Rules for Better Writing - 1 以下的这些英文写作语法要点都是实实在在的。 不过作者用很幽默的手法 - 每一个要点的写法都正好犯了要点所指的错误。 我喜欢这种办法, 因为这要比干巴巴的要点更容易让人记住, 何况还兼带着会心一笑。各位可以自己看看句中的错误。我给有些加了标志 1. Verbs HAS to agree with their subjects. -Verbs have to agree with their subjects.
2. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with. -Prepositions are not words to use to end sentences.
3. And don't start a sentence with a conjunction. -Don't start a sentence with a conjuction. Conjunction 是联结词, 如and, but, thus.....
4. It is wrong to ever split an infinitive. -It is wrong to split an infintive。 不要把to + verb 分开
5. Avoid cliches like the plague. (They're old hat) cliche 指的是被滥用了的警句妙语常用词之类,结果是流于滥俗。像是avoid .... like the plaque.
6. Also, always avoid annoying alliteration. alliteration 指2个声音很接近的词连在一起,读起来很不顺。 绕口令是最典型的了 -Avoid alliteration.
7. Be more or less specific. -Be specific (more or less is not specific).
8. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are (usually) unnecessary. -Parenthetical remarks are usually unnecessary. 能不用括号插入语时就不用
9. Also too, never, ever use repetitive redundancies. -Also, avoid redundancies. such as "play soccer with their feet“
10. No sentence fragments. -Avoid sentence fragments 当没有动词时, 句子便不完整了
11. Contractions aren't necessary and shouldn't be used. -Contraction are not necessary and should not be used. 写作中避免用缩写
12. Foreign words and phrases are not apropos. -Foreign words and phrase are not appropriate. 只要英文有的常用词, 就不该借用外来词。 否则会显得无知或卖弄
13. Do not be redundant; do not use more words than necessary; it's highly superfluous. -Do not be redundant. 以上三句话是典型的含义重复。定要避免
14. One should NEVER generalize. -One should avoid generalize. Remember the saying " Never say never?" 凡事多有例外,所以避免用绝对性(such as always) 的词。
15. Comparisons are as bad as cliches. -Use explanation, avoid comparasion. 英文写作注重句子含义清晰。对比涉及到逻辑,也许有的读者不同意你的对比,结果造成混乱。就象比喻, 你若做对比, 就要有解释
16. Don't use no double negatives. -Avoid double negative.
17. Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc. -Eschew ampersands and abbreviations. 也即避免使用简写符号
18. One-word sentences? Eliminate. -Eliminate one-word sentence. 19. Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake. -Analogies in writing are useless.
这最后一个错误是在国人写作中很常见的。 因为我们的写作方式很注重比喻。而英文中非creative writing 一般是不待见比喻的。 除非是显而易见人人皆知的,否着必要发挥,若要发挥必要有解释
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