Seguidores

segunda-feira, 21 de maio de 2012

Inglês-vocabulário


a part vs
a part

Apart (adv) separated by distance or time.

For example: I always feel so lonely when we're apart.

A part(noun) a piece of something that forms the whole of something.

For example: They made me feel like I was a part of the family.




assume
vs
know
vs
think

To assume is a regular verb that means to suppose something to be the true, but without proof.

For example: I assume you're here to learn English.

To know is an irregular verb that means to be absolutely certain or sure about something, usually through observation, inquiry, or information.

For example: I know I should practise English every day, but I never seem to have the time.

To think is an irregular verb that means to have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something.

For example: I think English is a global language.

!Note - If you need to remember which one to use, memorise this sentence:-


Why do some people assume they know what other people think about something?













data

vs

datum

This isn't so much a common mistake as a common cause for arguments (as is often the case with words of Latin origin).

The dictionaries treat data as a group noun, meaning information, especially facts or numbers, collected for examination and consideration and used to help decision-making, or meaning information in an electronic form that can be stored and processed by a computer.

Then they go on to confuse matters by giving the following kind of example:-

The data was/were reviewed before publishing.

So, which is it, was or were? Strictly speaking 'datum' is the singular form and 'data' is the plural form.

If you're writing for an academic audience, particularly in the sciences, "data" takes a plural verb.

For example:-

The data are correct.

But most people treat 'data' as a singular noun, especially when talking about computers etc.

For example:-

The data is being transferred from my computer to yours.

And I have to be honest, I've never heard anyone ask for a datum.






of course
vs
off course

Of course is an informal way of saying 'yes' or to give someone permission to do something.

For example:-

Student: Can I have some extra homework?
Me: Of course you can.

Off course is used when a vehicle doesn't follow a planned, or intended, route.

For example:-

Tapes recovered from the airliner's cockpit voice recorder indicate that the crew were unaware that they were off course and violating Soviet airspace.























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