What time is it now这是一个直接从汉语翻译过来的句子,讲英语的时候没有必要说now,因为您不可能问what time was it yesterday, 或者what time is it tommorow?所以符合英语习惯的说法是:请问现在几点了?还有一种说法是:How are we doing for time?这句话在有时间限制的时候特别合适。
2、你是做什么工作的呢?
误:What's your job? 正:What's your occupation?what's your job?这种说法难道也有毛病吗?是的。因为如果您的谈话对象刚刚失业,如此直接的问法会让对方有失面子,所以您要问:目前您是在上班吗?Are you working at the moment?接下来您才问:目前您在哪儿工作呢?Where are you working these days?或者您从事哪个行业呢?What line of work are you in? 最地道的是说Occupation. 顺带说一下,回答这类问题时不妨说得具体一点,不要只是说经理或者秘书。
3、用英语怎么说?
误:How to say?正:How do you say this in English?Note:How to say是在中国最为泛滥成灾的中国式英语之一,这不是地道的英语说法。同样的句子有:请问这个词如何拼写?How do you spell that please?请问这个单词怎么读?How do you pronounce this word?
4、明天我有事情要做
误:I have something to do tomorrow.正:Sorry but I am tied up all day tomorrow.用 I have something to do来表示您很忙,这也完全是中国式的说法。因为每时每刻我们都有事情要做,躺在那里睡大觉也是事情。所以您可以说我很忙,脱不开身:I'm tied up.还有其他的说法:I can't make it at that time. I'd love to, but I can't, I have to stay at home.
5、我想我不行
正:I think I can't.误:I don't think I can.这一组然是个习惯问题,在语法上称为否定前置,这就是汉语里面说“我想我不会”的时候,英语里面总是说“我不认为我会”。
6、我的舞也跳得不好。
正:I don't dance well too.误:I am not a very good dancer either.当我们说不擅长做什么事情的时候,英语里面通常用not good at something,英语的思维甚至直接踊跃到:我不是一个好的舞者。
7、这个价格对我挺合适的
正:The price is very suitable for me.误:The price is right.suitable(合适的、相配的)最常见的用法是以否定的形式出现在告示或通知上,如:下列节目儿童不宜。The following programme is not suitable for children.