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Dunder Mifflin · English Seminar · Scranton Branch

英文口說課筆記
口說診療室:Email Surveillance 討論場

2026-08-20 · 長問句 → 複述劇情 → 片語造句 → 監控與隱私討論 · 素材全部來自本堂錄音逐字稿
TO:Jack、Peter & 上課夥伴
RE:本堂完整整理。流程是:先把一個卡住的長問句拆開重組,再用英文複述 S2E9 Email Surveillance 的三個場景,接著逐一練本集片語(get off to a good start、God forbid、step on a mine、read the room…),最後是一整輪的職場監控與隱私討論。
NOTE:這堂課的主線是「句子太長就會垮掉」——不是你不會那些字,是你想一次把整句講完。老師的原話:whenever you're making a really long sentence, you need to break it apart. You can't try to make the whole sentence at once.③ 的 40 條全部是當天真的從你們嘴巴出來的句子。另外,課堂上有五處說法事後查證後需要修正(wish 後面的時態、step on a mine 到底是不是這樣用、I feel violated 的語感、God forbid 的「正面用法」、以及 before it launched 其實本來就對),已直接改在 ②、④、⑤ 裡並標上 ⚠️——能查證就查證,這比誰講的更重要本集的字詞定義不在這份——在 08-11 的 S2E9 觀影講義 裡,這份不重寫;這裡收的是同一批片語被你們拿去造句時,實際斷在哪裡。
01

這堂課做了什麼

第一段:一個垮掉的長問句。開場第一分鐘就卡住了——想問「你覺得一個派對要成功,最不可缺的是什麼?」,出來的是 What's the most essential thing the party need for you to think it's a successful one?。老師沒有直接給答案,而是把它拆成三塊:要問的核心是什麼(What are the essential things?)、要掛誰的觀點(what do you think)、要接什麼目的(to be successful)。重組完是 What do you think are the essential things a party needs to be successful? 這一段的方法論比答案重要,整理在 ② 的 ①②。

第二段:用英文複述 S2E9 的三個場景。Michael 的 I wouldn't miss it for the world(為什麼這句配上後面那個 if 就變得很好笑)、卡拉 OK 的合唱(為什麼一個人唱不了、誰接了第二支麥克風、為什麼接)、以及即興表演課的 Michael Scarn。複述時最常掉的還是時態——he don't want topeople are going along with him,結構都對,時態全掉。

第三段:本集片語逐一造句。get off to a good start/hit it off/surveillance/as it turns out/God forbid/knock on wood/step on a mine/read the room/sensitive/leak/have access to。這一段是本堂最有價值的部分,因為每個片語都不是背定義,是當場被逼著造一句自己的句子——Identifying the risks early helps the project get off to a good start.God forbid we have a crash at midnight, so we need a backup server. 全部收在 ④。

第四段:職場監控與隱私討論。四題連續問答:知道公司在監看你的信件你會怎麼想、你會不會因此改變講話方式、哪些東西是雇主不該看的、以及秘密為什麼會外流。這一段兩個人講出了整堂最完整的段落——Jack 的 TSMC 抱怨群組、Peter 的「不會跟潛在客戶提我們在跟他競爭對手合作」。語言上最值得記的是兩個字correspondence(往來訊息的總稱)跟 as it turns out(結果後來)。

第五段:have access to 的收尾。「有什麼是你希望能用、但現在用不到的?」——Anthropic 最新的模型、YouTube Premium、Groq 的 LPU 晶片。這一輪全班(含老師)都講成 I wish I have access to...這是錯的,wish 後面要退一格時態。這一條沒有人在課堂上攔下來,是本講義最重要的一則課後修正,見 ② 的 ③。

課堂小插曲:房間裡的 GPT 又被叫來當場示範答題。它給的那段 sensitive topic 範文(It can feel uncomfortable because it may affect our professional relationship...)結構確實漂亮,但也剛好示範了它寫的不是你講得出來的——那是書面的,你要的是三到五句、能用嘴巴講完的版本。

02

句子怎麼搭起來(本堂主餐)

前兩組是本堂的主線——長句垮掉的原因跟修法。③ 是全班一起講錯、沒人攔下來的那一條。

① 長問句:先立主幹,再掛修飾 不要想一次把整句講完,會卡死。開場那句的重組過程就是方法:先問自己「我到底在問什麼」→ What are the essential things?;再問「還要掛什麼」→ 觀點(for you)、對象(a party needs)、目的(to be successful);最後才組起來 → What do you think are the essential things a party needs to be successful? 老師的原話是 you need to break it apart卡住的時候先退回主幹,把修飾一塊一塊加回去,不要在腦子裡憋一個完整句。順帶:句子短不是缺點,What makes a party a good one? 也完全合格。
② what do you think + 直述語序(間接問句) 用了 what do you think後面就不能再擺一次問句語序。What do you think are the essential things does a party need?What do you think are the essential things a party needs?——後半是名詞子句,一律 S + V,助動詞 do/does/did 直接消失。這也是老師當場點出的那條:想用 do you 就得改成 what do you think,兩個不能疊。同一條規則管 Can you tell me where it is?(✗ where is it)、I don't know what he does.。另外注意 do you...? 只能問是非題(答案是 yes/no),要問內容就得用 wh- 開頭。
③ wish + 過去式(⚠️ 課後修正) 全班連同老師整堂都講成 I wish I have access to...這是錯的。wish 表達「與現在事實相反的願望」,後面要退一格時態I wish I had access to their chip.I wish I were in Japan right now.I wish I could use that model. 講過去的遺憾再退一格:I wish I had known that earlier.(早知道就好了。)判斷法很簡單:wish 後面的東西是假的,所以時態要往後退一步,跟 If I had access to it, I would... 是同一個機制。對照 hope:hope 是還有可能發生的事,不退時態 → I hope I get access next month. 一句話記住:wish 用過去式,hope 用現在/未來式。
④ 被動:were given / be monitored 課堂原句 they will have some scenario for them to play → 正解 they were given some scenarios to play(他們被指定了幾個情境)。同一堂的另一組:I found it's how easy to surveillance employeesI found out how easily employees' correspondence can be monitored. 當「動作是誰做的」不重要或不想講時,就用被動,句子會短很多。反例也在同一堂:All of the people were put on their suits ✗ ——衣服是他們自己穿的,所以是主動 They put on their suits.(were put on 的意思是「有人幫他們穿上」。)
⑤ make + O + 形容詞 / make + O + 原形動詞 本堂出現三次的句型。make + 受詞 + 形容詞He didn't want to make the room awkward.(他不想讓場面尷尬。)make + 受詞 + 原形動詞It made Michael feel embarrassed.(注意是 feel 不是 to feel。)課堂原句 it's make some group of people having the authority to see your private data 有三個問題,最乾淨的改法其實是換句:It gives certain people access to our private data.——想不出來怎麼用 make,就換一個動詞,give/let/allow 通常更好用。
⑥ 複述與回憶一律過去式 本堂最高頻的錯誤形狀,跟上一堂一樣:結構會,時態忘he don't want to makehe didn't want to makepeople are going along with himpeople went along with himno one are going to pair with Michaelnobody wanted to sing with MichaelEven though TSMC can see our message history when we are working thereTSMC could see our messages while we were working there。判斷法:只要在講「當時」,整段就一路過去式,不要一句過去一句現在。
⑦ even though / even if 課堂原句 even he cannot sing the woman parteven if they are not very happy on his behavioreven though = 雖然(事情是真的)Jim picked up the microphone even though he couldn't sing the woman's part.(他真的不會唱。)even if = 就算(假設)I'd go even if it rained.(不一定會下雨。)光講 even 不能接子句。順帶:happy with someone(不是 happy on/about a person)。
⑧ 問句缺助動詞(本堂第二高頻) How you use the "as it turns out"?How do you use it?Is the two phrase have variation?Are the two phrases related?(想講的是「有沒有關聯」,不是 variation);Why do people share secrets that they're not supposed to? 這句老師示範得很漂亮,可以整句背起來。規則只有一條:助動詞出來,主要動詞回原形。
⑨ 與過去事實相反(混合條件句) 課堂上想講「如果他本來就精壯,那句話就不會出事」——當下講成 It would have been a problem if she looks fit。正解:It wouldn't have been a problem if he had been fit and youthful, but that wasn't really the case. 兩件事都已成定局(他不精壯、那句話出事了),所以 if 子句用 had + p.p.、主要子句用 would have + p.p.。這一組跟上一堂的 ② 是同一條,值得再練一次。
⑩ tell sb sth / say sth to sb 課堂原句 when I was telling to our customer the featurestell 後面直接接人,不加 toI told our customer about a feature we can't actually deliver. say 才需要 toHe said that to her. 順帶一個當天很準的觀察:Jack 說 tell 比 promise 輕——沒錯,而真正踩雷的那個動詞是 overpromise(超額承諾):I overpromised on a feature.
03

口誤訂正表

40 條全部出自本堂逐字稿——複述劇情、片語造句、監控討論、還有最後聊晶片那段都在裡面。左欄是當天真的講出來的版本,所以看到自己的句子不用尷尬,那正是這張表存在的理由。

你說的正確說法說明
What's the most essential thing the party need for you to think it's a successful one?What do you think are the essential things a party needs to be successful?本堂的起點。問題不在單字,在一次想講完。拆成三塊再組:核心問句 → 掛觀點 → 掛目的。見 ② 的 ①。
What do you think are the essential things does a party need?What do you think are the essential things a party needs?用了 what do you think,後面就是名詞子句,助動詞 does 要消失。見 ② 的 ②。
Because it is a duel?Because it's a duet.duet /duˈet/ = 二重唱;duel /ˈduːəl/ = 決鬥。差一個母音,意思差很遠。相關:solo(獨唱)、trio(三重唱)、backing vocals(和聲)。
You need one for the female vocal.You need someone to sing the woman's part.the female vocal 是錄音室術語(指人聲音軌)。講「唱女生那段」就是 sing the woman's part/the female part。老師當場給的就是這句。
No one are going to pair with Michael.Nobody wanted to sing with Michael.三件事:①no one 接單數 is/was;②pair with 是「配對」偏機械(藍牙裝置才 pair),人跟人合唱就是 sing with;③複述劇情用過去式。
Jim ended up pick up microphone.Jim ended up picking up the microphone.end up + V-ing(最後變成……),後面一定是動名詞。順帶漏掉的冠詞:the microphone。這個片語你選得很好,只差型態。
Even he cannot sing the woman part.Even though he couldn't sing the woman's part.even 不能單獨接子句,要 even though(雖然)或 even if(就算);②過去式 couldn't;③所有格 woman's。見 ② 的 ⑦。
He don't want to make Michael feel embarrassed.He didn't want to make the room awkward.兩層修正:①時態 didn't;②你當下自己說「Michael 已經很尷尬了,我想講的是整個場面冷掉」——那個字就是 awkward:make the room awkward/kill the vibe。方向完全正確,只差詞。
They will have some scenario for them to play and interact with each actors.They were given some scenarios to play.被動一次解決(見 ② 的 ④),而且短很多。另外 each 後面接單數 → each actor,但這裡整句根本不需要它。
People are going along with him even if they are not very happy on his behavior.People went along with him even though they weren't happy with him.三件事:①過去式;②even though(他們真的不高興);③happy with someone,不是 happy on。go along with sb = 配合、順著對方走,這個片語你自己抓到的,很漂亮。
He just tried to end everyone and shoot everyone.He tried to take everyone out.end everyone 不是英文的講法。要講「幹掉所有人」就是 take sb out(口語)/shoot everyone(直接)。你後面自己補的 shoot everyone 是對的。
The meeting this morning get off to a great start.The meeting got off to a great start this morning.兩件事:①過去式 got;②時間副詞放句尾比較自然。整句主詞是「會議」——這個片語的主詞永遠是那件事本身,不是人。
Identifying the risk before it gets started will help us to get off a good start.Identifying the risks early helps a project get off to a good start.最常漏的是那個 to:get off to a good start。另外 risk 這裡要複數(風險不只一個),before it gets started 可以直接壓成 early——本堂寫作主題之一:能刪的字就刪
It got 10 paid customers even before it launched officially.It had ten paying customers before it officially launched.⚠️ 課堂上被改成被動(before it was launched),但原句其實沒錯——launch 是那種主動被動都通的動詞(the product launched last week 完全自然)。真正該修的是另外兩處:paying customers(付費中的客戶;paid customer 讀起來像「被付錢的客戶」),以及 got → had
I would feel it is a private violation.I would feel it was a violation of privacy.violation of privacy 是固定講法(也可以 invasion of privacy)。private violation 不是英文。順帶:would 開頭之後整句都要跟著退時態。
surveillance on the messaging or email tool we usesurveillance of my correspondence老師給的那個字:correspondence(不可數)= 你跟別人往來的所有訊息、信件的總稱。一個字取代一串工具名,這是本堂最划算的字。
I found it's how easy to surveillance employees' correspondence.I found out how easily employees' correspondence can be monitored.三件事:①how easily(修飾動詞用副詞);②surveillance 是名詞,動詞是 surveil,但這裡最自然的其實是 monitor;③用被動把主詞省掉。
But it end up like, if I'm using company's...But as it turns out, they can monitor everything.as it turns out = 結果(後來發現)。跟 end up 不同:end up 講的是「最後變成怎樣」,as it turns out 講的是「事實跟我原本想的不一樣」。你這句要的是後者。
They definitely have violation... they won't do that.I assumed they wouldn't do that, because it would be a violation of privacy.整句要重搭。重點是 assume(我原本以為)這個字——它剛好跟後面的 as it turns out 成對:I assumed X. As it turns out, Y. 這是講「原本以為/結果」最乾淨的兩句話結構。
I am violated.I feel like my privacy is being violated.⚠️ 課堂上說 I feel violated 一定是指性侵——這講得太滿。實際上英文常用它形容各種強烈的被侵入感(家裡被闖空門、日記被偷看)。但它指向的是你這個人被侵犯,所以拿來講「公司看我訊息」會過重也會被誤會——保險的講法就是把主詞換成隱私:My privacy is being violated.
I will not change, but maybe more severe talking about the company.I wouldn't change much, but I'd be more careful about what I say.你當下要的中文是「更直白」,但講出來的 severe(嚴厲的)、serious(嚴肅的)、stressful(有壓力的)都不是。「直白」是 bluntstraightforwardI'd be even more blunt about it. 另外假設情境要用 would。
All of the people were put on their suits.Everyone put on their suits.衣服是自己穿的,所以是主動。be put on 的意思是有人幫你穿上。順帶:all of the people 直接用 everyone 就好。
They will deduct their salary by how long they are using some websites.They deduct money from your salary based on how much time you spend on certain sites.deduct 的搭配是 deduct A from B(從薪水裡扣掉一筆錢),不能 deduct salary。口語更常說 dock someone's pay。另外時間是不可數 → how much time,不是 how long they are using。
It's make some group of people having the authority to see your private data.It gives certain people access to our private data.想不出 make 怎麼用就換動詞。give sb access to sth 是這一整段最該背起來的句型,後面 have access to、wish I had access to 全部從這裡長出來。
Don't get people to access to those data directly.Without giving anyone direct access to the data.access 當名詞時是 access to,當動詞時後面不加 toaccess the data)。你這句兩個混在一起了。整段的漂亮版本:Let the AI do the monitoring, without giving anyone direct access to the data.
When they detect you are leaking some confidential visual thingsWhen they detect that you are leaking confidential informationconfidential 後面接 informationfilesdata,不是 visual things。你自己講到一半改成 confidential 就對了,只差後面那個名詞。
Even though TSMC can see our message history when we are working there. I don't know that.TSMC could see our messages while we were working there. I didn't know that, so I sent a lot of complaints.整段時態要一路退到過去。你自己在下一句就改成 I didn't know that——那個自我修正的動作比什麼都重要,繼續保持。
How you use the "as it turns out"?How do you use it?問句缺助動詞,本堂第二高頻的錯。見 ② 的 ⑧。
Knock on the wood.Knock on wood.沒有 the。美式是 knock on wood,英式是 touch wood。用法:講完一件不希望發生的事之後補一句(有時真的伸手敲一下桌子)。
If there's a heavy rain when I'm going back to home, I will knock on the wood.I hope it doesn't rain on my way home — knock on wood.這句示範了一個常見誤解:knock on wood 不是動作的敘述,是講完話之後補的一句,不能寫進 if 子句裡當結果。另外 go home 不加 to(home 在這裡是副詞)。
God forbid, if it rains on my way home.God forbid it rains on my way home — I'd have to call an Uber.God forbid 後面直接接那件壞事,不需要 if(加了也不算錯,但多餘)。而且它是插進句子裡的一句話,後面要接著講你會怎麼辦,不能講完就停。
God forbid, we would know what to do.God forbid it happens — but if it does, we'd know what to do.⚠️ 課堂上把這句當成 God forbid 的「正面用法」,這裡更正:它沒有正面用法。God forbid 永遠是「拜託別發生」,只是後面常接一句「真發生了我們也接得住」。把兩半分開講就完全不繞了。Dwight 的原句是最好的範本:If something were to happen to you, God forbid, then I would need to know.
Stepping on people's mind.Stepping on a landmine.mine(地雷)跟 mind(心智)差一個 d,念起來也不一樣。順帶本堂的拼字關卡:埋 = bury(B-U-R-Y),但發音是 /ˈberi/,跟 berry 同音,不念成 /ˈbʌri/。
I stepped on the mine when I was telling to our customer the features that we can do.I put my foot in my mouth when I told a customer about features we can't actually deliver.⚠️ 兩層修正。語法上:tell 後面直接接人,不加 to(見 ② 的 ⑩)。用字上:英文講「講錯話、踩到雷」最常見的其實是 put my foot in my mouth;landmine 系列多半用在形容話題本身——That's a minefield.That's a sore spot.(那是痛處)。真的要用地雷比喻就說 I stepped on a landmine.
We stepped on the mine when we wrongly giving the price.We misquoted the price to the customer.老師當場給的字:misquote(報錯價)。quote 當動詞是「報價」、名詞是 quotation/a quote。同組好用字:overpromise(超額承諾)——I overpromised on that feature.
Observe people's expression to make sure the vibe in the room is suitable for you to do something.Read the room: watch people's facial expressions and read the vibe, so you know what not to say.意思完全正確,只是繞。三個字修:facial expressions(表情要加 facial,而且複數)、vibe(氛圍,可數口語字)、以及把 suitable for you to do something 直接換成 what not to say
Stepping on people's mind... in order to avoiding stepping on mines.in order to avoid stepping on minesin order to + 原形動詞,不是 in order to + V-ing。avoid 後面才接動名詞:avoid stepping。一句話裡兩個規則剛好相反,這是最容易混的地方。
He say James's sister looks like him, and his sister is very furious.He said they looked alike, and she was clearly not happy about it.①say → said;②looks → looked(整段過去式);③你自己馬上改口說「她其實沒發火,只是在維持禮貌」——那句英文是 She was polite about it, but you could tell.
If he looked fit and youngful.If he had been fit and youthful.youthful(年輕有活力的),沒有 youngful 這個字。而且這是與過去事實相反,要 had been。完整句見 ② 的 ⑨。順帶:形容一個人保養得好不要用 well maintained(那是講車子的),用 in good shapehe takes care of himself
It's not of their business.It's none of their business.固定講法 none of your/their business。想講得客氣一點:I'd rather keep that to myself.That's not something I talk about at work.
I like to keep my life.I like to keep my personal life private.keep + 受詞 + 形容詞,少了最後那個形容詞句子就沒講完。這句可以直接背:I like to keep my personal life private. 是回答「不想聊私事」最漂亮的一句。
My friend will ask for the permission first. But she have a lot of gossip.My friend always asks for permission first, but she has a lot of gossip.三件事:①ask for permission 不加 the(permission 不可數);②第三人稱單數 asks/has;③講習慣用現在簡單式加 always,不是 will。
I wish I have access to Anthropic's latest model.I wish I had access to their latest model.⚠️ 本堂最重要的一條,全班(含老師)都講錯、當下沒有人攔下來。wish 後面永遠退一格時態 → had。見 ② 的 ③。同一輪的每一句都要跟著改:I wish I had YouTube Premium.I wish I had access to that chip.
I wish I have access to YouTube Premium to prevent you from spending time watching the useless advertise.I wish I had YouTube Premium so I wouldn't have to sit through ads.四件事:①wish + had;②主詞跑掉了(要 prevent me,不是 you);③advertise 是動詞,名詞是 advertisement/口語 ads;④prevent you from spending time watching 太繞,so I wouldn't have to sit through ads 更像人話。
The MTU that makes by the Grok.The LPU made by Groq.三件事:①你自己更正的 LPU 是對的(Language Processing Unit);②that makes by 要用被動 → made by;③公司叫 Groq,拼 q——跟 xAI 的聊天機器人 Grok(拼 k)是兩個東西,講話時最好補一句 Groq with a Q
It made a chip that the model run faster.They built a chip that lets the model run much faster.let/make/have + 受詞 + 原形動詞,中間那個受詞不能省。老師給的另一個版本用 enable:a chip that enables the model to run faster——注意 enable 後面要 to,let/make 不要。公司當主詞習慣用複數 they。
It don't require CPU.It doesn't require a CPU.第三人稱單數 doesn't,加上可數名詞的冠詞 a。這種小掉字在講技術時特別容易發生——因為注意力都在內容上,句子就鬆掉了。
We didn't arrange it.We haven't put it together yet.中文的「整理」不是 arrange(那是「安排、排列」)。整理資料是 organizeput togetherpull together。而且「還沒做」用現在完成式加 yet 最準。
04

片語實戰卡

這一節不重寫定義——本集片語的意思在 08-11 的 S2E9 觀影講義 ③ 裡已經寫過了。這裡收的是同一批片語被拿去造句時發生了什麼:你講出來的那一句、它斷在哪裡、修好之後長什麼樣。紅字=在劇中或課堂上是誰用的;黃底=可以直接背起來的句子。

get off to a good start開頭開得漂亮翻面

MICHAEL 劇中原句:The IT guy and me did not get off to a great start.(順帶一提,Michael 在這裡用的是 and me 當主詞——文法上該是 The IT guy and I,但這就是真實口語,影集不會替他修。)

定義見 08-11 講義 ③。這裡要記的是主詞永遠是那件事本身(會議、專案、關係),不是人,以及最常漏的那個 to。當天造出來的兩句:The meeting got off to a great start this morning.Identifying the risks early helps a project get off to a good start. 反過來講也很常用:We got off to a rocky start.(開頭不太順。)

hit it off一見如故翻面

老師的延伸 hit it off (with sb) = 一見面就投緣、聊得來。注意兩件事:①it 不能省,是固定的 hit it off;②hit 是不規則動詞,三態都是 hit,所以過去式還是 We hit it off.(你當下問的 hitted 不存在。)

例句:We got off to a great start — we really hit it off in the first meeting. 這兩個片語常常連著用。

God forbid拜託別發生翻面

DWIGHT 定義與 were to 的用法見 08-11 講義 ③④。劇中原句:If something were to happen to you, God forbid, then I would need to know.

⚠️ 課後修正:它沒有「正面用法」。課堂上那句 God forbid, we would know what to do 之所以繞,是因為兩件事被壓成一句。拆開就清楚了:God forbid it happens — but if it does, we'd know what to do. 當天造出來的好句:We need a backup server, God forbid we have a crash at midnight. 後面不需要 if

knock on wood呸呸呸翻面

老師的延伸 沒有 the——knock on wood(美)/touch wood(英)。講完一件不希望發生的事之後補的一句,有時真的會伸手敲桌子。

用法示範:I hope it doesn't rain on my way home — knock on wood. 不能寫進 if 子句當結果(✗ If it rains, I will knock on the wood)。跟 God forbid 的分工:God forbid 放在壞事前面,knock on wood 放在整句後面

step on a landmine踩到地雷翻面

本堂主題字 ⚠️ 課後修正——這一條推翻了 08-11 講義 ③ 的寫法(見 08-11 講義)。課堂上一直用 step on the mine 講「說錯話」,但英文裡最常見的其實是 put your foot in your mouth(講了不該講的話)。

地雷這組比喻多半用在話題本身That's a minefield.(那是雷區)/That's a sore spot.(那是痛處)/Don't go there.(別碰那個)。真的要用動作版就說 I stepped on a landmine.。當天最好的兩句:I put my foot in my mouth when I told a customer about a feature we can't deliver.We misquoted the price.

read the room看氣氛、識相翻面

本堂主題字 read the room = 觀察現場的表情與氣氛,判斷什麼話不能講。定義的漂亮版本(把當天繞的那段壓短):To read the room is to watch people's facial expressions and read the vibe, so you know what not to say.

反面是 misread the room(誤判氣氛)。當天的實例:有人在會議上跟老闆的妹妹說「你們兄妹長得好像」——He misread the room completely. 同組好用字:tone-deaf(完全不看場合的)。

go along with sb配合、順著走翻面

即興課那段 go along with someone = 就算不認同也先配合。你自己在複述劇情時找出來的片語,選得非常準——即興課上大家配合 Michael Scarn 亂演,就是這個字。

完整句:People went along with him even though they weren't happy with him. 注意 happy with(不是 happy on)。相關:play along(陪演下去)、humour someone(順著他哄)。

end up + V-ing最後變成……翻面

卡拉 OK 那段 後面一定是動名詞Jim ended up picking up the microphone. 也可以接形容詞或介系詞片語:We ended up in a bar.It ended up being fine.

跟本堂另一個片語分清楚:end up 講「最後的結果」,as it turns out 講「事實跟原本想的不一樣」。當天那句 But it end up like... 要的其實是後者。

as it turns out結果後來發現翻面

監控討論 用來翻轉自己前一句的假設。它幾乎都是成對出現的:I assumed they wouldn't read our messages. As it turns out, they can — and they do.

當天的完整版:As it turns out, they can easily monitor our chat history. 過去式版本是 as it turned outit turned out that...。這個片語值得練熟,因為講「我原本以為」的故事在職場上幾乎天天用得到。

have / give access to有權限、給權限翻面

本堂收尾題 定義見 08-11 講義 ③。課堂上實際踩到的是搭配:access 當名詞配 to,當動詞不配 to——I have access to the data.I can access the data. 兩個混在一起是當天的高頻錯。

整組句型:It gives certain people access to our private data.I wish I had access to their latest model.(⚠️ wish 後面用過去式,見 ② 的 ③)/Everyone has access to the shared drive.

leak / leaked外流、洩漏翻面

秘密那一輪 leak 當動詞是「洩漏」,當名詞是「洩漏事件」。Have you ever had a secret that was leaked?(被動——你不會是洩漏的人。)/Someone leaked confidential information.

相關字組:confidential information(機密資訊)、a leakera whistleblower(吹哨者,帶正當性)、gossip(八卦,不可數:She has a lot of gossip.)、ask for permission(徵求同意,permission 不可數,不加 the)。

surveil / monitor / surveillance監控(動詞與名詞)翻面

本集主題 surveillance 本身見 08-11 講義 ③。課堂上冒出來的是詞性問題:名詞是 surveillance,動詞是 surveil——但 surveil 在日常商務英文裡少見,monitor 才是你八成場合會用的那個字They monitor our correspondence.The company is under surveillance.

搭配起來的完整句:I found out how easily employees' correspondence can be monitored. 相關:oversee(監督管理,正面)、supervise(帶人)——跟 surveil 完全不同,別混用。

bring up a topic提起一個話題翻面

敏感話題那一輪 bring sth up = 把某個話題提出來(sensitive 這個字本身見 08-11 講義 ③)。題目原句:What is a topic that you would try not to bring up with your boss?

整輪最實用的三句:That's none of their business.(那不關他們的事)/I like to keep my personal life private.(我的私事我不談)/I wouldn't share what we're doing with their competitors.(我不會提我們跟他們競爭對手在做什麼。)三句都可以直接背。

05

字義釐清卡

課堂上卡住、講錯、或當場延伸出來的字。前半是本集主題字,後半是通用字與發音關卡。

correspondence往來的訊息與信件翻面

老師給的關鍵字 不可數,偏正式。指你跟別人往來的所有書面溝通——信件、email、訊息全包。一個字取代 the messaging or email tool we use 那一長串,這是本堂 CP 值最高的字。

surveillance of my correspondenceI've kept all the correspondence with that client. 動詞形 correspond with sb = 與某人通信(另一個意思是「相符」:The numbers don't correspond.)。

violated被侵犯翻面

⚠️ 課後修正 課堂上說 I feel violated 一定是指性侵——這講得太滿。英文裡它常用來形容各種強烈的被侵入感:家裡遭小偷、日記被偷看、包包被翻,都可以說 I felt violated.

但它指向的是「你這個人」被侵犯,語氣很重。所以拿來講「公司看我的訊息」會過重、也容易被誤會。保險的做法是把主詞換成隱私My privacy is being violated.That's an invasion of privacy.

sensitive敏感(兩種)翻面

老師的辨析 老師當天點出的雙義,很值得記:①太私人、不合時宜、講了會出事——Salary is a sensitive topic.②機密的——sensitive informationsensitive data(這個意思幾乎等於 confidential)。

第三個意思是講人:a sensitive person = 心思細膩/容易受傷的人(看語境)。要講「他很會看場合」不要用 sensitive,用 perceptivehe reads the room well

blunt / straightforward / severe / serious直白 / 嚴厲 / 嚴肅翻面

本堂最繞的一次 當天想講「更直白」,講出了 severe、serious、stressful 三個都不對的字。正解是 blunt(有話直說,帶一點不修飾的意味)或 straightforward(直接、坦率,中性偏正面)。

對照組:severe = 嚴厲、嚴重(a severe winter、severe penalties);serious = 嚴肅、認真;stressful = 讓人有壓力的(形容事情,不形容講話方式)。想更委婉一點:frank(坦白)、candid(坦率)。

deduct / dock扣錢翻面

監控討論 deduct A from B = 從 B 裡扣掉 A。所以是 deduct money from your salary,不能 deduct salary。

口語更常用 dock someone's payThey dock your pay if you spend too much time on YouTube. 名詞是 deduction(扣除額,報稅也用這個字)。順帶:時間是不可數 → how much time,不是 how long。

in good shape / well-groomed保養得好翻面

⚠️ 本堂卡最久的一個 中文的「保養得好」沒有一對一的英文。well maintained 是講車子、房子、機器的,用在人身上會很怪(老師的原話:We say that on cars.)。

看你要講哪一種:身材精實 → in good shapefit;外表打理得體 → well-groomedhe looks after himself;氣色年輕 → youthful(不是 youngful,沒這個字);單純好看得體 → decent-looking。當天那句的完整版:It wouldn't have been a problem if he had been fit and youthful, but that wasn't really the case.

misquote / overpromise報錯價 / 超額承諾翻面

踩雷那一輪 quote 當動詞是「報價」,名詞是 a quotea quotation。報錯了就是 misquoteI misquoted the price to the customer.(注意 misquote 另一個意思是「引述錯誤」,看語境。)

你當天很準的觀察是「told 比 promise 輕」——完全正確,而真正會出事的那個動詞是 overpromiseWe overpromised on that feature. 對照的漂亮講法:underpromise and overdeliver(少承諾、多交付)。

duet / duel二重唱 / 決鬥翻面

卡拉 OK 那段 duet /duˈet/ = 二重唱、二重奏(重音在後)。duel /ˈduːəl/ = 決鬥(重音在前)。差一個母音,場面差很遠。

同組:solo(獨唱)、trio(三重唱)、backing vocals(和聲)。要講「唱女生那段」是 sing the woman's part,不是 the female vocal(那是錄音室講音軌的用法)。

bury埋(發音陷阱)翻面

本堂拼字關卡 拼法是 B-U-R-Y,但發音是 /ˈberi/——跟 berry(莓果)完全同音,不念成 /ˈbʌri/。這是英文裡少數拼寫與發音完全對不上的常用字之一。

當天的句子:A landmine is a bomb buried underground, waiting for someone to step on it. 相關:buried(被埋的)、burial /ˈberiəl/(埋葬,名詞)。

mine / mind地雷 / 心思翻面

本堂發音關卡 mine = 地雷(也是「我的」、也是「礦坑」)。mind = 心智、介意。當天講成 stepping on people's mind——差一個 /d/,意思整個跑掉。

順帶三個 mind 的常用句:I don't mind.(我不介意)/Would you mind...?(可以麻煩你……嗎)/Never mind.(算了)。

advertisement / ad / advertise廣告(名詞與動詞)翻面

YouTube Premium 那輪 advertise 是動詞(打廣告),名詞是 advertisement,口語一律講 ad(美)/advert(英)。當天講的 the useless advertise 要改成 the ads

相關句型:sit through ads(被迫看完廣告)= I wish I had YouTube Premium so I wouldn't have to sit through ads. 另外 skip the ad(跳過廣告)、ad-free(無廣告的)。

let / make / have / enable四個使役動詞翻面

晶片那段 let / make / have + 受詞 + 原形動詞(不加 to):a chip that lets the model run fasterenable + 受詞 + to + 原形動詞(要加 to):a chip that enables the model to run faster

這是當天同一句話的兩個版本,兩句都對,只差 to。語感上:let = 允許、make = 強迫、have = 差遣(I had him fix it.)、enable = 使成為可能(最正式)。

Groq / Grok晶片公司 / 聊天機器人翻面

⚠️ 課後釐清 兩個念起來一樣的東西:Groq(拼 q)是做 LPU(Language Processing Unit)推論晶片的公司;Grok(拼 k)是 xAI 的聊天機器人。當天講的「讓模型跑很快的晶片」是前者。

講話時要區分就補一句:Groq with a Q. 順帶:當天講的 MTU 是口誤,你自己更正成 LPU 是對的。同場提到的 Cerebras 做的是 wafer-scale chip(整片晶圓當一顆晶片)。

organize / put together / arrange整理 / 彙整 / 安排翻面

課末 newsletter 中文的「整理」不是 arrange。arrange = 安排(會議、行程)或排列(花、家具)。整理資料、彙整內容organizeput togetherpull together

當天那句的正解:We haven't put it together yet.(我們還沒整理。)相關:sort out(把亂的弄清楚)、compile(彙編,較正式)。

assume / turn out原本以為 / 結果是翻面

監控討論 這兩個字成對使用,是講「我原本以為,結果卻」最乾淨的結構:I assumed they wouldn't read our messages. As it turns out, they can.

相關:it turned out that...(結果是)/I was wrong about that.(我那件事想錯了)/I took it for granted that...(我理所當然地以為)。這一組在職場上比你以為的常用——幾乎每個踩雷的故事都用得到。

06

劇情與文化:S2E9 Email Surveillance

課堂沒有講集數,這是從討論內容認出來的——即興表演課、Jim 的派對、卡拉 OK 合唱、還有整集的信件監控主線,全部指向 S2E9。這一節是複述劇情時該補上的背景。

為什麼 Michael 說 "I wouldn't miss it for the world" 是在討邀請詳解

MICHAEL → JIM 這句話本身的意思是「我一定到,絕不錯過」。笑點在下一句If something else came up, I would definitely not go.(如果有別的事,我就一定不去了。)兩句直接互相矛盾。

老師當場拆得很準:那個 it 指的是他的即興表演課,而 something else 指的是Jim 的派對。所以他真正在說的是——「我很珍惜我的課,但只要你開口邀我,我馬上翹課。」他不是在拒絕,他是在討一張邀請函he's hinting at Jim to invite him)。

語言上的重點:代名詞被省掉的地方就是聽力的難點。not go 後面省掉了 to itto the class,你必須自己把它拼回去才聽得懂。老師的原話:they redact this part, so you have to try to piece it back together.

卡拉 OK:為什麼一個人唱不了,誰接了第二支麥克風詳解

JIM 因為那是 duet(二重唱)——需要一個人唱男聲部、一個人唱 the woman's part。沒有人想跟 Michael 合唱,最後 Jim ended up picking up the microphone

為什麼 Jim 要接?當天的答案繞了一圈才講出來,但方向從頭就對:不是怕 Michael 尷尬(他已經很尷尬了),而是 he didn't want to make the room awkward——不想讓整個場子冷掉。這正是本集的核心:Jim 一邊受不了 Michael,一邊還是會出手接住他。

可以直接背的三句:Nobody wanted to sing with Michael.Jim ended up picking up the microphone even though he couldn't sing the woman's part.He didn't want to make the room awkward.

Michael Scarn 與即興表演課(improv class)詳解

MICHAEL Michael Scarn 是 Michael Scott 在即興表演課上演的角色——一個只會掏槍的動作片主角。improv(即興表演)的規則是「接受並延續對方給的設定」(業界叫 yes, and),而 Michael 每次都直接掏槍把場景結束掉,等於把規則整個踩爛。

所以當天那句 people went along with him even though they weren't happy with him 精準得可怕——go along with 正是 improv 的核心動作,而大家是在被迫配合他。

複述時的正解句:They were given some scenarios to play, and Michael Scarn just tried to take everyone out.

"God forbid" 與美國人的迷信詳解

DWIGHT Dwight 的原句:If something were to happen to you, God forbid, then I would need to know.——表面上是關心,實際上是在打聽「你出事了我能不能當上分公司經理」。God forbid 在這裡的功能是替他把那句不吉利的話包起來

老師補的文化背景:美國人講到不希望發生的事時,會加一句 God forbid(放前面)或 knock on wood(放後面,有時真的敲桌子),把霉運趕走。英式的說法是 touch wood

⚠️ 課後修正:God forbid 沒有正面用法。課堂上那句 God forbid, we would know what to do 之所以繞到大家都昏了,是因為兩件事被壓成一句。拆開就好:God forbid it happens — but if it does, we'd know what to do.

本集主線:email surveillance 與那句 "the IT guy and me"詳解

MICHAEL 整集的主線是 Michael 開始監看員工的即時訊息。討論題單就是從這裡長出來的:你會怎麼想、你會不會改變講話方式、哪些東西雇主不該看。

課堂上讀到的那句 The IT guy and me did not get off to a great start. 有兩個值得記的點:①片語本身(見 ④);②Michael 用 and me 當主詞,文法上應該是 The IT guy and I。影集不會替角色修文法——這正是真實口語的樣子,母語者也會這樣講。你寫作業時要寫正確的版本,但聽到別人這樣講不用懷疑自己。

延伸的討論金句(當天真的講出來的):They can detect when you are leaking confidential information, and they can use it as evidence.Let the AI do the monitoring, without giving anyone direct access to the data.

07

隨堂小測

下次上課前先自己過一遍。點題目看答案。

Q1`I wish I have access to that model.` 哪裡錯?為什麼 wish 後面要那樣寫?
正解 I wish I had access to that model. wish 講的是與現在事實相反的願望,所以時態要退一格——跟 If I had access to it, I would... 是同一個機制。講過去的遺憾再退一格:I wish I had known that earlier. 對照 hope(還有可能發生)不退時態:I hope I get access next month.
Q2把 `What's the most essential thing the party need for you to think it's a successful one?` 修好,並說出你用了什麼方法。
What do you think are the essential things a party needs to be successful? 方法是先立主幹再掛修飾:核心問句(What are the essential things?)→ 掛觀點(what do you think)→ 掛目的(to be successful)。不要一次想完整句,會卡死。
Q3用了 `what do you think` 之後,後面能不能再放一次問句語序?舉一個反例。
不能。後半是名詞子句,一律 S + V,助動詞消失。✗ What do you think does a party need?What do you think a party needs? 同一條規則管 Can you tell me where it is?(✗ where is it)。
Q4God forbid 後面要不要加 if?把 `God forbid, we would know what to do.` 拆清楚。
不需要 if(加了不算錯但多餘)。那句之所以繞是因為兩件事壓成一句,拆開就好:God forbid it happens — but if it does, we'd know what to do. God forbid 永遠是「拜託別發生」,沒有正面用法。範本是 Dwight 的原句:If something were to happen to you, God forbid, then I would need to know.
Q5「我剛剛講錯話了」最常見的英文是什麼?跟 landmine 那組差在哪?
I put my foot in my mouth. 這是講錯話最常用的說法。landmine 那組多半用來形容話題本身That's a minefield.That's a sore spot.Don't go there. 真的要用動作版就說 I stepped on a landmine.(有 land、有冠詞 a)。
Q6`They will deduct their salary by how long they are using some websites.` 有三個問題,各是什麼?
deduct A from B——是 deduct money from your salary,不能 deduct salary(口語更常用 dock your pay);②時間不可數 → how much time;③時態與主詞要一致 → how much time you spend on certain sites
Q7`All of the people were put on their suits.` 為什麼錯?跟 `They were given some scenarios to play.` 差在哪?
衣服是他們自己穿的,所以要主動:Everyone put on their suits.(were put on 的意思是有人幫他們穿。)而 scenarios 是老師發給他們的,動作來自別人,所以被動正確。判斷法:問這個動作是誰做的
Q8`I feel violated` 可以拿來講「公司在看我的訊息」嗎?
不建議。它不是只能用在性侵(家裡遭小偷、日記被偷看都可以說),但它指向的是你這個人被侵犯,語氣很重、也容易被誤會。講隱私就把主詞換掉:My privacy is being violated.That's an invasion of privacy.
Q9get off to a good start 的主詞是誰?把 `Identifying the risk before it gets started will help us to get off a good start.` 修好。
主詞是那件事本身(會議、專案、關係),不是人。正解:Identifying the risks early helps a project get off to a good start. 最常漏的是那個 to;另外 before it gets started 可以直接壓成 early
Q10hit it off 的過去式是什麼?it 可以省嗎?
過去式還是 hit(hit-hit-hit 三態同形),所以是 We hit it off.——沒有 hitted 這個字。it 不能省,是固定搭配。常跟本堂另一個片語連用:We got off to a great start — we really hit it off.
Q11surveil、monitor、supervise、oversee 差在哪?講「公司監看員工訊息」用哪一個最自然?
monitor 最自然(They monitor our correspondence.)。surveil 是 surveillance 的動詞形,但日常商務英文少見。supervise = 帶人、督導;oversee = 統籌管理——後兩個是正面的管理職責,跟監看訊息完全不同,別混用。
Q12bury 怎麼念?跟哪個字同音?
拼作 B-U-R-Y,但念 /ˈberi/,跟 berry(莓果)完全同音,不念 /ˈbʌri/。例句:A landmine is a bomb buried underground, waiting for someone to step on it.
Q13Groq 跟 Grok 是同一個東西嗎?當天講的「讓模型跑很快的晶片」是哪一個?
不是。Groq(拼 q)是做 LPU(Language Processing Unit)推論晶片的公司——當天講的是這個;Grok(拼 k)是 xAI 的聊天機器人。口頭要區分就補一句 Groq with a Q
Q14`a chip that lets the model run faster` 跟 `a chip that enables the model to run faster` 哪一句要加 to?
enable 要加 to,let/make/have 不加:let/make/have + 受詞 + 原形動詞,enable + 受詞 + to + 原形動詞。兩句都對,只差這個 to。
Q15「我的私事我不想談」有哪三句可以直接背?
That's none of their business.(那不關他們的事)/I like to keep my personal life private.(keep + 受詞 + 形容詞,最後那個形容詞不能少)/I'd rather keep that to myself.(我寧可自己留著,最客氣的一句)。
Q16Jim 為什麼要接下第二支麥克風?用一句英文講,並保持過去式。
He didn't want to make the room awkward. 不是怕 Michael 尷尬(他已經很尷尬了),是不想讓整個場子冷掉。完整版:Nobody wanted to sing with Michael, so Jim ended up picking up the microphone even though he couldn't sing the woman's part.
08

本堂結論

① 卡住的時候,退回主幹。這是本堂唯一的主線。你們兩個的英文早就夠用了,卡住幾乎都不是因為缺字,是因為想一次把整句組完。方法:先問「我到底在問什麼/要說什麼」,把那個最短的核心句講出來,再一塊一塊把修飾掛回去。老師的原話值得抄下來:You can't try to make the whole sentence at once.

② 結構會,時態忘——這是你們共同的錯誤形狀。這堂又出現一次:keep + V-ing 對了但掉時態、go along with 選得漂亮但用現在式、end up 的結構對了但沒變 V-ing。片語你們其實記得住,掉的一直是那個 -ed。練法很單純:講完一段之後回頭問自己「這段在講當時嗎」,是的話整段一路過去式,不要一句過去一句現在。

③ 三到五句的規則繼續有效。上一堂訂的還在,這堂執行得不錯——監控討論那一輪兩個人都講出了完整的三句以上。Peter 的下限有進步(I wouldn't share something about the business we are doing with their competitors. 是一句結構完整的好句),Jack 的上限還是要注意:It's kind of how to extend this into longer explanation 這種鋪陳可以直接刪掉。

④ Jack 課堂上提的建議照做:答完要反問回去。原話是「我們應該答完再丟一個問題回去,不然就一直在被問、一直在答」。這個提議完全正確,而且它練的是另一種能力——維持一場對話,不只是回答問題。下一堂開始,答完之後試著加一句 What about you?Have you ever had that happen?Would you do the same?

⑤ 每週的 newsletter 開始動起來。課末談到要把每週學到的東西整理成一份貼進 Discord,也給老師看。老師的要求很寬鬆:Just give me the whole thing, and I'll pick up things that I find interesting.——所以不要等整理得漂亮才交,先有再說。(順帶:「整理」是 organizeput together,不是 arrange。)

⑥ AI 給的答案要能被查證,這條這堂又驗證了五次。本講義有五處推翻了課堂當下的說法:wish 後面要用過去式(全班連老師都講錯,沒人攔下來)、step on a mine 其實不是講錯話最常用的說法、I feel violated 沒有課堂上講得那麼絕對、God forbid 沒有正面用法、以及 before it launched 本來就對、不需要改成被動。全部標了 ⚠️ 寫在對應的卡裡,沒有另開一份互相矛盾的版本。這一條比任何一個片語都重要:能查證就查證,這比誰講的更重要。

09

單字練習區

這堂課的牌組——刻意不重複 08-11 觀影講義那副(那副練本集的字,這副練「為了把話講完而被逼出來的字」)。表格快速複習一輪之後,按下面的按鈕進練習模式,答錯的字會被記下來,之後更常被抽出來考,直到你連對為止。

單字詞性意思
correspondencen.往來的信件與訊息(總稱,不可數)
monitorv.監看、監控(職場上最常用的那個字)
surveilv.監控(surveillance 的動詞形,日常較少用)
invasion of privacyn.侵犯隱私
confidentialadj.機密的
leakv. / n.洩漏(機密、秘密)
gossipn.八卦(不可數)
ask for permissionphr.徵求同意(permission 不可數,不加 the)
assumev.(沒有根據地)以為、假定
as it turns outphr.結果後來發現(事實跟原本想的不一樣)
hit it offphr.一見如故、一拍即合(hit 三態同形)
go along with sbphr.配合、順著對方走(不見得認同)
end up + V-ingphr.最後變成……、結果就……
awkwardadj.尷尬的、令人不自在的
viben.氣氛、感覺(口語)
read the roomphr.看氣氛、識相
misread the roomphr.誤判氣氛、看錯場合
facial expressionn.(臉部)表情
put your foot in your mouthphr.講錯話、說了不該說的(最常用的那個說法)
minefieldn.雷區(處處是地雷的話題或場合)
sore spotn.痛處、不能碰的地方
knock on woodphr.呸呸呸(講完不吉利的話之後補一句,沒有 the)
bring sth upphr.提起(某個話題)
none of your businessphr.不關你的事
keep sth privatephr.把某事保留給自己、不外傳
bluntadj.有話直說的、不修飾的
straightforwardadj.直率的、不繞彎的
misquotev.報錯價(也可指引述錯誤)
overpromisev.超額承諾(答應做不到的事)
deduct A from Bv.從 B 裡扣掉 A
dock sb's payphr.扣某人的薪水(口語)
in good shapephr.(身材、狀態)很好
well-groomedadj.打理得體的(不要用 well maintained 講人)
youthfuladj.年輕有活力的(沒有 youngful 這個字)
buryv.埋(拼 B-U-R-Y,但念得跟 berry 一樣)
advertisement / adn.廣告(advertise 是動詞)
sit through sthphr.(不情願地)從頭看完、忍著坐完
enable sb/sth to Vv.使某人/某物能夠……(後面要 to,let/make 不用)
put sth togetherphr.整理、彙整(中文的「整理」不是 arrange)
dueln.決鬥(跟 duet 二重唱只差一個母音)
GOD FORBID YOU FORGET THE PAST TENSE · 講義完
貼到 ChatGPT、Claude 之類的地方,它就會用這堂課的內容陪你練口說、隨時糾錯。