National University of Singapore : Promotion of Standard English

Archives

PROSE "Eye on English" Contest Winner's Gallery

Below are the winning entries:

Grand Prize

Name: Lim Lirong

Taken on:10 December 2007, Aljunied MRT Station

Correction in standard English: Please Mind Your Head

Second Prize

Name: Seah Wei Hou, Stanley

Taken on: 13 February 2008 , 1426hr, Blk S9, opposite lift, beside stairs

Correction in standard English: Scaffolding construction in progress

Third Prize

Name:Soon Meiyi Geraldine

Taken on: 2 June 2007, 12.13 pm, At a coffee shop between Outram Park station and the Red Dot Museum

Correction in standard English: There are more seats at the back.

Honourable Mentions

Name: Abhishek Radhakrishnan

Taken on: 22 March 2008, 2025hr, Sheng Shiong Super Market

Correction in standard English:

Shoplifting is a serious offence (but poor English is just criminal). Shoplifters will be charged in court.

Name: Ang Soo Kuang

Taken on: 25 March 2008, 1308hr, SOC1, Outside student lounge

Correction in standard English:

“is being prepared” rather than “is getting ready”. The latter makes it sound like the student lounge is a living thing.

Name: Antonius Howard Tirta Suryawan

Taken on: 16 August 2007, 1500hr, Prince George’s Park Residence

Correction in standard English: We have moved to Canteen 2

Name: Chen Minliang Luke

Taken on: Taken at a coffee shop in Serangoon Gardens some time in 2007.

Correction in standard English: Dogs are not allowed in the shop

Name: Frederick Norman Oplado

Taken on: 21 March, 2008, 0931hr, Sheng Siong Supermarket – West Coast Road near Side Entrance

Correction in standard English:

“For your own safety, please be careful when going in or going out.” OR

“For your own safety, please be careful when entering or leaving.”

Name: Frederick Norman Oplado

Taken on: 21 March 2008, 0936hr, West Coast Market – Hawker Stall

Correction in standard English: “Beansprout Cockles”

Name: Heng Ting Ting

Taken on:

21 March 2008, 1805hr, Yio Chu Kang Road, Kovan Centre, Shop N Save

Correction in standard English:

With any purchase of $10 & above(excluding Grow 3+ Vanilla/Chocolate 1 KG & No Frills Eggs 30s) spent in a single receipt, customers will be entitled to purchase the product at this price.

Name: Jonathan Suen

Taken on: 13 March 2008, 1626hr, Eusoff Hall NUS

Correction in standard English: Please use the MPC Gate to exit Eusoff Hall

Name: Khor Sze Nee, Candice

Taken on: 24 March 2008, 1259hr, IMM World of Sports

Correction in standard English:

Dear Shoppers,

We are closed for renovation and will resume business in mid-April. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

WOS (World of Sports)

Name: L Preetha

Taken on:

17 March 2008, afternoon, E2 computer cluster – printing room. (Engineering)

Correction in standard English:

ATTENTION – Students ( NUS )

For printing your notes and theses.

Please send your print jobs separately.

Send them one set at a time.

If you send multiple copies at one go, the machine will not print all the sets as the file size will be too huge.

The printer will show “insufficient disk space”.

Thank you for your co operation.

Name: Lee Xin Xian Cynthia

Taken on: 21 October 2007, 2000hr, Teahouse at China Square

Correction in standard English:

1. Strictly abide to the tourists’ regulations. Wait for your turn to buy admissions tickets to the park or museum. Do not push and squeeze, nor block the entrance and exit.

2. Keep the environment clean. Do not pollute it or litter.

3. Take good care of the historical public facilities. Do not draw or scratch on the trees or public places of historic interest and scenic beauty. Do not lie on the chairs along the road.

4. Take good care of the trees and grass. Do not tread on the lawn, nor pick flowers or fruits.

5. Take good care of the wild animals, as well as those on exhibition. Do not hunt, frighten, feed, or beat them. Fishing is forbidden in non-fishing regions.

6. Hire and return tour boats according to the regulations. Do not swim or skate in waters that are not open for use.

7. Peddling and distributing of any kind of advertisements or materials containing propaganda is forbidden.

8. Do not fight, mob, nor preach feudalism or superstitious beliefs. Any kind of gambling and other illegal activities are forbidden here.

9. Do not bring dangerous articles or animals into the tourist region. No lighting of fire in the forbidden area.

10. Do not stay or remain overnight when the park or museum has closed. Do not climb over the wall or fence, nor damage them.

Name: Lin Yuhong

Taken on: 18 March 2008, 2300hr, Eusoff Hall Study Room

Correction in standard English:

Does the switch only works when you press it exactly at 2.00 PM? I think the person meant to say “To switch on the lights and air conditioner, press once AFTER 2.00 PM”.