名词数目错误处处
在前三期(4月11日)里,谈到不可数名词是没有
复数形式的,但是常常有人不小心,在某些不可数名词上加"-s"而犯错,其中" experience, equipment, evidence, information"这几个的错误最多。
下面一家装修商广告中的"experiences"(经验)便是一例:
"...our many years of reputable experiences."
须知,当"经验"解时,"experience"是不可数名词,不可以有"-s":"...our many years of reputable experience(许多年声誉卓著的装修经验)"。当"各种各样不同经历"解时," experience"是可数名词,可以有复数"-s"的符号,如:
"Tom could not forget his thrilling experiences in his first trip to Guilin。"
学生作业中,类似的错误也不少,如:
① A lot of factors led to students' poor performances. (应为 performance)
② Only people of irreproachable characters can
aspire to be good leaders.(应为 character)
③ More and more institutions resort to advanced equipments to assist in the education process.(应为 equipment)
④ Without such knowledges, one would not be able to understand what was seen or heard. (应为 knowledge)
⑤ There is still much room for further improvements.(应为 improvement)
上述这些不可数名词的错误,是不是很熟悉呢?
刚刚谈的错误是不可有"-s"而用"-s"。另一种错误是应该有 "-s"而不用"-s"。虽然后者不像前者这样麻烦,但是也不难看到。下面三个不同的广告中便出现了应该有"-s"但漏了"-s"的名词:
⑥"We are looking for suitable candidate to take up the following positions."(应为 candidates)。
⑦"Dear customer: Have you been misled by too many brochure?"(应为 brochures)。
⑧"We specialise in rubber tile for factory, office,
warehouse, etc."(应为 rubber tiles, factories, offices,
warehouses)
⑥-⑧里的错误显而易见,只要稍微小心,便不难发现而改正过来。但是,有关不可数名词加"-s"的错误,则较难躲闪,必须加倍警惕才好。其中一个防患办法是借重量词,反映不可数名词之"量" ,但不改变其形,即不要用"-s",如:
⑨ There isn't much
petroleum in the car.
⑩ John gave some evidence to indicate that the documents had been tampered with.
11. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
12. A lot of money has been donated to various
charity organisations.
13. Some people today paid little attention to their
extravagant acts.
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