By
English For Today (September 30, 2018) by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (GAB)
Errors that ring like bells!
I did not say that (not, I did not said that). The tense of the sentence is shown by the auxiliary verb (does, do, did); not on the main verb that follows.
She may speak now (not, She may speaks now). The rule that says a singular subject takes a singular verb is not followed when modals (may, can, could, should, must and so on) precede the main verb.
I had come before now (not, I had came). It is important to know the past participle forms of irregular verbs to avoid treating them like regular verbs. Other verbs in this category are:
Come came come
Hit hit hit
Spit spat spat
Split split split
Broadcast broadcast broadcast
Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose
Academic Advisor, Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan;
&
Doctoral student of English, University of Ibadan.
