- •Introduction
- •1 Business letter writing
- •2The letter heading and the layout
- •2.1. The parts of the letter
- •2.2. Style of american firms
- •3. Structure and presentation
- •1. Read the following statements and decide which are true t and which are false
- •2. Put the verbs in brackets into either the present simple, (e.G. He works), or the present continuous, (e.G. He is working).
- •3. Put the following names and addresses in order.
- •5. Complete the following letter of enquiry with the correct prepositions.
- •Veto Sport ag
- •3.1. Content and Style
- •1. Read this letter from a computer company to a company trainer, and fill in the blanks with the correct verb taken from the list below.
- •2. Put the phrases below in the correct order to form a letter requesting information.
- •3. Rewrite the following request for payment in a more polite form.
- •4. Other methods of communication
- •4.1. Competition
- •Curriculum vitae
- •Interests/hobbies
- •4.2. Forms
- •4.4. Faxes
- •4.5. Notices
- •4.7. Memoranda
- •5 The enquiry
- •Requests for catalogues and price lists
- •General enquiries and replies
- •Enquiries cliches
- •Enquiries
- •1. Fill in the missing words:
- •3. Match these words from Exercise 2 with their definitions
- •4. Rewrite the following questions in a less direct form, beginning with the words given.
- •5. Make words from the jumbled letters and match them with the definitions in the sentences below.
- •6. John Phillips is telling his secretary what to write when she types out the day's letters. Change his instructions into an acceptable form for business correspondence.
- •7. Complete the following letter of enquiry with the correct prepositions.
- •8. Read this reply to a letter of enquiry. Underline the words in the letter which correspond to the words and phrases below.
- •Glaston potteries Ltd
- •Reply to an enquiries (offers)
- •Replies to enquiries cliches
- •Replies and quotations
- •1. Read the following reply to a letter of enquiry. Mr. Fest refers to specific questions asked by Mr Whang. Which of the items below did he request information about?
- •6. Invoices and adjustments
- •Inform the buyer of the amount due.
- •Invoice
- •Invoice
- •Debit and credit notes
- •Varying the terms of payment
- •Useful expressions
- •7. Letters requesting payment tone
- •Late payments
- •Collection letters
- •Second application letters
- •Third application letters
- •Final collection letters
- •Checklist
- •8. Complaints and adjustment
- •Complaints concerning goods
- •Complaints concerning delivery
- •Checklist
- •Useful expressions
- •Complaints and adjustments
- •In the following sentences, the word in italics is not very appropriate for formal correspondence. Choose a more suitable alternative from the list.
- •British Suppliers plc
- •9. Credit and status enquiries
- •Lending restrictions and bad trade
8. Read this reply to a letter of enquiry. Underline the words in the letter which correspond to the words and phrases below.
selling through shops set up be sorry range
reply conditions up-to-date extremely
Glaston potteries Ltd
Clayfield. Burnley BB 10 IRQ
Tel: 0315 461.25 Telex: 880177} Fax: 0115 MIS2
Mr J. F. Moneau 2 July 20 —
1150 boulevard Calbert
F-54015 Nancy Cedex
Dear Mr Moneau
Thank you for your enquiry of 28 June in which you expressed an interest in retailing a selection of our products in your shops in France.
Please find enclosed our current brochure and price list.
In response to your request for a 20% trade discount, we regret that we cannot offer more than 15%. However, we do give a 5% quantity discount on orders over £10,000. We are sure that you will agree that these terms are highly competitive.
We are confident that we can deliver within two months as you require, but wish to emphasize that payment will have to be by sight draft until we have established a business relationship.
Thank you for your interest and we hope to hear from you soon.
Yours sincerely.
Merton Sales Manager
Enc.
Write the letter of enquiry which preceded the reply in Exercise 3.7. You are J. F. Morreau, and you have just seen an advertisement for Glaston Potteries Willow Pattern dinner sets in the May edition of International Homes.
Reply to an enquiries (offers)
EXERCISES
1. Fill in the missing words:
Thank you ______ your _____ _____ 16 November, ______ which you enquire _______toys imported ______ Hong Kong. We are ______ to hear that there is a
_______for goods ______this type ______ Northern Ireland.
We are _______ our price list and terms of _______, and our catalogue has already been _______ ________ separate post.
As you will notice, our prices are extremely _________, and since we hold large______ of all models ________ all times, we can promise delivery _____ a week receipt _______ orders.
We hope to ______ from you soon, and _______ forward _______ __________
business _________ you.
2. An enquiry has come to your company, a firm of watchmakers, from a British retailer. Write a reply to send with your price-list. Quote your terms, and add any information you consider might induce your correspondent to place orders with you.
3. Compose a letter for your firm, who are producers of tinned food products, to an importer overseas. Offer your standard lines and one new product.
Orders
Exercises
1. Fill in the missing words:
Our order ________ 50 “Marie” dresses _______ various colours and sizes is ______ with this letter. You will see ______ the order that _____ is required _____ 1 May _____ the latest.
Will you please quote us ______ 100 “Audery” dressing gowns, and _____ us know whether you have these models ______ stock.
2. Write a letter to a foreign manufacturer of some article you are familiar with. Enclose an order and state your requirements regarding quantity, quality, appearance and delivery.
3. You have received an order for a piece of machinery, but your firm has recently sold the last one in stock. You will not be able to supply for about three months, but you have another machine at a higher price in stock.
(a) Write a suitable letter to your customer.
(b) Write the customer’s answer, refusing your order.