為中學生提供的英語學習小貼士

常見的英語錯誤：

1. I want to improve my vocabularies. X
   「vocabulary」是不可數名詞。
   I want to improve my vocabulary. √
2. I suggest to watch this film. It’s great! X
   動詞的次序應為「suggest (+that) + subject + verb」。
   I suggest (that) you watch this film. It’s great! √
3. You like that kind of film, is it? X
   應使用適當的疑問詞。
   You like that kind of film, don’t you? √
4. If the company is not profit, people will lose their jobs and become unemployment. X
   檢查你是否使用正確的詞類。
   If the company is not profitable, people will lose their jobs and become unemployed. √
5. I have much money. X
   一般不會在肯定句式（positive sentence）中使用「much」，應以「a lot」取代。
   I have a lot of money. √
6. I was so touching after watching the film. X
   以「-ed」作結的形容詞用以形容感情；以「-ing」作結的形容詞則形容引起該感受的物件或事情。
   I was so touched after watching the film. √
7. Despite is bad for health, many people continue to smoke. X
   「Despite」應與名詞（noun）或動名詞（gerund）一起使用。
   Despite being bad for health, many people continue to smoke. √
8. My favourite subject at school is maths. Furthermore I don’t like geography. X
   確保你使用的連接詞表達兩個意思的關係，避免過度使用「furthermore」、「moreover」及「besides」。
   My favourite subject at school is maths. In contrast, I don’tlike geography. √

撰寫信件時常為如何作開首感困惑嗎？公式及非公式書信應該有什麼分別呢？我們歸納了以下小貼士：

公式書信

1. 不要直接稱呼別人的名字
   應使用「To whom it may concern」 或稱呼別人的姓氏，如「Dear Mr Wong」

2. 於內容首句以公式的語調解釋書寫原因
   如投訴信可使用「I am writing to complain about…」、邀請信可使用「Our company is delighted to invite you to…」、批准申請信可使用「We are pleased to inform you that we have approved your application for…」

非公式書信

1. 可直接稱呼別人的名字或暱稱，以給予親切及友好的感覺
   如「Hi Grandma! 」 、「Dear Siu Ming, 」 及「Michael,」

2. 於入正題時先問候對方或禮貌地問好
   除了使用簡單的「How are you？」，可參考以下例子：

   　
   「I hope you’re well. How are the cats? Has Bella had her kittens yet?... Anyway, I’m writing to ask whether or not you’re free this summer…」

   「Hi! I’m sorry it’s been so long since I last wrote – school has been really busy! … I just wanted to find out if you’re still interested in the camping trip…」

   「How are you? I haven’t heard from you in a while so I thought I’d let you know how I’m getting on in Australia. … Tell me what’s happening with you! How’s your internship at the biomedical company going?... 」