English Learning
Three principle
- Formal definition
Define terms by placing it in a category and then identifying the features that distinguish it from other members of the same category.
Must has category.
-
Avoid circular definitions, which merely restate the term to be defined and therefore fail to clarify it.
Circular: Integration is thing that integrate chips together. Revised: Integration is an operation used in the calculus whereby the integral of a function is determined
- State definitions positively; focus on what the term is rather than on what it is not.
Negative: In legal transaction, real property is not personal property.
Positive: Real property is legal terminology for the right or interest a person has in land and the permanent structures on that land.
For example:
- Reform is a change to a better condition.[noun]
- Kidnap is a action that seize and take away a person by force.[noun]
- Meal is food eaten to satisfy hunger.[noun]
- Job is the work that one does to earn money.[noun]
- Happy is emotion that showing pleasure.[adj]
- Intervene be placed or located between other things or extend between spaces and events.[verb]
Fequently Confused Words
| a while | use the word as a noun to indicate a period of time.
|
stay here for a while |
| awhile | use the word as an adverb that means a short perod of time.
|
You may need to wait awhile |
| can
|
suggests ability
|
Although he is Chinese,he can speak English fluently. |
| may
|
suggests permission or possibility
|
May i go to lunch early? The report may be true. |
| compose
|
The parts (in entirety) make up the whole.
|
The XYZ committee is composed of 12 members. |
| comprise |
the whole consists of the parts(in entirety). |
It comprises eight designers,four testers.[Use consists of] |
| include
|
to contain(but not necessarily in entirety)
|
The team also includes an editor who is among ther technical writers. |
| due to |
introduces an adjective phrase that usually follows some form of the verb "to be",am is are was and were |
Her success is due to hard work. |
| because of | introduces an adverbial phrase
|
She resigned because of ill health. |
| farther | refers to physical distance
|
Tom walked farther than Mike. |
| further
|
refers to additional time,quantity,or degree. | Suzanne and Helena plan to discuss the plan further. |
| in regard to | Use 'in regard to'
|
In regard to your last question, I think a meeting is a good idea |
|
with regards to |
Use 'regarding'
|
Regarding your last question,I think a meeting is a good idea. |
|
irregardless |
Use 'regardless'
|
Prefix 'ir' --- not Regardless --- unmindful |
|
former/latter |
Used when talking about the first mentioned of the two things |
The menu offered beef and chicken.I chose the former/latter.(beef/chicken) |
|
first/last
|
Used when referring to the first mentioned of a list of more than two things. |
We have three options; to continue on this road, to take the road through town, or take the next turn left. I think the first/last is the best option. (to continue on this road/to take the next turn left) |