Highway Code
We are inclined to obey the HIGHWAY COPDE because it is backed by the authority of law. But the strange thing about prescriptive “rules” of English grammar is that they are not upheld by an official authority. Hence anybody can make or manufacture his or her own English.
However, the Academic Francaise (the French Academy) even now, is regarded as the official arbiter of usage in France as far as French is concerned.
Besides, Professor Emmerson, a prominent grammarian and professor of English at the University of Cambridge, is essentially correct when he said; “English is a city to which every builder brought a stone”. Examples include: “The devil we know is better the 100 Angels we don’t know”. – Greg Mbadiwe.
“A bird in the hand is worth a million in the bush”. – Dr. Mohammed Zakari Habib. Nigeria, at 54, is a giant with feet of a dwarf”. – Eric Osagie. Let’s give these Nigerians a clapping hand for their contributions.
To enquire or to inquire into the fears of minority?
Back in the run – up to independence the British Colonial office set up the Willink Commission in 1958 to “enquire” (inquire) into the fears of (the) minority ethnic groups living in the shadows of larger ethnic groups in the regions and ways of allaying them. DAILY SUN MAIN EDITORIAL, January 25, 2017. Note: “To inquire” is preferred.
With nobles or with notabilities?
This promise was often honoured as parents used their female children to court relationship with “nobles” (notabilities) and other famous individuals.
Four (4) months or Four months?
In the past “four (4)” (four) months, Nigerian had been lamenting based on the fact that withdrawals at the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) points had become a harrowing and painful experience.
Three (3) million Nigerians or three million Nigerians?
As over “three (3)” (three) million Nigerians were also caught in the disappointment of the Mavrodi Money box Mundial (MMM) Ponzi scheme, things became “a lot” (much/a great deal) more complicated.
Two (2) day or two days?
But, more disappointments were to come as “two (2) day” (two days) before Christmas, customers were decrying the dearth of cash at the ATM points across the country.
Seven Hundred and Seventy four (774) or 774 LGAS?
Idare is one of the few Local Government Areas that has been so blessed among the “Seven Hundred and Seventy Four (774)” (774) Local Government Areas in Nigeria, but yet, the Local Government cannot “boost” (boast) of any meaningful social amenities.
A geese or The goose?
— but none of these factories, even in a little way, “could” (can) be found in the entire length and breath of Idanre Local Government yet the Local Government’s slogan is “A geese” (The goose/ A goose) That Lays The Golden Eggs”! Usage Notes: When you write in words, you don’t need to write in figures again. Figures one to nine must be written in words and 10 and above must be written in figures.
For you and I or for you and me?
Thank God, death, that will give the green light for the grave does not discriminate. It is coming for you and “I” (for me). It is a matter of time. Note: We correctly say or write: You and I; “between you and me”, or “between us, an idiom, means “confidentially”.
Last week Thursday or last Thursday?
A popular clergyman, whose church is located around Ajilosun area of Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, was “last week Thursday” (last Thursday/on Thursday, last week or last Thursday week ) caught heavily drunk at a beer joint in Atikankan Street. The man of God, whose church members and colleagues “calls” (call) “Prophet Oke Gbemi”, was so powerful that people considered most of his prophesies come to “past” (pass).
Practicing or practising some songs?
According to “Rofo roof” (grape vine) gist reporter, in Ekiti State, the man of God had gone to the church “last week Thursday” (last Thursday/on Thursday, last week/last Thursday week) where he met members of his church choir “practicing” (practising) some songs.
An Islamic Cleric who operates a “Quranic” (Koranic) School in Surulere area of Ondo, “Headquarter” (Headquarters, HQ) of Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State was “last week Tuesday” (last Tuesday /on Tuesday, last week /last Tuesday week) beaten to a state of coma when he could not explain what he wanted to use some fetish objects found in his possession for.
Nylon bag or carrier bag?
After the beating, he was immediately whisked away to a nearby police station by the irate youths who had “inflated” (inflicted) various degrees of injuries on him.
But in his own defence, the Islamic scholar denied the ownership of the black “nylon” (carrier/ shopping) bag. “I was not the owner of the said “nylon” (carrier/ shopping) bag. It belongs to a woman who was sitting beside me in the taxi but these youths will not listen.
Was being taking or was being taken?
This is as set-up with a view to damaging my hard-earned “integrity” (reputation), the heavily bearded Islamic scholar, whose identity could not be immediately “ascertain” (ascertained), said while his statement was “been” (being) taken at the police station.
Reason why or reason?
I suspected some “fowl” (foul) play because she never gave us any satisfactory answer why my daughter’s hair was removed and useless she “give” (gives) me a genuine “reason why” (reason) she shared some portion of my daughter’s hair, the matter could drag to the court level.
though the matter was still “been” (being) investigated by the police authority but all efforts to speak with the commander’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) proved abortive as at the time of “filling” (filing) this report as his mobile telephone lines were switched off.
Sixty seconds (60 seconds) or sixty seconds?
“Sometime” (sometimes) we hear “sixty seconds (60 seconds)” (sixty seconds) makes one “minutes” (minute) and when you go into the Bible (Holy Bible), you can’t find where such is written likewise in the “Quran” (Koran/ Holy Koran) but some people have actually put it together that sixty seconds make one minute.
Just little change or just chicken feed?
But if it got to a stage where demanding for the diskette of the programme and that is what prompted me to commercialize it, not for the money per se, as a matter of fact, what we realize from the sales is just “little change” ( chicken feed or pittance).
The latest one titled or entitled?
—- We have to show it (the 9/11 attack) to the whole world these things ___ the killing of Osama Bin Laden and the invention of the “aero plane” (aircraft) and the series Two ( the visual), which is the latest one “titled” ( entitled) “Awari Otun” ___ (The discoveries).
The general public or the public?
—- And even vote __ buying and buying of voters’ conscience is very common in Nigeria, sometimes publicly distributing Naira notes on queue on election days, distributing salts, “bread” (loaves of bread), “envelops” ( envelopes), just name it; This is an insult to the “ general public” ( public).
What sort of madness could “better” (be better) imagined? Should “this” (these) people fight to join the league?
Political immunity, therefore must be reviewed, if looting and stealing “must stopped” (must stop or must be stopped).
A lot to do or much to do?
There should be government “police” (policy) and criminal law in place to checkmate the treasury looters, the law makers and the presidency “got” ( have got) “a lot” (much/ a great deal) to do to make life easy for the nation in general.
What does the Bible “says” (say) concerning women heading churches? What does the Bible “says” (say) concerning this?
Wordly attires or world attire?
What you see nowadays in churches are worldly “attires” (attire), worldly headgears and worldly dressings have entered the church.
Newslinage learnt or Newslinage learned?
Newslinage “learnt” (learned) from a top military sources in the Nigerian Air Force that the troops would be briefed by the Chief of Air Staff in the early hours of Wednesday, before leaving for Senegal.
Because bible or because the Bible/Holy Bible?
Dear reader, I am not condemning prayer because “bible” (the Bible or the Holy Bible) says in I Thess. 5:17, “Pray without ceasing”.
Nehemiah forged ahead to “accomplished” (accomplish) his goal. He openly shouted “on” (at) me to remove any glasses and sit down.
Brethren or Brothers?
“Brethren” (Brothers), it is pertinent to let you know that Nehemiah was threatened.
Blackmails or blackmail?
It would also interest you to know that Nehemiah was blackmailed but he never succumbed to these cheap “blackmails” (blackmail).
They will say all sorts of things against you all in a bid to distract you from this heavenly race but it is left for you not to succumb to these cheap “blackmails” (blackmail) but to forge ahead with a view to accompanying your laid down goals.
Follow what the Bible says and not what these fake prophets “says” (say). – From Newslinage, 23rd January – 5th February, 2017.