英语写作中常见错误:
一、不一致(disagreements)
所谓不一致不光指主谓不一致,它还包括了数的不一致、时态不一致及代词不一致等。
例:when one have money, he can do what he want to.
剖析:one是单数第三人称,因而本句的have应改为has;同理,want应改为wants。本句是典型的主谓不一致。
改为:once one has money, he can do what he wants (to do).
二、修饰语错位(misplaced modifiers)
英语与汉语不同,同一个修饰语置于句子不同的位置,句子的含义可能引起变化。对于这一点中国学生往往没有引起足够的重视,因而造成了不必要的误解。
例:i believe i can do it well and i will better know the world outside the campus.
剖析:better位置不当,应置于句末。
三、句子不完整(sentence fragments)
在口语中,交际双方可借助手势语气上下文等,不完整的句子完全可以被理解。可是书面语就不同了,句子结构不完整会令意思表达不清,这种情况常常发生在主句写完以后,笔者又想加些补充说明时发生。
例:there are many ways to know the society. for example by tv, radio, newspaper and so on.
剖析:本句后半部分"for example by tv, radio, newspaper and so on."不是一个完整的句子,仅为一些不连贯的词语,不能独立成句。
改为:there are many ways to know society, for example, by tv, radio, and newspaper.
四、悬垂修饰语(dangling modifiers)
所谓悬垂修饰语是指句的短语与后面句子的逻辑关系混乱不清。例如:
at the age of ten, my grandfather died. 这句中"at the age of ten"只点出十岁时,但没有说明“谁”十岁时。按一般推理不可能是my grandfather,如果我们把这个悬垂修饰语改明确一点,全句就不那么费解了。
改为:when i was ten, my grandfather died.
例:to do well in college, good grades are essential.
剖析:句中不定式短语 “to do well in college” 的逻辑主语不清楚。
改为:to do well in college, a student needs good grades.
五、词性误用(misuse of parts of speech)
“词性误用”常表现为:介词当动词用;形容词当副词用;名词当动词用等。
例:none can negative the importance of money.
剖析:negative 系形容词,误作动词。
改为:none can deny the importance of money.