Common Errors in English with Samiel Alimi
As an English specialist, one of the most persistent challenges in letter writing that I have observed among learners is the proper and acceptable presentation of dates and numbers. This is no surprise, though, given the proliferation of contradictory and often inexact information that fills a myriad of academic texts authored without rigorous linguistic research. Therefore, the essence of today’s lesson is to demystify the conventions of American and British English relating to dates, time, and age. This will make readers familiar with the standard and commonly accepted formats in both varieties.
Study the following versions carefully:
Mr Philips will turn 30 on 29th December 2025. (British English)
Mr Philips will turn 30 on 29 December 2025. (British English)
Mr Philips will turn 30 on the twenty ninth of December. (British English)
Mr Philips’ wedding ceremony is on January the second. (British English)
29/12/25 (British English)
Mr. Philips will turn 30 on December 29, 2025. (American English)
Mr. Philips’ 30th birthday is on December 29th. (American English)
12/29/25 (American English)
Age
It is grammatically correct and perfectly acceptable to use only numbers when discussing someone’s age.
For example, the professor is 75 and his wife is 57.
The lady in Lagos got married at 21.
It is also accurate to say “year-old,” “month-old,” “week-old,” and “day-old.”
Unfortunately, the 12-week-old baby died in his sleep last night.
Free medical care is available to all 60-year-olds.
A 5000-year-old rock was discovered in one of the northern states in Nigeria.
We use “years old” for emphasis, especially in writing.
He was 33 years old when he got a PhD in English literature.
You are 50 years old for God’s sake! Stop acting like a toddler- you should be independent.
The thief who broke into our house is described as tall, dark and handsome and about 25 years old.
Below are example sentences extracted from the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary:
She was 31 years old and a barrister by profession.
He is described as white, 5ft 10 ins tall and about 50 years old.
In addition, things can also have the phrase “years old”:
For instance, the Olumo rock is believed to be over 1,000 years old.
In formal contexts, particularly when rules are involved, “years of age” is applicable.
Watching pornography is not permitted for children under eighteen years of age.
Only civil servants under sixty years of age have access to the newly increased minimum wage.
Time
3:45 is referred to as a quarter to four. In American English, it is known as a quarter of four.
1:15 is known as one fifteen. It can also be referred to as a quarter past one. In American English, it is a quarter after 1.
When the time has 5, 10 and 25, it is not compulsory to mention the word “minutes”. However, it is required for other numbers.
7:20 is twenty past seven or twenty after seven.
8:26 is twenty six minutes after eight or twenty six minutes past eight
9:25 is twenty five minutes after nine or twenty five minutes past nine.
O’clock should only be used for whole hours as in: It is six o’clock.
Never use o’clock with a.m. or p.m.
The commissioner reaches his office at 7 o’clock a.m. in the morning. (Incorrect)
The commissioner reaches his office at 7 o’clock in the morning. (Correct)
Avoid redundancies too:
We left the mosque at 4 p.m. in the evening. (Incorrect)
We left the mosque at 4 o’clock in the evening. (Correct)
We left the mosque at 4 p.m. (Correct)
For the time of day, a.m. signifies “in the morning or after midnight” while p.m. means “in the evening, in the afternoon, or before midnight”.
Examples:
The cook wakes up at 7 a.m. to prepare the family’s meal.
Boarding school students wake up at 4 a.m. to read for their examinations.
Regarding half hours, 5:30 is known as five thirty or half past five. Kindly note that it is also known as half five in British English!
ASSIGNMENT
Please attempt the following questions:
Is it compulsory to mention the word “minutes” when the time has 5, 10, and 25? (a) Yes (b) No
4:45 is referred to as a ______.(a) quarter to 4 (b) quarter to five (c) quarter to seven
Which of the following date styles is used in American English? (a) 25/10/25 (b) 10/25/25 (c) 25/25/10
Kindly forward your answers to samueltolulopealimi@gmail.com or 07049203179 via SMS.
Names of those who answered the last questions correctly
Abdullahi Nuhu, Bello Sulaimon, Adedigba Emmanuel, Eze John, Bankole Richard, Yahyah Aisha, Oladunjoye Oluwafemi, Adeyemi Abigael, Alimi Olive, Adebayo Bukola, John Solomon, Sultan Musa, Okere Chigozie, Phillip Solomon, Wilson Racheal, and Ahmed Roqeeb
