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!
Monday, 29 February 2016
Sunday, 28 February 2016
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?
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?
Saturday, 27 February 2016
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!
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!
Friday, 26 February 2016
"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.
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.
Thursday, 25 February 2016
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?
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?
Wednesday, 24 February 2016
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!
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!
Tuesday, 23 February 2016
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?
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?
Monday, 22 February 2016
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!
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!
Sunday, 21 February 2016
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?
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!
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!
Friday, 19 February 2016
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.
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.
Thursday, 18 February 2016
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.
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.
Wednesday, 17 February 2016
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!
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!
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
"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!
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!
Monday, 15 February 2016
"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.
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.
Sunday, 14 February 2016
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?
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?
Saturday, 13 February 2016
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 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.
Friday, 12 February 2016
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!
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!
Thursday, 11 February 2016
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!
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!
Wednesday, 10 February 2016
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?
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?
Tuesday, 9 February 2016
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?
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?
Monday, 8 February 2016
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?
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?
Sunday, 7 February 2016
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.
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.
Saturday, 6 February 2016
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?
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?
Friday, 5 February 2016
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!
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!
Thursday, 4 February 2016
"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?
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?
Wednesday, 3 February 2016
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.
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.
Tuesday, 2 February 2016
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.
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.
Monday, 1 February 2016
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!
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?
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?
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)