Common Grammatical Errors We Make (Idiomatic errors)

Idioms are generally known for their fixed nature, which means they do not require substitutions. For example, the Nigerian idiomatic expression “better the devil you know (than the angel you don’t)” breaks this rule by replacing “devil” with “angel”, instead of “better the devil you know (than the devil you don’t).” In the previous issue, several expressions that have been altered and are widely accepted in Nigerian English, along with their original versions, were thoroughly examined for better communication on a global level.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a phrasal verb is defined as “a phrase (such as take off or look down on) that combines a verb with a preposition or adverb or both, and that functions as a verb whose meaning is different from the combined meanings of the individual words.” It is also categorized as an idiom. For example, the doctor’s daughter broke up with her boyfriend before his convocation in January. The phrase “broke up” in this context means “to end a romantic relationship” and should not be mistakenly changed to “break out”. None of the prepositions in this multi-word verb should be substituted with another verb or preposition to prevent misunderstanding and maintain clarity.