Snapped by camera deal Do Hong Kong shopkeepers have a good reputation? What would you do if you thought you’d been cheated out of $4,000.

81. I decided on a suitable model, price at $2,600. But once 82. the deal was made and had paid for by credit card, 83. I was shown the superior model, clearly of better 84. quality. This item was almost four times expensive - $9, Someone else gave it this price. I decided on a suitable model, (which was) price at $2,600… Replace “price” with … priced

81. I decided on a suitable model, price at $2,600. But once 82. the deal was made and had paid for by credit card, 83. I was shown the superior model, clearly of better 84. quality. This item was almost four times expensive - $9, Did the deal pay by credit card? Passive voice … and had been paid for by credit card,...

81. I decided on a suitable model, price at $2,600. But once 82. the deal was made and had paid for by credit card, 83. I was shown the superior model, clearly of better 84. quality. This item was almost four times expensive- $9, Do you think this is the only superior model in the world? This is the first time we mention this superior model. Replace “the” with … a

81. I decided on a suitable model, price at $2,600. But once 82. the deal was made and had paid for by credit card, 83. I was shown the superior model, clearly of better 84. quality. This item was almost four times expensive- $9, What word is missing in this structure: “four times expensive”? Four times as/more expensive

85. I had not intended buy this more expensive camera, 86. but because it was so much better, I eventually did. 85. Just as you would say “I wanted to buy”,you should say... I had not intended to buy...

85. I had not intended buy this more expensive camera, 86. but because it was so much better, I eventually did. 86. Correct.

87. However, after I left the store, I saw in another shop 88. the exact similar model for $5,505. I could not believe this! 89. I returned back to the first store, but they said it was ‘their’ 90. price and they are not accept returns. 87. Correct.

87. However, after I left the store, I saw in another shop 88. the exact similar model for $5,505. I could not believe this! 89. I returned back to the first store, but they said it was ‘their’ 90. price and they are not accept returns. 88. “Similar” means almost the same. The word “exact” tells us that the models were more than similar. Use “the” for “same”, but “a” for “similar”. Replace “similar” with … same

87. However, after I left the store, I saw in another shop 88. the exact similar model for $5,505. I could not believe this! 89. I returned back to the first store, but they said it was ‘their’ 90. price and they are not accept returns. Return = go back You can correct this two ways. Replace “returned” with … went Or delete … back

87. However, after I left the store, I saw in another shop 88. the exact similar model for $5,505. I could not believe this! 89. I returned back to the first store, but they said it was ‘their’ 90. price and they are not accept returns. The only way to use the verb to be (are) and a verb in the active voice is in the present continuous. They claim this is their usual policy, so you cannot say “they are not accepting returns”. Replace “are” with … could/would/did/do

91. I upset not only because I was overcharged more 92. than $4,000 (which are a lot of money for anyone), 93. but also because these unscrupulous sales seem 94. to lack of integrity in dealing with their customers. 91. “Upset” is being used as an adjective here. What verb is missing between “I” and “upset”? am/was/feel/became

91. I upset not only because I was overcharged more 92. than $4,000 (which are a lot of money for anyone), 93. but also because these unscrupulous sales seem 94. to lack of integrity in dealing with their customers. Is money countable? Replace “are” with … is

91. I upset not only because I was overcharged more 92. than $4,000 (which are a lot of money for anyone), 93. but also because these unscrupulous sales seem 94. to lack of integrity in dealing with their customers. Some HK students refer to people who sell things as “sales”, but this is incorrect. Replace “sales” with … salespeople/salesmen/saleswomen/ shopkeepers/sales assistants

91. I upset not only because I was overcharged more 92. than $4,000 (which are a lot of money for anyone), 93. but also because these unscrupulous sales seem 94. to lack of integrity in dealing with their customers. Lack (verb) = He lacks integrity. Lack (noun) = There is a lack of integrity among HK salespeople. Is “lack” a noun or a verb here? Delete … of

95. I am told this is a common practice in Hong Kong. I am suggest 96. that tourists be warned of these practices when they arrive at the 97. airport. I also think that the government should be require 98. stores to accepts return within three days purchase. 95. The only way to use the verb to be (am) and a verb in the active voice is in the present continuous. “I am suggesting” wouldn’t be appropriate. Delete … “am”.

95. I am told this is a common practice in Hong Kong. I am suggest 96. that tourists be warned of these practices when they arrive at the 97. airport. I also think that the government should be require 98. stores to accepts return within three days purchase. 96. Correct.

95. I am told this is a common practice in Hong Kong. I am suggest 96. that tourists be warned of these practices when they arrive at the 97. airport. I also think that the government should be require 98. stores to accepts return within three days purchase. 97. Who should require stores to accept returns? The government should, so we need the active voice. Delete … be

95. I am told this is a common practice in Hong Kong. I am suggest 96. that tourists be warned of these practices when they arrive at the 97. airport. I also think that the government should be require 98. stores to accept returns within three days purchase. 98. You may or may not be familiar with the following structure: within (number + noun) of (noun). Ex.: You will receive a reply within 3 days of your interview. … within three days of purchase.