English for Today
VERB: Is it just an action word?
Verbs describe actions, states or processes.
He KILLED a rat(action)
He LOOKS weak(state)
She BECAME the rector(process)
Verbs are classified into auxiliary and main verbs. Verbs that help
other verbs to express their full meanings are called auxiliary verbs.
Auxiliary verbs have four main functions known as the NICE property of
the auxiliary verbs.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Friday, November 27, 2015
Thursday, November 26, 2015
English for Today
INDIRECT(REPORTED)SPEECH
6. When changing a direct speech into a reported speech, certain changes occur in adverbs, pronouns and verbs.
6a. Adverbials: Now- then, today-that day, ago-before, yesterday- the previous day, tomorrow- the following day etc: 'I saw him today', said Tunde- Tunde said that he saw him that day.
6b. I- he/she, we- they, you-they/them/him/her, us-them, my-his/her etc: 'I am happy', screamed Folake- Folake scremed that she was happy.
6c. Is/am- was, will-would, may-might etc- 'I may come' Kunle said- Kunle said that he might come.
INDIRECT(REPORTED)SPEECH
6. When changing a direct speech into a reported speech, certain changes occur in adverbs, pronouns and verbs.
6a. Adverbials: Now- then, today-that day, ago-before, yesterday- the previous day, tomorrow- the following day etc: 'I saw him today', said Tunde- Tunde said that he saw him that day.
6b. I- he/she, we- they, you-they/them/him/her, us-them, my-his/her etc: 'I am happy', screamed Folake- Folake scremed that she was happy.
6c. Is/am- was, will-would, may-might etc- 'I may come' Kunle said- Kunle said that he might come.
English for Today
INDIRECT(REPORTED)SPEECH
3. A direct speech in the future tense should also be reported in the past tense: ' I will visit your uncle tomorrow', said Kunle- Kunle said that he would visit my uncle the next day. ' I am getting married tomorrow' said Remmy- Remmy said that he was getting married the next day.
4. A direct speech in the past tense should be reported in the past perfect tense: ' yesterday, I was in Lagos', said Debby- Debby said that she had been in Lagos on the previous day. 'My father asked me to close my door', said Wisdom- Wisdom said that his father had asked him to close his door.
INDIRECT(REPORTED)SPEECH
3. A direct speech in the future tense should also be reported in the past tense: ' I will visit your uncle tomorrow', said Kunle- Kunle said that he would visit my uncle the next day. ' I am getting married tomorrow' said Remmy- Remmy said that he was getting married the next day.
4. A direct speech in the past tense should be reported in the past perfect tense: ' yesterday, I was in Lagos', said Debby- Debby said that she had been in Lagos on the previous day. 'My father asked me to close my door', said Wisdom- Wisdom said that his father had asked him to close his door.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
English for Today
INDIRECT(REPORTED) SPEECH
This is when a speaker's speech is reported by paraphrasing the words in the speech. It is different from a direct speech where quotation marks are used to mark the actual speech of the speaker. Changing a direct speech to an indirect one requires the knowledge of the following rules:
1. Indirect speeches begin with saying verbs such as 'He asked', 'He said that', 'He concluded that' etc.
2. When the direct speech is in present tense, the reported speech will take the past tense: 'I am happy' said the boy- The boy said that he was happy.
Note: When the direct speech is an eternal truth, the tense of the verb does not change in the reported speech: 'Sugar is sweet' said the Biology teacher- The Biology teacher said that Sugar is sweet.
To be continued.
INDIRECT(REPORTED) SPEECH
This is when a speaker's speech is reported by paraphrasing the words in the speech. It is different from a direct speech where quotation marks are used to mark the actual speech of the speaker. Changing a direct speech to an indirect one requires the knowledge of the following rules:
1. Indirect speeches begin with saying verbs such as 'He asked', 'He said that', 'He concluded that' etc.
2. When the direct speech is in present tense, the reported speech will take the past tense: 'I am happy' said the boy- The boy said that he was happy.
Note: When the direct speech is an eternal truth, the tense of the verb does not change in the reported speech: 'Sugar is sweet' said the Biology teacher- The Biology teacher said that Sugar is sweet.
To be continued.
Monday, November 23, 2015
English for Today
WORDS IN CONTEXT
Every word in English belongs to one word class(part of speech) or the other. But interestingly, we do not determine the actual class of any word except by paying attention to how it functions in the context of a given sentence. We should know what a noun is, and need not know the words that make up the class as any word can function as any word class depending on usage. Pay attention to how the classes of the following words change:
The HOUSE is big(noun)
I HOUSE my friends(verb)
The HOUSE boy is brilliant(adjective)
She is my LIKE(noun)
I LIKE her(verb)
She is LIKE the mum(preposition)
She talks like she know it all(conjunction)
Understanding the class of words in context is essential to effective reading and writing.
WORDS IN CONTEXT
Every word in English belongs to one word class(part of speech) or the other. But interestingly, we do not determine the actual class of any word except by paying attention to how it functions in the context of a given sentence. We should know what a noun is, and need not know the words that make up the class as any word can function as any word class depending on usage. Pay attention to how the classes of the following words change:
The HOUSE is big(noun)
I HOUSE my friends(verb)
The HOUSE boy is brilliant(adjective)
She is my LIKE(noun)
I LIKE her(verb)
She is LIKE the mum(preposition)
She talks like she know it all(conjunction)
Understanding the class of words in context is essential to effective reading and writing.
Friday, November 20, 2015
English for Today
Make sense out of this short text using at least five different punctuation marks.
Oh so your mother travelled yesterday Now call her and tell her to bring these books clothes and phones
Oh so your mother travelled yesterday Now call her and tell her to bring these books clothes and phones
Thursday, November 19, 2015
English for Today - PUNCTUATION MARKS
Ellipsis: It is used when omitting a word, phrase, line paragraph, or more from a quoted passage. There are many methods for using ellipses. The three-dot method is the simplest and is appropriate for most general works and many scholarly ones. The three- or four-dot method and even more rigorous method used in legal works require fuller explanations that can be found in other reference books.
Caret(^): it is used to show that something is missing from a sentence or text. It is used instead of having to cancel or cross an entire line or sentence because of a single omission.
Caret(^): it is used to show that something is missing from a sentence or text. It is used instead of having to cancel or cross an entire line or sentence because of a single omission.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
English for Today - PUNCTUATION MARKS
Quotation Marks or Inverted commas( ' ' or " ") - The single quotation marks is British-oriented while the double is associated with the Americans. However both are allowed provided one is consistent.
The following are the functions of the inverted commas:
1. It is used to mark or indicate a quotation: Achebe once said, ' Proverbs are the oil with which words are eaten'.
2. To show words used in special or technical sense, slang, vernacular, etc: So you mean you didn't come with 'kola' for oga and you want to have your way? Note: Kola is either money or any gift in this sense.
3. To encolose names of songs, titles of poems, essays, stories, articles, etc.: My new paper is titled 'A critical discourse analysis of the Oyo State gubernatorial debate'.
The following are the functions of the inverted commas:
1. It is used to mark or indicate a quotation: Achebe once said, ' Proverbs are the oil with which words are eaten'.
2. To show words used in special or technical sense, slang, vernacular, etc: So you mean you didn't come with 'kola' for oga and you want to have your way? Note: Kola is either money or any gift in this sense.
3. To encolose names of songs, titles of poems, essays, stories, articles, etc.: My new paper is titled 'A critical discourse analysis of the Oyo State gubernatorial debate'.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
English for Today - PUNCTUATION MARKS
Dash: This is often mistaken for a hyphen. The hyphen and the dash are not the same. The dash is longer than the hyphen and they perform different functions. Here are the functions of dash:
1. It is used to introduce a list: The group of companies is into so many things~ housing, furniture, cosmetics and farming.
2. It is also used to mark a break or an additional information in a speaker's line of thought: My brother-in-law~ the proprietor of Trendmate School at Oyedeji~ believes in giving out quality.
3. It is also introduced before a repeated word: The University of Ibadan~ the first and the best university in Nigeria~ was founded in 1948.
Monday, November 16, 2015
English for Today - PUNCTUATION MARKS
HYPHEN: The hyphen performs the following functions:
1. When two or more nouns are used as adjectives, a hyphen is sometimes used to link all the nouns: A three-man committee. However, to check whether a compound noun is two words, one word, or hyphenated, you may need to look it up in the dictionary. If you cannot find the word in the dictionary, treat the noun as separate words. Here are the three forms discussed: eyewitness (one word compound), eye shadow(two word compound), eye-opener (hyphenated compound). Again, phrases that have verb, noun and adjective forms should appear as separate words when used as verbs and as one word when used as nouns or adjectives: The engine will BREAK DOWN. We suffered a BREAKDOWN in communication.
2. The hyphen joins some prefixes to the main words: co-education, anti-climax
3. It is used to split a word at the end of a line such that the part that cannot be contained is taken to the next line. It is important to break a word at the edge of a line on a syllable and not just in between a syllable: accommo-dation (right) intimidat-ion (wrong)
4. A hyphen is also used between compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine.
1. When two or more nouns are used as adjectives, a hyphen is sometimes used to link all the nouns: A three-man committee. However, to check whether a compound noun is two words, one word, or hyphenated, you may need to look it up in the dictionary. If you cannot find the word in the dictionary, treat the noun as separate words. Here are the three forms discussed: eyewitness (one word compound), eye shadow(two word compound), eye-opener (hyphenated compound). Again, phrases that have verb, noun and adjective forms should appear as separate words when used as verbs and as one word when used as nouns or adjectives: The engine will BREAK DOWN. We suffered a BREAKDOWN in communication.
2. The hyphen joins some prefixes to the main words: co-education, anti-climax
3. It is used to split a word at the end of a line such that the part that cannot be contained is taken to the next line. It is important to break a word at the edge of a line on a syllable and not just in between a syllable: accommo-dation (right) intimidat-ion (wrong)
4. A hyphen is also used between compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine.
Friday, November 13, 2015
English for Today - PUNCTUATION MARKS
Semicolon: The semicolon performs the following functions:
1. Use a semicolon in place of a period to separate sentences where the conjunction has been left out: Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.
2. Use the semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas: This conference has people who have come from Boise, Idaho; Los Angeles, California; and Nashville, Tennessee.
3. Use the semicolon between two sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction when one or more commas appear in the first sentence: If she can, she will attempt that feat; and if her husband is able, he will be there to see her.
1. Use a semicolon in place of a period to separate sentences where the conjunction has been left out: Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.
2. Use the semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas: This conference has people who have come from Boise, Idaho; Los Angeles, California; and Nashville, Tennessee.
3. Use the semicolon between two sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction when one or more commas appear in the first sentence: If she can, she will attempt that feat; and if her husband is able, he will be there to see her.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
English for Today - PUNCTUATION MARKS
Colon: The colon performs the following functions:
1. It is used after a speaker's name in a dialogue, especially in a written play. Lakunle: A very good morning to you sir!
2. It is used to introduce formal listing. I found the following in the bag: her wallet, passport, a bunch of keys and some cash.
3. It is used to introduce a formal quotation. According to Fakoya (2008): 'The only variety of English available to Nigerians is Nigerian English.'
4. The colon is used to separate chapters from verses in biblical references. John 3:16.
5. To indicate time. 9:25am
6. It is also used to separate a title and a subtitle of a book. Everyday English: A compilation of English for Today lectures.
1. It is used after a speaker's name in a dialogue, especially in a written play. Lakunle: A very good morning to you sir!
2. It is used to introduce formal listing. I found the following in the bag: her wallet, passport, a bunch of keys and some cash.
3. It is used to introduce a formal quotation. According to Fakoya (2008): 'The only variety of English available to Nigerians is Nigerian English.'
4. The colon is used to separate chapters from verses in biblical references. John 3:16.
5. To indicate time. 9:25am
6. It is also used to separate a title and a subtitle of a book. Everyday English: A compilation of English for Today lectures.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
English for Today - PUNCTUATION MARKS
COMMA: It performs the following functions:
1. It is used after a formal salutation or complementary close: Dear Sir, Yours faithfully,
2. It is used in addresses, dates and figures: 2, Bello Road, July 29, 2015. 46, 000.000
3. It is used to separate a cluster of words: the handsome, tall, fair, Nigerian man.
4. It is also used to show a short break in a statement: For the first time, actually, surprisingly,
5. It is used to separate a direct quotation: 'Don't say a word', screamed his father
6. It is used to separate names of business partners, degrees and other qualifications: Bamgbose G.A., B.Ed(LASU), M.A.(Ibadan), PhD(in view)
7. It separates words that are used in apposition(possible replacements) to nouns: Vincent Enyeama, the Nigerian goalkeeper, is diligent.
1. It is used after a formal salutation or complementary close: Dear Sir, Yours faithfully,
2. It is used in addresses, dates and figures: 2, Bello Road, July 29, 2015. 46, 000.000
3. It is used to separate a cluster of words: the handsome, tall, fair, Nigerian man.
4. It is also used to show a short break in a statement: For the first time, actually, surprisingly,
5. It is used to separate a direct quotation: 'Don't say a word', screamed his father
6. It is used to separate names of business partners, degrees and other qualifications: Bamgbose G.A., B.Ed(LASU), M.A.(Ibadan), PhD(in view)
7. It separates words that are used in apposition(possible replacements) to nouns: Vincent Enyeama, the Nigerian goalkeeper, is diligent.
Monday, November 9, 2015
English for Today - 3 COMMONEST ERRORS IN NIGERIAN ENGLISH
1. MANY/MUCH:
Many is used for count nouns and much is used for non-count nouns. It is therefore wrong to say: much students. The students are not much(wrong). The students are not many(right)
2. DOUBLE COMPARISON:
Positive adjectives are used for single items/persons(good), comparatives are used for two(better) and superlatives are used for three or more(most). Having two comparative adjectives such as: more better, more taller, more finer is wrong. Kunle is tall. Femi is taller than Kunle(not more taller)
3. Am/ I'm/ I am:
'Am' is a verb. It can not start a sentence unless we are asking a question, e.g., Am I your friend? When we make statements, we should use ' I am': I am a teacher. However, when we contract, we can say I'm, not am. I'm happy(not, am happy). I'm is used in informal contexts, so 'am' can't be another informal choice. It is outright wrong.
Many is used for count nouns and much is used for non-count nouns. It is therefore wrong to say: much students. The students are not much(wrong). The students are not many(right)
2. DOUBLE COMPARISON:
Positive adjectives are used for single items/persons(good), comparatives are used for two(better) and superlatives are used for three or more(most). Having two comparative adjectives such as: more better, more taller, more finer is wrong. Kunle is tall. Femi is taller than Kunle(not more taller)
3. Am/ I'm/ I am:
'Am' is a verb. It can not start a sentence unless we are asking a question, e.g., Am I your friend? When we make statements, we should use ' I am': I am a teacher. However, when we contract, we can say I'm, not am. I'm happy(not, am happy). I'm is used in informal contexts, so 'am' can't be another informal choice. It is outright wrong.
Friday, November 6, 2015
English for Today - YOU MIND WE TAKE A TEST FOR ONCE?
Reduce the words in the following expressions without uttering their meanings.
1. I probably will not be able to come
2. If you think that having blue birds in your yard is a near impossible idea ...
3. Overall, the ultimate goal of Jack Plunket's art is to show the world from the point of view that Plunket's dog
saw it.
4. It was due to the fact that I was late.
5. The fact that she has not succeeded is surprising.
6. I must bring to your notice the recent happenings in the department.
7. It is apparent that she is sick.
1. I probably will not be able to come
2. If you think that having blue birds in your yard is a near impossible idea ...
3. Overall, the ultimate goal of Jack Plunket's art is to show the world from the point of view that Plunket's dog
saw it.
4. It was due to the fact that I was late.
5. The fact that she has not succeeded is surprising.
6. I must bring to your notice the recent happenings in the department.
7. It is apparent that she is sick.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
English for Today - CONJOINED WORDS (3)
21. Wear and tear- damage; loss of quality caused by ordinary use
22. More and more- increasingly
23. Home and dry- safe and successful, especially after a difficult time
24. Dribs and drabs- in small amounts or numbers
25. Fits and starts- not continuously
26. Ups and downs- good and bad luck, experiences or events
27. Free and easy- informal; relaxed
28. All and sundry- everyone; all types of people
29. Beck and call- always ready to obey someone's or somebody control or dominion
30. Hustle and bustle- confusion or disorder
31. Ifs and buts- complaints
32. Root and branch- thoroughly; completely; totally
22. More and more- increasingly
23. Home and dry- safe and successful, especially after a difficult time
24. Dribs and drabs- in small amounts or numbers
25. Fits and starts- not continuously
26. Ups and downs- good and bad luck, experiences or events
27. Free and easy- informal; relaxed
28. All and sundry- everyone; all types of people
29. Beck and call- always ready to obey someone's or somebody control or dominion
30. Hustle and bustle- confusion or disorder
31. Ifs and buts- complaints
32. Root and branch- thoroughly; completely; totally
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
English for Today - CONJOINED WORDS (2)
11. Far and wide/near- everywhere
12. Bread and water- the cheapest possible food
13. Bread and water- the way of earning one's living
14. P's and q's- to be careful about what one says or does
15. Flesh and blood- the human body or human nature with its emotions, weaknesses
16. Ins and outs- the details and aspects of an activity or a procedure
17. Bag and baggage- with all one's possessions or belongings
18. Facts and figures- accurate and detailed information
19. Kith and kin- friends and relation
20. Comings and goings- arrival and departure
To be continued.
12. Bread and water- the cheapest possible food
13. Bread and water- the way of earning one's living
14. P's and q's- to be careful about what one says or does
15. Flesh and blood- the human body or human nature with its emotions, weaknesses
16. Ins and outs- the details and aspects of an activity or a procedure
17. Bag and baggage- with all one's possessions or belongings
18. Facts and figures- accurate and detailed information
19. Kith and kin- friends and relation
20. Comings and goings- arrival and departure
To be continued.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
English for Today - CONJOINED WORDS
Some words take up special meanings when they are joined by the conjunction 'and'. This lecture series will discuss 30 of such pairs.
1. Safe and sound- secure; protect one from danger.
2. Hale and hearty- strong and healthy.
3. Null and void- having no legal force.
4. By and large- generally speaking.
5. By and by- soon, later on.
6. Nook and cranny- everywhere, every part of a place.
7. Touch and go- to be unsure about the end of something.
8. High and mighty- superior in manner.
9. Black and blue- sustaining bruises or injuries.
10. High and dry- in a difficult situation without help.
To be continued.
1. Safe and sound- secure; protect one from danger.
2. Hale and hearty- strong and healthy.
3. Null and void- having no legal force.
4. By and large- generally speaking.
5. By and by- soon, later on.
6. Nook and cranny- everywhere, every part of a place.
7. Touch and go- to be unsure about the end of something.
8. High and mighty- superior in manner.
9. Black and blue- sustaining bruises or injuries.
10. High and dry- in a difficult situation without help.
To be continued.
Monday, November 2, 2015
English for Today VERBOSITY
Verbosity means wordiness.
Wordy writing is bad. A reader faced with too many words may give up. Eliminate verbosity from your writing.
These are instances of verbose expressions and their possible rewrites.
1.Take into consideration that(why not, consider that)
2. If you want to save on time(why not, to save time)
3. As it stands right now(why not, as it stands)
4. This is over and above other ideas you might consider( why not, also consider)
5. You may want to put a gasket( why not, put a gasket)
Wordy writing is bad. A reader faced with too many words may give up. Eliminate verbosity from your writing.
These are instances of verbose expressions and their possible rewrites.
1.Take into consideration that(why not, consider that)
2. If you want to save on time(why not, to save time)
3. As it stands right now(why not, as it stands)
4. This is over and above other ideas you might consider( why not, also consider)
5. You may want to put a gasket( why not, put a gasket)
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