Though Filipinos are among the most fluent English speakers in the world, one comes across common blunders in English conversation. Though these may sound funny, conscious effort must be made to correct these grammatical errors. It will do well for schools to upgrade the English language skills of their teachers whose responsibility is to teach children proper and fluent communication.
Sheila Viesca, Talkshop CEO enumerates some examples:
1. Ma’am/Sir. The words automatically go together for people in service industries. These sound servile. Addressing someone by his name like Mr. Reyes, Ms. Santos, Mrs. Cruz is more businesslike and acceptable.
2. More + -er adjective (more nicer, more better, more brighter) – Drop the “more” as the comparative form with the suffix “er” will suffice.
3. Wrong use of modals (“I will going to, She can able to). The correct form is “I am going to…”, “She can…” It is best to review correct usage of helping verbs and modals.
4. Use of tag questions after sentences ( “no?”, “e”, “di ba”). It will be best to lose this habit.
5. Pluralizing words that should that have no plural form. These include “equipment,” “furniture,” “feedback,” homework,” “information,” “scenery,” “houseware,” “silverware,” “glassware.”
6. Use of fillers like “actually, ” “basically,” “really”, “like”, “you know,” and “I mean” which do not mean anything. Strike out these words from your conversation.
7. Use of “anyways”. Ditch this word. Say “anyway.”
8. “Taken cared of”. The only verb is “taken,” in the past participle form. The correct form is “taken care of.”
9. “Fill up,” “Fill out.” It is correct to say “One fills up a pitcher, ” and “Fill out the form.”
10. Redundant phrases – “Stand up,” “Sit down,” “Not unless,” “Trickle down,” “Color pink. “
Say “Please stand,” “Have a seat,” “Unless,” Trickle,” and “Pink.”
Viesca reiterates, “For one to attain fluency, it is best to “Think English” and “Speak English”. Nothing beats observing integrity in language use and constant practice of right expressions to gain the habit of speaking with fluency and confidence. TalkShop, the leading communication training facility in Makati offers Grammar Mastery, Conversation Expertise, and Public Speaking courses to leverage one’s chances for success.
www.talkshop.ph | (632) 894 5588 | “GRAMMAR MASTERY, CONVERSATION EXPERTISE, SPPECH ELOQUENCE, PUBLIC SPEAKING”
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