shimacatu_sa
VIP Member
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2017
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Japanese
- Home Country
- Japan
- Current Location
- Japan
Hi, could someone please check my essay below?
I am not a student, so the essay is neither for homework nor exam. The reason why I write essays is to improve my English so that I can sound more natural in both speaking and writing. I am trying to find my own style that I feel comfortable with, just like the one I have in my native language. While natural, clear, and pleasant English is my goal, I would rather sound casual than too rigid or formal. I'd appreciate any advice and suggestions you could give me.
I became a member of Using England.com at the beginning of this year and started asking questions on the forum a couple months ago. I am so glad that I did. Not only have I learned a lot from the advice teachers gave me, but also from other learners' Q & A's. They have become my valuable source of knowledge. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the fellow learners' contributions.
I believe that we, all learners, should change our learning methods and goals as our English improve. So now, I am focusing on expanding expressions, including synonyms. My English often doesn't come across due to my pronunciation or poor expression. When that happens, I'd like to rephrase it rather than freeze up. Knowing several ways to say the same thing should also help me find my style in English. It's always nice to have options whatever you do. Learning English has become one of my hobbies. I wish I had liked studying this much when I was young. I still have a long way to go, but it will never too late to learn something new every day.
Questions about bolded words:
1. Is the plural form "improve" OK? Does it have to be "improves"? English is an uncountable noun, and I thought "our English" can be considered plural.
2. Is "can" in the above sentence appropriate? I thought about using "could" instead, but if " 'our English' can be considered plural" is a general truth, it might be OK to use "can" as well. Do I have the two options there?
Thank you.
I am not a student, so the essay is neither for homework nor exam. The reason why I write essays is to improve my English so that I can sound more natural in both speaking and writing. I am trying to find my own style that I feel comfortable with, just like the one I have in my native language. While natural, clear, and pleasant English is my goal, I would rather sound casual than too rigid or formal. I'd appreciate any advice and suggestions you could give me.
I became a member of Using England.com at the beginning of this year and started asking questions on the forum a couple months ago. I am so glad that I did. Not only have I learned a lot from the advice teachers gave me, but also from other learners' Q & A's. They have become my valuable source of knowledge. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the fellow learners' contributions.
I believe that we, all learners, should change our learning methods and goals as our English improve. So now, I am focusing on expanding expressions, including synonyms. My English often doesn't come across due to my pronunciation or poor expression. When that happens, I'd like to rephrase it rather than freeze up. Knowing several ways to say the same thing should also help me find my style in English. It's always nice to have options whatever you do. Learning English has become one of my hobbies. I wish I had liked studying this much when I was young. I still have a long way to go, but it will never too late to learn something new every day.
Questions about bolded words:
1. Is the plural form "improve" OK? Does it have to be "improves"? English is an uncountable noun, and I thought "our English" can be considered plural.
2. Is "can" in the above sentence appropriate? I thought about using "could" instead, but if " 'our English' can be considered plural" is a general truth, it might be OK to use "can" as well. Do I have the two options there?
Thank you.
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