MIND OUR ENGLISH
To get in touch with us, email english@thestar.com.my
May 15: Court reporting: Proper grammar usage
Can a cheating husband have intimate relations with a guest relations officer (GRO) while his wife 'is conceiving'?
May 8: Brand name-calling
Do you pack food in 'Tupperware' and pamper your babies with 'Pampers'? You may be advertising for companies without knowing it.
May 8: Peculiar terms
Jargon can be used in wonderful ways.
May 1: Linguistic rojak
Where do you think the word ‘amuck’ came from? English has borrowed many words from other languages, including Malay.
May 1: The dog and the tiger
AN inquisitive mongrel who is chasing a rabbit suddenly realises that he is lost. Wandering in the forest, he espies a tiger creeping towards him. “I am dead meat – this merciless creature is going to kill me to satisfy his hunger,” the dog thinks.
Apr 24: Slip slidin’ away
Whatever happened to the good old-fashioned phrase “ulterior motive”? It is still around, but has been overshadowed by “hidden agenda”, which a lot of people prefer to use nowadays.
Apr 17: Comings and goings
Send does not really mean hantar, nor does follow really mean ikut. There are different nuances which don’t always translate well, so beware!
Apr 10: Snobbery in language
If we choose to use the word lavatory over toilet or condo over flat, will that reveal something about our social class?
Apr 10: A note in parsing
THE wording of the above title is spurious, and deliberately so – but more about it later. In Lewis Carroll’s book, Through the Looking Glass, Humpty Dumpty says, “When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean – neither more nor less.” In the real world, however, such a cavalier attitude in the use of words does not carry a person far.
Apr 3: What do these words mean exactly?
A list of words and its usage.
Apr 3: Mary Poppins
IDIOMANIA By OH TEIK THEAM
Apr 3: April Fool!
New Year’s Day was once celebrated on April 1. Really!
Mar 27: Mispronounced words II
Did you know that 'almond' and 'salmon' should not be pronounced with the "l" sound? And don’t say 'trow' when you mean 'throw'!
Mar 27: Grammar couplets
By OH TEIK THEAM
Mar 20: Say it right
If you want to speak properly, you may want to know that there is more to A.E.I.O.U than meets the eye.
Mar 20: A bad word
Here are some “bad” words which you can use to describe people who put you off either because of their conduct, character or dressing.
Mar 13: Accent and slang
Footballer John Terry speaks differently from British Prime Minister David Cameron. And they may all be ‘geezers’ too.
Mar 6: British or American English?
Should you call it ‘movie’ or ‘film’? Well, it depends whether you’re talking about an Oscar (Hollywood’s Academy Award) or a BAFTA (British Academy Film Award). Confused? Read on...
Mar 6: This property is condemned
IDIOMANIA - By OH TEIK THEAM
Mar 2: Transition to transitives
Exploring verbs, intransitive and transitive, and the transition of the former to the latter, and the formation of transitive verbs.
Mar 1: Tenses in fiction
From today, MOE is answering readers’ queries in a new format. We will not be responding to every individual but will instead explain aspects of the English language based on problems raised by readers. We start off with the matter of the tenses used in writing and reviewing fiction.
Feb 24: Seeking answers
Use of questionnaires in business.
Feb 23: ‘When’ and ‘after’
COULD you please advise me on how to correctly use “when” and “after”?
Feb 23: Glaring mistakes in our signages
I RECENTLY made a trip to Penang. I enjoyed sightseeing around the island and, of course, I loved the food.
Feb 23: New format
FROM next month, Fadzilah Amin will be writing articles on matters that have been raised by readers through the years.
Feb 22: Can you stomach this?
DOES your English turn the stomach of your listeners? Then you should have a strong stomach for their insults and critical comments. “Stomach” expressions are not only related to food, but they also convey your disgust or repulsion.
Feb 17: The wayward word
Examining why a word is wrong in a sentence which is otherwise correct.
Feb 16: The letter ‘s’
Your questions answered: By FADZILAH AMIN.
Feb 16: Marble games
IDIOMANIA - By OH TEIK THEAM
Feb 15: Hold on, we’re off
Want to be a dab hand at English? Learn some of these handy expressions.
Feb 15: Creepy crawlies
Creepy crawlies make our hair stand on end. We feel squeamish so we squawk with fear or squirm in disgust. Although they are repulsive, they have crept into our English language to enrich our descriptions with vivid details.
Feb 15: Complete the proverbs
By OH TEIK THEAM.
Feb 10: Some observations
WRITING to the papers is not a hobby of mine. So, may I shoot three birds with one stone, please?
Feb 9: It’s the sound that matters
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED by FADZILAH AMIN.
Feb 3: ‘Adverbing’ merrily
Exploring words that modify adjectives, verbs, other adverbs, and even sentences.
Feb 2: Grammar books
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED by FADZILAH AMIN.
Feb 2: Spot the synonym
By OH TEIK THEAM.
Feb 1: FYI, it’s SMS
Texting has become a daily routine in communication.
Jan 27: No subject-verb agreement
OPEN CHANNEL
Jan 26: Proof is in the pudding
Your Questions Answered By Fadzilah Amin.
Jan 25: Hansel and Gretel
TALES OF THE PUN-EXPECTED - By OH TEIK THEAM
Jan 25: Just hold on
WORDWISE - By S.H. LOKE
Jan 25: Don’t let English die
From Zainol Abdullah
Jan 20: To get it right
Further exploring some words and expressions that do not look right.
Jan 20: Parents must play their part
OPEN CHANNEL from Senthil Woon
Jan 19: Definitely ‘the’
Your Questions Answered by FADZILAH AMIN.
Jan 18: Tipping the balance
Are we getting the point?
Jan 18: Grammar couplets
WE learn about the subject of a sentence from the predicate:
Jan 13: Filing progress reports
In business, the bosses need to be informed of what’s happening on a project.
Jan 12: Subjunctive form
Your Questions Answered: By FADZILAH AMIN
Jan 12: The case of articles
From John Jose.
Jan 6: The rite write
Exploring some words and expressions that do not look right.
Jan 5: Until today
THE expression “until today” is very common among Malaysians. I think the phrase is often wrongly used and does not describe what a speaker is really trying to convey.
Jan 4: An attitude of gratitude
Exploring words that end in ‘ude’.
Dec 29: Word order
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY FADZILAH AMIN
Dec 28: Bounty from the sea
More nautical expressions for ye mariners all!
Dec 23: Strange ways of adjectives
Adjectives may act strange/strangely, as outlined in this article.
Dec 22: Saying sorry
Your Questions Answered By Fadzilah Amin.
Dec 21: A tale of Aladdin
HOW would you like to have a shining silver coin in your pocket?” the mysterious old man with dark and deep eyes and a pot belly asked Aladdin. “It’s money for jam. The bananas you’re trying to sell in this market are only attracting six-leggers. Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana. Tsk, tsk.”
Dec 16: Connect now
Formality is just as important in a business e-mail as in a letter
Dec 15: The root of the cause
Your Questions Answered by FADZILAH AMIN
Dec 15: Up for the role
IDIOMANIA By OH TEIK THEAM
Dec 14: A simple purchase
Co-ordinated By Jane F.Ragavan
Dec 14: A simple purchase
Co-ordinated By Jane F.Ragavan
Mind Our English
Dec 9: The subject is king
Exploring what constitutes the subject of a sentence and how it is used.
Dec 9: Mark these words
THESE three letters are in response to Dr Lim Chin Lam's article, "Punctuation please" (MOE, Nov 25).
Dec 8: Word order
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED by FADZILAH AMIN.
Dec 7: Set the tone
See your true colours shining through.
Dec 2: Nautical notes
There’s an ocean of expressions for the seafarers among us.
Dec 1: Goldilocks and the three bears
FUN WITH PUNS
Dec 1: Writing dates
Your Questions Answered by FADZILAH AMIN.
Nov 30: Allies and enemies
Exploring the left and right dichotomy.
Nov 25: Punctuation please
Exploring the use of punctuation and some aspects thereof.
Nov 25: Derived from Dhivehi
OPEN CHANNEL
Nov 24: Hyphen dilemma
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED by FADZILAH AMIN
Nov 23: The Great Race
Idiomania: By OH TEIK THEAM.
Nov 23: Wordwise: So many
Wordwise: By S.H. LOKE.
Nov 18: Convenient communication
In business, phone calls are indispensable.
Nov 17: Do or have?
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED by FADZILAH AMIN.
Nov 17: Less than zero
From sm.
Nov 11: How foreign is English?
Exploring the foreignness of the English language.
Nov 10: Skirt the issue
Your Questions Answered by FADZILAH AMIN.
Nov 10: Running with ‘on’
OPEN CHANNEL from I. Ho and Khei Yok Man.
Nov 4: Cool matters a great deal
Taking a look at words related to size.
Nov 4: Confused verbs
By ERIC CHRISTEN.
Nov 3: The -ing form
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED by FADZILAH AMIN
Oct 28: Words of kilter
Let’s explore some words that do not quite fit into context.
Oct 27: Tenses and verbs
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED by FADZILAH AMIN.
Oct 27: Barriers to learning a language
By Khei Yok Man.
Oct 21: The Indian barber
“YOUR usual haircut?” the Indian barber said to me, as he held his scissors and comb over my head.
Oct 20: ‘To’ before a verb
Your Questions Answered by FADZILAH AMIN
Oct 20: Still in to use ‘on’
Open Channel
Oct 19: Time to meet
A meeting is a good time to exchange ideas and come to some agreement.
Oct 19: A cacophonous chorus
Wordwise by S.H.LOKE
Oct 14: Primer on Manglish
Exploring some notable features of the pidgin that is Manglish.
Oct 14: To Kill A Mockingbird
CHOOSE the idiom whose meaning is given in the brackets:
Oct 13: ‘On’ or ‘in’?
Your Questions Answered: By FADZILAH AMIN.
Oct 12: Find moe-embedded words
See if you can fill in the blanks with words that have moe in them.
Oct 6: Usage of 'marry'
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED by FADZILAH AMIN.
Oct 5: Reverse take
Changing the order of words in a sentence can bring about a whole different meaning.
Oct 5: Listening skills in business
By YONG AH YONG.
Sep 29: Using all but
Your Questions Answered: By FADZILAH AMIN.
Sep 29: Sign of bad English
The standard of English in this country has gone down the proverbial drain, says Michael Tan.
Sep 28: Stand out in an interview
ENGLISH IN MANAGEMENT - By YONG AH YONG
Sep 23: Building blocks
Positive’ and ‘negative’ affixes.
Sep 22: A cow humanised
Your Questions Answered: By FADZILAH AMIN
Sep 22: The good word
Here is a list of words which can help you to flatter your friends or compliment them appropriately.
Sep 21: Fiddler on the roof
How to play (with words) on the fiddle.
Sep 21: Laughing stock
Malacca is a World Heritage site and has much to offer foreigners and Malaysians alike. However, tourists will be laughing at the use of English on signs and notices.
Sep 16: Teacher’s approach is crucial
Open Channel.
Sep 15: Capital idea
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED By FADZILAH AMIN
Sep 15: The positive side of ‘on your bike’
WE refer to the article “Appalling ignorance” by A Reader who questioned the use of the idiom “on your bike” that we, the organisers of OCBC Cycle Malaysia, are using as a catchphrase for our upcoming mass participation cycling event (MOE, Sept 2).
Sep 14: Strictly speaking
This is the first article in a series on using English in business. Today’s topic is the oral presentation.
Sep 9: Pet hates
Outlining some irksome words and expressions heard in conversation and seen in print.
Sep 8: Pronounce the ‘h’
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED by FADZILAH AMIN.
Sep 7: Read ’em and weep
Written English can bring on the woes.
Sep 2: Appalling ignorance
From A reader.
Aug 31: Composition
In the following tale, the names of over 20 classical composers are hidden in the text. Can you find them all? – Ed.
Aug 26: Is English French-fried?
Exploring some aspects of Frenchness in English.
Aug 25: Worst comes to worst
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED By FADZILAH AMIN
Aug 24: Counter culture
The consistently inconsistent hallmark of English.
Aug 24: Expressing yourself
I HAVE been teaching English for the past 26 years. Teaching the language can be challenging at times, especially when we have students who are not motivated and weak.
Aug 19: Fusion talk
Sometimes it’s hard to tell if Malaysians are speaking English.
Aug 18: History alive
Your Questions Answered: By FADZILAH AMIN
Aug 17: Grammar couplets
What is a verbal? It’s a verb that functions as a different part of speech. Gerund, participle, infinitive – we have an example of each!
Aug 12: A pronouncement on pronouns
Musing over some peculiar features of pronouns.
Aug 11: Redundancies
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED by FADZILAH AMIN.
Aug 10: Snow White
Coordinated by JANE F.RAGHAVAN
Aug 10: Interesting words
IT helps to use words with some originality in mind and here are a few of my favourites.
Aug 5: Make it snappy
The evocative language of sports.
Aug 4: Reason for the doubt
Your Questions Answered by FADZILAH AMIN
Aug 3: Sock, punch, wallop
Fighting for the right words.
Aug 3: Grammar couplets
By OH TEIK THEAM.
Aug 3: Now they are fried
Open Channel.
Jul 29: Not quite journalese
Musing over English competency across the Causeway.
Jul 28: Letter or alphabet?
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY FADZILAH AMIN.
Jul 28: Ordering in slang
There is an understanding that once in a while, it is all right to use the exception permitted in English to express yourself or to make it easy so that you will be heard loud and clear by the person you are talking to.
Jul 22: Sound effect
Speaking in and of silence.
Jul 22: More on Ms
Open Channel
Jul 21: Which half is boiled?
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED by FADZILAH AMIN
Jul 15: The distaff side
Examining some issues related to the tender sex.
Jul 14: The usage of Who and whom
Co-ordinated by Jane F. Ragavan
Jul 13: In praise of plain English
Say it like it is and keep the ‘bad boyfriends’ at bay.
Jul 13: Two rabbit stories
IDIOMANIA by OH TEIK THEAM
Jul 7: Luck out
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED by FADZILAH AMIN
Jul 7: Spot the error
By OH TEIK THEAM
Jul 6: A look at homonyms
Words that are spelt the same and sound alike but with different meanings.
Jul 1: The plurals problem
Examining the problems in the use of the singular and the plural in English.
