很多人覺得自己英文email錯誤很多,擔心溝通誤解,有損專業。但這經常是一種錯覺。
文/世界公民文化中心
把自己的email交給專業人士修改,他可能會挑出很多錯,但仔細分析會發現,大部份人是同幾類的錯誤重複地發生,也就是說,只要能找出自己最容易犯錯的類別,加強規則和敏感度,很快就能寫出精確的商業書信。
我們的外籍顧問在數百封email當中,歸納出商業人士寫作錯誤類別。每個人犯錯的類別不太一樣,一個很好調整自己錯誤的方法是,假如你發現自己經常錯在介系詞,請在讀到介系詞,眼睛就多停留幾秒,唸出來加強記憶。
錯誤率No.1:動詞
我建議你休息幾天。
(X)I suggest you to take several days off.
(O)I suggest you take several days off.
我們考慮買一個新平台。
(X)We consider to buy a new platform.
(O)We consider buying a new platform.
請注意功能特殊的動詞,例如suggest沒有suggest to do sth.的用法,後面接that子句時,子句中必定用助動詞should,所以後面接原形動詞suggest+ (that)+S+(should)+V。Consider後面一定加V-ing。
錯誤率No.2:介系詞
我會訂閱這新雜誌。
(X)I will subscribe the new magazine.
(O)I will subscribe to the new magazine.
我想提醒你開會。
(X)I'd like to remind you the meeting.
(O)I'd like to remind you of the meeting.
80%的介系詞我們的直覺感應會抓得到對錯,不必刻意記憶,只要記住容易錯漏的,記的時候連動詞一起記,像訂閱是subscribe to,提醒是remind…of。
錯誤率 No.3:可數/不可數名詞
我們銀行的總部在巴黎。
(X)Our bank has its headquarter in Pairs.
(O)Our bank has its headquarters in Pairs.
謝謝你。
(X)Many thank.
(O)Many thanks.
可數、不可數容易搞錯的字並不多,為什麼headquarters的s其實不是複數,而是它的名詞型態。Thank當名詞時候是可數的。
錯誤率No.4:詞性
(X)It's very convenience.
(O)It's very convenient.
(X)I will take your advise.
(O)I will take your advice.
有些字詞性不同但長得很像,容易錯。要稍微留意。
錯誤率No.5:時態
至今工作還算容易,但也可能有變數。
(X)So far the work is easy but things may change.
(O)So far the work has been easy but things may change.
(X)Mary said that she finished the job.
(O)Mary said that she had finished the job.
講中文的人很容易忽略完成式,要特別注意。
錯誤率No.6:主動/被動
請注意......
(X)Please be noted that...
(O)Please note that...
有些錯誤會以訛傳訛,以上這句就是典型的例子,"Please note that..."即可,不必用被動。
【世界公民文化中心】是一所兩年制英語學院,以獨有的一對一教學,幫助企業人士善用英語整合能力,達成個人和企業國際化的目標,為高科技與跨國公司仰賴的商務英語學習機構。