Business English: Key Terms and Expressions
Essential Business English
Lesson 4
GREETING = Hello, this is…
ENDING = Thank you for your time, nice speaking to you.
ASKING FOR SOMEONE = Could I speak to…? Is available?
Lesson 5
FORMAL = Being serious and official.
MESSAGE = The main part of an email.
INFORMAL = Being relaxed and casual.
ATTACHMENT = A file that is sent along with an email.
SUBJECT = The title of an email.
Lesson 6
- The sender types the letter and puts it in the email. When it arrives at its destination, it is opened by the recipient.
- A person’s signature is handwritten beneath the closing.
- It is a good idea to thank the reader in the closing.
- The greeting should begin with “Dear Mr. or Ms.”
- Write your full name, not just your first or last.
Lesson 7
- Use the number buttons on the fax machine / keypad.
- Did the machine give a notification that the document was sent? / Confirmation
- The telephone number goes on the first page on the fax / Cover Sheet
- Please send this through the fax machine / Send a Fax
- Type the code for the recipient’s fax machine / Fax Number
Lesson 8
- The company is having its AGM on Thursday.
- A) Associated Growers Meet.
- B) Annual General Meeting (Correct)
- New staff members must attend an induction meeting.
- A) A meeting to discuss employee problems.
- B) A meeting to introduce staff to the company (Correct)
- C) A meeting to brainstorm new ideas.
- An hour is long enough to have a chat.
- A) Brief Talk (Correct)
- B) Formal Meeting
- C) Argument
- The problem was addressed by the manager.
- A) Discussed (Correct)
- B) Forgotten
- C) Written Down
Lesson 9
- Write a message saying sorry if you cannot attend.
- A) State your opinion.
- B) Send your apologies (Correct)
- C) Ask for an explanation.
- It is unprofessional to argue in an immature way during meetings.
- A) Interrupt (Correct)
- B) Disagree
- C) Bicker
- It’s rude to talk when other people are talking.
- A) Repeat yourself
- B) Talk over other people (Correct)
- C) Take note of other people
- During meetings, Jane says the same thing again and again.
- A) Repeats herself (Correct)
- B) Disagrees
- C) Interrupts
Lesson 10
INTRODUCE = To tell someone a person’s name when they meet.
OUTLINE = To give the main ideas without all the details.
EYE CONTACT = The act of looking someone else in the eyes.
SUMMARIZE = To repeat the most important points or facts.
MOVE ON = To change to a different topic.
PREPARE = To get ready.
Lesson 11
DISTRACTION = Something that prevents concentration.
INTERRUPTION = Something that stops a person who was talking or working.
COMPLETION = The act of finishing a job or activity.
DELEGATE = To give your work to someone else.
DELAY = To make something happen later than planned.
PRIORITIZE = To order things based on importance.
Lesson 12
- Just stop demanding what you want.
- A) Anticipate
- B) Back Down (Correct)
- C) Close the Deal
- The parties are very eager to argue with each other.
- A) Intense
- B) Mutually Acceptable
- C) Confrontational (Correct)
- Mr. Brown will offer a deal, so try to think about it beforehand.
- A) Anticipate it (Correct)
- B) Close the Deal
- C) Negotiate
- Try to discuss and change the contract terms.
- A) Close the Deal
- B) Anticipate
- C) Negotiate (Correct)
- Give up something in order to get something more important if you have to.
- A) Trade-off (Correct)
- B) Party
- C) Interest
Lesson 13
- Employees should ask customers to rectify problems.
- A company with a large customer base has high customer satisfaction.
- Employees who go beyond the call of duty are appreciated.
- Word of mouth recommendations are good for a business.
- Bosses don’t like employees who go the extra mile.
- If you see a problem, bring it to the boss’s attention.
Lesson 15
- You need several injections that prevent the spread of disease = Inoculations
- Be sure that you bring any drugs prescribed by a doctor = Medication
- The airline recommends that passengers arrive early to register for their flight = Check In
- Visitors may not enter without a document that provides identification = Passport
- Keep the hotel’s phone number and address with you = Contact Information
- Do you have a paper displaying streets and major attractions of the city? = Map
- The trip across the ocean is much faster than it used to be = Journey
- Read a book with information about an area before leaving = Travel Guide