Question/Problem/Issue

中文說「我有一個問題」，很多人會不自覺用出I've a problem，而其實你是指"I have a question"。中文的「問題」，可以對應到question，problem，還有issue。怎麼找到正確的對應呢?

• I have a question.　(問題=疑問)
• The scale of the problem is massive....(問題=麻煩)
• There are still some issues to talk about....(問題=議題)

Amount/number 

中文說「出席的人數很多」，你會用amount還是number? amount抽象地指整體的量很大，不可數；number是你實際上數得出來的很多。

• (X) I was amazed by the amount of people present.
• (O) I was amazed by the number of people present.
• (O) The amount of money needed was soon collect.

Custom / habit

• (X)The teacher has a custom of clearing his throat before he speaks. (這位老師習慣在說話前先清一下喉嚨。)
  custom 通常是指一個地方的『風俗習慣』，多半由文化積累所形成。
  如：local / traditional customs (當地/傳統習俗)。個人的生活習慣需用 habit 。華人經常把approach(方式)、habit(習慣)和custom(習俗)搞混。
• (O) The teacher has a habit of clearing his ! throat before he speaks.