結束諮詢後,Lizzy 從遠處飄過來,跟 David 說其實剛剛那句話的英文說錯了。David 大驚,想說這句話講了一輩子竟然沒有發現錯誤!到底是哪裡說錯了呢?大家一起想一想吧!
破解 NG 英文
Help 這個動詞的用法有很多,第一個就是直接用 to help,例如:
I am glad to help.(我很高興能幫得上忙。)
或者說「在某事情方面可以幫忙」,可以用 to help with something,例如:
I can help with that.(我可以幫忙那件事情。)
另一個用法是在後面加上要幫助的對象,所以「幫助某人」就會說 to help someone,如:
I tried to help him, but he just shut me out.(我試著要幫他,但他就是拒我於千里之外。)
那如果要說「幫助某人做某事」,就會說 to help someone with something,例如:
I helped him with this project.(我協助他做這個專案。)
而在 help 後面不能加上你所要幫助的「事情」,只能幫助「人」,所以不能說 help something (X)。那我們把 David 的話拿回來看:
Is there anything I can help? (X)
→ 如果變成直述句會變成 I can help something. (X) 這樣的說法是錯的,應該要說 I can help with something. 所以變成問句的話 with 也不能省略:
Is there anything I can help with? (O)
那你可能會想這樣講:
Is there anything I can help you? (X)
→ 但其實這句話也是錯誤的。一樣還原成直述句的話會是:I can help you something.(X) something 是一件事情,若要表達「幫助你做某事」,應該是 help you with something,需要加上介係詞 with。那在問句中 with 也不能省略:
Is there anything I can help you with? (O)
除此之外,還有很多類似的說法喔:
Is there anything I can do to help you?(有什麼我能幫你的嗎?)Can I help (you) with anything?(有任何事情可以幫你嗎?)Can I help you out?(我可以幫你嗎?)Do you need a hand?(你需要幫忙嗎?)Is there anything I can do to help (out)?(我能做任何事情幫忙嗎?)Can I lend (you) a hand with that? (我可以幫你那件事情嗎?)Do you need anything from me?(你需要我做任何事情嗎?)