Below are some English
expressions that appear to be correct on the surface but incorrect when
critically examined.
1. Tammy
seniors me with three years.
Correct form: Tammy is three years older than I (am).
2. Ada is
reading the second to the last paragraph.
Correct form: Ada is reading the second to last paragraph.
Reason: The phrase is 'Second to last,' not 'Second to THE last.' You
can use 'penultimate' if you want.
3. His wears
were packed tightly in a box.
Correct form: His wear was packed tight/tightly in a box.
Reason: As a noun, 'wear' is uncountable; therefore, it is wrong to say
'wears'. You use 'wears' as a verb with a singular noun or with the third
person singular pronouns (He/She/It).
Examples
i. Tammy wears
glasses.
ii. He/She
wears glasses.
4. The troops
were supplied with weapons and ammunitions.
Correct form: The troops were supplied with weapons and ammunition.
Reason: 'Ammunition' is an uncountable noun. It comprises objects (such
as bullets and shells) that are shot from weapons.
5. Tammy left
his luggages in the hotel.
Correct form: Tammy left his luggage in the hotel.
Reason: Like 'ammunition,' 'luggage' cannot be counted.
6. He was
asked to list and explain five (5) importance of Agriculture.
Correct form: He was asked to list and explain five reasons why Agriculture is
important.
Reason: 'Importance' is an uncountable/mass noun. Thus it cannot be
'premodified' by quantifiers such as one, two, three, four etc.
7. The
People's Democratic Party (PDP) is ready to wrestle power from the All
Progressives Congress (APC).
Correct form: The People's Democratic Party (PDP) is ready to wrest power from
the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reason: You wrest power; you don't 'wrestle' it.
8. I live in
Port Harcourt, Odili Road to be precised.
Correct form: I live in Port Harcourt, Odili Road to be precise.
Reason: In addition to the fact that the correct phrase is 'to be
precise,' 'precise' is an adjective, not a verb. As a result, it shouldn't be
used as one.
9. This is the
criteria for the selection of candidates.
Correct form: This is the criterion for the selection of candidates.
OR
Correct form: These are the criteria for the selection of candidates.
Reason: 'Criteria' is the plural form of 'Criterion'. To avoid
subject-verb disagreement, we must use them accordingly.
10. Giveaways
like this should be done on daily basis.
Correct form: Giveaways like this should be done on a daily basis.
Reason: The phrase is 'On a daily basis,' not 'on daily basis.' You must
not omit the indefinite article 'a'. The phrase is used to state how often
something happens or is done.
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