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Common Grammatical Errors Used In Uganda

watchdog by watchdog
4 years ago
in Education, Op-Ed
5 0
Joseph M. Mumbe

Joseph M. Mumbe

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By Joseph M. Mumbe

In Uganda, English language has been adulterated on a very large scale. The reason is that English is not the first language to the majority of us but the second or even third.

However, a language is a skill that can be learned and perfected just like ridding.

Just keep talking and talking or writing.

Here is a list of common errors part (2):

  1. Wrong: I go to school footing. Right: I walk to school.

Why? Footing is not a verb to mean walk.

  1. Wrong: I cannot cope up with you. Right: I cannot cope with you.

Why? The matching preposition is ‘with’

  1. Wrong: I wish I was not a teacher. Right: I wish I were not a teacher.

Why?[Were]is used in imaginaries (subjunctive) form.

  1. Wrong: Sorry, I did a mistake. Right: Sorry, I made a mistake.

Why? Light verbs: make mistake.

  1. Wrong: The price of this phone is higher than yours. Right: The price of this phone is higher than thatof yours.

Why? Comparison is between two objects; not object and person’s price. Use ‘that’

  1. Wrong: I prefer watching movies than reading. Right: I prefer watching movies to reading.

Why?Use preposition ‘to’ After word ‘prefer’.

  1. Wrong: Don’t borrow if you can’t return back. Right: Don’t borrow if you can’t return.

Why? Return means to bring back, avoid repetition. ‘Re’ alone means ‘again’.

  1. Wrong: I got the class discussing about lakes. Right: I got the class discussing lakes.

Why? Avoid using a preposition with word discuss. Transitive verb needs direct object. Talk about- not discuss about.

  1. Wrong: He has white hairs. Right: He has grey hair.

Why? Hair remains hair even in plural.

  1. Wrong: Senior one class is in the 2nd Right: Senior one class is on the 2nd floor.

Why? Correct preposition ‘on’ not ‘in’

  1. Wrong: I am a 19 years old boy. Right: I am a 19 year old boy. Or: I am 19 years old.

Why? Only use article ‘a’with singular verbs e.g., A four-member committee.

  1. Wrong: I don’t know the way how volcanoes are formed. Right: I don’t know the way volcanoes are formed.

Why? The ‘way’ is the ‘how.’ Don’t use both in a sentence. Use one of them.

mumbej@yahoo.com

The author is a Theologian and Educator


Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
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