Sunday, December 29, 2013

A Sudden Car

My son chose a new car instead of I chose. My son transferred to the U.C. in the south of California, so my family members decided to buy a new car for my son. Yesterday, I called an auto dealer on Capitol Expressway to request for a quotation. After receiving the quotation, I bargained with the dealer and agreed with his final price. Because of business, I agreed to my children, a boy and a girl, to come to the car agent to pay and bring the car to home. 

At that time they chose the new car, my son called me to say that the car was a little tight for who would be sitting rear seats. I replied that they might themselves decide and pick out any styles which they liked. After two hours, they brought home a new car that was very different from the car which I chose on the dealer's website. The new car looks much rougher, more detailed and younger than the car I chose, and it is from another manufacturer. The firm that I chose didn't have a proper design to persuade my children although I rather prefer its products.
Chi Le

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Transitional Phrases


To put it in perspective, a jalapeno pepper is between 5,000 and 8,000 Scoville Units.

Another way to look at it that the Carolina Reaper is nearly as strong as pepper spray used by police.

Currie hopes to turn his skill for growing peppers into lucrative business in the growing hot pepper market.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans are eating 8 percent more hot peppers than they were five years ago.

Quoted from voanews

Friday, December 27, 2013

Transitional Devices



1. To add (process and narrative): also, and, and then, too, plus, in addition, furthermore, moreover, another, first, second, likewise, equally important, again, similarly, besides, especially, not only ... but also

2. To put in time order (process and narrative): now, then, before, after, afterward, earlier, later, immediately, soon, next, in a few days, meanwhile, gradually, suddenly, finally, previously, today, tomorrow, as soon as, until, when, at last, after that, at the time, once, while, farther, in a little while

3. To put in space order (description): near, far, far from, in front of, beside, along, in the rear of, beyond, above, below, to the right (left), around, surrounding, on once side, inside, outside, alongside, in the distance, foreground, background, across, closer, farther, here, there, against

4. To compare: in the same way, similarly, just like, just as, likewise, in a like manner, by comparison

5. To contrast: but, still, however, on the other hand, on the contrary, yet, nevertheless, despite, in spite of, even though, in contrast, conversely, although, granted that, not

6. To show cause and effect: because, since, so, consequently, as a result, therefore, then, accordingly, hence, thus, it follows that

7. To show purpose: for this reason, for this purpose, so that, so that this may happen

8. To emphasize (persuasion): indeed, in fact, surely, necessarily, certainly, without any doubt, in any event, truly, again, to repeat

9. To give examples: for example, for instance, as an illustration, specifically, to be specific, as proof, that is, such as, thus, to illustrate

10. To summarize: in summary, in conclusion, as has been stated, in brief, to sum up, in short, thus, finally

Some examples of transitional adverbs:

Phil is a highly intelligent person. However, he is too lazy for his job.

The horses are getting ready for the race. Meanwhile, the jockeys are listening to the trainers.

Jeff won a scholarship to a state university; nevertheless, he prefers to stay in town to complete his studies.

You need to remove the pins first; otherwise, you will break the needle as you stitch over them.

Alfred, rather than his brothers, is taking over the company.

The government, moreover, wants to raise taxes to pay for the new project.


Thursday, December 26, 2013

In the Distance and Far



In the distance (preposition) usually implies something that you can see away from where you are. Far (adverb) indicates something at a distance that you cannot see.

We live far from the university.

The lights in the distance twinkled like bright stars.

Note:

They traveled to far-away lands. (far-away = far-off)

There was a far-away look in his eye. (far-away = neglectful)

I've read as far as the third chapter.

I'll walk with you as far as the post office.

So far the work has been easy, but things may change.

I trust you only so far (and no further).

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

A Merry Christmas

Yesterday, we had a merry Christmas together at my brother's house although remaining some conflicts among some people in our extended family. After we had some prepared foods, my nieces and nephews who were born in the U.S. played the Cards Against Humanity that gives an Awesome Point from a favorite answer in a player's White Card. After learning the rules of the game, I think it is a simple game if I understand English and American culture; however, it is not favorite when I am a newcomer from another country.

Looking at my nieces and nephews who were playing in separately various groups, I think about the U.S. society including a lot of the ethnic groups and different languages. Like my extended family members who are making groups separately, an ethnic group cannot understand other ethnic groups' language, culture and custom, but they can live peacefully together under the U.S. roof, a society governed by strict rules.

Chi Le

Along


1/ Along (adv.) with something/somebody

Tobacco is taxed in most countries, along with alcohol.

I, along with some of my friends, came to the bar last weekend.

He sings along with Ludacris on the stereo.

2/ Take/bring something/somebody along

May I take my wife and children along?

He took the raincoat along in case it might rain.

3/ Along (prep.)

He is walking along the beach.

Alongside and Beside



1/ Alongside and beside show location next to another person and object.

It is prohibited to park alongside (beside) a fire hydrant.

Beautiful red roses grew beside (alongside) the house.

2/ In addition to and besides also indicate that more information is forthcoming.

In addition to (besides) the gray shoes, Melanie bought a scarf and hat.

Harry plans to visit Spain and Portugal besides (in addition to) Austria.

3/ Note the difference between besides (more information) and beside (location).

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

A Good Writer

To become a good writer, I think over each day I should write two or three sentences and read any papers, such as articles, magazines, and text books, and then I should take notes carefully what I read. The notes can be posted on the blog to help me access any time I need.

I also read somethings on the Internet, such as some news websites, to conduct me to write well, but I think the above way is the best for me. I also think about making a software to record and to help memorizing what I read. I don't know whether any other ways to help me become a good writer?


Around and Surrounding



1/ Around and surrounding (as prepositions) can usually be interchangeable if they indicate a complete circle enclosing something at any given time.

Phil built a fence around (surrounding) his property.

The mountains surrounding (around) the village protected it from the wind.

2/ However, you must use around when the action indicates that eventually there will be a complete circle.

We walked around the house, inspecting the paint job.

The father drove around the block several times as the children looked for their missing dog.

Both actions eventually will form complete circles.

3/ Around meaning almost (adverb), however, cannot be interchangeable with surrounding.

It was around five o'clock when we arrived home.

He had around fifteen dollars in his pocket.

Note: surround (n.) sound, surround sound system.

But Rather



But rather shows contract, and it is used with nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs. Notice that the main clause in each of these is negative and that there is a comma (,) before the conjunction.

Noun: He doesn't need money, but rather love, since he is already a millionaire.

Pronoun: I don't want the blue one, but rather the red one.

Adjective: Don't paint the house red, but rather yellow, since all the others are light colored.

Adverb: They did not drive slowly to the hospital, but rather quickly, as the mother was about to deliver her baby.

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