Errors in Grammar: Misuse of Relatives, Subordinators, and Conjunctions

Understanding the proper use of relatives, subordinators, and conjunctions is essential for constructing clear and grammatically correct sentences. However, students often make mistakes when using these elements, which can lead to confusion and ambiguity

Misuse of Relatives

Relatives (Relative Pronouns): Relative pronouns such as who, whom, whose, which, and that are used to introduce relative clauses, which give more information about a noun. Misusing these pronouns can lead to unclear or incorrect sentences.

Common Errors:

1. Using the Wrong Relative Pronoun:

·        Incorrect: The man which is standing there is my uncle.

·        Correct: The man who is standing there is my uncle.

2. Omitting the Relative Pronoun:

·        Incorrect: The book I read was interesting.

·        Correct: The book that I read was interesting.

3. Confusing Who and Whom:

·        Incorrect: She is the girl whom won the prize.

·        Correct: She is the girl who won the prize.

·        Explanation: Who is used as the subject of the verb, while whom is used as the object.

Examples:

• Adamu, who is my friend, helped me with my homework.
• The car that Musa bought is very fast.
• The teacher whom we met yesterday is very kind.

Misuse of Subordinators

Subordinators (Subordinating Conjunctions): Subordinating conjunctions such as although, because, since, unless, if, and while are used to introduce subordinate clauses, which provide additional information to the main clause.

Common Errors:

1. Incorrect Use of Although and But:

·        Incorrect: Although it was raining, but we went to the market.

·        Correct: Although it was raining, we went to the market.

·        Explanation: Do not use although and but together in the same sentence.

2. Misplacing Subordinate Clauses:

·        Incorrect: She went to bed early because she was tired.

·        Correct: Because she was tired, she went to bed early.

·        Explanation: The position of the subordinate clause can affect the clarity and emphasis of the sentence.

3. Using Since for Time Incorrectly:

·        Incorrect: Since he left, I was alone.

·        Correct: Since he left, I have been alone.

·        Explanation: Since implies a continuous action starting from a point in the past up to now, requiring a perfect tense.

Examples:

·       If you study hard, you will pass the exam.

·       While Chiamaka was cooking, her brother was watching TV.

·       Because it was late, we decided to stay at home.

Misuse of Conjunctions

Conjunctions: Conjunctions such as and, or, but, so, and yet are used to connect words, phrases, or clauses. Incorrect use of conjunctions can lead to run-on sentences, comma splices, and other grammatical errors.

Common Errors:

1. Comma Splices:

·        Incorrect: I like football, it is my favourite sport.

·        Correct: I like football, and it is my favourite sport.

·        Explanation: Use a conjunction to connect two independent clauses.

2. Run-On Sentences:

·        Incorrect: She finished her homework she went to bed.

·        Correct: She finished her homework, and she went to bed.

·        Explanation: Separate two independent clauses with a conjunction or a semicolon.

3. Incorrect Pairing of Correlative Conjunctions:

·        Incorrect: Either you can have tea nor coffee.

·        Correct: Either you can have tea or coffee.

·        Explanation: Either should be paired with or, and neither should be paired with nor.

Examples:

• Ngozi likes to read books and play football.
• You can have jollof rice or fried rice for dinner.
• He was tired, yet he continued working.

Exercises

1. Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences:

·        The woman whom is standing by the door is my aunt.

·        Since the rain started, we stay indoors.

·        She likes ice cream, he prefers cake.

2. Rewrite the sentences by correctly using relatives, subordinators, and conjunctions:

·        They went to the market but it was closed.

·        Although he is young, yet he is very wise.

3. Create sentences using the following words correctly:

·        whom, because, either

By understanding and practising the correct usage of relatives, subordinators, and conjunctions, students can improve their writing skills and avoid common grammatical errors. Regular practice and careful attention to sentence structure will help in mastering these elements of grammar.