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ENGLISH LANGUAGE FORMULA
- Wrong Use of Some Terms in English.

Though it is a borrowed language, the fact still remains that English language is the ligua franca and the official means of communication amongst the Nigerian citizens and in all schools within her territory.

I believe you still remember that scenario when you spoke that bad English and you felt ashamed. I still do and it is hardly forgotten. You still remember that feeling when you wanted the ground to just open and swallow you. If you weren't lucky enough, that could earn you a nickname in the school till you graduate.

In some other cases, it was the situation that spur the bad speaker or writer to study more of the rules of the language. I belong to the latter category. This birthed the book, English Language Formula, which we shall study a part of now and subsequently.

During my primary school days, my class teacher, Mrs. Rita, in primary five asked me if I have submitted my notebook for her to check my homework which she gave to the whole class the previous day. I replied, "I have never submitted." As much as this reply denoted a different meaning, it was a wrong reply at that instance.

The correct reply would have been, "I haven't submitted." This was the instant correction my no nonsense class teacher made and asked me to repeat it. Though only two of us were privy to this my fumbling, it was bad enough that I still remember it vividly after three decades.

Trust me, any mistakes made in the use of the English language, written or spoken, is an horrible feeling for the speaker or writer especially when the error is made in public and it is noticed by students or experts in the language.

A lady, some years back, while trying to talk back at a guy who was threatening to beat her up during a misunderstanding said, "you can't fit." Though we know she was not educated yet that didn't stop us, who witnessed the fiasco, from having a hearty laughter. My bad though. She didn't even get a glimpse of why we laughed that hard till this day, three and a half decades ago.

Let's do a few exercises on this most widely accepted and spoken language on earth.

1. Disappointed in, not from.

I was disappointed in his work. (right).
I was disappointed from his work. (wrong)

We are disappointed in a thing when we see that it is not what we expected or desired, but we are disappointed of a thing when we fail to get it : as, "We were disappointed of our hopes."

2. Parallel with, not to.

These lines are parallel with each other. (right)

These lines are parallel to each other. (wrong)

3. Exception to, not from.

This is an exception to the rule. (right)

This is an exception from the rule. (wrong)

But we say "with the exception of" : as, "He liked all his studies with the exception of Mathematics."

4. Full of, not with or from.

The jar was full of oil. (right)

The jar was full with (or from) oil. (wrong)

But "fill" takes "with" : as, "He filled the glass with water."

5. Glad of or about, not from or with.

I am glad of (or about) the news. ( right)

I am glad from (or with) the news. (wrong)

Though many say that a perfect understanding and use of the language is not necessary for one to be a writer (not a good writer, anyways). This assertion, to some extent, is true but to a larger extent it is very essential to have a considerable understanding and effective use the language as the successful delivery of your thoughts through writing depends on these major factors.

Practice by constant reading and writing. This would score you perfect or close to it some day.

Till I come your way again, I remain:

© Eghosa Bright Ekhosemwenyazin
(Public speaker and Writer)
President/Founder, Brainpower Concepts and Writing Academy,
Brilliant Memory Improvement Coach.

Exceptional learning environment. Diligently achieving excellence

Happy new year my unique parents!
10 TIPS THAT WILL HELP OUR CHILDREN AS SCHOOL RESUMES

As school resumes....here are some few tips that will help your child.

1. Prepare the materials your child will be needing as school resumes.

2. Before they leave the house in the Morning, please endeavor they take their breakfast (it helps their memory to be active while learning), breakfast like I said not a heavy meal that can cause them to sleep as soon as they get to school.

3. While you prepare the food they will be bringing to school avoid using fishes that have bones in the food it is very risky and has caused most of the children a whole lot of problem.

4. Their cutleries (spoon, fork )etc should be plastic and not iron or metal to avoid any kind of accident.

5. Be saddled with the responsibility of making sure your children are neatly and properly dressed up.

6. Pay attention to every of your child's educational needs above your personal need, because they are learning from every of your actions.

7.We know the standard of living is high but plan to include snacks in their lunch box to avoid them begging or eating from their mates as against the school rule.

8. Be careful the kind of juice you add in their pack, most times it makes them mess up themselves and causes stomach irritation thereby inhibiting them from focussing on the day's work.

9. Try to find out what they would love to eat so each day and try to prepare it for them so they won't bring back their food home after school which may lead to ulcer in the end.

10. And above all, pray for your children every morning before they leave the house, because you are their first prophet.
Thanks.

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