"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.