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英文寫作常犯錯誤講解

15/3/2017

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前言

這一篇是基於我多年英文教學的經驗整理出來的,說明英文標點符號、大小寫、空格如何使用,英文文章如何分段,並說明幾個常見英文寫作錯誤。

這些小細節就英文寫作程度是對應於西方人國小程度的東西。華人學生在學習英文的時候,常常把心力花在背更高深的單字,使用更複雜的句型,小地方卻錯很多。

這就好像一位西方人學習中文,孔子說什麼,孟子說什麼背了一堆,寫出來的句子卻是:

我朋友跟我說, "我明天早上要搭車去台北." 

用英文的標點符號寫中文,不倫不類。

這些小東西如果錯,西方讀者可能會覺得同學英文寫作程度非常差。實際上不見得英文有那麼差,連國小程度都不到,只是我們語言背景不一樣,這些東西不太會注意到而已。

這一篇文章我點出幾個最常見的英文寫作問題,無論是考托福雅思,或是商業書信往來,或是留學的時候寫英文論文,都可以用得到。

使用方式:如果要查這一篇文章是否有講到你有疑問的句型,可以用 CONTROL + F來搜尋。


這篇文章我會陸陸續續不定期更新。

中文 vs. 英文主詞動詞觀念

中文句子沒有主詞跟動詞的觀念,所以我們在寫英文文章的時候,常常會想到就加逗號,或是想到就寫一個新的句子。中文的逗號沒有很固定的用法,大概就是覺得夠長了,該換一口氣,就加一個逗號,講夠久了,覺得該加句號,就加一個句號。

英文的句型是非常固定的,每一句都有一個主詞,一個動詞。英文中的所謂一個「句子」,意思就是有主詞,有動詞。華人學生最常出狀況的是動詞,往往句子已經有一個主要動詞了,想加另一個意思,中文是直接逗號就加下去沒問題,英文卻要變化第二個動詞,把第二個動詞放在子句之中或是用and來連結。

像是  There is a man. 主詞是 there,動詞是is,如果要再加一個動詞,像是這個人在跑步,不能直接加變成 There is a man run. 要寫 There is a man who is running. 'Who is running' 是一個關代子句,或者寫 There is a man running. 'Running' 是分詞構句。

主要句子、附屬子句標點符號怎麼使用,哪一些字可以單獨使用於一個句子,哪一些字只能用於副屬子句,都規定得非常清楚。

英文句子有主詞有動詞。

英文句子有主詞有動詞。
英文句子有主詞有動詞。

很重要,說三遍。寫英文不要像寫中文那樣,換口氣加一個逗號就接著講下去。


名字的寫法

常常在CV或推薦信中看到名字寫成 Chang, Da-Chong。這種 last name, first name 的寫法通常只出現於學術文章的書目之中,或是特定的填公文填表格的時候會規定要用這個寫法。

CV上一定是先名再姓,也就是要寫Da-Chong Chang。推薦信最下方打出名字的時候,也是要寫 Da-Chong Chang或是 Professor Da-Chong Chang,不要寫 Professor Chang, Da-Chong。

推薦信中推薦人稱呼被推薦人的方式:

第一次提到寫稱呼加全名,像是 Mr. Da-Chong Chang。第二次之後可以寫縮短版。推薦人跟被推薦人很熟,或是雙方不居小節,推薦人會用first name稱被推薦人,會稱之為 Da-Chong。如果推薦人跟被推薦人比較不熟,或是推薦人是比較傳統比較嚴肅的個性,則稱被推薦人為 Mr. Chang。但不要寫 Mr. Da-Chong,既不正式也不隨和。
 
英文文章分段方式

分段方式有兩種,請二選一,不要綜合使用。

一種是段落之中沒有空一行,每一段縮排,中文的縮排是兩個中文字的空間,英文的縮排則是五個英文字母的空間。英文文章縮排的時候不要只用兩個英文字母的空間。

第二種是段落不縮排,但是段落中空一行。

如何分段全篇要一致,不要一段用一種方法,下一段改另一種方法。

縮排縮多大的距離需要固定,不要一段是縮五個英文字母的距離,下一段卻是縮四個英文字母的距離。

空行的時候那一行空間有多大也要固定。有時WORD會因為行距調整的關係,同樣是空一行,跟上下行的距離會不一樣。


degree / level 的用法
  • to a degree / to a level 意思為「到某一種程度」或是「就某種程度上來說」,比如說:I am jealous of my beautiful friend to a certain degree. The essay makes sense to a degree. To some degree, I can agree with you.
  • a degree / level of N. 意思為「N. 的程度」或是「N. 有一定的程度」,比如說:My teacher gave me a degree of flexibility in deciding my research topic. 我的老師給我某程度的彈性,讓我自行決定我的研究主題。The dolphin demonstrates a degree of intelligence. 海豚展現出某種程度上的智能。When he saw that his daughter was injured, he lost all degree of objectivity. 當他看見他女兒受傷了,他失去了所有程度的客觀性 (他失去所有客觀性)。

at least 的用法
  • at least 放的位置,會影響語意。
  • They should at least donate 5 dollars.
    at least 是修飾 donate,他們應該「至少捐」五塊錢。
  • They should donate at least 5 dollars.
    at least 是修飾 5 dollars,他們應該捐出「至少五塊錢」。

already / often / sometimes / never 等副詞的位置
  • 如果有兩個動詞,副詞通常夾在中間,像是 I have already eaten. I have never been to America. I would still like to go to the party. Your computer is already connected to the Internet.
  • 如果只有一個動詞,副詞放那邊彈性比較大,像是 I finished my homework already. I already finished my homework. I already have two children. I have two children already. 
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among / between 的用法
  • 國高中英文是說 between two things  / among three or more things,其實不是這樣分的。Among 的確是一定用於三個項目或三個項目以上,但 between 可用於兩個項目,也可以用於三個項目或以上。
  • between 之後通常是接獨立的項目,這幾個項目通常有單獨標出,像是 There was a conversation between John, Jason, and Annie. 如果項目沒有單獨標出,則用 among,像是 There was a conversation among three people. 
  • A treaty was signed between Brazil and Canada. A treaty was signed among three countries. A treaty was signed between Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. 
  • between 也用於範圍的起點跟終點,像是 The study looks at children between the age of 13 and 17. The mountain range is the boundary between Switzerland and Italy. 
  • between 也用於表示差別,像是 What is the difference between American English and British English? I cannot see the difference between the twin brothers. 

say that N. + V.  
  • 例句:People say that John is a kind man. He said that I should really go to his party.
  • 不要加逗號,不要寫 People say that, John is a kind man. 也不要寫 People say, that John is a kind man.
  • That 可以省略,所以可以寫 People say John is a kind man. 我通常建議英文學習者不要省略that,句型會比較清楚。
  • Say 可以用其它類似的動詞代替,但是有一些「說」的動詞需要受詞,有一些則不需要。比如說:He announced that he was going to university. 這一句announced不需要動詞,句型跟 say that + N. + V. 一樣。但是 He told me that he was going to university. 這一句 told 需要受詞,所以一定要加一個受詞,不能寫 He told that he was going to university.
 
most 的用法
  • most of + 複數名詞,意思是很多項目之中的大多數,這是在說明數量上的比例的概念。比如說 Most of the seats are occupied. 座位很多,大部份的座位有人坐了。
  • most of + 單數名詞或不可數名詞,意思是一個項目之中的大部份。比如說 Most of the apple is rotten. 意思是蘋果只有一顆,大部份爛掉了。Most of my day was very boring. 某一天,大部份的時間非常的無聊。Most of the sugar is gone. Sugar是不可數名詞,大部份的糖用完了。
  • most + adj. 是表示形容詞的最高級,用法跟 –est一樣,不過通常是用在兩個音節以上的形容詞。比如說:He is the most important man in the government. He is the tallest man in the group. This is the most exciting day of my life.
  • most + adv. 是表示副詞的最高級。I will most certainly help you. Most importantly, you need to start exercising now.
 
price high/low vs. item expensive/cheap
  • 中文是講「某東西很便宜」,也可 以說「價格很便宜」,英文中可以說 The necklace is expensive. ,但是要說 The necklace's price is high. 雖然說一般口說英文可能會出現 the necklace's price is expensive 的說法,這不是正確的英文。

therefore的用法
  • He was very late for school, and therefore, the teacher was very angry. 注意這一句其實是兩句話。第一句的主詞是he,動詞是was。第二句的主詞是the teacher,動詞是was。兩個句子用and連結,and前面要有逗號。Therefore之後要有逗號。
  • 以上這一句也可以寫為:He was very late for school. Therefore, the teacher was very angry.
  • 或是 He was very late for school; therefore, the teacher was very angry. 注意這三句都是連結兩個句子,所以therefore之後一定要加逗號。
  • 如果therefore不是連結兩個句子,則可以不加逗號。比如說:He got up late and therefore was late for school. 這裡and是連結兩個動詞 got 以及 was。Therefore之後可加,也可不加逗號。所以這一句寫 He got up late and therefore, was late for school. 也是正確的。
  • He was the king and therefore cared much about his people. 這一句and是連結兩個動詞 was 以及cared。這一句要寫 He was the king and therefore, cared much about his people. 也是可以。
  • Therefore加不加逗號有時非常的case by case。我通常是建議學生這樣分比較好記:如果therefore之後是一個句子(意思是有主詞有動詞),therefore之後一定要有逗號。如果therefore之後不是一個句子,則加不加逗號都沒關係。
  • 不能單獨使用therefore連結兩個句子。比如說:He was a king, therefore he cared about his people. 這一句一定要改為:He was a king, and therefore he cared about his people. 或是 He was a king. Therefore, he cared about his people. 注意標點符號以及大小寫。
 
Not only … but also 的用法
  • Not only A but also B,其中A 跟B一定要對等,意思就是要不然是連結兩個句子,要不然連結兩個詞性一樣的東西。
  • 連結句子:Not only did he give the beggar money, but he also took the beggar home. 注意not only 那一句需要倒裝,所以句型是 not only + V. + N., but N. also + V.
  • but also中的also可以省略,但是but不可以省略。
  • 連結兩個名詞:He gave me not only food but also shelter. = He gave me not only A but also B.
  • 連結兩個動詞:He not only gave me food but also provided me with shelter. = He not only did this but also did that.
  • not only 放在A前面,所以He gave me not only food but also shelter. 中的not only是放在food 前面。He not only gave me food but also provided me with shelter. 中的not only 是放在 gave的前面。
  • 連結兩個子句:I chose to go to the party not only because I was done with my work but also because I wanted to see my friends. = I chose to go to the party not only because A but also because B.
 
使役動詞 have/make/let/help + N. + VR
  • 使役動詞加原型動詞,只有help比較特別,可以加原型動詞,也可以加 to V
  • 例句:What would you have me do? My mother made me do the dishes. Please let me go to the party. I helped her finish her homework. I helped her to finish her homework.
  • 中文句子「修讀進階課程,使我的能力提升」,這個句子常常會被翻成:Taking advanced courses makes me improve my ability. 文法上是正確的,但是語氣上有強迫的意味,意思為「強迫我一定得讓能力提升」。這一類意思的make,可改為let,或是allow someone to do something。Let有「允許」的意思,通常是別人「允許你做某件事」。allow則為 「提供機會」或是「我有機會」的意思。這一句用allow改寫會最恰當。Taking advanced courses lets me improve my ability. Taking advanced courses allows me to improve my ability. 
 
so / so that 的用法
  • so 是指因此,so that是指目的。
  • I did my homework, so I was free for the rest of the evening. 我寫完作業了,因此我剩下來的晚上時段可以做別的事。注意標點符號,so是接一個完整的句子,主詞是I ,動詞是was,so前面要加逗號。
  • so子句一定會搭配一個主要的句子,上面這個例子中I did my homework是主要句子。不能單寫 So I was free for the rest of the evening. 如果要分開兩句寫的話,可以寫:I did my homework. Therefore, I was free for the rest of the evening. 非正式英文的確會有用so開頭的句子,沒有主要句子,但是這不是正式英文寫作,建議同學不要這樣使用。
  • I did my homework so that I could be free for the rest of the evening. 我寫作業,為了剩下來的晚上時段可以做別的事。注意 so that 直接接名詞跟動詞,前面沒有逗號。
 
because 的用法
  • Because 不能單獨成立一個句子,一定會搭配一個主要句子。
  • He is angry because I broke his window. 主要句子中的主詞是he,動詞是is,because子句中的主詞是I,動詞是broke。注意because前不要加逗號。
  • 以上這一句也可以寫為 Because I broke his window, he is angry. 注意because子句如果寫在前面,結束的地方要加逗號。
 
while 的用法
  • While可以當when使用,也可以當對等的觀念的開始。
  • While/when he was taking a bath, I finished my homework. 這裡while是when的意思,意思是當他在洗澡的時候,那個時候,我寫完我的作業了。注意while子句不能單獨成立一個句子,一定要搭配一個主要句子,這裡為I finished my homework。主要句子開始之前,一定要有逗號。
  • 以上這一句while/when子句可以用 while + N. + V. 的句型,也可以用分詞構句,用Ving。比如說:While taking a bath, I finished my homework. 如果是被動的話,Ving的部份還是得保留,比如說:While the dog was washed, the dog kept on barking. = While being washed, the dog kept on barking.
  • 上一句也可以改為:I finished my homework while he was taking a bath. 如果while放在後面,中間不加逗號。
  • While的另一個意思是介紹對等的概念。While my friends like watching TV, I really don’t like watching TV.
  • 上一句如果while放後面,需要加逗號:I really don’t like watching TV, while my friends like watching TV.
 
but / however的用法
  • but 跟 and 一樣,不能用來開始一個英文句子。非正式英文文章之中會有這樣的用法,但正式英文中不會這樣使用,建議同學不要這樣用。
  • He really did not want to go to the party. But he went anyway. 應改為: He really did not want to go to the party, but he went anyway. 注意but是連結兩個句子,but前面要加逗號。另一個寫法為:He really did not want to go to the party. However, he went anyway. 注意大小寫,以及標點符號的使用方式。
  • 如果but是連結兩個句子,一定要有逗號。如果是連結兩個非句子的項目,逗號可加可不加。He did not seem angry but sang a song. = He did not seem angry, but sang a song.

---------------
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