Практикум по стилистике деловой переписки на английском языке. Пунктуация. Учебное пособие

4.In the fall we will need six operators; in the spring eight._______________

5.Mayel Alwar CPA listed the firm’s assets at $893,500._________________

6.On page 17 20 lines of text describe proper cell phone use._____________

7.We are issuing Policy No. 3167900472 in your name.__________________

8.We were expecting Miss Cho not Mr. Allen to conduct the audit._________

9.“A resume is a balance sheet without any liabilities” said personnel specialist Robert Half.___________________________________________

10.The chief executives had known each other for a long long time._________

B. Insert neceassary commas. In the space provided indicate briefly the reason for the comma (for example, omitted words, contrasting statement, clarity, short quotation, etc.) Write C if the sentence is correct.

1.“ Nothing you can’t spell” said humorist Will Rogers “will ever work.”________________

2.Management announced that on June 15 12 additional workers will be hired.__________

3.On January 1 your Policy No. 7945216 will expire.__________________

4.Kathy Craig L.V.N. and Ann Juarez R.N. work at Sinai hospital Miami.________________

5.On paper diets often sound deceptively simple._____________________

6.The longer we keep our funds invested the greater will be the interest.________________

7.Major responsibility for the loan lies with the signer; secondary responsibility with the cosigner.____________________________

8.That task must be reserved for experienced never inexperienced employees.______________

9.Motion-picture producer Samuel Goldwyn said “A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.”____________________________

10.In short employees must be more considerate of others.______________

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11.Donna Meyer Ph.D. and Victor Massaglia M.D. spoke at the opening session._____________

12.Toyota management was worried because 231 2002 sedans had to be recalled.___________

13.It was Dr. Boyd not Dr. Shimada who performed the surgery._________

14.What it was was an international power struggle.__________________

15.Half of the payment for the shipment is due on delivery; the balance in six weeks.__________________________

C. Writing Exercise.

Select five comma rules that you think are most important. Name the rule; then write an original sentence illustrating that rule.

D. Skill Maximizer.

To make sure you have mastered the use of commas, try your skill on these challenging sentences that cover all levels. Insert needed commas and write the number that you added in the space provided. Write C if the sentence is correct. Be prepared to discuss the rule for each comma you add.

1.When you plan a meeting remember that your objectives should be concrete positive and realistic._________________________________

2.To encourage meeting participation hand out blank index card which become admission tickets when filled in with constructive ideas.______

3.Most team leaders by the way try to encourage group cohesiveness._______________

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4.Denise Minor who was our first team leader moved to Worcester Massachusetts._________________________________

5.The person who became our next team leader was from Cambridge Massachusetts._________________________________

6.At a recent meeting of our team we decided that members should at their convenience complete an online training module.__________________

7.Although National Geographic prints only about 30 photographs for each article the photographer takes aobut 14,000 images._________________

8.If you are preparing to conduct an interview make a list of questions and leave room to write in answers as you receive them.________________

9.Renouncing her wealthy social background Florence Nightingale became a nurse and is considered the founder of modern nursing.____________

10.For three years you have worked here during the summer and you have always been an asset to the firm._______________________________

11. Although bored students managed to stay awake during the lecture._______________

12.Whatever it is it is not very amusing.________________________

13.In Room 302 25 computers and 18 printers are operating._____________

14.Cooperation not criticism is what is needed.______________________

15.“Coming together is a beginning staying together is progress and working together is success” said Henry Ford._____________________________

E. Challenge

The following letter illustrates simplified business letter style. It contains 30 intentional errors representing spelling, punctuation and stylistic principles covered thus far.

Adventure Sports, Inc

8550 Old Dairy Road E-mail: troy@alaska.net Juneau, AK 9989FAX: 907-789-2319

March 7, 20xx

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Mr. Kevin M. Simpson

433 East South Temple

Salt Lake City, UT 84111

THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST IN KAYAK TOURS

Enclosed is a list of current trips and other information, that you requested about our Kayak tours in Alaska. To ensure a quality wilderness experience the number of guests on a tour are limited to six people. No special experience is necessary. Many of our guests have never been in a sea kayak, and are surprised to find that they are very stable. Moreover we teach you safe efficient operation of a kayak.

All equipment, meals and safety gear is included in the trip price. We provide charter transportation from Juneau to the trip location, however you are responsible for getting to Juneau, and for your meals and lodging before and after the trip. To reserve a trip you must make a 50 percent deposit. We will hold reservations for your party for two weeks. Anyone who must request a refund, will be charged a $50 handling fee. If we must cancel a trip a full refund will be made. In some instances, we must cancel because of to few participants, or dangerous weather.

Our most popular trip is whale watching and kayaking at Pt. Adolphus. This four day trip costs $750 which includes boat charter and fairy. We also recommend the glacier tour at Tracy Arm, and our island tour of Pt. Couverdon. By the way custom dates is available for familys or group’s of three or more.

Call, write or fax to make your reservations. We look forward to providing you with the wilderness adventure of a lifetime!

Troy M. Donohue

TROY M. DONOHUE, ADVENTURE SPORTS, INC.

Enclosure

Part II. SEMICOLON AND COLON

OBJECTIVES

When you have completed Part 2, you will be able to do the following:

LEVEL I.

Use semicolons correctly in punctuating compound sentences.

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Use semicolons when necessary to separate items in a series.

LEVEL II.

Learn the proper and improper use of colons to introduce listed items.

Correctly use colons to introduce quotations and explanatory sentences.

LEVEL III.

Distinguish between the use of commas and semicolons preceding expressions such as namely, that is, for instance.

Understand why semicolons are sometimes necessary to separate independent clauses joined by and, or, nor, but.

Understand colon use and subsequent capitalization.

PRETEST

Insert appropriate semicolons, colons, and commas in the following sentences.

1.The newly formed software company grew more rapidly than expected consequenlty the founders scheduled a conference to discuss its future.

2.The following experts were invited to speak Jean Lee Valley College Viola Fulgham American River College and Kathy Perry Phoenix College.

3.Speakers for the morning session are now scheduled speakers for the afternoon session have not yet been arranged.

4.The programming committee however must proceed with its plans.

5.Although the committee had many cities from which to choose it decided to focus on the following namely San Francisco, Denver, or New Orleans.

Semicolon (;) tells readers that two closely related ideas should be thought of together. The semicolon is a stronger punctuation mark than a comma, which signifies a pause; but the semicolon is not as strong as a period, which signifies a complete stop.

LEVEL I.

BASIC USES OF THE SEMICOLON

The most basic use of the semicolon occurs in compound sentences.

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Independent Clauses Separated by Conjunctive Adverbs

Semicolons are used primarily when two independent clauses are separated by a conjunctive adverb.

Nancy wanted to improve her career opportunities; consequently, she went back to school. (Semicolon separates two independent clauses joined by the conjunctive adverb consequently)

Companies make no profits until they recover costs; therefore, most companies use a cost approach in pricing. (Semicolon separates two independent clauses joined by the conjunctive adverb therefore)

Mike rose from bag boy to vice president; thus he knew every position well. (Semicolon separates two independent clauses joined by the conjunctive adverb thus)

Independent Clauses Without a Coordinating Conjunction or a Conjunctive Adverb

Two or more closely related independent clauses not separated by a conjunctive adverb or coordinating conjunction (and,or, nor, but) require a semicolon.

Sales meetings during prosperous times were lavish productions that focused on entertainment; meetings today focus on training and motivation.

Not all job openings are found in classified ads or in job databases; the

“hidden” job market accounts for as many as two thirds of all available positions.

Series Containing Internal Commas or Complete Thoughts

Semicolons are used to separate items in a series when one or more of the items contain internal commas.

Only the company branches in Wilmington, Delaware; Tucson, Arizona; and Cincinnati, Ohio, are showing substantial profits.

Attending the conference were Patricia Hensley, executive vice president, Cabrillo Industries; Toni Graziano, president, Santa Rosa Software; and Elizabeth Mowbry, program director, Club Mediterranean.

Semicolons are used to separate three or more serial independent clauses.

The first step consists of surveying all available information related to the company objective so that an understanding of all problems can be reached; the second step involves interviewing consumers, wholesalers, and retailers;

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and the third step consists of developing a rearch design in which the actual methods and procedures to be used are indicated.

A series of short independent clauses, however, may be separated by commas.

Ease of handling is excellent, passenger comfort is certainly above average, and fuel consumption is the lowest of all cars tested.

TASK: Now complete the Reinforcement Exercises for Part 2 Level I.

LEVEL II.

BASIC USES OF THE COLON

The colon (:) is most often used to introduce formally listed items, quotations, and explanatory sentences.

Formally Listed Items

Use a colon after an independent clause that introduces one item, two items, or a formal list. A list may be shown vertically or horizontally and is usually introduced by such words as the following, as follows, these, thus.

A colon is also used when words like these are implied but not stated.

Creating a company Web site offered the following significant advantage: improved customer service. (Independent clause introduces single item)

Some of the most commonly used manufacturers’ discounts are the following: trade, cash, quantity, and seasonal. (Formal list with introductory expression started)

Our company uses several delivery services for our important packages: UPS, FedEx, and Airborne. (Formal list with introductory expression only implied)

These are a few of the services that a correspondent bank performs for other banks:

1.Collecting checks, payments, and other credit instruments

2.Accepting letters of credit and travelers’ checks

3.Making credit investigations (Formal list shown vertically)

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Do not use a colon unless the list is introduced by an independent clause.

Lists often function as sentence complements or objects.

Lists introduced by verbs or prepositions require no colons

Three courses in this program are Accounting, English, and Computer Science 22.

(No colon is used because the intorductory statement is not complete; the list is introduced by a to be verb)

Awards of merit were presented to Professor McLaughlin, Ms. Lopez, and Dr. Wootson. (No colon is used because the introductory statement is not an independent clause; the list functions as an object of the preposition to)

Do not use a colon when an intervening sentence falls between the introductory statement and the list.

The following cities have been chosen as potential convention sites. A final decision will be made May 1.

New Orleans San Francisco

Orlando Omaha

Quotations

Use a colon to introduce long one-sentence quotations and quotations of two or more sentences.

Consumer advocate Neil Peski said: “Historically, in our privateenterprise economy, consumers determine what and how much is to be produced through their purchases in the marketplace; hence the needs of consumers are carefully monitored by producers.”

Explanatory Sentences

Use a colon to separate two independent clause if the second clause explains, illustrates, or supplements the first.

The company’s new directors faced a perplexing dilemma: they had to choose between declaring bankruptcy and investing more funds to recoup previous losses.

The applicants for the position all exhibited one common trait: they were achievers who accepted nothing less than success.

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TASK: Now complete the Reinforcement Exercises for Part 2 Level II.

LEVEL III.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS IN USING SEMICOLONS AND COLONS

Introductory Expressions Such As Namely, For Instance, That Is, For Example

When introductory expressions (such as namely, for instance, that is , for example) immediately follow independent clauses, they may be preceded by either commas or semicolons.

If the words following the introductory expression appear at the end of the sentence and form a series or an independent clause, use a semicolon before the introductory expression. If not, use a comma.

Numerous fringe benefits are available to employees; namely, injury compensation, life insurance, health insurance, dental care, and vision care. (A semicolon is used because namely introduces a series at the end of the sentence.)

Salaries of most government employees are determined by the General Schedule; for example, typists are classified GS-2 or GS-3. (A semicolon is used because for example introduces and independent clause.)

Our company is considering better ways to evaluate empoyees, for example, an objective performance appraisal system. (A comma is used because for example introduces neither a series nor an independent clause)

Other Uses of the Colon

After the salutation of a business letter.

Dear Mr. Harris:Ladies and Gentlemen: Dear Ruth:

In expressions of time to separat hours from minutes.

1:45 p.m. 12:02 a.m.

Between titles and subtitles.

HOW: A Handbook for Office Professionals

Between place of publication and name of publisher.

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Ashley, A. Oxford Handbook of Commercial Correspondence. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012.

Capitalization Following Colons

Do not capitalize the initial letter of words or of phrases listed following a colon unless the words so listed are proper nouns or appear as a vertical array.

The four Cs of effective letter writing are the following: clarity, courtesy, conciseness, and correctness.

These cities will receive heavy promotional advertising: Omaha, Lincoln, Sioux City, and Pasadena.

To be legally enforceable, a contract must include at least three elements:

1.Mutual assent of competent parties

2.A consideration

3.A lawful purpose

Do not capitalize the first letter of an independent clause following a colon if that clause explains or supplements the first one (unless the first word is a proper noun)

You will be interested in our new savings plan for one special reason: it allows you to invest up to $ 4,000 in a tax-free account.

Capitalize the first letter of an independent clause following a colon if that clause states a formal rule or principle.

Commenting on the importance of incorporation, historians Krooss and

Seropian said: “A strong case can be made for the proposition that the increased use of the corporation was the most important institutional innovation of the century. The corporate form permeates American business.”

TASK: Now complete the Reinforcement Exercises for Part 2 Level III.

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