Errors in the Use of Auxiliary Verbs

能愿动词的误用

　

　　会

　　can , may

 

　　Example:

　　Wrong：只有有才能的人，才会当大使。

　　Right：只有有才能的人，才能当大使。

　　“会”is confused with “能”here. They are two distinct verbs in Chinese, “能”suggests the possession of a certain capability or qualification. In this sentence, “有才能的人”is a necessary qualification for an ambassador. However “会”can not express this meaning. It must be replaced by “能”to achieve consistency of the whole sentence.

 

　　Example:

　　Wrong：你会什么时候去？

　　Right：你能什么时候去？

　　“会”and “能” both carry the meaning of possibility. But in a question, “能”suits all persons whereas “会”generally occurs with the third person. In the above sentence, the subject is the hearer, thus “能”should be used instead of “会”.

 

　　Example:

　　Wrong：一个好演员既会跳的好，又会唱的好。

　　Right：一个好演员既要（应该）跳的好，又要（应该）唱的好。

　　“跳的好”and “唱的好”are logical requirements for a good ac-tor. Therefore, one should not use “会” but should use “要” or “应该”which denotes logical necessity.

 

　　Example:

　　Wrong：我喜欢说汉语，但是我只说一点。

　　Right：我喜欢说汉语，但是我只会说一点儿。

　　“一点儿”is used here to indicate that one’s knowledge and competence in the Chinese language acquired through learning and practice is rather limited.“会”is rather limited.“会”is needed before the second predicate verb “说”。

 

　　Example:

　　Wrong：以后你汉语说的很好。

　　Right：以后你汉语会说的很好。

　　To affirm the prediction that something will be realized or achieved in the future,“会”is required before the verb (“说”)。

 

　　Example:

　　Wrong：胜利是不轻易得到的。

　　Right：胜利是不会轻易得到的。

　　To affirm the prediction that something will be realized or achieved in the future,“会”is required before the verb(“说”)。

 

　　Example:

　　Wrong：太晚了，不会他来了。

　　Right：太晚了，他不会来了。

　　The negative form “不会”denoting impossibility can not occur initially before the su bject,but should follow the subject to negate the possibility of an action.