Search results for 'tag:British English tag:Essays' matching tags 'British English' and 'Essays'

Re: Why is "Can you show me the way how you did it?" incorrect?

Tanit — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 20:42:55 GMT

Yoong Liat wrote:
Hi Tanit

In Singapore, students are taught to use 'whom'. For example, "The man whom you spoke to this morning is my father." Using 'who' would be considered wrong. In an exam, it is advisable to use 'whom'. ( Singaporeans are using British English.)

The above is related to the grammar section of the English Language Paper. As for the essays, I do not know how the examiners will mark usage relating to 'who' and 'whom'. However, I believe it is safer for our students to opt for formal usage.

Hi Yoong Liat,

In Italy, students are taught to use "whom" as well, especially in schools, where hardly any native speaker teaches English (or French, or any foreign language).
I am sure you've got good reasons to say "I believe it is safer for our students to opt for formal usage".
I only wanted to point out that there are other exams (international examinations, not Italian ones) where students are required to master both formal and informal structures. What's more, candidates would lose marks if they mixed up formal with informal language, or if they chose the wrong register (for instance, by writing a formal letter to a close friend).

Best.

Re: Why is "Can you show me the way how you did it?" incorrect?

Yoong Liat — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:42:24 GMT

Hi Tanit

In Singapore, students are taught to use 'whom'. For example, "The man whom you spoke to this morning is my father." Using 'who' would be considered wrong. In an exam, it is advisable to use 'whom'. ( Singaporeans are using British English.)

The above is related to the grammar section of the English Language Paper. As for the essays, I do not know how the examiners will mark usage relating to 'who' and 'whom'. However, I believe it is safer for our students to opt for formal usage.

learnt vs learned

Formlit — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 05:25:33 GMT

Do you use learnt or learned? Burnt or burned? In your opinion, which is better? Also, is the difference because of American and British english?

My father and my brother could not agree on which is correct (my brother used learned in the essay he was writing and he asked my father to proofread), and when they asked me, I told them both are correct, but that learnt is older and going out of fashion. What does everyone think?

Re: How can you tell whether someone is a non-native speaker?

Ivyzhang — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 03:17:29 GMT

I am a Chinese, now, I want to make an addition point about the difference between the native English speakers and us.

PS: English is scattered to many countries, but I have not the sense about all of them, which results the comparison is limited in American English, British English and chingish(Chinese+English),sorry!

I learned a passage about how to improve your English at the school. At the last item, it shows that we should learn the way of thinking of native English speaker, for example, when writing a essay, we should think how to express opinion in the English in our mind rather than draw it out in Chinese first and then translate them into English. It is works, but it is hard to reach, especially expression, we always add our Chinese custom into English. It is not only in ouyr oral English , but also exists in the formal examination, for instance, CET-4 (College English Test Band 4). At least, I think it is and it leads difficulties we will meet in the contact with the native English speaker. In addition, the education in Chinese is very far away in America. The post I emitted at last time with the name what should I do has made the very right example, though it could not stand for all.

OK, needless for more, I guess you have gotten it through my English, sorry, I am very poor in English!

Re: Different Words

nona the brit — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 08:02:26 GMT

1. Dealt with on your other thread. Please don't keep re-posting the same questions.

2. not much difference. they just collocate better in different circumstances.

3. Why are you asking this question again? It was answered for you here [post]242637[/post]

1) quasiï¼Your sister and you look quasi. No, unless you are aware of some place that uses 'quasi' in this way as probably teenage slang, but I haven't heard it.

2) kvetch (complain): Donât kvetch her. No. You could kvetch about her but be aware that this is not an English word. I believe it is Hebrew/Yiddish and used as slang in American English but you may sound daft using it if you are not Jewish. I had to look up the meaning as it is not known in British English.

3) exemplify: Can you exemplify to me that how to drive the car. no.

4) prose: Everything that is not poetry, is prose. ok.

5) correspond (to relate to): This detail correspond to the suspect in this case. corresponds

6) mandatory (required): Study is mandatory to everyone. mandatory for everyone

7) monograph (an essay on a specific, limited, single subject): You need to write a monograph essay. monographic essay

8) malevolent:You are malevolent to do all these things. yes grammatically..but doesn't sound quite natural. I can't imagine anyone actually saying it.

9) benevolent: How benevolent the lady is! as above

10) Refer to (to mention): This story refers to a social problem. ok.

Quoting & Spelling

shaffa2 — Sat, 16 Apr 2005 00:32:56 GMT

I was wondering if and how quotes should be edited when, for example, my essay is in British English, but my quotation is in American English.

Also, in this century old text Phoenicia is written with a special kind of 'oe' (they're linked together). Should I alter this word into modern spelling? If so, how? If not, where can I find this 'oe' on my computer?

In general, must spelling differences / mistakes be 'corrected'?

Does this differ as to which format one uses? MLA, APA, what have you...

Thanks.