The Grammar Guide That Finally Makes Sense
If grammar rules confuse you, if you sometimes freeze when writing a WhatsApp message because you are unsure whether to write “have” or “has,” or if your WAEC or JAMB English score has never matched how much you actually study, this guide was written for you. We will not start with long definitions. We will go straight into the grammar rules that actually cause problems for Nigerian students, explain them the simple way, and then let you practise immediately with real exercises. By the end, grammar will feel less like a punishment and more like a tool you can actually use.
Quick Promise: I have explained this to hundreds of students. Grammar is not about memorising rules. It is about noticing patterns until they become natural. This guide will help you notice the patterns that matter most.
Why Grammar Feels So Difficult for Nigerian Students
Many Nigerian students struggle with grammar, not because English is too hard, but because of a few specific reasons.
Mother tongue interference: Nigerian languages are structured differently from English, so certain patterns from your first language slip into your English without you noticing.
Pidgin influence: Pidgin is flexible with tense and structure. This flexibility is wonderful for everyday conversation but causes confusion when writing formal English for exams or work.
Rule memorisation without practice: Most students were taught grammar rules to recite, not to use. Over the years, I have noticed that this is why someone can recite a rule perfectly, yet still make the same mistake while speaking or writing.
Remember: You are not alone if you struggle with this. Even advanced English speakers make grammar mistakes sometimes. The goal is communication, not perfection.
1. Subject-Verb Agreement
This simply means that your subject and your verb must match in number. A singular subject takes a singular verb. A plural subject takes a plural verb.
Incorrect: The teacher have marked our scripts.
Correct: The teacher has marked our scripts.
Incorrect: My parents is coming to visit me at school.
Correct: My parents are coming to visit me at school.
Incorrect: Everybody in the class were happy.
Correct: Everybody in the class was happy.
Here’s an easy way to remember it: words like “everybody,” “everyone,” “somebody,” and “nobody” are always treated as singular, even though they sound like they refer to many people.
Quick Exercise: Subject-Verb Agreement
Choose the correct verb in brackets.
- The students (was / were) writing their NECO exam.
- Neither of the candidates (has / have) submitted the form.
- The committee (meet / meets) every Tuesday.
Answers: 1. were, 2. has, 3. meets
2. Tenses: Present, Past, and Future
Most students were taught tenses incorrectly, memorising them as separate grammar topics instead of understanding them as one flexible system for showing time.
Present Tense
Used for habits, facts, and things happening now. Example: “I attend Church of Christ every Sunday.” Not: “I am attending Church of Christ every Sunday” if you mean it as a regular habit, not something happening right now.
Past Tense
Used for completed actions. Example: “I submitted my JAMB form last week,” not “I have submitted my JAMB form last week,” if the action is fully finished and you are stating exactly when it happened.
Future Tense
Used for actions not yet done. Example: “I will resume for NYSC camp next month.”
Common Confusion: Many people believe “I have gone” and “I went” mean the same thing, but that is not correct. “I went” states a completed past action at a specific time. “I have gone” connects the past action to the present, often used when someone has left and is still away.
Quick Exercise: Tenses
Fill in the correct tense.
She _______ (finish) her assignment before the lecturer arrived.
By next year, I _______ (complete) my NYSC.
He _______ (work) at that bank for five years now.
Answers: 1. had finished, 2. will have completed, 3. has worked
3. Articles: A, An, and The
This mistake is extremely common in Nigeria, since many Nigerian languages do not use articles the same way English does.
Rule 1: Use “a” before words starting with a consonant sound.
Examples: a bank, a job, a university (starts with a “yoo” sound).
Rule 2: Use “an” before words starting with a vowel sound.
Examples: an interview, an email, an hour (the “h” is silent).
Rule 3: Use “the” for specific, already-known things. The bank where I did my internship is on Aba Road.
One lesson I always teach my students is this: “university” starts with a “u,” but it sounds like “yoo-niversity,” so it takes “a,” not “an.” This single rule confuses thousands of Nigerian students every year.
Quick Exercise: Articles
She works as _______ accountant in Uyo.
He waited for _______ hour before the interview started.
_______ manager who interviewed me was very friendly.
Answers: 1. an, 2. an, 3. The
4. Prepositions: The Small Words That Cause Big Problems
Prepositions like “in,” “on,” “at,” and “for” cause more mistakes than almost any other grammar topic, because Nigerian languages often do not have a direct match for each one.
Incorrect: I am seeking for a job.
Correct: I am seeking a job.
Incorrect: She is married with a doctor.
Correct: She is married to a doctor.
Incorrect: I will see you in Monday.
Correct: I will see you on Monday.
Incorrect: He is good in Mathematics.
Correct: He is good at Mathematics.
One simple trick I recommend is keeping a small notebook of correct preposition pairs as you notice them, rather than trying to memorise a long list all at once. Small daily practice brings big improvement.
5. Punctuation: Commas, Apostrophes, and Full Stops
Poor punctuation can completely change the meaning of a sentence, and it is heavily penalised in WAEC and NECO essay writing.
The Comma
Use a comma to separate items in a list, and before conjunctions like “and,” “but,” and “or” when joining two complete sentences.
Example: “I bought rice, beans, and garri at the market, but I forgot to buy pepper.”
The Apostrophe
Used to show possession or to form contractions.
Incorrect: The student’s are writing exams. (as a plural).
Correct: The students are writing exams.
Incorrect: My sisters husband works at the bank.
Correct: My sister’s husband works at the bank.
Incorrect: Its a good day for the interview.
Correct: It’s a good day for the interview.
Here’s an easy way to remember it: “it’s” with an apostrophe always means “it is” or “it has.” “Its” without an apostrophe shows possession, like “the dog wagged its tail.”
Quick Exercise: Punctuation
Correct the punctuation in each sentence.
- Its important to submit your form’s before the deadline.
- I went to the market bought some rice and came back home.
- My brothers car broke down yesterday.
Answers: 1. “It’s important to submit your forms before the deadline.”
2. “I went to the market, bought some rice, and came back home.”
3. “My brother’s car broke down yesterday.”
6. Common Grammar Mistakes in Nigerian Workplaces and Exams
Mistake: “I want to advice you”.
Why it Happens: Confusingthe noun “advice” with the verb “advise”.
Correction: “I want to advise you” (verb) or “I have advice for you” (noun).
Mistake: “Kindly revert back to me”.
Why it Happens: Adding “back” unnecessarily, common in office emails.
Correction: “Kindly revert to me” or “Kindly get back to me”
Mistake: “I am coping up with the work”.
Why it Happens: Direct translation habit.
Correction: “I am coping with the work”
Mistake: “He is more better than me”.
Why it Happens: Double comparative. “He is better than me”
Grammar for Professional Writing
Grammar mistakes in a CV, cover letter, or workplace email can cost you an opportunity before anyone even meets you. If you want to improve your English faster, focus first on these three writing habits:
Read your sentence aloud before submitting it. If it sounds strange when spoken, it is often grammatically incorrect too.
Keep sentences short in formal writing. Short sentences reduce the chances of subject-verb agreement mistakes.
Always proofread emails before sending. A single tense mistake in a job application email can suggest carelessness to an employer.
Quick Revision Summary
- Match your subject and verb correctly, singular with singular, plural with plural.
- Use tenses to reflect the actual time of an action: present, past, or future.
- Remember that “a” and “an” depend on sound, not spelling.
- Learn correct prepositions individually, since direct translation from Nigerian languages often leads to errors
- Use apostrophes for possession and contractions, never for plurals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I still make grammar mistakes even after studying the rules?
This is one of the most common English mistakes Nigerians make, and it happens because grammar rules were memorised without enough practice. Understanding a rule and applying it naturally in speech or writing are two different skills. Practise this every day, using real sentences, not just rules.
What is the fastest way to improve my grammar for WAEC and JAMB?
Focus on the topics examiners test most often: tenses, subject-verb agreement, articles, and prepositions. Practise with past questions and read your answers aloud to catch mistakes naturally.
Does Pidgin English damage my grammar?
Pidgin itself is not damaging. The challenge comes when Pidgin sentence patterns are carried directly into formal English writing or speech without adjustment. Being aware of the difference helps you switch smoothly between both.
How can I stop making mistakes with prepositions?
Learn prepositions in fixed phrases, not individually. For example, learn “good at,” “married to,” and “seeking” as complete phrases, rather than trying to translate them word for word from your first language.
Is it necessary to know all grammar terms to write good English?
No. Focus on understanding before memorising terms. You can write excellent English by applying the correct patterns consistently, even if you cannot explain every grammar term by name.
Conclusion: Grammar Is a Skill, Not a Punishment
My advice is simple: do not try to master every grammar rule at once. Pick one topic from this guide, such as subject-verb agreement or articles, and practise it for one full week before moving to the next. Small daily practice brings big improvement, and with regular practice, you will improve steadily until correct grammar becomes automatic, in your exams, your emails, your interviews, and your everyday conversations.
For more lessons on mastering your exams, visit our English for Exams section. If you are preparing for interviews or professional writing, explore English for Jobs and Career. For everyday communication skills, check out English Skills and Communication, and visit ExamGuideNG to explore our complete library of lessons.
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- The Complete English Idioms Guide: Meanings, Examples and Everyday Usage
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- The Ultimate Lexis and Structure Guide: Grammar, Vocabulary and Practice Questions
- The Ultimate Presentation Skills Guide: Plan, Deliver and Impress Every Audience
Reference: Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries provides clear grammar explanations that support learners at every level in building strong, accurate English.
Written by Tr. Edidiong Sunday
About Author
Edidiong Sunday is an English educator, communication specialist, and the founder of ExamGuideNG. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication and a B.Ed. in English Education from the University of Uyo, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in English Education. With years of experience teaching English Language, Diction, and Public Speaking in reputable schools in Uyo, she creates practical, accurate, and learner-focused content to help students, job seekers, and professionals improve their English skills. Edidiong also runs a JAMB English tutorial centre in Uyo and has professional experience in journalism, broadcasting, and public speaking. Every article she publishes is guided by a commitment to clarity, accuracy, and helping learners achieve lasting success in academics, examinations, and everyday communication.
