SUBJECT: English Language
TOPIC: Miscellaneous Errors in English
Dear highly esteemed Colleagues, presumably, I believe that your English speaking proficiency is on the increase daily. Remember, your accent is your access; and your expression is your impression. Thus we must strive to gain mastery in those areas.
Today, I want to correct fifteen(15) expressions that many a people have accepted without a blink of thought if really they are correct:
1. She has put to bed.❌
She has put to birth.✔️
She has given birth.✔️
Many people use the above expression to mean that one gave birth, but PUT TO BED means, to help someone, for example a child, go to bed.
2. The job is TASKING.❌
The job is TAXING.✔️
When something is difficult or burdensome, it is taxing, not tasking.
3. He has WHIKLOW on his hand.❌
He has WHITLOW on his hand.✔️
4. He is a graduate OF Accounting.❌
He is a graduate IN Accounting.✔️
(Graduate IN…, not OF…)
5. He is a doctorate degree holder.❌
He is a doctoral degree holder.✔️
He is a doctorate holder.✔️
(‘Doctorate’ is a noun; ‘Doctoral’ is an adjective)
6. One faithful day…❌
One fateful day…✔️
7. Pray without season.❌
Pray without ceasing.✔️
(Biblical)
8. In as much as…❌
Inasmuch as…✔️
9. Birds of the same feather.❌
Birds of a feather.✔️
10. Truth be told…❌
If truth be told…✔️
11. Any time/moment from now…❌
Any time/moment now…✔️
12. He is a masquerade.❌
He is a masquerader.✔️
A masquerade is not a person; a masquerade is an event where masqueraders hold a display.
13. He is student OF Unilag.❌
He is a student AT Unilag.✔️
(Student AT + institution)
14. Let’s share the grace:❌
Let’s say grace:✔️
15. It picked my interest.❌
It piqued my interest.✔️
Hoping you learnt something new today…
