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DAILY SUN of January 11 welcomes us today with copious infractions: “Four arrested over (for) alleged killing of father of two”
“We need industries, not bogus airports (airport) projects, Nigerians tell govs”
“According to reports, the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which was detaining him said it is (was) yet to articulate charges against him.”
“We need industries, not bogus airports (airport) projects, Nigerians tell govs”
“According to reports, the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which was detaining him said it is (was) yet to articulate charges against him.”
“Ronaldo, Messi justle for FIFA Ballon D’Or award (Award)” Spell-check: jostle
Next on the line-up is THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER of January 9, which circulated diseased headlines and sentences: “One is carried away when he sits down to tell you how he left Nigeria for Ghana at the age of four so that his uncle would remember that his father sent him to the Gold Coast to take care of his gold and diamond business and equally remit the sales back home.” Communication as a passion: delete ‘back’ from the rather windy sentence.
Next on the line-up is THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER of January 9, which circulated diseased headlines and sentences: “One is carried away when he sits down to tell you how he left Nigeria for Ghana at the age of four so that his uncle would remember that his father sent him to the Gold Coast to take care of his gold and diamond business and equally remit the sales back home.” Communication as a passion: delete ‘back’ from the rather windy sentence.
“The Bridge Bank mechanism had a salutary effect on the banking system as it preserved and sustained operations of the three banks in all their branches and allowed over 3.7 million depositors to continue to enjoy banking services in (on) the premises of the affected banks and over 6,000 jobs were saved in the banking system.”
For the first time in this column, let us introduce The Authority. Its January 8 edition contained pupil howlers beginning from its Opinion Page: “In the year 2016, we all will be bound to a bus moving back to 1983, a year marked with (by) glaring double standards.” My own authority: double standard.
“Now, though it has transformed into constituting a business hub in Nigeria, but the traders are threatening to relocate to other states because of multiplicity of taxes and other problems as profiled by….” ‘Though’ and ‘but’ cannot co-function in the same lexical environment.
For the first time in this column, let us introduce The Authority. Its January 8 edition contained pupil howlers beginning from its Opinion Page: “In the year 2016, we all will be bound to a bus moving back to 1983, a year marked with (by) glaring double standards.” My own authority: double standard.
“Now, though it has transformed into constituting a business hub in Nigeria, but the traders are threatening to relocate to other states because of multiplicity of taxes and other problems as profiled by….” ‘Though’ and ‘but’ cannot co-function in the same lexical environment.
“…Guinea finally elects a president in an election that witnessed series of crises and postponements.” (Daily Newswatch, November 22) The long road to democracy: a series of crises and postponements
THISDAY of November 19 contained a gaffe: “In one breathe, there are those who are still….” Take a fresh breath before we continue.
“…it was a soothing balm.” (THE GUARDIAN, November 19) What else do balms do apart from soothing?
The next three blunders are from THISDAY of November 20:
“It is however a consensus opinion that the home, that is parents, should bear the prime responsibility of introducing the subject.” For grammatical sanity, jettison ‘opinion’ from the extract.
“The occasion was held in Victoria Island.” (Source: as above) Get it right: on Victoria Island.
THISDAY of November 19 contained a gaffe: “In one breathe, there are those who are still….” Take a fresh breath before we continue.
“…it was a soothing balm.” (THE GUARDIAN, November 19) What else do balms do apart from soothing?
The next three blunders are from THISDAY of November 20:
“It is however a consensus opinion that the home, that is parents, should bear the prime responsibility of introducing the subject.” For grammatical sanity, jettison ‘opinion’ from the extract.
“The occasion was held in Victoria Island.” (Source: as above) Get it right: on Victoria Island.
“The accused policeman was said to have actually demanded for N10,000 before he was….” Simply yank off ‘for’ from the excerpt.
THISDAY of November 20 circulated two headline errors: “Atiku condoles IBB” Politics without bitterness: either condole with or console (which does not need ‘with’).
“Mark advocates for more states” ‘Advocacy’ in the verbal context does not take ‘for’.
“Two arrested over heroin seizure at Lagos Port” (THISDAY, November 20) Very soon, I will arrest THISDAY editors for (not over) juvenile mistakes.
THISDAY of November 20 circulated two headline errors: “Atiku condoles IBB” Politics without bitterness: either condole with or console (which does not need ‘with’).
“Mark advocates for more states” ‘Advocacy’ in the verbal context does not take ‘for’.
“Two arrested over heroin seizure at Lagos Port” (THISDAY, November 20) Very soon, I will arrest THISDAY editors for (not over) juvenile mistakes.
The November 21 edition of this medium entertained four unwholesome lines: “…she opens up on how she gained entry into the world of make-belief….” Grammar is not make-believe.
“…the food situation in the continent….” Classical writing: on the continent
“Conspicuously absent at the wedding reception was former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida and his children….” Three issues: ‘Conspicuously absent’ is sheer illiteracy! (Absent at the….). ‘Military president’ can only come from a confused head. We can talk of military leader or military ruler (not the contradictory and vexatious extract). Finally, IBB and his children deserve plural treatment (were, not was).
“…the food situation in the continent….” Classical writing: on the continent
“Conspicuously absent at the wedding reception was former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida and his children….” Three issues: ‘Conspicuously absent’ is sheer illiteracy! (Absent at the….). ‘Military president’ can only come from a confused head. We can talk of military leader or military ruler (not the contradictory and vexatious extract). Finally, IBB and his children deserve plural treatment (were, not was).
TheNEWS of November 29 offered its readers two incorrect lines: “…Ciroma will continue to advocate for a Northern president.” Yank off ‘for’ in the interest of our diseased democracy.
“Progressive politicians seize the opportunity of….” Let me take (not seize) this opportunity to declare that there are no progressive politicians here.
“Progressive politicians seize the opportunity of….” Let me take (not seize) this opportunity to declare that there are no progressive politicians here.
“Producing ice-blocks without tears” (Newswatch Headline, November 29) English without tears: ice cubes (not blocks).
Nigerian Tribune of November 30 advertised two offensive lines: “Unfortunately, the reality in Nigeria today is: who will throw the first stone?” The fact: cast the first stone.
“Customs intercept tanker load (what happened to the hyphen?) of drugs” (Headline) The Nigeria Customs Service is an entity. So, NCS intercepts….
Nigerian Tribune of November 30 advertised two offensive lines: “Unfortunately, the reality in Nigeria today is: who will throw the first stone?” The fact: cast the first stone.
“Customs intercept tanker load (what happened to the hyphen?) of drugs” (Headline) The Nigeria Customs Service is an entity. So, NCS intercepts….
From DAILY CHAMPION of November 30 come the next four gaffes: “Fasehun commends Jonathan over Osun verdict” (Headline) The commendation for (not over) the verdict should go to the judiciary.
“2011: gubernatorial aspirant reassures on ACN’s victory” (Headline) Two things: the English language does not know ‘gubernatorial’. Use ‘governorship’. Who did the aspirant reassure?
“2011: gubernatorial aspirant reassures on ACN’s victory” (Headline) Two things: the English language does not know ‘gubernatorial’. Use ‘governorship’. Who did the aspirant reassure?
“My grouse with Jega’s election timetable –Okotie“ (Headline) Mixing religion with politics: my grouse about (not with)….
“A masquerade cooling off with pure water after a street show….” (THE PUNCH Caption, December 2) Just two things: a masquerader…and sachet (or packaged) water. “Pure water” smacks of cerebral infantilism.
THISDAY POLITICS TODAY of December 3 contained two blunders: “…is aspiring for the gubernatorial (governorship preferably) seat in the state under (on) the platform of ANPP.”
The next banner error is from DAILY CHAMPION of December 3: “Stakeholders commend Jonathan over (for) unbanning (un-banning, by the way) of textiles, furniture”
“A masquerade cooling off with pure water after a street show….” (THE PUNCH Caption, December 2) Just two things: a masquerader…and sachet (or packaged) water. “Pure water” smacks of cerebral infantilism.
THISDAY POLITICS TODAY of December 3 contained two blunders: “…is aspiring for the gubernatorial (governorship preferably) seat in the state under (on) the platform of ANPP.”
The next banner error is from DAILY CHAMPION of December 3: “Stakeholders commend Jonathan over (for) unbanning (un-banning, by the way) of textiles, furniture”
“Fayemi orders for reduction of fees at UNAD” (Source: as above) Let us delete ‘for’ in the interest of governance and scholarship.
