Unit 3 American English

A. Useful expressions

1.more or less -- almost / nearly

The trip will take two weeks more or less.

The work is more or less finished.

2.however --even so

It rained hard . However, I think we should get there on time.

She waited , however, for no answer.

3.come about--happen發生;造成

How did these differences come about?

4.a great / good many = a large number of

A great many apples are on the trees.

A great many of them like American English.

5.bring in – introduce

A new topic was brought in yesterday.

6.change … into…

The garden has been changed into a beautiful one.

7.explain +that clause -- to make clear, to give the reason for

She explained that she couldn’t tell lies.

8.and so on -- and other things of this kind

He bought ball-pens, notebooks and so on.

9.ask… for… 要求

Don’t always ask me for money!

ask …about … 詢問關于…

10.stay -- keep / remain

The windows stayed open all the night.

11.practise doing sth.

The girls practise singing every morning.

12.plan n./vi.&vt.

You’d better make plan of your English study.

plan to do…

B. Sentence patterns:

1.have some / great / little / no difficulty in doing …

Do you have any difficulty in learning English?

have difficulties with sth.

I have some difficulties with pronunciation.

2.Pardon? = Beg pardon? = I beg your pardon?

3.the same as … 和…一樣

My dictionary is the same as yours.

We will do the same experiment as they did yesterday.

4.the reason + that clause (不用because引導表語從句而用that)

The reason why he was late is that he didn’t catch the fist bus.