Analyzing common errors in the use of English adjective clauses, a case study of St. Peter’s Catholic Basic School Ngleshie Amanfro

Abstract

This study examined errors made in the adjective clauses by the students of St Peter‟s Catholic Basic School Ngleshie Amanfro. To achieve this, essays from 132 final year pupils were analyzed for different types of adjective clause errors. Interviews were also conducted to solicit information on trainees and teachers‟ view regarding adjective clause errors among students. The results are classified into two main categories: error types and causes of errors. The common errors committed by the participants were misuse or wrong use of relative pronouns, omission of relative pronouns, blend or use of both relative pronouns and personal pronouns and simple addition. Findings showed that participants committed more misuse errors than any types of adjective clause error identified in this study. The findings showed some major causes of these errors as: complexity of English language rules, students‟ poor reading habits, language transfer, inappropriate teaching methods and ignorance of the grammar rules or carelessness.