Mend Fences, Not ‘Fence’

The National Business of September 5 exposes two headline faults: "Labour says breach of agreements causes workplace conflicts" and "ANWBN sensitises women on business challenges, potential." "I was harassed by film producers at onset" (THISDAY, September 3). The introduction of five new housemates seems to have taken the usual eviction jitters away, reenergizing the situation.

Who says Nigeria is too tough to govern? The focal point of this discussion is the repeated systemic infelicities in various collocations. Banks lay siege to lawmakers. The correct phrasing is "Banks lay siege to lawmakers." Tinubu: Three years on the saddle. The proper wording is "in the saddle." "As human beings, we are the highest evolved specie."

(FRSC Road Safety Tip, THISDAY, September 8). The correct term is "species." "Creating a smoke free environment" (Leadership on Sunday Headline, September 27). The preferred hyphenation is "smoke-free environment." "Nollywood pays last respect for…" (National News Headline, September 4). The correct phrase is "last respects." "Combatants mend fence" (Source: as above).

The accurate wording should be "Mend fences." "Rooney's wife loses temper after Twitter user comment" (SATURDAY INDEPENDENT Online, September 26). The term is "loses," not "looses." "Nigerian seamstress par excellence for Dubai fashion show" (Saturday Entertainment Headline, June 4). The phrase should be "seamstress par excellence."

"Efforts so far to speak with the Kogi State Police Public Relation Officer has proved abortive." The correct verb is "have," as in "has proved abortive." "It now takes residents leaving towards the bus stop…" (THE GUARDIAN, September 4). The proper preposition is "living," not "living." "VC accuses lecturers of double standards" (Nationwide News Headline, September 2).

The correct term is "double standard," a fixed expression. "Clearance of non-CRI goods begin at ports" (Source: as above). The correct verb form is "begins." "Chele gets sweeping power" (Source: as above). The accurate phrase is "sweeping powers." "As a result, majority of the citizens do not even know of the existence of the national population policy of four children per woman."

The correct phrasing is "of these countries," not "of either of these countries." "The reduction in the number of vehicle accidents and casualties." The correct spelling is "casualties." "Self-styled armies sprung here and there…" (Source: as above). The proper phrasing is "have sprung." "State, council relationship: chairmen pick holes in 1999 Constitution."

The correct term is "holes," not "hole." "This year's Armed Forces Remembrance Day and Emblem Appeal Week were rounded-off yesterday…" (Source: as above). The term "phrasal verbs do not admit hyphenation" is correct. "The private sector in conjunction with the local governments are in a better position." The correct verb form is "is," as in "The private sector is in a better position."

"At these occasions, Nigerians have been fed with these noble and esteemed virtues that differentiate the men from the boys." The proper phrase is "On these occasions." "As a result, majority of the citizens do not even know of the existence of the national population policy of four children per woman." The correct preposition is "these occasions," not "As a result."

"There was no signs in the air" (Source: as above). The correct phrase is "There is no sign." "The truth lies somewhere between the two extreme positions" (Already addressed). "Government has wetted the public appetite for information enough…" The correct spelling is "whetted." "It is these people that Nigerians would ordinarily believe rather than some whose integrity is in doubt."

The correct spelling is "is." "The research aspect of the campaign was targeted towards…" The correct phrasing is "targeted at." "Between 300 to 500 million people globally get malaria infection yearly, whilst a sufferer dies every fifteen seconds." The correct statement is "between 300 and 500 million people." "In other words, successive budgets have failed to realize its objectives of improving the living standard of the people."

The possessive form should be "its." "Lateef Jakande as governor of Lagos State warmed his way into the hearts of Lagosians with a single-minded pursuit of his housing programme."