DAILY GRAMMAR (DG) 20-05-2018
1. Nigerians must guide against religious intolerance. (No)
Nigerians must guard against religious intolerance. (Yes)
(Though a person can guide and guard in the same context, these are separate words with distinct connotations. To “guide” is to “direct” or “lead”; it usually attracts “to” or may not require a preposition at all. To “guard” is to “protect”; it usually collocates with “against” or “from” when propositions are required in context.)
2a. At this junction, I have nothing else to tell you. (No)
At this juncture, I have nothing else to tell you. (Yes)
2b. Wait for me at the juncture. (No)
Wait for me at the junction. (Yes)
(“Junction” basically means a place where two lines, roads, electric wires, etc. meet. “Juncture”, on the other hand, refers to “the coming together of events” or simply “moment” or “situation”.)
3a. The man fell asleep in the cause of doing his work. (No)
The man fell asleep in the course of doing his work. (Yes)
3b. The course of this economic recession is corruption. (No)
The cause of this economic recession is corruption. (Yes)
(“Cause” means “reason behind” something while “course” means “duration”, “process”, etc.)
Did You Know?
An abydocomist is a liar who boasts about the lies he has told.
Do you know any abydocomist?