Business English. Dealing with numbers

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1 Business English The tasks presented below are for those of you who have something to do with business. I have focused on numbers, on polite expressions that should be used when asking for business favours, on common names of institutions used in business, and finally, on some basic words. Dealing with numbers Let s start with decimals. Remember that when you write decimals in English, you have to use a point, not a comma. For instance, 7.5 not 7,5. In addition, when you have a bigger number in the second part, you need to say the figures separately so 8.35 is eight point three five, not thirty-five. 0 at the beginning is zero/ nought or you can start with point, like in nought/zero/point two three five. As for big numbers, in Polish we separate the figures with points, whereas, in English we put a comma. For example, 3, 710 not As far as fractions are concerned, we say a quarter= ¼ or three quarters for ¾. When you want to describe different currencies, always keep in mind the fact that the symbol of the currency is put at the beginning. Moreover, we read and write the numbers as a whole so $ 9.55 is nine dollars fifty-five cents, not nine dollars five five. Now a task for you to complete Write all the numbers in full. (The answers are given at the end) , 321- ½ - 2,000,000-7,000,000, , 549-1,578,

Dealing with numbers Let s start with decimals. Remember that when you write decimals in English, you have to use a point, not a comma. For instance, 7.5 not 7,5.

2 Now let s move on to the use of polite expressions when asking for business favours. Management means getting things done effectively and on time. However, you should avoid using direct orders for they can demotivate employees. The best way to ask for business favours is to use indirect polite phrases. By doing so, you will concentrate on the positive outcome of a worker completing a task. Here is a list of sample expressions: - Is there any way you can? - I don t suppose you could? - Do you mind? - Would you do me a favour and? - I was wondering whether you could? - I d really appreciate it if you - It d be a great help if you could All the expressions are synonyms so it is up to you which one to choose. Now, please read the situations described below and react to them in a suitable way. (answers at the end) Situation 1 The manager of the Hilton Hotel in Paris is facing some problems with his staff. He would like you to help him. The manager:. Situation 2 Chris is a new technician at Delta company. His boss wants Chris to work on a very difficult and challenging project and there is little time left (3 days). The boss:. Situation 3 Sally is a very good worker. However, she has made some mistakes in her report and has to correct them. The boss:

By doing so, you will concentrate on the positive outcome of a worker completing a task. Here is a list of sample expressions: - Is there any way you can? - I don t suppose you could? - Do you mind?

3 Situation 4 Your boss was supposed to go on a business trip abroad. Unfortunately, he got sick and wants you to replace him. The plane leaves in 4 hours. The boss:. Another aspect I would like to show is common names of institutions used in business. Here is a list: IRS- Internal Revenue Service/ Urząd Skarbowy OECD- Organization for Economic Corporation and Development/ Organizacja Współpracy Gospodarczej i Rozwoju EBRD- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development/ Europejski Bank Odbudowy i Rozwoju KPWiG- Komisja Papierów Wartościowych i Giełd/ Securities and Exchange Commission UOKiK- Urząd Ochrony Konsumentów i Konkurencji/ Anti Monopoly Office GUS- Główny Urząd Statystyczny/ Central Statistical Office UKS- Urząd Kontroli Skarbowej/ Tax Audit Office NBP- Narodowy Bank Polski/ National Bank of Poland RPP- Rada Polityki Pieniężnej/ Monetary Policy Counsel A list of words from the explanation section: decimals- liczby dziesiętne fractions- ułamki a currency- waluta a whole- całość management- zarządzanie favour- przysługa effectively- skutecznie to avoid- unikać

Here is a list: IRS- Internal Revenue Service/ Urząd Skarbowy OECD- Organization for Economic Corporation and Development/ Organizacja Współpracy Gospodarczej i Rozwoju EBRD- European Bank for

4 direct- bezpośredni indirect- pośredni order- polecenie to demotivate- zdemotywować employee- pracownik outcome- wynik The last part of the presentation is devoted to some basic words which are commonly used in the business sector. I hope you will find the presentation useful and take advantage of it while studying or working. A list of some basic words used in business: company- firma subsidiary- spółka zależna branch- oddział shareholder- udziałowiec trade unions- związki zawodowe customer- klient merger- fuzja lease- dzierżawa entrepreneur- przedsiębiorca share price- cena akcji joint-stock company- spółka akcyjna public limited company- spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością assets- majątek executive- dyrektor/ kierownik chairman- prezes

A list of some basic words used in business: company- firma subsidiary- spółka zależna branch- oddział shareholder- udziałowiec trade unions- związki zawodowe customer- klient merger-

5 CEO- Chief Executive Officer- dyrektor naczelny/ generalny employer- pracodawca deadline- ostateczny termin competition- konkurencja salary- pensja miesięczna weekly/ wage(s)- tygodniówka bonus- premia pension- emerytura brand- marka loan- pożyczka downsize- redukcja zatrudnienia demand- popyt supply- podaż mismanagement- niegospodarność profit and loss account- rachunek zysków i strat gross profit- zysk brutto net profit- zysk netto revenues- dochody training- szkolenie trade- handel goods- towary subordinate- podwładny health and safety training- szkolenie BHP Answer key zero/ nought/ point three four eight

podaż mismanagement- niegospodarność profit and loss account- rachunek zysków i strat gross profit- zysk brutto net profit- zysk netto revenues- dochody

6 2.67- two point six seven 5, 321- five thousand three hundred (and) twenty-one (you can omit and in American ½ - a half English, but in British English you need to include it) 2,000,000- two million 7, 000,000,000- seven billion (billion means miliard) Remember that if you give an exact amount, you cannot use the plural only the singular with hundred, thousand, million, billion. However, it is possible to say hundreds, thousands, millions and billions when you do not specify the amount, for instance, thousands of people, millions of dollars. 897,549- eight hundred (and) ninety- seven thousand, five hundred (and) forty- nine 1,578,146- one million five hundred (and) seventy-eight thousand, one hundred (and) forty- six fifteen pounds seventy-five (pence) Situation 1 (sample answers) I was wondering whether you could help me with my staff? or Is there any way you can help me handle my staff? Situation 2 Would you mind working on a very challenging project with not much time left? or It d be a great help if you could work on our strategic project. Situation 3 I d really appreciate it if you could look through the report again to see if it is correct. or Do you mind looking through the report again to verify it? Situation 4 I don t suppose you could replace me abroad? or Would you do me a favour and replace me in France?

However, it is possible to say hundreds, thousands, millions and billions when you do not specify the amount, for instance, thousands of people, millions of dollars.

7 Źródła: 1. Trappe, Tonya. Tullis, Graham (2005). Intelligent Business. Wydawnictwo Pearson Longman. 2. Cotton, David. Falvey, David. Kent, Simon (2010). Market Leader. Wydawnictwo Pearson Longman. Pomysł i opracowanie: mgr Karolina Pawlak

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