English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
S in Grammar
He has completely lost his ~bearing~ (nonstandard).
He has completely lost his bearings (standard). To become uncertain of one’s position is to lose one’s bearings.
I don’t think he ever learnt table ~manner~ at home (nonstandard).
I don’t he ever learnt table manners at home (standard). The behaviour that is conventionally required while eating is called table manners.
You do not have to take ~side~ in this matter (nonstandard).
You do not have to take sides in this matter (standard). To support one person or cause against another or others in a dispute or contest is to take sides.
GAB
I sometimes get confused concern about using ‘s’ in some words but now it’s clear.