‘Invitees’ or ‘Guests’?
“This is not the first time this type of incidence is unfolding in the country.” Incident (not incidence) in this instance “Thus, one could say and rightly, of course, that both shareholders would be held to ransome should there be any.…” Get it right: ransom. “...fitting into the above description now and parting with between 15,000 to 50, 000 for one year simply to get a degree?” ‘Between’ goes with ’and’; not ‘to’.
“For reasons best known to invitees.…” As a word, ‘Invitees’ is unacceptable to standard etymology. Use ‘guests’.
“The Beijing conference was a real talking shop.” ‘Talking shop’ means that the ‘shop talks’! Therefore, talkshop
“…the advantages of capitalism should be taken to shore-up and advance the cause of communism.” ‘Shore up, a phrasal verb, does not require a hyphen. When you shore up, you do not need ‘advance’ anymore.
“The 1995 Constitutional Conferees had dented their collect image as law-makers.” Newspaper mistakes border on collective image.
“One is, however, at a loss on how he arrived at this measure.” This is not the language of an editorial. Editorials are not personalized. So, instead of ‘one’, professionals employ ‘we’.
“A monthly women-oriented magazine will hit the newstands on Wednesday.” Spell-check: newsstands
“Teams round-up overseas trainings” Some sub-editors and reporters need regular, refresher courses. Schooling is a continuous process—in or out of classroom. It is rounded off (not round up) which, with or without a hyphen, means another thing entirely. ‘Training’ is uncountable.
“With support from their kiths and kins….” This way: kith and kin
“Customs devices strategy to check dumping” Noun: device; verb: devise. It is only the corrupt form, which does not distinguish.
“Exodus and all manners of drains…” All manner of drains
“Nothing, but thank God for restoring sanity into our banking industry. “Restoration’ goes with ‘to’; not ‘into’
“If it had occured in one sector of our national life.…” This way: occurred
“Consequently, security around key government officials have been strengthened in India….” Security has.…
“Angry gods want N5m ransome” I shall begin to demand ransom from sub-editors!
“We cannot afford to have mediocres and arch-tribalists hovering around the Presidency.” (THISDAY, June 20) It is either ‘mediocrities’ or ‘mediocrists’. ‘Mediocre’ means adjectival quality—it does not represent any personality.
“Forget that the activities of this Agency is being.…” (Source: as above) ‘Activities… is’? An example of slipshod writing
“In conclusion, it’s my ardent hope and believe that the present panel….” (Source: as above) Noun: belief; verb: believe. So, choose the conclusive one.
“I agree with Babatope that the consensus of opinion at the meeting….” (Still from THISDAY under review) Simply, the consensus at the meeting
“The adults are also not immuned (immune) from the health implications of nicotine addiction….” (Source: as above)
“Studies all over the world has proved beyond any doubt that …” (Source: as above) Studies… have (not has). What is going on dear colleagues?
“We are living witnesses to the efforts.…” Critical thinking: the dead cannot witness. We should begin to question some Elizabethan expressions if we are to remain relevant to modern communication. Fixed impressions must give way to rationalization.
“This is because the failure of our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd republics were because the political class did not have the spirit of give and take.” The failure… was (not were) Let us avoid medieval English. By the way, the use of ‘because’ on two occasions is inelegant.
“Importation of second-hand vehicles reduce” Importation… reduces.
“But recent happenings on the national scene which frightfully seem to trade the same old….” In place of ‘trade’, put ‘tread’.
“THISDAY checks reveal that the BPE is expected to meet by month end…” Get it right: month’s end or month-end: little checks that matter.
“Nigeria’s chances of getting its candidate… is threatened.…” Certainly, our chances are… not ‘is’
“The Apapa residence of the late Ambassador… was a beehive of activities yesterday….” A hive (of activity)
“Despite spirited efforts by these organizations, their output hardly make any appreciable impact.” (THISDAY, June 21) Their output hardly makes (not make)….
“If signals emanating from the Persian Gulf is anything to go by.…” If signals… are (agreement)
“…there was still some apprehension that restoration of service would take sometime.” There is a world of distinction between ‘sometime’ and ‘some time’.
“The day a satisfactory answer can be provided for this question will be the beginning of a permanent solution to the embarrassing reoccurrence of fuel shortages in Nigeria. Get it right: recurrence.
“But majority of the Press it will seem.…” This way: a majority
“And so it is safe to say that Nigeria’s air safety is being supervised by one of the best hands in the continent.” Safest: on the continent
“He is subjected to humiliation and ridicule and a times….” This date at times (two words) reminds one of….
“The late arrival of imported fertilizers have always been a source of worry to both government and farmers.” Let us change ‘have’ to ‘has’ in the interest of harmony.
“These lots whose bread have been buttered....” Yet, another substitution of ‘has’ for ‘have’
“But just before he could publicly raise an eyebrow.…” (THISDAY, June 21) I am beginning to raise eyebrows (not an eyebrow) on the quality of Nigerian newspapers—all of them contain juvenile errors.
“Having served under a military regime… he needs to bath in the Yorubas (sic) river for forgiveness.” (Source: as above) Noun: bath; verb: bathe.
“When we hear of people talk about glory.…” This way: hear of people talking… or hear people talk about….
“Lack of facilities threaten course accreditation at….” The verb here should be singular.