How often do we use the
phrase “single-handed or
single-handedly” to give
the impression of someone
or a group of people having to perform
some task without assistance or help
from other people? It’s just a common
expression widely used by the writer,
journalist or reporter to tell the story
of uncommon feat carried out by an
individual singly or alone with help
coming from no where. And so when
Mr. XYZ pulled down the giant struc-
ture that cut off access to the village
stream we go to town with the news
that he single-handedly, even though
incorrectly used expression that appears
to dominate the media space, we write
and report that he did it alone without
help or support from other people.
The problem on our hands as jour-
nalists is how we often times abuse
or misuse the expression ignorantly
without a second thought. The adverb
“single-handed” according to the
English purists and masters is preferred
and current usage to the expression
“single-handedly” which is generously
engaged by the writer or journal-
ist in everyday reportage of events
pointing to a feat performed by one
person alone. Again, the word ‘single’
is something designed and suitable
for one person, also consisting of one
part and taken separately from others
in a group, so the Oxford dictionary of
current English defines it. The deriv-
ative or adjective ‘single-handed’ and
‘single-handedly’ appears to confuse so
many people, including teachers and
writers about the right expression to
employ when the need arises to inform
the audience of the uncommon feat
performed by an individual or group.
One can correctly speak and write
“Mr. Balogun the hunter ‘single-hand-
ed’ wrestled and killed the lion that
terrorizes the sleepy village in the
remote area of the state.” The ‘Single
handed’ phrase is the accepted standard
and currently in use. Anything else is
assumed substandard English. When
next you are tempted to engage the
expression never you write and speak
“Mr. Balogun the hunter ‘single-hand-
edly’ wrestled and killed the lion that
terrorizes the sleepy village in the re-
mote area of the state.” ‘Single-hand-
edly’ statement is now treated or
taken as colloquialism, so avoid it.
In our English lesson today let’s try
as much as we can to avoid these cli-
chés and spent expressions that have
lost their original impact because
they have been overused. Sample
them and find out words suitable
enough to replace “A bolt from the
blues, to cut a long story short, in the
neighbourhood of, make ends meet,
it stands to reason, kill two birds
with one stone, in this time and age,
born and bred.” We will treat each
accordingly and see if my suggestions
go down well with you, if not look for
a better alternative to the expressions
listed here.
“A bolt from the blues” statement
figuratively suggests sudden move-
ments or change taking place unex-
pected. Surprises you would also say.
Write it straightforward and avoid
the cliché “A bolt from the blues.”
‘To cut a long story short’ phrase has
equally lost its original sense. Report
to be understood by keeping it short
and simple to ‘sum up,’ or ‘summa-
rize’ my story, I have this to say.’
The expression “In the neighbour-
hood of ” sounds archaic and useless.
Contract it to ‘about, near, around,
close.’ “Make ends meet” is yet anoth-
er overlaboured statement that is no
longer in vogue and spent phrase that
should be tossed into the waste bin.
Reject it whenever it crosses your
mind to engage “make ends meet”
in your everyday use of English. ‘Kill
two birds with one stone,’ overused
and hackneyed statement that can no
longer stand the test of time. Instead
look for the straightforward expres-
sion that would tell the story better.
‘In this time and age, born and bred’
are other phrases that have become
not only dull but boring as a result
of overuse, time and time over. One
can correctly speak and write the one
syllable word ‘now’ in place of ‘in this
time and age.’ The ‘Born and bred’
statement should give way and in its
place find a fitting word.
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