I.

Formal style in business correspondence :

• More formal style/ Informal style :
Formal style :
1. Word choice
2. Idioms
3. Passive voice
4. Would you
Examples :
1 The matter is still under consideration.
They haven't made up their mind yet.
2 We look forward to receiving an answer
Can’t wait to hear from you soon.
3 You may ship the parcel at your earliest convenience
Please send us the box as soon as possible
4 We regret to advise you about the delay in supplies
I’ m sorry to tell you that goods will arrive late
5 You are required to collect your possessions and vacate the premises.(locaux)
You must take your personal belongings and leave the building.
6 Would you draft a letter to Tom thanking him for referring us to our creditor?
Please, write a thank-you letter to Tom for recommending/suggesting us to our creditors.
7 I Would appreciate it if you could forward the team's comments with regard to the
designs
Can you please send me the team's comments on / about the designs?
8 l wonder whether you could display the samples on the website.
Is it possible for you to show samples on the website?
9 We would be pleased to supply any information should you have( in case of) further
enquiries.
We're ready to give/ provide more information if you have other/ more questions.
10 The task will be accomplished by the end of May provided that no unforeseen
circumstances arise.
We will complete Work shortly before the end of May , on the condition that unexpected
events don't happen/ occur. (we don't face any surprising problems)
11 I would appreciate a prompt reply quoting trade prices.
We prefer / like to have a quick response/ answer (letter) that lists sales/ the business prices.
 II. English for meetings: holding or attending a meeting with success :
• Types of meetings
Team meeting ; People who work in the same department have this type of meeting regularly.
Board meeting : This is a meeting o f a company's most senior managers.
Brainstorming meeting : If you need new ideas you have this type of meeting.
Shareholder meeting : This is a meeting for a company's investors.
Progress meeting : At this type of meeting you talk about what has been accomplished on a
project.
Kick-off : This type of meeting is held at the beginning of a project

• Vocabulary
• Agenda : a list of subjects to be discussed at a meeting

• Apologies : This is the point in the meeting when the chairperson reports who is not
able to attend.
• Minutes : an official written record of what is said and decided at a meeting
• Matters arising from the minutes : These are the main points for discussion at the
meeting.
• AOB : an abbreviation for ‘any other business’; the time during a meeting when
people can discuss things that were not on the agenda
• Chair person : a person who is in charge of a meeting
• Venue : a place where a meeting is held
• Item : one of the subjects to be discussed at a meeting , written on the agenda
• Consensus :agreement between all the people at a meeting
Collocations:
1 circulate / draw up an / the agenda
2 reach a consensus
3 appoint a / the minute taker
4 arrange / schedule/ put off or postpone/ cancel / attend / chair a meeting
5 take the minutes
The verbs that mean the same as :
a) to hold a meeting at a later time or date than originally planned : postpone, put off
b) to have a meeting : arrange
c) to organize a meeting : schedule
d) to lead a meeting : chair
e) to decide not to hold a meeting and to tell people this : cancel
f) to go to a meeting : attend

• Structuring a meeting
✓ Welcoming and Introducing Participants
✓ Giving Apologies for Someone Who is Absent
✓ Reading the Minutes (Notes) of the Last Meeting
✓ Moving Forward / Introducing the Agenda / Stating the Aims
✓ Stating the Principal Objectives of a Meeting
✓ Allocating Roles (secretary, participants) / Agreeing on the Ground Rules for the
Meeting (contributions, timing, decision-making, etc.)
✓ Suggesting and Agreeing on Time, Date, and Venue for the Next Meeting
✓ Closing the Meeting

• Introducing/ Statrting a meeting

Welcoming Participants

• I am glad you could all make it today.

• I really appreciate you all for attending today.
• It looks like everyone is here today.
• We have a lot to cover today, so we really should begin.

Introducing Someone

• This is Edward Lincoln, one of our management consultants.

• I know most of you, but there are a few unfamiliar faces.

Reporting Apologies

• I have apologies from Cathy Robert and Stuart Johnson.

• Unfortunately, June Wright wasn't able to make it today, attend the meeting

Stating the Aims

 • Our main goal today is to talk about the sales conference next month.
• Let’s go over/ review minutes
• To raise concerns : I would like to highlight, spotlight, draw attention
• By the end of this meeting, I'd like to have a final decision on reducing marketing
costs.
• I've called this meeting in order to look at the new advertising campaign.
• If some participants get side-tracked : It might be usefull, however, I suggest we focus
on the main items in our agenda

Starting the Meeting

• Can we get started?

• So, let’s begin.

III. Employment terms and working conditions :

• Employment terms and conditions
• Vocabulary
- Payments for means of survival, such as food: subsistence expenses
- A trial period during which a company assesses whether a new employee is right
for the job: probationary period
- A written statement about a person's character, ability, and skills: references
- Bad or inappropriate behavior: misconduct
- The act of firing someone immediately: instant dismissal
- The act of temporarily releasing someone from professional duties as a
punishment: suspension from work
- A warning in advance asking an employee to leave their job, usually after a
period of time: notice
- Formal assessment of an employee’s performance: performance appraisal
- eligible for : Having the right or ability to receive something, usually based on
meeting certain criteria or conditions
- subject to :
- required to : Expected or obligated to do something as part of a job, rule, or
agreement
- entitled to : Having a right to something, usually by law or agreement
Ex: expressions related to employment conditions :

Working Employment Ending

Absence Benefits/Rewards
Time Status Employment

shift fixed-term sick

resignation pension scheme
pattern contract leave

nine-to- temporary
dismissal fringe benefits
five job employment

incentives
Working Employment Ending
Absence Benefits/Rewards
Time Status Employment

relocation
expenses

travel allowance

vacation pay

operate flexitime

holiday
entitlement

Shift pattern: A work schedule that divides the day into shifts (e.g., morning, afternoon,
or night), allowing employees to work at different times of the day or week.
Fixed-term contract: An employment agreement that is set for a specific period of time,
with a start and end date. It is not permanent.
Sick leave: Time off from work that an employee is entitled to take when they are ill or
injured.
Resignation: The act of an employee voluntarily leaving their job, typically by submitting
a formal written notice to their employer.
Pension scheme: A plan that provides employees with retirement income, usually funded
through contributions from the employee and employer.
Nine-to-five job: A standard full-time job where an employee works from 9 AM to 5 PM,
typically Monday to Friday.
Temporary employment: A job that lasts for a limited period, often to cover for an
absent employee or meet a short-term need for the company.
Dismissal: The act of an employer terminating an employee’s contract of employment,
either for cause (misconduct) or other reasons (e.g., redundancy).
Fringe benefits: Additional benefits provided by an employer to employees, such as
health insurance, company cars, or retirement contributions, beyond the regular salary.
Incentives: Rewards or bonuses given to employees to encourage or motivate them to
perform better, such as performance bonuses or profit-sharing schemes.
Relocation expenses: Costs covered by an employer when an employee moves from one
location to another for a job, such as moving costs or housing allowances.
Travel allowance: Money provided to employees to cover the cost of travel for work
purposes, such as transportation or lodging.
Vacation pay: Pay given to employees when they take time off from work for a vacation,
ensuring they receive compensation even when not working.
 Operate flexitime: A working arrangement where employees can adjust their working
hours to suit their personal schedule, within agreed-upon limits or core working hours.
Holiday entitlement: The amount of paid time off an employee is entitled to each year for
holidays, usually defined in their contract.

• Communicating regulations at the workplace

• Dependants: Individuals who rely on someone for financial or other forms of support, such
as children, spouses, or elderly parents.

• Regulations: Rules or directives made and maintained by an authority to control or govern

conduct, often related to health, safety, or work practices.

• Injuries: Physical harm or damage to the body, typically resulting from accidents, mishaps,
or external forces.

• Liable: Legally responsible or accountable for something, especially in terms of

compensation for damage, injury, or loss.

• Awards: Monetary or other types of compensation given to someone, often as a result of a

egal judgment or company policy.

• Claims: Requests or demands for compensation, often following an injury, loss, or breach
of contract.

• Harassment: Unwanted or aggressive behavior that causes distress or harm, which could
be physical, verbal, or emotional, often based on discrimination.

• Allegations: Claims or accusations made without proof, often concerning misconduct or

illegal activity.

• Grounds: A basis or justification for a particular action, decision, or belief, such as legal
grounds for dismissal.

IV. English for contracts :

• Collocations with contracts

• Minors and the mentally incompetent lack the legal capacity to enter into contracts.
• Court generally rules that if the parties have a meeting of minds and act as though
there was a formal, written and signed contract, then a contract exists.
• The lawsuit claimed that the defendant breached a confidentiality contract by
attempting to sell trade secrets as his own inventions.
• ‘Evergreen clauses’ are those clauses which cause automatic renewal unless the
contract terminates.
• While fixed-term contracts involve an agreement that the job will last for a specified
period of time, provisions are often included to enable the contract to be renewed if so
desired.
• The committee shall have no authority to change or otherwise modify contract
language.

• Contract clauses

1. Acceleration: This clause allows a party to demand immediate payment or

performance if certain conditions are met, typically when there’s a default or breach of
contract.
2. Assignment: This clause specifies whether and under what conditions a party can
transfer their rights or obligations under the contract to someone else.
3. Confidentiality: This clause ensures that the parties keep certain information private
and do not disclose it to others without permission.
4. Consideration: This clause refers to what each party is giving or promising to give in
exchange for something in return, making the contract legally valid.
5. Force Majeure: This clause releases a party from liability or obligations if unforeseen
events (like natural disasters or wars) prevent them from fulfilling their contractual
duties.
6. Liquidated Damages: This clause outlines a predetermined amount of money a party
must pay if they breach the contract, meant to estimate the damages in advance.
7. Entire Agreement: This clause confirms that the written contract represents the full
and complete agreement between the parties, and supersedes any previous discussions
or agreements.
8. Severability: This clause states that if one part of the contract is found to be invalid or
unenforceable, the rest of the contract remains in effect.
9. Disclaimer: This clause limits or excludes the liability of a party for certain actions or
events, often protecting them from legal claims.
10. Termination: This clause outlines the conditions under which the contract can be
ended by either party, and what happens after termination.
11. Retention of Title: This clause ensures that ownership of goods does not pass to the
buyer until full payment has been made.
12. Warranty: This clause provides a guarantee from one party, often regarding the
quality or performance of a product or service.
13. Representation: This clause involves a statement of fact made by one party to induce
the other party to enter into the contract, often regarding the truthfulness of certain
conditions or qualities.

Examples : EX 1/Identify the type of clause as exemplified by each of these clauses.

1 The seller's liability for damages shall in no case exceed the purchase price of the
particular quantity delivered with respect of which damages are claimed.
 2 Whenever, within the sole judgment of Seller, the credit standing of Buyer shall become
impaired, Seller shall have the right to demand that the remaining portion of the contract
be fully performed within ten (10) days.

3 Neither party shall be liable in damages or have the right to terminate this Agreement
for any delay or default in performing hereunder if such delay or default is caused by
conditions beyond its control including, but not limited to, acts of God, government
restrictions (including the denial or cancellation of any export or other necessary licence),
wars, insurrections and/or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of the party
whose performance is affected.

4 This Agreement may not be assigned without the prior written consent of the other
party, except that Buyer may assign the Agreement to a subsidiary or related corporation
so long as the owners of at least seventy-five per cent (75%) of the stock of such
corporation are either Buyer or the shareholders of Buyer.

5 In the event Operator defaults in the performance of any covenant or agreement made
hereunder, as to payments of amounts due hereunder or otherwise, and such defaults are
not remedied to the Supplier's satisfaction within ten (10) days after notice of such
defaults, the Supplier may thereupon terminate this agreement and all rights hereunder of
the Operator but such termination shall not affect the obligations of the Operator to take
action or abstain from taking action after termination hereof, in accordance with this
agreement.

6 This Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits attached hereto, constitutes and
contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect of the subject matter hereof and
collectively supersedes any and all prior negotiations, correspondence, understandings and
agreements between the parties respecting the subject matter hereof. No party is relying
on or shall be deemed to have made any representations or promises not expressly set
forth or referred to in this Agreement.

1. Limitation of Liability Clause

2. Credit Risk/Acceleration Clause
3. Force Majeure Clause
4. Assignment Clause
5. Termination Clause
6. Entire Agreement Clause

EX2/
Choose which wording is most likely to be found in the boilerplate clauses given below.
Termination Clause
a) credit standing impaired, demand the performance of the contract immediately
b) Acts of God, conditions beyond control, wars, insurrections, riots
c) in the event of default, terminate the agreement
d) supersede all prior negotiations
Force Majeure Clause
a) credit standing impaired, demand the performance of the contract immediately
b) suffer damage, be liable to pay damages, calculate damage
c) disclose information, without prior written consent
d) Acts of God, conditions beyond control, wars, insurrections, riots
Acceleration Clause
a) disclose information, without prior written consent
b) credit standing impaired, demand the performance of the contract immediately
c) supersede all prior negotiations
d) suffer damage, be liable to pay damages, calculate damage
Entire Agreement Clause
a) supersede all prior negotiations
b) credit standing impaired, demand the performance of the contract immediately
c) suffer damage, be liable to pay damages, calculate damage
d) disclose information, without prior written consent
SEVERABILITY
a) replaces and extinguishes all prior agreements
b) Agreement shall remain in full force and effect despite the invalidity or
unenforceability of any provisions of this Agreement
c) Default of either Party in the performance of any obligation
d) Agreement is not considered a breach of this Agreement nor create any liability
Confidentiality Clause
a) in the event of default, terminate the agreement
b) supersede all prior negotiations
c) disclose information, without prior written consent
d) suffer damage, be liable to pay damages, calculate damage
Liquidated Damages Clause
a) disclose information, without prior written consent
b) credit standing impaired, demand the performance of the contract immediately
c) Acts of God, conditions beyond control, wars, insurections, riots
d) suffer damage, be liable to pay damages, calculate damage
Assignment
a) a verbal order shall be final and binding
b) an implied promise of indemnity if the assertion made by the party is false
c) Transfer obligations and benefits without the prior consent of the other party
d) Failure to perform by the time specified