Experts in the studies of the English Language categorised the users of the English Language in Nigeria into three, these are:
Low level:
These are the people who speak the English pidgin and cannot speak the standard English.
Middle Level:
These are the group who have some levels of competence in the use of the language but still demonstrate some obvious errors which listeners can easily notice when they speak.
High Level:
This group has attained a high degree of competence in the use of the language. They write, speak and pronounce confidently.
One of the ways through which an individual can improve his or her use of English is the identification of the parts of speech. In our previous editions, we discussed other word classes like NOUN and PRONOUN.
In this edition, we want to investigate adjectives.
Adjectives can be attributed or predictive. Adjectives are attractive when they are placed before a noun.
They are predictive when they come after a noun in a sentence.
One of the errors that are peculiar to the Nigerian users of the language is the problem with the comparisons of Adjectives.
Adjectives are compared at three levels
Positive, comparative and superlative.
Positive represents and qualifies a noun or pronoun.
Comparative compares two nouns or pronouns.
Superlative compares three nouns or pronouns.
Examples
Big-Bigger-Biggest
Wise-Wiser-Wisest
Angry-Angrier-Angriest
Rough-Rougher-Roughest
Nigerians tend to use the comparative and superlative interchangeably.
You are worst than your brother. Of course here, two nouns are compared and the comparative WORSE should be used.
Some amazing comparatives and superlatives
Shy-Shyer-Shyest
Noisy-Noisier-Noisiest
Nice-Nicer-Nicest
Double comparative and superlative are also common in Nigeria.
People often say,
It is (more )better than that.
I am(more)faster than you.
Some adjectives are absolute that they cannot be compared like other ones. They are known as ABSOLUTE ADJECTIVES.
Examples of such adjectives are:
Dead, Unique, Perfect, Wrong, Empty, Excellent and Straight.
The implication of that is this. All the adjectives mentioned cannot be compared.
Never say
Unique-More Unique-Most Unique
Some adjectives, however, are usually wrongly used and this leads to their wrong interpretation.
FATAL
Fatal is often used by us to mean serious. A fatal accident may mean that the accident is serious. Do you know that an accident is only fatal if some people died in it. Otherwise,ghastly should be used.
NAKED
Naked is often used as a verb by some users. You must heard the expression
The people naked her.
LAZY in place of WEAK
I was surprised when a man who gave birth to a female child was addressed as being LAZY. Lazy or weak?
TALKATIVE
Talkative is often used as a noun.
Do you usually hear people say this
She is a talkative.
Talkative is an adjective and not a noun. It cannot be used as a noun.
A person can be talkative and not a talkative.
BEAUTIFUL /PRETTY
Beautiful and Pretty are both used to talk about the look of a feminine. They do not suggest the same.
Pretty is concerned with the face. A lady is pretty when the emphasis is on the face.
Beautiful implies the appearance of the person. A lady is beautiful when the body shape and the face are all attractive.
TALL/LONG
Tall and long both suggest something with a lot of length.
Long, however, implies something that is horizontal. A long snake…
Tall represents something that is measured vertically.
Long can contain LEFT and RIGHT while tall can contain UP and DOWN.
SICK/ILL
Sick has almost the same meaning with ill. Ill implies that a person has a failing health. Sick also suggest a failing health but it involves vomit.
STATURE
Stature is often used to mean a person’s body shape. If a person tells you that he or she likes your stature,you may think that the person likes your look. A person’s stature means a person’s natural height. Your stature is your height.
Also, some adjectives are wrongly used in some popular sayings
Incorrect
1.If the worse comes to the worst
2.I enjoyed myself to the fullest.
3.Don’t take it personal.
4.Take your studies serious.
Correct
1.If the worst comes to the worst
2.I enjoyed myself to the full.
3.Don’t take it personally.
4.Take your studies seriously.
You need to improve your use of English so as to speak and write confidently.
Contact us at the Stylisticians English Language School so as to help you develop the necessary skills.