2014年4月11日 星期五

Common Errors - While

while
conjunction
1
BAD: The Japanese have a tendency to keep silent while meetings.
GOOD: The Japanese have a tendency to keep silent during meetings.
◆◆◆
While (conjunction) introduces a clause: 'While we were on holiday, we did a lot of walking.' 
During (preposition) introduces a noun phrase: 'During the holiday we did a lot of walking.' 
2
BAD: While I drove to the airport, my car broke down.
GOOD: While I was driving to the airport, my car broke down.
◆◆◆
To refer to a 'background action', use the past progressive tense
(was /were doing ): 'While I was having a bath, the telephone rang.'
3
BAD: Who will look after the children while you will be at work?
GOOD: Who will look after the children while you are at work?

Common Errors - Whole

whole
noun
BAD: As a whole, I am very happy here.
GOOD: On the whole, I am very happy here.
◆◆◆
as a whole = considered as a single body or unit: 'The country as a whole is not ready for another election.' 
on the whole = generally speaking: 'On the whole, I can see no reason why you shouldn't apply.'

2014年4月10日 星期四

Common Error - Whom

whom
pronoun
1
DUBIOUS: Most of the people whom I met were very kind.
GOOD: Most of the people (that) I met were very kind.
◆◆◆
Whom is used only in formal styles: 'Those applicants whom the selection committee recommends for interview should be contacted without delay.' 'The police officer to whom the crime was first reported has been transferred to another unit.' 
In non-formal styles, use that/who or nothing: 'The man (that) she intends to marry comes from Stockport.' 'The girl (that) you were speaking to is a friend of mine.' In non-identifying clauses, however, only who is possible: 'Both girls - who you may remember from Helen's party - have got places at Oxford.'
2
BAD: She is one of the few people whom I think might be good at the job.
GOOD: She is one of the few people who/that I think might be good at the job.
◆◆◆
When you need a subject relative pronoun, use who/that (NOT whom ): 'He was the one who/that came to meet me at the station.'

2014年4月9日 星期三

Common Error - Wide

wide
adjective
BAD: My education has given me a wide view of life.
GOOD: My education has given me a broad view of life.
BAD: The magazine gives wide descriptions of market trends.
GOOD: The magazine gives broad descriptions of market trends.
◆◆◆
broad view/picture/description/outline (of sth) , NOT wide : 'Can you give me a broad outline of what the speech was about?'

2014年4月8日 星期二

Common Error - Will

will
modal verb
1
BAD: When capital punishment was abolished, people thought that murders will become more numerous.
GOOD: When capital punishment was abolished, people thought that murders would become more numerous.
◆◆◆
A reporting verb in the past tense (e.g. 'thought') is usually followed by would/could  (NOT will/can ). Compare: 'I think she will accept any job that comes along.' 'I thought she would accept any job that came along.'
2
BAD: If a developing country will become a developed country, it has to attract foreign investors.
GOOD: If a developing country is to become a developed country, it has to attract foreign investors.
◆◆◆
When you are talking about what must happen in order to make something possible, use if ... am/is/are to do sth (NOT will ): 'If we are to get there by six o'clock, we'll have to get a taxi.'

2014年4月7日 星期一

Common Error - Win

win
verb
BAD: We have never won the American team.
GOOD: We have never beaten the American team.
◆◆◆
win  a game, match, race, competition, election, etc: 'United have won four of their last five matches.' 'Who won the FA Cup last year?'
beat a person, team or group (in a game, match, race, competition, election etc): 'They're a good side but I'm sure we can beat them.' '

2014年4月6日 星期日

Common Errors - Wish

wish
verb
1
BAD: I wish you have a wonderful holiday.
GOOD: I hope you have a wonderful holiday.
BAD: I wish you will enjoy your stay here.
GOOD: I hope you will enjoy your stay here.
◆◆◆
Use wish that  (+ past/past perfect tense) for things that cannot happen or will probably not happen: 'I wish I hadn't told them my address.' 'I wish you could stay here longer.' (= this will probably not happen)
Use hope that  (+ present/present perfect tense) for things that may easily happen or may easily have happened: 'I hope you've had a successful trip.' 'We hope you all have a very merry Christmas.'
When wish is used for this meaning, the object is a noun phrase (NOT a that clause): 'I wish you a safe journey.' 'We'd like to wish you all a very merry Christmas.' 
2
DUBIOUS: I wish to send you a wedding present.
GOOD: I'd like to send you a wedding present.
DUBIOUS: I wish to stay until the end of July but I can't.
GOOD: I'd like to stay until the end of July but I can't. 
◆◆◆
When you tell someone what you want (to do), or ask someone what they want (to do), use would like  or (especially in informal styles) want : 'I'd like to buy a few postcards.' 'What would you like to do tonight?'
Wish is used with this meaning only in formal styles: 'We wish to apologize for the late arrival of this train.' 
3
BAD: I wish that they will stop killing each other.
GOOD: I wish that they would stop killing each other.
BAD: He wishes he can drive a car; taxis are so expensive.
GOOD: He wishes he could drive a car; taxis are so expensive.
◆◆◆
When you are thinking about the present or the future, use wish (that) would /could/had  etc. (NOT will/can/have etc.) 'I wish I knew his telephone number.' 'I wish I didn't have to go to school tomorrow.'

2014年4月5日 星期六

Common Errors - With

with
preposition
1
BAD: I finally opened the can with using a screwdriver.
GOOD: I finally opened the can by using a screwdriver.
◆◆◆
To explain 'how' something is achieved, use by doing sth (NOT with ): 'The thieves got into the house by climbing through the kitchen window.'
Compare: 'I finally opened the can with a screwdriver.'
2
See CAR 2 (↑car), TAXI (↑taxi)

2014年4月4日 星期五

Common Errors - Within

within
preposition
BAD: She is getting married within a few hours and she feels a bit nervous.
GOOD: She is getting married in a few hours and she feels a bit nervous.
BAD: My examinations are within two weeks' time.
GOOD: My examinations are in two weeks' time.
◆◆◆
within = before the end of the stated period: 'The parcel should be arriving within the next five days.' 'Within six years of joining the company he was Managing Director.'
in = at the end of the stated period: 'The doctor wants to see me again in a week's time.' 'Don't go away. I'll be back in a few minutes.'

2014年4月3日 星期四

Common Errors - Wood

wood
noun
BAD: The coat has a leather belt and three brown wood buttons.
GOOD: The coat has a leather belt and three brown wooden buttons.
◆◆◆
The adjective meaning 'made of wood' is usually wooden (NOT wood ): 'Stir the mixture gently with a wooden spoon.'

2014年4月2日 星期三

Common Errors - Work

work
I
noun
1
BAD: Without a full-time work, some people think it's not worth living.
GOOD: Without a full-time job, some people think it's not worthliving.
GOOD: Without full-time work, some people think it's not worth living.
BAD: I've come to England to do a research work in civil engineering.
GOOD: I've come to England to do research work in civil engineering.
◆◆◆
JOB · DO · OCCUPATION · POST/POSITION · CAREER · TRADE · PROFESSION 
Job Your job is what you do to earn your living: ‘You’ll never get a job if you don’t have any qualifications.’ ‘She’d like to change her job but can’t find anything better.’ Your job is also the particular type of work that you do: ‘John’s new job sounds really interesting.’ ‘I know she works for the BBC but I’m not sure what job she does.’
job may be full-time or part-time (NOT half-time or half-day ): ‘All she could get was a part-time job at a petrol station.’
Do (for a living) When you want to know about the type of work that someone does, the usual questions are What do you do? What does she do for a living? etc ‘What does your father do?’ - ‘He’s a police inspector.’
Occupation and job have similar meanings. However, occupation is far less common than job and is used mainly in formal and official styles: ‘Please give brief details of your employment history and present occupation.’ ‘People in manual occupations seem to suffer less from stress.’
Post/position The particular job that you have in a company or organization is your post or position : ‘She’s been appointed to the post of deputy principal.’ ‘He’s applied for the position of sales manager.’ Post and position are used mainly in formal styles and often refer to jobs which have a lot of responsibility.
Career Your career is your working life, or the series of jobs that you have during your working life: ‘The scandal brought his career in politics to a sudden end.’ ‘Later on in his career, he became first secretary at the British Embassy in Washington.’
Your career is also the particular kind of work for which you are trained and that you intend to do for a long time: ‘I wanted to find out more about careers in publishing.’
Trade trade is a type of work in which you do or make things with your hands: ‘Most of the men had worked in skilled trades such as carpentry or printing.’ ‘My grandfather was a bricklayer by trade.’
Profession profession is a type of work such as medicine, teaching, or law which requires a high level of training or education: ‘Until recently, medicine has been a male-dominated profession.’ ‘She entered the teaching profession in 1987.’
2
BAD: I got up and got ready to go to my work. 
GOOD: I got up and got ready to go to work.
◆◆◆
JOB · DO · OCCUPATION · POST/POSITION · CAREER · TRADE · PROFESSION 
Job Your job is what you do to earn your living: ‘You’ll never get a job if you don’t have any qualifications.’ ‘She’d like to change her job but can’t find anything better.’ Your job is also the particular type of work that you do: ‘John’s new job sounds really interesting.’ ‘I know she works for the BBC but I’m not sure what job she does.’
job may be full-time or part-time (NOT half-time or half-day ): ‘All she could get was a part-time job at a petrol station.’
Do (for a living) When you want to know about the type of work that someone does, the usual questions are What do you do? What does she do for a living? etc ‘What does your father do?’ - ‘He’s a police inspector.’
Occupation and job have similar meanings. However, occupation is far less common than job and is used mainly in formal and official styles: ‘Please give brief details of your employment history and present occupation.’ ‘People in manual occupations seem to suffer less from stress.’
Post/position The particular job that you have in a company or organization is your post or position : ‘She’s been appointed to the post of deputy principal.’ ‘He’s applied for the position of sales manager.’ Post and position are used mainly in formal styles and often refer to jobs which have a lot of responsibility.
Career Your career is your working life, or the series of jobs that you have during your working life: ‘The scandal brought his career in politics to a sudden end.’ ‘Later on in his career, he became first secretary at the British Embassy in Washington.’
Your career is also the particular kind of work for which you are trained and that you intend to do for a long time: ‘I wanted to find out more about careers in publishing.’
Trade trade is a type of work in which you do or make things with your hands: ‘Most of the men had worked in skilled trades such as carpentry or printing.’ ‘My grandfather was a bricklayer by trade.’
Profession profession is a type of work such as medicine, teaching, or law which requires a high level of training or education: ‘Until recently, medicine has been a male-dominated profession.’ ‘She entered the teaching profession in 1987.’
3
BAD: These days a lot of women go to work outside.
GOOD: These days a lot of women go out to work.
BAD: My wife goes to work outside the house.
GOOD: My wife goes out to work.
◆◆◆
JOB · DO · OCCUPATION · POST/POSITION · CAREER · TRADE · PROFESSION 
Job Your job is what you do to earn your living: ‘You’ll never get a job if you don’t have any qualifications.’ ‘She’d like to change her job but can’t find anything better.’ Your job is also the particular type of work that you do: ‘John’s new job sounds really interesting.’ ‘I know she works for the BBC but I’m not sure what job she does.’
job may be full-time or part-time (NOT half-time or half-day ): ‘All she could get was a part-time job at a petrol station.’
Do (for a living) When you want to know about the type of work that someone does, the usual questions are What do you do? What does she do for a living? etc ‘What does your father do?’ - ‘He’s a police inspector.’
Occupation and job have similar meanings. However, occupation is far less common than job and is used mainly in formal and official styles: ‘Please give brief details of your employment history and present occupation.’ ‘People in manual occupations seem to suffer less from stress.’
Post/position The particular job that you have in a company or organization is your post or position : ‘She’s been appointed to the post of deputy principal.’ ‘He’s applied for the position of sales manager.’ Post and position are used mainly in formal styles and often refer to jobs which have a lot of responsibility.
Career Your career is your working life, or the series of jobs that you have during your working life: ‘The scandal brought his career in politics to a sudden end.’ ‘Later on in his career, he became first secretary at the British Embassy in Washington.’
Your career is also the particular kind of work for which you are trained and that you intend to do for a long time: ‘I wanted to find out more about careers in publishing.’
Trade trade is a type of work in which you do or make things with your hands: ‘Most of the men had worked in skilled trades such as carpentry or printing.’ ‘My grandfather was a bricklayer by trade.’
Profession profession is a type of work such as medicine, teaching, or law which requires a high level of training or education: ‘Until recently, medicine has been a male-dominated profession.’ ‘She entered the teaching profession in 1987.’
II
verb
BAD: I would like to work at an international organization.
GOOD: I would like to work for an international organization.
BAD: My mother works in a large insurance company.
GOOD: My mother works for a large insurance company.
◆◆◆
JOB · DO · OCCUPATION · POST/POSITION · CAREER · TRADE · PROFESSION 
Job Your job is what you do to earn your living: ‘You’ll never get a job if you don’t have any qualifications.’ ‘She’d like to change her job but can’t find anything better.’ Your job is also the particular type of work that you do: ‘John’s new job sounds really interesting.’ ‘I know she works for the BBC but I’m not sure what job she does.’
job may be full-time or part-time (NOT half-time or half-day ): ‘All she could get was a part-time job at a petrol station.’
Do (for a living) When you want to know about the type of work that someone does, the usual questions are What do you do? What does she do for a living? etc ‘What does your father do?’ - ‘He’s a police inspector.’
Occupation and job have similar meanings. However, occupation is far less common than job and is used mainly in formal and official styles: ‘Please give brief details of your employment history and present occupation.’ ‘People in manual occupations seem to suffer less from stress.’
Post/position The particular job that you have in a company or organization is your post or position : ‘She’s been appointed to the post of deputy principal.’ ‘He’s applied for the position of sales manager.’ Post and position are used mainly in formal styles and often refer to jobs which have a lot of responsibility.
Career Your career is your working life, or the series of jobs that you have during your working life: ‘The scandal brought his career in politics to a sudden end.’ ‘Later on in his career, he became first secretary at the British Embassy in Washington.’
Your career is also the particular kind of work for which you are trained and that you intend to do for a long time: ‘I wanted to find out more about careers in publishing.’
Trade trade is a type of work in which you do or make things with your hands: ‘Most of the men had worked in skilled trades such as carpentry or printing.’ ‘My grandfather was a bricklayer by trade.’
Profession profession is a type of work such as medicine, teaching, or law which requires a high level of training or education: ‘Until recently, medicine has been a male-dominated profession.’ ‘She entered the teaching profession in 1987.’

2014年4月1日 星期二

Common Errors - World

world
noun
1
BAD: Nepal has one of the highest mountains in all over the world.
GOOD: Nepal has one of the highest mountains in the world.
BAD: The sewing machine is one of the most widely used products of the world.
GOOD: The sewing machine is one of the most widely used products in the world.
◆◆◆
superlative + noun + in the world : 'At that time China was the richest and most powerful country in the world.'
2
BAD: Pollution is a serious problem in all of the world.
GOOD: Pollution is a serious problem all over the world.
BAD: Their music is played in every part of the world.
GOOD: Their music is played all over the world.
◆◆◆
all over the world = everywhere in the world: 'Since joining the newspaper, she's travelled all over the world.' 'There will be teams from all over the world.'