English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
CONFUSING ENGLISH
~Many at times~, we blame the government for our personal problems (nonstandard).
Many a time, we blame the government for our personal problems (standard).
~Atimes~, we need to take responsibility for certain things (nonstandard).
At times, we need to take responsibility for certain things (standard).
~Many a persons have~ tried but only few succeeded (nonstandard).
Many a person has tried but only few succeeded (standard). Note that when the expression “many a” is used, it is followed by a singular noun and a plural verb despite it means “many persons”.
GAB
