English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
Inappropriate Words
I was ~opportuned~ to meet the president (nonstandard).
I had an *opportune moment* to meet the president (standard).
I had *the opportunity* to meet the president (standard).
If something happens at an opportune time or is opportune, it happens at the time that is most convenient for someone or most likely to lead to success. Note that “opportuned” is not found in any standard dictionary.
I need to make my house ~burglary proof~ (nonstandard).
I need to make my house *burglarproof* (standard).
Note that if someone commits a burglary, they enter a building by force and steal things. To be burglarproof is to be safeguarded or secure against burglary. Again, burglarproof is an adjective, not a noun:
I need a burglarproof for my house. ❌
I need to make my house burglarproof. ✅
Burglary proof is nonexistent in English.
GAB
