Grammar Alert: Cheque of vs Cheque for

Due to advanced technological innovation in electronic transfers, the usage of cheques has drastically declined in Nigerian banks. When a drawer (i.e. the customer) issues a cheque, they are giving the bank an order to deduct the written amount of money from their account upon deposit. The amount expected for withdrawal must be clearly written in both words and figures, and the payee’s name must be correctly written on the cheque. This mode of financial transaction is safe, especially when carrying large amounts of cash may pose a threat to one’s safety from armed robbers and their informants.

Sometimes, knowing when to use the appropriate prepositions in sentences to avoid grammatical errors and misinterpretation can be challenging and confusing for writers. This is probably because there are many rules governing their use. For example, “in bed” does not have the same meaning as “on bed rest”. The former can be used for “medical recovery”, while the latter implies “sleeping or resting; relaxing or lounging”. However, there are several other meanings associated with each of these phrases.

Cheque donations are common at social events, especially with philanthropists whose financial contributions to projects are often sought for significant projects in associations, academia, religious institutions, or corporate organizations. However, it is important to emphasize that the preposition for the word “cheque,” as popularized in Nigerian English, is grammatically incorrect. To support and verify this correction, there are reputable dictionaries that can be consulted.

Study the following example sentences:

Last month, the vice chancellor presented a cheque of NGN 500,000 to the best graduating student with a perfect CGPA. (Incorrect)

Last month, the vice chancellor presented a cheque for NGN 500,000 to the best graduating student with a perfect CGPA. (Correct)

The correct preposition for cheque as used in the above instances is “for”, not “of”.

Critically examine the following sentences from the Cambridge Dictionary:

“I wrote him a cheque for $50.”

ASSIGNMENT

Choose the correct answers to each of the following questions:

Seasons require capitalization. (a) True (b) False (c) Probably
The international surgeons _______ the commissioner. (a) operated (b) operated on (c) operated in
______ Joe Biden serves as the head of state and government of the United States of America. (a) President (b) The president (c) president
Please send your responses to samueltolulopealimi@gmail.com or send an SMS to 07049203179.
The following individuals answered the previous questions correctly:
Adebayo Bukola, Farooq Lawal, Korede Boluwatife, Yahyah Aishat, Samuel Joy, Bankole Richard, Shaibu Mercy, Sultan Musa, Okere Chigozie, Olive Alimi, Bello Sulaimon, Precious Adaeze, Ephraim Innocent, Eze John, Ahmed Roqeeb, Phillip Solomon, and Oladunjoye Oluwafemi.