Common Errors In English with With Samuel Alimi
This is a great opportunity to debunk common grammar myths that have been passed down by traditional English teachers for generations. Three weeks ago, a student asked me why it is considered wrong to end sentences with prepositions. This student was always nervous about making mistakes in his writing and speaking, likely due to the excessive corrections he received from self-proclaimed expert. Recently, a highly respected academic who teaches English professionally emphasized that ending a sentence with a preposition is not a grammatical error. For example, saying “I watched the movie last night” is perfectly acceptable, despite what we were previously taught. We were mistakenly told that only the verb “see” should be used with the noun “movie.”
I once read a valid and authentic piece on LinkedIn about the redundant expressions that are common among Nigerian English speakers. However, I disagreed with the classification of ‘close proximity’ as an erroneous phrase. The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary is a valuable source of information that is widely recognized for its standard compilations. Below is an example sentence I found to counter a commonly shared belief: “The area has a number of schools in close proximity to each other.”
Myth 1: Do not end your sentences with prepositions.
The above myth is one of the humorous corrections that many users struggle with. Following this rule, it would be hypocritical to ask, “What are you thinking about?” because the preposition ‘about’ just ended the sentence.
Examples:
Sola: Hello, I reported our class representative to the acting provost last week.
Femi: I do not understand. What are you talking about?
Eze: Thousands of Abuja residents participated in a prayer walk to the presidential villa in January.
Abdullahi: What did they pray for?
Eze: They prayed for the stability of the Nigerian economy.
Abdullahi, when will you come over?
The key lesson: It is grammatically acceptable to end your sentences with prepositions, as long as they are used correctly.
Myth 2: ‘Between’ should be used for two elements only, while ‘among’ should be reserved for more than two elements.
The following expressions violate these oversimplified rules:
Between Aishat, Chioma and Bola, who is the most beautiful lady?
The UN should resolve the issues between Israel, Palestine and other warring countries.
Please share the apple between Ngozi, Shettima and Adamu.
Note: ‘Between’ is used for any number of distinct elements, while ‘among’ is reserved for people or things that are grouped.
Examples:
There wasn’t much unity among the council members. (Grammarly)
She was among the renowned writers who visited the commissioner in London. Below are example sentences in the Cambridge Dictionary:
Our holiday house is between the mountains and the sea.
The ancient fountain was among the trees.
Other examples highlighted by Insights by LanguageTool on the prepositions:
The discussion was between Erick, Jack, and me.
The agreement between Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Monroe County was holding strong even after five years.
You have to decide between pizza or pasta.
Myth 3: It is wrong to start sentences with conjunctions.
That is another ridiculous, laughable superstition!
Study the following expressions:
Purchasing over one hundred million naira SUVs for our lawmakers is counterintuitive and unjustifiable. And why are our leaders insensitive to the plight of poor Nigerians in this tottering economy?
The chairman implored his workers to be patient with his administration. But for how long will they be optimistic with their ridiculous salaries?
Do you know the difference between ‘among’ and ‘between’? Or are they the same?
The governor left Nigeria for the United States in January. So who presided over the monthly meeting?
Until the government invests heavily in higher education, the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) will continue to threaten strike action.
As a matter of fact, ‘because’ and other subordinating conjunctions can also be used at the beginning of sentences.
Examples:
Because she lost her father on her wedding day, she cried all night.
Before she gained admission to study law, she passed English, Government and Literature-in-English.
Although the unrepentant critic does not like the chairman’s personality, he joined others to celebrate his birthday in the national newspaper.
If the senator succeeds in winning the election, he will arrest his predecessor.
While cooking rice and beans for her family members during the party, she slumped and died.
Assignment
Attempt the following questions:
______ Musa and Chigozie, who is the most intelligent student?
(a) Between (b) For (c) In
Does your friend _______ American movie?
(a) listen to (b) watch (c) look
One of the following phrases is not tautological.
(a) free gift (b) close proximity (c) transport fare
Kindly forward your answers to samueltolulopealimi@gmail.com or 07049203179 via SMS.
Names of those who answered the last questions correctly
Yahyah Aishat, Eze John, Adamu Sulaimon, Ahmed Roqeeb, Olarewaju Olaleye, Bankole Richard, Oreshade Gbenga, Okere Chigozie, Oladunjoye Oluwafemi, Adeyemi Abigael, Alimi Olive, Rasheed Fatah, Adebayo Bukola, Wilson Racheal, John Solomon, Sultan Musa, Olalomirin Pelumi, Adedigba Emmanuel, Bello Sulaimon, Abdullahi Nuhu and Adeniji Mattew.
