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Summary of Grammar s4

This document covers three lessons in Business English grammar, focusing on the Present Simple, Passive Voice, and Conditional Questions. The Present Simple is essential for expressing facts, updates, and responsibilities in business communication, while the Passive Voice is used to emphasize actions over agents, particularly in confidential contexts. Conditional Questions help explore possibilities and make informed decisions, enhancing problem-solving and negotiation skills in a professional setting.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
12 views16 pages

Summary of Grammar s4

This document covers three lessons in Business English grammar, focusing on the Present Simple, Passive Voice, and Conditional Questions. The Present Simple is essential for expressing facts, updates, and responsibilities in business communication, while the Passive Voice is used to emphasize actions over agents, particularly in confidential contexts. Conditional Questions help explore possibilities and make informed decisions, enhancing problem-solving and negotiation skills in a professional setting.

Uploaded by

Boutheina Ttn
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SUMMARY OF GRAMMAR S4

Business English Grammar: Lesson 1 - The Power of the


Present Simple
Welcome! In our journey to mastering Business English, we'll start with a fundamental yet
incredibly powerful tense: The Present Simple. Think of it as the bedrock upon which much
of your professional communication will be built.

I. Warming Up (Getting Started):

Let's consider some initial thoughts:

 What are some things you can say or do to create a positive first impression in a
business setting?
 How can a company ensure a visitor feels welcome and valued?
 In what ways do greetings differ between formal and informal situations you've
encountered?

Here are some useful expressions to keep in mind:

 It’s nice to finally meet you.


 How was your flight?
 Good day everyone!

II. Why the Present Simple in Business English?

The Present Simple isn't just a basic grammar point; it's a vital tool in the business world for
several key reasons:

1. Expressing Facts and General Information: Business often deals with objective
truths and established knowledge. Example: Our company specializes in sustainable
energy solutions.
2. Business Reports and Updates: When presenting current situations or regular
occurrences, the present simple is your go-to. Example: Sales figures show a
consistent increase this quarter.
3. Formal Business Writing: In official documents and correspondence, clarity and
directness are crucial. Example: The policy states that all employees must attend the
safety briefing.
4. Email Communication: Describing routine procedures or current states in emails
requires the present simple. Example: I send you the updated report every Monday.
5. Project Management and Planning: Outlining the regular steps or ongoing
processes of a project uses this tense. Example: The team holds weekly progress
meetings.
6. Job Descriptions and Responsibilities: Defining the regular tasks and duties of a role
relies heavily on the present simple. Example: The marketing manager oversees all
online campaigns.
7. Meetings and Presentations: When presenting information or discussing established
practices, you'll frequently use the present simple. Example: This chart illustrates the
annual growth.
8. Customer Communication: Providing information about products, services, or
standard procedures often involves the present simple. Example: Our customer
support team operates 24/7.
9. Negotiations and Agreements: Stating current terms or established conditions in
negotiations uses this tense. Example: We offer a 10% discount for bulk orders.
10. Cross-Cultural Communication: When explaining standard practices or general
information about your company or culture, the present simple provides clarity.
Example: In our company, we value teamwork and collaboration.

III. Setting the Stage: Initial Interactions

Consider these common phrases used when meeting someone for the first time in a business
context:

 Hello, my name is… from…


 Did you have any trouble finding the office?
 Please help yourself to some refreshments?
 Is this your first time visiting…?

Notice how these questions and statements often use the present simple to inquire about the
current situation or offer hospitality.

V. Form and Use of the Simple Present

Let's delve into the grammatical structure and application of the present simple:

Form:

 Positive (P): Subject + Base form of the verb (add -s or -es for third-person singular:
he/she/it)
o Example: He speaks. They work.
 Negative (N): Subject + do not (don't) / does not (doesn't) + Base form of the verb
o Example: He does not speak. They do not work.
 Question (Q): Do / Does + Subject + Base form of the verb?
o Example: Does he speak? Do they work?

Use:

The Simple Present is primarily used for actions and situations that are true or happen
regularly in the present:

1. Facts and Situations in the Present: To express a general truth or a current state.
o Examples: Our secretary works very hard. I do not agree with you.
2. Actions in the Present (Habits and Routines): To describe actions that occur never,
once, several times, or regularly. These often go with signal words.
o Examples: Mister Brown never attends a meeting. He always sends me. I
sometimes go to work by bus. We speak English very often. I write a poem
every day. Our neighbor normally leaves the house at 8 o’clock.
3. Actions Set by a Timetable or Schedule: To talk about future events that are fixed
and beyond our control.
o Examples: The train leaves at 6:24. The conference starts at 9:30.
4. If Clause Type 1: Used in conditional sentences to talk about possible future
situations and their consequences.
o Example: If I talk too much, I get a sore throat.

VI. Identifying Signal Words

Certain adverbs of frequency often accompany the present simple, acting as "signal words":

 always
 every (day, week, month, year, etc.)
 never
 normally
 often
 seldom
 sometimes
 usually

VIII. Looking Ahead:

By the end of this lesson, you will have taken the first step towards more effective Business
English communication. You will also gain a foundational understanding that will help you:

 Use parts of speech appropriately.


 Distinguish between adverbs and adjectives.
 Understand when and how to use articles (a, an, the).
 Recognize and use common English interjections in conversation.

Congratulations on completing Lesson 1! Practice using the present simple in your daily
communication, and we'll build upon this knowledge in our future lessons.
Business English Grammar: Lesson 2 - The Strategic Use
of the Passive Voice
Welcome back! In this lesson, we'll explore the passive voice – a grammatical tool that
allows you to shift the focus in your sentences, particularly useful in specific business
communication scenarios.

I. Setting the Scene (Understanding the Context):

Read the following scenario carefully:

XYZ Enterprises is a global technology company known for its cutting-edge innovations. The
company is currently working on a highly confidential project to develop a revolutionary
device that will redefine the industry. The details of this project are closely guarded due to its
strategic importance. In a recent meeting, the project manager presented the latest updates on
the development. The team has made significant progress, and several breakthroughs have
been achieved.

Now, consider this question in relation to the scenario:

Does the team share updates on the project's progress without disclosing specific details
about the agents (the people doing the action) involved?

Based on the scenario, the answer is yes. The language used focuses on the progress and
achievements rather than who specifically accomplished them. This hints at the strategic use
of the passive voice to maintain confidentiality.

Find sentences in the scenario referring to the agent (the doer of the action).

Go back to the scenario and try to identify sentences where the person or group performing
the action is explicitly mentioned.

……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………..

You'll likely find that the scenario lacks explicit mentions of the agents performing the actions
related to progress and breakthroughs. This is a key characteristic of using the passive voice
to de-emphasize the actor.

II. The Strategic "Why": When to Use the Passive Voice in Business Writing
The core principle of when to use the passive voice in a business context can be summarized
as follows:

Use the passive voice when it's more important to focus on the action or the result of the
action, and when the agent (the person or thing doing the action) is unimportant,
unknown, obvious from the context, or when you intentionally want to avoid mentioning
them.

The scenario illustrates this perfectly. By saying "Several breakthroughs have been
achieved" instead of "The research team achieved several breakthroughs," the focus remains
on the progress itself, and the specific team responsible is kept confidential.

III. Examples in Action (From the Scenario):

Let's analyze the example sentences provided in the lesson:

1. Several key components have been successfully integrated, ensuring enhanced


performance.
o Why Passive? The focus is on the integration and its result (enhanced
performance). Specifying who integrated the components might reveal
sensitive information about the project team or their specific roles, which the
company wants to keep confidential.
2. Important decisions have been made to streamline the production process.
o Why Passive? The emphasis is on the decisions and their purpose
(streamlining production). The individuals or departments who made these
decisions are not mentioned, likely because this information is confidential and
could provide insights to competitors.
3. A new feature has been developed, providing the device with a unique capability.
o Why Passive? The highlight is the development of the new feature and its
impact (unique capability). Revealing the specific team or individuals
responsible for this development could compromise the project's secrecy.

IV. Grammar Explanation: Shifting the Focus

The passive voice allows us to change the emphasis of a sentence. Consider the active
sentence:

 Active: Aliya Monier directed the film. (Focus on Aliya Monier)

By using the passive voice, we can shift the focus to the action or the object of the action:

 Passive: The film was directed by Aliya Monier. (Focus on The film)

Key Reasons for Using the Passive Voice:

 Focus on the most important information: When the receiver of the action is more
relevant than the doer.
 When the agent is unknown: Example: The files were deleted. (We don't know who
deleted them).
 When the agent is obvious: Example: The suspect was arrested. (It's obvious the
police arrested them).
 When we don't want to mention the agent: For diplomacy, to avoid blame, or for
confidentiality (as seen in the scenario).
 In more formal or scientific writing: To maintain objectivity and focus on processes
or results.

V. Forming the Passive Voice: The Basics

The most common structure for the passive voice is:

Subject + be (am, is, are, was, were, been, being) + past participle of the main verb

 Example: The new smoke alarm was installed yesterday.

The "doer" of the action is called the agent. We can mention the agent using the preposition
"by" if it's important:

 Example: The new smoke alarm was installed yesterday by the company director
herself.

VI. Passive Voice with Modal Verbs

We can also use the passive voice with modal verbs (can, must, should, will, etc.):

Modal verb + be + past participle

 Example: A podcast can be made with minimal resources.


 Example: The accident must be reported to the police.
 Example: New laws should be created to regulate electric scooters.

VII. Informal Passive: Using "Get"

In informal English, "get" is sometimes used instead of "be" to form the passive, often for
actions with a negative connotation:

 Example: My bicycle got stolen last night. (= My bicycle was stolen last night.)

VIII. The Impersonal Passive: Reporting What People Say or Believe

The impersonal passive is used with reporting verbs (allege, believe, claim, consider,
estimate, expect, know, report, say, think, understand, etc.) to report general opinions or
beliefs without specifying who holds them. It has two main forms:

Form 1: It + be + past participle + (that) + subject + verb

 Example: It is estimated that millions of people visit the site every year.
 Example: It is believed that the walls date from the third century BCE.
 Example: It is reported that mosquitoes transmit the disease.
Form 2: Someone/something + be + past participle + infinitive

 Example: Millions of people are estimated to visit the site every year. (simple
infinitive)
 Example: The walls are believed to have been built in the third century BCE.
(perfect infinitive - for a past action)
 Example: Mosquitoes are reported to be transmitting the disease. (continuous
infinitive - for an action in progress)

IX. Conclusion:

The passive voice is a valuable tool in your Business English arsenal. Understanding when
and how to use it strategically allows you to control the focus of your message, maintain
confidentiality, and communicate effectively in various professional contexts. Remember to
consider your audience and the purpose of your communication when deciding whether to use
the active or passive voice.

Congratulations on completing Lesson 2! Continue to observe how the passive voice is


used in business writing and practice incorporating it into your own communication.

Business English Grammar: Lesson 3 - Navigating


Possibilities with Conditional Questions
Welcome to Lesson 3! Today, we'll explore the fascinating world of conditional questions
in Business English. These questions, built upon the foundation of conditional sentences, are
essential for exploring possibilities, understanding potential outcomes, and making informed
decisions in a professional context.

I. Understanding the Basics: Conditional Sentences

Before diving into conditional questions, let's quickly recap the four main types of conditional
sentences. As you correctly noted, they all start with an "if clause" that sets a condition,
followed by a main clause that states the consequence or result.

Compare these sentences again to refresh your understanding:

 If sales increase (generally), we make a profit. (Zero Conditional - General truths)


 If sales increase (next quarter), we‘ll make a profit. (First Conditional - Real
possibility in the future)
 If sales increased (next quarter), we would make a profit. (Second Conditional -
Unlikely or imaginary future)
 If sales had increased (last quarter), we would have made a profit. (Third
Conditional - Imaginary past, contrary to reality)
The "if clause" presents the scenario, and the second clause describes what happens if that
scenario occurs.

II. The Importance of Conditional Questions in Business

Conditional questions in business English are vital for:

 Exploring Scenarios: Asking "What would happen if...?" allows businesses to


consider different possibilities and their potential impact.
 Problem Solving: "If we don't meet this deadline, what could be the consequences?"
helps identify potential issues and encourages proactive solutions.
 Decision Making: "If we invest in this new technology, what kind of return on
investment could we expect?" aids in evaluating options.
 Negotiations: "If you offered us a lower price, would you require a longer contract?"
helps understand the other party's flexibility and potential trade-offs.
 Risk Assessment: "If this key supplier went out of business, what contingency plans
do we have?" helps identify and prepare for potential risks.

By incorporating conditional questions, professionals can navigate uncertainties, anticipate


challenges, and make more informed decisions, contributing to the overall success and
resilience of the business.

III. Connecting to Conditional Sentence Structures

Conditional questions are essentially conditional sentences phrased as questions. They follow
similar structural patterns, but with the auxiliary verb (will, would, could, might, etc.) moved
to the beginning of the main clause to form the question.

Let's look at how the conditional sentence structures can be transformed into questions:

1. Zero Conditional Questions: (Focus on general truths and logical outcomes)

 Structure: If/when + present tense, do/does + subject + present tense?


 Example: If we lower our prices, do we attract more customers? (Based on: If we
lower our prices, we attract more customers.)
 Example: When the system crashes, does the IT department get notified
automatically? (Based on: When the system crashes, the IT department gets notified
automatically.)

2. First Conditional Questions: (Exploring real possibilities in the future)

 Structure: If/when + present tense, will/can/may/might + subject + base form of


verb?
 Example: If our marketing campaign is successful, will we need to increase
production? (Based on: If our marketing campaign is successful, we will need to
increase production.)
 Example: If the client delays payment, can we impose a late fee? (Based on: If the
client delays payment, we can impose a late fee.)
 Example: If we offer a discount, might we see a significant increase in sales?
(Based on: If we offer a discount, we might see a significant increase in sales.)
3. Second Conditional Questions: (Exploring unlikely or imaginary future scenarios)

 Structure: If + past simple, would/could/might + subject + base form of verb?


 Example: If we had a larger budget, what kind of marketing strategies would we
implement? (Based on: If we had a larger budget, we would implement different
marketing strategies.)
 Example: If you could change one thing about your role, what would it be? (Based
on: If I could change one thing about my role, it would be...)
 Example: If the company offered more flexible working hours, might employee
satisfaction improve? (Based on: If the company offered more flexible working
hours, employee satisfaction might improve.)

4. Third Conditional Questions: (Reflecting on imaginary past scenarios and their


alternative outcomes)

 Structure: If + past perfect, would/could/might + subject + have + past participle?


 Example: If we had invested in that technology earlier, would we have a
competitive advantage now? (Based on: If we had invested in that technology earlier,
we would have a competitive advantage now.)
 Example: If you had known about the potential risks, would you have made a
different decision? (Based on: If I had known about the potential risks, I would have
made a different decision.)
 Example: If the delivery had arrived on time, could we have met the client's
deadline? (Based on: If the delivery had arrived on time, we could have met the
client's deadline.)

IV. Analyzing the Provided Examples (Columns 1 & 2):

The examples in Column 1 are statements in the First Conditional, expressing real
possibilities in the future. The examples in Column 2 are statements in the Second
Conditional, exploring unlikely or imaginary future scenarios.

To transform these into questions, we would apply the structures discussed above:

Column 1 (First Conditional Questions):

 Will I read if I have time tonight?


 If we hire more people, will we need more space?
 If she changes careers, might it be difficult at first?

Column 2 (Second Conditional Questions):

 Would I read if I had more time?


 If we hired more people, would we need more space?
 If she changed careers, might it be difficult at first?

Notice the slight shift in emphasis from stating a consequence to inquiring about a potential
outcome.

V. Formative Assessment: Applying Your Knowledge


Now, let's put your understanding to the test. Transform the following conditional sentences
into conditional questions:

1. If the marketing team launches a new campaign, sales will likely increase. (First
Conditional)
o
2. If the company offered a bonus, employee morale would improve. (Second
Conditional)
o
3. If the supplier had delivered the materials on time, the production schedule
wouldn't have been delayed. (Third Conditional)
o
4. If interest rates rise significantly, will our loan repayments increase? (First
Conditional - Already a question, identify the conditional sentence structure it's based
on)
o Base Conditional Sentence:
_________________________________________________
5. What would you do if you were appointed CEO of the company? (Second
Conditional - Already a question, identify the conditional sentence structure it's based
on)
o Base Conditional Sentence:
_________________________________________________

VI. Conclusion:

Mastering conditional questions is a significant step in developing your Business English


communication skills. They enable you to explore possibilities, analyze potential outcomes,
and engage in more nuanced and strategic discussions. By understanding the underlying
conditional sentence structures and how to transform them into questions, you can confidently
navigate uncertainties and contribute effectively to business decision-making processes.

Congratulations on completing Lesson 3! Continue practicing forming and using


conditional questions in various business scenarios to solidify your understanding.

Business English Grammar: Lesson 4 - The Dynamic Duo:


Gerunds and Participles
Welcome back to Lesson 4! Today, we'll explore two versatile verb forms: gerunds and
participles. Understanding how these function will add sophistication and efficiency to your
Business English communication, allowing you to express ongoing actions, describe nouns
dynamically, and create concise phrasing.
II. Understanding Gerunds and Participles

As highlighted, both gerunds and participles are verb forms that act as other parts of speech.

 Gerund: A verb form ending in "-ing" that functions as a noun.


 Participle: A verb form that can function as an adjective (describing nouns) or be
part of a verb tense. There are two main types:
o Present Participle: Ends in "-ing" (same form as the gerund).
o Past Participle: Usually ends in "-ed" (for regular verbs) or has irregular
forms.

III. Gerunds in Business English

The lesson correctly points out key uses of gerunds:

 After Certain Verbs: Many verbs are consistently followed by a gerund. (Refer to the
external list mentioned in the lesson for examples).
 After Prepositions: This includes simple prepositions (e.g., after, before, by, for, in,
on, of, with) and phrasal verbs (e.g., look forward to, give up on) and verb +
preposition combinations (e.g., succeed in, believe in).
o Example: We improved our efficiency by automating the process.
o Example: They are focused on expanding their market share.
 After Certain Expressions: Phrases like there is no point in, it's not worth, I can't
help.
o Example: There is no point in delaying the decision any longer.
o Example: It's not worth investing in outdated technology.
 As the Subject of a Sentence: When an action itself is the focus.
o Example: Networking is crucial for career advancement.
o Example: Implementing new software requires thorough training.

IV. Participles in Business English

Participles, both present and past, play crucial roles in descriptive language and forming verb
tenses:

A. Present Participles (-ing form):

 As part of a continuous verb tense: Indicate ongoing actions.


o Example: The team is analyzing the latest sales figures.
o Example: We are considering expanding our operations overseas.
 To form the progressive verb tense: Similar to continuous tenses.
o Example: They were discussing the budget when I entered the room.
 As an adjective to describe a noun: Modify nouns by indicating an ongoing action or
a characteristic.
o Example: The growing demand for sustainable products is evident.
o Example: We need to address the declining customer satisfaction rates.
 To describe an action happening simultaneously with another: Create concise
descriptions of concurrent events.
o Example: Attending the conference, she made several valuable contacts.
B. Past Participles (usually -ed or irregular forms):

 To form perfect tenses: Indicate completed actions with a connection to the present
or another point in time.
o Example: We have achieved our sales targets for the quarter.
o Example: The report had been finalized before the meeting.
 When used with 'have' to form a perfect tense: Reinforces the completion of an
action.
o Example: They have taken steps to improve customer service.
 As an adjective to describe a noun: Modify nouns by indicating a completed action
or a state resulting from an action.
o Example: The approved budget allows for new hiring.
o Example: We are dealing with unforeseen circumstances.
 In passive voice: Indicate that the subject is receiving the action.
o Example: The proposal was reviewed by the management team.
o Example: The new product will be launched next month.

C. Perfect Participle (having + past participle):

 Indicates an action completed before another action.


o Example: Having analyzed the data, we can now make informed decisions.
o Example: Having completed the training, the new employees are ready to
start.
 Can express causation.
o Example: Having seen the positive results, we decided to invest further.

V. Important Rules to Remember (Dangling Participles):

The lesson correctly highlights the issue of dangling participles. Ensure that the noun
immediately following an introductory participle phrase is the one performing the action
described by the participle.

 Correct: Laughing, Jim chased his dog around the park. (Jim is laughing).
 Incorrect: Laughing, the park was full of energy because of Jim and his dog. (The
park is not laughing).

VII. Conclusion:

Gerunds and participles are powerful tools for concise and dynamic communication in
Business English. By understanding their forms and functions, you can express actions as
nouns, describe nouns vividly, and create more sophisticated sentence structures. Pay close
attention to the rules of usage, especially regarding dangling participles, to ensure clarity and
professionalism in your writing and speaking.

Congratulations on completing Lesson 4! Continue to observe and practice using gerunds


and participles in various business contexts to master their application.
Business English Grammar: Lesson 5 - The Art of
Persuasion: Modifiers in Marketing
Welcome to Lesson 5! Today, we'll explore the crucial role of modifiers in Business English,
particularly within the context of marketing. Effective use of adjectives and adverbs can
significantly enhance clarity, create persuasive messaging, and ultimately drive engagement
with your target audience.

III. The Power of Modifiers in Business English

As the lesson highlights, modifiers are crucial for:

 Enhancing Clarity: Precise adjectives and adverbs paint a clearer picture for the
audience.
 Professionalism: Careful word choice reflects attention to detail and professionalism.
 Persuasion: Strategic use of positive and impactful modifiers can influence the
audience's perception.
 Engagement: Vivid and descriptive modifiers can make marketing materials more
interesting and memorable.

IV. Types of Modifiers

Let's revisit the different types of modifiers mentioned:

 Adjectives: Describe nouns (qualities, features, benefits).


o Examples: powerful software, innovative design, user-friendly interface.
 Comparative/Superlative Adjectives: Compare nouns.
o Examples: more efficient process, best-in-class security.
 Adverbs: Describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs (manner, degree, time).
o Examples: work efficiently, highly effective campaign, act now.
 Intensifiers: Emphasize adjectives or adverbs.
o Examples: extremely pleased, significantly improved.

The scenario effectively demonstrates how these modifier types are used in a marketing
context to convey information and persuade the target audience.

V. Pre-modifiers and Post-modifiers

The lesson also introduces the concept of pre-modifiers (coming before the word they modify)
and post-modifiers (coming after). In marketing, both are used:

 Pre-modifiers (common with adjectives): "Cutting-edge technology," "limited-


time offer."
 Post-modifiers (can add detail or explanation): "Software designed for small
businesses," "Offer available until Friday."

VII. Conclusion:
Mastering the use of modifiers is essential for effective communication in Business English,
especially in persuasive fields like marketing. By strategically choosing descriptive adjectives
and impactful adverbs, you can create clearer, more engaging, and ultimately more successful
marketing materials. Pay attention to the nuances of different modifier types and their
placement to ensure your message resonates effectively with your target audience.

Congratulations on completing Lesson 5! Continue to analyze how modifiers are used in


various business communications and practice incorporating them thoughtfully into your own
writing and speaking.

Business English Grammar: Lesson 6 - Mastering Business


Collocations
Welcome to Lesson 6! Today, we'll focus on business collocations. Understanding and using
these natural word pairings is crucial for sounding professional, clear, and fluent in business
communication.

What is a collocation?

A collocation is a pair or group of words that normally go together in a language. Native


speakers use these combinations naturally, and using incorrect collocations can sound
awkward, unnatural, or even wrong. Think of them as words that are "comfortable" being
together.

Corrected Email:

To: [email address removed] From: [email address removed] Subject: bonuses

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to reach a consensus about whether to provide a bonus at the
end of the year. Three people gave presentations about various proposals but it seems like
none of them generated much interest. Several people expressed concerns about the lack
of a decision on this issue. As soon as the large conference room becomes available we’re
going to meet again to discuss solutions. Most attendees have already arrived, but
because of the heavy traffic some haven’t arrived yet. Let’s hope we can reach an
agreement later today.

Note: "strong traffic" isn't necessarily incorrect, but "heavy traffic" is a very common and
natural collocation.

III. The Importance of Learning Business Collocations

As the lesson correctly states, learning business collocations is crucial for:

 Effective Communication: Using the right word combinations ensures your message
is clear, accurate, and easily understood.
 Fostering Professional Relationships: Sounding natural and professional builds
confidence and credibility with colleagues, clients, and partners.
 Career Advancement: Strong communication skills, including the correct use of
collocations, are highly valued in the business world and can contribute to career
success.

IV. Using the Oxford Collocation Dictionary

The Oxford Collocation Dictionary is a valuable resource for learning these natural word
pairings. The guidelines provided are accurate:

1. Look up a word: Enter the word you're interested in to see its common collocations.
2. Grouped by part of speech: The dictionary organizes collocations by the
grammatical function of the accompanying words (e.g., verbs that collocate with your
entry word, nouns that collocate, adjectives, etc.).

V. Formative Assessment

Activity 6.1. Read the email and identify the incorrect collocations.

Dear Mr. Johnson,

I hope this email finds you good. I am writing to put your attention on the large problem
we encountered during yesterday's meeting. Unfortunately, there was a large mistake in the
financial report that was presented by our team. This has caused much concern among the
stakeholders.

I believe we need to make a test to identify the root cause of the problem and come up with
a suitable solution. Furthermore, we need to be very awake of the potential risks associated
with this issue.

I will enter the car to pick you up tomorrow morning so we can discuss this matter further.
Also, please bring along any relevant documents related to the investment proposal.

Looking forward to meeting you.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Incorrect Collocations Identified:

 finds you good: Should be finds you well.


 put your attention on: Should be draw your attention to or bring to your
attention.
 large problem: While "large" can describe a problem, "serious problem" or
"significant problem" are more common collocations for issues of importance.
 large mistake: Similar to "large problem," "serious mistake" or "significant error"
are more typical collocations for important errors.
 caused much concern: While understandable, "caused considerable concern" or
"raised significant concern" are more common and slightly more formal.
 make a test: Should be conduct a test or run a test.
 come up with a suitable solution: This is a correct collocation.
 very awake of: Should be very aware of.
 enter the car: Should be get in the car or take the car.

VI. Conclusion:

Developing a strong understanding of business collocations is an ongoing process. Pay


attention to the word pairings used by native English speakers in business contexts (emails,
meetings, reports) and actively try to incorporate them into your own communication. Using
resources like the Oxford Collocation Dictionary can significantly accelerate this learning
process, leading to more effective and professional communication.

Congratulations on completing Lesson 6! Continue to be mindful of word combinations in


your business interactions, and your fluency and professionalism will continue to grow.

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