日本人は気にしてるけどネイティブはあまり気にしない文法ミス6選

Kevin's English Room / 掛山ケビ志郎様の動画の紹介。

 

日常会話においては細かいことは気にしなくていいんでしょう。

昔はどこかの大学の英文学部教授の爺さんみたいなのがしたり顔でバラ撒く眉唾の御高説が色々あったような気がします。

例えば水泳のプールのことを言うんだったら"pool"だと「水溜まり」になるから通じない、"swimming pool"と言わないといけないとか。そんなもん文脈で分かるに決まってるし、実際ネイティブだってpoolと言っている。

「左右」だって英語は右が先で"right and left"だとかいう説を聞いたことがありますが、実際には"left and right"は普通に読んだり聞いたりするし、何の問題もない。

そもそも主張や会話が苦手な国民なので、英語以前に小さい頃から日本語での発表や議論の機会を増やしたほうが良いと思います。

 

追記JAN092025

Chat爺に聞いてみた。

Do you find anything odd or unnatural if I said, "I swam in the pool in the back of my house yesterday"?

ChatGPT:

ChatGPT

There's nothing grammatically wrong or unnatural about saying, "I swam in the pool in the back of my house yesterday." However, it could sound a bit wordy or redundant, depending on the listener's perspective.

Potential Refinements:

1. Simpler phrasing:

   • "I swam in the pool behind my house yesterday."
     • This is more concise and commonly used in everyday conversation.

2. Keeping the original phrasing:

   • If you want to emphasize the specific location (e.g., distinguishing it from other pools), your original sentence works fine.

Ultimately, it's a matter of style and emphasis. The original sentence is perfectly valid; the refinement just makes it a bit more conversational.

あなた:

How about "in the pool"? Isn't it better to say "in the swimming pool"?

ChatGPT:

ChatGPT

Using "in the pool" versus "in the swimming pool" depends on context and how much detail or formality you want to convey:

1. "In the pool":

   • This is natural, concise, and commonly used in casual conversation.
   • If it's clear from context that you're referring to a swimming pool (and not, say, a pond or decorative pool), this phrasing works perfectly.

2. "In the swimming pool":

   • Adds clarity if there's any ambiguity about the type of pool.
   • May sound more formal or specific, which could be appropriate in certain contexts (e.g., writing for clarity or in formal descriptions).

Recommendation:

If the context already makes it clear you're talking about a swimming pool, "in the pool" is better for simplicity and naturalness. Use "in the swimming pool" if you need to eliminate any potential ambiguity or if you're aiming for a slightly more formal tone.

あなた:

Which is more common, "left and right" or "right and left"?

ChatGPT:

ChatGPT

"Left and right" is more common than "right and left" in most contexts. This is largely due to convention and the natural flow of language in English. Here's why:

1. Conventional Order:

• Phrases like "left and right" have been ingrained in common expressions (e.g., "looking left and right," "turn left and right"), making "left" come first more familiar and natural.
• This order is similar to other paired expressions like "black and white" or "up and down," where the order feels standardized.

2. Frequency of Use:

• Linguistic studies show that "left and right" is more frequently used in everyday speech and writing. It's the more instinctive order for many English speakers.

3. Contextual Exceptions:

• "Right and left" might be used in specific contexts, such as emphasizing the "right" side first (e.g., in a directional or political discussion).
• It can also appear in creative writing or for rhythmic purposes.

Conclusion:

"Left and right" is more common and widely accepted, but "right and left" can still be correct depending on the context or desired emphasis.