Sometimes, Many Casualties (I)

Sample 1: “But after so much casualties without any sign of the war coming to an end, Sunday Igboho graduated from carrying bullets to leading a small group to the war front…After sometimes, Igboho and his boss, Double, planned to register the Okada riders…”(Despite helping Modakeke to win their war….Premium Times, Opera News, 28 May, 2021)

First, we consider the phrase: much casualties. It should be noted that the headword (or the main noun) is in its plural form. This plural noun is modified by the word much, a word that normally modifies uncountable (or non-count) nouns. Here lies the problem. There is a contradiction in the plural status of the noun (casualties) and the usage of the word much. The latter, much, is used to modify uncountable nouns which means it denotes singularity: much sugar, much water, much influence, much blood, etc. Notice that each noun the word much modifies is an uncountable noun. We shall come back to this point.

Meanwhile, this seemingly insignificant grammatical point provides a window of opportunity for us to discuss some common quantifiers whose appropriate usage users of the language should be familiar with. It may be necessary to illustrate the differences among the following words and expressions: little, a little; few, a few; fewer, less; much, many.

The words little and a little are usually used for uncountable or no-count or mass nouns. The expression a little is used when the quantity under consideration is small but manageable or can serve some desirable purpose. Please read the following sentences: 1) Since we have a little oil left, we may manage today and buy a large quantity tomorrow. 2) A little more honesty and transparency could have prevented the crisis. 3) All I need now is a little more information. 4) A little more freedom will not hurt your children. 5) A little sleep will refresh you. 6) After eating some food, I gained a little strength. 7) I am sure you would do better if you spend a little more time on your studies. 8) He was helped by the fact that he had a little self-confidence. 

Now compare those example sentences with the following sentences in which the word little (without the indefinite article (a) ) is used: 1) The confusion arose because little information was provided on the matter. 2) He made a mess of the case because he has little intelligence. 3) He couldn’t have passed, seeing he has little understanding of the subject. 4) He remains a mystery; little is known about him. 5) One of the peculiarities of our democracy is that the chief executive of a state or of the federation usually cedes little power to his deputy. 6) With little food in his stomach, how can he sustain the rigour the work requires? 7) Unfortunately, the money that reaches the Local Government Councils is too little to make any significant impact. 8) Little has changed in terms of corruption since he came into power.

When you use the word little in respect of the quantity of a noun, you mean that the quantity in question is insignificant; it can’t serve any useful purpose; it is as good as nothing; your attitude to the amount is negative. In fact, some users have the habit of saying: “little or no; little or nothing.” E.g. Little or no time was available for questions. She has little or no idea of what a married life demands. Little or nothing has been achieved since he assumed power.

Now a few and few. It should be clear that little and a little are used in the context of uncountable nouns. However, few and a few are used for countable nouns. Please note that a few is to countable nouns what a little is to uncountable nouns; few is to countable nouns what little is to uncountable nouns. In other words, once we understand the usage of little and a little (which are meant for uncountable nouns), we simply apply the same principle of usage to few and a few (meant for countable nouns). Please read the following sentences: 1) Few people are interested in the development of the nation; many are interested in ‘grabbing’ whatever they can ‘grab.’ 2) Few nations can look America straight in the eyes and tell it the home truth. 3) Few men are strong enough to regard their wives as equal partners in progress. 4) The reality is that few students major in physics and mathematics. 5) Few farmers have access to the funds that the banks claim are available on request. 6) Until the era of the oil boom, few houses in Nigeria were connected to the national grid. 7) Few teachers these days are prepared to make the sacrifices that teachers made in those days. 8) Few minds are as rich and bright as Wole Soyinka’s.

As in the usage of little (in respect of uncountable nouns), the attitude of the speaker/writer to the subject to which the noun few is applied is negative. Like little, the word few implies that the number in question is insignificant; not satisfactory; not good enough.

Now read, the following sentences: 1) In spite of the heavy rain, a few students came and we were able to hold the lecture. 2) Abacha’s terror machinery notwithstanding, a few newspapers were telling truth consistently. 3) A few of the tenants paid their rents and I was able to raise sufficient fund to refurbish the house. 4) I would advise you to visit the government-owned library; it has a few good books. 5) Since a few students have indicated interest in joining the class, lectures can start in earnest next week. 6) Happily, a few of our universities have met international standards. 7) A few more people have donated to the fund; we can now prepare the budget. 8) The literary production has been enriched by contributions from a few international scholars.    

Here the attitude of the speaker/writer to the subject to which the expression a few is applied is positive. The number in each case is not a very large one. But it is such that can be managed with; it can ‘pass’ as it were; it is fairly satisfactory.

This takes us to the difference between fewer and less. Fewer is for countable nouns and less for uncountable nouns. Read the following sentences: 1) Fewer and fewer people are subscribing to the capital market these days. 2) Those who have registered are fewer than those who have not. 3) Fewer and fewer Nigerians are becoming truly literate. 4) Courageous newspaper editors are fewer than the cowardly ones. 5) Fewer and fewer people are living in the rural areas these days. 6) I have come to realize that wise people are fewer in this world than foolish. 7) Those who passed the exam are fewer than those who failed it. 8) Honest policemen, like honest pastors or teachers or accountants or journalists, are becoming fewer and fewer.

At any rate, the phrase should read: many casualties.

Next we consider the word sometimes which occurs in the phrase: after sometimes. We have had cause to comment repeatedly on the arbitrary nature of part of the English spelling system, noting that a single letter may be the only meaning-bearing signal constituting the difference between two words or between two variants of the same word. Such is the case with the forms sometime and sometimes, the former being the appropriate one in the context in which the writer has used the latter.

As should be obvious, the only visual difference between the two words is the presence of the letter –s in the one, which is absent in the other.

The word sometimes (please note the final –s) means occasionally, on occasions, once in a while: (1) Even the most educated people are sometimes confused as to the difference between the words “sometimes” and “sometime”. (2) I sometimes have this feeling that the end of the world is near. (3) Surprisingly, it sometimes rains in December. (4) Dull and incoherent as he is, he sometimes springs surprises by making brilliant points. (5) In spite of themselves, people in power sometimes show compassion. (6) Climatic changes usually occur gradually, but they sometimes occur suddenly. 7) Even highly educated people sometimes spell words wrongly. 8) Situations can be so bad that you sometimes wish you were not born. 9) Under satanic influence even the most religious people sometimes succumb to horrible temptations. 10) She is generally calm and sedate, but sometimes throws a tantrum. 

The word sometime (without a final –s, mind you) means at a time in the past or future about which you are not certain: (1) Sometime in 1962, horrendous violence broke out in Western Nigeria. (2) We can hold the meeting sometime towards the end of the week. (3) I saw him last sometime in January. (4) You can take your leave some time before the Christmas/New Year break so that it can run with the break. (5) The impression the government gave some time in 2008 was that the remaining subsidy on the prices of petroleum products had been removed. (6) There was a prophecy, sometime before you were born, to the effect that you would be a great man. 7) The news of General Abacha’s death was broken to Nigerians sometime in 1997. 8) We can discuss this matter sometime next week. 9) The protest took place sometime last year.

Please note that the word sometime can be rendered as one word or as two words. The important point to note about the difference between sometimes and sometime is that the presence or absence of the letter –s is of great significance. When you mean occasionally or once in a while the letter –s must feature. It is obligatory. It is not a cosmetic element. On the other hand, when you mean that something happened at a time in the past or will happen in the future at a time about which you are not sure, never make the mistake of including the letter –s.

In addition, please read the following sentences:

I will allow you some time to think about it. 2) The chairman was away for some time. 3) He resumed work after some time of break. 4) You have some time to read over your work. 5) She waited for some time to see her husband.

At any rate, the words some time should replace sometimes in the context under review.

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