托福寫作：發(fā)英文郵件時(shí)的實(shí)用貼士

The growing ubiquity of e-mail means that everyone in business, from lords of finance to programmers who dream in code, needs to write intelligently. By using simple, clear, precise language–and following a few other basic writing rules–you can become a better communicator.

電子郵件的普及意味著在商務(wù)環(huán)境中的每個(gè)人，上至財(cái)務(wù)總管，下至以代碼為夢(mèng)的程序員，都需要寫得一手好的電子郵件。使用簡(jiǎn)單，明晰，精準(zhǔn)的語(yǔ)言，再遵循一些基本的寫作規(guī)則，你就可能成為一個(gè)良好的溝通者。

1. Put metaphors on the back burner.

1. 不要優(yōu)先考慮比喻

Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech that you often see in print.

在常見的一些打印出來(lái)的文檔中，不要使用隱喻、明喻或其他修辭。

2. Use simple, concrete language.

2. 使用簡(jiǎn)單，具體的語(yǔ)言。

Never use a long word where a short one will do. More often than not, an everyday word is better than a bookish one. Use simple, clear, precise language. Instead of mentioning “the current situation,” explain exactly what it is.

竟可能使用短的詞語(yǔ)。很多情況下，日常詞匯要比書面詞匯更好。使用簡(jiǎn)單、清晰、準(zhǔn)確的語(yǔ)言。提及“現(xiàn)狀“這個(gè)詞的時(shí)候，應(yīng)當(dāng)解釋它到底是什么。

3. Omit needless words.

3. 刪除不必要的詞語(yǔ)。

Be ruthless about self-editing. If you don’t need a word, cut it.

在自查的時(shí)候應(yīng)當(dāng)毫不留情。如果你不需要一個(gè)詞，那就大膽丟掉它。

4. Stay active.

4. 使用主動(dòng)語(yǔ)態(tài)。

Never use the passive verb where you can use an active verb instead. Active verbs help energize your prose. Instead of writing “The meeting was led by Tom,” write “Tom led the meeting.”

竟可能使用主動(dòng)語(yǔ)態(tài)。主動(dòng)語(yǔ)態(tài)可以讓你的行文更加有力。寫“會(huì)議是由湯姆主持,”倒不如寫“湯姆主持會(huì)議。”

5. Use English.

5. 使用 英語(yǔ)

Never use jargon, a foreign phrase or a scientific word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent. Using jargon is lazy, and it clouds the message that you’re trying to deliver. Using foreign language makes you look like a showoff.

能找到常見的替代詞，就不要去用那些難懂的術(shù)語(yǔ)，外來(lái)的或者科技類的詞語(yǔ)。使用難懂的術(shù)語(yǔ)是懶惰的一種表現(xiàn)，這也使得你更難傳達(dá)自己的信息。使用外語(yǔ)也會(huì)讓人覺得你在賣弄。

6. Curb your enthusiasm.

6. 別過(guò)于熱情

Avoid overusing exclamation points. Use professional sign offs like “Best” or “Regards” instead of something cutesy like “xoxo.”

避免過(guò)度使用感嘆號(hào)。文末應(yīng)當(dāng)使用"Best"或者“Regards"這樣的字眼，而不是"xoxo"這樣的故作姿態(tài)的符號(hào)。

7. Match your subject to your pronoun and verb.

7. 主謂一致

This tip sounds obvious, but people often get it wrong. The number of the subject (whether it’s singular or plural) determines the number of the verb. Use a singular verb form–and pronoun– after nobody, someone, everybody, neither, everyone, each, either.

這個(gè)聽起來(lái)容易做起來(lái)難。主語(yǔ)的單復(fù)數(shù)決定了謂語(yǔ)的單復(fù)數(shù)。在nobody, someone, everybody, neither, everyone, each other這樣的主語(yǔ)后面使用單數(shù)形式的動(dòng)詞和代詞。

8. Limit your use of adverbs

8. 減少副詞的使用量

Use a strong verb instead of a weak verb and an adverb. Instead of writing “Sales grew quickly,” try “Sales accelerated.”

使用效果強(qiáng)烈的動(dòng)詞，代替效果弱的動(dòng)詞或副詞。試著用"Sales accelerated" 代替"Sales grew quickly."

9. Know when to use “that” and “which.”

9. “that” 和“which"應(yīng)當(dāng)區(qū)分開來(lái)

“That” usually introduces essential information in what is called a “restrictive clause.” “Which” introduces extra information in a “nonrestrictive clause.” Here’s an example: “I’m interested in speaking with you about our new product, which has the potential to increase sales.” The second clause provides extra information, and it isn’t essential to the first clause. Therefore, “which” is correct. In a sentence such as “Computers are the only products that we sell,” the clause “that we sell” is essential to the meaning of the sentence, so the correct word is “that.” You can’t remove the “that” clause without changing the meaning of the sentence.

“that”通常適用于“限制定語(yǔ)從句”用于說(shuō)明重要信息。"Which “用在”非限制性定語(yǔ)從句”中，來(lái)補(bǔ)充說(shuō)明額外的信息。這里有一個(gè)例子:““I’m interested in speaking with you about our new product, which has the potential to increase sales.”第二個(gè)從句提供了額外的細(xì)信息，對(duì)于第一個(gè)從句來(lái)說(shuō)它是次要的。因此,“which”是正確的。在這樣的句子中：“Computers are the only products that we sell,”。“that we sell” 對(duì)于句子的意思來(lái)說(shuō)是次要的。所以“that”是正確的。如果拿掉“that"后面的從句，就那么整句話的意思也是會(huì)被改變的。

10. Don’t confuse “affect” and “effect.”

10. 不要把“affect”和“effect”混淆

Affect is a verb that means “to influence.” “Effect” is a noun that means “result.” “The weather affects our ability to travel, and had a terrible effect on our flight to New York.”

影響是一個(gè)動(dòng)詞,意思是“影響”。“effect”是一個(gè)名詞,意思是“結(jié)果”。“The weather affects our ability to travel, and had a terrible effect on our flight to New York.”