Module -2

1. Infinitive or Verb+ing
Learning to use the "-ing," the infinitive ("to" + base form of the verb), and the past
participle (in regular verbs, this is formed by adding "-ed" to the end of the verb) verb forms
correctly can be challenging. When do you use "finishing" versus "to
finish" versus "finished"?

Verb+ing
Here are six common uses of the "-ing" form:
1. The "-ing" form is used in progressive verb tenses with auxiliary verbs (helping verbs).
These are in active voice. Here are some examples:
 I am doing my homework.
 I have been writing all day.
 I was writing when the pizza arrived.
2. The "-ing" form can function as a noun. These nouns are called gerunds and can be
the subject of a clause, followed by a third-person singular (he/she/it) form of the verb. The
gerund in the following sample sentences is bolded, and the verb is italicized:
 Writing is an important skill.
 Hiking is one of my favorite activities.
 Reading before bed helps me fall asleep.
3. The "-ing" noun (or gerund) can be the direct object of certain verbs. Some verbs that are
followed by a gerund are the following:
 Admit
 Avoid
 Consider
 Deny
 Discuss
 Practice
 Recall
 Suggest
The verb in the following sample sentences is italicized, and the gerund is bolded:
 He often avoids answering his phone.
  I considered conducting semi-structured interviews.
 She suggested taking notes.
4. The "-ing" form is used after a preposition. The preposition in the following example
sentences is italicized, and the "–ing" is bolded:
 Before conducting the research, it is necessary to complete a literature review.
 Her experience in interviewing will be beneficial.
 He is bad at remembering appointments.
 They complained about driving in rush hour.
5. Adjectives are sometimes formed using "-ing". The "-ing" in the following example
sentences is bolded:
 I read an interesting book.
 The barking dog was annoying.
6. The "-ing" form is sometimes used to include additional information in a sentence in
a reduced relative clause. The "-ing" in the following example sentences is bolded, and the
full relative clause is italicized:
 The woman wearing a dress is sitting by the window. (The woman who is wearing a
dress is sitting by the window.)
 The pens sitting on the desk belong to the teacher. (The pens that are sitting on the
desk belong to the teacher.)

Infinitives
Here are four common uses of infinitives ("to" + base form of the verb):
1. The infinitive is required after certain verbs in English. Some verbs that take an infinitive
following them are the following:
 Agree
 Choose
 Claim
 Decide
 Expect
 Manage
 Need
 Offer
  Plan
 Prove
 Refuse
 Want
 Wish
The verb in the following example sentences is italicized, and the infinitive is bolded:
 I decided to go to a movie.
 He expected to obtain reliable results.
 She offered to help.
2. The infinitive is also used after certain verb + direct object structures. Some verbs that
use this pattern are the following:
 Advise
 Allow
 Ask
 Encourage
 Help*
 Need
 Persuade
 Require
In the following example sentences, the verb is italicized, the direct object is bolded and
italicized, and the infinitive is bolded:
 I advised him to stay. ("Him" is the direct object here.)
 I encouraged the participants to ask questions. ("Participants" is the direct object
here.)
 She required us to sign the consent form. ("Us" is the direct object here.)
 He helped me to learn to read. He helped me learn to read. (With the verb "help,"
the infinitive can be used with or without "to." "Me" is the direct object here.)
3. Infinitives are used after certain adjectives. Some adjectives that are followed by
infinitives are the following:
 Difficult
 Easy
 Impossible
  Wrong
The adjective in the following example sentences is italicized, and the infinitive is bolded:
 It was difficult to complete the rough draft.
 She thought it was impossible to remember all the rules.
 I was wrong to assume you did not understand.
4. Infinitives are used to express purpose (in order to do something). The infinitive in the
following sample sentences is bolded:
 She is driving quickly (in order) to arrive on time.
 He completed all his homework (in order) to earn a good grade.
 I rewrote my draft three times (in order) to revise it the best I could.
https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/verbforms

2. Prepositions in phrases describing trends

Definition:
Prepositions are short words (on, in, to) that usually stand in front of nouns
(sometimes also in front of gerund verbs). There are hardly any rules as to when to use
which preposition. The only way to learn prepositions is looking them up in a dictionary,
reading a lot in English literature and learning useful phrases off by heart.

Preposition: Meaning, Definition, Uses

‘I have kept your book.’ Don’t you think you want to know where your book is kept? Doesn’t
the sentence look incomplete? It is to denote the position of the objects in a sentence that the
prepositions are used in the English language. This article discusses the meaning, definition
and uses of prepositions. There are also examples of prepositions given to help you
understand how they are used in sentences and also an extensive list of prepositions for your
reference.

Table of Contents
 What Is a Preposition?

 Definition of a Preposition

 Uses of Prepositions
 Types of Prepositions
  Examples of Prepositions Used in Sentences

 List of Most Popular Prepositions for Everyday Communication

 Commonly Confused Prepositions

 Frequently Asked Questions on Prepositions in English

What Is a Preposition?
A preposition is a short word that is employed in sentences to show the relationship nouns,
pronouns or phrases have with other parts within the respective sentences. Prepositions are
normally found positioned in the latter part of the sentence, but before a noun or pronoun.

Definition of a Preposition
A preposition is defined as “a word that connects a noun, a noun phrase, or a pronoun to
another word, esp. to a verb, another noun, or an adjective”, according to the Cambridge
Dictionary. The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary says that a preposition is “a word or group of
words, such as in, from, to, out of and on behalf of, used before a noun or pronoun to show
place, position, time or method.”

The Collins Dictionary defines a preposition as “a word such as ‘by’, ‘for’, ‘into’, or ‘with’
which usually has a noun group as its object.” The Merriam Webster Dictionary provides a
slightly different definition. According to it, a preposition is defined as “a function word that
typically combines with a noun phrase to form a phrase which usually expresses a
modification or predication.”

Uses of Prepositions
Prepositions are seen to show some key characteristics and perform some vital functions
when used in sentences. Let us look at the various uses of prepositions in English.

 They are used to show the direction of something.

 They can refer to the time of something happening.
 They can be used to denote the position or location of an object in the sentence.
 They are also used to represent spatial relationships.
 Prepositional phrases, in particular, can be used to do all of these when used in
sentences.

Types of Prepositions
Based on the different uses and functions of prepositions, they can be divided into four main
types. They are as follows:

 Prepositions of Time – used to show when something is happening.

For example:

 We will be meeting on Friday.

 The supermarket will be closed from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.

 Can you come after some time?

 We have been asked to work from home until the end of May.

 The whole country was asked to stay home during the pandemic to ensure
safety and well-being.

 Prepositions of Place – indicate the place or position of something.

For example:

 I have kept the book I borrowed from you on the table.

 Henry hid behind the door.

 The dog jumped over the fence.

 Can you place the red roses in between the white daisies?

 He was waiting in front of the EB office.

 Prepositions of Direction – used to denote the direction in which something travels

or moves.
For example:

 The girl ran toward her father the moment she saw him.

 Jerry jumped into the river to help his sister.

 Veena passed the book to Priya.

 When will Salvia be returning from London?

  Neena lives across the street.

 Prepositions of Location – employed to denote the location of a particular object.

For example:

 Kenny would be staying at his cousin’s place for the weekend.

 Make sure you keep all the toys back in its place after you play.

 I lay on the floor for a really long time.

 Prepositions of Spatial Relationship – used to denote an object’s movement away

from the source and towards a source.
For example:

 Navya sat leaning against the wall.

 The circus was stationed opposite the children’s park.

 Lakshmi sat beneath the trees.

 Shankar sat beside the stairs.

 We spent the evening walking around the lake.

 Prepositional Phrase – a combination of a preposition and a noun(the object it is

affecting).
For example:

 See to it that you reach the venue on time.

 The medicines you asked for are out of stock.

 Why don’t we try taking classes outside for a change.

 Make sure you fill in all the forms at once.

 Salmaan was able to finish it only with the help of his friends.

Examples of Prepositions Used in Sentences

To know how exactly prepositions can be used in sentences, check out the following
sentences.

 I will be going to church in the morning.

 She placed the plates on the dining table.
 Baskar found the cat hiding under the bed.
 Will you be with Raimy or Mazeeka?
 I love sitting on the beach at night.
 Rachel met Phoebe by the lake.
 Finn stood opposite Lisa.
 The grocery store is right in front of the bus stop.
 My brother climbed onto the roof.
 It feels great to sit beneath the trees and read.

List of Most Popular Prepositions for Everyday

Communication
Given below is an extensive list of prepositions that you can make use of in your daily
communication.

Examples of Prepositions

On At In Over

Around Through Opposite to In front of

Behind Beneath Beside Above

Below Under Underneath Down

Up Out With Into

Onto Across After Before

Near Among Along Between

Toward Away From To

 Next to By Until About

Commonly Confused Prepositions

With the huge number of prepositions in the English language, it almost seems impossible to
have no confusion at all. Here is a list of prepositions that cause confusion among the users of
the language.

 In/On/At
These three prepositions can be used to depict both time and position. Take a look at the table
below to have a better understanding of how it works.

Prepositions of Place

In On At

Can be used to show general locations Can be used to refer to more specific Can be used to refer
like neighbourhoods, cities, countries locations like streets, avenues, to very specific
and places with a boundary islands, surfaces and large vehicles locations

For example: I live in India. For example: Latha stays on the For example: You
fourth floor. can find us at the
park.
We will be staying in a hotel The book you are looking for
is on the rack. She is at home
tonight.
now.

Prepositions of Time

In On At

Can be used to depict general Can be used to refer to dates, days Can be used to denote very
timings like months, years, of the week, days of the month and specific time, times of the day and
centuries and parts of days holidays with ‘day’ (for example – holidays without ‘day’ (for
Republic day) example – Easter)

For example: Dan was For example: There is a national For example: We decided to
born in 2000. parade every year on Republic day. meet at 4 p.m.
All of us will be at I wished my
Technological home on Christmas day. brother at midnight.
development in the field
 of science and medicine
reached its zenith in the
21st century.

 To/From
To and from are two other prepositions that create confusion.

To From

Used to denote the end location Used to denote the starting location

For example: We went to Sri Lanka with my family. For example: Have you started from Bangalore?
I received a letter from my father.
I gave my coat to Sandra.

 By/With
The prepositions by and with have various meanings. They sometimes appear to be confusing
for a second language learner of English

By With

Near or next to. In the company of

For example: Glint went to Chennai with his
For example: Is the post office by the bus friends.
stop?

A given time or not later than In addition to

For example: See that you reach the exam For example: would you like to have
hall by 8:30 a.m. tea with breakfast?

Denotes the doer of the action mentioned in a By means of

sentence
For example: I cut my birthday cake with a
For example: The poem was written by my fruit knife.
brother.

The following table contains rules for some of the most frequently used prepositions
in English:
Prepositions – Time

Prepositions Usage Example

 on  days of the week  on Monday

 in  months / seasons  in August / in winter
 time of day  in the morning
 year  in 2006
 after a certain period of  in an hour
time (when?)
 at  for night  at night
 for weekend  at the weekend
 a certain point of  at half past nine
time (when?)
 since  from a certain point of time  since 1980
(past till now)

 for  over a certain period of time  for 2 years

(past till now)

 ago  a certain time in the past  2 years ago

 before  earlier than a certain point of  before 2004
time
 to  telling the time  ten to six (5:50)
 past  telling the time  ten past six (6:10)
 to / till /  marking the beginning and  from Monday to/till Friday
until end of a period of time

 till / until  in the sense of how long  He is on holiday until Friday.

something is going to last

 by  in the sense of at the latest  I will be back by 6 o’clock.

 up to a certain time  By 11 o'clock, I had read five
pages.

Prepositions – Place (Position and Direction)

Prepositions Usage Example

 in  room, building, street, town,  in the kitchen, in
country London
 book, paper etc.  in the book
 car, taxi  in the car, in a taxi
 picture, world  in the picture, in the
world
  at  meaning next to, by an object  at the door, at the
 for table station
 for events  at the table
 place where you are to do  at a concert, at the
something typical (watch a film, party
study, work)  at the cinema, at
school, at work
 on  attached  the picture on the
 for a place with a river wall
 being on a surface  London lies on the
 for a certain side (left, right) Thames.
 for a floor in a house  on the table
 for public transport  on the left
 for television, radio  on the first floor
 on the bus, on a
plane
 on TV, on the radio

 by, next to,  left or right of somebody or  Jane is standing by /

beside something next to / beside
the car.
 under  on the ground, lower than (or  the bag is under the
covered by) something else table

 below  lower than something else but  the fish are below
above ground the surface

 over  covered by something else  put a jacket over

 meaning more than your shirt
 getting to the other side  over 16 years of age
(also across)  walk over the bridge
 overcoming an obstacle  climb over the wall

 above  higher than something else, but  a path above the

not directly over it lake

 across  getting to the other side  walk across the

(also over) bridge
 getting to the other side  swim across the lake
 through  something with limits on top,  drive through the
bottom and the sides tunnel

 to  movement to person or  go to the cinema

building  go to London /
 movement to a place or Ireland
country  go to bed
 for bed
  into  enter a room / a building  go into the kitchen /
the house

 towards  movement in the direction of  go 5 steps towards

something (but not directly to the house
it)
 onto  movement to the top of  jump onto the table
something
 from  in the sense of where from  a flower from the
garden

Other important Prepositions

English Usage Example

 from  who gave it  a present from Jane

 of  who/what does it belong to  a page of the book
 what does it show  the picture of a palace

 by  who made it  a book by Mark Twain

 on  walking or riding on horseback  on foot, on horseback
 entering a public transport  get on the bus
vehicle
 in  entering a car / Taxi  get in the car
 off  leaving a public transport  get out of the taxi
vehicle
 out  leaving a car / Taxi  prices have risen by 10
of percent
 by car, by bus
 by  rise or fall of something  she learned Russian at
 travelling (other than walking or 45
horseriding)

 at  for age  we were talking about

you
 about  for topics, meaning what about 

There has been an increase in the number of people aged over thirty. [correct]
Between 1990 and 2000, there was a drop of 15%. [correct]
We use a noun describing a specific trend or change + in + a word phrase describing the
thing which has changed:
* a(n) cut / decline / decrease / drop / fall / increase / reduction / rise, etc. in something
There have been dramatic cuts in the level of spending on the elderly.
The chart shows a decline in the bird population.
* a(n) change / growth / improvement / trend / variation, etc. in something
There have been significant improvements in health care.
We have seen massive changes in people's lifestyles.
We use a noun describing a change or the result of a change + of + a number showing the
size of the change:
* a(n) decrease / drop / fall / increase / reduction / rise, etc. of + number
The statistics show a reduction of 20% in energy costs as a result of the government's new
measures.
The radio station experienced a fall of 36,000 listeners to a total audience of 2.1 million.
* a high / low / maximum / total / peak, etc. + of + number
Demand reached a peak of 45,000 in early March.

3. Formal Requests
How to make polite requests in English?
A request is when we ask someone for something. Since we are asking someone for help, it
is important to be polite.
We must avoid being too direct.
Here are examples of being too direct:
“I want help.”
“Pass me the salt.”
“Can you carry my bag?”
These questions are all correct English but they are too direct. These are not polite requests.
They are in fact quite rude. People will be offended because they will think that you are
giving them orders.
In this lesson, you will learn several methods to make a polite request. The first few
examples are to be used in spoken English. The last example is for written English.
Polite requests in spoken English
Could you .. ?
Form: Could you + base form of verb ….. ?
Examples:
Could you carry my bags?
Could you give me some advice?
Could you carry these boxes?
We can add “possibly” to be even more polite. We put “possibly” in between “Could you”
and the verb.
Example:
Could you possibly hold my drink?
Would you mind .. ?
Form: Would you mind + ing form of verb … ?
Examples:
Would you mind carrying my bags?
Would you mind giving me some advice?
Would you mind helping me?
Would you mind taking my photograph?
I wonder if you could .. ?
Form: I wonder if you could + base form of verb … ?
Examples:
I wonder if you could mind my bag?
I wonder if you could give me some advice?
I wonder if you could help me?
We can add “possibly” to be even more polite:
I wonder if you could possibly take me to the airport?
https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/polite-requests-english/

Asking to do things – asking for permission

Asking Saying Yes Saying No

Can I...? Yes, sure Well, I'm afraid...+ reason

Could I...?
Yes, of course.
Could I possibly...?
Yes, that's fine. Well, the problem is...
Is it all right if I...?
Certainly.
Do you think I could...?

No, not at all.

Do you mind if I...? Sorry, but...
No, of course not.
Asking others to do things – making requests

Asking Saying Yes Saying No

Can you...? Yes, sure. Well, I'm afraid + reason

Could you...?
Is it all right if you...?
Yes, of course. Well, the problem is
Do you think you could...?
Certainly. Sorry, but...
Will you...?
Would you...?

Do you mind -ing...? No, not at all.

Would you mind -ing...? Of course not.
Use 'Would you mind if I...? Could I possibly...? Could you possibly...? Do you think you
could...? to sound more polite.
Remember that 'Do you mind...?' and 'Would you mind...?' mean 'Is it a problem for you?'
so the polite answer when we 'say yes' is 'No'.

4. First and Second Conditionals

There are four types of conditional sentences. It’s important to use the correct
structure for each of these different conditional sentences because they express varying
meanings. Pay attention to verb tense when using different conditional modes. Use a
comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main clause.
Conditional sentences are statements discussing known factors or hypothetical situations
and their consequences. Complete conditional sentences contain a conditional clause (often
referred to as the if-clause) and the consequence. Consider the following sentences:
Examples:
If a certain condition is true, then a particular result happens.
I would travel around the world if I won the lottery.
When water reaches 100 degrees, it boils.
What Are the Different Types of Conditional Sentences?
There are four different types of conditional sentences in English. Each expresses a different
degree of probability that a situation will occur or would have occurred under certain
circumstances.
  Zero Conditional Sentences
 First Conditional Sentences
 Second Conditional Sentences
 Third Conditional Sentences
How to Use First Conditional Sentences
Structure: if + present simple, ... will + infinitive
First conditional sentences are used to express situations in which the outcome is likely (but
not guaranteed) to happen in the future. Look at the examples below:

If you rest, you will feel better.

If you set your mind to a goal, you’ll eventually achieve it.

Note that we use the simple present tense in the if-clause and simple future tense in the
main clause—that is, the clause that expresses the likely outcome. This is how we indicate
that under a certain condition (as expressed in the if-clause), a specific result will likely
happen in the future. Examine some of the common mistakes people make using the first
conditional structure:

If you will rest , you will feel better. (Incorrect)

If you rest , you will feel better. (correct)

Explanation: Use the simple present tense in the if-clause.

If you set your mind to a goal, you eventually achieve it. (incorrect)
If you set your mind to a goal, you’ll eventually achieve it. (correct)

Explanation: Use the zero conditional (i.e., simple present + simple present) only when a
certain result is guaranteed. If the result is likely, use the first conditional (i.e., simple
present + simple future).

How to Use Second Conditional Sentences

if + past simple, ... would + infinitive
Second conditional sentences are useful for expressing outcomes that are completely
unrealistic or will not likely happen in the future. Consider the examples below:

If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.

If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more.

Notice the correct way to structure second conditional sentences is to use the simple past
tense in the if-clause and an auxiliary modal verb (e.g., could, should, would, might) in the
main clause (the one that expresses the unrealistic or unlikely outcome). The following
sentences illustrate a couple of the common mistakes people make when using the second
conditional:

If I inherit a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon. (incorrect)

If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon. (correct)
Explanation: When applying the second conditional, use the simple past tense in the if-
clause.
If I owned a zoo, I will let people interact with the animals more. (incorrect)
If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more. (correct)

Explanation: Use a modal auxiliary verb in the main clause when using the second
conditional mood to express the unlikelihood that the result will actually happen.

5. Phrases followed by a Verb + -ing

Expressions are a group of words that have a particular meaning or convey a particular
situation. When you add a verb ending in "-ing" after an expression, the sentence provides
details about what is happening, happened, or will happen.

Have (some) problems He had some problems reading without his glasses.

Have a difficult time She had a difficult time hiking up the mountain.

Have a good time They had a good time snorkeling.

 Have a hard time She had a hard time explaining the situation.

Have a problem Debbie had a problem understanding his accent.

Have an easy time She had an easy time selling the delicious cookies.

Have difficulty Wanda had difficulty translating the letter by herself.

Have fun The had fun skiing.

Have no difficulty They had no difficulty finding a discount flight to London.

Have no problem Francis had no problem getting from the airport to the hotel.

Spend one’s time He always spends his time working out at the gym.

Waste one’s time She always wastes her time playing video games.

Examples
 She had a difficult time understanding the math problem. (Past)
 He is having a hard time communicating with the foreign exchange student. (Now)
 They will have problems negotiating the deal. (Future)
 The kids had a good time swimming in the pool. (Past)
 We are having fun playing softball. (Now)
 He wasted time looking for a good deal. (Past)
 He will spend time working on his cars this weekend. (Future)

https://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/expression_ing.htm
http://www.skesl.com/grammar/book/expressions-followed-by-verbing

Memo Writing
What is the purpose of a memo?
The purpose of a memo writing is to communicate information within an organization.
Memos are typically used to share important announcements, updates, or changes with
employees, departments, or other groups within the company.
Who writes memos?
Memos are usually written by managers, supervisors, or other company leaders to
disseminate important information to employees. In some cases, memos may also be
written by lower-level staff members to share ideas or updates with their superiors.
How long should a memo be?
Although a memo should generally be no longer than one page, in some cases, it may be
slightly longer if necessary. The key is to keep the memo concise and to the point so that the
reader can easily understand the information.
What is the format of a memo?
A memo typically follows a standard business letter format, with a header that includes the
sender's name, contact information, and the date, followed by a subject line. The body of
the memo should be clear and concise, and it should be divided into paragraphs as needed.
The memo should end with a sign-off from the sender.
How do I write a memo?
When writing a memo, start by clearly stating the purpose of the memo in the subject line
and opening paragraph. Be sure to use clear and concise language throughout the body of
the memo so that the reader can easily understand the message. Be sure to proofread the
memo before sending it to avoid any errors.
What tone should a memo have?
The tone of a memo depends on the audience and the purpose of the memo. For example, a
memo communicating a new company policy to employees may have a formal tone, while a
memo informing customers of a change in service might have a more informal tone.
How do I format a memo?
There are many ways to format a memo, but the most common format includes the
following elements:
 Memo header: Include the date, recipient(s), and sender(s).
 Subject line: Concisely state the purpose of the memo.
 Body: The main content of the memo can be divided into sections as needed.
 Call to action (if applicable): This tells the reader what you want them to do as a result
of reading the memo.
 CC (carbon copy): This lists any additional recipients of the memo who should receive a
copy for their records.
  Enclosures (if applicable): This lists any additional materials included with the memo,
such as documents or reports.
Guidelines
- Use memo format when the purpose of your writing is to inform or request action from
your audience.
- Be clear and concise in your writing.
- Use professional language and tone.
- proofread your memo for grammar and spelling mistakes.
Example
To: Management Team
CC: Human Resources
From: Your Name
Date: Today's date
Subject: Update on Company Restructuring
Dear Management Team,
I wanted to provide you with an update on the company restructuring we announced last
month. First and foremost, I want to reiterate that our number one priority is ensuring a
smooth transition for all employees affected by the changes.
To that end, we have been working closely with Human Resources to develop a
comprehensive plan that will provide support and assistance to those who need it.
I am confident that we will be able to successfully implement these changes and come out
stronger as a result.
Thank you for your continued support during this process.
Sincerely,
Your CEO
3 Key Takeaways - writing effective memos
Keep it short and sweet: The best memos are clear, concise, and to the point. Getting your
message across in as few words as possible will help ensure that your reader actually reads
(and understands) what you have written.
Be clear about your purpose: Before you start writing, take a moment to think about what
you want to accomplish with your memo. What do you hope to achieve? Once you know
your goal, make sure it is front and centre in your mind as you write – this will help keep you
focused.
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E-mail Giving information

Dear John,
I am a member of eJOY team. I am writing in reply to your phone call requesting information
about how to use eJOY eXtension when watching videos on Youtube, Facebook, or Netflix.
Unlike many other common translation tools that can only translate texts, you can look up
any word or phrase directly on the subtitles of the video once installed eJOY eXtension to
Chrome. Whenever you come across a new word that you want to learn, simply click on it. A
detailed translation with examples will appear. New slangs & idioms are frequently updated
for our users.
To really learn a word you will have to add this word to your own wordbook. eJOY will help
you store, manage, and track your vocabulary.
I hope that I have been able to answer all of your questions. Please do not hesitate to
contact me should you want any further information.
Best regards,
Your name

E-Mail – making an enquiry

The standard business inquiry email format
A professional business inquiry follows a traditional format that clearly spells out what you
want. There are five key aspects to it:
1. Email subject for inquiry
2. Greeting
3. Body
4. Closing
5. Sign-off/signature

Email to an organization
If you're emailing a generic email address, keep things formal. In this business inquiry email
sample, we're requesting a catalog to be sent to us. It's quick and easy, explains what you
want, when you want, and why.
To
[email protected]
Inquiry: Sunset Productions - 2022 catalog
Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is Susan Deller, and I work at Energy Drive. We're interested in your range of office
supply products and would like to know more.
Please could you send a 2022 catalogue to me at this email address? We're in the process of
updating our office supplies and are looking to make an order in the next two weeks.
We're currently speaking to a range of suppliers, and I'll contact you in due course if we
want to place an order.
Yours faithfully,
Susan Deller

E-mail – answering enquiries

The Different Types of Inquiries
Customers and clients more often than not use a variety of inquiries to seek clarification and
information about products and services they want.
Some of these inquiries are:
Product Inquiry
This is where a customer inquiries more information or further clarification about a
product. It may be about the specifications a product has.
Price Inquiry
In this inquiry, a customer wants to know the price a product is being sold at.
Shipping Inquiry
A customer inquiries further clarification and information about the shipping of a
product. This may be further specified in the shipping date and time.
Refund Inquiry
This inquiry involves a client seeking further information about refunds for the
products being sold.
Discount Inquiry
In this, a customer could be requesting a discount for the product they want.
Exchange Inquiry
A customer seeking to exchange one product for another will send this type of
inquiry.
Price Template
Dear {{customer_first_name}},
Thank you for your inquiry. As an organization, we have several different packages tailored
to suit your needs. We also offer custom packages as required. Our packages include:
Basic: We will do basic data entry and online research—Starting from $100
Economy: This consists of all of the services in basic. As an add-on, we will do data
management and analysis for you—Starting from $200
First-class: This includes all of the services in basic and economical packages. As an add-on,
we will do CRM management, website administration and SEO for your website—Starting
from $500
I’ve attached a PDF that better outlines our services below. In case you have further
questions, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
Thank you,
{{agent_name}}

Shipping Template
Hello {{first_name}},
Thank you for your Inquiry. To better understand our shipping procedures and timelines,
please see this page [website shipping link]. Here, you’ll find detailed information about our
shipping, including any current delays you need to be aware of. On average, it takes us 3
business days to dispatch your order. Shipping times are between {{X}} and {{Y}}.
If you need further clarification about your order, do not hesitate to let me know.
Best,
{{agent_first_name}}

SMART Goals
Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely
What are SMART Goals?
Goals are part of every aspect of business/life and provide a sense of direction, motivation,
a clear focus, and clarify importance. By setting goals, you are providing yourself with a
target to aim for. A SMART goal is used to help guide goal setting. SMART is an acronym that
stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. Therefore, a SMART goal
incorporates all of these criteria to help focus your efforts and increase the chances of
achieving your goal.

SMART goals are:

 Specific: Well defined, clear, and unambiguous
 Measurable: With specific criteria that measure your progress toward the
accomplishment of the goal
 Achievable: Attainable and not impossible to achieve
 Realistic: Within reach, realistic, and relevant to your life purpose
 Timely: With a clearly defined timeline, including a starting date and a target date.
The purpose is to create urgency.

Specific SMART Goals

Goals that are specific have a significantly greater chance of being accomplished. To make a
goal specific, the five “W” questions must be considered:
1. Who: Who is involved in this goal?
2. What: What do I want to accomplish?
 3. Where: Where is this goal to be achieved?
4. When: When do I want to achieve this goal?
5. Why: Why do I want to achieve this goal?
For example, a general goal would be “I want to get in shape.” A more specific goal would
be “I want to obtain a gym membership at my local community center and work out four
days a week to be healthier.”

Measurable SMART Goals

A SMART goal must have criteria for measuring progress. If there are no criteria, you will not
be able to determine your progress and if you are on track to reach your goal. To make a
goal measurable, ask yourself:
1. How many/much?
2. How do I know if I have reached my goal?
3. What is my indicator of progress?
For example, building on the specific goal above: I want to obtain a gym membership at my
local community center and work out four days a week to be healthier. Every week, I will
aim to lose one pound of body fat.
Achievable SMART Goals
A SMART goal must be achievable and attainable. This will help you figure out ways you can
realize that goal and work towards it. The achievability of the goal should be stretched to
make you feel challenged, but defined well enough that you can actually achieve it. Ask
yourself:
1. Do I have the resources and capabilities to achieve the goal? If not, what am I
missing?
2. Have others done it successfully before?
Realistic SMART Goals
A SMART goal must be realistic in that the goal can be realistically achieved given the
available resources and time. A SMART goal is likely realistic if you believe that it can be
accomplished. Ask yourself:
1. Is the goal realistic and within reach?
2. Is the goal reachable, given the time and resources?
3. Are you able to commit to achieving the goal?
Timely SMART Goals
A SMART goal must be time-bound in that it has a start and finish date. If the goal is not
time-constrained, there will be no sense of urgency and, therefore, less motivation to
achieve the goal. Ask yourself:
1. Does my goal have a deadline?
2. By when do you want to achieve your goal?
For example, building on the goal above: On August 1, I will obtain a gym membership at my
local community center. In order to be healthier, I will work out four days a week. Every
week, I will aim to lose one pound of body fat. By the end of August, I will have realized my
goal if I lose four pounds of fat over the course of the month.
The Importance of SMART Goal Setting
Often, individuals or businesses will set themselves up for failure by setting general and
unrealistic goals such as “I want to be the best at X.” This goal is vague, with no sense of
direction.
SMART goals set you up for success by making goals specific, measurable, achievable,
realistic, and timely. The SMART method helps push you further, gives you a sense of
direction, and helps you organize and reach your goals.
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Vocabulary
1. Words related to Marketing
commerce marketplace mercantilism
commercialism grocery trade
grocery store mart black market
commercialize product business
industry retail commodity
economy food market market-place
merchandise sell buyer's market
bazaar labour market bull market
seller's market stock market grey market
money market bear market supermarket
whole sale shop green– grocery stock exchange
commercial mercantile establishment

Adjective – noun Collocations

Introduction:
Collocation refers to a group of two or more words that usually go together. A good way to
think of collocation is to look at the word collocation. Co - meaning together - location -
meaning place. Collocations are words that are located together. A good answer to "What is
collocation?" is: Collocation is a group of two or more words that like to hang out
together. A collocation is made up of two or more words that are commonly used together
in English. Think of collocations as words that usually go together. There are different kinds
of collocations in English. Strong collocations are word pairings that are expected to come
together, such as combinations with 'make' and 'do': You make a cup of tea, but you do your
homework. Collocations are very common in business settings when certain nouns are
routinely combined with certain verbs or adjectives. For example, draw up a contract, set a
price, conduct negotiations, etc.
A collocation is a pair or group of words that habitually appear together.
Adjectives and nouns can have a particular collocation to convey a specific meaning.
Form
We form adjectives and noun collocations by putting adjectives before nouns.

The most commonly used adjectives and nouns collocations are:

 Big disappointment, big failure, big mistake, big surprise…;

 Heavy bag, heavy box, heavy rain, heavy snow, heavy suitcase, heavy traffic…;

 Rich culture, rich history, rich people, rich vocabulary…;

 Strong accent, strong drink, strong smell, strong taste, strong wind…
Example
 The documentary was a big disappointment.
 He admitted he made a big mistake.

 We were walking in heavy rain.

 You shouldn’t carry such a heavy suitcase alone.

 I was late due to heavy traffic.

  Rich people can afford to buy everything they want.

 She reads a lot of books and has a rich vocabulary.

 The man just wanted a strong drink.

 This coffee has a very strong smell.

 The strong wind stopped us from going for a walk yesterday.

Use

Before a specific noun we must put only a specific adjective to convey a specific meaning. If
we use another adjective, the meaning could sound strange and not natural.

Collocations are a pair or group of words which habitually appear together to convey a
whole new meaning.
We use adjectives and nouns collocations putting adjectives before nouns.
The most commonly used adjectives and nouns collocations are:
 Big disappointment, big failure, big mistake, big surprise…;
 Heavy bag, heavy box, heavy rain, heavy snow, heavy suitcase, heavy traffic…;

 Rich culture, rich history, rich people, rich vocabulary…;

 Strong accent, strong drink, strong smell, strong taste, strong wind…

For example:
— “She has a strong Italian accent.” = The word accent is placed after the
adjective strong in the sentence.
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that
shows its use within a context.
Collocation Examples
Here are a number of common collocations in English:
to make the bed I need to make the bed every day.
to do homework My son does his homework after dinner.
to take a risk Some people don't take enough risks in life.
to give someoneThe teacher gave us some advice on taking
advice tests.

Examples
1. The only active ingredient in this medicine is aspirin.
2. The names are listed in alphabetical order.
3. I think rich people have a moral obligation to give money to charity.
4. David lost his right arm in an accident, so now he has an artificial limb.
5. I have mixed feelings about David – I like him, but he’s not very honest.
6. Goods sold to mass markets can often be of low quality.
7. He lost his job last month, but he’s claiming it was unfair dismissal.
8. It’s common knowledge most politicians do not always tell the truth.
9. He said he’d be here, but he’s so full of empty promises (he doesn’t meet the
promises he makes).
10. On Friday, we don’t have to wear a suit and tie to work – we can wear casual
clothes.
11. I don’t really like wearing bright colours.
12. The company has a major problem trying to get new staff.
13. They had a brief chat this morning, but I don’t know what they decided.
14. There was a crash on the main highway, so we took the back roads to avoid the
traffic.