商業英文Email 台灣人最常犯的10個錯誤搭配

經常有老外問我們，為什麼是一個人、一頭牛、一隻羊、一塊錢。有些字天生就是和另外一些字搭配在一起，中文這樣，英文也是，像「寫會議紀錄」用take meeting minutes，注意是用take，不是write；「開支票」，是write a check，不是open a check。這種搭配英文叫collocation，就字義來說就是co（一起）+location（位置），放在一起的兩個字。今天要談的是商業英文幾組慣用的搭配，錯誤的搭配不見得就是文法錯誤，但搭對了，就會有自然流暢的專業。

謝謝你提醒我們注意。

• （Ｘ）Thank you for bringing this to our notice.
• （Ｏ）Thank you for BRING this to our ATTENTION. 

我寫信想表達我對於我對此事的不滿。

• （Ｘ）I’m writing to show my dissatisfaction regarding this issue.
• （Ｏ）I’m writing to EXPRESS my DISATISFACTION regarding this issue.

如果你需要進一步協助，請讓我知道。

• （X）Please let me know if you require extra assistance.
• （Ｏ）Please let me know if you require FURTHER/ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.

只是提醒一下，原訂明天的會議延到下周三的十一點。

• （X）Just a kindly reminder that tomorrow’s meeting has been postponed until next Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.
• （O）Just a FRIENDLY REMINDER that tomorrow’s meeting has been postponed until next Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.

多年來你一直是我們的忠實客戶，我們決定不收取延遲費用。

• （X）As you have been a faithful customer for years, we’ve decided to waive the late fee.
• （O）As you have been a LOYAL CUSTOMER for years, we’ve decided to waive the late fee.

我前一封信忘記提到，我下星期將不在辦公室。

• （Ｘ）In my former email, I forgot to mention that I will be out of the office next week.
• （Ｏ）In my PREVIOUS EMAIL, I forgot to mention that I will be out of the office next week.

謝謝你迅速回覆，如有評論或建議，我將不勝感激。

• （Ｘ）Thank you for your fast response. 
• （Ｏ）Thank you for your PROMPT RESPONSE. 

我們的營業時間從早上八點到晚上九點，周一到周六。

• （Ｘ）Our hours of work are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 
• （Ｏ）Our HOURS OF OPERATION are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 

明天是國定假日，我們店不營業。

• （Ｘ）The store is shut tomorrow in observance of a national holiday.
• （Ｏ）The STORE IS CLOSED tomorrow in observance of a national holiday.

我們很遺憾通知您的的申請未獲得批准。

• （Ｘ）We regret to notify you that your application has been denied.
• （Ｏ）We REGRET TO INFORM you that your application has been denied.

固定搭配看起來不好學，但也正因為固定、沒有變化，所以才好記，貼在筆記上多看幾次就學起來了。

長句子裡的簡單文法

很多人一看到長句子就頭昏眼花，文法觀念瞬間忘光。以下五題都其實都是簡單的文法觀念，請找出錯誤加以改正。

1. Inside the sanctuary in Milan, Italy, a famous place of pilgrimage is providing holy water that creates miracle cures. 
   在義大利米蘭的聖殿裡，有一處提供奇蹟療效聖水的知名朝聖地。
   
   
2. Will locusts, the mysterious and powerful destructors, cease to cause great crop losses one day? 
   蝗蟲這種神祕又強大的毀滅者有一天會停止造成農作物的巨大損失嗎？
   
   
3. Prosecutors had kept a tight rein on information about the case, leaving a host of basic question unanswered. 
   檢方對案情一直不鬆口，留下一堆得不到解答的疑點。
   
   
4. Among the fascinating legendary works, Lyman Baum’s fairy tale, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, will be published in 1900, enjoys the greatest popularity. 
   令人嚮往的傳奇性作品中，李曼•鮑姆1900年出版的童話故事《綠野仙蹤》最受歡迎。
   
   
5. Skilled in Chinese martial arts, he taught Kungfu, writing books and acting in popular Chinese Kungfu movies. 
   精於中國武術的他，教功夫、寫書，並出演受歡迎的中國功夫電影。