Common Errors In English With Samuel Alimi
Today’s class is focused on answering the major questions I received from my avid readers, most especially followers on Facebook and other social media platforms, regarding the correct use of certain words in their everyday communication. Of course, this will be the first series; however, other inquiries will be answered promptly in subsequent publications for our comprehensive knowledge of the language. Sincere apologies to the learners whose questions are unanswered and unpublished for this lesson.
Question 1: Between “we are open for business” and “we are opened for business”, which of them is correct?
Response:
“We are open for business” is in the simple present tense. In this context, it expresses an ongoing action, which happens regularly. Since the business is still in operation, it is the correct expression.
Therefore, the expression “we are opened for business” is inaccurate.
Question 2: When can I use “am” and “ I am” correctly?
Response:
‘I’m’ is the contraction of ‘I am’, just as ‘shouldn’t’ is the shortened form of ‘should not’. It is pertinent to understand that “am” is simply the verb, which could be main or auxiliary, depending on the sentence, without the pronoun ‘I’. So, it is not grammatically OK to start your declarative sentence with it.
Wrong example sentences:
Am coming back to Lagos tomorrow.
Am waiting for our friends in Port Harcourt.
The edited versions of the above sentences are below:
I am coming back to Lagos tomorrow.
I am waiting for our friends in Port Harcourt.
Kindly note that “am” can only appear at the beginning for questions.
Examples:
Am I your best friend?
Am I ready to father a child?
Question 3: Someone once told me that “how was your night” is a question that only married people should ask their partners. Otherwise, we should generally ask, “Did you sleep well?”
Response:
It is common knowledge that native speakers do not ask “how was your night?” while interacting with one another. The reason is, the question has sexual undertones, which could lead to misunderstanding among the parties involved. In their societal view, what business does any random individual have with their love making?
However, in Nigerian English, the question is valid and has gained wide acceptance, even in a professional setting. I strongly believe that no Nigerian should feel irritated when anyone asks to know about their nights. It is mere phatic communication, i.e. no one really anticipates knowing about the details. This is why we often answer with “it was fine” in a deliberate attempt to evade irrelevant information.
Question 4: Why did you say “hope you are fine” is not a question?
Yes, it is just an expression used to ask after someone. I have also explained why it is erroneous to add a full stop because it is not a question.
Hope you are ready for your examination. (Correct)
Hope you are ready for your examination? (Wrong)
Question 5: An MSc holder or A MSc holder? Which of these articles is most appropriate?
Response:
In one of our past classes, I revealed that articles are always determined by sounds, not letters. This means that the ‘m’, which is /em/ begins with the vowel sound /e/. Therefore, ‘an’ is the correct article for the abbreviation.
The following are other examples:
Is the cleaner an SSCE holder?
My friend is an NNPC’s staff member.
Is Bola a UTME’s candidate?
Question 6: I once read that “how was your night?” is incorrect. The writer further explained that “how is your night?” is the acceptable version.
Response:
Well, whoever claims that “how was your night?” is wrong should justify the erroneous teaching. “How was your night?” can be used when trying to ask someone about their previous night in Nigerian English.
Isn’t it a grammar crime to use ‘is’ instead of ‘was’ during the day?
Question 7: A lecturer corrected one of my colleagues who said, “We have 26 alphabets in the English language”. He explained that there are only 26 letters which make up the alphabet.
Response: The academic is right. The 26 letters constitute the English alphabet. Some of us were inaccurately taught in secondary school that we have 26 alphabets. That is quite pathetic.
Assignment
Choose the correct punctuation mark for each of the following sentences:
Femi is an orphan ___i.e. his parents are dead. (a), (b). (c) ?
Hope you are fine____. (a) ? (b) . © ___
The children were happy to meet Mr President___they also received cash gifts from him. (a)__ (b); © !
Kindly forward your answers to samueltolulopealimi@gmail.com or 07049203179 via SMS.
Names of those who answered the last questions correctly
Victor Bawa, Bello Sulaimon, Ahmed Roqeeb, Genesis Johnson, Banjo Victoria, Adeniji Mattew, Sultan Musa, Olalomirin Pelumi, Adeyemi Abigael, Adedigba Emmanuel, Babatunde Esther and Alimi Olive, Alade Charity, Okere Chigozi, Rasheed Fatah and Adebayo Bukola.
