不知大家有没有这样的感觉:英语学得多了,平时说话也会在无意间冒出几句。但很多人都没意识到,这些我们说起来很自然的英语其实有很多都是错的!下面我们就来细数一下这些常见的错误,以便大家加以改正,免得在歪果仁面前出洋相!
1.别理她。
误:Don't pay attention to her.
正:Leave her alone.
2.我很喜欢它。
误:I very like it.
正:I like it very much.
3.这个价格对我挺合适的。
误:The price is very suitable for me.
正:The price is right.
注:"suitable" (合适的、相配的) 最常见的用法是以否定的形式出现在告示或通知上,如:"The following programme is not suitable for children."
4.用英语怎么说?
误:How to say in English?
正:How do you say this in English?
注:在中国,"How to say"可谓是滥用现象最为严重的一种说法,而它根本不是地道的英文表达方式,应尽量避免在交流中使用。
5.明天我有事情要做。
误:I have something to do tomorrow.
正:Sorry but I am tied up all day tomorrow.
注:用"I have something to do"来表示"很忙",这也是典型的中式英语。因为每时每刻我们都有事情要做,躺在那里睡大觉也是事情。可以这样表达"我很忙,脱不开身":I'm tied up。当然还有其他的说法,比如:I'm afraid I can't make it at that time. I'd love to, but I can't, I have to stay at home.
6.我没有英文名。
误:I haven't English name.
正:I don't have an English name.
注:许多人讲英语犯这样的错误,从语法角度来分析,可能是语法功底欠缺,因为"have"在这里是实义动词,而并不是在现在完成时里面那个没有意义的助动词。所以,这句话由肯定句变成否定句要加助动词。
7.我想我不行。
误:I think I can't.
正:I don't think I can.
注:这一组然是个习惯问题,在语法上称为否定前置,这就是汉语里面说"我想我不会"的时候,英语里面总是说"我不认为我会"。
8.我的舞也跳得不好。
误:I don't dance well too.
正:I am not a very good dancer either.
注:当我们说不擅长做什么事情的时候,英语里面通常用"not good at something"。
9.现在几点钟了?
误:What time is it now?
正:What time is it, please?
注:"What time is it now"这是一个直接从汉语翻译过的句子,讲英语的时候没有必要说"now",因为你不可能问"what time was it yesterday"或者"what time is it tommorow"。
10.我的英语很糟糕。
误:My English is poor.
正:I am not 100% fluent, but at least I am improving.
注:有人开玩笑说,全中国人最擅长的一句英文是"My English is poor"。然而外国人并不会对我们说"My Chinese is poor"。他们会说"I am still having a few problem, but I'm getting better." 因为你告诉对方你的英文 (或中文) 很弱又能如何,那咱就不谈了?显然不行!