Daily Grammar – Week 2

(The use of the definite article, “the”, is mandatory as there is only one University of Ilorin. However, it is correct to say, “She wants to attend university this year”, without reference to any university in particular. If only one university is available or reference had been made to the university earlier, in this case, the University of Ilorin, the initial letter will be in capital: “Tolu loves UNILORIN. She plans to attend the University this year.”)

2. The tea is good but I need another sugar. (No)

The tea is good but I need more sugar (or another cube of sugar). (Yes)

(“Sugar” is an uncountable noun which is not preceded by “another”. To use “another”, a countable noun must follow it. You will always need more salt, not another salt; more money, not another money; more water, not another water; more grace, not another grace, etc.)

3. In a class of 50 students where 40 failed, it is clear that many of them and their teacher performed below expectation. (No)

In a class of 50 students where 40 failed, it is clear that most of them and their teacher performed below expectation. (Yes)

(“Many” is used to indicate a large number and “most” is used to indicate majority. If 20 students in a class of 50 failed an examination, many of them failed. If more than half of the class failed, most of them did, not just many.)

Did You Know?

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