English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (GAB)
STILL ON FOSSILIZED ERRORS: DEVIANT USE OF VERBS
The wrong usage of some verbs have become everyday errors in Nigeria. Some of such usages are given below:
1. He doesn’t hear English (wrong).
He doesn’t understand/speak English (right).
2. I can hear the smell of “jollof” rice (wrong).
I can perceive the aroma of “jollof” rice (right).
3. NEPA has brought light (wrong).
Electricity supply/power has been restored (right).
4. She likes the people I move with (wrong).
She likes the people I associate with (right).
5. He wants to toast/approach a lady in my class (wrong).
He wants to woo a lady in my class (right).
Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (GAB)
Academic Advisor, Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan;
&
Doctoral Student of English, University of Ibadan.
