SYNTACTIC ANALYSIS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE USAGE AMONG SELECTED PG STUDENTS OF ENGLISH, COOU, IGBARIAM CAMPUS

Abstract

Second language learning is shrouded with problems culminating in error, the crux of this study. This paper examines syntactic analysis of English language usage among selected PG students of English, COOU, Igbariam campus, with emphasis on concord agreement. 12 post graduate students of English Department 2021/2022 session, COOU form the population for this study. The researcher used Purposive Sampling to draw a working population of ten respondents. Data is generated using survey method by directly administering an essay on the sample to draw out their concord errors through critical assessment. The study used Descriptive Grammar by Ndimele as method of data analysis. Eclectic theoretical method involving Error Analysis by Corder, and Feature Percolation Theory by Liesber was used. Results showed that all the respondents fall short in one or two rules of concord beside other errors like omission, addition, disordering and spelling that abound in the students’ essays. It was discovered that concord errors tend to affect meaning as a result of disagreement between the noun and the verb. From the findings, researcher recommended that further researches should be carried out on general error analysis among post graduate students. The researcher was concluded with a reiteration on the need to take grammar study seriously especially concord agreement, so as to attain the expected near-native-speaker proficiency in English language usage in our higher institutions of learning.