|
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
rice07
Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 385
|
 Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 5:58 am Post subject: rounding error |
 |
|
Hi
1. I know the structure to have sb do sth is possible for American English. (e.g. I'll have Hudson show you to your room.) But take the following sentence in a newspaper for instance, do you think there's a typo out there? and it might be "..., I would not have had that ...". Or ...
* ...
"I'm much more inclined to eat fresh fruits and vegetables," he said. "I had organic yogurt for breakfast. Trust me, I would have not have had that two years ago, or four years ago.
...
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2009/03/23/2003439157
2. I have trouble understanding the expression a rounding error in the context below. Could you help me with that?
*...
Back in Anaheim, Hirshberg, the head of Stonyfield Farm, said he, too, is optimistic that change is at hand. But he reminded the small crowd that the organic industry remains a �rounding error,� roughly 3 percent, of the overall food and beverage business.
...
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2009/03/23/2003439157
Thanks for your help!
Good day!
rice |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
dragn
Joined: 17 Feb 2009
Posts: 450
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| . . . I would have not have had that two years ago . . . |
Typo? Maybe...but part of me wants to call a spade a spade: it's just plain bad English. Incidentally, you're right: you should say I wouldn't have had that. I know this is a quote, but you should still be aware of one thing. I don't read the Taipei Times that much, but I know for a fact that the China Post, Taiwan's other leading English language newspaper, is routinely full of English mistakes...some that have had me rolling on the floor.  The Taipei Times may be almost as bad (I would like to think it couldn't be worse).
| Quote: |
| But he reminded the small crowd that the organic industry remains a �rounding error,� roughly 3 percent, of the overall food and beverage business. |
No mistakes here. Calling the organic industry a rounding error is a way of emphasizing how small its share of the overall food and beverage market is (3 percent--that's pretty small). The point is that a rounding error is typically a very small percentage of the quantity being measured or discussed. For example, if you round 19.5 down to 19, that represents a rounding error of approximately 2.6 percent. In most cases, that's fairly insignificant. And that's exactly what he means: the organic industry has a fairly insignificant market share.
Hope this helps.
Greg |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rice07
Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 385
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 5:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hi, Greg!
| dragn wrote: |
| Calling the organic industry a rounding error is a way of emphasizing how small its share of the overall food and beverage market is (3 percent--that's pretty small). The point is that a rounding error is typically a very small percentage of the quantity being measured or discussed. For example, if you round 19.5 down to 19, that represents a rounding error of approximately 2.6 percent. In most cases, that's fairly insignificant. And that's exactly what he means: the organic industry has a fairly insignificant market share. |
Thank you! I got it.  
I prefer reading English language newspaper because of the fact that I can enrich my vocabulary and learn some practical English expressions- related to the current events, although what you say is true.
I have not got too much choice but to accept it, because, in Taiwan, as you know, there're only two English language newspapers, besides the China Post is only available for subscribers while most convenience stores in Taiwan carry the Taipei Times.
| dragn wrote: |
| but you should still be aware of one thing. I don't read the Taipei Times that much, but I know for a fact that the China Post, Taiwan's other leading English language newspaper, is routinely full of English mistakes...some that have had me rolling on the floor. The Taipei Times may be almost as bad (I would like to think it couldn't be worse). |
Yes, I agree with you there, despite the fact that I do not cut the mustard to comment on that, in particular for being an English learner.
It's all right, since I won't repeat indiscriminately what the paper says, still another reason is that some of the erudite English teachers like Greg will help me with those questions of English. 
By the way, if you don't mind, let me digress for a moment: Where do you teach English in Taiwan?(I live in Taichung county.)
Hope my English would not make you roll on the floor.  
Good day!
rice |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dragn
Joined: 17 Feb 2009
Posts: 450
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| I have not got too much choice but to accept it, because, in Taiwan, as you know, there're only two English language newspapers, besides the China Post is only available for subscribers while most convenience stores in Taiwan carry the Taipei Times. |
Yes, you're right. Now, I don't mean to suggest you shouldn't read newspapers--reading newspapers is very good training for your English. It's just a shame that a lot of mistakes do manage to slip through.
| Quote: |
| Where do you teach English in Taiwan? |
I live and teach in the suburbs of Taipei, so I don't get down to Taichung very often. Well, basically never. 
| Quote: |
| Hope my English would not make you roll on the floor. |
Not at all. Actually, I think you're doing pretty well. You make a lot fewer mistakes in your writing than most of the people I've met in Taiwan!
If you like reading newspapers--and it's great that you do--you might consider finding a library that has newspapers from English-speaking countries. You could occasionally take a look at the New York Times or USA Today, etc. I know there are public libraries in Taipei that have them, and I'm sure Taichung would as well. That would also be worthwhile from a cultural point of view. Newspapers are a great window to the soul of a society.
Greg
P.S. Now that I've had time to think about it, I honestly believe that this is the first time in my entire life I have ever been referred to as being erudite.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rice07
Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 385
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 12:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hi,
| Quote: |
| Now, I don't mean to suggest you shouldn't read newspapers--reading newspapers is very good training for your English. It's just a shame that a lot of mistakes do manage to slip through. |
Thank you! I grasp your point.
| Quote: |
| I live and teach in the suburbs of Taipei, so I don't get down to Taichung very often. Well, basically never. |
I see. It is in the nothern part of Taiwan. I think I can safely assume your students must enjoy being under your tutelage a lot, deducing from what you've done for the learners here.  
| Quote: |
| P.S. Now that I've had time to think about it, I honestly believe that this is the first time in my entire life I have ever been referred to as being erudite. |
I have not the slightest inclination to curry favor with you painstakingly, by saying: It is that your knowledge of English matches the reality, or rather, matches the meaning of erudite, at least I think so. Doubtlessly you DO deserve the praise. Still, it is also generous enough of the English teachers in this forum to help these students here with their questions of English voluntarily. Hardly can words of gratitude describe how deeply I am touched, indeed. THANK YOU, Greg. THANK YOU, all of the teachers in this forum devoting yourselves to helping students here with their problems.
| Quote: |
| If you like reading newspapers--and it's great that you do--you might consider finding a library that has newspapers from English-speaking countries. You could occasionally take a look at the New York Times or USA Today, etc. I know there are public libraries in Taipei that have them, and I'm sure Taichung would as well. That would also be worthwhile from a cultural point of view. Newspapers are a great window to the soul of a society. |
Thanks for your advice. I google if there's a place in Taiwan where I can get the New York Times or the USA Today. You will never guess, what a rip-off(although I concede that KNOWLEDGE is PRICELESS), NT$100 for a newspaper of New York Times. But no worries, I can read the paper by directly going to the web site of the New York Times.
| Quote: |
| You make a lot fewer mistakes in your writing than most of the people I've met in Taiwan! |
Thanks for your encouragement, I'll strive without cease for the learning- even though there are sometimes a few of bottlenecks I have to confront. Anyway, I really do not mind if you or other teachers correct the mistakes in my writing, because I know it is inevitable for the English learners- without exception- to make mistakes. And your instruction definitely is the dynamic of making progress for me.
Sincerely
rice |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
