TENSE ERRORS IN ENGLISH ESSAYS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

ABSTRACT

This Research Work focused on the tense errors in the English essays of Secondary Schools Students. The research was conducted on essays written by thirty (30) Students of the above school. The analysis of the essays revealed the deficiencies of some of the Students in using English tense. In the use of the present tense, for instance, Students had more difficulties in the use of present tense compare to the use of other tense. It has also been observed that students commit these errors as a result of their mother tongue interference. It was also found out that the errors were as a result of poor teaching methods, lack of adequate textbooks and qualified English teachers. To minimize these problems, we suggest that the government should provide adequate textbooks on English grammar and qualified English teachers. So that student in the lower classes should be exposed to the various situations in which tenses should be used.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS                                                                                                     PAGE

Title Page        -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           i

Declaration      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           ii

Approval Page            -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -                       iii

Dedication      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           iv

Acknowledgement      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           v

Abstract          -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           vi

Table of Contents       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           vii

CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.0       Background of the Study       -           -           -           -           -           -           1

1.1       Statement of Problem -           -           -           -           -           -           -           1

1.2       Aim and Objectives    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           2

1.3       Significance of the Study       -           -           -           -           -           -           2

1.4       Scope and Delimitation          -           -           -           -           -           -           2

1.5       Justification of The Study      -           -           -           -           -           -           3

1.6       Methodology  -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           3

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0       Meaning of Tense       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           4

2.1       Types of English Tenses         -           -           -           -           -           -           5

2.2       Error Analysis -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           8

2.3       Types of Errors           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           10

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.0       Introduction    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           15

3.1       Sources of Data          -           -           -           -           -           -           -           15

3.2       Method of Data Presentation And Analysis -           -           -           -           15

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION

4.1       Introduction    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           17

4.2       Data Presentation        -           -           -           -           -           -           -           18

4.3       Data Analysis and Interpretation        -           -           -           -           -           26

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.0       Introduction    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           27

5.1       Summary         -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           27

5.2       Conclusion      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           28

5.3       Recommendations      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           29

Works Cited    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           30