Some common mistakes made by Chinese English learners



Chinese Style: It was so late there was no taxi.
　　American Style: It was so late that there was no taxi available.
　　
　　Chinese Style: Your coat is broken.
　　American Style: Your coat is torn.
　　
　　Chinese Style: Let me help you to do your work.
　　American Style: Let me help you with your work.
　　
　　Chinese Style: Susan didn’t make a fault anyway.
　　American Style: Susan didn’t make a mistake anyway.
　　
　　Chinese Style: He becomes better.
　　American Style: He got better.
　　
　　Chinese Style: I recommend you to take a long vacation.
　　American Style: I recommend that you take a long vacation.
　　
　　 Chinese Style: The last bus leaves at eleven o’clock. It’s about eleven now, Hurry up !
　　American Style: The last bus leaves at eleven o’clock. It’s nearly eleven now, Hurry up !
　　
　　Chinese Style: It was still bright outside.
　　American Style: It was still light outside.
　　
　　Chinese Style: The hall can seat two hundred people.
　　American Style: The hall seats two hundred people.
　　
　　Chinese Style: Anywhere will do.
　　American Style: Any place will do.
　　
　　Chinese Style: Wait here please, I’ll come back in a minute.
　　American Style: Wait here please, I’ll be back in a minute.
　　
　　Chinese Style: I am uncomfortable.
　　American Style: I don’t feel well.
　　
　　Chinese Style: Common students in US don’t wear a uniform.
　　American Style: The average student in US don’t wear a uniform.
　　
　　Chinese Style: Who cooked this salad ?
　　American Style: Who made this salad ?
　　
　　Chinese Style: His restaurant attracts lots of customers.
　　American Style: His restaurant attracts lots of guests.
　　
　　Chinese Style: My friend Tony died in a traffic accident.
　　American Style: My friend Tony was killed in a traffic accident.
　　
　　 Chinese Style: Different from me, she is proficient in English.
　　American Style: Unlike me, she is proficient in English.
　　
　　　
　　Chinese Style: Don’t step on the grass.
　　American Style: Keep off the grass.
　　
　　Chinese Style: I get my salary twice a month.
　　American Style: I get paid twice a month..
　　
　　Chinese Style: Would you like a drink ?
　　American Style: Would you like something to drink ?
　　
　　 Chinese Style: Let me examine your pulse. ～～～～
　　American Style: Let me feel your pulse.
　　
　　Chinese Style: I have no exercise talent.
　　American Style: I am not athletic.
　　
　　Chinese Style: Don’t expect me too much.
　　American Style: Don’t expect too much from (of ) me.
　　
　　Chinese Style: I know his face.
　　American Style: I know him by sight.
　　
　　Chinese Style: I forget my hat in the house.
　　American Style: I left my hat in the house.
　　
　　Chinese Style: Lend me some money, for instance 500 dollars, Lin
　　American Style: Lend me some money, say 500 dollars, Lin
　　
　　Chinese Style: I have a free time.
　　American Style: I am free.
　　
　　Chinese Style: The sun rises from the East.
　　American Style: The sun rises in the East.
　　
　　Chinese Style: The thief got in from the window.
　　American Style: The thief got in through the window.
　　
　　Chinese Style: Let’s begin from page 10.
　　American Style: Let’s begin at ( on ) page 10.
　　　
　　Chinese Style: I wanted to go to Europe last summer, but it was too expensive so I gave up to go.
　　American Style: I wanted to go to Europe last summer, but it was too expensive so I gave up the idea.
　　
　　Chinese Style: I’ll go there at three.
　　American Style: I’ll be there at three.
　　
　　Chinese Style: I am going back my home.
　　American Style: I am going home.
　　
　 　Chinese Style: His temperature went down。
　　American Style: His temperature came down.
　　
　　　
　　Chinese Style: Today’s newspapers has his articles on Taiwan.
　　American Style: Today’s newspapers carries his articles on Taiwan.
　　
　　Chinese Style: Give me money, if you have.
　　American Style: Give me money, if you have any.