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 Title Page----i Declaration----ii Approval Page---iii Dedication----iv Acknowledgement---v Abstract----vi Table of Contents---vii
CHAPTER ONE:  GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1.0Background of the Study-1 1.1Statement of Problem--1 1.2Aim and Objectives--2 1.3Significance of the Study -2 1.4Scope and Delimitation -2 1.5Justification of The Study -3 1.6Methodology---3
CHAPTER TWO:  LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0Meaning of Tense--4 2.1Types of English Tenses-5 2.2Error Analysis---8 2.3Types of Errors--10
CHAPTER THREE:  METHODOLOGY 3.0Introduction---15 3.1Sources of Data--15 3.2Method of Data Presentation And Analysis --15
CHAPTER FOUR:  PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION 4.1Introduction---17 4.2Data Presentation --18 4.3Data Analysis and Interpretation 26
CHAPTER FIVE:  SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 5.0Introduction---27 5.1Summary ---27 5.2Conclusion ---28 5.3Recommendations --29 Works Cited