English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
Common Errors
There was lack access to ~portable~ water (nonstandard).
There was lack of access to *potable* water (standard).
Potable water is clean and safe for drinking, while a portable machine or device is designed to be easily carried or moved: I like this *portable* laptop.
He must have been given love ~portion~ (nonstandard).
He must have been given love *potion* (standard).
A potion is a drink that contains medicine, poison, or something that is supposed to have magic powers, while a portion of something is a part of it:
I had learnt a *portion* of the Koran.
GAB
