Ask me your English language related questions
Post 1 of 87
Hi, I am new to Alibaba,
I am a Canadian currently living and working in Dubai (2.5 years) as an English teacher but moving to Shanghai November 1.
The purpose of this thread is to keep my grammatical skills sharp and to provide an opportunity for those of you studying English to ask any English-related question you want. I will try my best to draw from my English instructing experience to answer your question, and I encourage other native speakers to join in.
Hope you find this helpful!
I am a Canadian currently living and working in Dubai (2.5 years) as an English teacher but moving to Shanghai November 1.
The purpose of this thread is to keep my grammatical skills sharp and to provide an opportunity for those of you studying English to ask any English-related question you want. I will try my best to draw from my English instructing experience to answer your question, and I encourage other native speakers to join in.
Hope you find this helpful!
29 Sep 2007 13:45
Post 2 of 87
Replying to [EnglishRyan]:hi :ryan
i am a english leaner ,i looked your message in alibaba forum, i want to make friend with you we can chat in english in spare time so that improve my english ability ,could you help me ,looking forward to your reply my msn is lidongli0801@HOTMAIL.COM
best wishes
i am a english leaner ,i looked your message in alibaba forum, i want to make friend with you we can chat in english in spare time so that improve my english ability ,could you help me ,looking forward to your reply my msn is lidongli0801@HOTMAIL.COM
best wishes
11 Dec 2007 19:23
Post 3 of 87
Replying to [PARS South Africa]:
Hey Marlene,
Thanks for asking me a question. This is a coincidence - I was asked the exact same question about two months ago in a class in Dubai (they even asked for 3 contexts)!
There are more than three instances when we can use the word 'miss' (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=define%3Amiss&btnG=Google+Search), but I think I know what you are referring to. Please take these examples:
1) I miss my mom.
2) I missed my bus.
3) I missed the shot.
The first example describes a state of longing or want. It is a verb for a feeling of being without something. 'I miss my mom' is like saying, 'my mom is not here and I want her to be'.
The second example refers to something that did not occur as a result of bad timing. In this example, we did not get on our bus because we were too late. The bus had already come.
The third example shows a failure to make contact with something. In this instance, we might be playing basketball. We attempted a shot, but the ball did not go in the net. Thus, we missed the shot.
'Miss' is also traditionally used to address an unmarried woman. I am not sure how often it is used anymore (where I am from, we just say Ms. for both married and unmarried women). 'Miss' must be capitalized to be used correctly, for example - Miss Marple.
Any other native speakers care to 'chime in'?
Hope that helped!
Ryan
Hey Marlene,
Thanks for asking me a question. This is a coincidence - I was asked the exact same question about two months ago in a class in Dubai (they even asked for 3 contexts)!
There are more than three instances when we can use the word 'miss' (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=define%3Amiss&btnG=Google+Search), but I think I know what you are referring to. Please take these examples:
1) I miss my mom.
2) I missed my bus.
3) I missed the shot.
The first example describes a state of longing or want. It is a verb for a feeling of being without something. 'I miss my mom' is like saying, 'my mom is not here and I want her to be'.
The second example refers to something that did not occur as a result of bad timing. In this example, we did not get on our bus because we were too late. The bus had already come.
The third example shows a failure to make contact with something. In this instance, we might be playing basketball. We attempted a shot, but the ball did not go in the net. Thus, we missed the shot.
'Miss' is also traditionally used to address an unmarried woman. I am not sure how often it is used anymore (where I am from, we just say Ms. for both married and unmarried women). 'Miss' must be capitalized to be used correctly, for example - Miss Marple.
Any other native speakers care to 'chime in'?
Hope that helped!
Ryan
12 Dec 2007 05:26
Post 5 of 87
Replying to [rose Li]:
Hi rose,
I am happy to hear that you are so enthusiastic about learning English! I wish you all the best. How about we clean up your question together . . .
In English, sentence structure is very important. It separates information and is critical to the understanding of your listener (or reader, in this case). Take this example:
my name is ryan i am from canada
This sentence has two pieces of information. The first is my name, and the second is my home. To separate these pieces of information, I use a full stop (.)
my name is ryan. i am from canada
Now when the reader sees this sentence, they know that there are two different ideas. But we are not finished yet.
It is also important to use capitals letters - A B C D ...
Capital letters are always used at the beginning of sentences. They are also used for the names of people, places, languages and the pronoun 'I' and many other instances (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/592/01/).
My name is Ryan. I am from Canada.
These ideas are now presented correctly.
So...your challenge (if you choose to accept it) is to rewrite your question to me with proper capitalization and punctuation! :D
Good luck with your studies,
Ryan
i am a english leaner ,i looked your message in alibaba forum, i want to make friend with you we can chat in english in spare time so that improve my english ability ,could you help me ,looking forward to your reply my msn is lidongli0801@HOTMAIL.COM
best wishes
Hi rose,
I am happy to hear that you are so enthusiastic about learning English! I wish you all the best. How about we clean up your question together . . .
In English, sentence structure is very important. It separates information and is critical to the understanding of your listener (or reader, in this case). Take this example:
my name is ryan i am from canada
This sentence has two pieces of information. The first is my name, and the second is my home. To separate these pieces of information, I use a full stop (.)
my name is ryan. i am from canada
Now when the reader sees this sentence, they know that there are two different ideas. But we are not finished yet.
It is also important to use capitals letters - A B C D ...
Capital letters are always used at the beginning of sentences. They are also used for the names of people, places, languages and the pronoun 'I' and many other instances (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/592/01/).
My name is Ryan. I am from Canada.
These ideas are now presented correctly.
So...your challenge (if you choose to accept it) is to rewrite your question to me with proper capitalization and punctuation! :D
Good luck with your studies,
Ryan
i am a english leaner ,i looked your message in alibaba forum, i want to make friend with you we can chat in english in spare time so that improve my english ability ,could you help me ,looking forward to your reply my msn is lidongli0801@HOTMAIL.COM
best wishes
12 Dec 2007 22:30
Post 6 of 87
Replying to [rose Li]:
Hi rose,
I am happy to hear that you are so enthusiastic about learning English! I wish you all the best. How about we clean up your question together . . .
In English, sentence structure is very important. It separates information and is critical to the understanding of your listener (or reader, in this case). Take this example:
my name is ryan i am from canada
This sentence has two pieces of information. The first is my name, and the second is my home. To separate these pieces of information, I use a full stop (.)
my name is ryan. i am from canada
Now when the reader sees this sentence, they know that there are two different ideas. But we are not finished yet.
It is also important to use capitals letters - A B C D ...
Capital letters are always used at the beginning of sentences. They are also used for the names of people, places, languages and the pronoun 'I' and many other instances (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/592/01/).
My name is Ryan. I am from Canada.
These ideas are now presented correctly.
So...your challenge (if you choose to accept it) is to rewrite your question to me with proper capitalization and punctuation! :D
Good luck with your studies,
Ryan
i am a english leaner ,i looked your message in alibaba forum, i want to make friend with you we can chat in english in spare time so that improve my english ability ,could you help me ,looking forward to your reply my msn is lidongli0801@HOTMAIL.COM
best wishes
Hi rose,
I am happy to hear that you are so enthusiastic about learning English! I wish you all the best. How about we clean up your question together . . .
In English, sentence structure is very important. It separates information and is critical to the understanding of your listener (or reader, in this case). Take this example:
my name is ryan i am from canada
This sentence has two pieces of information. The first is my name, and the second is my home. To separate these pieces of information, I use a full stop (.)
my name is ryan. i am from canada
Now when the reader sees this sentence, they know that there are two different ideas. But we are not finished yet.
It is also important to use capitals letters - A B C D ...
Capital letters are always used at the beginning of sentences. They are also used for the names of people, places, languages and the pronoun 'I' and many other instances (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/592/01/).
My name is Ryan. I am from Canada.
These ideas are now presented correctly.
So...your challenge (if you choose to accept it) is to rewrite your question to me with proper capitalization and punctuation! :D
Good luck with your studies,
Ryan
i am a english leaner ,i looked your message in alibaba forum, i want to make friend with you we can chat in english in spare time so that improve my english ability ,could you help me ,looking forward to your reply my msn is lidongli0801@HOTMAIL.COM
best wishes
12 Dec 2007 22:30
Post 7 of 87
Replying to [EnglishRyan]:
![[em1]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_smile.gif)
Hi! I am a Chinese from Hong Kong and I heard from our teacher in the old day saying that "simple English is beautiful, or Simple is a beauty." Something like this....
As far as I know many Chinese think in another way: using difficult words and words with profound meanings could show to others they are very good in the English or high standards, at least they believe it.
Even some are reading the dictionary and try to find some very old and complicate words or verbs or nouns to compose their essay or articles. It's like our Chinese writing:using some old expression form or words which you cannot find them so often in today's all kind of printing materials. These types of Chinese will be very happy when they hear someone don't know and ask . Superior feeling , high quality enhance their inner happiness. What do you think? Excuse for my poor expression.
Hi! I am a Chinese from Hong Kong and I heard from our teacher in the old day saying that "simple English is beautiful, or Simple is a beauty." Something like this....
As far as I know many Chinese think in another way: using difficult words and words with profound meanings could show to others they are very good in the English or high standards, at least they believe it.
Even some are reading the dictionary and try to find some very old and complicate words or verbs or nouns to compose their essay or articles. It's like our Chinese writing:using some old expression form or words which you cannot find them so often in today's all kind of printing materials. These types of Chinese will be very happy when they hear someone don't know and ask . Superior feeling , high quality enhance their inner happiness. What do you think? Excuse for my poor expression.
13 Dec 2007 10:26
Post 8 of 87
Replying to [Professor Carl]:![[em7]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_shy.gif)
Hi! Professor Carl, I would like to ask what are the differences between writing and speaking for American and English?
Is it more easy to learn American english and difficult to cope with British English? Which one you prefer?
Hi! Professor Carl, I would like to ask what are the differences between writing and speaking for American and English?
Is it more easy to learn American english and difficult to cope with British English? Which one you prefer?
13 Dec 2007 10:31
Post 9 of 87
Replying to [EnglishRyan]:
Hi, EnglishRyan, I am poor in my spoken English, will you help me improving my spoken English. Use your SKYPE ID or Hotmail ID to communicate?![[em17]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_shake_hands.gif)
Best Regards!!
Peter Zhou
Hi, EnglishRyan, I am poor in my spoken English, will you help me improving my spoken English. Use your SKYPE ID or Hotmail ID to communicate?
Best Regards!!
Peter Zhou
19 Dec 2007 21:44
Post 10 of 87
Replying to [EnglishRyan]:Dear friend,
I am from India,I often make mistakes when write but my speaking fluancy is good but for spellings mistake I feel verly bad.
so please suggest me how to improve my spellings.
Bye..Bye...
Dear friend,I am from India,I often make mistakes when write but my speaking fluancy is good but for spellings mistake I feel verly bad.
so please suggest me how to improve my spellings.
Bye..Bye...
20 Dec 2007 05:49
Post 11 of 87
Replying to [Mickey Mouse]:
Hey Peter,
Well, it might be hard for me to contact you through Skype (my job keeps me pretty busy, so I don't get to use it much anymore). My Skype address is Canadian English Teacher. You are also more than welcome to add me to your MSN Messenger account, if you like.
I posted a response similar to this one before. My suggestion to you is to try and make a few native speaking friends if possible. Perhaps try contacting a few people through Skype...
Keep in touch
Ryan
Replying to [EnglishRyan]:
Hi, EnglishRyan, I am poor in my spoken English, will you help me improving my spoken English. Use your SKYPE ID or Hotmail ID to communicate?
Best Regards!!
Peter Zhou
Hey Peter,
Well, it might be hard for me to contact you through Skype (my job keeps me pretty busy, so I don't get to use it much anymore). My Skype address is Canadian English Teacher. You are also more than welcome to add me to your MSN Messenger account, if you like.
I posted a response similar to this one before. My suggestion to you is to try and make a few native speaking friends if possible. Perhaps try contacting a few people through Skype...
Keep in touch
Ryan
Replying to [EnglishRyan]:
Hi, EnglishRyan, I am poor in my spoken English, will you help me improving my spoken English. Use your SKYPE ID or Hotmail ID to communicate?
Best Regards!!
Peter Zhou
20 Dec 2007 08:29