Hi!
This week's question is from Ayidah; I'm certain that it's going to make you think. Here is the question:
What is the characteristic that you do not like or want to change about yourself? Why?
I look forward to your responses.
Happy writing students!
**Hi Students,
I will post a comment for your Week 8 Question response on Sunday. Sorry about the delay!!!
Have a good weekend!
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I do not like one of my characteristics, which I give up too easily. When I was playing crossword with my friends, I could not find the answers. Although it was hard for everyone, I was the first person who gave up the crossword. It is not so big problem for the game, but when I study English, this is a problem. When I was a junior high school student, I had four English quizzes in every week for three months. I did not study most of them because it was hard for me. If I had not given up studying and had kept studying in the three months, I could be smarter and I could get much better marks. After the experience, I am trying not to give up though I am still easy to give up. I really world like to change this characteristic.
ReplyDeleteHi Yui,
DeleteIt sounds like you have learned from your past decisions. It's always easy to give up when you have not been successful and feel like you have failed; the feeling of triumph that you receive after reaching success through hard work is much more satisfying.
On Grammar: Using "such"
When we want to emphasize a phrase by adding an adverbial (so/such), we use "such" before adjective-noun combinations and "so" before adjectives.
Example 1: It is not such a big problem.
Example 2: This is such good coffee.
Example 3: They are such good students.
Example 4: He is so nice.
Example 5: The weather was so bad today.
**Note that before a singular noun, add the article "a" before the adjective.
-->It was such a good day.
Hope this helps.
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ReplyDeleteIf I want to change one characteristic in myself, I will choose to change the thinking because I am thinking a lot of many things. For example, I am thinking about Toefl that if I can pass it or not because entering the university is depending on my score of Toefl. Moreover, I am thinking about if I can complete my Master’s degree of what major that I want. However, sometimes more thinking makes me to feel sad and depressed. Finally, I should stop thinking about if I can gain the score of Toefl because I am studying hard. Also, I believe in God, which always helping me in my life.
ReplyDeleteHi Aisha,
DeleteYou have posted some interesting thoughts here. I also have the problem of thinking about important things too much. I agree that in the end, as long as you are doing your best, it doesn't help to think too much about something. Also, too much thinking = worrying, and worrying too much usually doesn't help.
On Grammar: The verb "depend on"
This verb is stative and therefore, usually does not take the progressive form.
Example 1: ....entering the university depends on my score.
Example 2: This semester, my grade depends on how much I study.
**Exception: Sometimes we use this verb in the progressive when it is in the context of relying on another person. This is the only time I can think of using the progressive with this verb.
Example: I'm depending on my brother to help me out.
Hope this helps.
The characteristic I don’t like it in myself is that I am reluctant person. It is so hard for me to take a decision about something even when it is not important thing. This makes me to think a lot and worried before I do something. Also, when I worried about something, I cannot do another thing. I think this is my problem because it loses my time and make me to think a lot. For example, when I have free writing topic or free presentation topic, I spend a lot of time to choose the topic.
ReplyDeleteHi Aida,
DeleteI am also a fickle decision maker: it can take me forever to make a decision, even about the smallest things. At the same time, I think spending a little extra time deciding on something prevents me from making bad decisions. However, a lot of times a person's first intuition is often the best decision (but not always!).
On Grammar: The Verb Phrases "Make a decision" and "Waste time"
Ok, so these are vocabulary points, but they will improve your writing.
The verb phrase for "decisions" is "make a decision," not "take a decision."
Example: I had to make a difficult decision.
The verb phrase for "not using time well" is "waste time," not "lose time."
Example: I wasted a lot of time thinking about my problem rather than actually solving it.
Hope this helps.
The characteristic I want to change is a tendency to escape from reality. When I have a test in a few days, I feel like doing something not related to the test. I often felt like cleaning my room, watching TV the day before the test. As the day of test approaches, my feeling that I want to do these things becomes strong, especially when I was a junior high school student, the tendency was striking. Although I have still kind of the tendency, it is not conspicuous than what it used to be.
ReplyDeleteHi Yuki,
DeleteThis is not a unique characteristic, but it is still quite interesting. I think what you have described is a type of "procrastination," or putting off doing what needs to be done. I have also had this problem. Luckily, once I actually open the book to start studying, I can usually keep up the momentum and get done what I need to do.
On Grammar: Comparisons with "as...as"
In your last sentence, you try to say something like "This tendency was more conspicuous in the past compared to how conspicuous it is now." To express this idea, you can use the comparative form "as.....adj/adverb(much/often) as....."
Example 1: It is not as conspicuous as it used to be.
Example 2: I don't play tennis as much as I used to.
Example 3: It doesn't rain in the spring as often as it did before.
Hope this helps.
I have been wanting to change my shyness, but I still cannot. Even though I like talking to many people, I am not able to talk to someone new easily. It is hard for me to talking to many people easily until we get friendly. This is not serious problem in Japan. However, It can be problem in America, I think. For example, from my experiences in Japan, it is not frequent that people greet strangers. On the other hand, it seems to me that many people often greet anybody whetehr they are acquaintances or not in America. I am now in America, so I try hard to change my shyness and become the person who can greet anybody as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteHi Hikaru,
DeleteYou've pointed out an interesting cultural difference between Japan and the U.S. However, it's important to distinguish between when someone in the U.S. is just saying hello and when someone is really interested in starting up a conversation. Most of the time, it's just "hello," but not always. You don't seem as shy as you've described yourself in this response, so I'd say that you are acculturating well!
On Grammar: easy/hard/difficult + infinitive
When we use the adjective "easy" or "hard" to describe actions, we use the following structure: adjective + (for someone) + infinitive. Note that the "for someone" is optional.
Example 1: It's hard for me to talk to many people.
Example 2: It's easy to meet new people in Missoula.
Example 3: It's difficult for some students to know when people want to talk or just say "hello."
I hate some parts of my characteristics. The most characteristic which I want to change is “shyness”. When I was a child, I was shyer than now. I could not speak the people who I met first few times. My mother told me that I used to hide behind my parents when I met people at first time. Getting older and older, I have met a lot of people, and they have influenced my life. These wonderful meeting have changed my mind; I want to meet a lot of variety of people, and learn something. Therefore, I try to overcome my shyness and be friendly. Usually, I could be friendly, but sometimes it is hard for me somehow. In addition, I hate speaking in front of many people such as a presentation in a class. When I do it, I often lost my words what should I say. I know many Japanese do not like a presentation, and we think sometimes the modest (shyness) is required in our society. However, I want to change my shyness.
ReplyDeleteHi Fumika,
DeleteInteresting that you've commented on the same topic that Hikaru brought up. "Shyness" is certainly a common cultural characteristic among many (but not all) Japanese students. Luckily, Missoula is the perfect place to overcome your shyness. People are so friendly here that you are almost forced to meet and talk to new people. In this case, I mean that in a good way!
On Grammar: Adjective Clauses
Make sure that you use relative pronouns (that, who, whom, which, whose) when using adjectives clauses and not noun clause subordinators (what, when, etc.). This can be confusing because these subordinators are sometimes the same (e.g. that, who).
Example 1: I often lost my words THAT I should say. (adjective clause)
Example 2: He forgot the question that he had. (adjective clause)
Example 3: I remember who had the question. (noun clause)
Example 4: I remember that he had a question. (noun clause)
Hope this helps.
Guys I read your comments and your problems is not as a big deal as mine. Two most worst characteristics in the world is not keeping promises and to scheduling my daily life, and to be honest you can see/find out both of these worst characteristics in me. I have these bad characteristics from my childhood. I hate that type of people who is not keeping their promises, and of course you know whom I hate first? "Myself." If I promise someone something I probably will forget about it or I can't schedule my time to do what I promised. Bright example is I promised Josh to send him compare-contrast essay twice but I still didn't do that I can't organize my daily life schedule to keep every promises which I give. I tried to schedule my life a few time but it is not working. For instance, I scheduled to sleep at 10:00 every night in order to wake up early morning but I still can't do that because of training, studying, and working even without any reasons it is very hard to keep myself organized, and keep promises which I am giving. I am still looking forward to fix these huge problems. These problems effects my life in a very bad way. I feel very uncomfortable with my life schedule and with promises which I give and I won't do that. And again sorry guys if I promised you something and forget it, please remind me if I forget about something which I should do or I promised you. I hope you read my comment in order to know which bad characteristics I have. Maybe you will think I am sclerosis, but I am not......
ReplyDeleteHi Oyatullokh,
DeleteI have the same problem right now: organizing my time/schedule so that I can do everything I need to do is not easy these days!! Of course, this also means that I never go to sleep when I actually want (or need)to. If you find a creative solution to this problem, please let me know. What I'm leaning towards (though I don't like it) is the idea of just getting up much earlier in the morning. Oh, and don't worry about a few small broken promises: we forgive you!
On Grammar: effect vs. affect
"Effect" is the noun and "affect" is the verb. The way I used to remember this is that "a" for "affect" (verb) is closer to "v" (for "verb) if you start with "a" and then say alphabet backwards. Maybe this won't help, but it used to help me.
Example 1: These problems AFFECT my life.....
Example 2: These problems have an EFFECT on my life.
Hope this helps.
This is a deep question, and I think if I can change it must be too moody. I know that too moody is not a good habit in daily life. Some body might be thought I am not a moody boy, but I am. I just say to myself that I need to clam down when I felt angry. The most important reason that I want to change my characteristic is I lose friends because of moody. I try to be nice with my friends but sometime I can not control myself, so I might hurt someone and he/she don't want to be friend with me. If I can change my character, I will change moody because being kind and friendly is very important in daily life.
ReplyDeleteHi Bohan,
DeleteAfter almost two semesters of teaching you, I haven't really seen this characteristic come out in full force. Every now and then you seem a little less happy, but I wouldn't call you moody. I'm sure that some of my friends would say that I'm a bit moody as well. What I try to remember is that it isn't fair to take out my own anger/disappointment on others. They don't deserve it.
On Grammar: "Being too moody"
When describing a characteristic like mood or temperament, we use gerunds before adjectives when these characteristics are subjects or objects.
Example 1: I know that BEING too moody is not a good habit.
Example 2: ....I want to change my characteristic is I lose friends because of being moody.
Example 3: ...I will change being moody.
Example 4: Being shy is one characteristic I want to change. (different adjective).
I want to change my habit that I often postpone things I have to do right now, like this important homewoke! It is difficult for me to overcome temptations, and I always regred to do same mistake. So I need more concentration to overcome temptations.
ReplyDeleteHi Wataru,
DeleteLike Yuki described above, procrastination (or postponing tasks until later) is hard to avoid! I do this all the time. I've got a "to do" list on my desk at home that is pages deep. "One day I'll do it," I keep telling myself.
On Grammar: regret + gerund
Here is a another gerund/infinitive point (see my comment for Hikaru above). "Regret" is always followed by a gerund (-ing form) when the subject is the same.
Example 1: I always regret DOING same mistake.
Example 2: I regret not going to my friend's party last weekend.
Example 3: I regret that my friend didn't invite me to the movie. (Note: we use a that-clause here because the subjects are different).
Hope this helps.
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ReplyDeleteMy characteristic I want to change is never planing ahead.I always can not carry out anything as planned.When I was a high school student,my teacher had told us that we have a exam 2 week later.But I had started to study 3 days before.Of course,I got a terrible score.I thought I should study day by day.I do not want to do same things.So I have to change myself.
ReplyDeleteHi Saki,
DeleteWhat you have described is "waiting until the last minute" to do something. What is important about your response is that it is obvious that you understand what you have to do to change this undesirable characteristic. At least you know exactly what you should do. However, "knowing" what do to and actually "doing" what you should do are two totally different things. I still wait until the last minute when I have important things to do!
On Grammar: Spacing
Even though this is a online forum, it's important to follow the rules for spacing in English. After words and commas, we space one time. After a period (end of sentence), the most common rule is to space two times.
Incorrect: ....we have a exam 2 week later.But I had....
Correct: ..we have a exam 2 week later. But I had..
Hope this helps.
1. She is such a great students.
ReplyDelete2. It was such a special day.
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ReplyDelete1- Saras' new car depends on how much money that she has.
Delete2- My dinner meal depends on what components that I have.
1. I am not as tall as he is.
ReplyDelete2 This T-shirt is not expensive as much as you bought.
I am agreeing with Ayidah that sometimes I can't make a decision be myself. For example, after I graduated from high school, I was wondering what major that I want to complete my study in, is it biology or chemistry. I asked my parents and my best friends to help me to make a decision, but they advised me to choose what I want, so I chose to complete my study in biology in order to get Bachelor's degree.
ReplyDeleteI know Yuki's situation because sometimes I feel like him. I see what you mean, but I think that it is not serious problem. This is because clening up the room, wathing the TV, and something like that are effective to relax and refresh in order to reduce the stress from the test, I think.
ReplyDelete