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MAKING AN ENGLISH PRESENTATION

COMMON SPEAKING ERRORS

Native-Chinese speakers who learn English as a second language can make errors for many reasons including a lack of vocabulary, understanding correct grammar or incorrect word order. Once someone masters correct grammar and develops a good vocabulary, however, students can continue to make mistakes because of a lack of knowing idioms, commonly used phrases and some differences between Chinese words and their direct translation into English.

The following sentences include some of the most common errors that come from directly translating Chinese into English. Try to find the errors and make the proper correction.

1.		The money is not enough.
2.		“Please notice all the staff that we will have a meeting tomorrow.”
3.		Happened something yesterday.
4.		“Last night I joined a meeting.”
5.		“This morning I heard a news.”
6.		“Yesterday the managing director to Taichung.”
7.		“When did he back?”
8.		“Do you know where is the restroom?”
9.		The salesperson took sample and digital recorder to meeting with his customer.
10.		(Two people are talking to each other in a meeting room.) “Excuse me a moment. The words on this document are too small. I need to go to my office and take my glasses.”
11.		There is no any money.
12.		“My friend she is a software engineer.”
13.		“It is a long time haven't seen you.”
14.		“Can you call me back two hours later?”
15.		I will send my guest from Singapore to the airport.
16.		The manager received a phone from the Asian Pacific HR Director
17.		“I am going to contact with my customer tomorrow.”
18.		“We are making more money in this year.”
19.		“Can we make business with that customer?”
20.		“It looks like I have some wrong on this document I prepared.”
21.		“Thank you very much for your help.” “Never mind.”
22.		“Where are you come from?”
23.		She is a staff in the Sales Department.
24.		“Is she a sales?” “Yes, she is.”
25.		“He is our top one salesperson.”
26.		“I was graduated from Taipei Normal University.”
27.		“No this word in the dictionary.”
28.		“I will go to Hong Kong next next Wednesday.”
29.		“That is a trouble.”
30.		“I bought a new Nokia cell phone yesterday. It was cheaper.”
31.		James bought a Motorola cell phone last week. It was more cheaper than his Ericsson
32.		“My battery is used up.”
33.		“Can we meet at 3 p.m.? Is it too rush for you?”
34.		(On the phone) “Hi, Sam. Are you available now?”
35.		“My cell phone screen is dirty.” “Change another one.”
		Common speaking errors - corrections