English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
MASTERING WORDS THAT GO IN PAIRS
I want ~no if, and or but~ when I give directives (nonstandard).
I want *no ifs, ands or buts* when I give directives (standard).
The expression is used to say that there would be no reservations, restrictions, or excuses.
We couldn’t start early because guests arrived ~in drib and drab~ (nonstandard).
We couldn’t start early because guests arrived *in dribs and drabs* (standard).
If people or things arrive in dribs and drabs, they arrive in small numbers over a period of time rather than arriving all together.
He seems ~hail~ and hearty now and he walks five miles daily (nonstandard).
He seems *hale* and hearty now and he walks five miles daily (standard).
GAB
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