問:Limit、limitation兩字,有什麼分別?
答:這兩個字都可以譯做「限制」,但limit多指「界限」,limitation則多指力量、知識等之不足,以致界限無法超越。例如:(1)The speed limit is 100 kph(時速限於一百公里之內)。(2)His major limitation as a social worker is his lack of patience(他做社工,最大的缺點,是沒有耐性)。請看以下一句:We must know our limits / limitations。這是說「我們要有自知之明」,但limits着重能力之極限,limitations則着重能力之不逮。
問:以下一句,那個選擇正確?──Which monster is / are the children afraid of?(孩子害怕的,是那一隻怪物?)回答可不可以說The red monster is / are the children afraid of(孩子害怕的,是那隻紅色怪物)?
答:上述問句的主詞(subject)是children,動詞自然應用are;至於monster,則是介系詞of的受詞(object)。回答這問題,可以說The children are afraid of the red monster。要強調the red monster,則可說It is the red monster that the children are afraid of。
問:以下一句,那個選擇正確?──I have drawing lesson / a drawing lesson / drawing lessons on Tuesdays(我逢星期六上繪畫課)。
答:這一句用a drawing lesson或drawing lessons都可以,卻不可用drawing lesson。句子還可改為I have a drawing lesson every Tuesday。