Special usage of ‘Do’ revisited (2)

Today, we continue the discussion commenced last week. There are significant wrong choices deserving analytic attention. Last week’s excerpt, whose lapses continue to engage our attention today, is hereby returned as Sample 1.

Sample1: “Why did the same report claimed that the robbers packed money and other valuable assets from both houses? Can an unsuccessful robbery result into the theft of properties? Why on earth did the raiders stormed their residence? Why is the presidential aide silent on whether any arrest has been made or not let alone of an investigation been made? Does that means his safety is not guaranteed in an abode near the presidential villa? How did the raiders managed to break in despite the tight security the Aso Villa possesses? Reports made it known that the houses that was robbed…(6 deep questions no one is asking…Opera News, 12 May, 2021)

Now note the choice of the word properties in the question: “Can an unsuccessful robbery result into the theft of properties?” It is important to note that the noun property is in the plural form (properties). The question is: Is it possible for armed robbers to cart away properties as it is suggested in the sentence under scrutiny?  To answer this question correctly, we need to understand the nature of the noun property. The reporter needs to be guided as he seems confused as to the grammatical characteristics of the noun property. There are two basic ways of regarding the word.

Whenever we use the word property to refer personal effects or movable items such as shoes, clothes, furniture, television sets, fridges, generators, and even motor cars, we should use it in its singular form. No matter the volume or quantity of such items, the word property should remain in its singular form and the choice of verb should be singular. Please read the following sentences: 1) The landlord has seized the tenant’s property kept in two rooms, saying he won’t release it until and unless he pays all his debt. 2) No matter how long you stay in the UK, your property will remain in this room and it will be intact.  3) Before I woke up, he had gathered all his property and travelled back to our home town. 4) Since he owns little property, he doesn’t need more than one room. 5) Fire destroyed the entire house including his sister’s property kept in one of the rooms. 6) His property consists of a few items all of which are kept in one huge bag. 7) After working for two years, his property is so much that he needs to rent a second room. 8) Thieves broke into the room and made away with almost all his property. 9) He has found a new house and his children are helping to carry her property to the new place. 10) Two trucks carried his property to his newly built house. 11) In those days, slaves were considered part of the personal property of rich men. 12) Shoes and shirts are the most prominent elements of my property.

The word property has been used in its singular form in each of those sentences because it is about personal effects, household items, movable belongings. However, when the word is employed in reference to land and houses, it can be used in the singular sense if the reference is to a singular item or in the plural if the reference is to two or more items. Indeed, whenever the word property is used in the plural by knowledgeable people, the assumption is that the reference is to land/houses. It should not be used in the plural sense if the reference is to personal effects as discussed and illustrated earlier.

Now read the following sentences: 1) The government has decided to sell all its properties in the choicest parts of the country. 2) Properties are more expensive in Lagos than in any other part of Nigeria. 3) I have three uncles who are into the business of buying and selling of properties. 4) There is an uncompleted property which the owner wants to sell at a moderate price. 5) I have refused to buy that property because it is too close to a stream. 6) The prosecution has alleged that the politically exposed persons have acquired the said properties with the proceeds of corruption. 7) Only teachers are allowed to buy and own properties in the estate. 8) I want to acquire a property in an exclusive area. 9) He rejected the property because it was too close to the police barracks. 10) Being in a marshy and undeveloped area, the property should not be expensive. 11) Nigerian politicians are notorious for buying and owning expensive properties in Europe and America. 12) The EFFC has traced the two properties to a prominent politician.

From the discussion and analysis so far, it should be obvious that the word property should be in its singular form in the context under review.

Next, we note the expression, result into, which expression occurs in the following context: “an unsuccessful robbery result into the theft…” This is an expression that has engaged our attention repeatedly in this place. But as long as the error is being committed, we would never be tired of addressing it. Let’s note the particle into which collocates with the verb result in this context. It is not the appropriate particle; not only that, that particle is symptomatic of the perennial confusion witnessed in the Nigerian usage scene between the expressions result in/from and resort to.

Now what is the nature of the error? We are looking at the difference between result and resort, which many Nigerians, including the reporter whose work is under review, would be unable to note at the level of pronunciation. There is a major phonetic difference between these words, and the first step towards overcoming the tendency to confuse them is to learn to pronounce them accurately.

How do we use the verb result? Please read the following sentences: 1) The near total failure of the project resulted from poor planning. 2) The violence resulted from the government’s refusal to listen to members of the public. 3) The governor’s loss of the election resulted from his political insensitivity. 4) The outbreak of cholera resulted from the people’s unhygienic living habit. 5) The war obviously resulted from lack of political, religious and racial tolerance. 6) Lack of adequate preparation resulted in mass failure. 7) Distorted understanding of the situation resulted in a wrong assessment of the people. 8) It is doubtful if this rather prolonged drought would not result in famine. 9) Careless driving often results in avoidable accidents. 10) Years of oppression and suppression of the masses can result in a violent revolution.

I advise readers to please note the particles that go with the verb result: in and from. An event or action may result in or from another event or action. Some Nigerian users would replace either of these particles with the particle to or into. They would say, for example, “The violent clash resulted to the death of the union leader” or “The heavy rain resulted into massive flooding.” The appropriate particle in each of those sentences is in.

And resort? When people resort to something, they use it or apply it or turn to it because they understand that that is the only thing that will work in their situation. Please read the following sentences: 1) Under no circumstances should you resort to borrowing. 2) Students have often resorted to violence whenever there is a misunderstanding between them and the authorities. 3) Frustrated, and alienated from his wife, the man has resorted to heavy drinking. 4) Constantly under attacks by armed robbers, residents have resorted to self-policing. 5) Many years ago, some banks resorted to chasing their debtors all over the place. 6) Is it right for jobless and hungry young men to resort to stealing? 7) He resorted to marrying another wife because his first wife allegedly gave him no peace. 8) When all else failed, he resorted to drug trafficking. 9) Having become grossly unpopular and incompetent, the government resorted to gagging the press. 10) In the face of pain, poverty, and frustration, the lady resorted to prostitution.

It should be clear that the appropriate expression is: result in.

Next, we address a problem of concord. We pay attention to the relationship between the noun houses and the verb-form (was) both of which occur in the following context: “reports made it known that the houses that was robbed…” It is clear (isn’t it?) that the noun (houses) is in its plural form. It is equally clear, I suppose, that the verb-form (was) is in its singular form. Yet, grammar and logic do suggest that the relevant noun and the verb must be harmonious in number. The problem is that no such harmony is found here. In other words, the rule/principle of concord has been breached. To restore harmony or grammatical agreement, the verb-form is hereby changed to its plural form: were.

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