一、词语的误用

（一）名词的误用

1．名词单数形式误作复数形式

（1）不可数名词误作可数名词

错句1

Sweats were dripping from my brow.

Sweat was dripping from my brow.

汗水正从我的额头滴下。

错句2

Corns grow well in a temperate zone.

Corn grows well in a temperate zone.

玉米在温带长得好。

错句3

There were enough evidences to prove him guilty.

There was enough evidence to prove him guilty.

有足够的证据证明他有罪。

错句4

The fire caused enormous damages to the city.

The fire caused enormous damage to the city.

这场火对这座城市造成了巨大破坏。

错句5

The hungry tigers were eating their preys.

The hungry tigers were eating their prey.

饥饿的老虎正在吃它们的猎物。

错句6

Their laughters annoyed the visitors there.

Their laughter annoyed the visitors there.

他们的笑声惹得那里的游客不高兴。

错句7

Advices are usually helpful to us.

Advice is usually helpful to us.

忠告通常对我们有益。

错句8

How many baggages do you have?

How many pieces of baggage do you have?

你有多少行李？

错句9

It's a useful equipment and I intend to have it repaired.

It's a useful piece of equipment and I intend to have it repaired.

这是一件有用的器具，我想找人把它修好。

错句10

Garbages have a bad smell.

Garbage has a bad smell.

垃圾有难闻的气味。

错句11

Cattle and sheep live on grasses.

Cattle and sheep live on grass.

牛羊靠食草为生。

错句12

That street is full of litters.

That street is full of litter.

那条街到处都是垃圾。

错句13

Furnitures are often made of wood.

Furniture is often made of wood.

家具通常是木制的。

错句14

My father's hairs have turned grey.

My father's hair has turned grey.

我爸爸的头发已经变白了。

错句15

A scientist should benefit all mankinds.

A scientist should benefit all mankind.

科学家应该使全人类受益。

（2）单、复数同形的名词词尾误加-(e)s

错句16

All the aircrafts are grounded because of the heavy fog.

All the aircraft are grounded because of the heavy fog.

所有飞机都因这场大雾而停飞。

错句17

We ordered a dozen egg rolls and three dozens eggs.

We ordered a dozen egg rolls and three dozen eggs.

我们订了一打蛋卷和三打鸡蛋。

错句18

A lot of cows and sheeps died because of the polluted water.

A lot of cows and sheep died because of the polluted water.

许多牛羊因水污染而死亡。

错句19

They have ten heads of cattle.

They have ten head of cattle.

他们有10头牛。

（3）因单、复数不同意义而误用复数形式

错句20

The war-torn country is trying to seek humanitarian aids from the UN.

The war-torn country is trying to seek humanitarian aid from the UN.

这个遭受战争破坏的国家正设法寻求联合国的人道主义援助。

解析 aid作“(金钱或物资)援助”解时为不可数名词，作“辅助设备”解时为可数名词。

错句21

The bus-conductor didn't have enough changes.

The bus-conductor didn't have enough change.

公共汽车售票员没有足够的零钱。

解析 change作“找给的零钱”解时为不可数名词，作“变化”等解时为可数名词。

错句22

If I don't get it finished in time, I'll be in troubles.

If I don't get it finished in time, I'll be in trouble.

我如果不按时把它完成就要倒霉了。

解析 trouble作“困境，责难”解时为不可数名词，作“麻烦，困难”解时为可数名词。

错句23

Our manager has rich experiences in marketing.

Our manager has rich experience in marketing.

我们的经理具有丰富的销售经验。

解析 experience作“经验，实践”解时为不可数名词，作“(一次)经历”解时为可数名词。

错句24

Have some more chickens.

Have some more chicken.

多吃些鸡肉。

解析 chicken作“鸡”解时为可数名词，作“鸡肉”解时为不可数名词。

（4）作定语的单数名词误用复数形式

错句25

We need a lot of children actors.

We need a lot of child actors.

我们需要很多儿童演员。

错句26

The company provided a three-months training course.

The company provided a three-month training course.

公司提供了一个为期三个月的培训班。

解析 表示量度的可数名词(如正确句子中的month)须用单数形式与前面的数词构成复合名词，再如：a two-part novel(分为两部分的小说), a twelve-foot pole(12英尺的杆子), a twenty-mile march(20英里行军)。

类例

That was a ten-pounds note.

That was a ten-pound note.

那是一张10英镑的纸币。

（5）短语中的单数名词误用复数形式

错句27

Let's discuss this matter in details.

Let's discuss this matter in detail.

让我们详细讨论一下这个问题吧。

解析 in detail是一个介词短语，意思是“详细地”。

错句28

Please cut the apple in halves.

Please cut the apple in half.

请把苹果切成两半。

解析 in half(=into halves)是个短语，意思是“对分地，成两半地”。

错句29

They seemed to be on holidays at that time.

They seemed to be on holiday at that time.

那时他们似乎在度假。

解析 be/go on holiday是个短语，意思是“度假”。

错句30

These second-hand cars are in good conditions.

These second-hand cars are in good condition.

这些二手车的车况良好。

解析 be in (good)condition是短语，意思是“状况良好”。

错句31

With efforts, she managed to stop herself laughing.

With (an)effort, she managed to stop herself laughing.

她好不容易才忍住了笑。

解析 with (an)effort (=with difficulty)是个短语，意思是“吃力地”。

错句32

I had no difficulties (in)making myself understood.

I had no difficulty (in)making myself understood.

我毫不费力地表达了自己的意思。

解析 have some/no difficulty (in)doing sth.(做某事费力/不费力)是固定搭配。

2．名词复数形式误作单数形式

（1）只有复数形式的名词误用单数形式

错句33

Public spending must be kept within reasonable bound.

Public spending must be kept within reasonable bounds.

公共开支必须控制在合理的范围之内。

错句34

When you get off, don't forget your personal belonging.

When you get off, don't forget your personal belongings.

下车时别忘记自己的随身物品。

错句35

They live on the outskirt of London.

They live on the outskirts of London.

他们住在伦敦市郊。

错句36

The poor child had never had cheerful surrounding.

The poor child had never had cheerful surroundings.

这可怜的孩子从未有过欢乐的环境。

错句37

He will receive compensation for the loss of his earning caused by the accident.

He will receive compensation for the loss of his earnings caused by the accident.

他将得到事故造成的收入损失补偿。

（2）通常用复数形式的名词误用单数形式

错句38

Her asset included shares in the company and a house in France.

Her assets included shares in the company and a house in France.

她的财产包括在公司的股份和在法国的一所房子。

解析 asset(资产，财产)通常用复数形式，但作定语时用单数，如：the net asset value of the company(公司的资产净值)。

错句39

He was wearing an earphone when I met him.

He was wearing earphones when I met him.

我遇见他时，他正戴着耳机。

解析 earphone通常用复数，如：a pair/set of earphones。但作定语时用单数，如：an earphone socket(耳机插孔)。

错句40

Would you prefer rice or noodle?

Would you prefer rice or noodles?

你喜欢吃米饭还是面条？

解析 noodle通常用复数形式，但作定语时用单数，如：chicken noodle soup (鸡汤面)。

错句41

We offered our heartiest congratulation to him.

We offered our heartiest congratulations to him.

我们向他致以衷心的祝贺。

解析 congratulation通常以复数形式出现，但也有作为不可数名词的用法，如：a letter of congratulation(贺信)。

错句42

The hotel has special facility for welcoming disabled people.

The hotel has special facilities for welcoming disabled people.

这家旅馆有专供残疾人使用的设施。

解析 facility(设备，设施)用复数形式，再如：sports facilities, cooking facilities。

（3）因单、复数不同意义而误用单数形式

错句43

Her good look quickly affected the audience.

Her good looks quickly affected the audience.

她的美貌很快打动了观众。

解析 look为单数形式时作“看，查找，样子”解，作“容貌”解时用复数形式。

错句44

We need a capable person to help us in time of difficulties.

We need a capable person to help us in times of difficulties.

困境之中，我们需要能人帮助。

解析 time为单数形式时作“时间”解，作“时代，时期，年代”解时为复数形式。

错句45

Many people lost their life at sea.

Many people lost their lives at sea.

许多人在海上丧生。

解析 life作“生活”解时为不可数名词，作“生命”解时为可数名词。

错句46

We make furniture out of a variety of different wood.

We make furniture out of a variety of different woods.

我们用各种不同的木材做家具。

解析 wood作“木头”解时为不可数名词，作“木材”解时为可数名词。

错句47

Literature and art should meet the need of the people.

Literature and art should meet the needs of the people.

文学和艺术应该满足人民的需要。

解析 need作“需要，必须”解时为不可数名词，如：“There is no need for you to come tomorrow.(你明天不必来。)”作“需要的事物，欲望”解时为可数名词，而且通常用复数形式，再如：financial needs(经济上的需要)。

错句48

I didn't mean to hurt your feeling.

I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.

我无意伤害你的感情。

解析 feeling作“感觉”解时可以是单数或复数形式，作“感情”解时，只有复数形式。

错句49

It's bad manner to ask about others'salary.

It's bad manners to ask about others'salary.

询问他人的工资是不礼貌的。

解析 manner作“方式，举止，态度”解时为单数形式，作“礼貌，习俗”解时为复数形式。

错句50

Give my regard to Jack.

Give my regards to Jack.

请代我问候杰克。

解析 regard作“注意，关心，尊重，态度”解，为不可数名词，复数形式regards作“问候，致意”解。

错句51

We are interested in world affair.

We are interested in world affairs.

我们对国际事务感兴趣。

解析 affair作“事件”解时为可数名词，通常用单数形式，作“公共事务，政治事务”解时只有复数形式。

（4）短语中的复数形式误用单数形式

错句52

They took great pain to distinguish cultured pearls from genuine pearls.

They took great pains to distinguish cultured pearls from genuine pearls.

他们下苦功来辨别人工培育的珍珠和天然珍珠。

解析 take pains是个短语，意思是“下大气力，煞费苦心”。

错句53

We made preparation to move to new offices.

We made preparations to move to new offices.

我们已经准备好要搬到新办公室。

解析 make preparations是个短语，意思是“做准备”。

错句54

Never do things by half.

Never do things by halves.

做事情绝不要半途而废。

解析 by halves是个短语，意思是“半途而废地”，多用于否定句。

错句55

I'll make arrangement for you to be met at the airport.

I'll make arrangements for you to be met at the airport.

我会安排人去机场接你。

解析 make arrangements是个短语，意思是“安排”。

错句56

Jack enjoys putting on air.

Jack enjoys putting on airs.

杰克好摆架子。

解析 put on airs是个短语，意思是“摆架子，装腔作势”。

错句57

Don't speak ill of others behind their back.

Don't speak ill of others behind their backs.

别背后说别人的坏话。

解析 behind sb.'s back是个短语，意思是“背地里”。如果sb.'s指的是复数，则back须用复数形式。

3．名词所有格形式的误用

错句58

This is Jane's and Mary's room.

This is Jane and Mary's room.

这是简和玛丽共有的房间。

错句59

They are Jane and Mary's rooms.

They are Jane's and Mary's rooms.

它们是简和玛丽各自的房间。

错句60

This is a picture of my father's.

This is a picture of my father.

这是我父亲收藏的照片。

错句61

This is a picture of my father's.

This is a picture of my father.

错句62

After that, we had a 10 minute's rest.

After that, we had a 10 minutes'rest.

然后我们休息了10分钟。

错句63

Last Sunday, Mother went to the Browns while Father stayed with us.

Last Sunday, Mother went to the Browns'while Father stayed with us.

上周日，妈妈去布朗家了，爸爸和我们在一起。

解析 the Browns指布朗一家人，而the Browns’则是指布朗一家的住所。

错句64

Your behavior is like an idiot.

Your behavior is like an idiot's.

你的行为像白痴的行为。

解析 your behavior的比较对象是an idiot's behavior。

类例

Her German is as fluent as her teacher.

Her German is as fluent as her teacher's.

她的德语跟她老师的一样流利。

错句65

His handwriting is better than anyone else in his class.

His handwriting is better than anyone else's in his class.

他的书法比班里的任何人都好。

4．相似名词的误用

（1）词义相似的名词的误用

错句66

The reward for that year's best actor went to Tom Cruise.

The award for that year's best actor went to Tom Cruise.

那年的最佳男演员奖授予了汤姆·克鲁斯。

解析 reward的意思是“报酬，回报，奖励”，award的意思是“奖项，奖金，奖品，奖状”。

错句67

What percent of the population is/are overweight?

What percentage of the population is/are overweight?

体重超重的人占人口多大的百分比？

解析 percent的意思是“百分之……”，percentage的意思是“百分比”。

错句68

What is the reason of a sandstorm?

What is the cause of a sandstorm?

沙尘暴的起因是什么？

解析 reason和cause都有“原因，理由”的意思，但后者另有“起因”的意思。

错句69

The scene in Cyprus is beautiful.

The scenery in Cyprus is beautiful.

塞浦路斯景色优美。

解析 scene的意思是“情景，场景”，scenery的意思是“景色，风景”。

错句70

Last year the amount of private cars increased sharply.

Last year the number of private cars increased sharply.

去年私家车的数量剧增。

解析 表示数量的名词amount通常与不可数名词连用，如：a large amount of work(大量的工作)。number与可数名词连用。

错句71

The dog saw his shade in the water.

The dog saw his shadow in the water.

狗看到了自己在水中的影子。

解析 shade的意思是“阴凉处”，shadow的意思是“阴影，影子”。

错句72

The weather of that country is mild.

The climate of that country is mild.

那个国家的气候温和。

解析 climate指某个地区的气候；weather指某地短期内的气象情况。

错句73

That lawyer has plenty of customers.

That lawyer has plenty of clients.

那位律师有许多客户。

解析 customer指商店的顾客，client指的是接受律师、银行等服务的客户。

错句74

The army official led the regiment into the battle.

The army officer led the regiment into the battle.

那名军官率领该团投入了战斗。

解析 official指银行、公司、政府等的要员，officer首先指军官，也指政府官员。

错句75

What is the cost of the watch?

What is the price of the watch?

这款手表的价格是多少？

解析 cost指花费、成本，price指价格。

错句76

Have a safe travel.

Have a safe journey.

一路平安。

解析 travel和journey都可表示“旅行”，有时可以换用，如都可与air, bus，train等搭配，但只有journey可表示“旅程，行程”，可用comfortable, good，difficult, pleasant, safe等形容词修饰。

错句77

He has a custom of coughing before he speaks.

He has a habit of coughing before he speaks.

他有个讲话前咳嗽几声的习惯。

解析 custom指社会的风俗，habit指个人的习惯。

错句78

I cannot afford the fee to go to Australia.

I cannot afford the fare to go to Australia.

我付不起去澳洲的机票费。

解析 fee指服务费、酬金以及入场费、会费等，fare指的是车票费、船票费、机票费。

错句79

They have set up a basis at the South Pole.

They have set up a base at the South Pole.

他们在南极设立了一个大本营。

解析 basis指“基础”，base指“底座，据点，基地，总部，大本营”。

错句80

I want you here by two o'clock without failure.

I want you here by two o'clock without fail.

我要求你务必两点钟之前到这里。

解析 failure和fail都有“不及格”的意思，但without fail是个固定搭配，意思是“一定，务必，必定”。

错句81

He received a(tele)phone and left the hotel without a word.

He received a (tele)phone call and left the hotel without a word.

他接到一个电话，一句话也没说就离开了酒店。

解析 (tele)phone指电话机，“打电话”的英语是make a (tele)phone call或make a call。

错句82

He was charged with shooting a police.

He was charged with shooting a policeman.

他被指控向一名警察开枪。

解析 policeman为可数名词，而police为不可计数的集体名词。

错句83

I like to read novels with happy ends.

I like to read novels with happy endings.

我喜欢看结局圆满的小说。

解析 end指时间或动作的末尾，ending指故事、戏剧等的结尾、结局。

错句84

We enjoyed a cup of wine with our meal.

We enjoyed a glass of wine with our meal.

我们进餐时喝了一杯葡萄酒。

解析 cup和glass有不同的用法：a cup of tea/coffee(一杯茶/咖啡), a glass of wine/beer/whisky(一杯葡萄酒/啤酒/威士忌)。

（2）拼写相似的名词的误用

错句85

Dreams can be a rich source of aspiration for an artist.

Dreams can be a rich source of inspiration for an artist.

梦境可以成为艺术家灵感的丰富源泉。

解析 aspiration的意思是“渴望”，inspiration的意思是“灵感”。

错句86

Courtesy is a principal of diplomacy.

Courtesy is a principle of diplomacy.

礼貌是外交的一个原则。

解析 principal的意思是“校长”。

错句87

Doing physical exercise is an effective way to keep a good finger.

Doing physical exercise is an effective way to keep a good figure.

体育锻炼是保持好身材的一种有效方法。

解析 finger的意思是“手指”。

错句88

He lowered his head in ascent.

He lowered his head in assent.

他低下头来表示同意。

解析 ascent的意思是“上升，提高”，assent的意思是“同意，赞成”。

错句89

She accepted his complement about her dress with a smile.

She accepted his compliment about her dress with a smile.

她以微笑接受了他对她服装的赞美。

解析 compliment的意思是“赞美，敬意，问候”，complement的意思是“补充”。

错句90

One of her hobbies is to collect the signs of famous singers.

One of her hobbies is to collect the signatures of famous singers.

她的一个爱好是收集著名歌手的签名。

解析 sign的意思是“记号，标志”，signature的意思是“签名”。