DAILY GRAMMAR (DG) 04-06-2018
1a. Human beings are endowed with the faculty of speeches. (No)
Human beings are endowed with the faculty of speech. (Yes)
1b. He has made four speech on that matter already. (No)
He has made four speeches on that matter already. (Yes)
1c. We should all maintain the rule of laws. (No)
We should all maintain the rule of law. (Yes)
1d. The law of many countries are reviewed when necessary. (No)
The laws of many countries are reviewed when necessary. (Yes)
(There are nouns that have two meanings, one countable, the other uncountable, and they are used as such. The context of use determines the applicable forms. Such nouns include: “cold”, “competition”, “conflict”, “drink”, “light”, “order”, “paper”, “position”, “power”, “production”, “scholarship”, “sense”, “space”, “stone”, “war”, “weight”, etc.)
2a. This table compliments your living room. (No)
This table complements your living room. (Yes)
2b. That professor is so humble that complements make him uncomfortable. (No)
That professor is so humble that compliments make him feel uncomfortable. (Yes)
2c. The hotel gives its guests complementary breakfast. (No)
The hotel gives its guests complimentary breakfast. (Yes)
2d. Dr Ajidahun complemented the boy on his good performance. (No)
Dr Ajidahun complimented the boy on his good performance. (Yes)
(“Compliment” and “complement” are not the same, including their derivatives. To “compliment” is to give praise or express admiration. To “complement” is to complete something or make it perfect. What is “complimentary” is free but what is “complementary” combines with other things to enhance their qualities.)
3a. Try to make amend in order to pacify the aggrieved party members. (No)
Try to make amends in order to pacify the aggrieved members. (Yes)
3b. The robbery took place at the outskirt of Ilorin. (No)
The robbery took place at the outskirts of Ilorin. (Yes)
3c. Give my regard to your family and friends. (No)
Give my regards to your family and friends. (Yes)
3d. His bad manner is repulsive to everyone. (No)
His bad manners are repulsive to everyone. (Yes)
(Some nouns usually have no singular forms and are thus used as plural. Apart from those in the given examples, others in this category include “arrears”, “auspices”, “clothes”, “goods”, “looks”, “quarters”, etc.)
Did You Know?
The feeling of calmness and contentedness that follows your pleasant dream is called “euneirophrenia”. Its opposite is “malneirophrenia”, that feeling you have when you wake from a nightmare.
Which one did you experience recently?