Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / New
Stats: 3,150,332 members, 7,808,131 topics. Date: Thursday, 25 April 2024 at 07:34 AM

Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You - Education - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Education / Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You (43643 Views)

"English That Only Makes Sense In Nigeria" Trends On Twitter, Ah Naija Self / Drop An English That Will Move Mountains And Dry Up River Niger. Mine Is? / Avoid Embarrassment: See Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You (2) (3) (4)

(1) (2) (3) (Reply) (Go Down)

Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by 2romantic: 8:24pm On Feb 08, 2017
There are many commonly misused, misspelled, and mispronounced words in English. I will try to mention, to the best of my knowledge and experience, the most commonly abused words here.

HEARING: The word HEAR is a verb. The incorrect use of hearing is usually over phone communication for example “I am not hearing you’’ This is wrong. The correct way to say this is: “I cannot hear you’’

There are legal uses of the word though. There is the noun hearing which means the ability to perceive sounds. e.g. There are people who have very acute hearing.

Also, another noun form of hearing means an opportunity to state one’s case e.g. I think I had a fair hearing in court.


ATE: As we all know, ate is the past tense of eat. The problem with this word for most people is not so much in the use as in the pronunciation.

Very many people pronounce the word as “ETE’’ as in TETE, whatever that means.

The correct pronunciation of this word is ATE as in HATE without the “H’’

It might be embarrassing to mispronounce this simple word in public.


REVERT: Haven’t we all seen it in email correspondences, “Please Revert’’ or in some cases, “Revert Back’’.

Contrary to what many think, revert doesn’t mean reply.

Revert means return to (a previous state, practice etc.) For example, “You look so much better now that you are on a diet; please don’t revert to eating junk food’’.

If revert is used correctly as above, it would suffice on its own and not require the inclusion of “Back’’ as in “Revert back’’ as this would be redundancy.


MISCHIEVOUS: When someone is full of mischief, that person is said to be mischievous. People know this already but the problem with this word is the pronunciation.

The word is pronounced MIS-CHIEVIOUS by many. Blink and you miss it. Did you spot the difference? Yes, the letter “I’’. There is no letter “I’’ after the letter “V’’ and there isn’t supposed to be one, not in the spelling and definitely not in the pronunciation.


DEFINITELY: Definitely means beyond doubt. The problem with this word for many is not in the usage or the spelling, but like in the previous word, the problem is in the pronunciation.

This word is pronounced by many as DEF-I-NATE-LY.

It should instead be pronounced as it is written. DEF-I-NITE-LY.


PRONUNCIATION: This list would not be complete without this commonly mispronounced word. (No pun intended)

Pronounce is a verb and the noun form of it is pronunciation.

I believe the origin of the problem with this word is the disparity in the spelling of the verb and the noun.

Many people already know the word pronounce and they know how to spell it, so they probably just apply the modification from pronounce to pronounciation directly which is wrong. The correct spelling does not have the second “O’’.

The correct spelling and pronunciation is PRO-NUN-CI-A-TION. I reiterate, no pun intended.

So, to avoid embarrassment, please take note of these words and correct yourself appropriately.


www.laffhub.com/blog/common-mistakes-in-english-that-might-embarrass-you

56 Likes 13 Shares

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by PrinceFromDilli(m): 8:35pm On Feb 08, 2017
Na en be say e don tay way I dey fuckofff.

36 Likes 1 Share

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by ademasta(m): 8:54pm On Feb 08, 2017
O berra undecided

1 Like

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by ccffwx: 10:12pm On Feb 08, 2017
Good post

3 Likes

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by BodePolScience: 10:27pm On Feb 08, 2017
lots of embarrassment, I think language or grammar ought not to trouble us as correct pronunciation doesn't really matter, what matters the most is efficient communication. We have the US, Austria and British pronunciations so why should we be bothered with lots of rules and seemingly inconsistencies inherent in language.

My thought anyway

56 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by NaWhoBanMe: 10:53pm On Feb 08, 2017
Hian! In Shina Peters Voice, Grammar No be Success Grammar no be Money Grammar no be my language

BTW Na Who Ban Me?

6 Likes

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by MrGreenMavro: 8:51am On Feb 09, 2017
wink

English is not our moda tongue...

assuming na common mistake in yoruba or bini now, i go contribute.

abeg, is this statement 'GIVE HIM HIM THING' a correct sentence? angry angry

5 Likes

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by josephine123: 8:51am On Feb 09, 2017
ok... nice
Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by FearFactor1: 8:52am On Feb 09, 2017
Lemme coman start to go
Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by NotComplaining: 8:53am On Feb 09, 2017
Shey na only English dey for this planet ni? undecided

It be like kpe your belly don full well well abi?


Abegi, I would rather impose the attention on more important, existential things!

1 Like

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by Ermacc: 8:53am On Feb 09, 2017
very useless post.
Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by olaezebala: 8:53am On Feb 09, 2017
IN lagbaja's voice
"I speak, u hear,
when u speak , I understand
toro ba ti ye ra, Idea lo ju
if i fire and u laff, i don't care..."

7 Likes

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by guywitzerogal(m): 8:54am On Feb 09, 2017
Ok.....idea is needed am nt newscaster as long u understand wat am trying to say en finir abeg Is my English correct
Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by FearFactor1: 8:54am On Feb 09, 2017
Ermacc:
v

V for vulture
Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by Nobody: 8:54am On Feb 09, 2017
pointless list. there are 100+ accents in English language. each pronounce differently.

7 Likes 1 Share

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by Nobody: 8:55am On Feb 09, 2017
Good, I learned something

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by weyabcom: 8:55am On Feb 09, 2017
2romantic:

There are many commonly misused, misspelled, and mispronounced words in English. I will try to mention, to the best of my knowledge and experience, the most commonly abused words here.

HEARING: The word HEAR is a verb. The incorrect use of hearing is usually over phone communication for example “I am not hearing you’’ This is wrong. The correct way to say this is: “I cannot hear you’’

There are legal uses of the word though. There is the noun hearing which means the ability to perceive sounds. e.g. There are people who have very acute hearing.

Also, another noun form of hearing means an opportunity to state one’s case e.g. I think I had a fair hearing in court.


ATE: As we all know, ate is the past tense of eat. The problem with this word for most people is not so much in the use as in the pronunciation.

Very many people pronounce the word as “ETE’’ as in TETE, whatever that means.

The correct pronunciation of this word is ATE as in HATE without the “H’’

It might be embarrassing to mispronounce this simple word in public.


REVERT: Haven’t we all seen it in email correspondences, “Please Revert’’ or in some cases, “Revert Back’’.

Contrary to what many think, revert doesn’t mean reply.

Revert means return to (a previous state, practice etc.) For example, “You look so much better now that you are on a diet; please don’t revert to eating junk food’’.

If revert is used correctly as above, it would suffice on its own and not require the inclusion of “Back’’ as in “Revert back’’ as this would be redundancy.


MISCHIEVOUS: When someone is full of mischief, that person is said to be mischievous. People know this already but the problem with this word is the pronunciation.

The word is pronounced MIS-CHIEVIOUS by many. Blink and you miss it. Did you spot the difference? Yes, the letter “I’’. There is no letter “I’’ after the letter “V’’ and there isn’t supposed to be one, not in the spelling and definitely not in the pronunciation.


DEFINITELY: Definitely means beyond doubt. The problem with this word for many is not in the usage or the spelling, but like in the previous word, the problem is in the pronunciation.

This word is pronounced by many as DEF-I-NATE-LY.

It should instead be pronounced as it is written. DEF-I-NITE-LY.


PRONUNCIATION: This list would not be complete without this commonly mispronounced word. (No pun intended)

Pronounce is a verb and the noun form of it is pronunciation.

I believe the origin of the problem with this word is the disparity in the spelling of the verb and the noun.

Many people already know the word pronounce and they know how to spell it, so they probably just apply the modification from pronounce to pronounciation directly which is wrong. The correct spelling does not have the second “O’’.

The correct spelling and pronunciation is PRO-NUN-CI-A-TION. I reiterate, no pun intended.

So, to avoid embarrassment, please take note of these words and correct yourself appropriately.


www.laffhub.com/blog/common-mistakes-in-english-that-might-embarrass-you
Nonsense. I read on hearing then I stopped. So we should crucify gerund ? Nonsense teacher. We should stop using asking also since ask verb. Chaiii English teacher. Note that hearing is correct. It's in the family of gerund.

Concentrate on how to use it abeg

4 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by wemmieslim(f): 8:55am On Feb 09, 2017
Hmm,
That "mischievous" tho!!!

1 Like

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by Nobody: 8:56am On Feb 09, 2017
Shuoooooo!


Common mistakes in Pidgin English coming up..

grin

3 Likes

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by Mutuwa(m): 8:56am On Feb 09, 2017
wink

Always speak to express and not impress.

The guy below me is on point.

1 Like

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by strenghtt: 8:56am On Feb 09, 2017
Promote your own language and not other nations' languages.!!! cool
Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by CentaurXXXV: 8:56am On Feb 09, 2017
Well said.

No one is "Perfect", But One can be "Near Perfect".

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by 247NaijaGist: 8:57am On Feb 09, 2017
THANK YOU OOOO cheesy cheesy




Shocking! Tragedy in Lagos Area as 'Evil' Man Beats Mother to Death with Hammer Over N11m Property (Photos)>>>https://uzomediangr./2017/02/09/shocking-tragedy-in-lagos-area-as-evil-man-beats-mother-to-death-with-hammer-over-n11m-property-photos/


Embarrassment: Woman Beats Up Man Inside Court Premises>>>https://uzomediangr./2016/12/21/embarrassment-woman-beats-up-man-inside-court-premises/
Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by Unlimited22: 8:58am On Feb 09, 2017
Wow. The mischievous got to me. Didn't know that.

2 Likes

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by NotNairalandi(m): 8:58am On Feb 09, 2017
Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by Proffdada: 8:59am On Feb 09, 2017
I'm going to the there tongue

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by spaggyy(m): 9:01am On Feb 09, 2017
what about the word OYA

OYA- Oya come and be going

oya where is my money





let me show u how i have been making a million naira monthly from forever living products
Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by Diegostan(m): 9:02am On Feb 09, 2017
I have comprehended, lool

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by Histrings08(m): 9:02am On Feb 09, 2017
English language, the most complex of all
Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by HYOTHi(m): 9:03am On Feb 09, 2017
But, some people still pronounce the "Ate" as "Hate" .
Re: Common Mistakes In English That Might Embarrass You by metallisc(m): 9:03am On Feb 09, 2017
Teempakguy:
pointless list. there are 100+ accents in English language. each pronounce differently.

1 Like

(1) (2) (3) (Reply)

12-Year-Old Student Impregnated By Katsina Vice Principal Puts To Bed / OAU Direct Entry Candidates' Forum / Redeemers University Students Fetching Water

(Go Up)

Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health
religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket

Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 32
Disclaimer: Every Nairaland member is solely responsible for anything that he/she posts or uploads on Nairaland.