English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
CONJOINED WORDS
Don’t be a gossip; you always know ~so so person~ does such and such (nonstandard).
Don’t be a gossip; you always know ~so and so person~ does such and such (nonstandard).
Don’t be a gossip; you always know so-and-so does such and such (standard). You use so-and-so instead of a word, expression, or name when you are talking generally rather than giving a specific example of a particular thing.
He is an ~upcoming~ artiste and I wish to support him (nonstandard).
He is an up-and-coming artiste and I wish to support him (standard). Up-and-coming people are likely to be successful in the future.
He wants to get a car ~by hook or crook~ (nonstandard).
He wants to get a car by hook or by crook (standard). If someone says they will do something by hook or by crook, they are determined to do it, even if they have to make a great effort or use dishonest means.
GAB
