COMMON ERRORS

English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (GAB)

Note:

1. Seldomly, outrightly and installmentally:
These three words are not found in the English lexicon. The adverbs are “seldom” and “outright”:

I seldom drive my father’s car (not, seldomly).
I refute those allegations outright.

The standard expression for “instalmentally” is “in instalments”.

I will settle the bill in instalments.
2. Mature/matured:

“Mature” as an adjective means to be fully developed or grown up. It does not have a past form. Example: She is mature for her age (not matured). It is used as an adjective and does not attract the past form when it follows the verbs: is, am, was, are, were.

“Mature” as a verb means to become mature or ripen. It can attract the past tense. It is used as a verb when it follows the verbs: has, have and had. The young boy has matured a great deal over the past years.

Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (GAB)
Academic Advisor, Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan;
&
Doctoral Student of English, University of Ibadan.