英语写作避免含糊不清的5个小贴士
在英语写作中,相对于词穷、憋不出话来等硬伤问题,表达是否清晰明了更考验一个人的软实力。今天小站就来分享5个英语写作小贴士,看看里面有没有你曾经掉过的坑。
贴士1:不要单独使用this
When I wrote the report, I was not aware the driver had left the scene of a serious accident. This has created an unfortunate situation.
看上面这个例句,你能猜出第二句开头的this指的是什么吗?既可以理解是“自己不留神”,也可以是“司机跑路的行为”。
那么如何避免句中的歧义呢?答案很简单,就是不要单独使用this,而是搭配一个所要指代的名词。
如果this指的是“自己不留神”,就把this换成“This lack of awareness…”;
如果this指的是“司机跑路的行为”,就把this换成“This driver behavior…”。
贴士2:尽量避免使用i.e.和e.g.
i.e.与e.g.是两个既常见又容易误用的拉丁文缩写。别看着眼熟,突然一下子让人说出它俩的含义区别,恐怕不少小伙伴会发懵。
We recommend that the group focus on just one area of interest, i.e., sustainability.
看上面这个例句,一般会想到下面两种不同的理解:
We recommend that the group focus on just one area of interest, that is, sustainability.
We recommend that the group focus on just one area of interest, for example, sustainability.
但究竟是哪个呢?事实上,i.e.指的是“that is”,而e.g.指的则是“for example”。既然读者容易误解,倒不如弃用i.e.和e.g.,转而直接使用“that is”和“for example”。
贴士3:不要短语连着乱飞
Julia is working on a final marketing plan. She will send it to you to edit by Feb. 1.
看上面这个例句,2月1号那天到底是谁要去干什么呢?既可以理解是julia把营销计划书发给you,也可以是you来编辑营销计划书。
如果是表达前面这个意思,可以写成:
Julia is working on a final marketing plan. She will send it to you by Feb. 1 so that you can edit it.
如果是表达后面这个意思,可以写成:
Julia is working on a final marketing plan, which she will send you. Please edit it by Feb. 1.
贴士4:使用代词时,不要混淆单复数
在使用复数代词时,一定要确保对应的是复数名词。如果不对应,那么就需要改写这个句子。
ABC Company is committed to exceeding our customers’ expectations.
看上面这个例句,这个our是不是很奇怪呢?主语ABC Company是一个单数名词,谓语is也是一个第三人称单数动词,那么读者就要好好想想our究竟指的是哪个我们了。
如果我们用以下三种方式改写这个句子,你看整个表达是不是就明朗多了:
At ABC Company we are committed to exceeding our customers’ expectations.
ABC Company is committed to exceeding its customers’ expectations.
ABC Company is committed to exceeding customer expectations.
贴士5:避免使用概数单词和短语
We may have a number of possible ways to solve the problem.
I would like your response in a timely manner.
看上面两个例句,概数单词和短语给人一种抽象不明确的印象。表面上看影响不大,实际上这种模糊的表达不仅让对方摸不清你的真实想法,而且还会令对方怀疑你的实力或者漠视你的要求。
因此我们在写作中需要尽量避免使用概数单词和短语,转而多使用确数单词和短语。比如上面两个例句就可以改写为:
We have three ways to solve the problem.
I need your response by February 20.
往期回顾