English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
Important S’s
Dr GAB is an eloquent master of ~ceremony~ (nonstandard).
Dr GAB is an eloquent master of *ceremonies* (standard).
We should not ~take side~ if we want peace (nonstandard).
We should not *take sides* if we want peace (standard).
You take sides but you can take someone’s side:
She always takes her husband’s *side* (standard).
She achieved with the president’s good ~office~ (nonstandard).
She achieved it with the president’s good *offices* (standard).
Someone’s good offices are the help that they give to other people who are trying to achieve something.
GAB
