tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6919305720000743892024-02-20T00:37:04.872+09:00アップグレード英会話スクール ・あなたの英語をアップグレード・英会話教室・日本橋・三越前・神田・新日本橋・大手町・無料体験レッスン・個人レッスン・ビジネス英会話・ マンツーマンレッスンあなたの英語をアップグレード・日本橋の英会話スクール・最寄りの駅:日本橋三越前・新日本橋・神田・大手町renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.comBlogger408125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-15661809160074560782014-03-14T17:10:00.001+09:002014-03-14T17:11:31.399+09:00「ask」の使い方<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
This mistake comes up all of the time.<br />
<br />
✖ Someone<span style="color: red;"> asked to me</span> a really good question.<br />
◯ Someone <span style="color: red;">asked me</span> a really good question.<br />
<br />
You should use an object directly after "ask".<br />
<br />
It's different from "say":<br />
<br />
I always <span style="color: red;">say to everyone</span> that "ask" doesn't need "to".<br />
<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: normal;">✖ </span>You might <span style="color: red;">ask to me</span> why my finger is in the photo.<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: normal;">◯</span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">You might <span style="color: red;">ask me </span>why my finger is in the photo.</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="letter-spacing: normal;">That's because I'm not the greatest photographer. Maybe I was just too excited to see the flowers and know that this cold weather is now almost over. The forecast for next week says some days are going to get up to 20 degrees! </span>renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-29036697101278729872014-03-07T17:35:00.000+09:002014-03-07T17:36:31.958+09:00タビオは英語の使い方に注意した方が良い。<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2790/12985367813_4b1e550398_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2790/12985367813_4b1e550398_z.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I went into Tabio in Coredo the other day to get a pair of socks. It was during the <span style="color: red;">clearance sale</span>, and I was excited because I thought I might get a good deal on the socks that I wanted.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">clearance sale </span>〔商品の〕クリアランスセール、在庫一掃[処分・整理]セール、見切り売り</li>
</ul>
Unfortunately, there was this sign on the rack which held the socks that I wanted to buy.<br />
<br />
✖ These are not at sale.<br />
◯ These are not on sale.<br />
<br />
We never say "at sale". You can say "<span style="color: red;">for sale</span>", meaning "<span style="color: red;">available for purchase</span>". Actually, it would have been really funny if the sign had said:<br />
<ul>
<li>These are not for sale. = We will not sell you these socks. You cannot buy them.</li>
<li>for sale 売るために (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
At least they didn't make that mistake. However, their English sign makes no sense.<br />
<br />
They wanted to say that even though it was the clearance sale, some items did not have a discount. That included the socks that I wanted to buy.<br />
<br />
Tabio had a documentary on TV the other day in which they were bragging about how international they had become. They were boasting that the quality of their socks was being recognized around the world. If their English were better, maybe they would get even more recognition. They should be as careful about their English as they are about their socks!renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-59652681936109112014-02-28T17:59:00.000+09:002014-02-28T17:59:14.101+09:00ごめん!まだ生きてるよ!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
I didn't die! This blog is not dead either! I've just been too busy. One of my good students just reminded me that my last blog post was in October of 2013! It's too long ago!<br />
<br />
See, look! The calendar says "March" already. Where did all of those months go?<br />
<br />
I'm going to write a proper blog post in a few days. Thanks for your patience!renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-29371705777637728382013-10-20T15:23:00.002+09:002013-10-20T15:25:42.220+09:00大見出しでの冠詞の使い方<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Someone asked me a great question today about an article that we studied. The title of the document was "<span style="color: red;">Lingua Franca</span>", and it started with a sentence from Wikipedia that read:<br />
<ul>
<li>English as a <span style="color: red;">lingua franca</span> (ELF) is the use of the English language "as a common means of communication for speakers of different first languages”.</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">lingua franca</span>〈イタリア語〉〔異なる言語を話す人同士の〕共通語、補助言語◆通例、通商を行うときに使われるもので、ピジン英語(pidgin English)などが含まれる。(definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
The question was:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Why is there no <span style="color: red;">article</span> before Lingua Franca in the title? ... the first sentence has an article before "lingua franca".</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">article</span>《文法》冠詞 (definition from Eijiro on the Web) </li>
</ul>
If you pay attention to headlines, you will notice that articles are almost always dropped. Here are some examples from today's news:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/turkish-lebanese-hostages-home-after-release-deal/article5253857.ece" target="_blank">Turkish, Lebanese hostages home after release deal </a>←Turkish and Lebanese hostages are home after a release deal.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/business/bottomline/article/BART-strike-could-have-long-term-impact-on-unions-4910121.php" target="_blank">Strike could have long-term impact on unions</a> <span style="letter-spacing: normal;">←</span> The strike could have a long-term impact on unions.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/19/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE99H0BM20131019" target="_blank">Car bomb, clashes kill over 30 near Syrian capital</a> <span style="letter-spacing: normal;">←A car bomb and clashes have killed over 30 near the Syrian capital.</span><!-----></li>
<!----->
<!----->
</ul>
I was taught that there is a historical reason for that. Newspapers wanted to make the headline as big as possible so that the newspaper would sell well. If they removed the articles, they could make the headline shorter and thus bigger. Since native speakers could guess the articles from the context (especially since it is written and not spoken), it was thought to be OK.<br />
<br />
Here's a good article on the other grammar points in headlines:<br />
<div>
<br />
<div>
<a href="http://chronicle.com/blogs/linguafranca/2013/02/18/the-grammar-of-newspaper-headlines/">http://chronicle.com/blogs/linguafranca/2013/02/18/the-grammar-of-newspaper-headlines/</a><br />
<br />
Thanks for paying close attention!</div>
</div>
renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-63995266695219026062013-10-08T22:04:00.000+09:002013-10-18T18:03:47.854+09:00「台風の影響で」は英語でどう言う?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
We were talking about the consequences of the last typhoon the other day. Somebody told me about an event cancellation:<br />
<br />
× It was cancelled by typhoon.<br />
<div>
○ It was cancelled because of the typhoon.<br />
<br />
The typhoon didn't cancel the event. The organizers cancelled it. The reason that they cancelled it was the typhoon.<br />
<br />
There's a typhoon passing Japan right now, but I don't think that anything in Tokyo is going to be cancelled. It seems that we will luckily avoid this one.<br />
<br />
During the last typhoon, I was scheduled to be in the recording studio, and I almost cancelled the recording because of the typhoon. As it turned out, there was hardly any rain in Tokyo, and we <span style="color: red;">went ahead with</span> the recording session.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">go ahead with</span> 〔計画・仕事などを〕進める、推進する、強行する (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
Of course, Kyoto wasn't so lucky. I hope there won't be much damage because of this typhoon. If you're <span style="color: red;">in it's path</span>, take care!</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">in the path of the typhoon</span>《be ~》台風の進路に当たる (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
</div>
renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-87210419230427363292013-09-28T18:18:00.003+09:002013-10-01T21:52:13.875+09:00「play、go、do」の正しい使い方<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV809FncYfYVJ7TRn-FNUdM5ChF9W2TUanV5wgTps34_KZ3XFetejeBfUij7yfAgUWXtGTEl7y5nygwvCoQ3ZN7WuuTOGNW1DWzD2VOrnEmYF_mPFrvyTv3ij8sLhnIFxJbEgzjdKkrWGa/s1600/snowboarding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV809FncYfYVJ7TRn-FNUdM5ChF9W2TUanV5wgTps34_KZ3XFetejeBfUij7yfAgUWXtGTEl7y5nygwvCoQ3ZN7WuuTOGNW1DWzD2VOrnEmYF_mPFrvyTv3ij8sLhnIFxJbEgzjdKkrWGa/s400/snowboarding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This is one mistake I often hear in class.<br />
<br />
x "I often <span style="color: red;"><b>play </b></span>snowboarding in winter."<br />
o I often <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>go </b></span>snowboarding in winter.<br />
<br />
Now how about yoga? Is it play yoga? Do yoga? Or go yoga? <br />
Here is an easy guide to help you remember and use them correctly:<br />
<br />
Use <b><span style="color: red;">play </span></b>(play + ball sport noun) when:<br />
<ul>
<li>you are talking about a ball or ball-like sport. </li>
<li>(Ex.) I played soccer in my schooldays. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>you are talking about a competitive game.</li>
<li><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">(Ex.) </span>Have you ever played poker online?</li>
<li><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">(Ex.) </span>I like playing scrabble, which is a kind of word game.</li>
</ul>
Use <b><span style="color: red;">do </span></b>(do + noun) when:<br />
<ul>
<li>you are talking about a sport which doesn't use a ball.</li>
<li><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">(Ex.) </span>My son does kendo on the weekends.</li>
<li><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">(Ex.) </span>I am interested in doing yoga.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>you are talking about a recreational activity.</li>
<li><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">(Ex.) </span>I do sudoku during my commute.</li>
<li><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">(Ex.) </span>My daughter is good at doing crossword puzzles.</li>
</ul>
Use <b><span style="color: red;">go </span></b>(go + verb+ing):<br />
<ul>
<li>with verb+ing</li>
<li><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">(Ex.) </span>I used to go bowling with my friends on Saturday nights.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Another way to remember it is that you you have to go somewhere to do this activity. </li>
<li><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">(Ex.) </span>John wants to go surfing this summer.</li>
</ul>
<div>
See you if you can complete the sentences below correctly.</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Do you think ___________ poker online is dangerous? </li>
<li>Have you ever ______________ aerobics? </li>
<li>My friends are planning to __________ camping next summer. </li>
<li>Do you ever ____________ crossword puzzles? </li>
<li>In the summer I usually ____________ swimming in the morning. </li>
<li>I wish I could __________ basketball like Michael Jordan. </li>
</ol>
</div>
BigSpenderJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150402383727002867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-11230356499273375112013-08-27T21:35:00.000+09:002013-08-27T21:36:06.646+09:00大洋ペーパーは英語の使い方に注意した方が良い。<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/9604484577_b4703e4a3e_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/9604484577_b4703e4a3e_z.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
There's an office building that I frequently visit. The maintenance people there stock the restrooms with plenty of toilet paper. It's nice in case the person before you has used all of the previous roll, requiring you to open a new roll. I suppose it's easier for them, too, since they don't have to check the amount of toilet paper in the bathrooms so regularly.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I was in need of a fresh roll the other day when I noticed the packaging. It says:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
× <span style="color: red;">R.T.P</span> Soft Pearl, <span style="color: red;">Recycle</span> Toilet Paper, <span style="color: red;">Pro Use</span><br />
○ <span style="color: red;">R.T.P.</span> Soft Pearl, <span style="color: red;">Recycled</span> Toilet Paper, <span style="color: red;">Industrial</span> </blockquote>
There are several mistakes here, but one of them is pretty funny, I thought. That's the "<span style="color: red;">pro use</span>" part. It sounds like the toilet paper is only for people who are professionals at using toilet paper.<br />
<br />
"Yes, sir, I am a <span style="color: red;">butt-wiping</span> professional with 37 years of experience!"<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">wipe someone's bottom</span> with a piece of paper(人)のお尻を紙切れで拭く</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">butt</span>〈米話〉けつ、しり◆【同】buttocks (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
<div>
It seems unnatural to me, and at least I took it wrong the first time I read it. I think the more common expression is "<span style="color: red;">professional use</span>", which often means "<span style="color: red;">for professional use only</span>". That makes it sound like this toilet paper is dangerous.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"No, wait! Don't wipe your butt with that toilet paper! It's for professionals only. You might hurt yourself!"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"<span style="color: red;">Industrial</span>" is often used for things that are used in industrial or commercial environments. On top of that, it's an adjective, so it's easier to use in front of a noun.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The other thing that was funny was their <span style="color: red;">imperative statement</span>: "Recycle Toilet Paper". It sounds like they want me to recycle my toilet paper! Don't you think that's <span style="color: red;">gross</span>?</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">imperative statement</span> 命令ステートメント (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">gross</span> 気持ち悪い、嫌な、ゾッとする、吐き気を催すような、いまいましい、ムカムカさせる、むかつく (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
They mean the toilet paper itself is made from recycled paper, which is nice.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also be sure to catch the subtle mistake about periods. The extra period is necessary because it's an <span style="color: red;">acronym</span> for "something-starting-with-r", "Taiyo", and "Paper".</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">acronym</span> 頭字語 (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
We teach English to professionals and non-professionals both, but we don't have <span style="color: red;">industrial toilet paper</span> in the restroom. It's just stuff from the drug store down the street. Still, I hope you will <a href="http://upgradeenglish.com/wiki/doku.php?id=steps" target="_blank">join us for a lesson</a> soon!</div>
renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-79463511824633513592013-08-20T22:02:00.001+09:002013-08-20T22:03:13.414+09:00羽田空港は英語の使い方に注意した方が良い。<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3774/9552591091_d6bff45193_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3774/9552591091_d6bff45193_z.jpg" /></a></div>
I was at Haneda Airport the other day, where I saw this sign. It says:<br />
<br />
× We are<span style="color: red;"> turning off some of lights and temperature</span>.<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: normal;">○ We are <span style="color: red;">turning off some (of the) lights and setting the temperature higher</span>.</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><br /></span>
The original sentence on the sign seems to use <span style="color: red;">a compound object, meaning an object that has multiple parts which are connected by a conjunction</span>. In this case, that's "some lights and temperature".<br />
<br />
The problem is that you can't turn off the temperature. For temperature, you say:<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">raise the temperature</span> 温度を上げる</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">lower the temperature</span> 温度を下げる</li>
</ul>
You can say that you <span style="color: red;">turn off an air conditioner</span>, but that's not quite the same meaning.<br />
<br />
The other mistake is the usage of "of". After "of", we often use a <span style="color: red;">determiner</span>.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">determiner</span>《文法》限定詞 (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
That means you need a word like "the", "those", "our". If you don't mean to specify, then you shouldn't use "of".<br />
<br />
If Haneda wants to be an international airport, they need to get their English right. <span style="color: red;">Some of the visitors</span> to the airport might get a negative impression from these English mistakes. <span style="color: red;">Some mistakes</span> don't cause us to misunderstand, but all mistakes look bad. At any rate, <a href="http://upgradeenglish.blogspot.jp/2009/09/blog-post_9921.html" target="_blank">mistakes are like noise</a>, which you should avoid if you can.<br />
<br />
I'm looking forward to being able to <span style="color: red;">turn off the air conditioner</span>, but I think that's several weeks away at least. Until then, I'm trying to <span style="color: red;">lower the temperature </span>in the classroom to something comfortable. I hope you will <a href="http://upgradeenglish.com/wiki/doku.php?id=steps" target="_blank">join us in a class</a> sometime soon!renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-64566259750952034842013-07-24T21:40:00.000+09:002013-07-24T21:41:08.874+09:00日暮里駅は英語の使い方に注意した方が良い。<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/9355990079_88330fc1f3_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/9355990079_88330fc1f3_z.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I was at Nippori Station the other day, and when I was walking through the station, I noticed this sign on the steps of one <span style="color: red;">staircase</span>.<br />
<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: normal;">× </span>No Stair Sky Liner<br />
○ These stairs are not for the Sky Liner.<br />
○ Not the stairs for the Sky Liner.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">staircase</span>【名】〔壁や手すりを含む〕階段 (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
Their phrase puts a noun next to another noun, in this case "stair" and "Sky Liner". When we use one noun in front of another noun, the first noun becomes an adjective to describe the second noun. In their mistake, it sounds like "stair" became an adjective to describe "Sky Liner", which makes no sense.<br />
<br />
A correct way to use a noun in front of another noun is like this:<br />
<ul>
<li>I always put my computer in a<span style="color: red;"> foam case</span> when I'm going to take it somewhere. Some people call this foam case a <span style="color: red;">laptop sleeve</span>.</li>
</ul>
Notice their other mistake, which is using "<span style="color: red;">stair</span>" instead of "<span style="color: red;">stairs</span>". For example:<br />
<br />
× I went up the <span style="color: red;">stair</span>.<br />
○ I went up the <span style="color: red;">stairs</span>.<br />
<br />
However, if you use "stairs" as an adjective, drop the "s". That's the rule for using a noun as an adjective: only use singular nouns, even if the meaning is plural.<br />
<ul>
<li>A <span style="color: red;">stair climber</span> is <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=%22stair+climber%22&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=TcvvUdOzCozjkgXFzYDgDQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1363&bih=656" target="_blank">a strange kind of exercise machine</a>.</li>
</ul>
Some days I run up the <span style="color: red;">stairs</span> from the ground floor to the floor my apartment is on. That's good exercise! The next time you are going up a <span style="color: red;">staircase</span>, think about using one noun as an adjective to describe another.<br />
<br />renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-73089403443284660912013-07-16T20:12:00.000+09:002013-07-16T20:13:12.348+09:00「doubt」と「suspect」の違い<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2806/9198255523_76f4f8bdbe_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2806/9198255523_76f4f8bdbe_z.jpg" /></a></div>
When I was in Sydney last month, I ate at this nice Taiwanese vegetarian restaurant:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.motherchusvegetarian.com.au/">http://www.motherchusvegetarian.com.au/</a><br />
<br />
It's a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cha_siu_bao" target="_blank">chao shao bao</a>, but instead of barbecued pork, it's a vegetarian version with textured soy protein. The spices they used were great, and it was steamed just right.<br />
<br />
× You might <span style="color: red;">doubt</span> that it's meat, but it's not.<br />
○ You might <span style="color: red;">suspect</span> that it's meat, but it's not.<br />
<br />
Remember that "<span style="color: red;">doubt</span>" means "<span style="color: red;">think not</span>", but "<span style="color: red;">suspect</span>" means "<span style="color: red;">think</span>".<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">doubt</span> ~を疑う◆否定的に (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">suspect</span> ~を疑わしく思う、~を本当ではないと思う、~を信用しない (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
Both of them are usually used for bad things. For example, I wouldn't say:<br />
<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: normal;">×</span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"> </span>I <span style="color: red;">suspect</span> that the weather will comfortable tonight.<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: normal;">○</span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"> </span>I <span style="color: red;">think</span> that the weather will comfortable tonight.<br />
<br />
The owner is Mother Chu. I got to talk with her some over the few meals that I ate there, which was a real pleasure. She is in her early 90s, so she could speak Japanese as well. We had a conversation in Chinese and Japanese about what it used to be like in Taiwan and in Sydney, where she has lived for 30 years (I think that is what she said). She even sang an old Japanese song for me.<br />
<br />
You might <span style="color: red;">doubt</span> that a woman in her 90s could still work in a restaurant, but Mother Chu was sitting at a table and spoke with many of the customers, though I <span style="color: red;">suspect</span> that she probably doesn't bus tables or do much work in the kitchen. I recommend stopping by her restaurant if you are ever in Sydney. I <span style="color: red;">doubt</span> you will be disappointed.renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-25995640035098074392013-06-25T21:38:00.002+09:002013-06-25T21:38:33.325+09:00前置詞の使い方、「retire」の使い方<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/9135229970_19b768e067_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/9135229970_19b768e067_z.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
In a conversation today, somebody said:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
× After you <span style="color: red;">retire your company</span>, where will you live?<br />○ After you <span style="color: red;">retire from your company</span>, where will you live?</blockquote>
<div>
It's really tricky to know when a preposition is necessary in English. My suggestion is to memorize sets, like the one above:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">retire from [company]</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
It works the other way, too. Sometimes Japanese use a preposition when one isn't necessary.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
× Have you <span style="color: red;">asked to your friends</span> where they want to retire?<br />○ Have you <span style="color: red;">asked your friends</span> where they want to retire?</blockquote>
<div>
I just visited Australia. It's a nice place, but I am not sure that I would <span style="color: red;">retire there</span>. Even if someone offered me a really cushy job there...</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
× I'd have to <span style="color: red;">retire from my current job</span>.<br />○ I'd have to <span style="color: red;">quit my current job</span>.</blockquote>
<div>
We usually only use "<span style="color: red;">retire</span>" when talking about someone who doesn't plan to work anymore, usually because of age.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The problem is that I really like my job and life in Tokyo! However, I did eat some nice food like these curries in Sydney. When I really do <span style="color: red;">retire</span>, I hope I can eat good food like this every day.</div>
renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-52490866021174437012013-05-31T21:27:00.000+09:002013-05-31T21:27:26.229+09:00「already」の使い方, part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7350/8900654587_73289a2cde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7350/8900654587_73289a2cde.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://upgradeenglish.blogspot.jp/2013/05/spring-is-over-already-already-part-1.html" target="_blank">The other day</a> I said I would tell you more about "<span style="color: red;">already</span>". Remember that "<span style="color: red;">already</span>" is an adverb. Dictionary.com gives two meanings:<br />
<ul>
<li>by this or that time; previously; prior to or at some specified or implied time: When we came in, we found they had <span style="color: red;">already</span> arrived.</li>
<li>now; so soon; so early: Is it noon <span style="color: red;">already</span>?</li>
</ul>
<div>
Check the previous article and see which meaning of "<span style="color: red;">already</span>" is being used in each case.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I often use "<span style="color: red;">already</span>" when something is complete<span style="color: red;"> contrary to</span> expectations.</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">contrary to </span>~に反して・<span style="color: red;">Contrary to</span> my expectation, I couldn't win the first prize. : 期待に反して、私は優勝を逃しました。(definition and example from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
I've <span style="color: red;">already</span> told you about the photo above. It's <a href="http://upgradeenglish.blogspot.jp/" target="_blank">the airplane plant with a shoot that is bowed</a> because of the weight of that new plant growing at the end of it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm not sure what to do about the spider plant ("spider plant" is another name for "airplane plant"). It is growing so strongly that I'm running out of space. It's roots have <span style="color: red;">already</span> started coming out of the bottom of the pot!</div>
<br />renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-69829346178553710972013-05-29T20:35:00.003+09:002013-05-29T20:36:14.553+09:00Spring is over already? 「already」の使い方, part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8634748178_0d90e960ee_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8634748178_0d90e960ee_z.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I can't believe spring is over <span style="color: red;">already</span>. It seems like it was winter just a few days ago. I suppose that technically spring isn't over until the <span style="color: red;">summer solstice</span>, and that is just under one month away.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">summer solstice</span>《the ~》夏至 (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
However, it feels like spring is over. I'm <span style="color: red;">already</span> wearing shorts almost every day.<br />
<br />
You can tell that I am behind because there haven't been any posts since April 9. I feel I just blinked my eyes, yet seven weeks have <span style="color: red;">already</span> passed.<br />
<br />
I took this picture a few weeks ago, but that new plant at the end of the <span style="color: red;">shoot</span> is <span style="color: red;">already</span> too heavy for the <span style="color: red;">shoot</span>, so it's <span style="color: red;">bowed</span> down towards the floor now.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">shoot</span>《植物》〔種子から発芽した〕、芽《植物》若枝、新芽 (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">bowed</span>【形】弓(bow)のように曲がった、頭を下げた (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
More about the grammar of "<span style="color: red;">already</span>" in the next post.renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-5524438933638886742013-04-09T22:03:00.000+09:002013-04-09T22:04:14.654+09:00Tokyo Milk Cheese Factoryは英語の使い方に注意した方が良い。<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8405/8633642595_1007b41186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8405/8633642595_1007b41186.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
This was a really delicious cake, something like steamed bread filled with a very thick custard. It might be a bit sweet for Japanese tastes, but for my American tongue it was great!<br />
<br />
The funny thing, though, is the slogan under the picture:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
× Your <span style="color: red;">cheek</span> might drop. <span style="letter-spacing: normal;">← </span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">wrong</span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"> grammar</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
× Your <span style="color: red;">cheeks</span> might drop. ← right grammar, wrong meaning</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">cheeks</span> 面, 頬 (definition from Weblio)</li>
</ul>
According to my kind students, this is a direct translation from Japanese. First, the grammar point. You have two <span style="color: red;">cheeks</span>, and in this case, we should probably refer to both by using the plural form.<br />
<br />
In English, we don't say it this way, though. We associate cheeks rising with smiles. If you tell me that someone's cheeks dropped, I guess that they stopped smiling. Usually it means their mood has become serious and the fun has ended. That's exactly opposite of what this cake will do to you, though.<br />
<br />
We do say "<span style="color: red;">your jaw will drop</span>". That means your mouth hangs open as a result of a surprise. If your jaw drops while you are eating, though, you are going to make a mess! Besides, who wants to see what's in your mouth?<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">make someone's jaw drop</span>〔驚嘆すべき事態などが〕(人)の口をあんぐり開けさせる、〔主語の事態に驚いて〕(人)は口をあんぐり開ける (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
They probably mean something like "your mouth will be in heaven", but that idiom might be overused (<span style="color: red;">cliche</span>).<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">cliche</span>【名】〈フランス語〉〔使い古された〕決まり文句、定型表現◆つづりのeにはアクサンテギュが付く。 (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
It's going to take a real copywriter to come up with a good one, something like... no, everything I think of sounds like <span style="color: red;">sexual innuendo</span>. If I said those, <span style="color: red;">your jaws might drop</span>. Anyway, I hope Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory can do something about their slogan.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">sexual innuendo</span> 性的なほのめかし (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-51363293400914543562013-04-02T19:28:00.000+09:002013-04-02T19:29:05.616+09:00「人が亡くなる」を英語でどう言う?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8613320424_0679c4aa80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8613320424_0679c4aa80.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I have to apologize for not posting in the past two weeks. My grandmother became very ill, so I returned to America to see her. She <span style="color: red;">passed away</span> while I was there.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">pass away</span> - 亡くなる、死ぬ、死亡する、死去する、他界する、逝去する、逝く、この世を去る、永眠する、帰らぬ人となる、去る、終わる、廃れる、なくなる、自然に帰る (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
Once I got back to Japan, I had really bad <span style="color: red;">jet lag</span>.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">jet lag</span> ジェットラグ、時差ぼけ (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
I couldn't stay awake past midnight, even though that's my habit. Even yesterday, I was worthless by 11 pm.<br />
<br />
Now I'm behind on my posts, so I'll try to catch up.<br />
<br />
There are a lot of other ways to say it, depending on the situation, but "<span style="color: red;">pass away</span>" is definitely the most useful one for you.<br />
<br />
Still, be careful about the correct use of the words related to the verb "<span style="color: red;">die</span>".<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">die</span> (v) 死ぬ</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">dead</span> (adj) 死んでいる</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">death</span> (n) 死</li>
</ul>
I often hear mistakes like:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
× He <span style="color: red;">dead</span> in the war.<br />
○ He <span style="color: red;">died</span> in the war.</blockquote>
<div>
I got these nice flowers from someone the other day. I'll enjoy them until they are close to <span style="color: red;">death</span>, but that's one of the problems with cut flowers: they always <span style="color: red;">die</span>. Anyway, like the cherry blossoms nearing the end now, maybe their <span style="color: red;">transience</span> makes them more beautiful.</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">transience</span> of nature 移ろいやすさ (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">transience</span>【名】一時的であること、はかなさ、無常 (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
</div>
renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-45893813764544064932013-03-13T19:47:00.001+09:002013-03-13T19:48:08.453+09:00「somebody」と「some people」の違い<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8376/8404254207_3165e3942b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8376/8404254207_3165e3942b.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red;">Somebody</span> (one person) asked me the other day what the difference is between "<span style="color: red;">somebody</span>" and "<span style="color: red;">some people</span>". The difference is simple: "<span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="color: red;">somebody</span>" is <span style="color: red;">singular</span>, </span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">but</span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"> </span>"<span style="color: red;">some people</span>" is <span style="color: red;">plural</span>.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">singular</span> 単数形、単数 (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">plural</span> 複数形、複数 (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
I had to throw out some pants recently because they had become too big in the waist. They were falling off. Since moving from Taiwan over seven years ago, I've been riding a bicycle every day. I also haven't had access to the great vegetarian restaurants that they have in Taiwan, so I've been eating less. That means I've lost weight and fat over the years: 10 kg!<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">Some people</span> might have thought I was already thin and be concerned, but actually I think I'm much healthier now. <span style="color: red;">Somebody</span> did tell me that they thought my face looked like a knife, though.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Some people</span> might use a belt to <span style="color: red;">make up the difference</span> in the waist, but I didn't really want to do that. I wondered if <span style="color: red;">somebody</span> might want the pants (only one person could take the pair of pants), but the truth is those pants were 15 years old. I figured nobody would want them.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">make up the difference </span>差(額)を補う、必要な金額の残りを出す、差を穴埋めする (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
<span style="color: red;">Some people</span> might wonder why I'm showing you a picture that is basically a photo down my pants. I think <span style="color: red;">some people</span> can understand the story better with a photo!<br />
<br />
I know<span style="color: red;"> some people </span>reading this blog might have questions, like the "<span style="color: red;">somebody</span>" who asked me this question. <a href="http://upgradeenglish.com/wiki/doku.php?id=contact" target="_blank">Please send your questions to me!</a>renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-56854817891760383922013-03-05T20:22:00.000+09:002013-03-05T20:27:06.031+09:00「almost」の使い方<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/8405348148_312569dd0d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/8405348148_312569dd0d.jpg" /></a></div>
It was funny the other day. We were talking about sports in class. Of course, the World Baseball Classic is going on right now, and a lot of people are crazy about it. Somebody told me:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
× <span style="color: red;">Almost people</span> like baseball.<br />
○ <span style="color: red;">Almost all people</span> like baseball.</blockquote>
This was so funny, because the incorrect sentence means:<br />
<ul>
<li>Those who are almost people like baseball. In other words, those who like baseball are not human. 野球が好きな人々は、ギリギリ人間しか居ない。← maybe somebody can fix my bad Japanese sentence. If you can, please let me know!<!-----></li>
</ul>
The problem is that "<span style="color: red;">almost</span>" is typically followed by an adjective, since it means "very nearly" or "all but" (according to the Random House Dictionary).<br />
<br />
I talked about this common mistake back in 2009. You might like to reread that old blog post, too:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://upgradeenglish.blogspot.jp/2009/04/almost-all-of-these-are-wrong.html">http://upgradeenglish.blogspot.jp/2009/04/almost-all-of-these-are-wrong.html</a></blockquote>
I cooked these <span style="color: red;">enchiladas</span> back in January. I was thinking about food in Texas, and this is one the dishes that I used to eat a lot when I lived there.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">enchilada</span>《メキシコ料理》エンチラーダ◆肉を詰めたトウモロコシパン。トマトチリソースで。(definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
There are Tex-Mex restaurants all over the state. I suppose <span style="color: red;">almost all</span>, if not all,<span style="color: red;"> towns</span> in Texas have at least one Tex-Mex restaurant. I often ate a plate meal just like this quite often. The difference is that back in those days, I ate chicken <span style="color: red;">enchiladas</span>. Since I'm a vegetarian now, I had to think of an alternative. These enchiladas are filled with strips of fried tofu instead. It turned out pretty good. I'll probably cook them again the next time I think of the food in Texas.<br />
<br />
I think I can answer <span style="color: red;">almost all of your questions</span> about English. If you have some, let me know. Even better, think about <a href="http://upgradeenglish.com/wiki/doku.php?id=steps" target="_blank">coming to a class</a>!renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-68606080236053717902013-02-25T11:30:00.000+09:002013-03-02T14:21:33.030+09:00「need」の使い方, part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8499/8404254251_c4b1589ced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8499/8404254251_c4b1589ced.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I've got to be honest with you all. Sometimes we do use "<span style="color: red;">need</span>" with an object as the subject:<br />
<ol>
<li>That device <span style="color: red;">needs</span> a new battery.</li>
<li>= The battery in that device <span style="color: red;">needs</span> replacing.</li>
<li>= I (or someone else) <span style="color: red;">need</span>(s) to replace the battery in that device.</li>
<li>= The battery in that device <span style="color: red;">needs</span> to be replaced.</li>
</ol>
This is where it gets a bit tricky, which is why I recommended that you use pattern 3 rather than the other two. I want to give you a safe pattern that you can use with less fear of making mistakes. You <span style="color: red;">need</span> <span style="color: red;">reliable</span> patterns so that you can speak with confidence. If you use pattern 3, you are less likely to make a strange sentence. Please use that one!<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">reliable</span>【形】 信頼[信用]できる、信頼性のある、頼り[当て]になる[できる]、頼りがいのある (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
Pattern 4 is also a good choice. Notice that the passive is used in the infinitive, not with "need".<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
× The battery in that device is <span style="color: red;">needed</span> to replace.</blockquote>
One more passive way to say it is:<br />
<ul>
<li>Replacement of the battery in that device<span style="color: red;"> is needed</span>. <- and="" formal="" i="" it...="" li="" never="" say="" sounds="" this="" would=""></-></li>
</ul>
I saw these flowers growing in a planter outside my building the other day. I think Tokyo <span style="color: red;">needs</span> more flowers like this. In other words, flowers like these <span style="color: red;">are needed</span> by people living in Tokyo. Such flowers <span style="color: red;">need to be planted</span> everywhere!<br />
<br />
If your English <span style="color: red;">needs</span> work, please get in touch!renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-13278437949375242102013-02-23T15:06:00.003+09:002013-02-23T15:07:00.658+09:00「need」の使い方, part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8387/8499912542_d34aa4c633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8387/8499912542_d34aa4c633.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I was <a href="http://upgradeenglish.blogspot.jp/2013/02/need.html" target="_blank">writing about "<span style="color: red;">need</span>"</a> the other day. There are other ways to use "<span style="color: red;">need</span>". For example:<br />
<ol>
<li>This cutting <span style="color: red;">needs</span> potting. </li>
<li>= This cutting <span style="color: red;">needs</span> to be put into a pot.</li>
<li>= I <span style="color: red;">need</span> to put this cutting into a pot.</li>
</ol>
The pattern is:<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">[noun] needs [verb+ing]</span></li>
</ul>
To be honest, I never use this pattern. It feels like something one of my grandmothers used to say. I'm more likely to use one of the other two patterns. Still, you should know about this pattern.<br />
<br />
You couldn't use this pattern to say the sentence from the other day, though:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
× Living in Tokyo doesn't need driving a car.</blockquote>
Getting back to my photo, the problem was that one stalk of our lucky bamboo was <span style="color: red;">withering</span>.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">wither</span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">【自動】〔植物が〕しぼむ、しおれる、枯れる (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</span></li>
</ul>
The top was still green, though. I thought<span style="color: red;"> it needed trimming</span>, so I cut it off and trimmed the <span style="color: red;">withered</span> part off of the stalk, too. I put the cutting in a cup of water with fertilizer, but today I should probably put it in some soil. I <span style="color: red;">need</span> to do it soon so that it has the best chance for survival.<br />
<br />
If your English <span style="color: red;">needs</span> improving, <a href="http://upgradeenglish.com/wiki/doku.php?id=contact" target="_blank">please let me know</a>!renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-60052211828658059252013-02-20T21:17:00.001+09:002013-02-20T21:18:03.685+09:00「need」の使い方<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was talking about getting around in Tokyo with someone the other day. That person told me:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
× Living in Tokyo <span style="color: red;">doesn't need</span> a car.<br />
○ Living in Tokyo <span style="color: red;">doesn't require</span> a car.<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: normal;">○</span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"> </span><span style="color: red;">You don't need </span>a car if you live in Tokyo.</blockquote>
If you check the dictionary, it says "need" means "require". I was thinking about why this seems unnatural to me. I'd say that to safely use "need", the subject should be a person, but that is not always the case. These are natural, though:<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">I need</span> a bit more sleep.</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">Some of you need</span> to speak English more often.</li>
</ul>
For matters and things, I'd suggest that you use "<span style="color: red;">require</span>".<br />
<ul>
<li>[matter] <span style="color: red;">requires</span>...</li>
<li>Living in Tokyo doesn't <span style="color: red;">require</span> a car (of people who do so).</li>
</ul>
The picture above is some pressed tofu that I prepared in order to make five-spice tofu.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="letter-spacing: normal;">△ </span>The recipe I have needs tofu that has had the water removed.<br />
○ The recipe I have <span style="color: red;">requires</span> tofu that has had the water removed.</blockquote>
This tofu has that shape because I used a bowl filled with water to press it. The bowl wasn't as big as the tofu, so the edges didn't get pressed well. It's funny-looking, I thought.<br />
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<div>
If<span style="color: red;"> you need </span>to improve your English, or if your <span style="color: red;">work requires </span>better English skills, I hope you will <a href="http://upgradeenglish.com/wiki/doku.php?id=contact" target="_blank">contact us</a> about joining one of our classes!</div>
<br /></div>
renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-40922237934283170122013-02-05T20:30:00.000+09:002013-02-16T23:52:33.183+09:00「If you were to ask...」の使い方<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red;">If you were to ask me</span> what I was doing at 5 pm today, I would tell you that I was cooking. This is a dish called "<span style="color: red;">Buddha's delight</span>", and in Chinese you pronounce it like this:<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">Buddha's delight</span> = luóhàn zhāi; a more English-like spelling could be "loo-oh-HAN-jai"</li>
</ul>
If you asked me for the Chinese characters, I'd give you these (both the traditional Chinese version and the simplified one used in mainland China):<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">羅漢齋; 罗汉斋 (</span><span style="color: red;">Buddha's delight</span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"> = luóhàn zhāi)</span></li>
</ul>
The pattern I'm using is one that somebody asked me about the other day.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">If you asked... = If you were to ask...</span></li>
</ul>
The meaning is to lightly offer some information. Sometimes (not always) there is a nuance that the presented information may be an interpretation of a situation rather than the complete truth or an uncontroversial description.<br />
<br />
The difference between the two versions is this:<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">If you asked...</span> (casual)<!-----><!-----></li>
<li><span style="color: red;">If you were to ask...</span> (a bit more formal)<!-----><!-----></li>
</ul>
It's also possible to change the subject of the "if" clause.<br />
<ul>
<li>If a <span style="color: red;">stranger</span> were to ask me where I was from, I might say "Mars".</li>
</ul>
<span style="color: red;">If you asked me </span>what was in the dish, I'd tell you that it's dried yuba, <span style="color: red;">daylily</span> flowers, <span style="color: red;">shallots</span>, garlic, ginger, green onions, mushrooms, vegetarian oyster sauce, sweet thick soy sauce, soy sauce, and black pepper.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">daylily</span>【名】《植物》萱草◆ユリ科</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">shallot</span>【名】《植物》エシャロット(eschalot)</li>
<li>(definitions from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: red;">If you were to ask me</span> to try it, I'd say "invite me over and I'll try to cook it for you!"</div>
renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-9606921592217145822013-01-30T11:33:00.000+09:002013-01-30T18:56:10.781+09:00Blendyは英語の使い方に注意した方が良い。<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Before going to presentations at my university, I stopped by a supermarket to get some coffee. I wanted to drink some coffee so that I would be sure to<span style="color: red;"> stay awake</span> through all of the presentations.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">stay awake</span> 目を覚ましている、起きている (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
No matter how exciting they are, if I am <span style="color: red;">short of sleep</span>, it's hard to listen to people speak Japanese for 40 minutes without dozing off.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">short of </span>~が足りない[不足している]、~に達していない、~の手前で (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
Anyway, I bought this large bottle of Blendy, and I noticed the mistake:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
× <span style="color: red;">bottle</span> coffee<br />
○ <span style="color: red;">bottled</span> coffee</blockquote>
The point here is that the coffee <span style="color: red;">has been bottled</span> by the manufacturer. It's that fact, stated with a <span style="color: red;">passive verb</span>, that means we should say "<span style="color: red;">bottled coffee</span>".<br />
<br />
"<span style="color: red;">Bottle coffee</span>" is strange. Similarly, we say "<span style="color: red;">prepackaged bread</span>" or "<span style="color: red;">bagged garbage</span>".<br />
<br />
The coffee wasn't particularly delicious, but it did keep me awake. Next time I think I will try to get <span style="color: red;">canned coffee</span> because it's hot. It's better for our health to drink warm beverages, and it's probably more delicious, too.renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-90279346738409173972013-01-29T20:03:00.000+09:002013-02-01T18:26:59.144+09:00「direction」と「directions」の違い<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Recently I ate these instant noodles from Thailand. I like instant noodles from southeast Asia because I can find vegetarian-friendly ones and the spices are much more<span style="color: red;"> suitable for my palate</span>.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">suitable to one's palate = matching one's taste</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: red;">palate</span> 味覚</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">suitable</span> ふさわしい、適切な</li>
</ul>
I needed to check the instructions on the package to make sure that I didn't cook them too long. There's nothing worse than <span style="color: red;">soggy</span> instant noodles.<br />
That's when I noticed that there was an English mistake!<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
× <span style="color: red;">direction</span><br />
○ <span style="color: red;">directions</span></blockquote>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">soggy</span>【形】〔水で〕ずぶぬれの、びしょぬれの (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">soggy noodles</span> のびた麺</li>
</ul>
Check the definitions of these two words (definitions from Eijiro on the Web):<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">direction</span> 1. 管理; 2. 指図[命令]すること; 3. 方向、向き</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">directions</span> 指示(書)、説明(書)</li>
</ul>
"<span style="color: red;">Direction</span>" means, according to WordNet 3.0, "<span style="color: red;">a line leading to a place or point</span>".<br />
<br />
"<span style="color: red;">Directions</span>", with an "s", means the same thing as "<span style="color: red;">instructions</span>", or a series of steps given to teach someone how to do something.<br />
<br />
There are other meanings for the word "<span style="color: red;">direction</span>". For example, there is what movie directors do. They give direction to actors, camera men, and so on in order to make a movie.<br />
<br />
Despite the mistake, I had no trouble making these instant noodles, and they were delicious.<br />
<br />
If you need some <span style="color: red;">direction</span> on how to improve your English, <a href="http://upgradeenglish.com/wiki/doku.php?id=steps" target="_blank">please ask me</a>! I'd also be happy for you to join one of our classes. If you are having trouble finding our classroom, we can <a href="http://upgradeenglish.com/wiki/doku.php?id=location" target="_blank">give you <span style="color: red;">directions</span></a>.renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-74932964056661059712013-01-22T20:21:00.001+09:002013-01-22T20:21:20.400+09:00形容詞の語順について<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These nuts were a <span style="color: red;">yummy snack</span>. It's too bad that the English was wrong.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
× Nuts <span style="color: red;">Select</span>!!!<br />
○ <span style="color: red;">Select</span> Nuts</blockquote>
Adjectives basically go in front of nouns. Here, "nuts" is the noun, and "<span style="color: red;">select</span>" is an adjective. It means, according to WordNet 3.0, "of superior grade" or "selected or chosen for special qualifications".<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: red;">select</span><br />
【形】<span style="letter-spacing: normal;">(definition from Eijiro on the Web)</span><br />
1. 厳選した、えり抜きの<br />
2. 上等の、優良な<br />
3.〔会員資格が〕限定された<br />
4.〔牛枝肉の等級が〕セレクトの◆米農務省の定めた規格で、一般に流通している三つの中では下位の等級。プライム(prime)、チョイス(choice)に比べて脂肪の少ない赤身肉。 </blockquote>
There are some <span style="color: red;">interesting exceptional cases</span> where an adjective comes after a noun in English. This Wikipedia page describes it well, along with examples:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-positive_adjective">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-positive_adjective</a></blockquote>
<span style="color: red;">Last week</span>, I gave you some <span style="color: red;">select posts</span> from the past. I realized that this blog goes back to 2009. That's a <span style="color: red;">good feeling</span>, knowing that a lot of people have had a chance to study from these posts.<br />
<br />
Anyway, this mistake is <span style="color: red;">proof positive</span> (see the Wikipedia link above) that some people need <span style="color: red;">English classes</span>. If that's you, please <a href="http://upgradeenglish.com/wiki/doku.php?id=steps" target="_blank">arrange an appointment with us for a <span style="color: red;">free lesson</span></a>!<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">proof positive</span> 確証 (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691930572000074389.post-17624144724531883452013-01-16T12:02:00.000+09:002013-01-22T19:31:44.411+09:002012の人気のある検索語<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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About 72 percent of you readers came to our blog last year from <span style="color: red;">search engines</span>.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: red;">search engine</span>《イ》サーチ・エンジン、検索エンジン、検索ソフト (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
These are the things that people were searching for the most:<br />
<br />
<b>3. disgusting 使い方</b><br />
<br />
There were plenty of <span style="color: red;">disgusting</span> things that happened last year, like the <span style="color: red;">mass shootings</span> in the US or the horrible <span style="color: red;">gang rape</span> of a woman in India. For me, the election of <span style="color: red;">nationalists</span> in Asia is pretty <span style="color: red;">disgusting</span>.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: red;">disgusting</span>【形】むかつくような、うんざりさせる、胸が悪くなるような、実に嫌な、気持ち悪い、気色悪い、感じ(の)悪い、汚らわしい、〔気分的に〕最低な (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">mass shooting</span> 銃乱射事件 (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">gang rape</span> 輪姦 (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">nationalist</span>【名】国家主義者、民族主義者、国粋主義者 (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
I managed to avoid cooking anything <span style="color: red;">disgusting</span> in 2012. Maybe my cooking skills are improving.<br />
<br />
I hope that 2013 will be a less disgusting year <span style="color: red;">geopolitically</span>.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>geopolitics【名】地政学◆【用法】単数扱い (definition from Eijiro on the Web)</li>
</ul>
Johnny wrote a good post about "disgusting" back in 2009:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://upgradeenglish.blogspot.jp/2009/06/as-train-pulled-up-to-shibuya-station-i.html">http://upgradeenglish.blogspot.jp/2009/06/as-train-pulled-up-to-shibuya-station-i.html</a></blockquote>
<b>2. wetty</b><br />
<br />
Remember, in English we don't say "wetty". "Humid" is better. It's certainly not humid now. Check this post from 2010 about "wetty":<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://upgradeenglish.blogspot.jp/2010/06/wetty.html">http://upgradeenglish.blogspot.jp/2010/06/wetty.html</a></blockquote>
<b>1. パーカー 英語</b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think we've said enough about hoodies lately. There's lots on the blog about it. Somehow, though, people are really interested in them. If you are interested, there's this article at Wikipedia about hoodies:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoodie">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoodie</a></blockquote>
</div>
renickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748594084792712633noreply@blogger.com0