Archive for the ‘Emails’ Category

Examples of Bad English:

1. Are there evidences that Jimmy is guilty?
2. Is there an evidence that Jimmy is guilty?
3. They had a number of equipments with them.
4. The police brought the case properties to court.
5. Edward has been charged for cheating.
6. Were there any mails for me?
7. I am checking my emails right now.
8. Whose pants is this?
9. The accused bought a jewelry with the money.
10. I like looking at the aircrafts at Changi.

Standard English:

1 & 2. “Is there (any) evidence that Jimmy is guilty?” [“Evidence” is an uncountable noun.]

3. “They had a lot of equipment with them.” [There is no such word as “equipments“.]

4. “The police brought the case property to court.” [It is either “exhibits” or “property” and not “properties“.]

5. “Edward has been charged with cheating.” [A person is arrested FOR an offence but not charged FOR it.]

6 & 7. “Mail” is an uncountable noun, and as such should be referred to as a single collective item: Was there any mail for me?” Similarly, “email” is uncountable when it refers collectively to all your email in your inbox.

8. “Whose pants are these?” [Pants like trousers, jeans, shorts, Khakis, tights, binoculars, glasses, pliers, scissors, etc., are ALWAYS plural whether there is one such item or many. For example, “where ARE my scissors” and not “where is my scissors”.]

9. “The accused bought A PIECE of jewelry with the money.” [Jewelry is uncountable].

10. “I like looking at the aircraft at Changi.” [The noun “aircraft” does not change whether singular or plural; one aircraft, or 5000 aircraft.

pgs. 69, 71, 72, Unlearning Singlish