Common Errors In English With Samuel Alimi
While explaining linking words to a few students in a school, I emphasised that they are usually used to connect sentences or ideas. I strongly believe that the explanation will clarify their doubts, solve their confusion, and help them understand how to use them correctly in their sentences. To my utmost surprise, the assignment given to them on the topic was well answered, with almost everyone getting a perfect score.
Sometimes, we feel puzzled when trying to identify the appropriate words that fit our sentences for proper cohesion. If they are not used correctly, they may alter the intended meaning or render the sentences meaningless. For example, consider the sentences “I want to cook” and “I am tired.” By connecting them with ‘but’, we can create a more coherent sentence: “I want to cook, but I am tired.” Using other linking words may have a different effect on the sentences. Additionally, I believe that no professional writer would want to disrupt the flow of their ideas with carelessly used linking words.
‘But’ is used to introduce a clause in contrast with the preceding sentence or clause.
Separated: The professor needs to embark on sabbatical. She is busy with students’ research projects.
Connected: The professor needs to embark on sabbatical, but she is busy with students’ research projects.
Separated: Mr Adamu advised Uche to study law due to his low scores. He wanted him to read medicine.
Connected: Mr Adamu advised Uche to study law due to his low scores, but he wanted him to read medicine.
Separated: I do not like his personality. I respect him a lot.
Connected: I do not like his personality, but I respect him a lot.
While learning the English language as an undergraduate, I felt confused whenever I noticed authors using commas before connecting their sentences. As a researchful student, I consulted materials on the trend and observed strong reasons why using the punctuation mark is important in certain cases. However, it is crucial to note that this is not applicable for all sentences with ‘but’.
Example:
We left home early for the conference. We were denied entry by the security personnel.
Connected: We left home early for the conference, but we were denied entry by the security personnel.
A comma is used in the above sentence before ‘but’ because they are two independent clauses. Independent clauses can stand alone. “We left home early for the conference” is an independent clause, while ‘we were denied entry by the security personnel” can also stand alone.
In contrast, a comma should not be used where there is no independent clause.
Examples:
She complained bitterly about the food but finished everything.
Dr Fola shouted for help at the juncture but collapsed before his rescue.
In the above sentences, commas are not valid because the sentences after ‘but’ cannot stand alone to make sense. That is why they are often referred to as ‘dependent’ clauses.
‘Although’ is used to introduce a clause that expresses a concession. Separated: We were tired. We prayed for the rescue of the kidnapped students all night.Connected: Although we were tired, we prayed for the rescue of the kidnapped students all night.
Separated: The two actors were at the party. They never sympathized with the family of their deceased colleague.
Connected: Although the two actors were at the party, they never sympathized with the family of their deceased colleague.
Other examples from the Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary include:
Although it was very muddy, the football game went on.
The patients, although getting stronger, will not come off their medications.
The discussion on linking words will be continued next week.
Five over five/ Five out of five
Some mathematicians argue that it is not grammatically wrong to use ‘over’, but their objection is incorrect. The standard prepositional phrase is ‘out of’.
“Whoever scores 50 out of 100 will be admitted to the university,” the Vice chancellor announced. (Correct)
Since 100 questions are given, using ‘out of’ should not be an issue. I hope you have learnt something new today.
In the queue or on the queue?
Someone asked, “Sam, what is the right preposition for the above phrase”. I replied, “in”. The reason the writer finds it surprising is that it is a common error that has gained wide acceptance in Nigerian English.
Assignment
She begged for forgivenesss, ____ she committed the offence again.
but
because
©so
The students are ____ the queue for their passports.
on
in
at
Kindly forward your answers to samueltolulopealimi@gmail.com or 07049203179 via SMS.
Names of those who answered the last questions correctly
Adeyemi Abigael, Yahyah Aishat, Sultan Musa, Victor Bawa, Alimi Olive, Alade Charity, Banjo Victoria, Genesis Johnson, Yusuf Bala, Adeniji Matthew, Babatunde Esther, Fiyinfoluwa Olawale, Chigozie Eze, Adebayo Bukola, Adedigba Emmanuel, Victory Daniel, Bello Sulaimon, Okere Chigozi, and Ahmed Roqeeb.
