英語口語中,動詞是許多學生的弱點。口說時因為不習慣,我們忽略動詞的變化,還有很多的情境是,我們習慣用be動詞,所以所有的句子都便成靜態描述,而缺乏動作表情。
例如:
我們的產品是電腦軟硬體解決方案。
Our product is computer hardware and software solution.
We provide computer hardware and software solution.
雖然第一句並沒有文法上的錯誤,但若整篇文章或整個對話都是這種單一的“be+名詞”句型,英文的表情就變得千篇一律。
另一種常見的情況,最重要的動詞位置擺了不重要的動詞,句子顯得冗贅。
He gave me instructions on how to fix the computer.(他指導我該如何修好電腦。)
→He instructed me how to fix the computer.
在這裡,第一句亦無錯誤,但若把名詞"instruction"轉換為"instruct",可以精簡句型。
以下為我們所整理的一些重點:
1.把最重要的訊息放在動詞
說中文時,我們習慣說“給”,像“給些建議”、“給些指示”。說英文時,我們也常用“give”或 “do',像“give…instructions”、“do negotiation”。現在直接講重點,把give/do這類意義模糊的字換成有力的動詞:
她每天教導他該如何增進英文。
She gives him guidance every day to improve his English.
→She guides him every day to improve his English.
這間公司必須與員工協商。
The company need to do some negotiation with its employees.
→The company needs to negotiate with its employees.
2.把“讓”拿掉
中文有很多“讓”的用法,使人怎麼樣的說法,去掉一些make或let,句子會更到位。
我想讓我的英文更好。
I would like to make my English better.
→I would like to better my English.
經理建議降價。
The manager made a proposal to drop the price.
The manager suggested dropping the price in his proposal.
→The manager proposed to drop the price.
“建議”是“suggest”,“提案”是“proposal”。若在提案中提出意見,就用“propose”,別把句型複雜化了!
3.直接把名詞動詞化
有些字我們用名詞慣了,像“impact”、“reference”。這些字也可做、轉換為動詞,讓句子更精簡,也強化印象:
這項新科技將衝擊零售業。
The retail industry will suffer from the impact of this new technology.
→This new technology will impact the retail industry.
請參考附件。
Please see the attached file for reference.
→Please refer to the attached file.