科技英语写作中的典型错误 例 1 汉语原句 这种新方法具有效率高、容易调整的优点 英语错句 This kind of new method have the advantage of high efficiency, easy adjustment. 【错误分析】 (1)不用this kind of new method, 汉语中的“种”如果在英语中表示只有一种东西时,不能或不必译出来,如“一种算法”,“一种方法”,“一种元素”;(2)have→has;(3)优点有两个,所以advantages →advantage;(4)优点只有两个,所以之间的连接用and而不用“,”,更不能用“、” 改正后的句子 This new method has the advantages of high efficiency and easy adjustment.,例 2 汉语原句 本文首先讨论了这种信号的特点,然后讨论了它的产生 英语错句 This paper first discusses the features of this signal, and then its generation is described. 【错误分析】语法上,本句没错误。
但由于这是一个并列复合句,一般来说两个并列句中的语态(有时时态)应该一致所以做如下修改 改正后的句子 This paper first discusses the features of this signal, and then describes its generation. 本句最好采用下列句型:This paper begins with the discussion on the features of this signal, followed by the description of its generation.,例 3 汉语原句 这台设备的特点是操作简便、价格低廉 英语错句 The features of this device are easy in operation and low in price. 【错误分析】本句主语是features,所以其表语不能用easy in operation and low in price,而只能用名词短语,这叫做“主表对等”如果主语是具体的东西,我们就可以说This device is good in quality 改正后的句子 The features of this device are easy operation and low price. 比较好的一个句型是:This device is characterized by(its)easy operation and low price.,例 4 汉语原句 我们的方法与以前讨论同一问题的文章中所述的不同。
英语错句 Our method is different from previous articles discussed the same problem. 【错误分析】错误有两处1)比较对象不一致,主语是“方法”,而from后是“文章”;(2)discuss为及物动词,之后的the same problem是宾语,所以应该用现在分词,而不是过去分词另外“以前的文章”用previous articles不好,因为previous多指同一本书或同篇论文里表示的“前面的”;科技论文多用“paper” 改正后的句子 Our method is different from those presented(或 described)in the papers available(或 published before)on (或 discussing)the same problem.,例 5 汉语原句 只有通过对该系统性能的研究,我们才能了解它的优点 英语错句 Only through studied the performance of the system, its advantages can be understood. 【错误分析】错误有三处。
1)through是介词,所以其后不能接过去分词分词studied,科技文献常用“through+名词+of+~”或“by +动名词+~”表示“通过” ;(2)以“only+状语”开头,所以后面要发生部分倒装,can应该提前;(3)由于“研究”的主语是人,所以本句应该使用主动语态 改正后的句子 Only through the study of the performance of the system, can one(或we)understand(或appreciate)its advantages.,例 6 汉语原句 本文对提高打印速度和印字质量提供了一种计算机辅助设计手段 英语错句 This paper provided a kind of means of computer aid design for progressing the printing speed and the printing quality. 【错误分析】三个错误:(1)通常在使用“本文讨论了…”这种句型时,不用过去时而用一般现在时,所以provided不合适,最好用presents;(2)“一直机辅设计手段”就是CAD method;(3)progressing用词不对,因为progress做动词是不及物动词,提供速度要用increase,提供质量要用improve。
改正后的句子 This paper presents a CAD method for increasing the printing speed and improving the printing quality.,例 7 汉语原句 对构件的承载能力做了具体分析 英语错句 The detailed analysis of the ability of bearing loads of the components is given. 【错误分析】四处错误:(1)“分析”之前应该用不定冠词a;(2)“承载”是“carry loads”而不用 “bear loads”;(3) “作分析”表示为“make an analysis of”, “作研究”表示为“make a study of” , “作比较”表示为“make a comparison of” ;(4)能力ability之后加of加不定式复合结构做定语,如:能量被定义为物体做功的能力,译为Energy is defined as the ability of a body to do work,如:电容存储电荷的能力取决于几个因素,译为:The ability of a capacitor to store charge depends upon several factors。
改正后的句子 A detailed(或 concrete)analysis of the ability of the component to carry loads is made.,例 8 汉语原句 共有M个多边形,其顶点数均为N 英语错句 There are M polygons altogether, whose vertex number is all N. 【错误分析】定语从句中有两个错误:(1)vertex number意为顶点的号码,而顶点数应译为the number of vertexes;(2)这里不能使用all来表示“均”的含义,应该使用each来表示 改正后的句子 There are M polygons altogether, each of which has N vertexes. 虽然从语法角度来看,定语从句可以译成“the number of vertexes of each of which is N.” 但这种表示法不好,显得很繁琐例 9 汉语原句 这个方法需要精确的定位,这就使得它的实现具有一定的难度 英语错句 This method requires accurate location and this makes its realization have a little difficulty. 【错误分析】have a little difficulty属于中式英文,建议使用somewhat difficult。
另外句中用and显得比较松散,建议使用which引导非限制性定语从句或使用分词短语表示结果状语 改正后的句子 This method requires accurate location, thus making(或which makes)its realization somewhat difficult.,例 10 汉语原句 对A的识别和对B的确定是使用这一方法的先决条件 英语错句 The recognition of A and determining B are the prerequisite for the use of this method. 【错误分析】本句的主语有两个,一个用了名词短语,而另一个则用了动名词短语,这就造成了“非平行结构”,应该让两者统一;另外,prerequisite应采用复数形式,所以在它之后加s 改正后的句子 The recognition of A and the determination of B are the prerequisites for the use of this method.,例 11 汉语原句 最后提出了实现这种方法应注意的一些问题和解决方法。
英语错句 At last, we provided some problems that could be noted in implementing this method and solving ways. 【错误分析】三个错误:(1)表示“最后”英美人只用finally,at last或in the end均只能表示“最终”的意思,finally表示几项中的最后一项;(2)provided不该用过去时,而最好用present一词来表示;(3)solving ways是中文式英语,解决方法应该用solution来表示;(4)“应注意”最好用deserve to be noted 改正后的句子 Finally, some problems that deserve to be noted in implementing this method and their solution are presented.,例 12 汉语原句 由于缺陷的存在,构件的疲劳寿命将大大降低 英语错句 Because of the existing of the defect, the fatigue life of the components will decrease very much. 【错误分析】三个错误:(1) existing应改为existence,原则是有名词就不要动名词形式;(2)will decrease 应该为被动形式will be decreased, 因为它是外界因素造成的;(3)very much应该为greatly。
改正后的句子 Because of(或Due to)the existence of the defect, the fatigue life of the components will be decreased(或shortened)greatly.,例 13 汉语原句 并讨论了这一方法与扫描法相比的优点 英语错句 As compared with the scanning method, the advantages of this method has discussed also. 【错误分析】三个错误:(1) “与~相比”会使用固定短语“(as) compared with”,可是在“优点”“缺点”等名词后面应使用固定搭配介词over来表示“与~相比”这一概念;(2)本句主语是advantages,所以谓语应该使用have而不是has;(3)“讨论”应该用被动语态 改正后的句子 The advantages of this method over the scanning method have also been discussed.,。