Email最常見的動詞錯誤：wait、require、accept、mention、provide

Wait、require、accept、mention、provide這些動詞常常出現在我們英文email裡，它們的錯誤機率很高。這些錯誤很微小，自己不容易發現，可能一錯就錯很久。一起來看看例句：

1. 這計劃案還在等核准。
（Ｘ）The proposal is waiting approval.
（Ｏ）The proposal is awaiting approval.
「」
"Wait" 和 "await" 都是「等待」，但用法不太一樣。Wait比較口語，用在日常生活中，等待的對象比較具體，像等人，等車，加受詞時要用wait for，例如：
Can you wait for five minutes? 你可以等5分鐘嗎?
這句可以改成 The proposal is waiting for approval. 文法上沒有問題，但用await更合適。"Await" 也是「等待、期待」，比較正式，等待的對象比較抽象，像approval（核准）、回應（response）
We await our test scores. 我們等著測驗分數。
I await your response. 我在等你的回應。

2. 這個案子需要大筆的資金。
（Ｘ）The project is requiring considerable investment.
（Ｏ）The project requires considerable investment.

Require不用進行式，英文裡表達「好惡、需求、想要」的動詞，多半不用進行式， 像like/dislike、hate/prefer、want、need這些動詞都不用進行式。例如：

我現在想和你講話。
• I want to talk to you now. (O)
• I am wanting to talk to you now. (X)

3. 我同意和他一起吃午餐。
（Ｘ）I accepted to have dinner with him.
（Ｏ）I accepted his invitation to have dinner with him.

Accept意思是同意、接受，這個動詞用法比較特殊，後面要接一件事情，不能接動詞。
例如：She decided to accept the offer. 她決定接受這份工作。
經常和accept相提並論的是agree，也有「同意」之意，後面直接加動詞：
I agreed to have dinner with him.

4. 你在會議中提到一個產品問題。
（Ｘ）You mentioned about some product issues in the meeting.
（Ｏ）You mentioned some product issues in the meeting.

Mention是一個及物動詞，不必加about，英文裡沒有mention about 的說法。來看例句：
I'll mention your ideas to Maggie. 我會跟Maggie說一下你的想法。
My wife mentioned seeing you the other day. 我太太提到前幾天見到你了。

5. 我們會提供你一些背景資訊。
（Ｘ）We’ll provide you some background information.
（Ｏ）We’ll provide you with some background information.
（Ｏ）We’ll provide some background information for you.

Provide的用法有兩種，一是provide something for someone；二是provide someone with something。用for或with這兩個介系詞。
Provide除了提供之後，還有幾個常見用法，學起來：
• 撫養
He has a large family to provide for. 他有一大家子人要養。
• 規定
The law provides that these ancient buildings must be preserved. 法律規定，這些古老的建築應該保存。

小心英文中的「文法陷阱」！

我們都知道，考試成績有時不見得反應出實力，反而是測出答題者夠不夠仔細。以下五題都是典型的「陷阱題」，敬請小心作答。

Debug

1. My younger sister is still living in abroad. 我妹妹仍住在國外。
2. Although it is noon time, but I am not hungry.雖然到中午了，但我不餓。
3. Those girls could talk for hours on end about everything, includes their families, jobs, and their travel experiences. 那些女孩可以連續聊好幾個小時，從家庭、工作到旅遊經歷，什麼都聊。
4. The mayoress as well as her friends are going to visit Paris next week. 市長夫人和她的友人下週將造訪巴黎。
5. He speaks English very well, what is more, he is good at English literature. 他英語說得很流利，更厲害的是，他還精通英國文學。