Feedback, Input & Comment

工作上有三個單字 feedback, input 與 comment ，常常交替使用 (interchangeable) ，但究竟在什麼 context 之下用、該怎麼用，我並沒有掌握得很好，於是本週上英文課之前特地發了訊息要求我的美籍老師為我解惑，他也幽默地回我： OK. I look forward to giving you my feedback, comments and input regarding these terms..

先從 feedback 講起，這個字當名詞時，字典上定義是：

1. advice, criticism etc about how successful or useful something is，
   例如：How can I provide feedback without making someone angry?
2. a very unpleasant high noise, caused when a microphone is too close to an amplifier

重點在，對某人「已經完成」的「某件事」給予回饋意見。建議或批評都可以。

而 input 這個字當名詞時，定義是：

1. information that is put into a computer
2. ideas, advice, money or effort that you put into a job or activity in order to help it succeed

例句如：

• I need your input on what to have for dinner.
• She provided some valuable input at the start of the project.   
• The computer gets its input from a keyboard or mouse.
• This VCR has several audio inputs.
• The job will require a considerable input of money.    
• The data is ready for input into a computer.

這個字用途很廣，可以用在時間、金錢的投入或想法、建議的提供，重點是希望某事能夠「成功」 ，在商業英文中，是一個正面的好字。

最後是 comment 這個字，當名詞時指的是 an opinion that you express (say or write) about someone or something，是個中性字，詢問意見或看法。例如：

• Does anyone have any questions or comments?
• I don't want any comments on/about my new haircut, thank you!
• It was just a casual comment, I didn't mean it to be taken so seriously.
• I suppose his criticism was fair comment (= a reasonable opinion).
• The tutor's comments on my work were very apt and to the point.
• Her ridiculous comments provoked an outburst of anger from the boss.
• He made some derogatory comment about her appearance.
• The Minister was unavailable for comment last night.

有時候當你不想回答某人的問題時，你也可以直接說 No comment. 沒意見

結論是，這三個字比較起來，我好像比較喜歡 input ...明天開始好好利用它！