顯示具有 Common Errors 標籤的文章。 顯示所有文章
顯示具有 Common Errors 標籤的文章。 顯示所有文章

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.'

2014年3月31日 星期一

Common Errors - Worse

worse
adjective
BAD: It was the worse journey I had ever made.
GOOD: It was the worst journey I had ever made. 
BAD: People's lack of responsibility makes the problem even more worse.
GOOD: People's lack of responsibility makes the problem even worse.
◆◆◆
bad, worse, (the) worst : 'The medicine just made me feel worse.' 'It's the worst film I've ever seen.'

2014年3月30日 星期日

Common Errors - Worst

worst
adjective
BAD: The next time I saw her she looked even worst.
GOOD: The next time I saw her she looked even worse.
BAD: The day finished worst than it began.
GOOD: The day finished worse than it began.
◆◆◆
See note at WORSE (↑worse)

2014年3月29日 星期六

Common Errors - Worth

worth
I
noun
BAD: The ring has great sentimental worth.
GOOD: The ring has great sentimental value.
BAD: They do not appreciate the worth of life.
GOOD: They do not appreciate the value of life.
◆◆◆
Worth is usually used as a preposition: 'A four-bedroomed house in the middle of town is probably worth about £200,000.'
The noun related to worth is value : 'The current value of property is very low compared with this time last year.'
Compare: 'That watch is worth fifty pounds.' 'That watch has a value of fifty pounds.'
II
preposition
1
BAD: The missing ring worths about two thousand pounds.
GOOD: The missing ring is worth about two thousand pounds.
BAD: A holiday doesn't worth all the effort it takes preparing for it.
GOOD: A holiday isn't worth all the effort it takes preparing for it.
◆◆◆
be worth £20/very little/a fortune etc : 'These old computers aren't worth much nowadays.'
2
BAD: It's also worth to visit the north of England if you have time.
GOOD: It's also worth visiting the north of England if you have time.
BAD: The museum was certainly worth to see.
GOOD: The museum was certainly worth seeing. 
◆◆◆
it's worth doing sth; sth is worth doing (NOT to do ): 'It's worth remembering that these old cars can be very expensive to run.'

2014年3月28日 星期五

Common Errors - Worthwhile

worthwhile
adjective
BAD: The film reviews are always worthwhile looking at.
GOOD: The film reviews are always worth looking at.
◆◆◆
it's worth/worthwhile doing sth : 'It might be worth having one or two copies made.' 'Is it worthwhile talking about it now, or shall we leave it until our next meeting?'
sth is worth doing (NOT worthwhile ): 'Some of these so-called professional teams aren't worth watching.'
Compare: 'Was the long drive up to Scotland really worthwhile?'

2014年3月27日 星期四

Common Errors - Worthy

worthy
adjective
BAD: It's not worthy taking your own car.
GOOD: It's not worth taking your own car.
BAD: The cathedral is certainly worthy to be visited.
GOOD: The cathedral is certainly worth visiting.
◆◆◆
it's worth doing sth; sth is worth doing (NOT worthy ): 'Do you think it's worth having the engine tuned?' 'The letter isn't worth worrying about.'

2014年3月26日 星期三

Common Errors - Would

would
modal verb
1
BAD: If I would live in the countryside, I would be much healthier.
GOOD: If I lived in the countryside, I would be much healthier.
◆◆◆
When you are talking about the present or the future and you imagine something that is untrue or unlikely, use the past tense ('lived') in the if clause (NOT would ): 'If I knew her address, I'd send her a postcard.' 'If I won a lot of money, I'd buy a new car.'
2
BAD: If you would have caught the earlier train, we could have travelled together.
GOOD: If you had caught the earlier train, we could have travelled together.
◆◆◆
When you are talking about the past and you imagine something that is impossible, use the past perfect tense ('had caught') in the if clause (NOT would have ): 'If he hadn't got on the plane, he would still be alive.'
3
BAD: If you would have any more questions, I'll do my best to answer them.
GOOD: If you should have any more questions, I'll do my best to answer them.
◆◆◆
When you are talking about the present or the future and you imagine something that is possible but unlikely, use if ... should (NOT if ... would ): 'If anyone should need me, I'll be back in half an hour.'

2014年3月25日 星期二

Common Errors - Wound

wound
verb
BAD: Only the driver was wounded in the accident.
GOOD: Only the driver was injured/hurt in the accident.
◆◆◆
See note at DAMAGE 1 (↑damage)

2014年3月24日 星期一

Common Errors - Wrapping

wrapping
noun
BAD: Manufacturers should dispense with all unnecessary wrapping.
GOOD: Manufacturers should dispense with all unnecessary packaging.
◆◆◆
wrapping (also wrappings ) = paper or paper-like material that is put round something: 'I wanted to tear off the wrapping and see what was inside.' 
packaging = the container or material that something is placed in by a manufacturer, especially to protect it or make it look attractive: 'Packaging should be biodegradable and kept to a minimum.' 
Note that both wrapping  and packaging  are used in connection with food: 'Somewhere on the packaging/wrapping there should be a date stamp.'