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?
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
Sunday, 29 May 2016
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?
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!
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!
Saturday, 28 May 2016
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?
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?
Thursday, 26 May 2016
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?
"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!
"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!
Wednesday, 25 May 2016
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?
"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?
Monday, 23 May 2016
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?
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?
Sunday, 22 May 2016
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!
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!
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!
Saturday, 21 May 2016
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!
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!
Thursday, 19 May 2016
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!
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?
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?
Tuesday, 17 May 2016
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.
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.
Monday, 9 May 2016
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!
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!
Sunday, 8 May 2016
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.
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.
Saturday, 7 May 2016
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?
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?
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?
Thursday, 5 May 2016
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!
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?
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?
Tuesday, 3 May 2016
"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!
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!
Monday, 2 May 2016
"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?
"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?
Sunday, 1 May 2016
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!
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?
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?
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