English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB) INTERVENTION THROUGH GRAMMAR I know fully well that some employers are smiling to the bank now (nonstandard). I know full well that some employers are laughing all the way to the bank now (standard). To know full well is to know certainly of something especially when one pretends not to know and to laugh all the way to the bank is to make a lot of money very easily. A good employer should share the company’s annual profits with her staffs (nonstandard). A good employer should share the company’s annual profits with her staff. It’s only in Nigeria that employers don’t pay their staff as at when due yet the employers travel on holidays with their families (nonstandard). It’s only in Nigeria that employers don’t pay their staff as and when due yet the employers travel on holidays with their families.…
THE ENGLISH GRAMMAR: A GUIDE; NOT A CAGE
THE ENGLISH GRAMMAR: A GUIDE; NOT A CAGE One of the meanings of grammar is that it is an embodiment of the rules that guide the standard or appropriate usage of a language. Languages are rule governed and every language has its own rules. Expressions that conform to the rules of a language are tagged grammatical and those that flout the rules are said to be ungrammatical. A good mastery of the rules of a language gives a language user the necessary confidence during any speaking or writing engagement. As important as these rules of standard usage are, a question that comes to mind is: ARE THE SPEAKERS OF ANY LANGUAGE SLAVES TO THESE RULES? A language is, first and foremost, a medium of expression and a carrier of thought. It is a veritable tool for the conveyance of emotion. All these vital functions of the human language make rules…
Grammar Exercise
*Been a while; let’s play the grammar game* 1. The entire system of road and rail communications __ to be closely coordinated.(appear, appears). 2. Tales from Shakespeare __ written by Charles and Mary Lamb. (was, were). 3. It is one of the finest tributes that __ been paid to any man.(has, have) 4. We have received two reports from our surveyor neither of which __ encouraging. (seem, seems) 5. Everyone, as all are aware, __ the answer. (know, knows) 6. A large crowd of men, women and children __ is gathered in the square. (is, are) 7. The chairman, with the directors, __ the report circulated. (deny, denies) 8. Your car, and mine too, __ overhauling. (need, needs) 9. Economics __ nowadays included as a subject in most professional exams. (is, are) 10. A large number of applications __ been received. (has, have) *GAB* *Grammar: Mind a test?* 1.…