Date； 2006.09.11(Mon)
Regret, repent
As your vocabulary grows, you start to find words that are similar to ones you already know. Sometimes a dictionary can help you to understand how similar words are different, but it’s not always that easy. Let’s look at this time to a pair of those words that I know people have trouble with.
Let me start by telling you about a student who is in his late 30s and has a good job as a computer programmer with a big company, he was offered a different job a at small start-up company. He decided to change jobs and told me, “It’s risky. I hope he will not ‘repent’ it later.” I wouldn’t choose the word “repent” for this situation I think “regret” is a better choice.
When you repent something you did, you feel sorry for what you did. But I thing “regret” is more than simple “regret” because you feel so sorry that you decide to make changes in your life so that you’ll never do it again. I saw a program on TV about a man who teaches people how to make their homes safe from burglars. He used to be a burglar himself. One day several years ago he decided to stop stealing; he repent his life of crime. Did he regret stealing from people? Of course he did but he also repented because he changes his life and promised himself never steal again. My student can’t repent his decision to change jobs. Changing jobs is not a bad thing; you can only repent the bad things you’ve done. I hope he doesn’t regret his decision, but only time will tell.
Another way they are different is that you can regret things that you didn’t do. For example I regret not studying harder in the University; I regret I didn’t work harder, if I were still a student, then I might be able to repent and start studying harder. You can’t repent things you didn’t do you didn’t do any mistakes; you didn’t do anything wrong. Be sure to read my blog every time you can, if not you might regret it later. See you next time. Bye.
Date； 2006.08.27(Sun)
Hospitals
Life is full of process, life itself is a process: you’re born, you live, and then you die. Nobody looks forward to that last step in the process; that’s one of the reasons there’re hospitals. Let’s take a look at the steps involved with hospitals. Maybe knowing them will help to keep out of the hospital.
The first step is “go into a hospital.” Last year my mother had to go into a hospital, she was there for about a month. I often hear Japanese people say “enter the hospital.” I don’t want to say that it’s a mistake, but it always seems unusual to me. “Enter the hospital” sounds as if someone had walked into the hospital building, nothing more than that. I suppose the reason is that “go in to the hospital” is the most common phrase in American English. For some reason, British English does not use the definite article “the” in the phrase they say “go into hospital.” Sometimes you’ll see the “be admitted to the hospital.” It’s a more formal phrase. He went in to the hospital last Thursday. He was admitted into the hospital last Thursday. Notice how this step is one single time.
The next step is a long period of time, “be in” the hospital, then you’re in the hospital.
When my mom had her operation the doctor told me she would be in the hospital for a month. I went to visit her everyday and some times sleep all night in the chair next to her bed. If you’ve been in a hospital, you know what a boring life it is. I couldn’t wait to see mom “get out” of the hospital.”
That’s the last step, “get out” of the hospital.” It’s the one that all people who are in the hospital look forward to. While I was in the hospital taking care of my mom I heard some of the fellow patients ask their doctors, “Doctor, when can I get out of the hospital?” My mom got out of the hospital before they did. There are two other possibilities that are more formal: “be released from” and “be discharged from.” She was released from (was discharged from) the hospital. You might hear these on a news report or see them in written work, but they are not used very often in ordinary conversation.
Like I said earlier, I hope that knowing this keep you out of the hospital. Have a good day. See you next time. Bye!
The first step is “go into a hospital.” Last year my mother had to go into a hospital, she was there for about a month. I often hear Japanese people say “enter the hospital.” I don’t want to say that it’s a mistake, but it always seems unusual to me. “Enter the hospital” sounds as if someone had walked into the hospital building, nothing more than that. I suppose the reason is that “go in to the hospital” is the most common phrase in American English. For some reason, British English does not use the definite article “the” in the phrase they say “go into hospital.” Sometimes you’ll see the “be admitted to the hospital.” It’s a more formal phrase. He went in to the hospital last Thursday. He was admitted into the hospital last Thursday. Notice how this step is one single time.
The next step is a long period of time, “be in” the hospital, then you’re in the hospital.
When my mom had her operation the doctor told me she would be in the hospital for a month. I went to visit her everyday and some times sleep all night in the chair next to her bed. If you’ve been in a hospital, you know what a boring life it is. I couldn’t wait to see mom “get out” of the hospital.”
That’s the last step, “get out” of the hospital.” It’s the one that all people who are in the hospital look forward to. While I was in the hospital taking care of my mom I heard some of the fellow patients ask their doctors, “Doctor, when can I get out of the hospital?” My mom got out of the hospital before they did. There are two other possibilities that are more formal: “be released from” and “be discharged from.” She was released from (was discharged from) the hospital. You might hear these on a news report or see them in written work, but they are not used very often in ordinary conversation.
Like I said earlier, I hope that knowing this keep you out of the hospital. Have a good day. See you next time. Bye!
Date； 2006.03.31(Fri)
Travel, Trip, Journey, Voyage
The Golden week holidays are coming up soon and I know that many people are making traveling plans. How about you? Are you going on a trip, a journey, a voyage?
These similar words might cause confuse to some of you, so let’s talk about them. What a coincidence, isn’t it?
The nouns “travel” and “traveling” are usually used about the general activity of going from one place to another, especially for long distances and long periods of time: “we were exhausted after three months of train travel.” Or “ I haven’t really done much traveling,” are good examples of how to use the word “travel,” If someone moves from place to place over a period of time, you talk about someone’s travels: “tell us more about your travels in Europe.”
“Trip” is the more general of the four, and is probably the more common choice in conversation. Trips can be long or short. For example you can leave your son or daughter goes on an overnight trip, or you can go on a year-long trip around the world. Trip is a noun, and there are many possible choices of a verb to go with: go on a trip, make a trip and take a trip. If you want to include the destination, the place you are going to, in your sentence, use the preposition “to.” I know a few people who are going to take overnights trips to hot springs, and one lady who is making a one week -trip to Germany.
A Journey is also a trip, but the main difference is that is a longer one, and also that is usually overland. If you look up “journey” in your dictionary, you’ll see some simple sentences like a “two-day journey by car,” but there also should be something that point to a longer trip in the explanation. I saw some programs on TV a few days ago about traveling the Silk Road. That’s definitely a journey. Many people say that life is a journey. I hope mine is a long trip.
A voyage is almost the same as a journey, but it’s a trip on the ocean. Cruises in luxury passenger ships are popular with older people who have a lot of time that’s an excellent example of voyage. Everyone who saw the movie “Titanic” knows that it sank on its maiden voyage. “Voyage” is also used for travels in outer space. In fact, the space craft that took pictures of Saturn was called Voyager. That’s a long, long trip.
There’s one more thing I should mention. Don’t use “trip” as a verb when you’re talking about going places. The verb means to “stumble.” I tripped on a crack in the sidewalk and almost fell down. Tripping and taking a trip are different things. I don’t have any plans for Golden Week yet. I guess if I’m going to do something, I’d better hurry up. See you next time. Bye!
These similar words might cause confuse to some of you, so let’s talk about them. What a coincidence, isn’t it?
The nouns “travel” and “traveling” are usually used about the general activity of going from one place to another, especially for long distances and long periods of time: “we were exhausted after three months of train travel.” Or “ I haven’t really done much traveling,” are good examples of how to use the word “travel,” If someone moves from place to place over a period of time, you talk about someone’s travels: “tell us more about your travels in Europe.”
“Trip” is the more general of the four, and is probably the more common choice in conversation. Trips can be long or short. For example you can leave your son or daughter goes on an overnight trip, or you can go on a year-long trip around the world. Trip is a noun, and there are many possible choices of a verb to go with: go on a trip, make a trip and take a trip. If you want to include the destination, the place you are going to, in your sentence, use the preposition “to.” I know a few people who are going to take overnights trips to hot springs, and one lady who is making a one week -trip to Germany.
A Journey is also a trip, but the main difference is that is a longer one, and also that is usually overland. If you look up “journey” in your dictionary, you’ll see some simple sentences like a “two-day journey by car,” but there also should be something that point to a longer trip in the explanation. I saw some programs on TV a few days ago about traveling the Silk Road. That’s definitely a journey. Many people say that life is a journey. I hope mine is a long trip.
A voyage is almost the same as a journey, but it’s a trip on the ocean. Cruises in luxury passenger ships are popular with older people who have a lot of time that’s an excellent example of voyage. Everyone who saw the movie “Titanic” knows that it sank on its maiden voyage. “Voyage” is also used for travels in outer space. In fact, the space craft that took pictures of Saturn was called Voyager. That’s a long, long trip.
There’s one more thing I should mention. Don’t use “trip” as a verb when you’re talking about going places. The verb means to “stumble.” I tripped on a crack in the sidewalk and almost fell down. Tripping and taking a trip are different things. I don’t have any plans for Golden Week yet. I guess if I’m going to do something, I’d better hurry up. See you next time. Bye!
Date； 2006.03.23(Thu)
Checkup, Check
As I get older, I seem to be talking to people more often about health. Why don’t we do the same thing? Let’s take a look to some of the things people often talk about. There’s an old saying that goes, “if you have your health, then you have everything.”
Most of people I know tell me they have a check every year. That’s a smart thing to do. Finding problems early often means that they are easier to take care of. There’s only one problem with this; the word “check.” In English we use the word “checkup” to refer to this general physical examination. Many foreign words are shortened when they became part of the Japanese Language. Maybe this is the reason the “up” got dropped. Anyway, make sure that you use the the right word. The series of test is called “checkup,” not a “check”.
There’re health things that you can check. For example, my family has a history of high blood pressure. Almost all my relatives have a problem with their blood pressure. I’ve been lucky so far. Still, I check my blood pressure when ever I have the chance. I’m sure you've seen the machines that let you check it yourself. It’s very simple to do, and it only takes a minute or two to check it.
I often heard the word “blood” mispronounced; the –ood part sounds like –ud in mud. Many people see the ood part and pronounce it like the word “food.” Don’t do this. It’s not correct.
When you check your blood pressure, you get two numbers: a high one and a low one. I’m sure that doctors have a specific name for them, but that’s not really necessary for us to know. When you want to talk about your blood pressure, use the word “over.” In fact, I checked my blood pressure last week. The high number was 129, the low one was 85. My blood pressure was 129 over 85. Apparently that’s OK for my age.
Most of people I know tell me they have a check every year. That’s a smart thing to do. Finding problems early often means that they are easier to take care of. There’s only one problem with this; the word “check.” In English we use the word “checkup” to refer to this general physical examination. Many foreign words are shortened when they became part of the Japanese Language. Maybe this is the reason the “up” got dropped. Anyway, make sure that you use the the right word. The series of test is called “checkup,” not a “check”.
There’re health things that you can check. For example, my family has a history of high blood pressure. Almost all my relatives have a problem with their blood pressure. I’ve been lucky so far. Still, I check my blood pressure when ever I have the chance. I’m sure you've seen the machines that let you check it yourself. It’s very simple to do, and it only takes a minute or two to check it.
I often heard the word “blood” mispronounced; the –ood part sounds like –ud in mud. Many people see the ood part and pronounce it like the word “food.” Don’t do this. It’s not correct.
When you check your blood pressure, you get two numbers: a high one and a low one. I’m sure that doctors have a specific name for them, but that’s not really necessary for us to know. When you want to talk about your blood pressure, use the word “over.” In fact, I checked my blood pressure last week. The high number was 129, the low one was 85. My blood pressure was 129 over 85. Apparently that’s OK for my age.
Date； 2006.03.14(Tue)
How to improve your English speaking ability
Even when day by day more Japanese people are able to understand an even speak English with an excellent fluency and good pronunciation, is well known how difficult it is to acquire and to keep that good level of speaking ability.
As for my experience I know well what the level of understanding of most Japanese is, Japanese people is learned in many subjects and English language is one of their favorites, so when I speak in English to a Japanese person for the first time, I know that he or she will understand maybe not much, but at least enough to give me the answer I need, how ever and because the sake of the Japanese, most of them always pretend not to understand a word, or to understand less of what they really understand, they know their lack of accuracy in their sentences or pronunciation and so they are afraid to speak out whatever their level is.
I’ve said many times that there’s two main things to do if you want to speak or improve your speaking English ability, one and the first is to study, and I’m sure that most of the Japanese have do so for long time, that’s why you can understand my words in this article, but the second thing that you most do, which is actually the cornerstone to really became to speak in English is TO PRACTICE, you need to practice what you have learned, much or few, you need to practice if you want to improve. This is a general statement. It’s true for speaking English and many other things, too. One needs to practice if one wants to improve. So don’t worry too much about making mistakes. The important thing is to try to communicate. Little by little you’ll get better.
Don’t worry about what the future will brings, that’s what makes life interesting.
As for my experience I know well what the level of understanding of most Japanese is, Japanese people is learned in many subjects and English language is one of their favorites, so when I speak in English to a Japanese person for the first time, I know that he or she will understand maybe not much, but at least enough to give me the answer I need, how ever and because the sake of the Japanese, most of them always pretend not to understand a word, or to understand less of what they really understand, they know their lack of accuracy in their sentences or pronunciation and so they are afraid to speak out whatever their level is.
I’ve said many times that there’s two main things to do if you want to speak or improve your speaking English ability, one and the first is to study, and I’m sure that most of the Japanese have do so for long time, that’s why you can understand my words in this article, but the second thing that you most do, which is actually the cornerstone to really became to speak in English is TO PRACTICE, you need to practice what you have learned, much or few, you need to practice if you want to improve. This is a general statement. It’s true for speaking English and many other things, too. One needs to practice if one wants to improve. So don’t worry too much about making mistakes. The important thing is to try to communicate. Little by little you’ll get better.
Don’t worry about what the future will brings, that’s what makes life interesting.
Date； 2006.03.01(Wed)
You !
I think many Japanese people are too worried about making mistakes when they are speaking English. Some are so worried that they never say anything. That’s not good. You need to practice if you want to improve. One of the common mistakes that some people have is with “you”.
I suppose “you” is one the first words people learn when they began studying English. I’m sure you don’t need me to explain the basic meaning but, there’s a second meaning that some people find a little confusing. The word “you” can also refer to an unspecified person I general. Take a look at this example. “You never know what will happen in the future.” The “you” in this sentence is not you, the person reading this article in my blog right now. It’s a more general idea. If you look up “you” in the dictionary, you’ll see a second meaning, “one”. One never knows what will happen in the future.” The meaning with both of this is “a person doesn’t know, anybody knows.”
Now imagine that some one says, “You never know what the future will bring,” and you want to respond to that. This is when is common for people to make a mistake. What would you say, “No, I don’t,” but this is a mistake. If you say, “I don’t,” it means you are the only person who doesn’t know. Some people say, “No, we don’t,” but this is also a mistake, when you say “we,” you mean your group. The group you are in doesn’t know, but some other person or group might know. The way to respond to this is to say, “No you don’t,” or “No, one doesn’t.” remember the person who said this is not referring to you specifically; it’s a general statement that is true for anyone.
In the first paragraph, I said you need to practice if you want to improve. This is a general statement. It’s true for speaking English and many other things, too. One needs to practice if one wants to improve. So don’t worry too much about making mistakes. The important thing is to try to communicate. Little by little you’ll get better.
Don’t worry about what the future will brings, that’s what makes life interesting.
I suppose “you” is one the first words people learn when they began studying English. I’m sure you don’t need me to explain the basic meaning but, there’s a second meaning that some people find a little confusing. The word “you” can also refer to an unspecified person I general. Take a look at this example. “You never know what will happen in the future.” The “you” in this sentence is not you, the person reading this article in my blog right now. It’s a more general idea. If you look up “you” in the dictionary, you’ll see a second meaning, “one”. One never knows what will happen in the future.” The meaning with both of this is “a person doesn’t know, anybody knows.”
Now imagine that some one says, “You never know what the future will bring,” and you want to respond to that. This is when is common for people to make a mistake. What would you say, “No, I don’t,” but this is a mistake. If you say, “I don’t,” it means you are the only person who doesn’t know. Some people say, “No, we don’t,” but this is also a mistake, when you say “we,” you mean your group. The group you are in doesn’t know, but some other person or group might know. The way to respond to this is to say, “No you don’t,” or “No, one doesn’t.” remember the person who said this is not referring to you specifically; it’s a general statement that is true for anyone.
In the first paragraph, I said you need to practice if you want to improve. This is a general statement. It’s true for speaking English and many other things, too. One needs to practice if one wants to improve. So don’t worry too much about making mistakes. The important thing is to try to communicate. Little by little you’ll get better.
Don’t worry about what the future will brings, that’s what makes life interesting.
Date； 2006.02.21(Tue)
Housing
Housing is an important part of our lives, so it’s only natural that people often ask questions about it. Let’s take a look at one question that a few different people have asked me.
I think most people already know that the Japanese term “mansion” has a completely different meaning in English. When English speakers hear the word “mansion,” we think of a huge house: at least 10 or 15 rooms and probably bigger, place with swimming pool in the backyard. Movie starts and very wealthy people live in mansions. But many people who lives in a “mansion” in Japan ask me, “I know it’s not a mansion but what do I call it?”
I thing there are two possibilities; one of them is an apartment. This answer often surprise people. I think many of them have the wrong imagine of an apartment. They usually image a building that is two or thee stories tall. It’s probably made of wood and stucco (something like mortar). This is only one part of the actual meaning. Apartments come in all sizes and prices. There are inexpensive apartments like the one most people imagine, but there are also luxury apartments that cost thousands of dollars a month to rent. Although there are some exceptions, apartments are usually rented. The tenant, a word that means “the person renting or living in the apartment,” does not own it. For example, you could tell someone, “I live in a five-story apartment building. My apartment is on the fourth floor.”
The other possibility is a condominium, o long word that is sometimes shortened to the more informal “condo.” This is a unit in the building that someone buys. They own the unit, and a portion of the common property of the building. I see advertisements for condominiums every weekend in my mailbox. If this is your type of housing, tell the people who ask, “I live in a condominium (condo).”
I think most people already know that the Japanese term “mansion” has a completely different meaning in English. When English speakers hear the word “mansion,” we think of a huge house: at least 10 or 15 rooms and probably bigger, place with swimming pool in the backyard. Movie starts and very wealthy people live in mansions. But many people who lives in a “mansion” in Japan ask me, “I know it’s not a mansion but what do I call it?”
I thing there are two possibilities; one of them is an apartment. This answer often surprise people. I think many of them have the wrong imagine of an apartment. They usually image a building that is two or thee stories tall. It’s probably made of wood and stucco (something like mortar). This is only one part of the actual meaning. Apartments come in all sizes and prices. There are inexpensive apartments like the one most people imagine, but there are also luxury apartments that cost thousands of dollars a month to rent. Although there are some exceptions, apartments are usually rented. The tenant, a word that means “the person renting or living in the apartment,” does not own it. For example, you could tell someone, “I live in a five-story apartment building. My apartment is on the fourth floor.”
The other possibility is a condominium, o long word that is sometimes shortened to the more informal “condo.” This is a unit in the building that someone buys. They own the unit, and a portion of the common property of the building. I see advertisements for condominiums every weekend in my mailbox. If this is your type of housing, tell the people who ask, “I live in a condominium (condo).”
Date； 2006.02.07(Tue)
Diet
If you look at the title of this article and though it was be about losing weight, you would only be partly right. Diet is much more than just shrinking your waistline. Let’s take a look at how diet affects health.
First of all, we need to talk about the word “diet.” It can be used as a noun or verb. When is used as a verb, it has the meaning of controlling the amount of food you eat to lose weight. If someone tells you, “I’m dieting,” don’t offer him a piece of chocolate cake for dessert. He’s trying to lose weight. I often hear people say, “I want to lose my weight.” The “my” in this sentence is not necessary, and it doesn’t make sense. After all, I can’t lose your weigh, you can’t lose my weight.
“Diet” as a noun can also have the same meaning. The Golden week’s holidays are in time for eating and drinking, I'm sure some of you will think, “I gained (put on) weight.” Maybe you'll decided go on a diet, to start dieting. After you start, then you are in a diet. If someone offers you a piece of chocolate cake for dessert, say “No, thanks. I’m on a diet.”
But there’s another meaning of the noun “diet” that has nothing to do with losing weight. Diet is the “usual food and drink of a person or animal.” Fish and rice are two main parts of the traditional Japanese diet. Bamboo is par of Japanese’s diet during this days. Many American teenagers live on a diet of fast food and soft drink.
In the Past article I talk about checkups. One of the thinks doctors usually check is your cholesterol level (sometimes called cholesterol number) is too high; it increases your risk of heart disease. Your doctor will probably suggest changing your diet: replacing fatty food with healthier food like fruit or vegetables. The doctor will also tell you to get 30 or 60 minutes of exercise every day, and, if you are an smoker, to stop smoking.
That’s sound like a good advice, even if high cholesterol is not a problem for you. Advice is easy to give but not easy to take. Enjoy Golden week holidays.!
First of all, we need to talk about the word “diet.” It can be used as a noun or verb. When is used as a verb, it has the meaning of controlling the amount of food you eat to lose weight. If someone tells you, “I’m dieting,” don’t offer him a piece of chocolate cake for dessert. He’s trying to lose weight. I often hear people say, “I want to lose my weight.” The “my” in this sentence is not necessary, and it doesn’t make sense. After all, I can’t lose your weigh, you can’t lose my weight.
“Diet” as a noun can also have the same meaning. The Golden week’s holidays are in time for eating and drinking, I'm sure some of you will think, “I gained (put on) weight.” Maybe you'll decided go on a diet, to start dieting. After you start, then you are in a diet. If someone offers you a piece of chocolate cake for dessert, say “No, thanks. I’m on a diet.”
But there’s another meaning of the noun “diet” that has nothing to do with losing weight. Diet is the “usual food and drink of a person or animal.” Fish and rice are two main parts of the traditional Japanese diet. Bamboo is par of Japanese’s diet during this days. Many American teenagers live on a diet of fast food and soft drink.
In the Past article I talk about checkups. One of the thinks doctors usually check is your cholesterol level (sometimes called cholesterol number) is too high; it increases your risk of heart disease. Your doctor will probably suggest changing your diet: replacing fatty food with healthier food like fruit or vegetables. The doctor will also tell you to get 30 or 60 minutes of exercise every day, and, if you are an smoker, to stop smoking.
That’s sound like a good advice, even if high cholesterol is not a problem for you. Advice is easy to give but not easy to take. Enjoy Golden week holidays.!
Date； 2006.01.22(Sun)
‘is’ or ‘are’
I always encourage people to ask questions. In fact, asking questions is the best way to get the information you want. That’s true most of the time. But once in a while, the answer you get may not be what you want to hear.
Students often ask me things they have heard. Many of them have asked me about Government.
But not as a political question; it’s a question about using the word. They tell me some people say the government are going to do something; others say the government is going do something. And naturally their question is, “which one is correct; ‘is’ or ‘are’?” All that I can tell them is, it depends on the person you ask.
“Government “is a good example of collective noun. In British English, collective nouns usually take a plural verb. I suppose they’re thinking of all the individual members in the government, so they use “are”. In American English, collective nouns usually take a singular verb. We think of the government as a unit, as a whole, so we say the government “is”. A British person will tell you his or her way is correct. Americans will tell you their way is correct. It depends on who you ask. Some other collective nouns are: committee, company, group, family, public and team.
You also see the same difference when talking about companies. For example, British people will say NTT are developing a new product. Americans will say NTT is developing a new product. Which is correct? It depends of who will give you the answer.
You should choose one of the ways and then be consistent. Do it the same way all the time. One thing you do need to be careful about is making sure that all the
Parts in a sentence agree. For example, if you choose the American English way, the team is playing its exhibition games in Florida. If you choose the British way, the committee are going to make their decision next week.
That’s all about collective nouns, don’t be discourage if you don’t get the answer you want, English is a global language which is spoken in many different countries and each one has its own way. Keep asking questions that’s the important thing.
Students often ask me things they have heard. Many of them have asked me about Government.
But not as a political question; it’s a question about using the word. They tell me some people say the government are going to do something; others say the government is going do something. And naturally their question is, “which one is correct; ‘is’ or ‘are’?” All that I can tell them is, it depends on the person you ask.
“Government “is a good example of collective noun. In British English, collective nouns usually take a plural verb. I suppose they’re thinking of all the individual members in the government, so they use “are”. In American English, collective nouns usually take a singular verb. We think of the government as a unit, as a whole, so we say the government “is”. A British person will tell you his or her way is correct. Americans will tell you their way is correct. It depends on who you ask. Some other collective nouns are: committee, company, group, family, public and team.
You also see the same difference when talking about companies. For example, British people will say NTT are developing a new product. Americans will say NTT is developing a new product. Which is correct? It depends of who will give you the answer.
You should choose one of the ways and then be consistent. Do it the same way all the time. One thing you do need to be careful about is making sure that all the
Parts in a sentence agree. For example, if you choose the American English way, the team is playing its exhibition games in Florida. If you choose the British way, the committee are going to make their decision next week.
That’s all about collective nouns, don’t be discourage if you don’t get the answer you want, English is a global language which is spoken in many different countries and each one has its own way. Keep asking questions that’s the important thing.
Date； 2006.01.12(Thu)
Economy
A number of students have asked me to explain the word “economy”. Maybe the reason is because the economy in Japan is improving. That’s good news for all of us.
One of the meanings of the noun “economy” is the “careful, thrifty use of money and resources.” If you follow a household budget, economy is your goal. “Thrifty” is a good word to remember. The connotation, the feeling of “thrifty” is very positive. A thrifty person uses money very carefully, wisely. Word like “stingy” and “tight” have a very negative connotation, Stingy (tight) people never want to use money.
Bu there’s s till another meaning to “Economy”, the one in the fist paragraph, the economy in Japan. Notice how it uses “the”. When you talk about the general business situation, make sure to say “the” economy”.
The scientific study of economy is called economies. (Don’t forget the –s) I took some economies courses in the collage. The people who are trained in this science are called economist.
There’re three different adjective forms of “economy”, so it can be a little confusing. One of them is the same as the noun. It often refers to classes or types. I went to the USA over the New Year’s holyday. I flew Economy Class. It was the lowest price, but not very comfortable. I rented an Economy car when I was there.
The adjective “economic” usually refers to things related to economics or money in general. GDP (gross domestic product) is an economic term. A t last, we are seeing economic grow in Japan. I couldn’t fly business class for economic reasons.
The last adjective form “economical” refers to saving money. The car I rented was small; it got good gas mileage. It was more economical to drive than a larger car. New air-conditioners are economical then older ones: they use less electricity.
One of the meanings of the noun “economy” is the “careful, thrifty use of money and resources.” If you follow a household budget, economy is your goal. “Thrifty” is a good word to remember. The connotation, the feeling of “thrifty” is very positive. A thrifty person uses money very carefully, wisely. Word like “stingy” and “tight” have a very negative connotation, Stingy (tight) people never want to use money.
Bu there’s s till another meaning to “Economy”, the one in the fist paragraph, the economy in Japan. Notice how it uses “the”. When you talk about the general business situation, make sure to say “the” economy”.
The scientific study of economy is called economies. (Don’t forget the –s) I took some economies courses in the collage. The people who are trained in this science are called economist.
There’re three different adjective forms of “economy”, so it can be a little confusing. One of them is the same as the noun. It often refers to classes or types. I went to the USA over the New Year’s holyday. I flew Economy Class. It was the lowest price, but not very comfortable. I rented an Economy car when I was there.
The adjective “economic” usually refers to things related to economics or money in general. GDP (gross domestic product) is an economic term. A t last, we are seeing economic grow in Japan. I couldn’t fly business class for economic reasons.
The last adjective form “economical” refers to saving money. The car I rented was small; it got good gas mileage. It was more economical to drive than a larger car. New air-conditioners are economical then older ones: they use less electricity.