A STUDY OF THE MISUSE OF ADVERB IN THE WRITTEN ENGLISH OF SELECTED SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN OGBOMOSHO-SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Abstract This study investigates the misuse of adverbs in the written English of selected senior secondary school students in Ogbomoso South Local Government, Oyo State. The primary objective is to identify the types and frequency of adverbial misuse in students' compositions and to explore possible causes for these errors. The study adopts a descriptive survey design, utilizing purposively selected writing samples from Senior Secondary School students across four schools within the local government area. Data were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods to classify and interpret the various adverbial errors. Findings reveal a high incidence of misplacement, redundancy, and incorrect adverb forms, indicating a general lack of understanding of adverbial usage among the students. The study attributes these issues to poor grammatical foundation, limited exposure to standard English usage, and ineffective teaching methods. It recommends targeted pedagogical strategies, including explicit grammar instruction and frequent writing practice, to improve students’ mastery of adverbs and overall writing competence. This research contributes to the broader discourse on English language acquisition challenges in Nigerian secondary schools and highlights the need for curriculum improvement at the foundational level Keywords: Adverbs, Misuse, Written English, Grammar, Secondary School Students, Essay Writing, Ogbomosho South, Language Errors, English Language, Teaching Strategies