Other fuJure fotrns

1 Will is very often used tor preaictions.

The forecast says that tomorrow will be warm and sunny.

I don't think the\ will complain.

She won't like what you've written about her.

2 We use the contracted form '11 to make spontaneous offers.

I'll help you write the report if you like.

(= I'll help you now, or when you want me to help you.)

Reported speech

We use reporting verbs like say, tell and ask to report what other people say. a F;eporting words just said

• In this case, the situation is still present.

The boss says she wants to see you immediately.

2 Reporting words said in the past

• Words that are said in one place at one particular time may be reported in another place at another time. Because of the change in time, there may be a change of tense or modal auxiliary. A different pronoun is used to suit the context.

Actual words

'We are not going to panic.' 'I left my briefcase at work.' 'I've already spoken to her.' 'We won't know before Friday.' 'I can't give you a lower price.'

Reported words

He said they were not going to panic. She said she (had) left her briefcase at work He said he had already spoken to her. She said they wouldn't know before Friday. He said he couldn't give me a lower price

Would, could and should do not change.

'I would tell you if I could.' She said she would tell me if she could 'You should be more careful.' He said I should be more careful.

Say versus tell

We do not usually use a person object (me, us, etc.) after say. She said she would come later. (MOT *She said me...)

But after tell, we indicate who receives the information. She told me she would come later. (NOT *She told she would...)

We can use that directly after soy, but not directly after tell. He said that he understood the reason. (NOT *He told that...)

Tell also means 'to inform' or 'to instruct'. He told me he was interested in my proposal. She told me to hurry up.

Reporting questions

We use ask iwith or without an object) to report questions.

Note the word order in the reported question: (1) question word (2) subject (3) verb

Actual words

-in open questions

(When /Whv/How/What /etc.):

'When do you want to take your vacation?'

'How long is the conference?'

Reported words

He asked (him) when he wanted to take his vacation. He asked (her) how long the conference was.

- in ves/no questions:

'Do vou want to fake your vacation in He asked (him) if/vhether he wanted to take his

July or August?' vacation in July or August.

'Will you be able to attend the conference?' He asked (her) if/whether she would be able to

attend the conference.

____________________ ______________________________________________________________________ У

126 |

Conditionals

First conditional

(if+ present simple, will + base form of the verb)

In these two examples, the speaker feels that there is a real possibility that they will increase their order and that their visitors will be late.

If we increase our order, they'll give us a higher discount.

If our visitors are late, we won't be able to take them to the theatre.

Second conditional

(//•+ past simple, would + case form of the verb)

1 When the situation is less likely to happen or be accepted, we use the second conditional.

If we had more mnriev to spend, we would be interested, but we don't.

2 Sometimes the condition is logically impossible to fulfil.

If he was the Queen ofFngland, he'd sell Buckingham Pala-.e.

Points to remember

1 The position of the if clause and the main clause can be changed. I would lend him some money if he needed it.

If he needed it, I would lend him some money.

2 We cannot use will or would in the //clause.

*If 1 w+W go to Japan, I'll probably go to a tea ceremony.

knew

*lf I would кпо¹: the answer, I would tell you.

3 It is possible to use If I were rather than If I was, especially when giving advice.

If I were the minister of finance, I'd reduce Taxation. If I were you, I'd buy those shares now

4 Instead of would, we can use might or could, depending on the meaning.

Ifh° relaxed more, he might enjov this new challenge. If he wanted to. he could become CEO.

Ii Time clauses

1 We use time clauses to provide information about actions and events in the past, present and future.

Do you remember when you hod your first interview⁷ (.past time) When your customers are unhappy, they'll usually tell at least 20 other people, (true all the time)

When I find the missing documents, I'll bring them to you. (future time)

2 We use a present tense, not will, to ,efer to future time in a time clause.

Until inflation is under control, planning will be difficult. (NOT *will be under control)

Once we finish the project, we'll have more time. (NOT *will finish the project)

Can you look at this before you leave? (NOT *will leave) The share price will rise as soon as we announce the merger. I'll see you when the meeting finishes.

3 Note that:

• a present perfect in a time clause refers to a future situation. I'll get back to you as soon as we have decided what to do. She'll write to you after/when she's spoken to her boss.

We won't know the results until we've received all the sales reports.

• while means 'during the time that' or 'at the same time as'. / like to listen to music while I'm working.

I was working late at the office while she was out socialising. While I was in Italy, I went to see Alessandro.

For/since/uuiinq

1 We use ooth for and during with periods oftime, but the is usually used after during.

I haven't seen her for a month. (NOT*duringa month) What are you planning to do during the vacation? He fell asleep during the meeting.

2 We use since with points in time.

The company has expanded fast since it was founded Since Martin joined the company two years ago, profits have risen dramatically.

Passives

Form

+ It's done. It's being done. It was done. It has been done. It will be done.

- It's not done. It's not being done. It wasn't done. It hasn't been done. It won't be done.

? Is it done? Is it being done? Was it done? Has it been done? Will it be done?

Passives can also be formed with modal verbs.

Can it be done? It can't be done. It should be done. It would be done. It might be done.

Uses

1 We choos? a passive structure when we focus on the action itself rather than who performs the action.

Tea is grown in Sri Lanka.

Our quality procedures are strictly monitored.

The new machine has been installed.

2 We can use by to mention who oerforms an action.

All her clothes ate designed by Armani.

The first computer was invented by Alan Turing.

Kristal is a bottled water which is manufactured by a US company.

3 We often use the passive to describe a process, system or procedure, as in the extract below.

Naming a new product

Before a product is launched, focus groups ore set up and a name is cnosen. Potential consumers are asked ^fo give their impressions, and these are matchea against the desired brand image. Once the name has been decided, it must be registered so tnat it cannot be used by other manufacturers.

4 We often use the passive in impersona¹ constructions beginning with it. These constructions are frequently found in reports and the minutes of meetings.

It was agreed that the budget should be increased. It was decided to implement the new policy immediately, (or It was decided that the new policy should be implemented immediately.) It was felt that an early decision had to be made.

/ \ Salutation

When you know the name of the recipient:

Dear Мг/Мгз/Ms/Miss von Trotta

Mote: In AmE Mi., Mrs. and Ms. include a full stop/period, e.g. Mr. von Trotta

When you don't know the name of the recipient: Dear Sir or Madam (BrE) Dear Sir or Madam: (AmE)

Letters

European Business Associates

26 Rue de Giion 1C20 rt/tontreux 7aud Canton

3 May 200-

С \

Main point

It is a good idea to put the main point at the beginning of the letter. Peop'e read the first paragraph carefully, but not always everything else.

Use the pronoun we when writing for your company. This is more formal than /.

\____________________________________

С \

Fndings (BrE)

When you know the name of the

recipient:

Yours sincerely

When you don't know the name of the recipient: Yours faithfully

Endings (AmE)

Yours truly,

Sincerely, --------------------------------

/ \ Sign the letter with both first and second names. Then print your name and position under the signature.

V___________________________________ У

Common abbreviations

Re: regarding pp (on behalf of) when you sign the letter for another person

Enc(s). documents are enclosed

with the letter cc: copies (The names of the people who receive a copy are included in the letter.)

Re: Invitation to SDeak at next conference

On behalf of European Business Associates we would like to invite you to be a keynote speaker at our'Responsible Technologies for the Global Economy⁷ conference planned for 19-21 October next year.

European Business Associates is Europe s leading business-oriented media production company. We broadcast business programmes for television and radio throughout the European Union, including Business lod@y every morning from 07.00 on CNM.

We would be very pleased if you would present for us at the conferencc. As Furope s leading manufacturer of environmentally friendly high-tech equipment we believe you could help many other companies move in the same direction.

We hope this invitation is of interest and look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerelv

-^АА^лШ

Ms Bngitte Sea Events Manager

Encs. Conference brochures cc: JeanThornett-Smith Senior Director

Investment plans

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 1380