Five years. That’s how long it’s been since I first cracked open TJ Fitikides’ Common Mistakes in English. And you know what? I still reach for it.

Not every day, mind you. But when I’m writing something important and that nagging doubt creeps in – the one that whispers “Is this actually correct?” – there it is on my shelf. Reliable. Honest. Unforgiving in the best possible way.

Let me tell you about the moment these books changed everything for me.

I was preparing for my post-UTME back then. Confident, maybe a little cocky about my English skills. Then someone handed me Fitikides alongside David Jowitt’s Common Errors in English. Said they worked best together.

I opened Fitikides first. Page one, and I’m already finding mistakes I didn’t know I was making. Not big, obvious errors. The subtle ones. The kind that make you sound almost right, which is somehow worse than being completely wrong.

Over 550 examples of erroneous usage. That number used to intimidate me. Now? It feels like having 550 small victories waiting to happen.

Here’s what struck me most about this book – it doesn’t just tell you what’s wrong. It shows you. Daily usage examples that feel real because they are real. The mistakes people actually make, not the ones grammar books think they make.

And that’s the difference, isn’t it? Between academic theory and lived experience.

The way Fitikides approaches this feels almost conversational. Like he’s sitting across from you, gently correcting without making you feel stupid. “Actually,” he seems to say, “it’s more like this.” Then he shows you why.

The technical details matter too, I suppose.

208 pages of Pearson Education quality. Published by Longman back in 2000, but relevance doesn’t age out with common mistakes. The dimensions – 131 x 185 x 10mm, 180g – make it portable enough to carry around. Because honestly, you’ll want to reference it more than you think.

That ISBN (9780582344587) puts it at bestsellers rank 269,075. Not the flashiest number, but steady. Consistent. Like the book itself.

But here’s what I really want you to understand.

If you’re preparing for O level exams – WAEC, GCE, NECO – this isn’t just another study guide. It’s the thing that fills the gaps your other books don’t even know exist.

Those adequate explanations covering secondary school O level syllabus topics? They’re not just adequate. They’re essential. Because exam success isn’t just about knowing the right answers. It’s about avoiding the wrong ones that look right.

The combination of Fitikides and Jowitt? It’s like having two different perspectives on the same problems. Complementary. Each catching what the other might miss.

I’m being completely honest when I say these books will dramatically change your relationship with English.

Not overnight. Not through some magical transformation. But gradually, through recognition. Through awareness. Through those small moments when you catch yourself before making an error you would have missed before.

That’s growth. Real growth.

Looking for more resources to round out your preparation? Check out our recommended books or browse our eStore for comprehensive study materials.