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2016年3月7日 星期一

Packed 除了解「收拾」還解作...





Packed 除了解「收拾」還解作...


相片來源:iStock
相片來源:iStock
撰文 : 英文老師 Ally 晴報
早前談到「歲晚收爐」可以說pack up for Chinese New Year,當中pack一字是動詞。
其實,過去分詞packed也可以用作形容詞。動詞pack解「包裝、包裹、收好」,packed用作形容詞時,則可以解「裝滿的、收拾好行李的」。
Packed還可以引伸指「擁擠的」,裝得滿滿便會變得擁擠。
例句:
 
The box is packed with small but thoughtful gifts.
這個盒子擠滿了細小但貼心的禮物。
 
 
Are you packed?
你收拾好行李了嗎?
 
 
The flower market will be very packed tomorrow. Shall we visit it today instead?
明天花市會很擁擠。我們還是今天去,好嗎?
 
想說明裝滿甚麼,可以後接介詞with。
例句:
 
The Hong Kong Disneyland is always packed with Mainland tourists.
香港迪士尼樂園總是擠滿了內地旅客。
 
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情人卿卿我我英文是...




情人卿卿我我英文是...


相片來源:iStock
相片來源:iStock
撰文 : Ally 英文老師 晴報
情人節特別多情侶在街上卿卿我我。雖然是情人節,但是太過火也會令人側目。
在街上或任何公共場所卿卿我我,英文稱為public display of affection,簡稱PDA。
談到PDA,常問
How much PDA is appropriate?
How much PDA is acceptable?
How much is too much?
甚至會說PDA etiquette。
情侶在公共場所做親熱動作,到底有多親密才算是恰當?
多親密才是可以接受?
幾多為之過火?
PDA的禮儀是怎樣?
有一個簡單的準則就是:如果該親熱動作不應給母親看到,那大概便不應該在公共場所進行。
除了常用appropriate(恰當的)和acceptable(可接受的)去形容PDA,其他形容詞還有annoying(惱人的)、embarrassing(使人尷尬的)等等。
名人情侶在公共場所卿卿我我,或會被形容為adorable(可愛的)- adorable celebrity PDA。
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特赦權英文點講?







特赦權英文點講?


相片來源:iStock
相片來源:iStock
撰文 : 英文老師 Ally 晴報
法國有一個婦人射殺丈夫,被判監十年,是否罪有應得?
超過40萬人簽署請願信,要求總統動用特赦權(prerogative of mercy),因為她已經遭丈夫毆打和強暴長達47年,三名女兒也曾被丈夫強姦,兒子也因不堪虐待而自殺身亡。
Mercy即是中文的「慈悲、憐憫、寬容」。例如「安樂死」的英文稱為mercy killing,憐憫患有不治之症、飽受肉體痛苦的人,可以無痛地死去。
名詞mercy常配甚麼動詞和介詞?
「對某人表示憐憫」,可以說to show mercy to/towards someone。
例句:
The terrorists showed no mercy to their hostages.
恐怖分子對人質毫不留情。
「寬待某人」可以說to have mercy on someone。
例句:
The public appealed to the judge to have mercy on the poor woman.
公眾請求法官寬恕那可憐的婦人。
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你講「Classroom English」還是「Business English」?





你講「Classroom English」還是「Business English」?


撰文 : 世界公民文化中心 
世界公民文化中心的外籍老師有一天突然問我:「你覺得哪一種英文教學最糟糕?」
我愣了一下,因為我較常回答像「哪一種英文教學最有效?」這類的正面問題。

我想了想,然後回答他: classroom English (教室英語)。

在教室裡學到的英文規則中規中矩,但聽起來就是不對;相對於在日常生活環境當中耳濡目染汲取的英文不同,這樣的英文稱作「教室英文」。
它最大的問題就是:一個本來可以用很短的字就表達出來的概念,但我們習慣用很長、很難的字, 或者說用太多的「big words」或「誇張的英語」。
譬如:
  • That's a tough question.
這樣的一句話,我們可能會講成:
  • That's a difficult question。

這種例子不勝枚舉。大部份人在教室中學了英文,最後反而對「艱難學術用語」知之甚詳, 而一般英美大眾慣於使用的,或在小說中出現頻繁的簡單形容卻不甚了解?

女性「懷孕」,教室裡學到的就是「pregnant」。但還有更簡單、生活化的說法:
  • She is 「expecting」.(她在待產中。)
     
  • She is 「in a delicate condition」.(她正懷孕中。)
     
  • She is 「well-along」.(她心滿意足。)
     
  • She is about to have a 「blessed event」.(她不久會有喜事。)
     
  • She is about to be 「in a family way」.(她不久就要走向家庭之路。)
中文我們也會說,「她有喜了」。可見在形容微妙(delicate)的事情時,無論中外都會採用拐彎抹角的說法。不過,雖然一樣是「懷孕」, 但未婚女性在不希望的情形下懷孕時,就說:
  • She is in trouble.(她有了麻煩。)
像「順便」也有極其繁多的婉轉說法。
來看3個例子:
  • By the way, your boss called today.(對了, 你老闆今天打電話來過。)
這是我們大家最熟悉的「順便一提」的用法。
  • I have just called in passing. (我並不是特意造訪,只是順道來看看而已。)
句中in passing(過程中),也有「順便」的意味。
  • Could you buy me a drink on your way back?(你來這裡的路上, 可以順便幫我買瓶飲料?)
這裡用on your way(來的路上),來表達順道的意味。
(節錄)








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夜以繼日、日以繼夜工作英文點講?





夜以繼日、日以繼夜工作英文點講?


相片來源:iStock
相片來源:iStock
星期五,或多或少有holiday mood。不過,工作時間還是要全程投入,有效率才可以準時放工,不用日做夜做。
「日做夜做」英文怎樣說?可以說work around/ round the clock,即是work all day and all night,時鐘繞過一圈又一圈,晝夜不停地工作。
例句:
 
I know the task is urgent. I've got a team working around the clock.
我知道那工作緊急,我已經有一組人日以繼夜地工作。
 
 
They worked around the clock to fix the water pipes.
他們日以繼夜地工作,以搶修水管。
 
要超時工作,又要趕工真是很累人。「工作分秒必爭」英文可以說work against the clock,與時間競賽。
例句:
 
They are working hard against the clock to finish the task before dawn.
他們現在分秒必爭,趕在天亮前完成任務。
 
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2014年1月21日 星期二

窮人家的孩子必須掌握的英語句子





窮人家的孩子必須掌握的英語句子

 

貧窮的孩子應該富有自律精神,擺脫社會上種種膚淺的誘惑和不良習氣,全力以赴鍛造自己。窮人家的孩子應該放下面子,承認貧窮的現狀!

最困擾中國人的是“面子問題”。很多的痛苦和折磨都是自找的。下面我給大家提供一些“放下面子”的偉大句子,希望你從今天開始,做一個自信、坦蕩的人!



特別提醒:把以下的句子脫口而出,就能掌握很多的語法和單詞!

1. I'm sorry, I can't afford that.
(對不起,我買不起。)【要勇敢地說出這句話!】

2. I can't spend money on such foolish things. I'm saving it.
(我不能把錢花在這些愚蠢的事情上。我在存錢呢。)

3. Just send me a message. Don't call me.
(給我發信息就好了。不要打電話給我。)

4. Would you mind lending me your dictionary?
(可以把字典借給我用一下嗎?)

5. This restaurant is too expensive.
(這個飯館太貴了。)【看清菜譜再點菜!】

6. I don't want to eat out. Canteen food is OK with me.
(我不想出去吃。食堂的飯很好!)【不要過早養成下館子的習慣!】

7. I'm not used to such fancy food.
(我不習慣吃太奢侈的東西。)

8. Don't waste that food. Wrap it up and I'll take it home.
(不要浪費食物。打包,讓我帶回去。)

9. I don't want to celebrate my birthday. It's a waste of time and money.
(我不想慶祝我的生日。那是浪費時間和金錢。)【生日應該問候母親!】

10. Don't throw away that mantou. I can eat it.
(不要把饅頭扔了,給我吃。)【我經常這樣做!】

11. I can walk there. It's not that far.
(我可以走去那裡。不遠的。)

12. I can help you review that lesson, and you can treat me to a meal.
(我可以幫你複習功課,你請我吃飯。)

13. I don't want to drink anything. I brought my own bottle of water.
(我什麼都不想喝,我自己帶水了。)【李陽老師特別提醒:千萬不要在餐廳要飲料!】

14. I'm staying at school during the holiday. It's too expensive to travel.
(放假期間我留在學校,路費太貴了。)

15. My parents are both farmers. I'm very proud of them.
(我父母都是農民,我為他們感到驕傲。)

16. My family has very little money. I can't waste a cent.
(我家沒有錢,我一分錢都不能浪費。)

17. My mother is a fruit vendor. I help her after school every day.
(我媽媽在街上賣水果。每天放學後我都去幫助她。)

18. My mother is a domestic helper. She cleans for three families and watches their kids. She is amazing.
(我媽媽是個保姆,她幫助三個家庭打掃衛生和看小孩。她真了不起。)
【為偉大的母親而感到驕傲!】

19. My father watches bicycles. He works very long hours.
(我父親幫別人看自行車,他工作時間很長。)

20. My father works in a factory in Guangdong. He seldom comes home.
(我父親在廣東的一家工廠裡打工。他很少回家。)

21. My father is a temporary construction worker. He moves around all the time.
(我父親是工地上的臨時工。他到處打工。)

22. I haven't seen my father for years. He sends money home every month. I know he loves us.
(我很多年沒見我父親了,他每個月寄錢回來。我知道他愛我們。)

23. My parents have no education.
(我的父母沒有接受什麼教育。)

24. My family lives in one small room with no bathroom.
(我家住在一個小房子裡,沒有廁所。)

25. My father is very sick in bed. I'm looking for ways to make money. Can you help me?
(我爸爸重病在床,我正在尋找賺錢的方法。你能幫助我嗎?)

26. My parents have a hard life. I love them too much to waste their money.
(我父母過著艱辛的生活。我非常愛他們,所以不能浪費他們的錢。)
















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2013年10月25日 星期五

讓名詞 動 起來

Smart Usage:讓名詞 動 起來

Table, ice, duck, flag...
這些簡單的英語單詞,它們的名詞意義就算對初學英語者來說也一定是小菜一碟,但老外經常把它們當做動詞用,它們的動詞意義和用法你知道嗎?

1
、table:名詞,桌子;當動詞用,是指開會時延期討論提案等,也就是暫緩審議。(to postpone discussion of a bill or suggestion until future time);例如:

They tabled the motion at the meeting.
會議決定延期討論該提案。

I made the motion and he seconded it.
我提案,他同意。second 這裡是動詞,意思是贊成;to second the motion 也就是附議。

We are tabling this matter until further notice.
我們延期討論這件事,以後再說。

2
、pride:名詞,榮譽;當動詞用,是指感到得意或自豪。(to take pride in something)例如:

We prided ourselves on our good work.
我們為自己工作的表現而自豪。

I have long prided myself on being a good teacher.
我一向以身為一名稱職的老師師而自豪。
注意:to pride oneself on, to be proud of, to take pride in意思相近,只是用法和後面所跟的介詞不同而已。例如:

They take great pride in her daughter who is now a famous scientist.
他們以身為科學家的女兒而自豪。

I am very proud of being a Chinese.
我以作為一個中國人而自豪。

3
、carpet:名詞,地毯;當動詞用,是覆蓋的意思。(to cover something)例如:

The flower girls carpeted the floor with rose petals before the bride's entrance.
新娘進來前,花童將玫瑰花瓣撒滿了地板。

During the winter time my roof is carpeted with white snow.
冬天時我家的屋頂蓋滿了白雪。

4
、floor:名詞,地板;當動詞用,是踩足汽車的油門,加速開車或使人驚訝。(to press accelerator of a car to the floor in order to speed up; or to astonish someone)例如:

As soon as I saw his gun, I floored my car.
我一見到他有槍,立即踩足油門加速開車。

When you see a police car, don't floor it.
當你看到警車時,別開快車。

The news really floored me; I hadn't been expecting it at all.
這個消息真使我吃驚地不知所措,這完全出乎我地意料。

5
、top:名詞,頂端;做動詞用,是做得更好,或高過某人。(to do something better or to be taller than someone)例如:

If he had tried harder, he could have topped his class.
假如他以前用功些,他會在班裡(成績)名列前茅的。

The tax-cut issue will top today's agenda.
減稅問題將是今天的主要議題。

Mr. Lin tops me by three inches.
林先生比我高三吋。

6
、flag:名詞,旗幟;當動詞用,是指打旗號或做手勢來傳達訊息。(to give signal for communication)例如:

When my car broke down, I flagged a police car.
當我的汽車拋錨的時候,我打了個信號招來一輛警車。

The beach life-guards usually flag one another for communication.
海濱救生員通常用旗號傳達訊息。

7
、bridge:名詞,橋樑、橋牌;當動詞用,是連接或溝通的意思。(to connect)例如:

The parents are trying to bridge the generation gap with their children.
父母都在設法彌合與兒女的代溝。

These tax reforms are attempt to bridge the gap between the rich and poor.
這些稅收改革旨在彌合貧富之間的差距。

8
、club:名詞,俱樂部、高爾夫球棒;當動詞用,意思是用棍棒打人。(to beat someone with a stick) 例如:

The security officer should not club any suspect who does not resist arrest.
保安人員對任何沒有拒捕的嫌犯都不該用棍棒毆打。

I saw the police clubbing a suspected robber.
我看到員警用棍棒打了那個搶劫嫌疑犯。

9
、soldier:名詞,士兵;當動詞用,是指不畏困難,堅持下去。(to forge ahead no matter what difficulty is)例如:

The Marine Corps usually have to soldier on under the hardest conditions.
海軍陸戰隊通常在最艱難的情況下,仍要勇敢前進。

He doesn't like the job but he'll solider on until they can find a replacement for him.
他不喜歡這個工作,但他會繼續幹下去,直到他們找到接替他的人為止。

10
、duck:名詞,鴨子;當動詞用,是逃避、躲避、回避的意思。(to try to avoid)例如:

His speech was full of generalizations, and ducked all the real issues.
他的講話全是泛泛而談,回避了所有實質性的問題。

11
、chair:名詞,椅子、主席(chairperson);當動詞用,是擔任主席(to be a chairperson)例如:

He has chaired a committee on international affairs.
他擔任國際事務委員會的主席。

She will chair the math department next semester.
下學期她將擔任數學系主任。

12
、doctor:名詞,醫生、大夫;當動詞用,是指竄改、對……做手腳。(to change, esp. in a dishonest way)例如:

They were charge with doctoring the election results.
他們因竄改選舉結果而受到控告。

to doctor the number
是做假賬的意思,相當於 to cook the book, to make something fraudulent or false.

He tried to doctor the number before tax time.
他在報稅前設法做假賬。

13
、cushion:名詞,坐墊;當動詞用,是指緩和,緩和或降低對某事的撞擊或震動(to soften or decrease impact of something)例如:

Powerful shock absorbers cushion our landing.
有效的減緩裝置緩解了我們著陸時的衝撞力。

Nothing can cushion the sorrow of her mother's death.
什麼也不能減輕她喪母的悲痛。

14
、cap:名詞,便帽;當動詞用,是指限額、約束或制止。(to limit something) 例如:

The new law has capped the crabbing season in our area.
新法令限制了該地區捕蟹的時節。(即不准隨時捕蟹)

Our school will cap the white student enrollment to promote its diversity programs.
本校為了促進生源的種族多元性,對白人學生的生源加以了限制。

15
、showcase:名詞,陳列櫃;當動詞用,是指展覽或亮相 (to highlight)。例如:

She fully showcased her ability in the debate.
她在這場辯論賽中充分展示了自己的才華。

The real estate company is showcasing many new houses in the newspaper.
該房地產公司在報紙上展示了多款新房型。

16
、grandfather:名詞,祖父;當動詞用,是指保護(免受限制)或保持現狀(to protect or to keep the same status)。例如:

Our current employees will be grandfathered under the existing health insurance.
現有衛生醫療制度為我們的員工提供了保障。

Everybody would like to grandfather this regulation as it is.
大家都想要保持現有的制度。

The new staff members can not be grandfathered into the old pension system.
新員工不能享受舊有的養老制度。

17
、corner:名詞,角落或壁角;當動詞用,是指將某人逼入困境或令人無地自容(to put someone in a bad spot )。例如:

Don't try to corner your spouse.
不要讓你的愛人為難。

He has been cornered by his best friend.
他最好的朋友卻讓他感到無地自容。

Finally, the escaped criminal was cornered.
那名逃犯最終走投無路了。

18
、distance:名詞,距離;當動詞用,是指冷淡、疏遠或與某人保持距離(to keep yourself a distance from someone)。例如:

It is difficult for him to distance himself from her.
對他來說,疏遠、冷淡她是很困難的。

The politicians will distance themselves from the controversial issues.
政客們想要儘量遠離有爭議的問題。

The parents advise their daughter to distance herself from her boyfriend.
  
她的父母勸告她要和男朋友保持一定距離,不可太過親密。

19
、book:名詞,書本;當動詞用,是指預訂飛機座位、機票、旅館房間等。此外還指警方將……登記如冊以為指控之用(to press charge against someone, generally by the police)。例如:

Mr. Chen has booked(
或made)a reservation at a hotel.
陳先生已經預訂了旅館房間。

Yesterday he booked a flight to Taiwan.
昨天他訂購了到臺灣的機票。

The police booked him for drunken driving.
他被指控酒後駕車。

20
、house:名詞,房屋;當動詞用,是指供給住所 (to provide shelter)。 例如:

The farmer has housed the horse in the barn.
農夫把他的馬圈在馬廄裡。

I would be glad to house you for the weekend.
我很高興這個週末你能夠住在我這裡。

21
、radio:名詞,收音機;當動詞用,是指用無線電發送訊息,廣播,發報(to send a message)。例如:

At airport the lady radioed for a missing child.
機場中,有一位女士正在廣播尋找一個走失的孩子。

All U.S. ships will have to radio the Coast Guard when they are in trouble.
美國船隻如果遇到困難,可以用無線電同海岸巡邏隊取得聯繫。

22
、dog:名詞,狗;當動詞用,是指尾隨某人,困擾某人或某事(to bother someone or something)。例如:

He was dogged wherever he went.
他不管到哪裡,總被人尾隨。

Her career was dogged by misfortune.
她一生屢遭不幸。

23
、fare:名詞,票價;當動詞用,是指過活、進展(to get along or to turn out)。例如:

How do you fare?= How are you doing?

I fare very well.=I am doing(feeling) well.

How did you fare in your exam?
考得怎樣?

I fared very well in my exam.
我考得很好。

If he gets caught for shoplifting, he may fare a punishment.
如果他因為盜竊被捕,將會受到懲罰。

24
、father:名詞,父親;當動詞用,是指為人父(to beget a child)。例如:

He has fathered two children before his remarriage.
他再婚前已經是兩個孩子的爸爸了。

Hopefully, Mr. Chen is going to father a child soon.
希望陳先生很快能夠當上爸爸。
注意:如果以母方來說,就是:

She bore him two children.
她為他生了兩個孩子。
或She bore a son. 也就是 He begot a son.
所以“to father a child”,也就是“to beget a child”。

形容詞的用法和在句中的位置

形容詞的用法和在句中的位置

1. 形容詞在句中主要可用作:

1)
定語:

What a fine day! 
多好的天氣!

He is a self-made man. 
他是個自學成材的人。

2)
表語:

The scene was horrifying. 
這景象很恐怖。

I am getting bored and homesick. 
我感到有些厭煩想家。

His comments were well-meant. 
他說這些都是出於好心。

3)
賓語的補語(構成合成賓語) :

I find this hot weather very trying.
我感到這種炎熱天氣很難受。

Do you think it necessary? 
你認為這有必要嗎?

4)
狀語:

She was back, eager to see her friends. 
她回來了,極想見她的朋友們。

She gave him the overcoat, anxious to be of service. 
她把大衣拿給他,極願為他服務。

He arrived home, hungry and tired. 
他又餓又累的回到家裡。

2.
形容詞在句中的位置
有的形容詞放在被修飾的名詞之前,稱為前置形容詞;少數形容詞放在被修飾的名詞之後,稱為後置形容詞。

1)
當名詞被多個前置形容詞修飾時,形容詞之間有一個先後順序問題。
一般規則為:
(限定詞)  → 一般描繪性形容詞 → 表示大小、長短、高低的形容詞 → 表示年齡、新舊的形容詞 → 表示國籍、地區、出處的形容詞 → 表示物質、材料的形容詞 → (名詞) 。
用一句話來說就是“美小圓舊黃,法國木書屋”。如:

There is a famous fine old stone bridge near the village.
村子附近有一座著名的漂亮的古代石橋。

I bought a cheap blue plastic pencil box yesterday.
昨天我買了一個便宜的藍色塑膠鉛筆盒

They have got such a round brown wooden table.
他們有一張褐色的木制圓桌。

另一規則為:

多個形容詞修飾名詞時,其順序為:
限定詞 -- 數詞 -- 描繪詞 -- (大小,長短,形狀,新舊,顏色)   -- 出處 -- 材料性質,類別 -- 名詞

a small round table
a tall gray building
a dirty old brown shirt
a famous German medical school
an expensive Japanese sports car
典型例題 :

1)  Tony is going camping with ___ boys.

little two other

B.  two little other
C.  two other little
D.  little other two答案:C。 由"限定詞 -- 數詞 -- 描繪詞 -- (大小,長短,形狀,新舊,顏色)   --性質 -- 名詞"的公式可知數詞,描繪詞,性質依次順序,只有C符合答案。

2)
  One day they crossed the ____bridge behind the palace.

A. old Chinese stone

B. Chinese old stone
C. old stone Chinese
D. Chinese stone old答案A。 幾個形容詞修飾一個名詞,他們的排列順序是:
年齡,形狀,大小 + 顏色 + 來源 + 質地 + 用途 + 國家 + 名詞。

3)  
 How was your recent visit to Qingdao?

It was great. We visited some friends
,and spent the ___days at the seaside.

A. few last sunny

B. last few sunny
C. last sunny few
D. few sunny last答案:B。 本題考查多個形容詞的排序問題。一般與被修飾形容詞關係密切的形容詞靠近名詞;如果幾個形容詞的重要性差不多,音節少的形容詞在前,音節多的方在後,在不能確定時,可參照下表:
限定詞 + 數量詞(序數詞在前,基數詞在後) + 性狀形容詞 + 大小、長短、高低等形體 +

those
 +  three  +  beautiful  +  large  +  square新舊 + 顏色 + 國籍 + 材料 + 名詞

old
 +  brown  +  wood  +  table
2) 當形容詞片語相當於一個定語從句時,或形容詞用來修飾somebody, something, anything, nothing 等的時候,便會出現後置形容詞。如:

The boy (who is) interested in music is my brother.
對音樂趕興趣的那個男孩是我弟弟。

Guilin is a city (which is) famous for its scenery.
桂林是一個以風景聞名的城市。

Do you have anything interesting to tell us?
你有什麼趣聞告訴我們嗎?

There is nothing wrong with the machine.
這台機器沒有毛病。

以 –ly 結尾的形容詞

以 –ly 結尾的形容詞

1) 大部分形容詞加 – ly 可構成副詞。但 friendly,deadly,lovely,lonely,likely,lively,ugly,brotherly,仍為形容詞。

改錯:
She sang lovely. (錯)
He spoke to me very friendly. (錯)
Her singing was lovely. (對)
He spoke to me in a very friendly way. (對)

2)有些以 -ly 結尾既為形容詞,也為副詞。

daily,weekly,monthly,yearly,early

The Times is a daily paper.

The Times is published daily.