'Crush 2 to Death' Wrong: Author Decries Common Grammatical Errors in Nigerian Media

In a sharp critique of journalistic and advertising language, Ebere Wabara dissects common errors that undermine clarity and precision in Nigerian media. The author expresses bewilderment at headlines like “TRAILER crushes 2 to death in Benue,” arguing that the word 'crush' implies survival unless divine intervention occurs. Wabara insists that 'trailer kills 2' or 'trailer crushes 2' are more accurate and direct phrasing.

The piece highlights a series of other linguistic missteps. Redundant phrases such as 'centenary birthday anniversary' are flagged, as 'anniversary' is inherent in 'birthday.' Similarly, the common advertorial sign-off 'rest in perfect peace' is questioned, with the author advocating for the standard 'rest in peace.' Advertisements are also scrutinized for incorrect prepositional usage, like 'between 3-10 years' instead of 'between 3 and 10 years' or 'from 3 to 10 years.'

Wabara further addresses the misuse of words and grammatical structures. The term 'invitee' is deemed inappropriate for formal writing, suggesting 'player' as a more suitable alternative in the context of sports call-ups. The distinction between the noun 'licence' and the verb 'license' is explained, with a note on American English usage potentially blurring this line. The author also points out instances of redundancy, such as omitting 'with' in 'meets with Tinubu,' and incorrect verb conjugations, like 'impact' instead of 'impacts.'

Further examples include the incorrect use of commas, such as after 'GCFR' in a tribute, and the flawed comparison of concepts, where 'love' is collapsed into singularity with 'benevolence.' The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of precise language, urging writers and editors to adhere to standard English conventions to avoid ambiguity and maintain credibility.