1. May I have your attentions, please? (x)
May I have your attention, please? (√)
attention作“注意(力)”解時,是不可數(shù)名詞。若指對異性“獻殷勤” ,則常用復數(shù)形式attentions,如:I'm fed up with his attentions.(我受不了他對我直獻殷勤。)
2. Children usually have a short attentive span.(x)
Children usually have a short attention span. (√)
attentive是形容詞,意為“專注(聽講)的”,如:an attentive audience就是指一群專心聽講的聽眾。這個詞只能形容人,不能形容事物。attention span是指“專注的一段時間”,為固定用法。
3. The TV show attracted millions of spectators.(x)
The TV show attracted an audience of millions. (√)
spectator通常是指“到現(xiàn)場看比賽或其他活動的觀眾”,如:The spectators at the boxing match are all very excited(看這場拳擊賽的觀眾都很亢奮。)audience本身是集合名詞,專指一群看電影/電視或聽演講的觀眾。另外,專指看電視的觀眾還可以用viewers)這個詞。
4. I'd like to become an author.(x)
I'd like to become a writer. (√)
author專指已有作品發(fā)表或出版的作者“本人”,通常須用形容詞(詞組)加以限定,如:He has become a famous author.(他己經(jīng)成為一個名作家。)或She is the author of 16 best-sellers.(她是16本暢銷書的作者。)單指作家的“身份”時,用write這個詞。
5. None of us dare question his authorities.(x)
None of us dare question his authority. (√)
authority作“權威/權勢”解時,是不可數(shù)名詞;作“權威人物”解時,是可數(shù)名詞,如:Mr. Murphy is an authority on pathology.(墨菲先生是病理學的權威。)指“主管當局”時,用the authorities,如:The health authorities have adopted drastic measures to fight against SARS.(衛(wèi)生主管當局已經(jīng)采取強硬措施來對抗SARS。)
6. Amy's performance tonight is above the average.(x)
Amy's performance tonight is above average.(√)
be above / about / below average意為“水準以上/左右/以下”.是固定用法,average前不加冠詞。至于the / an average,通常要接名詞或of+名詞于其后,如:The average temperature in Shanghai last month was 28C.(上海上個月的平均氣溫是28C。) 或I spend an average of 2.000 dollars on books per month.(我平均每月花兩千美元買書。)
7. The government has taken action to avoid the spread of bird flu.(x)
The government has taken action to prevent the spread of bird flu. (√)
avoid是“避開”或“刻意不去做某事”的意思,如:Avoid the park after dark.(天黑后別去那個公園。)Try to avoid exposing your skin to the sun.(盡量避免將你的皮膚暴露在陽光下。)prevent + N 或 prevent sb / sth from V-ing是“阻止/防止某事發(fā)生”的意思。
8. Before the alarm clock went off, I was akeady widely awake.(x)
Before the alarm clock went off, I was already wide awake. (√)
be wide awake=be completely awake,是“完全清醒”的意思,固定用法。
9. The reward for this year's best actor went to Tom Cruise.(x)
The award for this year's best actor went to Tom Cruise. (√)
reward是“酬勞”的意思,如:He was given a reward for helping the police solve the crime.(他因幫助警方破案而獲得一筆酬勞。) award是某人因表現(xiàn)杰出而獲頒的“獎項”。
10. The wedding is only two weeks to come.(x)
The wedding is only two weeks away. (√)
three weeks / two days away 表“再過三星期/兩天就到了”,為固定用法。