Social English Power · 2014-04-18 · 50 Chapter 4 De‐Chinglish Your English It bored me so much...

Social English Power 49

4 DE-CHINGLISH YOUR ENGLISH

POWERL INES

When you have worked through this chapter, you will have the power to

• Use specific verbs instead of simple, general ones

• Talk about how things smell

• Talk correctly about giving and receiving help

• Avoid problems when using play, hope, wish, and know

• Talk correctly about using time

• Use measurements such as size, weight and money correctly in your speaking

In this chapter, we’ll look at common mistakes made by speakers of Chinese, and explain the difference between how common ideas are expressed in Chinese and in English.

4.1 USE MORE VERBS

If you want to keep your body healthy, you should eat more fruit and vegetables, the experts say. In the same way, using a rich diet of verbs will help to keep your English healthy. Often, learners of English will overuse ( = use too much) simple verbs like make and do, where native speakers would use a more specific verb.

Actually, English is such a verb-driven language that nouns and adjectives are frequently adopted as new verbs—a process known appropriately as verbing. Obvious recent examples include googling, emailing and texting.

Let's start with a few easy examples.

ALICE♀ What did you think of that new movie?

JAMES♂ It made me so bored that I feel asleep.

↓

50 Chapter 4 De‐Chinglish Your English

It bored me so much that I fell asleep. ✔

In many cases, make/turn + adjective can be changed to a verb ending in -en. Examples: redden, whiten, blacken, soften, harden, quicken, sharpen, brighten, darken, widen, straighten, flatten, roughen.

TOM♂ I can’t cut this meat. The knife is too blunt.

CELIA♀ You need to make it sharp again.

↓

You need to (re)sharpen it. Or

You need to get it (re)sharpened.

PRACTICE 4.1

Can you change the CAPITALISED phrases to verbs? �

1. Jimmy♂ spent too much time in the sun. Now his face is TURNING RED. (Hint: look at the list of -en verbs above.)

2. When you’ve finished dinner, SEND me A MESSAGE and I’ll come and help you with your homework.

3. Roxanne♀ wants to MAKE her skin MORE WHITE and her hair STRAIGHT.

4. If your bag is too heavy, why don’t you take some books out to MAKE it LIGHTER?

5. Grandfather’s trip to the zoo MADE him so TIRED OUT that he fell asleep on the way home.

6. Mr. Smith’s speech is too long. He really needs to MAKE it SHORTER.

7. The sky is TURNING BLACK. There’s going to be a storm soon.

PRACTICE 4.2 �

Can you guess the meaning of the CAPITALISED verbs?

someone elsedoes it for you

you do itby yourself


1. After a long journey, it’s good to have a shower to FRESHEN UP.

2. My brother and sister had a big argument yesterday. I’m trying to SMOOTH THINGS OUT between them.

3. You’ve spilt some sauce on your shirt. Let me SPONGE it off for you.

4. Jemima♀ is moving house next week, so she’s busy BOXING UP all her possessions.

5. I heard that your daughter played really well in the concert yesterday. Did you VIDEO the performance?

6. My mother was planning a trip to Jamaica this summer. But she’s too ill now, so she’s had to SHELVE her plans.

Verbs for sense and feeling

English often uses verbs to describe the five senses—seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching—as well as inner feelings or opinions (e.g. The weather feels stuffy ( = hot and humid)). Here are a few examples:

• These oranges taste really sweet. Where did you buy them?

• My car sounds really terrible. I have to get it repaired.

• Do you like my new coat? It feels really soft and cosy ( = comfortable, warm).

PRACTICE 4.3

Try this dialogue with your partner. Notice how the sense and feeling verbs (CAPITALISED) are used. �

DARREN♂

Cheryl, I SEE you finally decided to get a new piano.

CHERYL♀

Yes, at last; the old one SOUNDED so dreadful*, and I really need a good one to practise on.

*dreadful: horrible, unpleasant, poor quality


DARREN Well, the new one certainly LOOKS fantastic; so shiny and black.

CHERYL Let’s SEE how you FEEL when you hear it. (Plays)

DARREN Oh, it SOUNDS awesome! Really rich and mellow.* And the whole room SMELLS beautiful with that lovely new wood smell.

*mellow: comfortable, pleasant, relaxing (to describe a sound, taste or colour)

CHERYL Great, isn’t it? I've been FEELING on cloud nine* since I got it.

*on cloud nine: very happy (see Chapter 2)

DARREN Actually, I SENSED* a long time ago that you really wanted a new piano.

*sense: have an opinion about the feelings of other people

CHERYL Oh, that was clever of you to NOTICE*. Well, yes, as soon as I got enough money together, I THOUGHT it was time to fulfil my dream. And now here it is, all shiny and beautiful.

*notice: realise, observe

DARREN It makes me FEEL happy for you, just listening to you talking about it like that.

PRACTICE 4.4

Change these Chinglish expressions into better English. The first one is done for you as an example. �

1. In Spring, the birds have beautiful sound. → In Spring, the birds sound beautiful. - or - In Spring, the birdsong is beautiful.

2. That dish of food you are cooking has spicy smell.

3. Although these watermelons have a good outlook, but they have too-soft feeling.

Some verbs are available to help you describe feelings and opinions: seem, look like, appear, feel, sense, guess, suppose, expect, gather, take it are some examples. You saw some of these used in Darren♂ and Cheryl’s♀ conversation just before; gather was used in Chapter 2. These verbs provide an interesting and polite way of expressing your views, instead of simply saying I think. Some example sentences:


• It looks like it’s going to rain. Or, more simply, It looks like rain.

• Since you’re going to the other side of the city this morning, I take it you won’t be home for lunch?

• Dave♂ sensed I was feeling unhappy, so he brought me some flowers.

• You didn’t eat all of your steak. I guess you didn’t fancy* it, then? (*Fancy = like, want)

• I see you’re looking at www.jobs.com. I gather you’re after* a new job, then? (*Be after = hope for, want)

• That wonderful Italian restaurant in West Street appears to have closed down. Such a shame.

• You seem to be having trouble putting your shoes on.

PRACTICE 4.5

1. Change the example sentences above to use think. For example, the first one is I think it’s going to rain. �

2. In each the sentences below, replace think with one of these verbs: feel, guess, look like, seem like, suppose, take it. The first one is done as an example. Hint: for the verbs look like and seem like, you have to change the subject from I to you or it. �

(a) I think your brother is going to buy that red car. He really likes it. → I guess your brother is going to buy that red car.

(b) I think my exam went pretty well. I should pass OK.

(c) Shelley♀ didn’t say much on our date last night. I think she’s feeling ticked off* about something.

(d) I think you’ll be too busy for our tennis game next week, right?

(e) The children didn’t eat much of the party food. I think they didn’t like it very much.

(f) I think you don’t want to come to karaoke with us, right?

(g) I think your brother really likes that red car.

(h) I think there’s going to be a thunderstorm soon.


(i) Mike♂ is trying to avoid going to the gym with me. I think he always finds an excuse.

(j) I think you’ve just had a haircut, right?

(k) I’d love to move to another flat, but I think I’m going to have trouble finding a good one.

*Ticked off: annoyed, a bit angry. (We met this in Chapter 2.)

Special topic: Describing smells

It is not common in English to say You smell good or It smells bad. Using the verb smell is too direct, and it is easy to offend people in this way. Instead, we usually use nouns or adjectives. In this table, smells that most people would find pleasant are shown in yellow, and unpleasant smells in brown.

Noun form Adjective form Examples

fragrance, scent

fragrant, aromatic perfume, curry

fruity oranges

headyoverripe bananas, huge number of flowers

aromaaromatic tasty food, cheese

pungent vinegar

odour smelly, odorous feet, socks, shoes

stink stinkyrotten food, cheese, drains

stenchfoul toilet

acrid burning tyre

Here are some examples of how to use them:

• I love that perfume you’re wearing. It has a wonderful scent. (noun)

• There’s a terrible stench coming from the toilet. Maybe it’s leaking. (noun)

• Those sports shoes are a bit odorous. Let’s put them outside. (adjective)


• There’s a wonderful heady aroma coming from the flowers by the window. (adjective + noun)

PRACTICE 4.6 �

1. Search on the Internet to find some examples of smell adjective + noun combinations. Which ones are commonly used? For example, can you find many hits for pungent aroma? acrid fragrance? fruity stink? heady scent?

2. Try to rephrase these sentences to avoid using the verb smell. Hint: Choose a noun or adjective from the yellow or brown areas of the table above, depending on whether you think the smell is good or bad.

a) The bathroom towels smell bad. It’s time to wash them.

b) The food you’re cooking smells great. What are you making?

c) I think durian smells... (describe your own opinion of durians’ smell)

d) When it rains after a long period of dry weather, the ground smells earthy.

4.2 GIVING AND RECEIVING HELP

When we ask for help with a task, there are two possible situations:

Person A either wants to delegate the task to person B—that means, get person B to do it completely; or he wants to collaborate—that means, the two of them will work together.

Person A asksPerson B for help

How wecan describe

this

“collaboration”

“delegation”

WhatPerson A

wants

Persons A and B willdo the task together

Person B alone willdo the whole task


How we use help in English depends on which situation applies:

• Can you help me water the plants? If there are many plants to be watered, Person A needs an extra person on the task. Both people will water the plants. This is collaboration.

• Can you give/lend me a hand to water the plants? This is another way to ask for collaboration.

• Can you help me (out) by watering the plants? Perhaps person A is too busy and wants person B to water all the plants. This is delegation.

• Can you water the plants for me? This is another way to ask for delegation.

PRACTICE 4.7 �

Which of these situations needs collaboration, and which is delegation?

1. A asks B to mail a letter. collaboration / delegation

2. A needs to move a big, heavy cupboard.

collaboration / delegation

3. A asks B to help him understand a website in Japanese.


4. A needs to make a copy of a document.


5. A needs to call a taxi. collaboration / delegation

6. A has written a letter and wants B to check the English.


PRACTICE 4.8 �

Read through the dialogue with a partner. Choose the best option for each request for help.

PASCAL♂ Rachel, what’s the matter? Why are you packing up all your things?

RACHEL♀ I just heard the school needs to do emergency repairs to the gas pipes in the whole dormitory. Everybody has to move out by


tonight.

PASCAL Oh no, what a hassle!* Have you got somewhere to move to?

RACHEL No, not yet. Can you [help me by finding / help me find] somewhere?

PASCAL I’ll call my dad. He’s a real estate agent.* I expect he will be able to arrange something.

RACHEL That would be such a Godsend.* I’d be so grateful.

PASCAL Meanwhile, how about some help [with / by] packing up your stuff?

RACHEL Well, that would be great if you’ve got the time. How about [giving me a hand to pack up / helping me out by packing up] all my books and papers?

PASCAL Sure, but what shall we pack them into?

RACHEL Well, there’s another problem. I haven’t got any boxes. Can you [help me find / help me out by finding] some?

PASCAL I’ll do my best... though it won’t be easy, since everyone else will be looking for boxes too. Perhaps I can find some bags [for / with] you.

RACHEL Thanks... I really appreciate it... and in return, I’ll [help you out with practising / help you practise] your English for the speaking test next week.

*Hassle: troublesome situation, inconvenienceReal estate agent: person who helps others buy, sell and/or rent homesGodsend: blessing, helpful event.

OFFERING HELP

We already saw one way to offer help in the dialogue above: Pascal♂ said “How about some help with...” + -ing verb. Here are some other ways:


Notice that offering to help with something is an offer of collaboration only. You are not volunteering to take over the job completely! The other ways can be used for collaboration or delegation.

PRACTICE 4.9

How could you offer help in these situations? In some of them, you can be quite creative and give an answer that’s not just the obvious one. �

1. Your tennis partner is going on holiday next week, and there’s nobody to look after her plants.

2. You see a cyclist whose bike chain has come off.

3. Your classmate doesn’t know how to do this practice exercise.

4. Your friend is cooking dinner for 10 people tonight.

5. Your brother’s car has broken down, and he has to go to an important interview in 1 hour.

6. Your parents are going to a friend’s wedding next week.

4.3 COMMONLY MISUSED VERBS

Play‘ ’

As in Chinese, the English verb play is used in lots of ways. However, the usage is rather different between English and Chinese. In this section, we’ll study the word play to help you understand when native speakers use it.

Pull cello?

Can I help...Would you like some help...Can I offer you some help...(Do you) need any help...Would you like a hand...

Can I help...Would you like some help...Can I offer you some help...(Do you) need any help...Would you like a hand...

? (no need to say more)? (no need to say more)

with your bags? (noun)with your bags? (noun)

with carrying your bags? (-ing verb)with carrying your bags? (-ing verb)

to carry your bags? (verb)to carry your bags? (verb)

collaboration


Some usages of ‘play’ that differ between Chinese and English

Activity Correct English expression

Football / soccer Play football / soccer

Mahjong Play mahjong

Playing cards Play cards

Piano Play (the) piano

Violin Play (the) violin

Saxophone Play (the) saxophone

Tennis / badminton / squash / basketball

Play tennis / badminton / squash / basketball

Leisure time on the computer Play on the computer

Children relaxing together Play / play together

Adult or teenage friends relaxing together

Hang out / Chill out / spend time together

Windsurfing Go windsurfing

Spending time together

When adults are relaxing together, doing some social activities such as eating, chatting or playing sports, English does not use play. Instead, you have to say that you are hanging out, chilling out, socializing, or spending time together.

Children, however, do play together.

For situations when adults and children are having fun together, play is suitable if they are related (e.g. parents and their children). But if they are unrelated, it’s better to say spend time together.

PRACTICE 4.10

In each of the following sentences, only one of the options given is normally correct. Which one? �

1. I just bought a new CD. Let me [play / listen / sing] it to you.

2. It’s too dangerous to let the children [play / hang / run] in the street.

3. Jim♂ [plays / pulls / knows] the cello really well.

4. Angie♀ spends too much time [playing / doing / hitting] computer games.

5. Tonight, I’m going to [play / walk the street / chill out] with four of my colleagues.


Hope,‘ ’ Wish‘ ’

These verbs have similar meanings, but different usages. At a simple level, hope is for events you think are quite likely, and wish is for events you think are unlikely. Wish is also used to mean want in a formal way, and to say Good luck!

Hope Wish

Use for events at what time?

Future (I hope I pass my driving test tomorrow.)Past (I hope you didn’t forget to buy milk.)

Past (I wish I had passed my driving test yesterday.Any time, doesn’t matter when (I wish I could pass my driving test).

Use to describe what type of events?

Events you think are possible / likely (I hope my baby will soon start sleeping better at night.)

Events you think are unlikely (I wish my brother would stop complaining all the time.)

Verb tense after hope / wish

Past, present or future (I hope the bus comes soon. / I hope Tim will enjoy his new house when it’s ready.)

Use could/would + verb stem, or use past perfect tense (had). See ‘driving test’ examples above.

Usage with infinitive (to + verb)

Describes plans or expectations (We are hoping to move to Japan next year.)

Formal way of saying want (I wish to make a complaint.)

Talking positively about someone’s future

Informal. I hope everything works out well for you.

Formal. I wish you / Let me wish you / May I wish you + noun (I wish you every success in your new job.)

PRACTICE 4.11

Look at the following usages of hope and wish. Are they correct? If not, can you correct them? �

1. I wish you can pass your piano exam tomorrow.

2. I hope I win the top prize in the lottery.

3. Let me wish you a long and happy marriage.

4. It’s raining cats and dogs.* I hope I don’t get too wet on the way home.

5. Wish to hear from you soon. Goodbye!

6. Babs♀ has dropped her keys on the beach. She’s wishing she will find them before it gets dark.


7. I hope you haven’t forgotten about my birthday party tomorrow.

* Raining cats and dogs: raining very heavily.

SOME OTHER WAYS TO USE hope

As an adjective: I don’t know if I can continue my studies next year, but I’m hopeful.

As an adverb: Hopefully I can continue my studies next year.

As a noun: The hope is that, if I earn enough money this year, I can continue my studies next year.

As a verb phrase: I’m not sure if I can continue to study next year, but I’m living in hopes.

PRACTICE 4.12

Read out this dialogue with your partner. �

ARCHIE♂ Jess, why were you standing outside in the freezing cold?

JESS♀ I was having a cigarette. We’re not allowed to smoke indoors.

ARCHIE I hope you didn’t get too cold.

JESS It was pretty chilly,* I admit. I wish I could quit smoking, then I wouldn’t have to go outside at all.

ARCHIE Well, why don’t you give it up, then?

JESS I already tried, but I get so grumpy* that it makes everyone else wish I would start again.

ARCHIE Don’t give up hope so easily. Have you tried using the special chewing gum?

JESS Not yet, but I’m planning to try next week. Hopefully this time I’ll succeed for good.*

ARCHIE Great... wish you every success with that. [Positive comment about Jess’s future]


JESS Thanks for your support! By the way, I hope you haven’t forgotten your 2 o’clock appointment with the boss, have you?

ARCHIE Oh my goodness* – it’s just gone* 2 o’clock now! I hope he won’t be too ticked off* that I’m a bit late.

JESS Let me wish you good luck... break a leg!*

* Chilly: Uncomfortably coldGrumpy: bad-tempered; see Chapter 2, section 2.1For good: for everOh my goodness: Oh no! (An expression of shock)It's just gone 2 o’clock: The time now is just after 2 o’clockTicked off: annoyed, a bit angry (see Chapter 2)Break a leg: This strange idiom means “I hope you have an accident so that you don’t have to do the thing you are worried about.”

After reading the dialogue, discuss the following questions. Some hints are given for you; try covering them up first, and then look at them if you need help.

Question Hints

1 Why do most people find it hard to quit smoking?

Addiction, relaxing, looks cool, craving/desire

2 Why do some smokers wish to quit? (Use hope / wish in your answers.)

Improve health, save money, avoid smelly breath and clothes (look back at section 4.1 for describing smells)

3 Why do most buildings ban smoking indoors?

Health risk, second-hand smoke, fire risk

4 What is the disadvantage of banning smoking indoors?

Smokers waste time going out, dirty areas outside

5 Do you agree with indoor smoking bans?

Think about all the issues mentioned here, not just your own likes and dislikes.

6 What methods are available to help people quit smoking?

Chewing gum, patches, telephone services, websites, information, tax on tobacco, scary adverts

KNOWING‘ ’ AND GETTING‘ TO KNOW’

In English, the verb for knowing something for the first time (for example, meeting a new person) is different from the verb used for existing knowledge. First, let’s consider how we talk about knowing people. �


SHARON♀ Do you know Paul? (Present tense)

ROBIN♂ Yes, I’ve known him for six months already. (Past tense)

SHARON How did you get to know him?

ROBIN We first got acquainted* when we met at a jobs fair.

SHARON How well do you know him?

ROBIN Not very well; we’re just acquaintances*, not really friends.

SHARON Can you introduce me to him? I’d like to meet him too.

* Get acquainted: start to know each otherAcquaintances: people who know each other, but are not close friends.

PRACTICE 4.13

Allow your partner to choose someone at random from your phone’s address book—or, if you prefer, write down five names from your own address book and let your partner choose one of them at random.

Have a conversation about the person chosen, following the pattern of Sharon♀ and Robin♂ above. Find out how close your partner is to the person (that means, how strong their relationship is).

PRACTICE 4.14

Look at the two-line conversations below. In each one, three options are given for the second line. Which one do you think is the best? �

1.

BERT♂ Why don’t you go on holiday with Julie, since she invited you?

JULIE♀ I don’t really know her [closely / strongly / well] enough yet.


2.

HILARY♀♂ Can you lend me $1,000?

AARON♂ (A) Sorry... I hardly know you.

(B) Sorry... I am not acquainted with you.

(C) Sorry... I didn’t know you before.

3.

VICTOR♂ When did you first meet Martin?

AMY♀ (A) I knew him five years ago.

(B) I get to know him over these past five years.

(C) We got acquainted five years ago.

4.

GLADYS♀ Seems like you did really well in your exams.

MITCH♂ Yes, I was over the moon* when I [got / knew / found] the results.

*Over the moon: very happy (see Chapter 2)

Knowing a skill

It is possible to ask Do you know how to...? But it is more usual to skip saying know, and just ask: Do you...? or Can you...? Here are some examples:

Question Meaning

Do you swim? Do you regularly go swimming?

Can you swim? Do you know how to swim?

How’s your swimming? How good are your swimming skills?

How’s your swim?Are you enjoying swimming now? or Did you enjoy the swim you just had?

Are you into swimming? Same as Do you swim? (We met this phrase as Be into in Chapter 2.)

Native English speakers would not say Do you know swimming?

The example shows that you can use Model A for a habit or hobby.


PRACTICE 4.15

Get a deck of playing cards. Use all the black cards from the deck (including spades and clubs) to choose one of the actions below at random. Ask your partner about this action, using one of the three-line models below (an example conversation is also provided for you). Then choose another card and repeat.

A ski 10 play golf 6 paint (pictures)

2 fish J play mahjong 7 play (the) piano

3 hike Q go rock climbing 8 sing karaoke

4 knit K invest on the stock market 9 do DIY

5 run A eat Japanese food 10 play cards

6 sew 2 play computer games J speak German

7 dive 3 cycle (ride a bike) Q cut people’s hair

8 juggle 4 drive (a car) K make websites

9 cook 5 change a nappy/ diaper

Model A Model B Model C

Student A: Do you X? or Are you into X’ing?

Student A: Can you X? Student A: How’s your X’ing?

Student B: Yes / No / A little bit (talk about when you X). How about you?

Student B: Yes / No / A little bit (talk about your ability). How about you?

Student B: Pretty good / Not bad / Not very good (talk about your ability). How’s yours?

Student A: I do too / Neither do I / Yes, I do / No, I don’t (talk about when you X).

Student A: I can too / Neither can I / Yes, I can / No, I can’t (talk about your ability).

Student A: Same as yours / Reasonable / Not great (talk about your ability).

Example

WENDY♀ Do you travel abroad?

LIAM♂ Yes, I go to Canada about twice a year. How about you?

WENDY I do too, though only about once a year.

PRACTICE 4.16

Look at the use of know in the sentences below. Is it correct? If not, can you suggest a better verb to use? �


1. How long have you known your boyfriend?

2. Doctor, when will I know the result of my blood test?

3. I wish I knew how to drive a car.

4. I just knew about a new Italian restaurant in our neighbourhood.

5. How did you know how to use chopsticks so well?

6. I already knew English before I came to Australia.

7. How do you know it’s going to rain tomorrow?

8. When I was 6 years old, I was already knowing ballet.

4.4 USING TIME

To learn how to describe the action of using time, we need to consider three types of situation.

Verbs Examples

Using time for a purpose (positive)

spend, invest

• I need to spend more time improving my English.

• Jill♀ quit her job to spend more time with her children.

Using time while waiting

pass, kill• We’ve got 2 hours to kill before the

train comes. Let's find something to eat.

Using time you don’t want to use (negative)

waste, take up, burn

• Walking to the cinema will take up too much time. Let’s get a taxi instead.

PRACTICE 4.17

Which ‘using time’ verb is most appropriate in the following situations? �

1. I wish you wouldn’t ____ so much time on computer games.

2. My friend isn’t arriving until 3 o’clock. How shall I ____ the time until then?

Look back at section 4.3for a reminder on 'wish'.


3. I’d like to run a marathon, but I can’t afford to ____ too much time on training.

4. I hate it when telephone sales people ____ my time.

5. When I go to India next month, I’m hoping to ____ some time in Delhi.

6. John♂ doesn’t pass his exams because he ____ his study time chatting.

PRACTICE 4.18

In the conversation below, Belinda♀ and Maurice♂ are on a cycling holiday together, but Maurice’s rented bike has broken down. Try the conversation with your partner. �

MAURICE♂ Look, the chain is tangled up with the gears... we’ll have to try to fix it. What a waste of time.

BELINDA♀ Well, it’s ok, we have plenty of time to reach the next city. We've got some tools, so let’s spend some time trying to fix it.

MAURICE You’re right, but I’d rather spend the time enjoying the ride, instead of wasting it getting dirty from the bike.

BELINDA Hey, we’re on holiday, remember? So there’s no time pressure. Just relax and take your time.*

MAURICE Yes, you’re right; I suppose it’s worth investing some time to get it working properly.

BELINDA Oh, wait a minute... that part looks like it’s broken.

MAURICE So it is.* Oh well, no point in* taking up time trying to fix it. We’ll have to call the bike hire company for help.

BELINDA All right, let’s do it. So, how are we going to kill the time until they arrive?

MAURICE Well, it’s just you and me in this peaceful country spot... finally the chance to spend some quality time* together.


* Take your time: use as much time as you wantSo it is: you’re right (it is broken). No point in: no benefit in, useless to. Quality time: spending time without distractions or doing other things.

PRACTICE 4.19

Discuss the following questions with your partner:

1. How do you spend your free time?

2. What would you like to invest more time in?

3. If there was a blackout (total electricity failure) in your city, how would you kill the time until the power comes back?

4. Do you think online social networks (like Facebook, Twitter, 人人網, 微博) are a waste of time?

5. When you are commuting (travelling to work or school), how do you use the time?

4.5 MEASURING THINGS

You are probably familiar with measures used in English, such as kilometres (km), degrees Celsius (ºC) and grams (g). Maybe you have also seen measures used in some English-speaking countries, such as pounds (lb), feet (ft) and inches (in).

Using these in everyday conversation is easy, but there are a few points to remember:

Point to remember Wrong examples

Correct examples

Don’t use the written abbreviation in speaking

One cm One centimetre

If the number is more than one, add the ‘s’ after the measure

Five pound Five poundsFifteen degrees (Celsius)

For kilometres, you can abbreviate to ‘k’

One kiloTwo km

One k or One kilometreTwo k or Two k’s

For kilograms, you can abbreviate to ‘kilo’

One kOne kg

One kilo or One kilogramTen kilos

For percent (%), always say ‘percent’

Ten percents Ten percent


Point to remember Wrong examples

Correct examples

For euro (€), say ‘euro’ or ‘euros’

Five euro dollars Five euro or Five euros

For money with cents, say the currency name between the dollar and cent amounts. Example: US$2.3 / US$2.30

Two point three dollars

Two dollars thirtyTwo dollars and* thirty

centsTwo dollars and* thirty

cents USTwo US dollars and* thirty

cents

*American English does not use ‘and’ here.

PRACTICE 4.20

Answer the following questions with your partner:

1. How big is a tennis ball? Can you name something a bit smaller than a tennis ball?

2. How tall is a giraffe? Can you name something that is twice as tall as a giraffe?

3. How big is your head? Can you name something that is about the same size?

4. How cold is your fridge? How does it compare to the weather today?

5. How big is your bedroom? Can you name somewhere five times as big?

6. What price is a coffee in your favourite coffee shop?

7. In your own currency, how much is one euro worth today?

8. The last time you went running/ hiking/ cycling, how far did you go?

9. What is your ideal (target) body weight?

10.What percentage of your time do you spend sleeping?

11.How tall are you, in metres? How much is that in feet and inches? How does your height compare with your mother’s (i.e. are you taller or shorter than her)?

Social English Power · 2014-04-18 · 50 Chapter 4 De‐Chinglish Your English It bored me so much...

Documents

Transcript of Social English Power · 2014-04-18 · 50 Chapter 4 De‐Chinglish Your English It bored me so much...