Résumé du module
Business English: key points
Toute la théorie à retenir et toutes les formules, chapitre par chapitre, pour réviser rapidement avant l'examen. Les exemples et les exercices sont dans les chapitres.
1 Tenses
- Present simple (habits, facts, timetables) ≠ present continuous (now, arrangements).
- Past simple (finished time: yesterday, ago) ≠ present perfect (yet, already, since, for) ; past perfect = before another past action.
- Future: will (decision, promise), going to (plan), present continuous (arrangement).
Formules
1st conditional: if + present, will ; 2nd: if + past, would ; passive: be + past participle
- Reported speech: one tense back (is → was, will → would) ; today → that day.
2 Modals and small words
- Uncountable: information, advice, equipment, furniture, news, money (much / a piece of) ; look forward to + -ing.
3 Meeting people and telephoning
- How do you do? (formal) / Nice to meet you ; I'm a / an + job ; I work for + company ; I'm in + department.
- Could I speak to…? / Hold on, please / I'm afraid she's out. Can I take a message? / Could you spell that?
- Numbers in groups of three ; read back important information.
4 Business letters and e-mails
Formules
Dear Sir or Madam → Yours faithfully ; Dear Mr / Ms Smith → Yours sincerely
- Reference (With reference to…) → reason (I am writing to…) → request (I would be grateful if you could…) → closing (I look forward to hearing from you).
- Enquiry, offer, order, complaint, apology, payment reminder ; « Please find attached ».
5 Socializing, arrangements, meetings
- Would you like…? — Yes, please / I'd love to, but… ; Can you make Thursday? — That suits me / I'm afraid I can't make it.
- I think… / I agree / I'm not sure about that ; Why don't we…? ; Sorry to interrupt, but… ; Could you explain what you mean?
- Closing: summarize → actions → next meeting → thanks → close.
6 Trends and travel
- rise / increase / go up ↔ fall / decrease / drop ; dramatic(ally), sharp(ly), steady (steadily), slight(ly) ; rise by 8 %, from 10 to 12.
- book, check in, board, gate, luggage, stopover, cancel, hire a car.
Haut de page