There are a lot of common errors in English that can be encountered among my students, friends, colleagues and other Malaysians. I usually don't have the heart to tell them upfront as it might hurt their feelings. Besides, I don't want them to think that I think I'm too good, because I am not that good. In fact, I still have a lot to learn. Hopefully, this blog will help us to correct our errors so that we could practise good and standard English together.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
DATE FORMAT IN ESSAY WRITING
1) ...4 November 1982...
2) ...the 4th of November, 1982...
3) November 4, 1982...
The following date formats are not acceptable in written essay.
4/11/1982
04-11-1982
Saturday, 3 September 2011
to 'scrap off' or to 'scrap out' things??
Actually, it is 'scrap' without 'off' or 'out' as 'scrap' is a verb not a phrasal verb.
So, just scrap that understanding in your mind.
So, just scrap that understanding in your mind.
"NOT TO" or "TO NOT"?
reason not to...or reason to not?
I'd say that it supposed to be 'reason not to'
e.g. There must be a reason for them not to speak English.
Other similar example:
There must a reason for not doing it.
However, there is a slight change in meaning between 'not to' and 'to not'
1) They forced me not to do it
(I was going to do it but they forced me to give up the idea)
2) They forced me to not do it
(I was doing it but they stopped me forcibly)
P/S: But I have never come across any book or statement that explains about this. DO COMMENT IF YOU FIND ANY. THANKS.
I'd say that it supposed to be 'reason not to'
e.g. There must be a reason for them not to speak English.
Other similar example:
There must a reason for not doing it.
However, there is a slight change in meaning between 'not to' and 'to not'
1) They forced me not to do it
(I was going to do it but they forced me to give up the idea)
2) They forced me to not do it
(I was doing it but they stopped me forcibly)
P/S: But I have never come across any book or statement that explains about this. DO COMMENT IF YOU FIND ANY. THANKS.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)