Confusions Between English Nominal and Adjectival Forms Among Students at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education: Are they Predictable?

This paper examines confusions between English nominal and adjectival forms among students at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE). In particular, it establishes consistencies and inconsistencies in the use of English nominal and adjectival forms; and informs pedagogical interventions that can be adopted to redress the situation. Data was collected from a review of selected students’ examination scripts, and then subjected to error analysis in relation to the identified themes. The findings show that students vary greatly in the way they use nominal and adjectival forms such that some errors are consistently predictable, while others are intricately inconsistent and unpredictable. To address the problem, this paper recommends a case-by-case critical analysis of the problems; instead of the general conclusions that students experience problems in language use. Specifically, the paper suggests the need to study the nature, distribution and consistency of the committed errors and/or mistakes so as to come up with effective interventions.