每日英語：快速掌握英語語法的12個貼士

我們一直在不斷的學習語法規則，為什麼呢？因為語法知識是用英語交流的基礎。

1. Memorize 3 Fundamental Capitalization Rules

記住三個基礎的大寫規則

The first word in a sentence. You should always capitalize the first word in a sentence regardless of what type of word it is.

大寫句子裏的首字母。不管句子裏的第一個單詞屬於什麼類別，都要大寫其首字母。

Proper nouns (names). These include the names of people, places, days and months, companies, etc. For example: Matthew, Helen, France, Tokyo, Mississippi, Saturday, January…

專有名詞首字母大寫。包括：人物的名字，地點，日期，月份，公司等。例如：馬修，海倫，法國，東京，密西西比州，星期六，一月等….

Honorifics and titles, as well as their abbreviations. Mr., Mrs., Miss, Doctor (Dr.), President, Lord, etc.

大寫敬語及頭銜的首字母。例如：先生，夫人，小姐，醫生，主席，公爵等。

2. I and Me Aren’t Interchangeable

I和Me是不可互換的

I and me are’t interchangeable. They are used in different grammatical constructions. I is a pronoun that serves as a subject of a sentence. For example, Matthew and I went for a walk, both I and Matthew are subjects of the sentence while went is the verb. Me is a pronoun that serves as an object of a sentence. Me is needed when someone else is performing the action.

I和 Me是不可互換的,它們用於不同的語法結構。I 是一個代詞，是一個句子裏的主語。例如：馬修和我出去散步，這裡I 和Matthew 都是句子裏的主語，而went是一個謂語動詞。Me是一個代詞，作為句子裏的賓語。當其他人需要執行某個動作時就需要使用me。

To use the example above: Matthew took me for a walk. Matthew is the subject and me is the object in the sentence. Knowing your subjects and objects will help you use these types of pronouns flawlessly!

使用上面的例子：馬修和我一起出去散步。Matthew是句子裏的主語，me是句子裏的賓語。明確你的主語和賓語會幫助你無誤地使用這些介詞。

3. Be Careful When Using Your and You’re

小心使用Your和You’re

This is probably the most common mistake on the internet today! Your and you’re sound absolutely the same, but they have very different meanings and uses.

這可能是今天網絡上最常見的錯誤！Your和You’re的讀音聽起來完全一樣，但是它們的意義和用法完全不同。

Your is a possessive determiner that attributes something to you:

Your是一個物主限定詞，用來限定屬於你的東西。

Your work is impressive!

你的工作簡直令人欽佩！

You’re is a contraction of you are:

You’re 是you are的縮寫。

You’re a very successful writer. (You are a very successful writer.)

你是一個非常成功的作家。（你是一個非常成功的作家。）

Mistakes happen when possessive pronouns are confused with verb contractions, even among native English speakers. Often, you may see phrases like your wrong (instead of you’re wrong), you’re sister (instead of your sister), etc. These are grammatical errors. They’re easy to avoid. Don’t repeat them!

物主代詞和動詞縮寫混淆的錯誤經常出現，即使是本族語使用者也常犯這樣的錯誤。通常情況下，你經常會看到your wrong（而不是you’re wrong），you’re sister（而不是your sister）等。這些都是語法錯誤，很容易避免，所以不要重復犯錯！

4. Be Careful When Using Their, They’re and There

小心使用Their, They’re 和 There

這是代詞，縮寫以及副詞混淆的一個例子。Let’s analyze each of the words in question.下面讓我們在具體的例子中分析每一個詞。

Their is a possessive determiner. When using their, you indicate that something belongs to them. For example, Their car has broken down.

Their 是一個物主代詞。當使用their的時候，你的意思就是某物是屬於他們的。例如，他們的車壞了。

They’re is a contraction of they are. For example, If they’re not coming, I’m leaving early. (If they are not coming, I’m leaving early.)

They’re是 they are 的縮寫。例如，如果他們不來，我就早點離開。（如果他們不來，我就早點離開。）

There is an adverb indicating a location of something. For example, Your keys are over there, on the table.

There 是一個副詞，説明某物的地點。例如，你的鑰匙在那，在書桌上。

Once you understand the difference between these three words, you won’t make a mistake like their nice (instead of they’re nice) or there dog (instead of their dog) ever again!

一旦你理解了這三個詞之間的差別，你就不會犯類似的錯誤，例如，their nice（而不是they’re nice）或者there dog（而不是their dog）!

5. There’s a Subtle Difference Between Must and Have To

Must 與Have To有細微的差別

Modal verbs in English serve to indicate possibility, obligation and more. The most common examples of modal verbs include can, may, must, will and shall. Must is the one indicating an obligation or a necessity to do something.

英語中的情態動詞用來説明可能性，義務或者其他。最常見的情態動詞包括can, may, must, will和shall。Must是用來説明義務以及做某事的必要性。

I must wake up early to catch a morning train.

我必須早點起來去趕早車。

However, we could also say:

然而，我們也可以説：

I have to wake up early to catch a morning train.

我不得不早點起來去趕早車。

語法上來説，他們都對，但是有什麼細微的區別嗎？有！

The difference between must and have to is subtle. Both refer to an obligation, but must indicates an opinion or suggestion. Have to is an expression of a more objective obligation coming from an outside force.

Must與have to之間的差別是細微的。兩者都指義務，但是must是指意見或者建議。Have to指來自於外部世界的客觀義務。

因此説某個人必須做她的家庭作業是你的意見。説她不得不做她的家庭作業代表著她必須這樣做。在非正式的場合must和have to不可互換。在正式一點的場合，熟知must和have to的區別你就可以把它們區分開。

6. Always Check for Subject and Verb Agreement

時常檢查主謂是否一致

One of the most basic grammar rules in English states that the subject of the sentence has to agree with its verb. To approach fluency in English, it’s crucial to understand subject-verb agreement. The subject of a sentence can be either singular or plural, which will determine what form the verb takes.

英語中最基本的語法規則就是句子的主語必須要和謂語一致。為了流利地使用英語，了解主謂一致是至關重要的。句子的主語可以是單數也可以是複數，主語的單複數形式決定了它的謂語要採取何種形式。

For example:

例如：

She likes pizza.

她喜歡披薩。

They like burgers.

他們喜歡披薩。

But what happens when a sentence gets more complicated?

但是如果一個句子更加複雜該怎麼辦呢

When there’s more than one subject connected by and, it’s a compound subject that requires a plural.

當句子中存在由and連接的並列主語時，那麼這就是一個複合主語，謂語動詞需要用複數。

Lily and Tom want to order pizza. (They want to order pizza.)

莉莉和湯姆想要點披薩。（他們想要點披薩。）

But here’s where things get really complicated. Sometimes the subject is accompanied by an additional piece of information that follows along with, together with, as well as, such as and more. These don’t change the subject into a compound subject and don’t require a plural verb.

但是這裡我們要説明的才是真正複雜的。有時，主語後會伴隨額外的信息，由along with, together with, as well as, such as 或者其他的詞連接。這種情況下不需要把主語看成是複合主語，謂語動詞也不需要是用複數形式。

Lily, just like Tom, wants to order pizza. (She wants to order pizza. So does Tom.)

莉莉想要點一份披薩，湯姆也是。

I, together with Matthew, am going for a walk. (I am going for a walk. Matthew is going with me.)

我要去散步，馬修和我一起。

Note that this a slightly awkward sentence, and using a compound subject like Matthew and I would be preferable here.

注意這個句子有一點歧義，使用複合賓語Matthew and I 會好一些。

A book, along with a few cards and pencils, was on the table. (A book was on the table. There were also a few cards and pencils.)

書在桌子上，桌子上還有一些卡片和鉛筆。

Notice how these sentence elements provide additional information that can be safely removed. The sentence would be less informative, but still grammatically correct.

注意句子中提到的一些附加信息可以被移除。雖然這樣句子可能不那麼富有信息性，但是語法是卻是正確的。

A simple way to check for subject and verb agreement is to replace the subject with an appropriate pronoun, like we did in the first sentence above.

這裡有一個驗證主謂是否一致的簡單方法，可以用一個合適的代詞來替換主語，就像我們在第一個句子裏做的一樣。

Lily, just like Tom, wants to order pizza. (She wants to order pizza.)

莉莉想要點一份披薩，湯姆也是。（她想要一份披薩。）

Lily and Tom want to order pizza. (They want to order pizza.)

莉莉和湯姆想要點一份披薩。（他們想要點一份披薩。）

If the sentence still makes sense, your subject and your verb are in agreement!

這樣做，如果句子仍舊有意義，那麼你所使用的主語和謂語就是一致的。

7. Mix It Up with Active and Passive Voice

主動語態和被動語態混合在一起

In many English sentences, the subject is the one performing the action described by the verb of the sentence. This is called “active voice.”

在許多英文的句子裏，句子的主語是動作的執行者。這就是主動語態

While the children played a game in the backyard, their dad prepared dinner.

孩子們在後院玩遊戲的時候，他們的爸爸在準備晚飯。

In other instances, the subject is being acted upon. Someone else is performing the action! This is “passive voice.”

在其他的情況下，主語是被執行者，其他人在完成這個動作。這就是被動語態。

While a game was played by the kids, dinner was prepared by their dad.

孩子們在後院玩遊戲的時候，他們的爸爸在準備晚飯。

This sentence also has two clauses, and both of them are written in the passive voice: the game was played (by the kids) while dinner was prepared (by their dad).

句子由兩部分組成，兩部分都包含著被動語態：遊戲由孩子們來玩，晚飯由爸爸來做。

While it’s recommended to use passive voice sparingly, you should know how to recognize and use both active and passive voices.

我們推薦偶爾使用被動語態，但是你應該明白如何讓辨認並且使用主被動語態。

A good mix of active and passive verbs will make your English, especially written English, varied and colorful. Don’t be afraid of combinations!

同時使用主被動語態尤其是你的書面英語富有變化且多彩。要勇敢地把主被動語態結合在一起使用。

8. For Collective Nouns, Context Is Everything

對於集合名詞，語境決定一切

Sometimes, a singular noun represents a group of people or a collection of things. Should it take a singular or a plural verb? Is family singular or plural? Is government plural or singular? How about crowd or flock? These types of nouns are known as collective nouns. You’ll treat them differently depending on context.

有時候，一個單數的名詞代表著很多人或者很多事物。那麼這種情況下，謂語動詞應該採取單數還是複數呢？family是單數還是複數呢？government是單數還是複數呢？crowd和flock呢？這類名詞被叫做集合名詞。對待這類詞應該視語境而定。

First, consider whether you’re operating in British English or American English. In American English, collective nouns typically take a singular verb. For example:

首先，要考慮你正在處理的是英式英語還是美式英語。在美式英語中，集合名詞的謂語動詞多用單數形式。例如：

My family loves me a lot.

我的家人很愛我。

The American government is voting on this issue today.

美國政府今天將就這個問題投票。

There are two important exceptions that you’re likely to encounter in casual conversation: police and people. Police and people always take a plural verb.

在日常的交流中，你還會遇到兩個重要的特殊集合名詞：police和people。police和people的謂語動詞通常才用複數形式。

The Boston Police make reports on the matter.

波士頓警察正在就這個問題作報告。

People are starting to wonder what’s going on.

人們想知道發生了什麼。

However, in British English, collective nouns may take a singular or a plural verb, depending on the rest of the sentence. If the collective noun represents a group acting as one unit, it takes a singular verb. If the collective noun stands for several individuals or things acting independently, it takes a plural verb. For example:

然而，在英式英語中，集合名詞的謂語動詞既可以採用複數形式，也可以採用單數形式，這要視句子中的其他成分而定。如果集合名詞代表一群人但卻以一個整體出現，那麼謂語動詞使用單數。如果集合名詞代表幾個個體或者一些事物以單獨的形式出現，那麼謂語動詞採用複數形式。例如：

My family are all coming to the wedding. (“Family” stands for several different people who’ll arrive at the wedding, not necessarily together.)

我的家人都來參加婚禮了。（family代表不同的人，他們將來參加婚禮，但是不是必須同時到達。）

The staff disagree on the deadline for the project. (The staff are employees who have different opinions about the project deadline.)

員工們對於這個方案的最後期限意見不統一。（staff是不同的僱員，他們對於方案的最後期限有著不同的看法。）

9. Always Use Complete Sentences, Not Sentence Fragments

使用完整的句子而不是句子片段

The most basic sentence in English has two elements: a subject and a verb.

英語中最基本的句子有兩個成分：主語和謂語。

She sings.

她唱歌。

I write.

我寫作。

Having a subject and a verb is the minimum requirement for English sentences. If either of those is missing, the sentence isn’t complete. Sentence fragments shouldn’t be used alone.

在一個英文句子中，主語和謂語是最基本的存在。兩者中的任何一個丟失，句子都不是完整的。句子片段不能夠單獨使用。

Make it a rule for yourself to always write in complete sentences. Check if there’s a subject and a verb in your sentence. If not, insert one! Connecting sentence fragments into more complex sentences will make your English speech and English writing correct and varied.

寫完整的句子應該成為你為自己制定的規則。寫好之後要檢查句子裏是否有主語和謂語。如果沒有，要補充上。把句子片段連接起來組成更加完整的句子會使你的英文演講和英文寫作富有變化且正確。

10. Learn Some Question Tags to Simplify Your Life

使用反義疑問句使生活更加簡單

You know those short questions that sometimes get added to the end of a sentence, don’t you? These are called question tags, and they’re neat, aren’t they? They can make your life easier, especially in an English conversation, because they allow you to easily turn statements into yes or no questions.

你認識那些放在句尾短的疑問句吧，是不是？他們被稱作反義疑問句，這些句子很簡潔，不是嘛？使用他們能夠使生活更加簡單，尤其是在使用英語交流的時候，因為他們能夠把你的陳述很容易的轉化成帶有yes或者no的問題。

The rule for forming a question tag is simple: if the main verb of the sentence is positive, the question tag takes its negative form. If the main verb of the sentence is negative (has “not” in it), the question tag takes its positive form. A question tag will always conform to the main verb of the sentence.

反義疑問句的使用規則很簡單：如果主句謂語動詞是肯定的，那麼反義疑問句的謂語動詞就用否定的形式。如果主句謂語動詞是否定的（句子中含有not）,反義疑問句的謂語動詞就採用肯定的形式。反義疑問句的謂語動詞常與逐句地謂語動詞一致。

She forgot her lunch, didn’t she? or She didn’t forget her lunch, did she?

她忘記吃午飯了不是嘛？或者她沒有忘記吃午飯，是嘛？

However, here’s another thing to remember: if the main verb of the sentence is “I am,” the question tag that corresponds is “aren’t I.”

這裡我們還需要記住另一個規則：如果主句的主語和謂語是“I am”,那麼反義疑問句相應的形式就應該是“aren’t I ”。

I am going to have to change my plans, aren’t I?

我不得不改變我的計劃，不是嘛？

If you don’t feel like using a contraction to form a negative question tag, be careful with the placement of “not.”

如果你不想使用縮寫形式的反義疑問句，要額外注意not的位置。

She forgot her lunch, did she not?

她沒有忘記吃午餐。不是嘛？

11. Feel Free to Use Dangling Prepositions

自如地使用懸垂介詞

Whenever a preposition gets separated from its object in the sentence (or when it doesn’t have an object at all), it becomes a dangling preposition.

當介詞在句子中與它的賓語分開使用時（或者它根本就沒有賓語時），它就變成了懸垂介詞。

Whom are you talking to?

你在跟誰説話？

You can come downstairs; there’s nothing to be afraid of.

你可以下樓，沒什麼可害怕的。

You may encounter native English speakers who believe it’s incorrect to end a sentence with a preposition. However, dangling prepositions aren’t a grammatical error.

你可能會遇到一個以英語為母語的人，他認為以介詞結束一個句子是錯誤的。然而，懸垂介詞在語法上並不是錯誤的。

Actually, avoiding dangling prepositions may result in some awkward sentences!

事實上，不把懸垂介詞至於句尾還會引起句子的歧義。

For example:

例如：

To whom are you talking?

你在跟誰説話？

You can come downstairs; there’s nothing of which to be afraid.

你可以下樓，沒有什麼好害怕的。

These sentences are correct, but not very desirable. As long as you understand dangling prepositions and their grammatical rules, feel free to use them!

這些句子雖然是正確的，但是説法卻不是非常可取。只要你知道懸垂介詞並且明白他們的語法規則，請自如地使用他們。

12. But Be Careful with Dangling Participles in Complex Sentences

在複雜句中小心使用懸垂分詞。

Participles are often used to introduce a subordinate clause in a sentence.

在句子中，分詞用來引出一個從屬的句子。[/

Doing my homework, I noticed that a few of my notes were missing.

[cn]做家庭作業的時候，我發現我的幾個紙條不見了。

That little girl, having dropped her ice cream, is crying uncontrollably.

那個女孩的冰淇淋掉了，她正在嚎啕大哭。

在這些例子裏。分詞通常與主語相關。他們描述主語執行的動作或者説明主語的狀態。

上述的例子還可以開改寫成這樣，他們的意思是相同的：

While I was doing my homework, I noticed that a few of my notes were missing.

當我正在做家庭作業的時候，我發現我的紙條不見了。

That little girl has dropped her ice cream and is crying uncontrollably.

那個小女孩把她的冰淇淋弄掉了，她正在嚎啕大哭。

Dangling participles can cause problems for English learners; they can make it easier to forget or confuse the subject-participle relationship. A very common mistake many English learners make is to use a participle that doesn’t relate to the subject of the sentence.

懸垂分詞的使用對於英語學習者而言是一個大問題；他們會常常使我們忘記或者混淆主語與分詞之間的關係。對於英語學習者而言一個常見的錯誤就是，他們使用的分詞與句子的主語沒有關係。

Walking to the university, the rain started to fall, so he opened his umbrella.

走去學校，開始下雨，因此他帶了雨傘。

這個句子是錯誤的！很明顯，是他走去學校，而不是雨。正確的説法應該是這樣的：

Walking to the university, he opened his umbrella, because the rain started to fall.

他帶著傘走去學校，因為下雨了。

正如你所見，在句子中，懸垂分詞能夠引起令人困惑的語法錯誤，這就反映出了你的寫作功底有所不足。與懸垂介詞不同，我們應該儘量避免使用懸垂分詞。

在英語學習過程中，你可能並不喜歡學習語法，但是請不要灰心。一點一點進步，一次弄懂一天就可以，這樣你就會慢慢的熟練起來。在這12個語法小妙招裏，我們列出了英語學習者最常犯的錯誤。祝你好運！

來源：滬江英語