It would be good to get together sometime next week ...

To get together means to meet. (A get- together is an informal meeting, maybe a party). Other ways to suggest a meeting: Let's meet next week. Let's meet up in the near future. We must arrange to meet up soon.

... I'll setup a meeting.

Another way of saying this: I'll arrange/organise a meeting.

This is to let you know that...

Use This is in formal messages to refer to the

message you are sending:

This is to inform you that the package will be

late.

This is to remind you to call Vera.

Informal alternatives:

Just to let you know that the package will be

late.

I'm just writing to say that...

I'm sure that you will want to join us in wishing Wilfred good luck ...

Note the use of join in formal messages. I hope you can join us for dinner. Please join us in the evening if you can.

I am sorry to inform you that...

Less formal:

Sorry to tell you that...

I'm writing to let you know that ■. ■

I'm afraid I have some bad news.

...I will be off work for two weeks,...

Some alternative expressions: She'll be on sick leave. She'll be away from work. She'll be at home.

I was sorry to hear about Stavros.

Expressions of sympathy: I was very sad to hear the news. Everyone was very upset about it. We'll miss him.

Please pass on my best wishes.

Some other sympathetic phrases:

I'll be thinking of him.

We hope he gets well soon.

Please pass our sincere condolences to his

family, (when someone has died)

British/American differences

British American

go into hospital go into the hospital

How can we sort it out? How can we figure it out?

Expressions of sympathy There are not really any major differences between British and American English when expressing sympathy. In both, the level of formality used will depend on how well you know the people concerned.

Practice

1. Complete the sentences with a preposition.

example: She's . .<?Vt. . sick leave.

a We will contact you again the near future.

b I look forward hearing from you.

с I'll call you the end of the week.

d Please call me 456789.

e Many thanks all your help.

f Good luck everything.

g I'm covering Raj while he is away.

h He will be work for two weeks due to illness.

i Please pass our best wishes to him.

j We would like you to join us wishing Wu San a happy retirement.

2. Some of these phrases are used formally and some informally. Tick the correct column.

formal informal

a I Dear John
2 Hi John
b flam writing to inform you that...
2 I'm writing to let you know that...
с 1 We're having a get-together.
2 We're arranging a meeting.
d 1 1 would like to apologise for
2 Sorry about...
e 1 Let me know if you can make it.
2 Let me know if you can attend.
f 1 I would be very pleased to come.
2 I'd love to come.
g 1 This is to let you know about...
2 Justto letyou knowabout...

3 Write the sentences in this letter in the correct order.

Dear Mr Green a Members of our sales team will present the service b After the presentation с We would like to invite you to the launch of d and there will be an opportunity to ask questions, e there will be dinner in the main restaurant, f our new courier service on 6 March g I very much hope that you can attend, h at the Grand Hotel at 6:30 p.m.

Best regards

Peter Pod

Dew Kv Gveen

Besf ve^v-cAs Pefev РоД

4 Complete the sentences with the verbs in the box. Use each verb once only.

know

hope

ipfefm

write

call

pass

get

|0in

thank

example: I'm writing to W.. you that the conference has been cancelled.

a Your training manager has asked me to to you.

b I'll you at the end of the week.

с I you're feeling better.

d You visit us again soon.

e I'd like to you for all your hard work.

f Please us for lunch on 19 November.

g Can we together sometime next week?

h I'm sorry Peter has left. We'll all him.

i We were very sad to hear about Hubert. Please on our condolences.

j Just a short note to let you what's happening.

5 Match the two parts of the sentences.

1. I am sorry to inform you that I

2. I'll call you when I

3. Let me know when you are next

4. I'd like to thank you for

5. I look forward to

6. I hope that the party

7. Unfortunately, the event clashes with

8. It was very kind of you

9. I need to tell you what is

hearing all your news.

goes well.

all your help.

(going to be) in London.

will be out of the office next week.

to invite me.

happening next week.

get back to Cairo.

an important meeting.

6 Rewrite the phrases and sentences in a less formal way.

example: DearTomas

Hi. TToул<Л$

a We will contact you in the near future.

b We would like to thank you for organising the conference.

с This is to inform you that we have changed the date of the meeting.

d Please let us know if you can attend.

e We trust that you will be able to join us for dinner.

f I will call you at the end of the week.

g We wish you every success in the future

h We are organising a party next week.

7 Complete the sentences. The first letters of the missing words spell a word you will 'appreciate'.

a It would be gV.C.^.r... if you could come to the party! b Please pass on my best to everyone.

с I would like to for the problems with the arrangements.

d Please t care!

e We are organising a special at the end of the year. You must come!

f I look to hearing from you.

g I can't come to the party,

h Let's hope we have better I next time.

Glossary

1. Telephoning

Dialogues 1 Your language I'd like to speak to Max Reed, please.

Hi Max. Simon here.

1 wanted to run through some ot the arrangements

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Would you like to leave a message?

I'll get someone to call you when they get back

I understand that she is looking after Sales.

Marco Stam is on parental leave.

I'm afraid she's not here at the moment.

Have we covered everything?

Anyway, thanks for calling.

Dialogues 2

This is Ann Forsell's voicemail.

It's about the meeting next month.

I can't make it.

Can you talk?

I'm in a meeting.

I was just ringing to check the time lor next

week's meeting.

Sorry, I can't hear you very well.

I'll just go outside.

If you are calling about an order, please press 1

2. A company visit Dialogues 1

Could you tell me how to get to your office

from here?

After about two kilometres, you'll see a garage

on your right.

Park in one of the visitors' spaces.

I'm calling from a service station. —

Take the first left after the service station.

Carry on for three kilometres.

I have an appointment with Hans Ekburg.

Do you know the building?

Mr Ekburg's office is the fifth on the right, along

the corridor. Hello, John. Good to see you again. I'd like you to meet Lera Berman. Did you have a good journey?

Dialogues 2

We're in the label business.

We employ just over 5 000 people worldwide.

It's growing all the time.

Tell me more about your mailing business.

We're a private limited company.

How long have you been on this site?

When was the company set up?

Let me show you around the office.

An open plan area.

I'll introduce you.

Dialogues 3

We're the second largest manufacturer in

the country. As well as supplying the car industry, we sell

glass for buses and aircraft. We run a so-called 'shopping search' website. You can compare prices from various shops. In my view it's far more secure. In terms ol sales by region. North America accounts for 15 per cent. The Chinese economy is booming. We cannot compete with them on price. We are well known in the market. Transport costs make it very unprofitable.

3 Job information

Dialogues 1 Your language

I'm responsible tor new product development.

I report directly to the CEO.

What does that involve?

It sounds challenging.

I hear you studied in Finland?

I did a degree in Engineering.

I was very interested in the job.

I usually cycle to work.

Are the hours flexible?

I like eating in the company canteen.

Excellent communication skills are essential.

Absolutely.

We should advertise with an on-line recruitment

agency.

Dialogues 2

The atmosphere is very relaxed.

Everyone is on first name terms.

Don't you find it very hot there?

I have no regrets about moving.

$50 000 a year plus commission.

The cost of living in Kazakhstan.

The level of local salaries.

Neither have I.

The company really looks after its people.

I have free use of the company gym.

Promotion prospects are excellent.

How has the takeover affected the company?

About 300 people are going to lose their jobs.

Quite a few want to take early retirement.

There are no compulsory redundancies.

4 Presentations

Dialogues 1 Your language

It's good to see you all here.

I'd like to talk about our future plans.

First I'll describe our study programmes.

That's all I wanted to say.

That leads me to my next point.

So, next year's budget.

I'm afraid I can't say.

1. didn't catch the question.

Could you bear with me?

Sorry, where was I?

You were just about to tell us some interesting

news.

As I mentioned earlier,...

I'd like to finish by thanking you all.

You are very welcome to contact me.

Dialogues 2

Turnover rose in the year to April by 11 per cent

Profits jumped by 20 per cent.

These results give a misleading picture.

A 'one-off' profit.

We're currently predicting a slow down.

Analysts are forecasting an upturn.

We're looking at a growth rate of between 1

and 3 per cent.

As you can see from the graph, sales have

increased considerably.

Sales picked up in February.

Sales reached a peak in August.

The closure of our Lufwa plant in January

accounts for the sharp fall.

Sales have continued to decline.

2. you compare this six-month period, there

has been very little change.

5 Meetings

Dialogues 1 Your language

I'm trying to arrange a meeting for next week.

Can you make Tuesday?

Is Juan coming by the way?

It should be finished by 3:15.

Just in case the meeting overruns.

He didn't want to miss the meeting.

I'd like to come over to Poznan next week.

Any day next week except Friday would suit me

Could you check with Alex and get back to me?

I'll order some sandwiches.

Otherwise I'll see you in the office at 12:30.

Dialogues 2

Could you take the minutes, please?

I'd like to leave item lour until the next meeting.

Can we look at item one?

What are your thoughts on this?

I was asked to find out what the people in my

department thought.

The majority feeling was in favour.

Of the fifty people I asked, only five did not like

the idea.

Does everyone agree?

Is that really necessary?

I suppose you're right.

The other point I want to make is this.

We must really avoid this in the future.

That's not true.

Dialogues 3

I'm just phoning to let you know.

Bad news I'm afraid.

What reasons did he give?

short-sighted

I thought I should let you know immediately.

Anton has been having second thoughts.

He now thinks we've made a good case.

I'll call you tomorrow so we can discuss details.

Here are the main points.

Jaroslav to produce a questionnaire.

Juliet to research costs for proposed building

project. No decision made.

I've attached the draft minutes of the meeting. Check if I've left anything out.

6 Entertaining and socialising Dialogues 1

Would you like some coffee?

Do you take milk and sugar?

Can I have a soft drink?

Let me translate the menu for you.

Borsch - that's beetroot soup.

We're ready to order.

And for your main course?

I'd like fried chicken.

Medium rare.

Can we have the bill, please?

Excuse me, but could you tell me what this is for?

Do you take credit cards?

There's a cash machine just across the road.

Dialogues 2

Where do you live, Xavier?

Oh, I know Barcelona very well.

It's a great place for a holiday.

Did you see the football match last night?

So you like football, do you?

Where are you going for your summer holiday?

My son and daughter can go mountain biking.

Do you have any children?

1 don't know what to wear.

I'm sure they'd appreciate some flowers.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I can't really go into it now.

I understand.

7 Travel

Dialogues 1

Would you like an aisle or a window seat? A seat in the exit row. I'd like to book a hire car. How would you like to pay? A single to Munich, please. Do I need to reserve a seat? I'd like to book a twin room. I won't be arriving until 11:00 p.m. I have a reservation in the name of Perry. Could you fill in this form, please? We have a non-smoking room with a balcony on the 10th floor.

Dialogues 2

I just have this bag and a laptop.

The bag will have to go in the hold.

I'm not going to get to the meeting on time.

I've just missed my connection.

I'll let you know if I don't manage to catch the flight.

There will be a minibus waiting at the gate.

I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I asked for a non-smoking room.

The bed hasn't been made.

We need some identification.

I don't have enough cash.

We do accept credit cards.

8 Emailing

Messages 1 Yourlanguag

Dear Ms Hamza

If you have any queries, please call me.

Yours sincerely

Dear Colleague

I am writing to inform you

Best regards

HiJaana

Hope you're feeling better.

I have to cover for her.

Speak to you later.

Let me know when you're next going to be

in Salzburg.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Messages 2

Many thanks for helping.

A public holiday

Anyway let's hope we have better luck in

Yokohama.

Take care

I am writing to thank you.

I would like to apologise.

It clashed with the World Cup finals!

We would like you to join us for lunch.

Let me know if you can attend.

I'd love to come.

Please send me details of the event.

Many thanks for your kind invitation.

Unfortunately, I'll be abroad.

I hope the event goes well for you.

Messages 3 Your language

They are having problems arranging the

meeting.

Do you have any suggestions?

Good news!

It would be good to get together sometime

next week.

I'll set up a meeting.

This is to let you know that Will Pick is leaving

the company.

I'm sure that you will want to join us in wishing

Wilfred good luck in his new job.

I am sorry to inform you that I will be off work

for two weeks.

I was sorry to hear about Stavros.

Please pass on my best wishes.

Answers

1 Telephoning

1. a leave b hear с hold d keep e call f want; press g get h say i hang; try

2. Possible answers

a She's on maternity leave at the moment, b I'm afraid I'm in a meeting. Can I call you back? с Helio Peter, it's Fiona. Please call me back as soon as you can. d Please can you spell your name?

e I'm sorry I didn't catch the number. Did you say fifteen or fifty?

3. a on b on с about d on e in f on g in h through

4. Id 2h 3b 4g 5i 6e 7a 8c 9f

5. a I'll tell him you called.

b If I find the information, I'll let you know immediately.

с If Peter doesn't come back from sick leave soon, we'll need to find a replacement,

d If you push that button, you'll disconnect the caller,

e What will you do if you don't find Sergei's number?

f If I don't find his number, I'll call directory enquiries.

6. a handset b toll-free с This is d get e hang f turn off g area

7. h, a, b, f, k, g, i, j, e, d, с, I

8. I e 2 g 3h 4a 5d 6b 7f 8c

A company visit

1. a on b in с by d in e in f by g in h on i in

2. a registration b site с lift d corridor e profit f demand g partnership h reputation

3. 1e 2a 3b 4h 5c 6g 7d 8f

4. Possible answers

a At the roundabout take the second exit. Go through the town centre and then take the

second turning on the left. The factory is at the end of the road, b Take the lift to the third floor. Turn right and go along the corridor. It's the fourth office on the right.

с I've left my car in the space 'Reserved for Visitors'. Is that all right? d I've stopped just before a bridge, opposite a garage. I can see a signpost. It says that Fistularo is eight kilometres away.

5. Possible questions

a How many people do you employ?

How many people work for the company? b Are you a partnership? с How long have you been on this site?

How long have you been here? d Do you like working here?

Do you like the working atmosphere? e Where is your biggest market? f Who are your biggest/main competitors? g Can you tell me how to get to the factory?

6. Possible answers

a I've left my car in a reserved space, b Could you tell me how to get to the main office? с I'd like to introduce you to our Marketing Manager, d Did you have a good journey? e When was the company set up? f We are among the largest manufacturers in the region, g We have an excellent reputation in the market.

a redundant b development с insurance d retire e stressful f owners g leadership h promotion i challenging j responsibilities

1 e 2a 3 i 4b 5 f 6 g 7d 8j 9c 10 h

a for b to с of d for e about f of g of

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D Q

D BQDQBOD

□ □□□□un

1h 2 f 3a 4b 5 e 6c 7g 8d

3 Job information 1

a b	I		£	V	вв	в	■
			1	I	DDQ	л.
с			e	X	BBU	\	№ТН
d	ИА	i	*	■
e	e	T	i	V	BBS	к	м
f	i_	0	Ъ	S		1	Й
UB	V	e	X	■
h			e_	| Д | t | с | л | 1

a Neither did I. b So did I. с Neither am I. d So do I. e Neither do I. f Neither was I. g So was I. h So am I.

4. Presentations

   1. a by b up с with d between e by f in g down

   2. Possible answers

a Could you bear with me for a moment? b Are there any questions so far? с At this point on the graph you can see ...

This shows ... d I'd like to finish by thanking you all for coming.

3. 1g 2a 3b 4 e 5c 6f 7h 8i 9d

4. Up: a, b, d, g, h, i Down: c, f, j The same: e, к, I

5. a question b trend с point d picture e rate f fall/decline g point/level h period

6. a say b catch с repeat d bear e Take f gives g show h fall i account

7. 1 b 2 с 3 a

4. Meetings

   1. a make b cause с miss d happen e abandon f leave g report h give i cover

   2. a majority b item

с necessary d until e through f except g suit

3. a take b tell с make d set e made f having g rejected

4. a tor b on с on d Of e to t on, on g in h in i at/through j out

5. Possible answers

a I'd like to leave the next item until the next meeting.

b Does everyone agree that the date of the next meeting should be changed?

с Are you going to attend the next meeting?

d I'm just phoning to tell you what happened in the meeting.

e I've attached a copy of the agenda.

f Just one more point.

g What does everyone think about the idea?

6. 1 f 2 с 3 e 4 a 5 h 6 b 7 i 8 d 9 g

7 a won't cause b 'II order с missed d 'II see

e Does everyone agree f 'm calling g has read/read h to find out

i attached/have attached j have had/have been having/had/'m having

6 Entertaining and socialising

1. Possible answers

a Could you translate the menu for me, please?

b Can I have the roast duck, please?

I'll have the steak, please,

с Can I have the bill, please?

d Excuse me, what's this for?

e Where do you live?

f I live in Mijas. It's a small village in the south of Spain,

g I'm planning to go to Bali for a week with my family,

h I'm very sorry to hear that. We'll miss him/her.

2. a for b with с to d by e for f on g into h about

3. 1 Can I have the chicken and vegetable soup, please?

   2. Do you accept all credit cards?

   3. Do you ftnow if there is a cash machine nearby?

   4. Do you take sugar in your coffee?

   5. Would anyone like to see the dessert menu?

   6. Did you watch the basketball game yesterday?

   7. What clothes should I wear to the reception?

   8. What has happened to David? Is he OK?

4. 1g 2d 3b 4e 5f 6c 7h 8a

5. If 2j 3 g 4 d 5e 6i 7a 8c 9h 10 b

6. play: golf, tennis, badminton, volleyball, basketball, ping pong go: walking, climbing, cycling, snorkelling, diving, hiking, sailing

7. 8

   a nephew b aunt с cousin d uncle e niece

d, h, e, g, b, c, f, a, i, j, I, к

2. Possible answers

a I'd like a window seat, please, in the exit row if possible, h I'd like to reserve a double room for iwo nights, please, с Good afternoon. I have a reservation in the name of (Badger), d I'm just phoning to say my flight has been delayed.

e Excuse me, I have a connection to Dublin at 5:30. Will I have time to catch the flight?

2. a in b in с under d in e for f in g with h on/with

3. 1d 2a 3f 4b 5g 6c 7h 8e

4. Possible answers

a Is the seat reservation included in the price? b I'll be there about 11 p.m., perhaps later, с I'd prefer to pay in cash.

d There will be a car waiting (or you outside the terminal, e I'll call you if I miss the flight.

2. a My luggage was put in the hold.

b The room hasn't been cleaned today, с The form has already been filled in. d The taxi was booked last night, e My flight was cancelled, f I was given a first class ticket.