A Study of Grammatical Errors in 200 Level University Students’ Writings in North-Western Nigeria

Abstract

Abusing grammar rules in the students’ writing is becoming prominent among the undergraduates of tertiary institutions in recent years. This study is an attempt to analyse some grammatical errors in the writing of 200 level English students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto and Federal University Gusau. The study adopts Corder’s 1967 and 1974 Error Analysis in analysing 50 essays of students taken from their end of semester 2016/2017 examination answer booklets. The findings of the study reveal that the errors of the students in question can be grouped into ten categories which were found to be prevalent in their writings. The researchers’ investigation also reveals that some of the courses taught to the students focus on theories which are not being put into practice. This approach affects students’ mastery of grammar. The research suggests that, basic rudiments of grammar should be given priority at the undergraduate level so as to take care of this menace among students. This is because English students are prepared to serve as models to the general public after graduation especially in writing correspondences.