Prices have been rising faster than incomes.
You probably learn quicker by having lessons.
The older people work the hardest.
The ones with the shortest legs run the slowest.
R154 Here is a list of time adverbials and adverbs of place that have comparative and superlative forms. See Chapter 4 (4.70, 4.114, and 4.123) and Chapter 6 (6.60). Note that a few have irregular comparatives and superlatives.
early
The grammar of business English
Introduction
There are certain areas of life and activity where particular features of language are found more frequently than in other areas. For example, doctors and engineers commonly use very specific vocabulary in their work-related communication.
Apart from specialized vocabulary, there are also grammatical patterns that occur more frequently in particular contexts. This section looks at forms that are common in the field of business and commerce. Examples of how language is used are organized into four areas:
In many cases, of course, the language that is described can be used in more than one of these topic areas.
Networking
Making social and business arrangements
The dialogue below is an example of the type of conversation that might take place between two people who want to make an arrangement to meet at a later time.
A Do you want to meet up for lunch sometime next week?
B Yes. That would be nice. We can talk about the FCL deal. I’m not in on Monday. I’m going to work from home. How about next Tuesday?
A Let’s see. No, I can’t. I’m taking some clients to the riverside development. What about Wednesday?
B I’m going to Germany on Wednesday. My flight leaves around five so I don’t need to get away until after lunch. Is that okay?
A Fine. Let’s meet at one.
use of verb forms with future meaning
You can use the present progressive (see 4.60) to talk about future arrangements that you would put in a diary. Normally these arrangements involve other people.
We’re having a meeting to discuss the proposal next Tuesday.
The people from ILC are coming for lunch at two.
When future arrangements are not firm plans, but it is your intention that they will happen, you use be going to followed by an infinitive (see 4.58).
I’m going to have an early night because I’m tired.
We’ll have some time after the meeting so we’re going to explore the old part of the city.
You use the present simple to talk about events in schedules such as transport timetables or conference programmes (see 4.60).
Our flight leaves at six and gets in at eight.
The morning plenary session starts at nine thirty.
expressions for making suggestions
There are several ways in which you can make suggestions about what you and someone else should do.
You can use Let followed by us shortened to Let’s (see 5.39).
Let’s have a break and go for a coffee.
Let’s stay in contact.
You can use a question beginning with Shall we (see 5.186).
Shall we meet outside the restaurant?
Shall we reward ourselves with a little lunch?
You can use a question beginning with Why don’t we (see 5.46).
Why don’t we have a working breakfast in the hotel?
Why don’t we stay an extra day?
You can use a question beginning with What about or How about in front of a noun phrase (see 5.46).
How about a drink after the meeting?
How about next Sunday?
What about the twentieth of March?
Asking for and confirming information
To form the different type of commonly used questions in English you can use a variety of structures, where the word order and the use of auxiliaries can be confusing. The dialogue below is a phone call which might take place between two people where details of an order are discussed.
A Hello. I’m phoning about an order. The ID number is 28443AB.
B When did you place the order please?
A Last week.
B Sorry. What was the order number again?
A 28443AB.
B Oh yes, it was for some switcher units, wasn’t it?
A That’s right. Can you tell me if it’s been processed yet?
B Yes. They were out of stock but we got some in yesterday. Didn’t you get an email?
A Er, no. Haven’t they been sent off yet?
B They went off this morning.
A So do you have any idea when we can expect delivery?
B They should be with you tomorrow.
A Okay. Thanks.
yes/no questions
When you are using the present simple or past simple form of be you simply put the verb at the beginning of the clause, followed by the subject (see 5.14).
Are you with me so far?
Is Simon up to the job?
Were they at the meeting?
When the verb is not be you need to use an auxiliary verb (or do, does, or did), followed by the subject and then the main verb (see 5.12 and 5.13).
Is he staying here tonight?
Do you work in a team?
Did they want to talk to me?
Will they accept that?
Have you got the figures with you?