Mark my mistake

[chayanika]

Dear Teacher,

I work as a copywriter in Mumbai, India. Two days ago, I made a mistake and my boss pointed it out.

I wrote: Shall act being amazed that your friend has started modeling for underwear brands.

My Boss corrected: Shall 'act' surprised that that your friend has started modeling for underwear brands !!

Where was I wrong? Please tell me, else I shall unknowingly repeat the mistake.

[5jj]

Neither your version nor your boss's is a complete sentence, and neither makes sense. I don't understand what you mean by 'shall act'.

[chayanika]

First, thanks for replying ..
Actually I am working for a facebook promotional for a men's innerwear brand that has been launched shortly.

There I had posted a promotional question, which reads " Your famous underwear model friend has come to your home. However, your dad is at home too, reading a newspaper, which has your friend's ad on the front page. How will you introduce him?"

The question followed four options and one among them is my last message.

I hope this explanation will help you. Sorry for not explaining it on the first hand, as the term "underwear" will be vulgar.

[5jj]

The word 'underwear' is not at all vulgar.

I think you mean simply that you should act surprised, in which case the sentence is: "Act surprised that that your friend has started modelling (Br) for underwear brands !"

However, this is not a response to "How will you introduce him?", which asks for the words of introduction you will use. Perhaps you mean "How will you act when you introduce your friend?"

Warning. I know little about Indian English, and it is possible that your versions are acceptable in that variey.

[chayanika]

Thanks for helping me identify the mistake. But I find it sometimes confusing as to where I shall use "Being". This was the same problem.

And finally, your warning is little scary.

[Tdol]

And finally, your warning is little scary.

It's not a warning; it's simply that forms that are correct in one variant may seem strange or wrong in another,

The problem for me is that shall act has no subject and the inverted commas don't change that.

[5jj]

It's not a warning; it's simply that forms that are correct in one variant may seem strange or wrong in another,

Indeed.

I was suggesting that, while I am pretty reliable when it comes to talking about British English, I cannot be relied on when it comes to Indian English. It is possible that your sentence, chayanika, or that of your boss, is acceptable in Indian English. All I can say is that it is not acceptable in British English.

[chayanika]

In that case can you please tell me how to write the same in British English. Just imagine the same project and the same idea. How will it be produced then?

I just want to know the correct English form. Indian form of English is incorrect and I am quite aware of that. Since we are taught by Indian techers in schools and colleges we imbibe the same mistakes. I want to get rid of them and that is the reason of joining this forum.

Also I will be more than happy if you suggest some language books for me. Books that will help me acquire a good grip on the language (British of course).

[5jj]

In that case can you please tell me how to write the same in British English.

I made a couple of suggestions in post #4.

I just want to know the correct English form. The Indian form of English is incorrect and I am quite aware of that.

It is not incorrect. It is simply a different variety of English. British English forms would be inappropriate in an Indian context If your promotional material is to be used in India, then I suggest that you use Indian English.

[chayanika]

I want to write with perfect grammtical syntax as I wish to become a copyeditor in future. However, I am afraid that my writing is not proper (may be both for domestic as well as international readers). And so I required advice regarding books.