?

Monday, April 25, 2016

 The word "junk" mustn't take on 's'. In other words, no such word as "junks". Isn't that not what you say when you eat "biscuits, pie, and other snacks? Say "I like taking junk (not 'junks')". Also, the word "jargon" isn't to take on 's'.
No such word as "jargons". e.g. He kept talking jargon and I just couldn't pick any point (not "jargons"). Is that clear?

See a post I got full of blunders.

Sunday, April 24, 2016
 I got this post from a friend: "As you make your bed, so you lay on it. Make your bedroom beautiful all the time. Order for 100% cotton for bedsheets ,duvets,duvet covers..."
 What do you see wrong with that? Of course, I can see two blunders here: 1. "lie" is the correct word, not "lay".i.e. "As you make your bed, so you LIE on it." 2. You don't "order for", you simply "order". i.e. Order 100% cotton for bedsheets ,duvets,duvet covers...." (It's incorrect to add "for" to the verb "order".) Is this now clear enough?

These are too common blunders!

 Saturday, April 23, 2016

 Every time I walk past a shop and I see "Books and Stationeries sold here", I tend to wonder how much people have abused that word "stationery", thinking you can add "ies" to form its plural.

 CAUTION: The word "stationery" must not take on 'ies' in any case whatsoever. i.e. "stationery" is always "stationery". Same applies to "jewellery" and "cutlery". Never attempt to add "ies" to them, please!

"fez cap", not "face cap"

Friday, April 21, 2016

 May I let you know that what you call "face cap" is actually "fez cap". CAUTION: The cap you often wear on your heard is "fez cap", not "face cap".
 Do you still doubt it? Check your dictionary, please. Raise your hand, if you have been guilty of these, all along! I'm sure I would see many hands raised now.
 Caution, please!

Hear this blunder from a newcaster!

Thursday, April 21, 2016

 Just this afternoon, during the mid-day news hour of a popular local TV station, I heard the newscaster say: "...all the cattles of the herdsmen". I just couldn't stop to imagine why that newscaster would think that the word "cattle" can take on 's'.
 Sorry, it's never so! The word cattle is a non-count noun, used in the generic sense to refer to cows. It must not take on 's' in any case, whatsoever. The expression should have been "...all the cattle of the herdsmen."



 Noted?

"How is you?"

 Wednesday, April 20, 2016

 I am aware that some people would say "How is you?", in the place of "How are you?", and someone has queried me to know if it is correct. Never! That can never be correct. That is probably from American Pidgin English.

 NB: Every language has it's own pidgin form, like we have Yoruba Pidgin, Igbo Pidgin, Hausa Pidgin, and so on. I know this would generate a lot of dust. Ask me any question!

"strike"

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

 "I have striked out that for now, since I can't help it." That's what someone said. CAUTION: Like this fellow, you too are likely to think that the past tense and past participle of "strike" is "striked". No! Say "strike/struck/struck" e.g. I have struck out that for now, since I can't help it. Thanks!

Most writers and speakers commit this blunder, too often!

 Tuesday, April 12, 2016

 "The man was shot on the leg because he refused to cooperate with a policeman who demanded for bribe." That is what I just read, and what do you see wrong about that? Two major blunders, of course!
 1. You don't shoot "on" the leg; rather, you shoot IN....
 2. You don't "demand for", you simply "demand". Then, the expression should have been: "The man was shot IN the leg because he refused to cooperate with a policeman who demanded bribe."
 Kindly note!

Saying "brethren"

 Monday, April 11, 2016
May I bring to your notice that the word "brethren" is plural, lest you continue to think it is singular, and saying "brethrens" as its plural. This implies that a single person cannot be called "brethren", just like "brethren" doesn't exist as plural. NB: Every time you say "brethren", a plural verb is used. e.g. The brethren are still expecting the pastor to arrive. I hope this is clear enough?

When you use "every"...

 Sunday, April 10, 2016

 Hear this: "I am a winner over every sicknesses and diseases." CAUTION: If you have to make such a positive confession, you just must know that "every" is a singular pronoun/article which must, compulsorily, take on singular nouns or verbs, as the case may be. In this case, the expression should be: "I am an winner over every sickness and disease" (not "...every sicknesses and diseases"). Is that clear?

This could make you laugh!

Saturday, April 9, 2016


 Are you among those that say "in case of incasity"? Well, I am yet to know where that language abuse is from. Not Nigerian Pidgin English, this time, I mean some claim to speak English and use that. There is nothing like that in English, please!

Correct usage of the word "late"

Friday, April 8, 2016
 I wish to bring it to your notice that the adjective "late" (meaning 'the state of being dead') can only be used in the attributive sense and never in the predicative sense. Let me try to make this simpler for your understanding. All adjectives are like that. i.e. Used either attributively or predicatively. This means that some adjectives can come before nouns while others only come at the end of the sentence, without preceding nouns. For "late", you can never say something like "Ademuyiwa Osinuga is late". You can only have "late" coming before a noun. e.g. The late Ademuyiwa Osinuga has been buried. I hope you get?

I need you to mind this!

 Thursday, April 7, 2016

 The next time you are on a phone call and I hear you say: "Hello, hello...sorry, I'm not hearing you", I may have to pull your ears and say, "Common, it's 'I can't hear you'". Isn't that a common blunder? Also, say "I can see you", not "I am seeing you". Is that clear?

See "sit" versus "seat"

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

 See "sit" and "seat". I have observed that we often use them interchangeably. CAUTION: The word "sit" is a verb while "seat" is a noun. i.e. You sit on a seat. Note the following: You don't seat on a sit. You don't seat on a seat". You don't sit on a sit. May I repeat: You sit on a seat. NB: Anyway, there is a verb form of "seat" meaning "to show a seat or assign a seat for". e.g. The ushers seated me close to the celebrant. Avoid committing a common blunder, please.

"swim/swam/swum"

Tuesday, April 5, 2016
 Consider this expression: "I have swum and I don't need to go to the bathroom again." Many are likely not to understand that "swum" is the past participle form of "swim". See "swim/swam/swum". Let me exemplify the three forms. I swim always I swam yesterday. I have swum. CAUTION: Never say "swam" when you should say "swum", or the other way round. I hope this is clear enough?

"there" versus "their"; "this" versus "these"

 Monday, April 4, 2016

 You don't say "there" when you mean to say "their". Sorry, these are two different words that mean differently. e.g. There is a reason for everything (not "their"). *Their reason for doing it was to make her feel bad (not "there"). I need tell you that both are pronouns that people often use interchangeably; whereas, they are not the same. Similarly, "this" is different for "these". The first is singular and the second is "plural". e.g. This is a spoon (not "these"). These are spoons (not "this"). Kindly note!

What do you think of this?

 Sunday, April 3, 2016
 Do you use article "a" or "an" with the word "handkerchief"? I mean is it "a handkerchief" or "an handkerchief"? Sorry, it's 'a'. CAUTION: The initial sound in that word is /h/, not /a/. Most people can't differentiate between these two sounds. Caution, please!

AmE versus BrE

Saturday, April 2, 2016

 When you see the words "offense", "defense", just know that they are American forms. Standard British English (SBE) adopts 'c', instead of 's', for those words. Say "offence", defence". These are SBE forms and I encourage you to insist on them. Thanks!

See this and adjust!

Saturday, April 1, 2016
 "Off your clothes" That's what I heard from someone. Sorry, it's "put off" or "switch off". CAUTION The word "off" doesn't exist as a verb, and that has been too much of an abuse from most people. Kindly note!

A whole lot to learn from this word!

 Thursday, March 31, 2016
 See the word "alma mater". I need to let you that: 1. the spelling is what most people sometimes miss. 2. it is not written together. It is alma(space)mater. NB: It means the primary/secondary school, college or university that you went to. e.g. He has pledged a N5million donation to his alma mater. Kindly digest!

Know this, once and for all!

 Wednesday, March 30, 2016

 In the last lesson, I asked to know whether you say: "My names are Bayo Chukwudi Musa" or "My name is Bayo Chukwudi Musa". Truth is that even if you have close to ten names, as the tradition is, contributed to you by different people at birth, they all still amount to a single name, accounting for one person. So, it is always: "My name is Bayo Chukwudi Musa". See also: "My name is Hope Achera Jonah (not 'are')." "My name is Rose Abike Omodara Adekoya (not 'are')." Do you now get?

What do you say to this?

Tuesday, March 29, 2016
 Someone still asked to know if you say: "My name is Bayo Chukwudi Musa" or "My names are Bayo Chukwudi Musa". I mean when you are to introduce yourself, mentioning all the names you were given from birth; say your first name, middle name and last name. Among the two, which do you think is correct? Let's hear you react.

Let's evaluate Hon. Obiahagbon's Easter Speech

 Monday, March. 28, 2016 Hon. PATRICK OBAHIAGBON's EASTER GREETINGS "As we join Christians in the celebration of Easter, may we truly reflect on the quintessential modus vivendi of Master Jesus; The Christ, who peregrinated this incarnation as an exempli gratia of self abnegation, puritanical excrescence, spartan discipline, mental magnitude, hierophantic candour and altruistic effusions,qualities which have become a desiderata for national resurgimento. Beyond the fugacious razzmatazz of the moment, I seriously call attention to the rutilanting and coruscating modus vivendi of Master Jesus the Christ and I dare pontificate that save and until we viscerally emblematize the virtues of self-immolation, quintessential abnegation, eulogizeable simplicity, Christ-like humility and immerse ourselves in a platonic emotionalism of agape love and communalistic service, we would have woefully failed in learning and imbibing the true meaning of EASTER. We must elevate this moment from a proscenium of joie de vivre into one of meditative transcendentalism”. HAPPY EASTER. MY TAKE: I don't know if you have seen this post, before now. I sent it to my boss and mentor, an erudite scholar of English, Prof. Segun Awonusi, and hear what he said: "Obiahagbon is a crazy user/abuser of language." That is the same opinion I have always had and I keep telling people that once you cannot communicate effectively, you abuse the essence of language because the main purpose of language is for effective communication. I just feel you should all know this now.

Too many people would have likely committed this blunder!

Sunday, March 27, 2016
 "Thank God he rose from the dead. Wishing you all a happy easter." I'm sure you must have received or sent such message, today. CAUTION: Every time it refers to God, the pronoun, "he" must always have the initial letter capitalised, regardless of the position it appears in the sentence. Secondly, there is nothing as "happy easter". It is always "Happy Easter". That phrase must always have its initial letters written in capital letters.
 Let's now correct the above expression: "Thank God He rose from the dead. Wishing you all a Happy Easter." Happy Easter to you all from all of us at TELAWAA!

I rather you get this right.

Saturday, March 26, 2016
 Lest people start abusing the past tense and past participle forms of "rise" and "arise", on a day like Easter, let me quickly do justice to that. "rise/rose/risen" "arise/arose/arisen" e.g. If Christ hadn't arisen/risen from the dead, what would have become of us all? (not "arose/rose"). Can you see for yourself now?

Using "demand"

 Friday, March 25, 2016
 Someone wrote: "The Federal Government will soon demand for old account books." What do you see wrong with that? CAUTION: The word "demand", as a verb, doesn't take on "for". e.g. I am going to his office to demand my money (not "...demand for my money"). NB: As a noun, "demand" can take on "for". I repeat, only as a noun. e.g. The demand for stolen funds is the next on the agenda. I hope this is clear enough?

I rather you get this right!

 Thursday, March 24, 2016
 I think it is important I correct this idiom, perhaps to stop the abuse it has suffered, over the years. "Cut your coat according to your size." Sorry, it's "Cut your cloth according to your cloth". Yes, that is how you have it in English, and this is the meaning: "To do just what you have the money and strength to do, and nothing more." May I emphasise it: "Cut your cloth according to your cloth". Kindly note!

Learn this idiom.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016
 As an idiom, what does it mean "to die a natural death"? When an issue or situation dies a natural death, it implies "to fade away, diminish or die down". e.g. If you don't look for money to pay your children's school fees, their education may die a natural death. Do you now see how it can be used effectively?

British English versus American English

Tuesday, March 22, 2016
 Never use 'z' when you should use 's', in some words. Note that words like "realise", "optimise", "minimise", "marginalise", "organise", "finalise", etc. (with their nominal forms; e.g. "realisation"), all have 'se' as their last two letters, not 'ze'. The difference is all about British English as opposed to American English. BrE is 'se' while AmE is 'ze'. NB: BrE is the adopted Standard for us, for two major reasons: 1. The Britons are the Native speakers of English. 2. We (Nigeria) got our independence from them. Is that okay?

Something about "towel" and "tower"

Monday, March 21, 2016
 It may interest you to know that you have never got the correct pronunciation of the words "towel" and "tower". CAUTION: Especially at the point of the first syllable, we often miss the correct pronunciation of these words. Here you have: towel-- /ˈtaʊəl/ tower-- / ˈtaʊə/  NB: Take a cursory look at the first vowel letter and see that it is not the same with how people say it everywhere. I need you to digest this!

You will surely find this interesting!

 Sunday, March 20, 2016
 When you say "in-laws", that doesn't mean you add the plural marker 's' to "in-laws" when you use it alongside a head-word. Simply put, this is what I mean: You can't say "I have three brother-in-laws"; it is: "brothers-in-law"; "sisters-in-law" "mothers-in-law" NB: In the above, "brother", "sister", "mother" are the head-words in these compound words and should carry the 's' plural marker, not "law". e.g. All mothers-in-law should beware of the way they interfere in the relationships of their children (not "mother-in-laws"). I need you to digest this, please.

imagine this blunder!

 Saturday, March 19, 2016
 "Imagine! That girl is very rude and very insultive. She was just insulting everybody." That's what I heard someone say. What do you see wrong with that? CAUTION: There is no such word as "insultive", in English. I wonder where people manufactured it. The correct word is "insulting", never "insultive". e.g. She is very insulting (not "insultive"). Kindly digest!

These are words you have hardly pronounced correctly!

Friday, March 18, 2016
 In the words "exam", "examine", and "examination", the first two letters are not pronounced the way we, popularly, have them. CAUTION: The "ex" is pronounced as /igz/. The word "examination is transcribed as /ɪɡˌzæmɪˈneɪʃn/. NB: Public speakers, writers, reporters and everyone else should, please, take note!

These are words you have hardly pronounced correctly!

Friday, March 18, 2016
 In the words "exam", "examine", and "examination", the first two letters are not pronounced the way we, popularly, have them. CAUTION: The "ex" is pronounced as /igz/. The word "examination is transcribed as /ɪɡˌzæmɪˈneɪʃn/. NB: Public speakers, writers, reporters and everyone else should, please, take note!

This is a popular idiom often abused!

Thursday, March 17, 2016
 I'd like us to consider this popular idiom: "All that glitters is not gold." I often hear some people say: "All that glitters are not gold." To start with, let me emphasise that: 1. the subject of the sentence is "All", not "glitters". 2. "All" is a singular pronoun, although can serve as plural in certain contextual situations. The idiom is always: "All that glitters is not gold (not 'are')." Kindly digest!

This is a must-know!

Wednesday, March 16, 2016
 "At this junction, you have to take caution." Someone said that, through a text. What do you think is wrong with that expression? CAUTION: Never you say "junction" when you should say "juncture". Both words are not the same, please. The expression should be: "At this juncture, you have to take caution." NB: The word "junction" refers to a position where two or more roads meet; while the synonym for "juncture" is "point". e.g. At this point/juncture, I think we have to start suspecting the bus driver (not "junction"). I hope you get?

"each other" versus "one another"

Tuesday, March 15, 2016
 A resource person was addressing a group of people and I heard her say: "We must continue to love each other; work for each other and support each other." I just said to myself: "Sorry, that's a blunder. It's 'one another' ." CAUTION: You only say "each other" when you refer to just two persons. If more than two, say "one another". e.g. The two sisters love each other (not "one another") We must continue to love one another; work for one another and support one another" (not "each other"). Is that clear enough?

"in" and "at" of a place

 Monday, March 14, 2016

 Someone asked to know which is correct: Queen at the palace of Adewale. Queen in the palace of Adewale. CAUTION: I rather you know that they have different meaning; slightly though. When you are "at", it implies that you have not gained full access. Being at the palace may mean you are merely in the compound. To be "at" can also mean you now refer to a specific place within the palace. On the other hand, to be "in" the place conotes that you are fully on ground and perhaps have full access to everywhere within the palace. It's first about intended/situational meaning, anyway! You understand?

See how you have "murdered" this!

Sunday, March 13, 2016
 Without having a second thought, I see that most people would rather say something like: "This environment is conducive for learning." Yes, isn't that not what you are likely to say? CAUTION: The adjective "conducive" collocates with "to", not "for". e.g. This environment is conducive to learning (not "for"). Let me cite another example: The school has a very serene environment which is conducive to learning (not "...conducive for learning"). I hope you find this quite interesting?

"cattles'?

Saturday, March 12, 2016
 On a local TV station, I watched a correspondent say: "The state government has warned herdsmen to tame their cattles." Excuse me, who says the word "cattle" can take on an 's', as if it is a countable noun? Sorry, "cattle" is "always "cattle" and it is a non-count noun that must not take on an 's' in any case whatsoever. I repeat, never you add 's' to the word "cattle". Is that clear enough?

See how much of abuse you have done to this idiom!

TELAWAA: Friday, March 11, 2016

"I will forgive you and let bygone be bygone."

That is what I heard from an actor, in a movie, today. Can you see anything wrong with that? I'm sure that neither the actor, the scriptwriter, the producer nor the director knows that that is a blunder to say. CAUTION: The word in that idiom is always "bygones"; it's never "bygone". Say: "....let bygones be bygones". e.g. I will forgive you and let bygones be bygones. Another example: The priest told me to reconcile with her and let bygones be bygones. Note that "bygones" is one word. Not "by-gones" Not "by gones" Also note that there is no letter 'e' added to 'by'. I mean it is not "bye". I hope this is well understood now?

"responsive" versus "responsible"

 Thursday, March 10, 2016
 The words "responsive" and "responsible" don't have the same meaning, lest someone continues to use them interchangeably. CAUTION: The adjective --"responsive" is from the verb "respond". e.g. The rescuers were responsive to a distress call, and arrived the accident scene on time (not "responsible"). The adjective --"responsible" is that one from the noun --"responsibility". e.g. He is seen as a very responsible man because he takes care of his wife and kids (not "responsive"). I hope this is clear enough?

"turquoise"

 Wednesday, March 9, 2016
 That word is spelt "turquoise". I mean the word that talks about a shade of colour blue. I have come across all sorts of funny spellings and consequent wrong pronunciations, and I feel it is crucial I bring this forward. I do hope you now know it at once!

You just must know this!

Tuesday, March 8, 2016
 In the word "whereabouts", always ensure you avoid the common error of omitting the last letter 's'. In both spoken and written forms, I see that people often omit the 's' in that word. Sorry, it is "whereabouts" (not "whereabout"). e.g. She asked me if I knew the "whereabouts" of her son (not "whereabouts"). Also note that "whereabouts" is one word and must not be split or hyphenated. i.e. Not "Where abouts" Not "where-abouts" Kindly note.  

Learn these spellings.

Monday, March 7, 2016
 Let's learn some spellings: "succinct","pusillanimous", "occasion", "accommodation"... I need you to note the letters that have to be doubled in these words. I have observed that most people commit the error of not knowing that some of these letters MUST to be doubled. Can you see it clearly now?

See these grammatical blunders!

 Sunday, March 6, 2016
 See what I got from a popular blogger, today: "Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo, joined other christian faithfuls to celebrate Mothers day at Aso Rock Chapel in Abuja...." Let me bring out two grammatical blunders from that: 1. Christian faithful (not "christian faithfuls") 2. Mothers' Day (not "Mothers day") NB: For (1), you don't add 's' to "Christian faithful" because the noun phrase already indicates plurality. For (2), notable dates and events are written having the initials capitalised. You must also ensure you add an apostrophe to "Mothers' ". e.g. Mothers' Day Children's Day I feel it is important you digest this!

Using articles to precede certain nouns.

 Saturday, March 5, 2016

 Never you miss out the addition of articles in certain non-count nouns like "noise", "meeting", "information", etc. The articles "a","an" and "the" must be used to precede these nouns. e.g. Don't make a noise (not "Don't make noise"). The wife of the president has an assignment to give to you (not just "assignment"). She said the meeting would start at exactly 5pm (note the "the"). Is that okay now?

See this!

TELAWAA: Friday, March 4, 2016
 Consider this: "Before I count from one to ten, you must tell me who took the money I kept here". Sorry, you simply "count up to ten". Say: "Before I count up to ten, you must tell me who took the money I kept here". CAUTION: The reason is because it is assumed that counting starts from one; at least, in the ordinary or elementary sense. I hope you get?

Hear what I heard from a TV reporter!

 Thursday, March 3, 2016
 I was watching a crime reporter reporting a case of inter-tribal war between some Yorubas and Hausas in Mile 12, Lagos, today. The reporter ended up saying: "The man was later shot on the chest". Immediately, all alone, I just jumped up and screamed: "No! You shoot IN the chest (not "on"). CAUTION: You shoot or stab IN... (not "ON"). More examples: The man was stabbed in the leg while trying to escape (not "on the leg"). The lady was shot in the hand (not "on the hand"). This is crucial to note!

Imagine this blunder!

 Wednesday, March 2, 2016
 That moment when someone tried to reach you but you missed her calls and when you finally picked it, you heard: "Did you saw my missed call?" What would you say? The caller would have thought that since it is in the past, then the past tense form of a verb should be used to ask the question. Sorry, not so! Basically, questions, in their direct forms, are asked using simple present tense forms of verbs (i.e. see") If you saw the call, you can then say: "Yes, I saw it". This appears simple but many are still caught guilty of it. Many more people that would say they cannot be caught guilty of such "cheap" blunder don't even know the underlying principles that guide such. I guess you now know better? Kindly note.

"traffic" and "traffic jam" don't mean same.

 Tuesday, March 1, 2016
 Lest you continue to use them interchangeably, may I tell you that there is a difference between "traffic"and "traffic jam". The first simply refers to the vehicles on the road at a given time; the second means "a long line of vehicles on a road that is now at a standstill or moving slowly". I see we mostly say things like: "There is traffic today; I spent about five hours in the traffic", when we actually mean to refer to "traffic jam". They are not the same, please!
 I need to emphasis this, and please, digest.

You will sure find this interesting!

Monday, February 29, 2016
 What do you do to an ice-cream? a. suck it b. drink it c. lick it d. eat it CAUTION: An English man will tell you that you eat an ice-cream, but what you find applicable in our native languages are "suck", "drink" and "lick". A Yoruba man will tell you: "mo fe mu ice-cream." Translation: I want to drink ice-cream. In Igbo, Hausa and other native languages too, you are either sucking, drinking or licking an ice-cream; where as, that's not the case with English. You now see how much of blunder you commit when you directly translate your native language into English? Listen, please! In English, you don't "suck", "drink" or "lick" an ice-cream; rather, you "EAT" an ice-cream. That's English for you!  

Why would you say "lift/raise up"?

 Sunday, February 28, 2016
 Hear this: "If you support that Austin becomes our new President, raise up your hand." That is an expression you may never find anything wrong with, if I ask you. Even most teachers would say to their students: "If you know the answer, raise up your hand." Sorry, you simply "raise your hand" (not "raise up"). The same thing applies to the verb "lift", which is a synonym of "raise". Yes, we sing songs like "I will lift up my hands and praise the Lord; Lift up Jesus..."; yet, it doesn't justify that they are grammatical. Avoid the blunder, will you?

What about "childrens"?

 Saturday, February 27, 2016
 Well, I just heard "childrens". I heard it clearly this way: "Our late father left a good legacy for is childrens". The man, probably, would have thought that adding 's' to nouns is the only way to pluralise nouns. Hence, he is likely to say "criterias", not knowing that the word "criteria" is already a plural word. The singular form of it is "criterion". e.g. There is just one criterion for living healthy but there are five criteria for becoming successful (not "criterias"). I hope you digest this!

"academic" versus "academician"

Friday, February 26, 2016
 A person who teaches or carries out a research in a college or university is called an academic (not "an academician"). CAUTION: Often times, I hear people refer to lecturers in the universities, colleges and polytechnics as "academicians". Sorry, a member of an academy (not necessarily a university, college or polytechnic) is called an academician. e.g. My dad is an academic in Unilag (Don't say "an academician"). I only need you to know that there is a discrepancy between "academic" and "academician". Please, note.

This blunder is just too common!

 Thursday, February 25, 2016
 Consider this expression: "They are better than us." Isn't that not what you are likely to say? Sorry, that is incorrect. The correct is: "They are better than we". CAUTION: When you say "us", you commit a blunder of misuse of pronouns. The appropriate pronoun in that expression must be one in the object case, not subject case. Let me cite another example: "My sister is taller than I." (not "My sister is taller than me.") Is this well understood?

kaleidoscopic

 Wednesday, February 24, 2016
 Big words, they say, come from small words. Yes, I can recall learning that from a Hollywood film titled: "Akeelah and the Bees", about 12 years ago. One of the major characters, Samuel L. Jackson, says that, while serving as spelling coach to little Akeelah. I'm sure you may have watched the film. Let me come up with a "big" word here: "kaleidoscopic". That word, as an adjective, means "the state of something (for example, a bulb) coming on and going off, intermittently. e.g. I can imagine the kaleidoscopic bulb in that club house. I just feel like bringing that to your notice, in case you are not privy to it before now. Kindly digest!

Don't say "need" when you mean "want"

  Tuesday, February 23, 2016
 I think I need emphasise that there is a difference between the verbs "need" and "want". So, mind how you use them, please! Of course, I have heard people talk about "need" being different from "want", as nouns, but, this time, as verbs, we also need to emphasise that you don't use "want", when you should say "need". Let me tackle it this way: "need"(verb): implies that you can't do without it. "want" (verb): implies that you can do without it. For instance, If you know you can do without a car, say: "I want a car." (not " I need a car.") If you cannot do without air, say: "I need air." (not "I want air.") Do you now understand?

something else about the word "pride"

Monday, February 22, 2016
 May I tell you that a group of lion is called "pride". Yes, that is the same word commonly used synonymously with "arrogance". This is one interesting thing about English, like you find in some other languages too . A word can be used to me as many concepts. Another typical word like this is "bank", meaning: a. A river side b. A place where money and other valuables are kept. Let me emphasise that a group of lion is called "pride". Kindly note!

Imagine this!

Sunday, February 21, 2016
 I need you to know that "eyewitness" is one word. You don't say "eye witness". It's "eyewitness", 'meaning a person that witnesses something (say an event) happen'. While writing, you don't split "eye+witness".
 Do you get?

pronouncing "th" in words

 Saturday, February 20, 2016
 Don't pronounce the word "fate" when you mean to pronounce "faith; don't pronounce "meat" when you mean to pronounce "myth". CAUTION: The "th" in "faith"and "myth" aren't pronounced as /t/. They are pronounced through having the tip of the tongue touching the meeting point of the upper and lower teeth, while trying to force out air. Hope you get? Kindly note!

It's important you know this!

 Friday, February 19, 2016
 Check out this and tell me what is wrong with it: "The footballers were so frustrated that they began to fight themselves, just because they lost the match." CAUTION: That is incorrect to say! Most people say "themselves" in certain expressions when they should actually say "one another"/"each other". If more than two, you fight "one another". That means A fighting B; C fighting D, and like that. e.g. The footballers were so frustrated that they began to fight one another, just because they lost the match. (not "themselves") . When you say "...fight themselves", you mean A fighting himself; B fighting himself and like that. Do you see how meaningless that would be? Caution, please.

You may never have used the verb "cost" correctly.

Thursday, February 18, 2016
 Consider this: "The National library that Obasanjo built costed several billions of naira." Sorry, the verb "cost" is an irregular verb and should not take on"+ed" in any case whatsoever. NB: Irregular verbs are those verbs in English that do not change or accommodate the "+ed" and "en"markers for their past tense and past participle tense. Hence, it is: "cost/cost/cost e.g. "The National library that Obasanjo built cost several billions of naira (not "costed")." Many have always been caught guilty of this. I hope to come up with more of such irregular verbs, over the days.

Check out this!

Wednesday, February 17, 2016
 What is the past tense of the verbs "learn" and "dream"? I see and hear some people say/write"learned" and "dreamed". CAUTION: These are old versions of the words, and often adopted in American English (AmE). The Standard and British versions are "learnt" and "dreamt", respectively (not "learned" and "dreamed"). e.g. I learnt that stealing is a sin (not "learned"). Chika dreamt of his late mother (not "dreamed"). I hope this is clear enough? Please, note!

"envelop" versus "envelope"(contd)

Tuesday, February 16, 2016
 Yesterday, I spoke on the discrepancy between the words "envelop" and "envelope". Another point I will like to make is that both are not pronounced the same way and even the stress patterns differ. The first syllable of "envelop" is pronounced /in/ while the first syllable of "envelope" is /en/. Again, "envelop" has its stress on the second syllable while "envelope" has its stress on the first syllable. This is crucial to note!

"envelop "versus "envelope"

Monday, February 15, 2016
 May I let you know that the word "envelop" is a verb and the nominal(noun) form of it is "envelope". As a verb, "envelop" means "to cover or wrap something/something completely". As a noun, "envelope" is that object often used for sending letters". e.g. They decided to envelop the letters before sending them (not "envelope"). The envelope has torn and we can no longer use it (not "envelop"). There is something else quite crucial that I would like to teach about these two. Let's continue tomorrow.
 Thanks.

No such word as "ammunitions"

Sunday, February 14, 2016

 There is a popular story in the news, today. See how one of the papers captured the headline. "Police arrests suspected Osun bank robbers, recovers N7m, ammunitions" What is wrong with that? Anything? CAUTION: The word "ammunition" does not take on 's', in any case whatsoever. It is always "ammunition", please! e.g. The Nigerian Army have debunked the claim that they use weak arms and ammunition to fight against the insurgents (not "arms and ammunitions"). I repeat, no such word as "ammunitions". I hope this is well understood?

Also note this, please!

 Saturday, February 13, 2016
 I was on a bus and I overheard someone making a call: "Hello, yes, I'm hearing you...." What is wrong with that? CAUTION: You can't be "hearing". Simply say "I can't hear you". You said you are here but I can't see you (not "I'm not seeing you"). This is crucial to note.

I need you to mind this common blunder!

TELAWAA: Friday, February 12, 2016
 How would you say "more better"? It would be a silly blunder to say. CAUTION: Sorry, the "er" comparative form cannot go with "more" again, just like the"est" superlative form cannot go with "most" again. You can only have "much better". e.g. What we have now is much better than what was the case in the past (not "more better"). Kindly digest!

Why we don't say "one naira, two nairas"

TELAWAA: Thursday, February 11, 2016

 Have you ever stopped to ask why we say "One dollar, two dollars, 50 dollars...; one pound, two pounds, 50 pounds..." but we say "One naira, two naira, 50 naira...? Shouldn't it be "two nairas, fifty nairas, just as we have "two dollars, fifty dollars...; two pounds, 50 pounds...? Why so? Truth is that, characteristically, every language is conventional, meaning that it first has to do with the perception of the early users of the language. You can't tell exactly why early users chose to avoid the plural marker "s" in the word "naira". To start with, is the word "naira" an English word? I think no! So, do we expect to go by the 's' plural marker which is English? How I wish someone gets my point!

You must know this!

Wednesday, February 9, 2016

 What form of the indefinite article would you add to the words "European" and "eunuch"? Is it "a" or "an"? It is "a" (not "an"). e.g. A European country Back then, a eunuch was always revered. I'm sure you must have once asked why you add "an" to elephant" and "egg". e.g. An elephant An egg The reason is because the initial sounds in "European"and "eunuch" is consonant /j/. For"elephant"and "egg", the initial sound is vowel /e/. You now know why?

It's incorrect to say "His mercies endureth forever"

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

 See this: "For the Lord is good and His mercies endureth forever." You will agree with me that that is a song sung by most christian faithful. Sorry, that's a blunder. The "th" that you see attached to "endure" is just the 's' you add to any verb to indicate the simple present tense form. Say: His mercies endure forever. or His mercy endureth/endures forever. May I tell you that the difference between"endureth" and "endure" is that while the former is Old English, the latter is Modern English. Do you now know better?

Hear what I heard from a TV correspondent.

Monday, February 8, 2016

 Hear what I heard from a TV correspondent, a while ago: "The remains of the late Olubadan were brought to..." CAUTION: The fellow, probably, thinks that the noun"remains" is plural in form and so, he used "were",instead of "was". Sorry, avoid that blunder! The noun "remains" must take on a singular verb. e.g. "The remains of the late Olubadan was brought to..." What would you say of a word as "measles"? Would you say it is plural, because it ends in "s"? I wish you get the point I am trying to make?

You just have to know this!

Sunday, February 7, 2016

 I need to emphasise that the verb "get" has its past tense as "got" and the past participle is also "got". Say "get/got/got e.g. I have got my money from him. Have they got it? I hope I have got the answer? I make it bold to say that I will ring and mark you wrong in any exam if I have you say/write "gotten", as past participle of"get. May I emphasise that "gotten" is only American, and not British. TELAWAA subscribes to British English, not Marivcan English. The reason is because the Britons are the original native speakers of English. Americans copy from BrE, just the same way we have Nigerian English. I hope to emphasise this more, someday.

Imagine this tautologgy!

Saturday, February 6, 2016

 You may not be any better than a bus conductor that said: "Oga, reverse back na", if you too would say: "Once I get the date of the party, I will revert back to you". CAUTION: That is a tautology. You simply"revert". You don't "revert back". This is just the same way it is a tautology to say: "Emenike may soon be recalled back to the Super Eagles". No, please! When you use "recall", don't need to add "back" again. Stop being caught guilty of tautology, will you?

How I wish you read this and digest it, once and for all!

Friday, February 5, 2016

 One of the spokespersons of the police in one of the states was reporting a case to some newsmen and hear what he said: "The man was shot on the leg." Is that not what you are likely to say too? CAUTION: Sorry, you don't shoot on the leg, you shoot IN the leg. The expression should have been: "The man was shot IN the leg." Yes, it is "in", not "on". Let me cite more examples: The policeman shot the thief in the head (not "on the head"). Her boyfriend stabbed her in the stomach (not "on the stomach"). He missed his target and shot his brother in the eyes (not "on the eyes"). I need you to digest this, please!

"compliment" versus "complement"

 Thursday, February 4, 2016

 Perhaps you don't know that there is a difference between "compliment" and "complement". As nouns, let me analyse them. These are two different words, please! CAUTION: The word "compliment" is a greeting or salutation. e.g. Compliment of the season (not "complement"). The young police officer gave a compliment to the IGP, during the parade (not "complement") Conversely, the word "complement" means a part of something; a completion; the rest of something. e.g. That serves as the complement of the sentence (not "compliment") Do you now understand?

The verb "discuss"

Wednesday, February 3, 2016
 Just this afternoon, the Facebook handle of a popular television station wrote: "We are still discussing about corruption in Nigeria". CAUTION: Excuse me, please, do you "discuss about" or you simply "discuss"? It is a grammatical blunder to say "discuss about". Isn't that not what we all say? The expression should have been: "We are still discussing corruption in Nigeria". Let me cite another crucial example: INCORRECT: Angela and her friends have been discussing about me since last week but I don't give a damn. CORRECT: Angela and her friends have been discussing me since last week but I don't give a damn. Could you digest this, please.

See this!

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

 Examine these: A 32-year old man just got a job with us (not "a 32-years old man"). RCCG has since commenced a 50-day fast (not "a 50-days fast"). I need you to digest this. And, please, note that as a matter of necessity, the article a/an/the must be attached. Thanks.

There is something about the word "often"

Monday, February 1, 2016

If you have to pronounce the word "often" and I hear you pronounce the letter "t" with it, then you would have committed a blunder.

Sorry, that word is pronounced as if the letter "t" is not spelt with it.

I just felt a slight headache, not too long ago, when I watched a presenter on television pronounce that word with the "t".

No, no, please!

Know how to use your tense appropriately

Sunday, January 31, 2016

 Consider this expression: "One of the boys that come to our house has been arrested". CAUTION: The tense in that expression is what I want to draw your attention to. Many commit the blunder of not knowing the appropriate tense to use. It is common to see something as: "One of the boys that comes to our house has been arrested." Sorry, that is very incorrect to say. I need you to know that the verb, there, must collocate with "boys", not "one". Do you get? Let's get it better this way: The boy that comes to my house.... The boys that come to my house.... Do you now see the two?

"run along"

Saturday, January 30, 2016

 What does it mean to run along? e.g. If I say "It's almost time for the meeting and I just need to 'run along' now", what do I mean? To "run along" is to "hurry". You run along, perhaps, because you are in a haste to catch up with something/someone. This is an idiom. Thanks.

You just MUST know this!

Friday, January 29, 2016

 Every time you come across verbs that end in "th" like "goeth, "passeth", "changeth", etc, please know that they are old forms of simple present tense forms of verbs in English. You have more of such words in the bible and if you ask me why, I would tell you that every language develops, as a matter of convention. For English, that era was called Old English (OE) era, if you may know. You often sing a song: "Since I was born, and now I am old, I have never seen the Lord changeth". Sorry, that's a big blunder to make, with due regards for everyone that sings it that way. CAUTION: The verb "changeth" is just an old form of "change+s". So, substitute and see what blunder you have. I beg to continue this lesson, soon.

How to use "doff"

 Thursday, January 28, 2016

 I stole a look at the profile message of a friend where she said: "I doff my cap". Sorry, you simply "doff". The verb "doff" means " to take off your hat/cap, especially in honour of or respect for someone/something". So, why would you ever say "I doff my cap"? I mean what else can you doff? That's a blunder, please. Again, I repeat, you simply "doff". e.g. I doff (not "I doff my cap/hat"). Kindly note!

Get this right, for once!

Wednesday, January 27, 2016
 Don't you ever omit the letter "d" when using the to-infinitives as "used to", "supposed to". I have observed with keen interest that many commit this blunder, too often. e.g. She used to live in that compound but I'm not sure she still lives there (not "use to"). Dasuki is supposed to first apologise to all Nigerians, before standing his trial (not "suppose to"). Don't even say it is too small of a blunder. Sorry, a blunder is a blunder, however "small".

"lethal" versus "leather"

Tuesday, January 26, 2016 May I bring it to your notice that the word "lethal" isn't the same as "leather", lest someone joins the league of people who use them interchangeably. CAUTION: The one you are used to is, perhaps, "leather", meaning a material made from animals' skin. e.g. I love my new brown leather belt. The word "lethal" means "fatal", "risky", "deadly", "harmful", "dangerous", "disastrous", and what have you. e.g. Rats are now giving Nigerians such a lethal blow, in the name of Lassa fever, that we need to get rid of them all. Can you see now?

"visible" versus "feasible"

 Monday, January 25, 2016 I needed to see someone and she told me: "AY, tomorrow won't be visible". Is anything wrong with that grammatical expression? Of course! I have noticed that many people say "visible" when they should actually say "feasible". These are two different words, please! The expression should have been: "AY, tomorrow won't be feasible" (not "visible"). Synonyms for "feasible" include "possible", "realistic". Another example: I don't think it is feasible for me to come back to Lagos when I get to Abuja tomorrow (not "visible"). I'm sure you now know better.

Some words you hardly spell correctly.

Sunday, January 24, 2016 Let's spell: A. "Carburetor" B. "Caburettor" C. "Carburretor" D. "Carburrettor" E. "Carburettor" Which one is the correct spelling for that part of a car where gas/petrol and air are mixed together? The answer is "E", although American English spells with just one 't', as in "A" above. Also, please know that you double both the "c" and the "m" in the word "accommodation"; you should also note that there is a double "c" and single"s" in the word "occasion". I hope you now know better? Thanks!

Don't you say "dabble into"

Saturday, January 23, 2016 Imagine this funny but annoying scenario: I wrote a piece and sent to the designated quarter. When it came out in a publication, my "dabble with" was replaced with "dabble into". I bet you can't imagine the anger I felt! I simply looked at it that the fellow would have thought I was wrong and he was right; after all, "dabble into" is what we hear everyone say. CAUTION: This is a blunder I know the majority of people commit, too often. Sorry, may I sound it to your ears that you don't "dabble into", you simply "dabble with/in/at". Any of "with", "in" and "at" is correct to collocate with "dabble". Let me cite an example: I hate people that "dabble with" other people's business (not "dabble into"). Kindly note!

"kiss/bite the dust"

Friday, January 22, 2016 "AY, what does it mean 'to kiss the dust?' " That's a question I was asked by a friend. MY ANSWER: That is an idiomatic expression which means: "To fail, to be disappointed or defeated". Most often than not, it is "bite" that substitutes for "kiss", in that idiom. "kiss the dust" "bite the dust" Both mean the same: "to fail, to be disappointed or defeated." e.g. Despite how hard she tried, she kissed/bit the dust. (That means she failed.) Is that okay?

Never say "stay clear"

Thursday, January 21, 2016 Did I just hear someone say: "stay clear from me"? Yes, I heard that, not too long ago. CAUTION: That phrase is not "stay clear". It is actually "steer clear". Yes, I am aware many more people can be caught guilty of this. Let cite an example: I have warned you to steer clear from me, else you will see my red eyes (not "stay clear"). Understood?

Noting "God" in writing

 Wednesday, January 20, 2016 Consider this note: "Our God is the Almighty One who is also a Sovereign Being. We can only say You are the Excellent Jehovah who is also All in All and the I Am That I Am." NB: What I have only tried to do is to emphasise that every time you are referring to God, the names you use must all be capitalised, so long as they refer to God. This stands as a rule in Language Studies. Take a close look at my little piece and note the way I capitalised the names of God: - God -Almighty One - Sovereign Being - You - Excellent Jehovah -All in All -I Am That I Am". Can you see now? Never be caught doing otherwise!

No such word as "vandalisation" exists in English

Tuesday, January 19, 2016 I got this from a popular blog, today: "Buhari threatens to deal with Niger Delta militants over renewed vandalization of oil pipelines" Sorry, there is no such word as "vandalisation" in English. No! No! No! What you have is "vandalism". Other forms that can be derived are "vandal" and "vandalise". A "vandal"(noun) is someone who, deliberately, destroys things. The verb form of it is "vandalise". The abstract noun from that is, then, "vandalism" (not "vandalisation", please). I hope you now know better?

"spread" and "split"

Monday, January 18, 2016 May I have you tell me the past tense of "spread" and "split"? Is it "spreaded" and "splitted", like you are likely to say? No, please. The past tense and past participle of these two verbs don't change in any case whatsoever. You don't add "+ed" to them, like you, customarily, do to the regular verbs you know of. Such verbs are called Irregular verbs. Recall another of these type of verbs--"put". Have you ever said "putted" as a past tense form? That's popular enough for you to note, isn't it? Now, let me hear you say: "spread/spread/spread" "split/split/split" e.g. I have spread the clothes on that wall (not "spreaded"). Yesterday, I split the money on me and gave to my friend and a cousin (not "splitted"). Kindly digest!

"inheritance" versus "heritage"

Sunday, January 17, 2016 Few days ago, someone wrote to me, asking: "Please, how would you differentiate between 'inheritance' and 'heritage' ?" MY ANSWER: Both can be synonymous but still, there are peculiar usages, especially because "heritage" is more of an abstract thing. For instance, call the shoes your late father left for you "inheritance", but don't call it your "heritage". "Heritage" is the tradition and history about a given people which is reflected in their general way of life. It is more of an abstract thing. You can call your father's act of honesty "heritage", or what belief system you adopted from him. Say "heritage" is an act or art.... e.g. The Benin Kingdom has a rich cultural heritage (You won't say "inheritance", would you?). Do you understand now?

correct pronunciation of "question", "sword"

Saturday, January 16, 2016 I implore you to get a dictionary and look up the actual pronunciation of the word "question". It may interest you to see that you have never got the pronunciation correctly. To be specific, the letter "t" there. It is pronounced like the "sh" in "shoe. Again,how do you pronounce"sword"? The 'w' is never actualised at all. I repeat, that word is pronounced as if the 'w' isn't spelt with the word. That is it, and thanks!

The "sorry" you must not use.

Friday, January15, 2016 When you visit someone who has just lost a dear one or you meet any bereaved person at all, what do you mean when you say: "I'm sorry about what has happened to you"? Excuse me, a native speaker of English takes the word "sorry" as an apology for a wrong doing. That means every time you say "sorry" to a bereaved person, it is implied or inferred that you have a hand in the sorrow/pain of that person. CAUTION: Simply put it this way: "I sympathise with you", "I feel for you"; "I share in your pains", and so on. I should only be sorry for what I am guilty of. Don't you get? Is that understood?

Let's get these right, for once!

Thursday, January 14, 2016 Just yesterday, I asked you to analyse the distinction between "ransom" and "ransome"; "impact" and impart". For the first, "ransom" is the word meaning the money paid to rescue someone kidnapped or so. Sorry, there is no such word as "ransome" in the English lexis. It's just in the name of persons. Remember the name "Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti". For the second,"impact" can be used as a verb and as a noun, while "impart" is only a verb. Let me treat both as verbs: To "impact" is to affect or make an effect. e.g. His First Class Degree has really impacted his life (not "imparted"). To "impart" is to pass information or knowledge; to convey or lend something. e.g. Teachers are to be praised for imparting many professionals today (not "impacting"). Can you now see for yourself?  

Differentiate these...

Wednesday, January 13, 2016 It appears interesting to see that most of the words we know of and are used to are not as correct as we think. I have an assignment for you. Differentiate "ransom" from "ransome"; "impart" from "impact. Let me see how far you have been guilty of these words. Thanks!

Differentiate these

Wednesday, January 13, 2016 It appears interesting to see that most of the words we know of and are used to are not as correct as we think. I have an assignment for you. Differentiate "ransom" from "ransome"; "impart" from "impact. Let me see how far you have been guilty of these words. Thanks!

On idioms

Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Consider these two idioms: "Make hay while the sun shines." Yes, the word there is "hay", not "haste", as I hear most people say. Secondly, see "sheath their swords" e.g. The rival parties have decided to sheath their swords. That word is "sheath" (not "shield"). Again, I just recalled I once made the correction on this idiom: "What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander". That is the correct. The word there is "sauce" (not "source", not even "good"). Adages are good to have but mustn't be abused. Kindly note.

"curse", "cause" and "course"

Monday, January 11, 2016 It's important I state, emphatically, that the words "curse", "course" and "cause" aren't the same, and you must never be caught substituting them for one another. I can recall I have once talked about their pronunciation. Let me illustrate them, using examples: I have every course to thank God (not "curse", not "cause") The cause of accidents on that road has been finally discovered (not "course", not "curse"). His late father placed a curse on him (not "course", not "cause"). Let me unify the three in a sentence: The CAUSE of the CURSE on her is because she failed a COURSE in the university. Can you now see?

Learn more about certain adjectives

Sunday, January 10, 2016 Just today, I heard this from a man,while trying to argue out a point, on TV: "This is more strange...." Sorry, that is a blunder to say and I'm sure you would have been a victim too. I have also heard "more sane" too. CAUTION: For these adjectives, say: "strange/stranger/strangest" "sane/saner/sanest" e.g. This is strange but what I hear from Joe is stranger than this. The strangest thing is that I heard he slept with his sister (not "more strange/most strange"). :: It is saner to have roads constructed. The sanest thing is that government wants to stop constructing roads with asphalt (not "more sane/most sane"). I hope you get?

It's wrong to say "strangled to death"

Saturday, January 9, 2015

 I just read it from an online platform, not too long ago, a story about a lady "strangled to death". That's exactly how the writer put it: "...strangled to death". Sorry, that is tautologous to say: You don't "strangle to death", you simple "strangle". CAUTION: There is nobody strangled that stays alive. What I mean here is that the word "death" is already contained in the word "strangle". Once you use the word "strangle", it presupposes that the person didn't stay alive. I will explain better: You can't hear me use the word "strangle" and yet you ask me: "Did the person die?" I might get so pissed and rant at you: "Before nko!" Better still, don't let a White man hear that from you because it might cost you your job, if he is your boss. I'm aware most people think to strangle is just to twist someone's head or neck. No, please! To strangle is to kill someone by twisting the person's head, through the neck. Is someone getting my point at all?

No such word as "convocate"

Friday, January 8, 2016 I need you to know that there is no such word as "convocate" in English. Isn't that not what you have been saying? CAUTION: From the noun "convocation", the verb that can be derived is "convoke". Let me cite examples: "UNILAG will soon convoke the 2014/2015 graduating students of the school (not "convocate"). My cousin is one of those that would be convoked in the next convocation ceremony of Oxford University (not "convocated"). Have you been convoked? (not "convocated"). Digest this, please.

"part" versus "path"; "advise" versus "advice"

Thursday, January 7, 2016

 There is a difference between "part" and "path". What I have noticed is that many people commit the blunder of saying "part" when they should have actually said "path". CAUTION: "path" means a way, line or track. e.g. I have chosen to walk the path to success, this year (not "part"). She doesn't condone laziness on her path (not "part"). However, "part" has a lot of meanings which include "some", "piece", "number", "region" "area", etc. e.g. I have played my part and the rest is in God's hands. NB: I recall that I once said "advise" is a verb while "advice" is the nominal form of it. Don't get it twisted! e.g. My advice for you is that you work harder (not "advise"). I advise that you work harder (not "advice"). Do you understand?

learn "wild goose chase"

Wednesday, January 6, 2016 May I introduce you to this idiom, just in case you have never come across it: "Wild goose chase" This means "a search for something impossible; or something that does not exist and that wastes your time". e.g. I think looking for all corrupt past leaders in Nigeria would only amount to a 'wild goose chase'. NB: I have always said that the usage of idioms in expressions shows that you are proficient in that language and stands you out among others. Learn more from some I have introduced to you. Can you still recall I once said the correct is "You can't have your cake and eat it"? Not what you have been saying all the while. This time, I need you to digest the meaning of "wild goose chase". May I have you add that to your mental lexicon. Thanks.

Get used to the idiom "Chrissake"

Monday, January 4, 2016

May I introduce you to a particular word I'm sure you use too often but you have, probably, never got cautious of the spelling and actual meaning.
It is "Chrissake".

e.g. For Chrissake, will you just leave me alone!
For Chrissake, what else do you want me to do?

I need to let you know that it is an idiom and it is that same one you use whenever you are surprised, confused or annoyed. Again, say "Chrissake").

You now know it is one word and I'm sure you get the correct usage too.

May I have you digest, please!

Don't say "we adults" when you should say "us adults".

Tuesday, January 5, 2016


Recently, I listened to a politician praising another popular politician. Hear what he said:

"He shows a good example to we politicians".

The person that made this statement is a very eloquent speaker and I knew he didn't even know that he erred there, as that is a very common blunder.

CAUTION: Sorry, the correct pronoun there should have been one in the objective form, and in this case "us" (not "we").

e.g.
"He shows a good example to us politicians".

Let me cite another example:

Children get to learn good conducts from us adults (not "...we adults.")

I hope you now know better?

It's wrong to say "despite the fact that"

Sunday, January 3, 2016


What if I tell you that you are wrong every time you say "despite the fact that"?
Isn't that not what you often say?

CAUTION: You simply say "despite that" (remove "the fact").


e.g. .She still keeps bad friends, despite that her father cautions her against such (not "despite the fact").

This is the same way I once taught that you don't say "still yet".
e.g. She has sat for WAEC about five times now, still/yet, she has not made up to three credits (not "still yet").

I advise that in your writing and spoken English, avoid being guilty of that tautology.

Thanks

Don't say "queue" when you mean to say "cue"

Saturday, January 2, 2016


I need you to know that there is a difference between "queue" and "cue". Never you say "queue" when you should say "cue".

I just read a piece from a popular writer (I'm sure you know very well, if I mention his name) where he said "We need to take a queue...".
Sorry, you don't "take a queue", you "take a cue"

e.g. Nigeria needs to 'take a cue' from developed nations of the world (not 'take a queue').


I hope you now understand better?

Know about TELAWAA, the CEO, and more.

Know about TELAWAA, the CEO, and more.

It's The English Language Academy With Ayo Alonge (TELAWAA)!
 It all started on the 2nd of January, 2013, that morning when I was all alone in my deep thoughts as to what I could start doing to impact people in my own little way. The idea came to be and I just didn't give it a second thought but acted on it immediately. The rest is history today as our daily lessons, which started just like a child's play, have gone beyond the shores of limits that there is no single day many more people don't join the online academy.

Some have asked me how I get my posts, perhaps I have a book, or something, where I copy from.

Hell no! (lol) I don't have anyone of such! I simply listen/read people talk everywhere around me (through chats, calls, broadcasts, papers, television, radio, and the like) and pick our their blunders. Probably, the day I won't have anything to correct again is the day people stop talking/writing (laughs).

May I reiterate that the simple focus of TELAWAA is to make you speak and write better.

To the question of whether I speak English all the time, my answer is no! As a matter of fact, I often speak my native language (Yoruba), especially when I'm among friends and relatives (lol). It so bothers me when some think all I do is speak English. A friend once told me she chose to stop talking to me (even chats) because she's always too conscious of not making mistakes every time we talk. You can imagine!

 It may interest you to know that I am an exponent of Mother Tongue Linguistics.
That's a big deal, anyway.

Any more question?

Thanks for staying with TELAWAA!

Hurray! TELAWAA is 3 today!

Hurray! TELAWAA is 3 today!

You guys made it happen! Yes, through your unflinching support; calls, chats, comments, 'likes', and the like. 

Convincingly, one Olusola Israel, a public servant based in Lagos, married, has emerged as our TELAWAA Student of the Year, for painstakingly and passionately staying glued to lessons that he hardly misses any. He would always ask questions, make comments, and look out for the next lesson.

Thanks to Olusola and congrats!

Today, you all can also ask the CEO any question (personal or general) and make your comments and suggestions.

Thanks so much!

Here you have our official blog where you can get more and more from us.

Please go to: 

telawaa.blogspot.com

I'll be right back!

What's wrong wih "gather together"?

TELAWAA: Saturday, December 26, 2015

Every time I imagine the extent to which a blunder is popularly committed, I try to see what could be the cause.

In my research to know why people commit the blunder of saying "gather together", I checked to see the word "gather" in the dictionary and in the bible. My dictionary says "to assemble or get together".
From here, you can now see it is an error to say "gather together" or like we often sing: "We are gathering together unto Him...".

The blunder is found in the bible where you read something like "gather together the spoils".

You asked why we would have such blunder in the bible?
 Truth is that the English adopted during the bible days (particularly in King James Version) is called Old English (OE), as used during the Shakespearian era when the English language was yet to be fully developed. We were still borrowing and stealing from the structures of Latin.

Why would you say "gather together?
That's a blunder and I just told you why it is.

Any query?
Thanks.

Is it right to say "a 5,000-man choir"?

TELAWAA: Sunday, December 27, 2015

I was in a church for a programme and I heard the anchorman say:
"I present to you a 5,000-man choir"

Immediately, I nodded and said: "Wow! Good English".
That came from me almost spontaneously because I knew most people are likely to commit a blunder while trying to say that. Similarly, some other people are likely to be confused enough to ask: "How can he say 'a 5000-man choir' "?

There are TWO key points to look into here, when trying to dissect the grammaticality of that expression.

 I need you to talk to me about it. What do you have to say about the expression?

May I have you talk to me.