English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
OBLIGATORY S’S
I know pastors who don’t speak in ~tongue~ (nonstandard).
I know pastors who don’t speak in *tongues* (standard).
To speak in tongues is to say strange words that no one can understand, especially as part of a religious experience.
The people were parked like ~sardine~ in the hall (nonstandard).
The people were parked like *sardines* in the hall (standard).
If you say that a crowd of people are packed like sardines, you are emphasising that they are sitting or standing so close together that they cannot move easily.
He works behind the ~scene~ to ensure the group succeeds (nonstandard).
He works behind the *scenes* to ensure the group succeeds (standard).
If something is done behind the scenes, it is done secretly rather than publicly.
GAB
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