1. Common errors 03

2. Contents: Common confused words Common mistakes Enumeration
Structures of comparison
Structures of contrast
Cause-effect development

3. Common confused words

4. in order to + V 和 so as to + V 基本涵義相同都表示 “目的”. 但是前者比較正式
Phrases / words
Meaning / Example 1.
in order to + V
in order to + V 和 so as to + V 基本涵義相同都表示 “目的”. 但是前者比較正式
In order to calculate the amount of power, work is divided by time.
so as to + V
in order that, or with the result that 
Students should take notes so as to make revision easier.
in order that +子句
with the stated aim or purpose
And I have come all the way from Japan in order that you should thoroughly understand me.

5. Based on the analysis, technical communicators use 2.
Based on
If you base something on facts or ideas, you use those facts or ideas to develop it:
Based on the analysis, technical communicators use
certain strategies to create message.
All persuasive strategies are based on establishing a
connection with an audience and providing something
that the audience will related to and respond to.
According to (prep)
as stated by
According to Sarah, they're not getting on very well at
the moment.
(following) in a way that agrees with
Students are all put in different groups according to their ability.

6. Her absence was due to the storm. 3. to notice something
Due to (prep)
Resulting; because of
A lot of her unhappiness is due to boredom. Due to wet leaves on the line, this train will arrive an hour late.
Her absence was due to the storm. 3.
Note (v)
to notice something
Note, however, that functional resumes are less
common than chronological resumes.
They noted the consumers' growing demand for
quicker service.
Please note (that) we will be closed on Saturday
Note that the length and complexity of the second
step of a deductive strategy will depend on the
context and the message.

7. combined or associated with 4.
In addition to
combined or associated with
In addition to running text, such text elements as heading, lists, cross-references, extracts, and bibliographic notes usually require special attention.
In addition to his flat in London, he has a villa in Italy and a castle in Scotland.
besides
= in addition to; also
Do you play any other sports besides football and basketball? She won't mind your being late - besides, it's hardly your fault. 5.
Instead of
in place of someone or something else
There's no coffee - would you like a cup of tea instead? You can go instead of me, if you want.

8. rather than vs. instead of
Many young people today work hard to travel around the world ________having children ,or even starting a family. (a) instead of (b) rather than
instead of + V / -ing “代替...”.“而不...”... rather than 前後須等態.等詞性 "寧可..."."倒不如...“ 帶有選擇語氣... Many young people today work hard to travel around the world rather than to have children, or even to start a family.

9. Despite these tragic events, festivals are more popular than ever. 6.
Although (conj)
despite the fact that
She walked home by herself, although she knew that it was dangerous. He decided to go, although I begged him not to.
Despite (prep)
Despite is used to introduce a contrast, and is followed by a noun or an –ing verb.
Despite these tragic events, festivals are more popular than ever.
Despite being poor, Mr. Lee is always happy.
Despite these arguments, the number of parents choosing to have only one child is increasing in many parts of the world

10. Not only did he turn up late, he also forgot his books. 7.
not only…but also
used to say that two related things are true or happened, especially when this is surprising or shocking
Not only did he turn up late, he also forgot his books.
Not only can she speak English fluently, but she can also speak French well.
She can not only speak English fluently but (aslo) speak French well. If this project fails it will affect not only our department, but also the whole organization.
so that (conj)
In order that
used before you give an explanation for the action that you have just mentioned
I deliberately didn't have lunch so (that) I would be hungry tonight. Leave the keys out so (that) I remember to take them with me.

11. to make someone able to do something, or to make something possible8.
Be able to
be able to do something
to have the necessary physical strength, mental power, skill, time, money or opportunity to do something
I'm sorry that I wasn't able to phone you yesterday. It's so wonderful being able to see the sea from my window.
Enable (v)
to make someone able to do something, or to make something possible
Computerization should enable us to cut production costs by half.
The program will enable a large increase in student numbers.

12. Common mistakes

13. Find mistakes 1. I recommend you to take a long vacation.
2. It was still bright outside.
3. Who cooked this salad ?
4. Different from me, she is proficient in English.
5. Little children are difficult to understand that.
6. Would you like a drink ?
7. I get my salary twice a month.
8. Don't expect me too much.
9. I forget my hat in the house.
10. The thief got in from the window.
that you can
light
made
unlike
It is difficult for children
something to drink
get paid
expect too much from me
left
through

14. 11. Give me money, if you have.
12. The head office is in Taipei.
13. He cannot read and write.
14. Are you home tomorrow?
15. Please wait inside the white line.
16. That was a traffic accident on my way here. It is why I was late.
17. Keep the right.
18. The train was late about an hour.
19. What a dirty face ! Look at the mirror.
20. He made a world record.
21. My watch doesn't move at all. I must get it checked up.
22. While walking along the street, I met my friend.
have any
main or
at home
behind
That is
Keep to
about an hour late in
set
isn’t running
a friend of mine

15. 23. Here is a pair of nice shoes.
24. Is this seat empty?
25. I am going to take a two-year course of English.
26. Open page 20 of your book.
27. I like to paint this door to black.
28. Is there any place for me in the car?
29. This steak is soft.
30. His new book will be sold well.
31. My mother likes to drink thick tea.
32. I think it will not rain tomorrow.
a nice pair of shoes
taken in
your book to page 20
black
room
tender
will sell
her tea strong
I don’t think it will

16. 33. We changed our train at Woodland.
34. I don't know what did he say.
35. I bought this book with 50 dollars.
36. This film is worth being watched.
37. The quality of these products is more superior than that
of the others.
38. The living standard in Japan is higher than Korea.
39. Charles loves Angel more than Simpson.
40. I felt very difficult to deal with this physics problem.
trains
he said
for
watching
superior than
higher than that in Korea
Simpson does
I found it very difficult

17. 41. Would you give me some advices before I go to the
interview.
42. Typhoon has caused widespread damages to
the crops.
43. Comparing with that in Singapore, the living standard in
Hong Kong is very high.
44. It is more hygenic to drink boiling water.
45. I am sorry to have kept you waited.
46. I am used to watch television with the light on.
47. After dinner, my mother suggested to go for a walk.
48. Please give me a detail description of the robbery.
49. You should describe what has happened detailly.
50. I want to know the detail of the plan.
some advice
damage
Compared
boiled
Kept you waiting
watching
going
detailed
in detail
details

18. 51. The fungus exhibited significant growth on the both conditions.
under
51. The fungus exhibited significant growth on the both
conditions.
52. We couldn't separate the extracellular extract.
53. Fig.4 is shown how the rotor dimensions and operation
conditions affect on mastication of natural rubber.
54. This month’s sales are listed as below:
55. Can I borrow your bathroom?
56. Based on the government, the economy will improve this
year.
It was not possible to
( What WE DID is not important -- What WAS DONE is important.)
shows
below
use
According to
“based on” facts or ideas that you want to talk about.
“according to” = as stated by.

19. 57. Our suggestion is as the following:
as follows
57. Our suggestion is as the following:
58. We need paper. Besides, we need some toner.
59. The consumption rate was decreased last year.
60. We did a market research last year already.
In “as the following”, “following” is an adjective and needs to modify a noun.
e.g. As the following factors show, it’s better for us to keep our price.
As the following reasons, I recommend improving your writing skills.
In addition
Use “besides” when adding more ideas, but “in addition to” add related elements to a sequence.
decreased
We can’t use “decrease” in the passive voice unless there is something or somebody causing the decrease.
e.g. The unemployment rate dropped / fell to 3.21% last month.
The number of students per class will be decreased to 15 next year.
research study

20. Enumeration
A writer starts with a general class, then proceeds to break it down by listing some or all of its members or parts.
Member or part
Member or part
General class
Member or part
Member or part

21. Listing signals (1) First, there are … Second, Third, Last,
(2) The first kind / type / step is…
The second (Another)
The third (The next)
The last (The final)

22. - To mention the most important one first.
More important
Less
important
(3) Descending order
- To mention the most important one first.
most essential
most important
primary
largest
chief
kind is…
reason is…
The

23. Example:
My chief reason for choosing that university was its wonderful study program in agriculture. Second, Bingston hires only the finest teachers to teach in its graduate program. Then, there was Bingston’s deferred payment plan; this represented a great convenience to my parents. A final reason was the reasonable tuition.

24. (4) Ascending order The - The last item is the most important.
Less
important
More important
(4) Ascending order
- The last item is the most important.
- To emphasize the importance.
most essential
most important
primary
largest
chief
But the
kind is…
reason is…
The
kind, however, is…
reason, however, is…
Finally, and most importantly, there is

25. Example:
There are several reasons why I decided to attend Bingston University. First of all, the tuition was reasonable. Second, the university had a deferred payment plan; this represented a great convenience to my parents. Another reason was the fact that Bingston hires only the finest of teachers to teach in its graduate program. My chief reason, however, was Bingston’s mandatory study program in argriculture.

26. Structures of comparison

27. Structure 1 - adj. / prep. same…as similar to… like…
Kennedy was killed on the same day of the week as Lincoln.
(adj) (prep)
exactly / almost / practically (degree of similarity)
Kennedy’s death was similar to Lincoln’s in that they both died in office (adj) (prep)
somewhat / rather / very / quite (degree of similarity)
Kennedy’s death was like Lincoln’s.
(prep)
Like Lincoln, Kennedy refused to heed his secretary’s warming (basis of comparison)

28. Structure 2 – attached statements
…too
…either
Kennedy was succeeded by a Southern Democrat,
and Lincoln was too.
and so was Lincoln.
Kennedy could arouse the sympathy of the public,
and Lincoln could too.
and so could Lincoln.
Kennedy’s secretary couldn’t prevent the president’s assassination, and Lincoln’s couldn’t either
and neither could Lincoln’s.

29. Structure 3 – correlative conjunction
both…and
Neither...nor
Both Kennedy and Lincoln
Kennedy and Lincoln both had their elections legally challenged.
Neither Kennedy’s wife nor his children were expecting anything unusual to happen that day.
Neither Kennedy’s children nor his wife was expecting anything unusual to happen that day.

30. Structure 4 – predicate structures
to resemble
have…in common
There are similarities
Kennedy’s popularity resembled Lincoln’s.
vaguely / closely / greatly (degree of similarity)
Kennedy and Lincoln have features in common.
certain things / many qualities / two characteristics / several aspects
There are similarities between Kennedy and Lincoln.
certain / many / several / two…

31. Structure 5 – sentence connectors
similarly,
correspondingly,
likewise,
in the same way,
Lincoln was succeeded by a Southern Democrat named Johnson;
Lyndon Johnson, a Democrat from the South, succeeded Kennedy.
Note: the wording of the sentence following a connector of similarity should be slightly different to avoid repetition.
A semicolon is often used before a sentence connector. However, since each of the sentences can stand alone and be considered grammatically correct, a period can also be used after the first sentence.

32. Structure 6 – punctuation only
semicolon (;)
Andrew Johnson was born in 1808; Lyndon Johnson was born in 1908.
Lincoln’s secretary was Mrs. Kennedy; likewise, Kennedy’s was Mrs. Lincoln.

33. Structures of contrast

34. Structure 1 - …than is…than as…as The introvert than the extrovert
is quieter
is more reliable
is less optimistic
learns more slowly
The extrovert the introvert.
is not as quieter as
is not as reliable as
does not learns as slowly as

35. Structure 2 – prepositions
Unlike
Contrary to
As opposed to
the extrovert, who craves excitement, the introvert likes a well-ordered mode of life.
(basis of contrast)

36. Structure 3 – adverbial structures
Whereas
While
the extrovert loses his or her temper quickly, the introvert seldom does.
(basis of contrast)

37. Structure 4 –Verbal clauses
contrasts with
differs from
is different from
in regard to
in respect to
his or her temper.
The introvert
the extrovert
(basis of contrast)

38. Structure 5 – sentence connectors
however,
on the other hand,
in contrast,
The extrovert loves crowds;
the introvert is fond of solitude
(basis of contrast)
The extrovert loves crowds; the introvert,
is fond of solitude.
however,
on the other hand,
in contrast,

39. Structure 6 – conjunctions
The extrovert loves crowds, but the introvert is fond of solitude.

40. Structure 7 – punctuation only
The introvert likes books; the extrovert is fond of people.

41. The extrovert loves crowds.
The introvert is fond of solitude.
The extrovert loves crowds; however, the introvert is fond of solitude.
The introvert is fond of solitude; the extrovert, however, loves crowds.
The extrovert loves crowds. However, the introvert is fond of solitude.
The extrovert contrasts with the introvert in regard to need of solitude.
Unlike the introvert, who is fond of solitude, the extrovert loves crowds.

42. Cause and Effect development structural signals
When you use a cause-effect method of development, this will often mean that your are supporting the topic sentence by listing or enumerating.

43. Effect – what a certain situation has led to or has resulted in.
Focus on cause
Focus on effect
cause # 1
cause # Situation
cause # 3
effect # 1
Situation effect # 2
effect # 3
Effect – what a certain situation has led to or has resulted in.
Cause – reasons or explanations why something is the way it is, or why it happened the way it did.

44. Structure 1 – sentence connectors
as a result,
consequently,
therefore,
because of this,
hence,
In some areas, water levels will fall;
these areas will no longer be able to support industry.
(cause) (effect)

45. Structure 2 – Conjunctionsso
for (because)
In some areas, water levels will fall, so these areas will no longer be able to support industry.
(cause) (effect)
Some areas will no longer be able to support industry, for water levels will have fallen in these areas.
(effect) (cause)

46. Structure 3 – clause structures
so…that
such…that
such a…that
be so great that
happen so fast that
dry out so much land that
cause such terrible damage that
cause such a severe heat wave that
The rise in temperature will
agricultural patterns will change
(cause) (effect)

47. (2) Since because Since Because Because of the fact that
Due to the fact that
rainfall patterns will change, water supplies will diminish.
(cause) (effect)

48. Structure 4 – phrase structures
Because of
Due to
As a result of
In view of
the increased heat, agricultural patterns will change.
(cause) (effect)

49. Structure 5 – predicate structures
The predicate of a sentence includes everything from the verb to the end. In this group of structures, the cause-effect relationship is indicated either by the verb or the words following it.
(1)
cause
result in
be the reason for
be responsible for
contribute to
lead to
Changes in water levels will
changes in living patterns.
(cause) (effect)

50. (2) (effect) (cause) result from be a result of be a consequence of
be due to
follow from
Drastic changes in living patterns will
changes in water levels.
(effect) (cause)

51. Structure 6 – participial phrases
Participial phrases have no subjects, and contain verbs which are in the –ing form.
(1)
causing
leading to
contributing to
resulting in
Water levels will change,
changes in living patterns.
(cause) (effect)

52. (2) (effect) (cause) resulting from Living patterns will change,
following from
Living patterns will change,
changes in water levels.
(effect) (cause)

53. More examples
Massive shifts in population will result from all of these environmental changes.
All of these environment will change; hence, population will shift massively.
Because of all the environmental changes, the population will shift massively.
The Greenhouse Effect will cause dramatic changes in the way we live.
In the way we live will change dramatically, resulting from the Greenhouse Effect.
Dramatic changes in the way we live will follow from the Greenhouse Effect.

54. Web links
(common writing problems)
(words that are often confused)
(common mistakes)