DAILY GRAMMAR (DG) 04-08-2018
1a. She looks as a queen. (No)
She looks like a queen. (Yes)
1b. He came late again like he does always. (No)
He came late again as he does always. (Yes)
1c. He walks as he is drunk. (No)
He walks as if he is drunk. (Yes)
(As the use of “if” and “as” is often confusing, note that if the part of the sentence that comes after “like” or “as” contains no verb, the right word is usually “like”. However, if there is a verb after the word, use “as”. On some occasions, “as” is used with additions like “if”, “though”, etc.)
2a. Dr Oladimeji completed the assignment timely. (No)
Dr Oladimeji completed the assignment in a timely manner. (Yes)
2b. The late don related friendly with all and sundry. (No)
The late don was friendly to all and sundry. (Yes)
(“Timely” and “friendly” are two of the words that end with “ly” without being adverbs. They are adjectives and they should be used as qualifiers.)
3a. Many researches have been carried out on that subject. (No)
A lot of research has been carried out on that subject. (Yes)
3b. All evidences available affirm and confirm that the accused is guilty. (No)
All evidence available affirms and confirms that the accused is guilty. (Yes)
(“Research” and “evidence” are not countable, usually. Other words in this category include “sugar”, “tea”, “knowledge”, “safety”, etc.)
Did You Know?
If you spell out the numbers in English from “one”, you won’t encounter “a”, the first letter, until you reach “one thousand”.