DAILY GRAMMAR (DG) 21-05-2018
1a. With regard to what I told you, no progress has been recorded. (No)
In regard to what I told you, no progress has been recorded. (Yes)
1b. Accept my regard, please. (No)
Accept my regards, please. (Yes)
1c. In reference to our last discussion, I have decided to confront your friend. (No)
With reference to our last discussion, I have decided to confront your friend. (Yes)
(The singular “regard” is used in the phrase, “in regard to”, meaning “with reference to” or “in this respect”. The plural form, “regards”, is used to express “good wishes expressing respect, affection or condolences.”)
2a. You have to translate what you said to English. (No)
You have to translate what you said into English. (Yes)
2b. “E kaasan” was correctly translated into “good afteernoon”. (No)
“E kaasan” was correctly translated to “good afternoon”. (Yes)
(When the focus is the target language, the right preposition is “into”. However, when the focus is to point out the translation equivalent of an expression, the right preposition is “to”. Besides, it is “Yoruba-to-English” translation that is done in the example, not “Yoruba-into-English” translation.)
3a. You must put what you know to practice. (No)
You must put what you know into practice. (Yes)
3b. The parties came to an agreement on the sharing formula. (No)
The parties came into an agreement on the sharing formula. (Yes)
(“To” and “into” are often confused by English language users. You “put something into practice” and “come to an agreement”.)
Did You Know?
“Dermatoglyphics” is the study of fingerprints and skin patterns. It is also the longest English word consisting of entirely different letters.
Can you give examples of long words with completely different letters?