Pass WAEC, NECO And JAMB Avoiding Unnecessary Repetition of Words In English Language

English Language is a wide subject. It requires us to read widely to be able to speak and write good English in various examinations and communicate freely with our friends.

This article brings to focus how people use unnecessary repetition of words in our daily spoken and written English, examinations and various functions or gatherings without knowing that they are wrong. It also proffers solutions by bringing out some words considered unnecessary repetition of words in English Language. For instance, the sentence, this is ‘more better’ than theirs is wrong. Rather simply say, ‘this is better’ than theirs.

Other good examples include:

1. Wrong to say: This comes in various different sizes. Rather say this comes in various sizes or it comes in different sizes. Note that the expression ‘various different’ is superfluous.
2. Wrong to say: As at the time of filing this report. Rather say at the time of filing this report. Please note that as at the time in a sentence is redundant.
3. Wrong to say: He cannot come as at now. Rather say he cannot come now or he cannot come here at this moment.
4. Wrong to say: He is very unique. Rather say he is unique. Since unique is taken to describe an absolute state, it is not needed to precede it.
5. Wrong to say: The girl waved her hand to me. Simply say she waved to me. Wave does not need one’s hand, since it means ‘move one’s hand’.
6. Wrong to say: John got up from bed at 4pm. Rather say John got up at 4pm. Note that the phrase ‘get up’ does not give room to any ambiguity, so ‘from bed’ is unnecessary.
7. Wrong to say: There are many road bumps on the road. Say there are many bumps on the road. It can also be referred to as ‘speed bump’, a protuberance on a road. So a repetition of road makes the sentence tautological.
8. Wrong to say: The girl had not arrived as at then. Rather say the girl had not arrived then. ‘As at’ is unacceptable in a sentence like this. We can as well say the girl had not arrived at that time or at that time, the girl had not arrived.
9. Wrong to say: it is more superior than yours. Rather say it is superior to yours. For instance, two errors have been identified in the above sentence. What is superior is the ultimate and does not need more to describe it. Additionally, in British standard usage, we say superior to and not superior than.
10. Wrong to say: Abihu is more taller than you. Rather say Abihu is taller than you. Please, avoid using two comparative together. Taller has already conveyed the message.
11. Wrong to say: He did his utmost best for the survival of the family. Simply say he did his best for the survival of the family. You can as well say ‘he did his utmost’.
12. Wrong to say: Awuli is more stronger than Jerry. Rather say Awuli is stronger than Jerry. Needless to use more in the above sentence since stronger has already performed the same role.
13. Wrong to say: I am the most happiest man on earth. Rather say I am the happiest man on earth. Both most and happiest are superlatives. It is bad English to use them together.
14. Wrong to say: This man is more bigger than you. Rather say this man is bigger than you.
15. Wrong to say: You are more luckier than John. Simply say you are luckier than John.
16. Wrong to say: Ebo is more leaner than Jude. Say Ebo is leaner than Jude.
17. Wrong to say: This is the most longest river in the world. Say this is the longest river in the world. The superlative longest is the right word and it does not need a helper to make this sentence meaningful.
18. Wrong to say: He is more perfect than his neighbor. Simply say he is perfect.
19. Wrong to say: He is the most supreme god. Say He is the supreme God.
20. Wrong to say: Good health is more preferable to money. Say good health is preferable to money.
21. Wrong to say: He didn’t even remember all what I did for him. Correct to say he didn’t even remember what I did for him. All what is tautological. You can as well say he didn’t even remember all I did for him.
22. Wrong to say: And again, the boxer was defeated. Say again, the boxer was defeated. And again is another overloaded expression.
23. Wrong to say: it is very vital for your health. Say it is vital for your health.
24. Wrong to say: This is very essential. Say it is essential.
25. Wrong to day: The resultant effect of using weak equipment is collapse of the building. Say the effect of the collapse of the building is using weak equipment.
26. Wrong to say: The child will start learning from the basic fundamentals. Say the child will start learning from the basics. It becomes tautological to use both words together. You can as well say that he will start learning from the fundamentals.
27. Wrong to say: On my way going home. Rather say on my way home.
28. Wrong to say: And also, he has been discharged. Correct to say, also he has been discharged.
29. Wrong to say: It is very serious. Say it is serious.
30. Wrong to say: This is the most preferable option. Correct to say this is a preferable option.

In summary, we strongly hope that the above corrections have been noted for our daily written and spoken English Language especially among WAEC, NECO and JAMB candidates in order to pass their examinations with ease.