30 COSTLY GRAMMAR ERRORS YOU MUST AVOID:
1. Thank you for the FEEDBACKS. ❌
Thank you for the FEEDBACK. ✅
➡️Uncountable noun; no plural.
2. I prefer writing THAN talking. ❌
I prefer writing TO talking. ✅
➡️ We say prefer A to B.
3. I am more better than her.❌
I am much better than her.✅
I am better than her.✅
➡️ “Better” already means “more good.”
4. Horn before overtaking.❌
Toot your horn before overtaking.✅
Blow your horn before overtaking.✅
Sound the horn before overtaking.✅
Honk your horn before overtaking.✅
➡️ Correct verbs are “blow/sound/honk/toot.”
5. My names are ❌
My name is ✅
➡️ You have one full name
6. All manners of ❌
All manner of ✅
➡️ Fixed phrase is all manner of.
7. She delivered a baby boy ❌
She was delivered of a baby boy ✅
➡️A woman is “delivered of” a child
8. Lacking behind ❌
Lagging behind ✅
➡️Correct verb is lag.
9. Crack your brain ❌
Rack your brain ✅
➡️Correct idiom: rack your brain = think hard.
10. Return it back ❌
Return it ✅
➡️“Return” already means “bring back.”
11. Nigeria comprises of 36 states ❌
Nigeria comprises 36 states ✅
Nigeria is comprised of 36 states ✅
➡️“Comprise” doesn’t take “of.”
12. Wake keeping ❌
Wake keep ❌
Wake ✅
➡️Correct word is just wake.
13. Barbing saloon ❌
Barbershop ✅
➡️ Correct place is barbershop.
14. I forgot my phone at home ❌
I left my phone at home✅
➡️ We leave things behind, not forget at.
15. Borrow me your pen ❌
Lend me your pen ✅
May I borrow your pen? ✅
➡️ Borrow = receive; lend = give.
16. More grease to your elbow ❌
More power to your elbow ✅
➡️Correct idiom is more power to your elbow.
17. Funny enough, I've never liked him ❌
Funnily enough, I've never liked him ✅
➡️ Needs adverb form.
18. My body is scratching me ❌
My body itches ✅
➡️Correct verb is "itch".
19. We need a letterhead paper ❌
We need a Letterhead ✅
➡️ “Letterhead” already means official paper.
20. I'm not your mate ❌
We're not mates ✅
➡️Better phrasing in English.
21. You're mannerless ❌
You're ill-mannered ✅
➡️Standard word is ill-mannered.
23. Happy birthday in arrears ❌
Happy belated birthday ❌
Belated happy birthday ✅
➡️Correct phrase is belated happy birthday.
24. I will sleep at 10 p.m.❌
I will go to bed at 10 p.m.✅
➡️We go to bed, not sleep at.
25. Just when I thought I have seen it all ❌
Just when I thought I had seen it all ✅
➡️Past perfect needed.
26. First come, First serve ❌
First come, First served ✅
➡️The first person is “served.”
27. Please dash me ❌
Please give me ✅
Please hand it on to me ✅
➡️ The correct verb is "give".
28. I have a running nose ❌
I have a runny nose ✅
➡️Correct adjective is runny.
29. I have a running stomach ❌
I have a runny stomach ❌
I have an upset stomach ✅
➡️ The correct phrasing is "upset stomach".
30. I have 5 years Working Experience. ❌
I have five years of work Experience ✅
➡️Correct form is "of work experience".
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Which of these stood out for you? Share your thoughts with me.
Now, tell me, why you haven't registered for Speak Like a Pro batch 19, (our one-month grammar and public speaking masterclass)? This class is all you need to perfect your writing and speaking skills once and for all.
It's 11 days away! Registration is still ongoing.
You snooze, you lose.
Itunuayo Lawal Olasunmibo
Diction Coach