Grammar﹕-tion, - ment
【明報專訊】MoMo and Pat are amending the lab guidelines. Let's learn about the do's and don'ts.
MoMo: I think we should include a new rule — never point a knife or test tube in the (1) direction of other lab workers.
Pat: Of course. Last time I nearly spilt the acid on Bill. Luckily no one was hurt.
MoMo: We should also remind ourselves not to take away any samples from the fossil (2) collection. They are very precious.
Pat: Definitely, we need to make a proper (3) announcement about it! Eason tried to steal the fossil last month.
MoMo: Sure, that wouldn't be a problem. Do you have other (4) suggestions?
Pat: No, I don't think so. I will update the guidelines and inform Bill and Dr Panda of the (5) amendments as soon as possible.
MoMo: Great. Thanks, Pat!
■English highway﹕
The suffixes "-tion" and "-ment" can be added to verbs to form nouns. Sometimes the original spelling of the verb is slightly changed.
◆Examples
direct → direction
collect → collection
announce → announcement
suggest → suggestion
amend → amendment
◆Now you try
(Answers on next text)
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in the box. Pay attention to the use of singular and plural forms.
〔educate , agree , move , translate 〕
1. I can't read the original novel because it is in Japanese. I need to read the _____________.
2. After 3 hours of discussion, the two parties finally came to an _____________.
3. Betty is a great dancer. She dances in beautiful _____________.
4. _____________ is the best way to solve poverty.
■Glossary
guideline (n) 指引
test tube (n) 試管
remind (v) 提醒
precious (adj) 珍貴
[Smarties' Power English 第211期]
