English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
MARCH or MATCH?
I enjoyed the ~match-past~ by the Nigerian Army (nonstandard).
I enjoyed the *march-past* by the Nigerian Army (standard).
When soldiers take part in a march-past, they march past an important person as part of a ceremonial occasion.
They ~matched~ into my office uninvited (nonstandard).
The *marched* into my office uninvited (standard).
To march is to walk somewhere quickly and in a determined way, often because you are angry.
Her nails were painted red to ~march~ her dress (nonstandard).
Her nails were painted red to *match* her dress (standard).
If something of a particular colour or design matches another thing, they have the same colour or design, or have a pleasing appearance when they are used together.
GAB
