Common English Mistakes in Theses by Cantonese Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Cantonese speakers from Hong Kong when writing a Thesis in English.

Mistake Example #1

Overuse of 'very' to emphasize adjectives

The research findings indicate that the results are verysignificant andvery important for the field of environmental science. The data collected was verycomprehensive, providing avery detailed analysis of the pollution levels in Hong Kong. This study is veryunique because it offers avery new perspective on the impact of urban development on air quality.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Good work overall! The word "very" was not necessary and it makes the text sound less professional, so I took it out."

The research findings indicate that the results are significant and important for the field of environmental science. The data collected was comprehensive, providing a detailed analysis of the pollution levels in Hong Kong. This study is unique because it offers a new perspective on the impact of urban development on air quality.

The research findings indicate that the results are very significant and very important for the field of environmental science. The data collected was very comprehensive, providing a very detailed analysis of the pollution levels in Hong Kong. This study is very unique because it offers a very new perspective on the impact of urban development on air quality.

Mistake Example #2

Overuse of direct translations from Cantonese

In this thesis, we will discussabout the impact of technology on education in Hong Kong. Many studentsthey find that using digital tools can enhance their learning experience, but some teachers worry that it will make students becometoo dependent on technology. It is important to balancebetween traditional teaching methods and new technological approaches to ensure students canlearn effectively.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking to sound more native and natural."

In this thesis, we will discuss the impact of technology on education in Hong Kong. Many students find that using digital tools can enhance their learning experience, but some teachers worry that it will make students too dependent on technology. It is important to balance traditional teaching methods and new technological approaches to ensure students learn effectively.

In this thesis, we will discuss about the impact of technology on education in Hong Kong. Many students they find that using digital tools can enhance their learning experience, but some teachers worry that it will make students become too dependent on technology. It is important to balance between traditional teaching methods and new technological approaches to ensure students can learn effectively.

Mistake Example #3

Confusion with countable vs. uncountable nouns ('She has much friends')

In this thesis, I explore the impact of social media on youth culture in Hong Kong. There is much evidence to suggest that social media platforms have asignificant influence on how young people communicate and express themselves. Manyuch research haves been conducted on this topic, but few studies focusspecifically on the unique cultural context of Hong Kong. Through interviews and surveys, I aim to gather data that will contribute to a deeper understanding of these dynamics.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Just a few minor tweaks to refine the writing :) Good job! "

In this thesis, I explore the impact of social media on youth culture in Hong Kong. There is much evidence to suggest that social media platforms have a significant influence on how young people communicate and express themselves. Much research has been conducted on this topic, but few studies focus on the unique cultural context of Hong Kong. Through interviews and surveys, I aim to gather data that will contribute to a deeper understanding of these dynamics.

In this thesis, I explore the impact of social media on youth culture in Hong Kong. There is much evidence to suggest that social media platforms have significant influence on how young people communicate and express themselves. Many research have been conducted on this topic, but few studies focus specifically on the unique cultural context of Hong Kong. Through interviews and surveys, I aim to gather data that will contribute to a deeper understanding of these dynamics.