Question/Problem/Issue
中文說「我有一個問題」，很多人會不自覺用出I've a problem，而其實你是指"I have a question"。中文的「問題」，可以對應到question，problem，還有issue。怎麼找到正確的對應呢?
- I have a question. (問題=疑問)
- The scale of the problem is massive....(問題=麻煩)
- There are still some issues to talk about....(問題=議題)
Amount/number
中文說「出席的人數很多」，你會用amount還是number? amount抽象地指整體的量很大，不可數；number是你實際上數得出來的很多。
- (X) I was amazed by the amount of people present.
- (O) I was amazed by the number of people present.
- (O) The amount of money needed was soon collect.
Custom / habit
- (X)The teacher has a custom of clearing his throat before he speaks. (這位老師習慣在說話前先清一下喉嚨。)
custom 通常是指一個地方的『風俗習慣』，多半由文化積累所形成。
如：local / traditional customs (當地/傳統習俗)。個人的生活習慣需用 habit 。華人經常把approach(方式)、habit(習慣)和custom(習俗)搞混。 - (O) The teacher has a habit of clearing his ! throat before he speaks.
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