help with written British English
By maribea
@maribea (2366)
Italy
February 15, 2007 3:09am CST
I'm preparing for my advanced exam in English (ESOL exam, that is English exams for people using English as a foreign language).
I can easily work on grammar on my own but I need a bit of help with written English. I mean...is there anybody who can read my papers and send it back to me with corrections if needed? I know that is a great favour but if there is anybody who can help, I'll be very happy. I need an help with British English because my exam is on British and not American English. If anybody can help me please write me back.
thank you for helping and have a nice day.
maria beatrice
2 people like this
3 responses
@eslproofreader (517)
• United States
15 Feb 07
Hi, maria. I've been a teacher of ESL for 15 years. Now, I work on-line only. I'd be more than willing to help you, but I do speak American English. Still, given the test that you'll be taking, I don't think it would make a big difference. Feel free to write me here, or visit my sites: eslproofreader.com and eslquestion.com.
P.S. In your post you said 'I need an help'. First off, 'help' doesn't need an article in this case (and if it did, it wouldn't be 'an'; 'an' only precedes words that begin with vowels that are not pronounced as diphthongs (the 'y' or 'w' sound): 'an opal', 'an umbrella', but 'a unique expression' (because 'unique' is spelled with a 'u', but it is pronounced as 'y'). There are fixed phrases with help, like 'lend a helping hand' (where 'helping' serves as an adjective). You could use the definite article, 'the', with 'help' when being specific, such as 'the help that you gave me was greatly appreciated'. I'm sure this was much more than you wanted to know! Good luck with your studies. Your English sounds quite fluent.
@maribea (2366)
• Italy
16 Feb 07
dear teacher, this is the kind of help I need...I need someone to teach me the things it is difficult to learn when studying alone or to find on a grammar...your explanation was clear enough....do you really mean you don't mind help me with my exam?
I need someone to read what I write and make the kind of corrections you made. The exam is in British English but I think the differences come to vocabulary, spelling and use of tenses....
hope to hear from you soon
thank you
maria beatrice
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
15 Feb 07
I wish to be able to help you with British English, but as you already noticed, American English is slightly different than British.
Good luck with you test.
@aidonia (4209)
• Greece
15 Feb 07
My dear friend i wish I can help you.My English as you know better than me are terrible!I post just for sent you my best wishes for your exam.Have a nice day too Maria and good luck.
@maribea (2366)
• Italy
15 Feb 07
you're nice...you're always nice...your English is not terrible,,,the only fact is that I need a mother tongue speaking to help me with written English because I need to become as perfect as possible.
thank for your wishes
