II. Official Invitations

All visits exchange begin from invitations. (May I have the pleasure of inviting you… (may I cordially invite you) to visit our firm?)

- We should like to arrange for a visit of Mr. N (name, position) to Russia.

- We are looking forward very much to welcoming you here as a guest of our firm …

Usual form in accepting official invitation:

- Mr. N thanks the (name of institushion or person) for its kind invitation to (occasion) to be held at (address) on (day, date) which he has pleasure in accepting.

Usual form in refusing official invitations:

-Mr. N thanks the (name of institution or person) for its kind invitation to (occasion) to be held at (address) on (day, date), but regrets he is unable to accept owing to …(his poor health, a prior engagement, etc.)

Dear Dr. Novikov

I wish to inform you that the X International Conference on “Russian Accountant Standards” will be held in St. Petersburg 18-20 August.

It is my honour and privilege to invite you and your wife to participate in the work of the Conference. I am happy to inform you that the organizing Committee will cover your and your wife’s traveling expenses and hotel accommodation fees.

We are looking forward to your accepting this invitation and seeing you and your wife at the Conference.

Trusting to hear from you soon,

Sincerely yours

Michail S. Naumov

III. Request

A request usually consists of request-phrase, reason for request and expression of gratitude.

(… I am making use of this opportunity to approach you with a request). Would you be so kind as to send me the statistical year book for this year … if it is available. I need it badly for my research in economical development … I shall be very grateful to you if you can ….

Dear Sir

I am writing to inquire about the Congress which is to be held in St. Petersburg in August, 9. I would be grateful if you would send me detailed information concerning the program of the Congress.

I would be interested in presenting a paper if my work is related to the scope of the Congress.

Your sincerely

Boris B. Stolbov.

IV. Claim, protest!

The writer must keep himself calm and awaken in his reader a spirit of helpful cooperation.

- We are very much disappointed to find out that the bags are torn, dirty and not full.

It is necessary you should take part in drawing up the statement …. After drawing up the statement, you may write:

- Under the circumstances I have to ask you to accept the responsibility for damages caused for

… and I demand compensation for the damage (loss, repair) …. You may receive an answer: - “I must reject your claims as unfounded. The question of liability shall be dealt with in amicable negotiations.”

V. Gratitude, thanks.

Gratitude, thanks or appreciation should always be expressed to the person that was so kind as to help, serve to the person asking for it. For example:

Thank you very much for sending me a reprint of your article …

- I want to thank you dearly for all that you have done for me ….

- Please, accept my sincere appreciation for all your efforts.

Dear Francis

Thank you very much for the book which arrived yesterday. You have no idea how grateful I am for all the troubles you have taken. My work will be much easier now. Please, let me know what I can do for you. Thank you again,

Your grateful friend.