Brucebin: Learning prepositions is a nightmare in any language. Rather than looking for clear-cut rules, I recommend just learning sentences. That way you will start to get a sense for which to use; at the same time, you will have learned some examples which you can regurgitate at will.
Kongcheng: I love putting “and” at the beginning of sentences. But it is difficult to get right and easy to over use. Unfortunately there are no rules, so you will have to gradually learn to “get a feel” for when it is OK to use it.
Lena: Yes, I pay attention to Chinese/English signs. When I see bad English on signs, I find it amazing that they couldn’t have found a native speaker and quickly asked whether it was ok or not; it doesn’t make me laugh as much as some foreigners. I don’t think it is acceptable, no; it would hardly take anything (some simple research or asking a knowledgeable person) to get it right in the first place.
Ying: My Chinese is far from perfect. Plus I sometimes get people to proofread my writing, so it isn’t as good as it looks. I recommend practicing, and finding a native speaker who will sit down with you and explain your problems.
Helen: 4×4 means that all four wheels are turned by the engine. 四轮驱动.
In addition, given the concerns raised, we have decided that it’s best to stop our Street View cars collecting WiFi network data entirely.
对这句话可能有两种理解：
一、此外，考虑到人们对此问题的担忧，我们认为最好停用用来收集 Wi-Fi 数据的街景车。（停用街景车。）
二、此外，考虑到人们对此问题的担忧，我们认为最好停止用街景车来收集 Wi-Fi 数据。（停止收集 Wi-Fi 数据，但继续使用街景车。）
Editor,
I just want to know the most often used and common ways to respond when some say’Thank you’ after you offered some help to them.
I always use the ‘You are welcome’,but it seems like not a very good way.
I also tried ‘No problem’ or ‘No big deal’.
Thank you.
Alex
hi,Jeremy! i happened to see you yesterday in Huali Building, is that you? i have a question to ask you, why do you like using to similar meaning words to describe a thing? i mean, i can see many of this in English sentences, like a rousing and motivating speech….the two words have similar meaning, but why do we use both?
thank you
Yolanda
#1 by Angry Editor on 2010/04/18 - 4:24 pm
Lee: I will ask some other people about this.
Brucebin: Learning prepositions is a nightmare in any language. Rather than looking for clear-cut rules, I recommend just learning sentences. That way you will start to get a sense for which to use; at the same time, you will have learned some examples which you can regurgitate at will.
#2 by Angry Editor on 2010/04/18 - 4:33 pm
Kongcheng: I love putting “and” at the beginning of sentences. But it is difficult to get right and easy to over use. Unfortunately there are no rules, so you will have to gradually learn to “get a feel” for when it is OK to use it.
Lena: Yes, I pay attention to Chinese/English signs. When I see bad English on signs, I find it amazing that they couldn’t have found a native speaker and quickly asked whether it was ok or not; it doesn’t make me laugh as much as some foreigners. I don’t think it is acceptable, no; it would hardly take anything (some simple research or asking a knowledgeable person) to get it right in the first place.
Ying: My Chinese is far from perfect. Plus I sometimes get people to proofread my writing, so it isn’t as good as it looks. I recommend practicing, and finding a native speaker who will sit down with you and explain your problems.
Helen: 4×4 means that all four wheels are turned by the engine. 四轮驱动.
#3 by Helen on 2010/04/18 - 5:11 pm
thank you!!:)
#4 by peter on 2010/04/22 - 1:29 pm
Please avail the Feedsky Email subscribe.
#5 by Lu on 2010/05/09 - 11:41 am
Hey Editor. I’d like to know if exists the expression of “tri-win”, like win-win? If not, how to say it then? Thank you.
#6 by Angry Editor on 2010/05/15 - 6:03 pm
Lu, sorry to take so long to reply.
I have never heard the expression “tri-win”, but it makes sense so I am sure some people have used it.
However, it sounds horrible to me – please don’t use it.
If you really must translate so directly, couldn’t you say something like, “it benefited all three parties?”
#7 by Tony.C on 2010/05/18 - 12:29 pm
How exactly is $1.53 pronounced?
Is it “One Fifty-three” or “One Point Fifty-three”?
I heard them both.
Do I have to add a “point”?
#8 by Ann on 2010/05/22 - 11:31 am
hi, i’m a chinese student, i want to study in england.can i make friends with you ?
#9 by nice on 2010/05/22 - 6:50 pm
what’s the difference between “there is no book” and “there are no books”? 什么时候用单数形式，什么时候用复数形式？
#10 by nice on 2010/05/22 - 6:54 pm
In addition, given the concerns raised, we have decided that it’s best to stop our Street View cars collecting WiFi network data entirely.
对这句话可能有两种理解：
一、此外，考虑到人们对此问题的担忧，我们认为最好停用用来收集 Wi-Fi 数据的街景车。（停用街景车。）
二、此外，考虑到人们对此问题的担忧，我们认为最好停止用街景车来收集 Wi-Fi 数据。（停止收集 Wi-Fi 数据，但继续使用街景车。）
which one is right?
#11 by Muffin on 2010/06/07 - 11:05 pm
Angry Editor, 您的blog真是讓人受益匪淺呀!
請問:
「一朵鮮花插在牛糞上」的英語應該怎麼說呢?
期待您的回覆喔!
#12 by Judy on 2010/06/29 - 5:14 pm
Angry Editor, would you pls tell me which of the following is right (if there’s any)?
I am so confused about the time expression ╮(╯_╰)╭
1:20 a.m.
1:20 AM
1.20 a.m.
1.20 AM
Thanks a lot.
#13 by alex on 2010/07/16 - 12:25 pm
Editor,
I just want to know the most often used and common ways to respond when some say’Thank you’ after you offered some help to them.
I always use the ‘You are welcome’,but it seems like not a very good way.
I also tried ‘No problem’ or ‘No big deal’.
Thank you.
Alex
#14 by Yolanda on 2010/07/16 - 3:38 pm
hi,Jeremy! i happened to see you yesterday in Huali Building, is that you? i have a question to ask you, why do you like using to similar meaning words to describe a thing? i mean, i can see many of this in English sentences, like a rousing and motivating speech….the two words have similar meaning, but why do we use both?
thank you
Yolanda
#15 by hester on 2010/08/10 - 1:33 pm
请问 how to speak 专升本考试 in English