Biscuits are popular among several children and adults. And I also loved them when I was much younger. I would always save money to buy them. They are one of the most popular snacks you can find anywhere. Today’s class provides a fascinating insight into the erroneous expression that is common among Nigerian English speakers while referring to those sweet biscuits. Of course, a dozen is a set of twelve. However, I observed that using the preposition “of” with “dozen” for this context is wrong.
Sola, could you please buy two dozen of biscuits for me? (Wrong)
Sola, could you please buy two dozen biscuits for me? (Correct)
I need a dozen of eggs. (Wrong)
I need a dozen eggs. (Correct)
Do not be confused. Replace “dozen” with “a set of twelve” in the above sentences.
Sola, could you please buy me two sets of twelve biscuits?
I need a set of twelve eggs.
Without removing “of”, we would have the following incorrect expression:
I need a set of twelve of eggs.
That is the implication of using “dozen of” in your expressions. I hope you have learnt a new topic in the Peoples’ Daily newspaper today.
ROUND UP
Another phrasal verb that has been severely abused by many speakers is “round up”. Whenever you are about to finish your class presentation, you are likely to use this wrong expression too.
Ma, can we round up the class? (Wrong)
Ma, can we round off the class? (Correct)
“Round up” simply means “to collect together”, while “round off” means “to complete or finish something”. Have you studied why it is important to use the latter phrasal verb? Use “round off” instead of “round up” to end your speech. Avoid the wrong phrasal verb like the Plague.
The armed robbers were rounded up in Abuja yesterday. (Correct)
Alternatively, “wrap up” can be used in place of “round off”. It also means “to finish completely”. Below is an example from the Oxford English Dictionary:
Let me wrap up this project before I begin a new one.
ON A BLUE SHIRT
Whenever you want to refer to someone putting on clothes, do not use “on”. It is grammatically wrong to use this preposition; therefore, use “in” instead.
The man on the blue shirt is my father. (Wrong)
The man in the blue shirt is my father. (Correct)
This same rule is applicable to glasses and trousers.
That lady on glasses is brilliant. (Wrong)
That lady in glasses is brilliant. (Correct)
The woman on transparent trousers was assaulted by two soldiers. (Wrong)
The woman in transparent trousers was beaten by two soldiers. (Correct)
SPONSORER
During a long discussion with my English teacher, I expressed my interest in politics. I said, “I would love to be a politician; so I pray for “sponsorers”. The teacher quickly corrected the term “sponsorer” because it does not exist in English. I thought that I could add “er” to “sponsor” since a person who teaches is a teacher.
I need a sponsorer. (Wrong)
I need a sponsor. (Correct)
WIKLOW
I guess you are one of those who misspell “whitlow” as “wiklow”. It is time you understood the correct spelling. Do you know that it is also a countable noun? Can you recall our discussion on “headache”?
The man has wiklow. (Wrong)
The man has a whitlow. (Correct)
I APPRECIATE
It is always important to express gratitude to our benefactors. It will encourage them to do better. And how would you feel if you help an ingrate? This is one of the reasons we must continually appreciate every noble deed.
I noticed a grammatical error with the comment “I appreciate”. The verb “appreciate” is a transitive verb. A transitive verb requires an object to make sense. Can you say “I take”?
She took. (Wrong)
She took her pen. (Correct)
Consequently, it is grammatically wrong to say “I appreciate”. Why are you grateful?
Thanks for your comment. I appreciate. (Wrong)
Thanks for your comment. I appreciate it. (Correct)
I appreciate your help. (Correct)
I appreciate you. (Correct)
She appreciates our financial assistance. (Correct)
“Appreciate” can be used as an intransitive verb, that is, it does not require an object when something increases in value.
The houses in London just appreciated. (Correct)
It does not make sense to use “appreciate” as an intransitive verb for all good deeds.
Assignment
Choose the correct answer to each of the following questions.
1. The lady _____ glasses is my best friend. (a) on (b) in (c) at
2. The baby has _______. (a) wiklow (b) a whitlow (c) whitlow
3. Get me a __________ cheese balls, please. (a) dozen (b) dozen of (c) dozens
Kindly forward your answers to: samueltolulopealimi@gmail.com; 07049203179.
Names of those who answered the last questions correctly
Rasheed Fatah, Abigail Yakubu, Alimi Olive, Orogun Evidence, Mariam Adedeji, Pitan Rasheed, Akinfenwa Samod, Ayobami Safiyyah, Odumeso Fatima, Oyekunle Hannah, Idowu Rofiat, Eze Chukwuma, Kenechukwu Caleb, Josiah Philip and Paul Nathan.
