Common errors 02

Contents:

Writing Numbers Reducing dependent clauses Collocation Phrasal verbs Common confused words

Writing Numbers

Although usage varies, most people spell out numbers that can be expressed in one or two words and use figures for other numbers.

(http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/593/01/)

Words (less than “100”) six million dollars after thirty-one years eighty-three people over two pounds

Figures (more than “100”)(100 以上的數目如能以兩個字來表示者例外 ) only $31.50 6,381 bushels 4.78 liters after 126 days

There are twenty-six students in my wife's third-grade class. Michael is over 183 centimeters tall.

some examples of specific situations.Days and Years December 12, 1965 or 12 December, 1965 A.D. 1066 in 1900 in 1971-72 or in 1971-1972 the eighties, the twentieth century the 1980's or the 1980s

Time of Day 8:00 A.M. (or) a.m. (or) eight o'clock in the morning 4:30 P.M. (or) p.m. (or) half-past four in the afternoon

The first election results are expected around 1 a.m.

Addresses 16 Tenth Street 350 West 114 Street

Identification Numbers Room 8 Channel 18 Interstate 65

Page and Division of Books page 30 chapter 6

Decimals and Percentages a 2.7 average 13 1/4 percent .037 metric ton

Large Round Numbers four billion dollars (or) $4 billion 16,500,000 (or) 16.5 million Tickets cost $35.50 apiece. The city spent $1.1 million for snow  removal last year.

(or $1,100,000.)

Notes on Usage

Repeat numbers in legal or commercial writing.

The bill will not exceed one hundred (100) dollars.

Numbers in series and statistics should be consistent.

two apples, six oranges, and three bananas NOT: two apples, 6 oranges, and 3 bananas 115 feet by 90 feet (or) 115' x 90' scores of 25-6 (or) scores of 25 to 6 The vote was 9 in favor and 5 opposed

Write out numbers beginning sentences. (O) 　 Six percent of the group failed.(X) 6% of the group failed.

Use a combination of figures and words for numbers when such a combination will keep your writing clear.

Unclear: The club celebrated the birthdays of 6 90-year-olds who were born in the city. (may cause the reader to read '690' as one number.)

Clearer: The club celebrated the birthdays of six 90-year-olds who were born in the city.

Reducing Dependent Clauses

We can save words by reducing a dependent clause to a phrase or a word.

1. Reducing dependent clauses to prepositional phrases

The man who is wearing the white coat is the lab chief.

The man in the white coat is the lab chief. (2 words saved)

When the executives had finished the meeting, they went to a

party.

After the meeting, the executives went to a party.

(4 words saved)

2. Reducing dependent clauses to infinitive phrasesI skipped lunch so that I could cut down on my weight.

I skipped lunch to cut down on my weight. (2 words saved)

He took Technical Writing so that he would be prepared for

future work assignments.

He took Technical Writing to prepare for future work

assignments. (4 words saved)

3. Reducing dependent clauses to participles or participial phrases

While he read all of the morning mails, he planned the next

meeting.

Reading the mails, he planned the next meeting. (5 words

saved)

Because Mary works as a high-paid programmer, she

has saved up a lot of money.

Working as a high-paid programmer, Mary has saved up a

lot money. (4 words saved)

4. Reducing dependent clauses to adverbs.

The boss argued in a manner that was very angry with the

workers.

The boss argued angrily with the workers. (6 words saved)

All morning she awaited his return at the airport, in the course

of which she became nervous.

All morning she nervously awaited his return at the

airport. (7 words saved)

5. Reducing dependent clauses to adjectives

People like to wear a tie that has a lot of stripes on it.

People like to wear a striped tie. (7 words saved)

Chandler, who works at a full-time job at IBM, held a New

Year party for us.

Chandler, a full-time IBM worker, held a New Year party

for us. (4 words saved)

The four-step reduction technique

1. Find the dependent clause

2. Which is the most important word(s) in this clause?

3. Covert the key word(S) into a prepositional phrase, a participle (participial phrase), an infinitive phrase, an adjective, or an adverb.

4. Shortened sentence

examples

He designed a house that a family could live in. (adj clause)

He designed a livable house. (5 words saved)

Until the general election, he was the candidate who led all of the rest of the people running. (adj clause)

Until the general election, he was the leading candidate.

(8 words saved)

1. One of the reasons for our poor profits this year is that inflationary influences are operating against us.

One of the reasons for our poor profits this year is inflation.

2. She spoke to him in a manner that revealed her impatience.

She spoke to him impatiently.

Practice

3. A decision that operates impartially for all is sometimes difficult to make.

An impartial decision is sometimes difficult to make.

4. The orders from the boss, which amazed all of us, upset the program in a way that was complete to say the least.

The amazing orders from the boss completely upset the

program.

Collocation英文片語的組合

Collocation is the relationship between two

words or groups of words that often go together and form a common expression.

If the expression is heard often, the words become 'glued' together in our minds. 'Crystal clear', 'middle management' 'nuclear family' and 'cosmetic surgery' are examples of collocated pairs of words.

Some words are often found together because they make up a compound noun, for example 'riding boots' or 'motor cyclist'.

These combinations just sound "right" to native English speakers, who use them all the time. On the other hand, other combinations may be unnatural and just sound "wrong". Look at these examples:

Natural English Unnatural English

the fast trainfast food

the quick trainquick food

a quick showera quick meal

a fast showera fast meal

Why learn collocations?

Your language will be more natural and more easily understood.

You will have alternative and richer ways of expressing yourself.

It is easier for our brains to remember and use language in chunks or blocks rather than as single words.

How to learn collocations Be aware of collocations, and try to recognize them when

you see or hear them. When you learn a new word, write down other words that

collocate with it. Read as much as possible. Reading is an excellent way to

learn vocabulary and collocations in context and naturally. Revise what you learn regularly. Practice using new

collocations in context as soon as possible after learning them.

Learn collocations in groups that work for you. You could learn them by topic (time, number, weather, money, family) or by a particular word (take action, take a chance, take an exam).

You can find information on collocations in any good learner's dictionary. And you can also find specialized dictionaries of collocations.

Types of CollocationThere are several different types of collocation made from combinations of verb, noun, adjective etc. Some of the most common types are:

Adverb + Adjective: completely satisfied (NOT downright satisfied)

Adjective + Noun: excruciating pain (NOT excruciating joy) Noun + Noun: a surge of anger (NOT a rush of anger) Noun + Verb: lions roar (NOT lions shout) Verb + Noun: commit suicide (NOT undertake suicide) Verb + Preposition: burst into tears (NOT blow up in tears) Verb + Adverb: wave frantically (NOT wave feverishly)

Phrasal verbs

1. Adverb + Adjective

Invading that country was an utterly stupid thing to do.

We entered a richly decorated room. Are you fully aware of the implications of

your action?

2. Adjective + Noun

The doctor ordered him to take regular exercise. The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage. He was writhing on the ground in excruciating pain. busy / congested / heavy （Ｘ： crowded ） traffic strong （Ｘ： thick / mighty ） tea weak （Ｘ： thin / feeble ） tea black （Ｘ： red ） tea 「空頭支票」 a bad / rubber （Ｘ： empty ） check a documentary （Ｘ： record ） film

3. Noun + Noun

Let's give Mr. Jones a round of applause. The ceasefire agreement came into effec

t at 11am. I'd like to buy two bars of soap please.

4. Noun + Verb

The lion started to roar when it heard the dog barking.

Snow was falling as our plane took off. The bomb went off when he started the c

ar engine.

5. Verb + Noun The prisoner was hanged for committing murder. I always try to do my homework in the morning, after making my bed. He has been asked to give a presentation about his work. 「洗衣服」 do laundry （Ｘ： wash ） 「接電話」 answer （Ｘ： receive ） the phone 「開支票」 make out / write (out) （Ｘ： open ） a check 「舉例」 cite /give / provide （Ｘ： raise ） an example 「提出辭呈」 hand in / submit /tender （Ｘ： raise ） one's resignation 「度過難關」 get over / overcome / tide over （Ｘ： cross ） one’s diffic

ulties 「提出申請」 file / make / send in / submit （Ｘ： raise ） an applicatio

n 「犯錯」 make （Ｘ： do ） a mistake 「打太極拳」 do （Ｘ： play ） Taichi 「養成好習慣」 cultivate / develop / form / foster a good habit ； 「革除壞習慣」 break / break off /drop / shake off a bad habit ； 「畫妝」 wear make-up

(http://esl.about.com/b/2003/10/29/collocations.htm)

Combinations with Take, Have and Break

Combinations with Catch, Pay and keep

Combinations with Save, Find and Go

Combinations with Come, Get and Feel

Combinations with Miss, Get, Do and Make

Collocation Use with Take, Have and Break

______ a break ______ a leg ______ a headache ______ a haircut ______ an exam ______ a seat ______ the law ______ a taxi ______ a world record

______ someone's heart ______ a bath ______ someone's temperature ______ a relationship ______ a promise ______ a chance ______ a habit ______ the ice ______ a problem

take

take

take

take

take

take

takehavehave have

have

break

break

break

break

break

breakbreak

______ a cold ______ attention ______ a pet ______ a bus ______ control ______ the bill ______ a promise ______ someone's

attention

______ a fright ______ an appointment ______ quiet ______ cash ______ a secret ______ a diary ______ someone's eye ______ the change

Collocation Use with Catch, Pay and Keep

pay

pay

pay

keep

keep

keep

keep

keepkeep

keep

keep

catch

catch

catch

catch

catch

______ time ______ a partner ______ mad ______ wild ______ the answer ______ energy ______ happiness ______ white

______ a solution ______ someone a seat ______ electricity ______ space ______ one's strength ______ a way ______ dark ______ abroad

Collocation Use with Save, Find and Go

gogo

gogogofind

find

findfind

findsave

savesave

save

find / save

save

______ ready ______ tense ______ married ______ last ______ started ______ early ______ close

______ nervous ______ prepared ______ drunk ______ proud ______ lost ______ sleepy ______ worried ______ hurt

Collocation Use with Come, Get and Feel

comecome

come

come

feel

feel

feel

feel

feelget

get

get

get

get

get

______ a goal ______ home ______ progress ______ an effort ______ a chance ______ frightened ______ the housework

______ permission

______ nothing ______ the message ______ a noise ______ trouble ______ peace ______ a change ______ one's best ______ a mistake ______ a flight

______ a mess

Collocation Use with Miss, Get, Do and Make

miss

miss

miss

get get

get

getmake

make

make

makemake

make

makemake

do

do

do

動詞六大金剛 Do Make Have Take Go Get

do make take

do laundry

do homework

do business

do me a favor

do my best

do your job

do the cooking

make a mistake

make troubles

make a mess

make friends

make a promise

make money

make a visit

make a decision

take it easy

take a break

take a look

take a bath

take pictures

take a bus

take a chance

take notes

have go get

have a cold

have a headache

have a drink

have a BBQ

have a party

have a bath

have sympathy

go abroad

go fishing

go ahead

go hiking

go crazy

go shopping

get a job

get a shock

get drunk

get permission

get lost

get married

get home

6. Verb + Adverb

She placed her keys gently on the table and sat down.

Mary whispered softly in John's ear. I vaguely remember that it was growing d

ark when we left.

7. Verb + Preposition

We had to return home because we had run out of money.

At first her eyes filled with horror, and then she burst into tears.

Their behavior was enough to drive anybody to crime.

Phrasal Verbs 片語動詞

A phrasal verb is a verb plus a preposition or adverb which creates a meaning different from the original verb.

Phrasal verbs are particularly frequent in the English language. A phrasal verb often has a meaning which is different from the original verb.

Alternative terms for phrasal verb are ‘compound verb’, ‘verb-adverb combination’, ‘verb-particle construction’, “two-part word/verb’ and ‘three-part word/verb’ (depending on the number of particles), and multi-word verb.

'Preposition' and 'adverb' as used in a phrasal verb are also called 'particle' in that they do not alter their form through inflections.

Types of phrasal verbsSome particles can be separated from the verb so that a noun and pronoun can be inserted, and some particles can't be separated from the verb. In addition, some phrases are intransitive, meaning they cannot take a direct object.

knowing what type a verb is can be useful for two reasons. Firstly, it shows you the grammatical construction, and secondly, some verbs can be more than one type and change meaning accordingly.

Intransitive

Transitive

Separable

Inseparable

1. Intransitive Phrasal Verbs

Examples:

catch on (meaning: to understand)

(O): After I explained the math problem, she began to catch on.(X): She began to catch on the math problem.

(catch on cannot take a direct object in this meaning.)

show up (meaning: appear)

(O): He suddenly showed up.

An intransitive verb cannot be followed by an object.

Intransitive Phrasal Verbs

Blow up Carry on Check up

Fill in Fill out Come out

Get around Keep on Pick up Clear out

More examples: The plane took off two hours late.

He left his wife and children and went away.There was a horrible smell in the fridge because the chicken had gone off.All right, I don't know. I give up.

Because there's no object, you don't have to worry about where to put it!

The main difficulty is when a verb can be more than one type. For example, a plane can take off (no object), but a person can take off a coat (with object). This second example would not be a “transitive verb”.

2. Transitive Phrasal Verbs

Examples:

make up (meaning: to invent something)

(O): I made up the story. ("story" is the object of "make up" )

(O): I made up an excuse about having to look after the kids.

(O): She made it up.

An transitive verb can be followed by an object.

Examples:

(O): My sister takes after my mother.(X): My sister takes my mother after.

(O): I'm looking for my credit card. Have you seen it?(X): I'm looking my credit card for. Have you seen it?

(O): I'm looking forward to the holidays.

3. Separable Phrasal Verbs

Examples: add up (meaning: to add) (O): She added up the total on her calculator.

(O): She added it up on her calculator.

(O): I talked my mother into letting me borrow the car. (O): She looked the phone number up.

Some transitive phrasal verbs are separable. These verbs have an object. This object can go after the verb or between the two parts of the verb.

3. Separable Phrasal Verbs

Take over See through Send over Keep up

Wash off Work out Try out Fix up

Examples:

(O): I must put up those shelves this weekend. (O): I must put those shelves up this weekend. (O): I must put them up this weekend. (X): I must put up them this weekend.

(O): He turned off the TV and went to bed.

(O): He turned the TV off and went to bed. (O): He turned it off and went to bed. (X): He turned off it and went to bed.

(O): The council wants to knock down lots of old buildings.

(O): The council wants to knock lots of old buildings down. (O): The council wants to knock them down.

(X): The council wants to knock down them.

When you don't use a pronoun, it doesn't really matter where you put the object.

If the object is very long - it could include a relative clause, for example - it will probably sound better after the verb.

If you use a pronoun, you have to put it between the two words of the verb.

4. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs Some transitive phrasal verbs are inseparable. The object is placed after the preposition.

Examples: get around (meaning: to evade)

(O): She always gets around the rules.

(X): She always gets the rules around (This construction makes no sense in English.) (O): I ran into an old friend yesterday.

(O): They are looking into the problem.

4. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

Come out with Catch up with Call for Fall behind in

Go with Go over Stick to Stand for Watch out for

Unfortunately, there is usually no indicator whether an idiomatic phrase is separable, inseparable, transitive, or intransitive. In most cases the phrases must simply be memorized.

Although many phrasal verbs can take an object in both places, you must put the object between the verb and the preposition if the object is a pronoun.

Examples:(O): I looked the number up in the phone book.(O): I looked up the number in the phone book.(O): I looked it up in the phone book. (X): I looked up it in the phone book.

Common confused words

All about $$$ bonus

wageincomesalaryrevenuecommissionallowancepayment

subsidy

pensionearningbenefitprofit

Other examplesConfused words Meaning / Example

1.

Respectively (adv)

= in the order given.

The board of directors appointed Hank, Bonner, and Ken, respectively, as manager, comptroller, and secretary of the firm.

Respectfully (adv)

= showing respect

The salesman nodded respectfully to the manager.

2.

Precede (v) = To go before.

The secretary preceded the supervisor out the door.

Proceed (v) = To advance or move forward.

They proceeded through the front door of the courthouse.

3.

altogether (adv) = wholly, thoroughly, in total, completely

He's bad-tempered, selfish and altogether (= including everything) an unpleasant man.

All together = in a group, collectively.

They went all together to the graduation.

4.

amount (n) = quantity, is used with reference to things that cannot be counted.

We have a tremendous amount of work to do.

Number (n) = refers to items that can be counted.

A large number of motorists were held up by the parade.

5.

Affect (v) = to influence.

His action won’t affect my decision.

effect (n) = result.

The report had a bad effect on the moral of the office.

6.

imply (v) = to suggest or hint to someone. (the person speaking implies.)

Ben implied to me that he wanted a ride home.

infer (v) = to perceive what is being suggested. (the person listening infers.)

I inferred from what Ben said that he wanted a ride home.

7.

fewer (adj) = used with plural nouns, refers to the number of items.

The plant produced fewer cars in August than in July.

less (adj) = refers to the amount (cannot be counted)

There was less concrete in the mixer than he had estimated.

8.

got (v) = obtained or acquired.

The technician got a raise.

have (n) = to possess

The technician will have a raise by next week.

9.

Use (v) = to employ something for a purpose/ to bring something into purpose

Researchers often use questionnaires in their work.

utilize (v) (formal) = make practical use of / to use something that is available to you / to use something for a particular purpose

(But don’t use “utilize” unless you’ve tried “use” first and there’s something wrong with it in context. In 99 cases out of 100, “use” works fine, and it always sounds more down to earth.)

As you suggest, you might utilize a heavy book as a doorstop.

We must consider how best to utilize what resources we have.

Employers must utilize their workers more effectively if the region is to become an economic success.

make use of to use a method, skill, or piece of information that is available to you

People asked her why she didn't make use of her musical

talent and give singing lessons.

We might as well make good use of his expertise while he's

here.

apply (v) to use something such as a method, idea, or system in a particular situation, activity, or process

New technology is being applied to almost every industrial

process.

You can't apply policies designed for a big country like the

United States to a small country like Cuba.

10.

Be composed of (v)

= to be naturally formed from a group of substances, parts, or people [= consist of]

The earth's atmosphere is composed mainly of nitrogen,

oxygen, and carbon dioxide.

The human body is composed of billions of tiny cells.

The legal system is composed of people, and people make

mistakes.

Consist of something (v)

= be made up of

= to be formed from two or more things or people

The buffet consisted of several different Indian dishes.

The audience consisted mainly of teenagers.

Lorna's whole wardrobe consisted of jeans, tee shirts, and

sweaters.

The executive board is made up of public officials, citizens,

and businesspeople.

Be made of (v)

= if something is made of a particular substance, that substance was used for making it

The candlesticks are made of brass.

She mixed a batter made of flour, eggs, and water. What's this

carpet made of?

Be made out of (v)

= if something is made out of something else, it was made by changing a substance or object into something different

The eight-string "guitar" he played was made out of a roasting

pan.

Tyra Banks wore a bikini made out of toilet paper.

At my grandparents' we would take turns riding on a swing

made out of an old tire.

Comprise (v)

Be comprised of

(formal)= to consist of a number of parts, groups, organizations etc

The house comprises 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room.

The city's population comprises mainly Asians.

The committee is comprised of well-know athletes.

Include (v) = Use include to mention only some of the things that something has as its parts. If one thing includes another, the second thing is part of the first.

The price includes lunch.

The curriculum includes courses in computing.

Contain (v) = if a substance contains something, that thing is part of it / have something in it.

This product may contain nuts.

All computer manuals should contain a list giving addresses of suppliers.

If you want to mention all the parts that something has in it, use consist of, comprise, be composed of, or be made up of

Web links

http://www.englishpage.com/prepositions/phrasaldictionary.html (Phrasal Verb Dictionary)

http://valenciaenglish.netfirms.com/phrasals00.htm (Phrasal verb introduction)

http://www.englishdaily626.com/c-mistakes.php (common mistakes)

http://www.cybertranslator.idv.tw/grammar/phrasalverbs.htm (common Phrasal Verbs )