English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB) COLLOCATIONS *Not only* was it raining throughout the event, most of the guests didn’t show up (nonstandard). *Not only* was it raining throughout the event, *but also* the guests didn’t show up (standard). “Not only” is used with “but also” to achieve a grammatical sentence. These activities are ~prone to success~ (nonstandard). These activities are *prone to failure* (standard). When “prone” is used with “to”, the collocation is used to paint a negative scenario. I am ~looking forward to present~ my paper at the conference (nonstandard). I am *looking forward to presenting* my paper at the conference (standard). When ‘looking forward to” is used, it collocates with a verb in the continuous form. This applies to other forms like: With a view to doing…✔️ With a view to do… ✖️ GAB
WORDS THAT GO IN PAIRS
English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB) WORDS THAT GO IN PAIRS 19. Hanky-panky: If you describe behaviour as hanky-panky, you disapprove of it because it is dishonest or breaks rules: What we are experiencing in Nigeria can be described as political hanky-panky. 20. Higgledy-piggledy: If you say that things are higgledy-piggledy, you mean that they are very disorganised and untidy; as an adverb, it means in confusion or disorder: The Nigerian economy seems to be running higgledy-piggledy at the moment. 21. Wishy washy: If you say that someone is wishy-washy, you are critical of them because their ideas are not firm or clear: Only God can rescue us from indecisive wishy washy leaders. GAB
Common Errors
English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye (GAB) Everyday errors Wonders will never cease (not, Wonders will never end). The expression is fixed. She wears lovely perfumes (not, sprays). He is a godsend to me (not, godsent). She is not in office (not, She is not on seat). Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose Academic Advisor, Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan; & Doctoral student of English, University of Ibadan.
Common Errors
English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (GAB) Let’s discuss prepositions in context She ate from a plate (not, with a plate). To eat with a plat0e will mean to eat together with the plate. She came in a car (not with a car). To say come with a car will suggest that she came in the company of the car. You have to buckle down to pass this exam (not buckle up). To buckle down is to tackle a task with determination while to buckle up is to fasten one’s seat belt. You have to repent of your sins (not, from your sins). Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose Academic Advisor, Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan; & Doctoral student of English, University of Ibadan.
Common Errors
English For Today By Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (GAB) Note these: We need arms and ammunition (not, ammunitions). The noun “ammunition” does not attract s. The tailor took my measure (not, measurement). She got off scot-free (not, She went scot free). To get away with something without being punished is to get off scot-free. Give my regards to your brother (not, regard). A greeting to pass on to another person is regards Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose Academic Advisor, Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan; & Doctoral student of English, University of Ibadan.
On Idioms
*English For Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (GAB)* *SOME IDIOMS ARE WRONG BECAUSE THEY ARE RECONSTRUCTED* Burning the midnight *oil* (not, the midnight candle). A problem shared is a problem *halved* (not, a problem shared is half solved). To *play* to the gallery (not, dance to the gallery). To *meet* minds with (not, rub minds with). Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose Academic Advisor, Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan; & Doctoral student of English, University of Ibadan.
On the glottal fricative /h/ among Yoruba speakers of English
An Open Letter to my Fellow Yoruba on sound /h/ Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (GAB) Letter h equates a sound in English and it is called glottal fricative. This sound is a problematic one for many people who speak the English Language as a second language. The /h/ sound is present in some words, optional in some words and silent in some other words. It has however been observed that among Yoruba speakers on English, there are also cases of h-insertion and h-omission. The sound is found in words like: house, abhor, habit, his, her and so on. It is optional in a word like hotel, which means you may pronounce the word with the glottal fricative sound or leave it out. The sound is not found in words like honour and hour despite the presence of letter h. Research has shown however that Yoruba speakers of English struggle with this…
ARE THE RULES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE CHANGING OR GAB IS JUST CHANGING THEM
ARE THE RULES OF ENGLISH CHANGING OR GAB IS JUST CHANGING THEM Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (GAB) He who pays the piper calls the tune (not, dictates). Runny nose (not, running nose). Lagging behind (not, lacking behind). Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t (not, the devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know). You cannot have your cake and eat it (not, you cannot eat your cake and have it). Sail through (not, scale through). At times (not, atimes). Knock knees (not, k-legs). I know full well (not, fully well). Don’t bite the hand that feeds you (not, finger). These and more you have read in my daily lessons and I am sure you are asking: Are these rules changing or this guy is changing them? So is he saying our primary and secondary school teachers did not teach us well? … Languages, especially…
Choosing the right words
*Writing carefully* Have a *safe* journey (not, save). God will make *a way* (not, away). I am *grateful* (not, greatful). GAB
Grammar Exercise
*Been a while; let’s play the grammar game* 1. The entire system of road and rail communications __ to be closely coordinated.(appear, appears). 2. Tales from Shakespeare __ written by Charles and Mary Lamb. (was, were). 3. It is one of the finest tributes that __ been paid to any man.(has, have) 4. We have received two reports from our surveyor neither of which __ encouraging. (seem, seems) 5. Everyone, as all are aware, __ the answer. (know, knows) 6. A large crowd of men, women and children __ is gathered in the square. (is, are) 7. The chairman, with the directors, __ the report circulated. (deny, denies) 8. Your car, and mine too, __ overhauling. (need, needs) 9. Economics __ nowadays included as a subject in most professional exams. (is, are) 10. A large number of applications __ been received. (has, have) *GAB* *Grammar: Mind a test?* 1.…