MEDIAGAFFES
with Ebere Wabara
ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948
THE first set of blunders today is from a full-page advertorial signed by Prince Uche Secondus, Former Deputy National Chairman PDP, DAILY SUN, May 30: “…we are proud to associate with you because you have kept the promises you made during your electioneering campaigns.” Use either ‘electioneering’ or ‘campaign’—both cannot co-exist.
“…wisdom to perform more wonderos (wonderous) things for our dear state.”
“Next generation (Next-generation) telecommunications operator and major sponsor of the Nigerian national teams, Globacom, has congratulated the Super Eagles for (on/upon) securing a convincing win over….” This Abrahamic grammar of yore obviously contradicts the next-generation philosophy.
Wrong: Muslim faithfuls (Classic FM 6.30 a.m. News Bulletin, Monday, June 6)
Right: Muslim faithful
From Lagos State Ministry of Land offices, The Secretariat, Ikeja, comes this goof: “Out of bound” Get it right: out of bounds
“They had only been paying lip service (a hyphen, please) to the pursuit for agricultural self-sufficiency.” Get it right: in the pursuit of…..
“As they continue to sing…government may be forced to chew its words not too far from now….” Correct expression: swallow one’s (its) words; not chew.
“In a country where friends share no faith in each other; where the only objective is ‘me and my brother’ must carry the loots.” ‘Loot’ is non-count.
“In spite of the air-condition in the car….” It is called air-conditioner or air-conditioning system.
“Passport booklets scarcity worsen” Scarcity worsens.
“Furthermore, to check all manners of inhumanity to one another….” Standard (idiomatic) expression: all manner of
The next grotesque blunder is from THISDAY of June 7: “His recent errands to Europe for the present administration and his utterances has prompted this essay.” Essay indeed! Verb plurality here is very clear (have; not has).
“There is bound to be conflicts and if need be wars.…” An accord: there are bound to be conflicts…
“At every fora that was mouthed even by those in the saddle now….” At every forum—Singular: forum; plural: fora or forums
“Please switch off all lightings/appliances after the days work.” (Notice on Vanguard Media Limited doors) I think Pressmen ought to mind their language: the day’s work. Also, ‘lighting’ is uncountable.
“To compliment their lean financial purse.…” An example of malapropism: inability to distinguish between ‘complement’ and ‘compliment’ (Some writers need to go back to school)
“Food production has often failed to keep pace with population growth, while earning from export commodities have not done much.” Get it right: while earning from export commodities has (not have).
“What is your recommendation with regards to that?” Either ‘as regards’ or ‘with regard to’ No irregularity
“Cuba, Nigeria to strenghten cultural ties” Get it right: strengthen
“Newspaper pages are repleted with such stories….” Repete, gentlemen
“But for the classification…some invitees….” ‘Invitees’ is Nigerian English; it is not known to standard register. Use ‘guests’
“Readers will recall that a similar security sweep preceeded and followed the proscription….” ‘Preceded; is quite different from ‘proceeded’.
“But on Monday, hundreds of restive staff of the ministry laid siege around the entrance to the….” (THISDAY, June 7) Lay (laid) siege to; not ‘around’.
“Among other things, this has repeatedly given rise to late procession of examination particulars.” …late processing (not procession).
“But it soon done on the ring leader of the putsch that it was only partially successful.” Bad grammar can hinder a coup! ‘Dawned’ (not ‘done’) This is very unkempt.
“He died Wednesday evening in Abuja at Agura Hotel junction within the city in a ghastly motor accident.” When death results from a vehicular mishap, it becomes a fatal, not a ghastly, one.
“Heavy downpour almost marred proceedings….” ‘Downpour’ does not require any amplification.
“What tradition has joined together….” (THISDAY, June 7) ‘Join’ can elegantly perform the function of that Biblical phrase!
“Consequent upon poor funding, the commission’s ability to acquire new vehicles have been greatly impaired.” The syntactic arrangement here calls for ‘has’ – not ‘have’.
“The research institutes should therefore take into cognizance the relevance of local needs, simplicity, economic viability and market acceptance when designing their produces.” ‘Produce’ is an uncountable entry.
“Its centrality as the link and gateway to the outside world make it all the more pervasive.” ‘Its centrality…makes.…”
“We maintain that the government must take the bull by the horn by empowering NDIC….” Formal structure: take the bull by the horns
“….winner of the women’s cycling race power home under the rain….” Write it right: in the rain
“FRSC must device its means and ways of self-sustenance.” Noun: device; verb: devise. (British Standard English)
“Everything was available in abundance at the party that was held somewhere in Victoria Island.” Famous folk celebrate on Victoria Island.
“Already the poor is financially emasculated.…” (SUNDAY VANGUARD, June 5) Even the rich are (not is) equally emasculated.
“It must also have taken into consideration that the NBN case, if not satisfactory managed, could become a precedence with latent domino effect.” Any lead writer worth his salt ought to appreciate the distinction between ‘precedence’ and ‘precedent’. Editorial writing is the hallmark of newspapering.
“According to him, within the past nine years each of the three labour unions within the system, NASU, SSA, ASUU, have engaged in strikes…” ‘Each’ takes ‘has’ (not have).
“Unilag alumni bows out.…” Alumni: always plural
“But on the contrary, propaganda are always employed in peace times…” Propaganda is uncountable.
“Algerian President visits troubled spots” Simply trouble spots!
“There is no doubt that he who pays the piper must dictate the tune.” He who pays the piper calls (not dictates) the tune.
“These agencies have been working in the nooks and corners.” Nooks and crannies (not corners).
with Ebere Wabara
ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948
THE first set of blunders today is from a full-page advertorial signed by Prince Uche Secondus, Former Deputy National Chairman PDP, DAILY SUN, May 30: “…we are proud to associate with you because you have kept the promises you made during your electioneering campaigns.” Use either ‘electioneering’ or ‘campaign’—both cannot co-exist.
“…wisdom to perform more wonderos (wonderous) things for our dear state.”
“Next generation (Next-generation) telecommunications operator and major sponsor of the Nigerian national teams, Globacom, has congratulated the Super Eagles for (on/upon) securing a convincing win over….” This Abrahamic grammar of yore obviously contradicts the next-generation philosophy.
Wrong: Muslim faithfuls (Classic FM 6.30 a.m. News Bulletin, Monday, June 6)
Right: Muslim faithful
From Lagos State Ministry of Land offices, The Secretariat, Ikeja, comes this goof: “Out of bound” Get it right: out of bounds
“They had only been paying lip service (a hyphen, please) to the pursuit for agricultural self-sufficiency.” Get it right: in the pursuit of…..
“As they continue to sing…government may be forced to chew its words not too far from now….” Correct expression: swallow one’s (its) words; not chew.
“In a country where friends share no faith in each other; where the only objective is ‘me and my brother’ must carry the loots.” ‘Loot’ is non-count.
“In spite of the air-condition in the car….” It is called air-conditioner or air-conditioning system.
“Passport booklets scarcity worsen” Scarcity worsens.
“Furthermore, to check all manners of inhumanity to one another….” Standard (idiomatic) expression: all manner of
The next grotesque blunder is from THISDAY of June 7: “His recent errands to Europe for the present administration and his utterances has prompted this essay.” Essay indeed! Verb plurality here is very clear (have; not has).
“There is bound to be conflicts and if need be wars.…” An accord: there are bound to be conflicts…
“At every fora that was mouthed even by those in the saddle now….” At every forum—Singular: forum; plural: fora or forums
“Please switch off all lightings/appliances after the days work.” (Notice on Vanguard Media Limited doors) I think Pressmen ought to mind their language: the day’s work. Also, ‘lighting’ is uncountable.
“To compliment their lean financial purse.…” An example of malapropism: inability to distinguish between ‘complement’ and ‘compliment’ (Some writers need to go back to school)
“Food production has often failed to keep pace with population growth, while earning from export commodities have not done much.” Get it right: while earning from export commodities has (not have).
“What is your recommendation with regards to that?” Either ‘as regards’ or ‘with regard to’ No irregularity
“Cuba, Nigeria to strenghten cultural ties” Get it right: strengthen
“Newspaper pages are repleted with such stories….” Repete, gentlemen
“But for the classification…some invitees….” ‘Invitees’ is Nigerian English; it is not known to standard register. Use ‘guests’
“Readers will recall that a similar security sweep preceeded and followed the proscription….” ‘Preceded; is quite different from ‘proceeded’.
“But on Monday, hundreds of restive staff of the ministry laid siege around the entrance to the….” (THISDAY, June 7) Lay (laid) siege to; not ‘around’.
“Among other things, this has repeatedly given rise to late procession of examination particulars.” …late processing (not procession).
“But it soon done on the ring leader of the putsch that it was only partially successful.” Bad grammar can hinder a coup! ‘Dawned’ (not ‘done’) This is very unkempt.
“He died Wednesday evening in Abuja at Agura Hotel junction within the city in a ghastly motor accident.” When death results from a vehicular mishap, it becomes a fatal, not a ghastly, one.
“Heavy downpour almost marred proceedings….” ‘Downpour’ does not require any amplification.
“What tradition has joined together….” (THISDAY, June 7) ‘Join’ can elegantly perform the function of that Biblical phrase!
“Consequent upon poor funding, the commission’s ability to acquire new vehicles have been greatly impaired.” The syntactic arrangement here calls for ‘has’ – not ‘have’.
“The research institutes should therefore take into cognizance the relevance of local needs, simplicity, economic viability and market acceptance when designing their produces.” ‘Produce’ is an uncountable entry.
“Its centrality as the link and gateway to the outside world make it all the more pervasive.” ‘Its centrality…makes.…”
“We maintain that the government must take the bull by the horn by empowering NDIC….” Formal structure: take the bull by the horns
“….winner of the women’s cycling race power home under the rain….” Write it right: in the rain
“FRSC must device its means and ways of self-sustenance.” Noun: device; verb: devise. (British Standard English)
“Everything was available in abundance at the party that was held somewhere in Victoria Island.” Famous folk celebrate on Victoria Island.
“Already the poor is financially emasculated.…” (SUNDAY VANGUARD, June 5) Even the rich are (not is) equally emasculated.
“It must also have taken into consideration that the NBN case, if not satisfactory managed, could become a precedence with latent domino effect.” Any lead writer worth his salt ought to appreciate the distinction between ‘precedence’ and ‘precedent’. Editorial writing is the hallmark of newspapering.
“According to him, within the past nine years each of the three labour unions within the system, NASU, SSA, ASUU, have engaged in strikes…” ‘Each’ takes ‘has’ (not have).
“Unilag alumni bows out.…” Alumni: always plural
“But on the contrary, propaganda are always employed in peace times…” Propaganda is uncountable.
“Algerian President visits troubled spots” Simply trouble spots!
“There is no doubt that he who pays the piper must dictate the tune.” He who pays the piper calls (not dictates) the tune.
“These agencies have been working in the nooks and corners.” Nooks and crannies (not corners).
