BEDRIJFSCOMMUNICATIE ENGELS

Uitgave 2015-2016

2de jaar professionele bachelor in de elektromechanica

Verantwoordelijke auteur:
Johan Van Assche
TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 1

UNIT 1: GRAMMAR 4

1 Professional literature

2 Check your grammar level 5

2.1 The articles

2.1.1 Exerxise
2.1.2 English: zero article / Dutch: definite article
2.1.3 English: definite article / Dutch: zero article 6
2.1.4 English: zero article / Dutch: indefinite article
2.1.5 English: indefinite article / Dutch: zero article
2.1.6 English: indefinite article / Dutch: per
2.2 To do 7
2.2.1 Exercise: Translate
2.2.2 Use
2.2.3 Exceptions
2.3 Interrogative pronouns 8
2.3.1 Fill in: formal English
2.3.2 Give two possible translations
2.4 Some – any + their compounds 9
2.4.1 Exercise
2.4.2 Exercise
2.4.3 Use
2.5 Much – many – a lot of – lots of – plenty of – a great deal of 10
2.6 Relative clauses 11
2.6.1 Exercise
2.6.2 Difference between defining and non-defining
relative clauses
2.6.3 Relative pronouns when referring to people
2.6.4 Relative pronouns when referring to things
2.7 Adjectives and adverbs 12
2.7.1 Choose either an adjective or an adverb from the words
in italics
2.7.2 Fill in the right degree of comparison
2.7.3 Write out the sentences with the adverbs in suitable 13
positions
2.8 The tenses 14
2.8.1 Fill in
2.8.2 Translate
2.8.3 Irregular verbs: Fill in the correct form
2.8.4 More exercises 15
 2.9 The present tenses 16
2.9.1 Form
2.9.2 Use
2.10 The past tenses 20
2.9.1 Form
24.9.2 Use
2.11 The future tenses 24
2.10.1 Form
2.10.2 Use
2.12 The conditional 27
2.12.1 Exercise
2.12.2 Four types of condtional sentences
2.12.3 Special cases 29
2.13 Modal auxiliaries 30
2.13.1 Exercise
2.13.2 Expressing volition 31
2.13.3 Expressing ability 32
2.13.3 Epressing possibility 33
2.13.4 Expressing obligation 34
2.13.5 Expressing permission 35
2.13.6 Expressing habit in the past 36
2.14 The passive 37
2.14.1 Exercise: Turn into the passive
2.14.2 Exercise: Translate
2.14.3 Form
2.14.4 Use
2.14.5 Remark 38
2.14.6 Further exercises
2.15 Question tags 39
2.15.1 Exercise
2.15.2 What is a question tag?
2.15.3 General rule
2.15.4 Form 40
2.15.5 Intonation
2.16 Verbal constructions 41

3 Self-assessment 42

UNIT 2: SPELLING 43

1 Check your spelling level

2 Theory 45

2.1 The third person singular of the simple present

2.1.1 General rule
2.1.2 Exceptions
2.2 The present participle

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 2.2.1 General rule
2.2.2 Exceptions
2.3 The simple past of regular verbs 46
2.3.1 General rule
2.3.2 Exceptions
2.4 The comparative and superlative of the adjective 47
2.4.1 General rule
2.4.2 Exceptions
2.5 The adverb
2.5.1 General rule
2.5.2 Exceptions
2.6 The capital letter 48
2.6.1 Capital letter Dutch / capital letter English
2.6.2 Capital letter English / no capital letter Dutch 49
2.7 The plural of nouns
2.7.1 The singular and the plural are two different forms
2.7.2 Some nouns have the same form in the singular as
in the plural
2.8 The genitive 52
2.8.1 Singular: noun + ’s
2.8.2 Plural: noun + ’
2.9 The suffix <ful>
2.10 The omission of a final <e> 53
2.11 British and American English (BE and AE)
2.12 Hyphens 55
2.13 Homonyms

3 Exercises 56

3.1 The adverb

3.2 The capital letter
3.3 The plural of nouns 57
3.4 The genitive 58
3.4.1 Translate using the appropriate genitive
3.4.2 Translate using a double genitive or a local genitive
3.4.3 The Language Focus
3.5 The suffix <ful> 59
3.6 The omission of a final <e>
3.7 British and American English 60
3.8 Homonyms

UNIT 3: PRONUNCIATION 62

1 Reasons for phonetic transcription

1.1 Same sounds – different letters

1.2 Same letters – different sounds 63
1.3 Same words – different pronunciation
1.4 The <-ed> ending of regular verbs

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2 Phonetic symbols 64

2.1 Vowels
2.2 Diphthongs
2.3 Consonants

3 Exercises 66

3.1 Exercise 1
3.2 Exercise 2 67
3.3 Exercise 3 68

4 Differences between BE and AE

4.1 Introduction
4.2 Theory 69
4.3 Exercises 70
4.3.1 Exercise 1
4.3.2 Exercise 2 71

5 Advice

UNIT 4: VOCABULARY 72

1 Idioms

1.1 Match the idiom with its translation 73

1.2 Idioms used in conversational English

2 Phrasal verbs 76

3 Prepositions 78

4.1 Introduction
4.2 Exercises

4 British and American English 80

5.1 Text
5.2 Exercise 81
5.3 Some other words 82

UNIT 5: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 84

1 Making professional contact 85

1.1 Greeting / introducing yourself and other people –

Useful phrases
1.2 Greeting / introducing yourself and other people – Exercises 87

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 1.3 Exchanging job information 89
1.4 Saying goodbye 91
1.5 Summary 92

2 Making appointments 93

2.1 Telling the time

2.1.1 Telling the time in conversations
2.1.2 Some useful idioms 94
2.1.3 Say it in English
2.1.4 Give synonymous expressions
2.1.5 More vocabulary – Fill in
2.2 Useful phrases for making appointments 95
2.2.1 Inviting business contacts
2.2.2 Fixing a time
2.2.3 Thanking and accepting invitations 96
2.2.4 Declining invitations
2.3 Exercises
2.3.1 Inviting business contacts
2.3.2 Accepting invitations 97
2.3.3 Declining invitations
2.3.4 General exercises 98
2.3.5 Summary

3 Travelling on business 99

3.1 Booking a hotel room

3.2 Travelling on business by plane
3.2.1 Enquiring at the travel agency: translate
3.2.2 Making a flight reservation
3.2.3 Checking in at the airport 100
3.2.4 Going through the airport security check 101
3.2.5 Airport arrivals: going through customs
3.2.6 Translate 102
3.3 Travelling on business by car
3.3.1 Fill in the correct words
3.3.2 More vocabulary 103
3.4 Travelling on business by train
3.4.1 Fill in the correct words
3.4.2 More vocabulary
3.5 Asking and showing someone the way 104
3.5.1 Match the expressions
3.5.2 Ask or say it in English
3.5.3 Role-play 105
3.6 Summary

4 Letter-writing 106

4.1 The structure of the business letter

4.1.1 Letterhead 107
4.1.2 References

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 4.1.3 The address of the person or company the letter
is sent to 108
4.1.4 Date 109
4.1.5 Salutation
4.1.6 Subject line 110
4.1.7 Body of the letter
4.1.8 Complimentary close
4.1.9 Signature – name and function correspondent 111
4.1.10 Enclosure
4.1.11 Copy
4.2 The layout of an American business letter 112
4.3 Making an enquiry 114
4.3.1 A general enquiry
4.3.2 A specific enquiry
4.3.3 Useful phrases/sentences 115
4.3.4 Translate 116
4.3.5 Write a letter
4.4 Placing an order 117
4.5 Vocabulary 118
4.5.1 Price
4.5.2 Payment
4.5.3 Order 119
4.5.4 Delivery
4.5.5 Other words
4.6 Summary

5 Email 120

5.1 Introduction
5.2 Email structure
5.2.1 Subject headings 121
5.2.2 Salutation 122
5.2.3 Some ways to begin a message
5.2.4 Some ways to introduce the subject …
5.2.5 Some ways to end a message
5.2.6 Complimentary close
5.3 Message style 123
5.3.1 Register
5.3.2 Contractions 125
5.3.3 Be polite and diplomatic
5.3.4 Extra writing tips
5.4 Contents of a message 126
5.5 Example of a legal disclaimer
5.6 Examples of an out-of-office reply
5.7 Exercises

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 5.7.1 Register - vocabulary
5.7.2 Register – text-message abbreviations 127
5.7.3 Register – colloquial phrases
5.7.4 Register - Emoticons 128
5.7.5 Register – General exercise
5.7.6 Contractions 129
5.7.7 Be polite and diplomatic
5.7.8 Write an email 130
5.8 British and American English 131
5.9 Summary 132

6 Telephoning 133

6.1 Saying telephone numbers

6.2 The alphabet
6.3 Reading electronic addresses
6.4 Standard vocabulary 134
6.5 Vocabulary exercises 136
6.5.1 With which terms do the definitions correspond?
6.5.2 Complete the conversation with the correct idioms
in the correct form
6.6 Telephone conversations 137
6.6.1 Answering the phone: identifying yourself and the
caller
6.6.2 Asking to be connected and transferring calls 138
6.6.3 Holding the line 139
6.6.4 Leaving messages 140
6.6.5 Taking messages 141
6.6.6 Unclear line and bad connection 142
6.6.7 Wrong number
6.7 Other useful sentences for the caller and the person called 143
6.7.1 Hoe kunt u iemand bedanken?
6.7.2 Hoe kunt u reageren als u bedankt wordt? 144
6.7.3 Hoe kunt u het gespek afsluiten?
6.8 Summary

7 Meetings 145

7.1 Convening a meeting

7.2 The items on the agenda
7.3 The chairperson 146
7.3.1 Welcome and introduction
7.3.2 Apologies for absence
7.3.3 Adoption of the Agenda
7.3.4 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
7.3.5 Correspondence 147
7.3.6 General items on the agenda
7.3.7 AOB
7.3.8 Next meeting
7.3.9 Adjournment 148

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 7.4 The attendees
7.4.1 Zeg of vraag in het Engels
7.4.2 Replace by another word/phrase
7.5 General exercises
7.5.1 Translate
7.5.2 Role play
7.6 Summary 149

8 Taking minutes 150

8.1 Taking minutes during meeting
8.2 Minutes of a meeting
8.2.1 Reported speech
8.2.2 Past tense 151
8.2.3 Conclusions
8.2.4 Other remarks
8.3 Exercises 152
8.3.1 Turn the sentences into reported speech
8.3.2 Formulating conclusions
8.3.3 Listening and writing exercise
8.4 Summary 153

9 Reporting 154
9.1 Standard vocabulary
9.2 Layout of a report 155
9.2.1 Title Page
9.2.2 Executive Summary
9.2.3 Preface
9.2.4 Table of Contents 156
9.2.5 List with illustrations
9.2.6 Introduction
9.2.7 The main body
9.2.8 Conclusion 159
9.2.9 List of References
9.2.10 Glossary of Terms 160
9.2.11 List of Abbreviations
9.2.12 Appendix
9.3 Tone and style of the report
9.4 Editing your report 161
9.5 Some further questions
9.6 Summary

10 Applying for a job 162

10.1 Vacancy
10.2 Letter of application 164
10.3 Vocabulary during job interview 166
10.4 Summary 167

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UNIT 6: TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION 168

1 Numbers
1.1 Cardinal numbers
1.1.1 Forms
1.1.2 Remarks 169
1.2 Ordinal numbers 170
1.2.1 Forms
1.2.2 Remark 171
1.3 Fractions
1.3.1 Simple fractions
1.3.2 Complex fractions
1.4 Decimals
1.5 Percentages 172
1.6 Ratios
1.7 Calculations
1.7.1 Addition
1.7.2 Subtraction
1.7.3 Multiplication 173
1.7.4 Division
1.8 Dates
1.8.1 The days of the week
1.8.2 The months of the year
1.8.3 Ways to write a date
1.8.4 Pronunciation of dates 174
1.9 Money
1.9.1 British currency
1.9.2 American currency
1.10 Some mathematical expressions
1.11 The Imperial units and the units in SI 175
1.11.1 Length
1.11.2 Square measure 176
1.11.3 Liquid measure
1.11.4 Weights
1.11.5 Remark
1.12 Exercises
1.12.1 How do you write and pronounce the Dutch
numbers in BE and AE?
1.12.2 Pronounce the symbol 0 177
1.12.3 How do you pronounce the calculations?
1.12.4 How do you write and pronounce the dates
in BE and AE?
1.12.5 Write the words in alphanumeric format
1.12.6 Answer the questions
1.12.7 Pronunciation of numbers
2 Electrical engineering 178
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Translate
2.3 Exercise 179

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 2.4 CCGT technology 180
2.4.1 Read the text
2.4.2 Translate 181
3 Mechanical engineering 183
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Text
3.3 Other terms in mechanical engineering 187
3.4 Soldering 188
3.5 Material types and properties 189
4 Electronic engineering 191
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Interface UK
4.2.1 Description of the company
4.2.2 Event
4.2.3 Conversation 192
4.2.4 Translate the role-play 193
4.3 Power line disturbances
4.3.1 Text
4.3.2 Vocabulary 194
4.3.3 Exercises
5 Renewable energy and applying for a job 195
5.1 Wind turbines
5.1.1 Components of a wind turbine
5.1.2 Reading and writing exercise 196
5.1.3 Listening and writing exercise 198
5.1.4 Listening and reading exercise: wind turbine syndrome 199
5.2 Solar energy 201
5.2.1 Translate
5.2.2 Solar updraft tower 202
5.2.3 Solar power tower
6 Study visit to a company 204
7 Technical sources

BIBLIOGRAPHY 205

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INTRODUCTION

WHAT DOES THIS COURSE OFFER YOU?

This English course pays attention to aspects of oral communication as well as

written communication. You must realise that in business it is often necessary to
communicate in English successfully. That is why you must be able to understand
and interpret a written or oral text. For the same reason you should also be able
to put a message into words correctly.

The course consists of the following parts:

B-lessons
1 Grammar
2 Spelling
3 Pronunciation
4 Vocabulary: idioms, phrasal verbs, prepositions, British and American English
5 Business communication: Making professional contact, Making appointments,
Travelling on business, Letter-writing, Email, Telephoning, Meetings, Taking
minutes, Reporting, Applying for a job
6 Technical communication:
- numbers
- texts, vocabulary and exercises in connection with electrical, mechanical and
electronic engineering

C-lessons
Technical communication: extension of technical jargon by means of a study visit
to a company

WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM YOU DURING CLASSES?

In order to obtain the final competences you should attend all classes.
Furthermore, you should prepare exercises at home and gear your study method
to the ‘knowledge, skills and attitudes’ mentioned in the different units.

You must complete the syllabus with notes during classes.

Regularly check the ‘progress planning’ in the Chamilo course.

Introduction
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DIDACTIC PRINCIPLES OF GUIDED SELF-STUDY

Objective
A better knowledge of grammar and technical jargon will help you to improve
your general, business and technical communication skills.

Study material
1 Grammar
Theory: consult the syllabus and the learning environment ‘The
language Focus’
Selected exercises with a key: see the the learning environment
‘The Language Focus’
2 Technical jargon
Through a study visit to a company your technical jargon will be extended.

Coaching
During the ‘B-lessons’ Grammar will be brushed up.
Questions about the study visit to a company are provided (Chamilo course).

Assessment
Grammar: self-assessment (The Language Focus) + quotation on written
examination
Technical jargon: quotation on oral examination

HOW WILL YOU BE ASSESSED?

There are two ways of assessment:

a written examination: 50 %
an oral examination: 50 % – preparation time is provided.

Second examination session: written part (50 %) + oral part (50 %)

The expectations for the written and the oral examination can be found on
Chamilo.

INTERESTING WEBSITES

Interesting websites for pronunciation, vocabulary, technical communication and

other different skills can be found in the Chamilo course – Links.

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WHAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED?

Dunglish

Dunglish is a portmanteau word of Dutch and English. It is spoken by native

speakers of Dutch who are unaware that their English is badly infected by their
Dutch. The Dutch word for the poorest form of Dunglish is Steenkolenengels.
This term goes back to the early 20th century when Dutch port workers used a
rudimentary form of English to communicate with the personnel of English coal
ships.

Errors mainly occur in pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary.

Some examples:
Many Dutch speakers have trouble distinguishing between bat, bad, bet,
bed.
Some Dutch speakers may use Dutch syntax inappropriately when using
English, creating errors such as Have you hunger? instead of Are you
hungry?
A former Dutch prime minister said that ‘the Dutch are a nation of
undertakers’. He should have said that ‘the Dutch are a nation of
entrepreneurs’.

Questions
1 Translate into Dutch: portmanteau word, unaware, rudimentary,
inappropriately, undertaker, entrepreneur
2 What is meant by ‘Dunglish’?
3 Explain the origin of ‘Steenkolenengels’.
4 Where do errors mainly occur? Give an example.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

See Chamilo course ‘Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels’: course description

Introduction
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UNIT 1: GRAMMAR

Kennis Je beheerst de basisgrammatica.

Vaardigheden Je bent in staat om de basisgrammatica met behulp
van de ‘The Language Focus’ op te frissen.

Je kunt de regels van de basisgrammatica toepassen.

Attitudes Je beseft dat het instuderen van de basisgrammatica
een vereiste is om de taal correct te kunnen spreken
en schrijven.

Je beseft dat het correct toepassen van de

basisgrammatica misverstanden vermijdt en de
communicatie bevordert.

Je hebt zin voor nauwkeurigheid.

1 PROFESSIONAL LITERATURE

The following professional literature can be found in the library of

campus Schoonmeersen
Berry, D.B. & Bergs, A. (2007). Grammatica kort en bondig Engels.
Antwerpen: Intertaal.
De Moor, F. (2007). Vervoeging van de Engelse werkwoorden.
Wondelgem: Diligentia Uitgeverij.
Swan, M. (2005). Practical English Usage (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
Swan, M. en Baker D. (2008). Grammar Scan: Diagnostic tests for
practical English usage. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

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2 CHECK YOUR GRAMMAR LEVEL

2.1 THE ARTICLES (TLF 25)

2.1.1 Exercise: insert ‘a / an / the’ if necessary

1. (…..)
the machine is overhauled twice (…..) a year.
2. (…..)/ prices are going up in (…..)
/ autumn.
3. I sold (…..)
the business for £ 60,000.
4. (…..)
an entrepreneur was sent to (…..) / prison for six months for embezzling
money. Do you go to (…..) the prison to visit him?
5. I will have (…..)
an assessment with (…..)the Personnel Manager within (…..)
an
hour. the
6. (…..)
the job of (…..)
a real estate agent has been chosen by girls more and
more often (…..)
the last few years.
7. (…..)
the Legislation forbids (…..)
the sale of any food which is harmful to (…..)
/
health.
8. (…..)
/ most workers have been fired because of the constant crisis in this
sector.
9. They have recently opened a new branch in (.....) the Netherlands.
10. His speech was followed by (.....)
/ loud applause.

2.1.2 English: zero article / Dutch: definite article

before countable nouns in a general sense

before names of seasons in a general sense
before names of locaties (eg church, college, school,...) when they are visited
for their primary purpose. (other THE)
before nouns with unique reference (eg heaven, fate, parliament, nature)
before most when it means the majority of

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2.1.3 English: definite article / Dutch: zero article

the,
before some geographical names eg the Netherlands, the Cape of Hope

2.1.4 English: zero article / Dutch: indefinite article

/ before uncoutable nouns

2.1.5 English: indefinite article / Dutch: zero article

a,
in a expressions like 'the job of ....'

2.1.6 English: indefinite article / Dutch: per

the,
in expressions of speed, price, ratio

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2.2 ‘TO DO’

2.2.1 Exercise: translate

1. Waarom verkocht ze al haar aandelen niet?
why didn't she sell all her stocks/shares?
2. Hij smeert de wagen niet zelf.
he doesn't lubricate the car himselfe
3. Hoeveel mensen wonen in deze stad?
4. Wie belde je op? how many people live in this city
5. Hij geeft niet de voorkeur aan type JW-105. who called you ?/ Whom did you call?
6. Zij maakt nooit fouten. he doesn't prefer the type JW-105.
she never make mistakes
2.2.2 Use
'to do' is used to form from the negative and interrogative of the simple present and the simple
past of full verbs.

2.2.3 Exceptions
questions with who , what, which, how many as subject

negative sentence with never

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 2.3 INTERROGATIVE PRONOUNS

2.3.1 Exercise: fill in - formal English

Who 1. (…..) came by taxi?

What 2. (…..) did you do yesterday?
Which 3. (…..) bus goes to Victoria station? – The number 2 bus.
Whom 4. To (…..) was he talking?
Whose 5. (…..) is this safety helmet?

2.3.2 Exercise: give two possible translations

Who/Whom have they invited
On which do you base your theory/which do you
1. Wie hebben ze uitgenodigd? base your theory on?
2. Waarop baseer je je theorie? To wich address have you sent it?/ Wich address
3. Naar welk adres heb je het verstuurd? have you sent it to?
4. Tegen wie was je aan het praten? To whom were you talking?/ Who were you
talking to?
Pronoun Use Examples
who subject in formal English Who likes English?

direct object in informal English Who did you see yesterday?

with prepositions in informal English Who was he looking at?

whom direct object in formal English Whom did you see yesterday?

with prepositions in formal English At whom was he looking?

which when we have a clear choice within a Which house is yours, no. 7 or
particular group or when we ask for no. 9?
identification of a member of a class

The preposition may be placed at the About which subject was he

beginning or at the end of the sentence. talking?
Which subject was he talking
about?
what asks for a definition, classification or What bus goes to Victoria
description station? – A number 2 bus.

What books do you normally

read?
whose = van wie

can be followed by a noun or not Whose helmet is this?

Whose is this helmet?

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2.4 SOME – ANY + THEIR COMPOUNDS (TLF 28)

2.4.1 Exercise: fill in - some / any

any
1. If you have (…..) difficulty, come and see me. any
2. She had hardly (…..) money with her. some
3. Would you like (…..) more French fries? some
4. (…..) of the money was found. any
5. Do you have (…..) idea? any
6. There wasn’t (…..) Scotch left.
7. ‘Are there any biscuits?’ ‘Yes there are (…..) in the kitchen cupboard.’ some

2.4.2 Exercise: fill in the blanks with ‘someone – anyone –

something – anything – somewhere – anywhere’

1. Did (…..) ring when I was out? anyone

2. Yes, a meeting next Thursday would be fine. I’m not doing (…..). anything
3. We’ve got to find that letter! It must be here (…..). somewhere
4. By the way, (…..) called in to see you. someone

2.4.3 Use

Some Any
de een of ander / sommige / enkele / een geen / misschien / ook / soms
paar / wat / een beetje / ongeveer
- in offers and polite requests - in conditional clauses and in causes
- in affirmative sentences axpressing doubt ( als er IF in de zin
staat)
- in affirmative sentences with without -
hardly - only - never
- in questions
- in negative sentences

Remark: the compounds of some and any

The compounds of ‘some’ and ‘any’ follow the same rules

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2.5 MUCH – MANY – A LOT OF – LOTS OF – PLENTY OF – A GREAT
DEAL OF (TLF 29)
much
1. The teacher hasn’t got (…..) patience. many
2. Try to get as (…..) opinions as you can. a lot of/ many
3. The auditors have found (…..) mistakes in the accounts. many
4. She asked whether there were (…..) people staying for dinner. many
5. How (…..) copies have you got? a great deal of (/lots
6. The department has wasted (.....) time on this ridiculous plan. of/ a lot of / much/
plenty of)
Use
much
with singular uncoutable nouns (enkelvoud)

a great deal of
same as much but this is formal english
most formal
many
- after adverbs such as as ...as, how, too, very (meervoud)
- in affirmative sentences with plural words: formal engels
- in indirect questions
- in interrogative/ negative sentences

a lot of
lots of
in affirmative senctences in less formal english witch
plenty of countable/uncoutable nouns (enkel en meervoud)

less formal

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 2.6 RELATIVE CLAUSES (TLF 30)

2.6.1 Exercise: fill in the correct relative pronoun and the missing
commas.
1. We drew up a short-list of candidates (…..) CVs were very good.
2. The goods (…..) were purchased from the store must be returned to it.
3. I can give you the name of an accountant (…..) I’m dealing with.
4. I work for a company (…..) manufactures components for aircraft.
5. Mr Jansen (…..) comes from Antwerp has been my boss for two years.
6. This computer (…..) cost me a lot of money is no good.

2.6.2 Difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses

the defining relative clauses cannot be left out without changing the mening of the sentece.
.
a non-defining relative clause is not essential to understand the sentence, it only adds additional
information. this sentence is always put between commas.

2.6.3 Relative pronouns when referring to people

Defining relative clause Non-defining relative clause

Subject who who
that
Object --- who
that whom – formal English
who(m)
Preposition --- + preposition preposition + whom
that / who(m) … preposition who + preposition
preposition + whom whom (formal English) + preposition
Possessive whose whose

2.6.4 Relative pronouns when referring to things

Defining relative clause Non-defining relative clause

Subject which which
that
Object --- which
that
which
Preposition --- + preposition preposition + which
that/which … preposition which … preposition
preposition + which
Possessive whose whose
of which of which

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 2.7 ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS (TLF 32-33)
zie pag 47 !
2.7.1 Choose either an adjective or an adverb from the words in italics

1. It’s a pity that airline food never tastes as good / well as it looks.
2. He reacted calm / calmly when I told him the bad news.
3. The new perfume from Dior smells very expensive / expensively.
4. When I spoke to Jeremy, he didn’t sound confident / confidently about
meeting this year’s targets.
5. Your new secretary seems very competent / competently.
6. We stopped ordering from them, because a lot of their products were bad
/ badly designed.

Adjectives - they describe a noun

- they decribe a verb of the senses and verbs of appearance

Adverbs
they describe a verb, an adjective or another adverb

2.7.2 Fill in the right degree of comparison

1. Mary thinks she is the (unhappy) employee.

2. The workers are (low – comparative) paid in this company.
3. This mechanic is working (hard – superlative).
4. This company produces (heavy – comparative) industrial machinery.
5. My computer is (sophisticated – comparative) than yours.
6. All our manufacturing plants are efficient, but at the moment the one in
northern France is operating (…..) (superlative).
7. Is Oxford (far – comparative) from London than Cambridge?
8. A relay is an instrument which uses a small electrical current to control a
plunger = veer (big) electrical current.
9. When the plunger of the desoldering tool is depressed for (far) use, small
pellets of hardened solder are ejected.
10. There were a lot of mistakes in that report you gave me last week. I think
you need to check your figures a bit (slow – comparative).

Adjectives: degrees of comparison

Kind of adjective Comparative Superlative

one-syllable adjective + er + est
two-syllable adjectives ending in <y,er,ly>
most other two-syllable adjectives more most
adjectives of three or more syllables

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 Irregular forms
good better best
bad worse worst
little less least
much - many more most
far farther / further farthest / furthest
near nearer nearest / next
late later latest / last
older older / elder oldest / eldest

Adverbs: degrees of comparison

Kind of adverb Comparative Superlative

one-syllable adverb + er + est
adverb having the same form as the
adjective
e.g. cheap, fast, early, long
other adverbs more most
Irregular forms
well better best
badly worse worst
little less least
much - many more most
far farther / further farthest / furthest

2.7.3 Write out the sentences with the adverbials in suitable positions

1. It’s an expensive company car. (rather)

2. They decided to leave the office. (secretly)
3. The meeting takes place. (on 26th October – at 10 o’ clock – on
Wednesday)
4. She worked. (at home – hard – yesterday)
5. We didn’t go out because it was raining. (heavily)
6. Our car has been repaired. (recently)

Position of the adverbs

- adverbs of manner: normally at end of sentence/before main verb (stress)
- different adverbs of time: shortest period - loggest period
- different adverbs of place: smallest place - biggest place
- manner - place - time
- adverbs of frequency (always, never, hardly) and some other adverbs (recently, already, just)
before main verb/between auxiliary or modal verb and main verb.
Video lesson: see Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –
Video lessons - Grammar – Position of the adverbs (frequency adverbs –
adverbs of manner - other adverbs)

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2.8 THE TENSES - EXERCISES

2.8.1 Fill in

1. Mrs Brown is ill so I (deal) with her correspondence.

2. Mr Jones (dislike) the working conditions in the factory. (He is dead
now.)
3. The plane coming from London (just – land). (BE)
4. BMW now (own) over 50 % of the shares.
5. When I arrived at the office the meeting already (start).
6. When the fax arrived, I (have) lunch in the canteen.
7. He (work) for Siemens since 1990.
8. We turned off the supply because the pipe (leak).
9. Unilever is an Anglo-Dutch company. It (operate) in over 70 countries and
(employ) about 300,000 people.
10. When the meeting (finish) yesterday?
11. My girlfriend/boyfriend always (study) in the evenings! (Express your
irritation.)
12. I (despatch) the goods this afternoon. (The supplier and the customer
know about the arrangement.)
13. When I left my last job, I (work) there for four years.
14. I wonder what I (do) this time next year.
15. In two months’ time he (finish) his training and (start) work.
16. We (produce) over 1,000 units since the factory opened.
17. When I saw him he (redesign) the packaging. (He had not finished the
job.)
18. After she (pay) death duties, she (invest) most of the capital. (past)
19. She (catch) the plane to London Heathrow last week.
20. I’m afraid Mr Brown isn’t here at the moment. He (go) to a meeting in
London.
21. I usually (go) to work by car, but sometimes I walk.
22. I (write) emails at nine o’ clock last night.
23. She (live) in Britain for four years, from 1999 until 2003.

2.8.2 Translate

1. Ik woon tijdelijk in Londen voor mijn stage.

2. We hebben Tom deze namiddag niet gezien. (Het is nu 20 uur.)
3. Om 8.15 uur vertrok ik naar de vergadering. / Om 8.15 uur was ik op weg
naar de vergadering.
4. Hij is geboren in 1952.
5. Zij kent onze personeelsdirecteur al lang.
6. Ik ontmoet Anna aan het station vanavond. (Ik ben dat van plan, maar
Anna weet het nog niet.)
7. Zij werkte aan het verslag terwijl haar baas zich amuseerde.

2.8.3 Irregular verbs: Fill in the correct form

1. He has (drive) me to the station.

2. The basic material is (feed) to the machine.
3. Brian (deal – simple past) in video recorders.

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 4. I have (forget) the letter.
5. The meeting (begin – simple past) at 6 p.m.
6. I have already (drink) a lot of coffee today.
7. The consigner has (choose) an open policy.
8. I (shine) the stairs yesterday.

2.8.4 More exercises

Video lesson
See Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten – Video lessons –
Grammar – All tenses: exercises

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 !!! tijdlijnen terug te vinden in ander document !!!

2.9 THE PRESENT TENSES (TLF 1 – 4 – 5 – 13)

Video lesson
See Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten - Video lessons –
Grammar – All tenses: revision

Video lesson – more information

See Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten - Video lessons –
Grammar – map Present tenses

2.9.1 Form

Simple present I – you – we – they call p45 2.1

he – she - it calls
Present continuous I am calling p45-46 2.2
you – we – they are calling
he – she – it is calling SP to be + present participle
Present perfect I – you – we – they have called
he – she – it has called SP have + PP
Present perfect continuous I – you – we – they have been calling
he – she – it has been calling SP have + been + PP

2.9.2 Use zie filmpje chamilo (alles sentence)

THE SIMPLE PRESENT

Fact: She is an author. She WRITES books.

Habit: She always WRITES in the morning.
Regular Action: She writes two books a year.

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THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS -> Acties die bezig zijn.

A temporary action in progress at present:

She is currently writing a new book.
since
for

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 filmpke state verbs

THE PRESENT PERFECT

a) with action verbs: A completed action without a specified time in the past.
The following expressions require this tense:
- so far
- already
- not yet
- recently
- just
- ever
- never
- today (until now)
- this year (until now)
- this week, month (until now)
- in the last few years
- in the past week
She HAS already WRITTEN 40 books

b) with a stat verb, e.g. ‘to be’, ‘to have’, ‘to know’ etc.
'I have done' replaces 'I have been doing'
She has been a writer for 15 years.
I have known her since 2010

————————————————————————————————————————————
Action verbs vs State verbs
Action verbs
Most verbs: play, come, go, look, wait, do, etc

State verbs
verbs: mental state, to be, possession, verbs of the senses(to hear, to see, to smell, to taste),
verbs of the appearance (to seen, to appear, ), verbs expressing feelings (to laugh, to like, to hate, to
dislike)
state verbs don't take continouos tenses, only simply tenses
I am being tired now => i am tired now
I've been being tired all day => I've been tired all day
———————————————————————————————————————————

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 THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

An action that has already started in the past and is still going on
She has been writing books for over 20 years.

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2.10 THE PAST TENSES (TLF 2 – 3 – 4 – 6 – 13)

Video lesson
See Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten - Video lessons –
Grammar – All tenses: revision

Video lesson – more information

See Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten - Video lessons –
Grammar – map Past tenses

2.10.1 Form

Simple past I – you – he/she/it – we – they called p46

Past continuous I – he – she – it was calling sp to be + pc(past continuous +
you – we – they were calling ing
Past perfect I – you – he/she/it – we – they had called
Past perfect continuous I – you – he/she/it – we – they had been calling

Study the principal parts of the irregular verbs.

2.10.2 Use

SIMPLE PAST

A completed action at a specified time in the past.

Any time expression that refers to a specific time in the past
requires this tense:
- yesterday
- last year
- a week ago
- when I was young

She WROTE that novel many years ago

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PAST CONTINUOUS

Action in progress in the past either:

a) when a shorter action took place
b) at a very precise moment
She WAS WRITING that novel when she BECAME ill

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 PAST PERFECT

Action that was completed in the past either:

a) before another action took place
b) before a very precise moment
She HAD WRITTEN that novel before she BECAME ill

no specific time indication, but we have a link with the present (p14 20)

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PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

Action that had started, continued for some time and was still in progress in the past:
a) before another action
b) before a very precise moment
She HAD BEEN WRITING that novel for a few months when she BECAME ill.

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2.11 THE FUTURE TENSES (9 – 10 – 11 – 12)

Video lesson
See Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten - Video lessons –
Grammar – All tenses: revision

Video lesson – more information

See Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten – Video lessons –
Grammar – map Future tenses

2.11.1 Form

Future simple I, you, he, she, it, we, you, they will call
To be going to + inf. I am , … going to call
Present continuous I am, … calling
Future continuous I, you, he, she, it, we, you, they will be calling
Future perfect I, you, he, she, it, we, you, they will have called
Future perfect continuous I, you, he, she, it, we, you, they will have been
calling

2.11.2 Use

FUTURE SIMPLE

1) A decisionat the time of speaking (used mainly in dialogues, and in contracted form):
Dan called earlier, he wants you to call him back.
O.K. I'LL CALL him as soon as i can.
2) A possibility in het future (usually in combination with an expression of possibility):
I WILL probaly CALL him this afternoon.

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TO BE GOING TO

1) An action in the future that has already been planned by the speaker:
I AM GOING TO CALL Dan after lunch.
2) Something that is certain to happen in the future:
I know he IS GOING TO INVITE me out.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS with a future time marker

A fixed arrangement for the future:

Dan has invited me out for dinner, and i have accepted his invitation.
=> I AM HAVING DINNER with Dan tonight.

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FUTURE CONTINUOUS

a) Action in progress at a specific time in the future

Will you be home at 9 o'clock tonight?
No, I WILL BE HAVING dinner with Dan at that time.

b) occasionally, as an alternative to 'going to' for the future plan

or 'be doing' for a future arrangment
- Are you GOING TO PAY the meal ?
- yes, I WILL BE PAYING because he paid last time.

- which restaurant ARE you GOING to?

- we WILL BE GOING TO the Mexican restaurant.

FUTURE PERFECT

Action that will be completed in the future either:

a) before a specific moment
b) before another action takes place
We WILL HAVE left the restaurant by midnight.

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

Action that will have started, continued for some time and will still be in progress in the future:
a) before a specific moment
b) before another action takes place
We WILL HAVE BEEN DRINKING for a few houres by the time we leave.

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2.12 THE CONDITIONAL (TLF 15)

2.12.1 Exercise

1. If/when demand for a product (rise), its price rises too.

2. If the shipment (arrive) tomorrow, I will collect it.
3. I’m flying to the States tonight, I (give) you a ring when I get there.
4. If I lost my job tomorrow, I (move) to London to find another one.
5. If Graham had read the small print, he (not sign) the contract.
6. If the flight (delay – passive), I would have stayed at the airport hotel.
7. If I (be) you, I would apply for the job.
8. We (win) that contract if we had made a better offer.

Video lesson: see Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –

Video lessons - Grammar – The conditional

2.12.2 Four types of conditional sentences

Type 0 – if/when
Meaning
A fact, something that is always true

Example If/when you heat ice, It melts.

Form of the verb in main clause Present Simple

Form of the verb in subordinate clause If + Present Simple

Type 1 - if
Meaning
A present/future situation of high probability

Example If i have enough money, I will go to Japan

if i see her tomorrow, i will speak to her
Form of the verb in main clause Future Simple (will + infinitive)
Form of the verb in subordinate clause
If + present Simple

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Type 2 - if
Meaning
A present/future situation of low probability or zero
probability

Example If i saw her tomorrow, i would speak to her

If i were a lawyer, i wouldn't take on this case.
Form of the verb in main clause
Would + infinitive
Form of the verb in subordinate clause
If + Past Simple
with 'to be' always 'where'

Type 3 - if
Meaning A past situation: too late, zero possibility,
did not happen.

Example
If i had seen her, i would have spoken to her

Form of the verb in main clause would have + past participle

Form of the verb in subordinate clause

If + Past Perfect

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2.12.3 Special cases

Type 1 subordinate clause use of ‘would’ If you‘d/would follow me,

meaning: I’ll show you your room.

Type 1 main clause imperative If you see John, please

give him this book.

requests (could / may) Could you give John this

book please if you see
him?

If you aren’t busy, may I

see you for a minute?

Type 1 main clause could / may /might If I see her tomorrow, I

Type 2 could / might could/may/might speak to
Type 3 could / might her?

meaning: If they were late again, I

might not let them in.

If I had had some time last

week, I could/might have
tidied up my office.

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2.13 MODAL AUXILIARIES (TLF 14)

2.13.1 Exercise

1. Who’ll help me? – I (…..) (Je biedt spontaan je hulp aan.)

2. If you (…..) just put your address on the back of the cheque. (beleefd
verzoek)
3. Our trade union (…..) know how unjustly we have been treated. (zal –
dreigend)
4. (…..) I try this number again? (zal - aarzelend)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. When the garage had repaired our car we (…..) continue our business trip.
(konden)
6. We tried hard but we (.....) persuade him to apply for the job. (konden
niet)
7. He was a brilliant salesman and (…..) sell anything to anyone. (kon)
8. I (…..) speak German in another few months. (zal kunnen)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. James is not present; he (…..) be ill. (het is mogelijk dat hij ziek is)
10. Owing to the strike, trains (…..) be subject to delays. (mogelijkheid in
het verleden)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. Application forms (…..) be returned to this office within 15 days. (moet
verplichting opgelegd door de spreker)
12. I (…..) to go within 15 minutes, my train leaves at 17.20. (moet)
13. You (…..) come into the office tomorrow. (hoeft niet)
14. He (.....) reply to the email yesterday. (moest)
15. You (.....) keep an account of your expenses. (raad)
16. What’s Susan’s phone number? – How (…..) I know? (Je bent
geïrriteerd.)
17. This information is highly confidential, so you (…..) discuss it with anyone.
(mag niet)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. (.....) I stop working a little earlier today? – No, you (.....). (vragen om
toelating en negatief antwoord)
19. (…..) he leave the office as soon as he had finished? (mocht)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.From time to time Mr Randolph (…..) invite some of his colleagues. (had
de gewoonte)
21.He (…..) work in Tokyo but now he has a job in Stockholm. (gewoonte in
het verleden)

Video lesson – more information

See Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten – Grammar - Video
lessons – map Modal auxiliaries

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2.13.2 Expressing volition

contracted forms
on the part of the subject
will 'll - won't (als infinitive volgt)
Ook als de spreker het onderwerp
Remarks
is van de zin. premeditated intention:
to be going to + infinitive

polite request: would 'd - wouldn't

on the part of the speaker

'll - shan't
shall

on the part of the interlocutor

shall 'd - shouldn't
aarzzelend: should

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2.13.3 Expressing ability

Present can / be able to + infinitive

Past General ability iets wat je kon op elk ogenblik

could
Particular ability iets wat je kom op een specifieke cituatie
was / were able to + inf
Negative sentences + verb of the sense: could
Remark
e.g. We couldn’t persuade him. / From where we were sitting we could
see the speaker perfectly well.

Future
will be able to + inf

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2.13.4 Expressing possibility

Theoretical possibility can / could (= less strong)

e.g. Anybody can make mistakes. / When I go to Brussels, I
could die in a car accident.

Factual possibility Present / future Affirmative

could/may/might + inf
van meest neer minst zeker

Remark: In the conditional and after a

past verb (indirect speech): might
e.g. If you invited him he might come. /
He said he might hire a car.
Negative
may not / might not

Interrogative
could / might

Past
could / may / might + perfect inf (could have + pp)

Remark
After a past verb (indirect speech):
might
e.g. He said that she might have missed
the plane.

In nl: kunnen, mogelijk dat, misschien, …

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2.13.5 Expressing obligation

Obligation imposed by speaker

Affirmative Negative Interrogative
(absence of obligation)
Present must / need
must needn't
Past had to didn’t have/need to did have/need to

Future must / need

must needn't

External obligation
Affirmative Negative Interrogative
Present have to do have/need to
have got to
Past had to didn’t have/need to did have/need to
hadn’t got to had got to
Future will have to won’t have/need to will have/need to

Obligation imposed by speaker

Moral obligation / assumption / advice and
Affirmative Negative external obligation are the same in
Present should to + inf shouldn’t / oughtn’t to the PAST
Future
ought to + inf
Past should / ought to +
perfect infinitive

Prohibition
present must not / may not mag niet
past wasn’t allowed to + infinitive mocht niet
future must not / will not be allowed to
zal niet mogen

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 2.13.6 Expressing permission

Asking for permission Answer to request

yes, you can
can - could
No, you can’t
can: most common / informal
could: polite + very common
yes, you may
may - might
no, you may not
may: a little more formal than could
may not: less strong than must not
might: not very common

Reporting permission
mag mogenPresent can (You can park here.)
mocht Past after a past verb in indirect speech might / could
(She said I could/might park
mochen here.)
general permission could / to be allowed to
(On Sundays we could / were
allowed to stay up late.)
particular permission to be allowed/permitted to
(I was allowed/permitted to see
her yesterday evening.)

Questions about permission

Present
can / to be allowed to / to be permitted to
Past
could / to be allowed to / to be permitted to

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2.13.7 Expressing habit in the past

Used to Form Affirmative: used to

Negative: used not to / usedn’t to / didn’t use to

Interrogative: used … to / did … use to

Use every habit in the past

Would e.g. Every morning Tom used to / would kiss Ann and set off for
work.

habit in the past - no contrast with the present

Remark: be used to
e.g. I am used to working in a noisy room.

i am used to brushing my teeth in the evening

be used to (ing form) : in het heden
used to: in het verleden

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2.14 THE PASSIVE (TLF 16)

2.14.1 Exercise: turn into the passive

1. Workers in China make these telephones.

2. The Board have changed the date of the meeting.
3. They cancelled all flights because of fog.
4. We showed him our desoldering tool.
5. He has sent for a debug technician.

2.14.2 Exercise: translate

1. De gewenste details kun je in de catalogus vinden.

2. Misschien hebben ze hem geïnformeerd voor de factuur toekwam.
3. Ze hebben gisteren op de campus mijn fiets gestolen.
4. De chemici gebruiken de pH-meter om de zuurtegraad te bepalen.
5. Na het werkongeval hebben ze mij naar het ziekenhuis gebracht.

Video lesson: see Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –

Video lessons - Grammar – The passive voice

2.14.3 Form

Active sentence Passive sentence

Active verb
to be + past participle active verb
Subject
(handelend voorwerp) - by valt normaal weg
Direct object
onderwerp
Direct + indirect object meewerkend voorwerp wordt onderwerp -
most common/ lijdend voorwerp wordt onderwerp
Prepositional object
onderwerp + voorwerp achter werkwoord

2.14.4 Use

When we do not know or do not want to mention the subject of the active
sentence (not important).
It is obvious who the subject is.
In commercial, technical and scientific English
Intransitive verbs cannot be used in the passive.
It is not common to turn active sentences with the present / past / future
perfect continuous into the passive voice.

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 2.14.5 Remark

If the active sentence begins with noone / nobody the passive sentence will be
negative.

no one turned on the light => the light was not turned on

2.14.6 Further exercises

Video lesson: see Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –

Video lessons – Grammar – The passive voice exercises

Present Simple I do it it is done

past simple I did it it was done
future simple I will do it it will be done
present continuous I am doing it it is being done
past continuous I was doing it it was being done
future continuous I will be doing it it will be being done
Present perfect I have done it it has been done
past perfect I had done it it had been done
future perfect I will have done it it will have been done
present perfect contiuous I have been doing it X (not common)
past perfect continous I had been doing it X (not common)
future perfectcontinuous I will have been doing it X (not common)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'be going to' I am going to do it it is going to be done
have to I have to do it it has to be done
used to I used to do it it used to be done
modals (can, may, etc.) I can do it it can be done
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
avoid I avoid seeing him he avoids being seen
don't mind I don't mind teaching her she doesn't mind being taught
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
somebody pushed me -> i was pushed
...

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2.15 QUESTION TAGS (TLF 19)

2.15.1 Exercise

1. You aren’t from Poland, (...)?

2. He went to the meeting, (...)?
3. The English teacher assigns a lot of homework, (...)?
4. You haven’t been to London, (.....)?
5. We can go to the meeting tomorrow, (...)?
6. Don’t be late at the conference, (…)?
7. Nothing can go wrong, (…)?
8. Let’s go the the meeting, (…)?
9. You used to work as a mechanic, (…)?
10. Nobody called while I was out, (…)?

Video lesson: see Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –

Video lessons - Grammar – Question tags

2.15.2 What is a question tag?

A short question added to the end of a statement to change it into a yes/no
question.

2.15.3 General rule

When the verb in the statement is affirmative, the verb in the question tag is
negative. It is a contracted form. The full form is also possible, but very formal.

When the verb in the statment is negative, the verb in the question tag is
affirmative.

Remarks

Statement Question tag

subject: nobody, somebody, everybody they
subject: nothing it
sentence with: never, nobody, little, hardly
affirmative

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2.15.4 Form

Verb in statement Verb in question tag

a tense with ‘have’ and ‘be’*
have/ be
a modal auxiliary
some modal auxiliary
a full verb
do
have – have to (obligation)
have got – have got to (obligation) do
let’s (not) …
shall we
imperative (giving an order / making
request) will / would
used to
simple past of 'to do'

*Remark
I’m right, aren’t I / am I not? (formal)

2.15.5 Intonation

To formulate a yes/no question:

To get agreement from the listener:

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2.16 VERBAL CONSTRUCTIONS (TLF 20)

Exercise: infinitive without ‘to’ – infinitive with ‘to’ - gerund

1. I look forward to (meet) you again next week.

2. The lawyer advised me (read) the contract carefully.
3. The lawyer advised (read) the contract carefully.
4. I saw him (sign) the check. (= He signed the check and I saw him do it.)
5. We delayed (launch) the product because of technical problems.
6. I’m afraid the manager is busy at the moment. Would you mind (wait) a
few minutes.
7. I intend (sell) the company.
8. It would be easy for us (change) to an alternative energy source.
9. I am used to (live) in a hot climate. / I used to (live) in a hot climate.
10. She wanted to go home, but her boss made her (stay) until the work was
finished.

Consult ‘The Language Focus’.

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3 SELF-ASSESSMENT

After having checked your grammar level it is up to you to decide which items
you should practise by means of the electronic learning environment The
Language Focus.

no. item grammar 1 grammar 2

01 Simple present versus present 4-5 1-2-3
continuous
02 Simple past 2-3 1
03 Simple past versus past continuous 2-4 2
04 Simple past versus present perfect 2-3-4 1-5
05 Present perfect (continuous) 3 2
06 Past perfect (continuous) 3 1-5-6
08 Used to 1-4 2-5-7
09 Simple future and tenses with future 4-5-6-7 1-2
meaning
11 Future continuous 1-2
12 Future perfect (continuous) 1-3-4-6
13 Revision of tenses 1 1
14 Modals 1-2-4-5-6-10- 1-2-4-7-10-
11 11-14-15-17-
19-22
15 Conditionals 1-3 1-2-6-9
16 Passive 1-2-3-4-5 1-2-3
19 Question tags 2 1-2-3-5
20 Verbal constructions 4-5-6-10-11-
12-13
25 Articles 2-6 1-3-4-6
26 Possessives 1-2 2-4-5
28 Some – any 1 1
29 Much – many – a lot (of) – lots of - 1-2 1-2
plenty (of) – a great deal of
30 Relative clauses 1-2 1-3
32 Adjectives and adverbs 1-2-3-4 2-3-6-7
33 Comparatives and superlatives 1-2 2-3-5-6-7

More exercises for the tenses: The Language Focus – English - Tenses

Unit 1: Grammar 42
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UNIT 2: SPELLING

Kennis Je kent de belangrijkste spellingregels.

Je kent de verschillen tussen Brits en Amerikaans

Engels.
Vaardigheden Je kunt de spellingregels toepassen.
Attitudes Je bent alert voor spelfouten.

Je staat kritisch tegenover wat je zelf schrijft.

Je hebt zin voor nauwkeurigheid.

Je zoekt woorden waaraan je twijfelt op in de geijkte

bronnen.

1 CHECK YOUR SPELLING LEVEL

DICTATION: GAS WELDING

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 brandbaar, ontvlambaar
zuurstof
acetyleen
waterstof
gasfles
opslaan
samendrukken, samenpersen
gasvormig
oplossen
aceton
toevoeren
lasbrander
aansteken
drukregelaar
(vast)schroeven
verbinding, las
werkstuk
laselektrode
leveren
messing
hard solderen
nogal
gemiddeld

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2 THEORY

2.1 THE THIRD PERSON SINGULAR OF THE SIMPLE PRESENT

2.1.1 General rule

As a general rule the 3rd person singular is formed by adding <s> to the
infinitive.

2.1.2 Exceptions

Verbs ending in <ss, sh, ch, x, zz and o> form the 3rd person
singular by adding <es>.
e.g. he kisses / he teaches / he washes / he mixes / he buzzes / he
goes

Verbs ending in <y> preceded by a consonant change <y> into

<ie> and <s> is added.
e.g. he tries

2.2 THE PRESENT PARTICIPLE

2.2.1 General rule

infinitive + ing
e.g. to work – working

2.2.2 Exceptions

When a verb ends in a silent <e>, this is dropped and <ing>is

added.
e.g. to hate - hating
But: to dye – dyeing / to queue - queueing

When a verb ends in <ie>, it changes into <y> and <ing> is

added.
e.g. to lie – lying

When a verb of one syllable ends in a single consonant

preceded by a short vowel the final consonant is doubled and
<ing> is added.
e.g. stop – stopping

When a verb of two or more syllables ends in a single

consonant preceded by a short vowel and the last syllable is
stressed, the final consonant is doubled and ing> is added.

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 e.g. to ad’mit – admitting
mind: to ‘enter – entering / to ‘answer – answering
but: to ‘program – programming

A final <l> preceded by a single vowel or two vowels

pronounced separately is usually doubled.
e.g. to ‘travel – travelling / to re’fuel – refuelling

A verb ending in <c> takes <k> before <ing> is added.

e.g. to panic – panicking

2.3 THE SIMPLE PAST OF REGULAR VERBS

2.3.1 General rule

infinitive + ed

2.3.2 Exceptions

When a verb ends in <e>, only <d> is added.

e.g. to hope – hoped

When a verb ends in <ie> only <d> is added.

e.g. to lie – lied

When a verb of one syllable ends in a single consonant

preceded by a short vowel and the last syllable is stressed, the
final consonant is doubled and <ed> is added.
e.g. to stop – stopped

When a verb of two or more syllables ends in a single consonant

preceded by a short vowel and the last syllable is stressed, the
final consonant is doubled and <ed> is added.
e.g. to pre’fer – preferred; to e’quip - equipped
but: to ‘enter – entered

When a final <l> is preceded by a single vowel or two vowels

pronounced separately, it is usually doubled and <ed> is added.
e.g. to travel – travelled / to refuel – refuelled

When a verb ending in <y> is preceded by a consonant, <y>

changes into <ie> and <d> is added.
e.g. to dry – dried

A verb ending in <c> takes <k> before <ed> is added.

e.g. to panic – panicked

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2.4 THE COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE OF THE ADJECTIVE

2.4.1 General rule

The comparative is formed with <er>, the superlative with <est>.

e.g. tall – taller – tallest

2.4.2 Exceptions

Adjectives ending in <e> or <ee> take only <r> and <st>.

e.g. large – larger – largest / free – freer – freest

Adjectives ending in a single consonant preceded by a single

vowel, double the consonant and <er> and <est> are added.
e.g. big – bigger – biggest

Adjectives ending in <y> change <y> into <i> after a

consonant.
e.g. dry – drier – driest (also: dryer – dryest)
But: shy – shyer – shyest / sly – slyer – slyest

2.5 THE ADVERB

2.5.1 General rule

Adverbs are formed from adjectives by adding <ly>.

e.g. slow – slowly

2.5.2 Exceptions

Adjectives ending in <y> preceded by a consonant generally

change <y> into <i> and <ly> is added.
e.g. happy + ly – happily
But: shyly, dryly

With adjectives ending in <y> preceded by a vowel, <ly> is

added.
e.g. coy + ly – coyly (verlegen)
But: daily

Adjectives ending in <le> preceded by a consonant change <le>

into <ly>.
e.g. probable + ly – probably

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 Adjectives ending in <e> not preceded by <l> normally retain
the <e> before <ly>.
e.g. brave + ly – bravely
But: duly, truly

Adjectives ending in <ll> take <y>.

e.g. full + ly – fully

Adjectives ending in <ic> add <ally>.

e.g. scientific + ly – scientifically
But: publicly

2.6 THE CAPITAL LETTER

2.6.1 Capital letter Dutch / capital letter English (some rules)

The first word of a sentence

e.g. Drive as fast as you can.

Geographical names and the adjectives derived from them

e.g. Great Britain* (see 1.11 Hyphens) / British / North Africa* (see
1.11 Hyphens) / the Alps

Names of roads and streets

e.g. Oxford Street / Chaplin Road

Nationality words (peoples, nationalities, languages)

e.g. the French / the Frenchman / French

Names of religious festivals: e.g.

All Saints' (Day) Allerheiligen
All Souls' Day Allerzielen
Christmas Kerstmis
Epiphany Driekoningen
Easter Pasen
Whitsun(tide) = BE / Pentecost = AE Pinksteren

Names of newspapers and periodicals

e.g. The Times (newspaper) / The Economist (periodical)

Names of institutions, companies, banks, ....: e.g.

the Council of State de Raad van State
the United Nations de Verenigde Naties
the Security Council de Veiligheidsraad
the British Museum
Cooper & Sons Ltd.
Barclays Bank

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2.6.2 Capital letter English / no capital letter Dutch (some rules)

The days of the week

Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday /
Saturday

The months of the year

January / February / March / April / May / June / July / August /
September / October / November / December

Special days: e.g.

Christmas Eve kerstavond
Boxing Day tweede kerstdag
New Year's Eve oudejaarsavond

The personal pronoun - the first person singular

The names of professions, when they are used as titles

e.g.. Where's Professor Jones? / There's Colonel Sanders.

Words like committee, government, school, union, university

when they refer to a particular institution
e.g. Mr Robert Carr is the best face the Government can put
forward.

Some other words

New Year reception nieuwjaarsreceptie
Moselle wine moezelwijn
Burgundy bourgogne(wijn)
Christmas holidays kerstvakantie

2.7 THE PLURAL OF NOUNS

2.7.1 The singular and the plural are two different forms

In English the plural of almost all countable nouns is formed by adding <s> to
the singular.
e.g. books, cars

Mind: For English plurals never use <’s>!

REMARKS

1) Nouns ending in <s>, <z>, <x>, <ch>, <sh> form their plural by
adding <es>.
e.g. gas – gases; buzz – buzzes; box – boxes; porch – porches; brush –
brushes; the Jones family – the Joneses
Mind: quiz – quizzes

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2) Nouns ending in consonant + <y> form their plural by changing the
<y> into <i> and adding <es>.
e.g. country – countries
Exceptions
standbys, lay-bys
proper nouns: e.g. the two Marys

3) Nouns ending in consonant + <o> form their plural by adding <es>.

e.g. tomato – tomatoes
Exceptions
Some nouns form their plural by adding <s>: e.g. logo – logos; dynamo –
dynamos; veto – vetos
Some nouns have two plural forms: e.g. cargo – cargo(e)s; volcano –
volcano(e)s; tornado – tornado(e)s

4) Nouns ending in <f> or <fe> form their plural by dropping the <f> or
<fe> and adding <ves>.
e.g. shelf – shelves; wife – wives; knife – knives
Exceptions
Some nouns form their plural by adding <s>: e.g. chief – chiefs; roof –
roofs
Some nouns have two plural forms: e.g. scarf – scarves/scarfs; wharf –
wharves/wharfs; handkerchief – handkerchieves/handkerchiefs

5) The plurals of letters, numerals and abbreviations are formed by

adding <s> or <’s>.
Examples
There is no difference between your a’s and o’s.
Mind your 1’s and 7’s.
Have you seen those VIPs?
the 1990s

6) A few words form their plural by a change of vowel.

e.g. man – men; woman – women; foot – feet; tooth – teeth

7) A few words end in <en> in the plural.

e.g. child – children; ox – oxen

8) Nouns taken from Latin

Nouns ending in <a>

Some have the English plural: e.g. area – areas / diploma –diplomas
Some have the English and the foreign plural: e.g. formula –
formulas/formulae; antenna – antennas/antennae

Nouns ending in <us> have two plural forms

e.g. cactus – cactuses/cacti; radius – radiuses/radii; nucleus –
(nucleuses)/nuclei

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 Nouns ending in <um>
Some have the English plural : e.g. museum – museums; referendum –
referendums
Some have the English and the foreign plural: e.g. medium –
mediums/media; stadium – stadiums/stadia
Some have only the foreign plural: e.g. erratum – errata; bacterium –
bacteria

Nouns ending in <ex> and <ix>

Some have the English plural: e.g. reflex - reflexes
Some have the English and the foreign plural: e.g. appendix – appendixes
(a short wormlike organ leading of the bowel) / appendices (additions to a
book); index – indexes (in books) / indices (in mathematics)

9) Nouns taken from Greek

Nouns ending in <is> have the foreign plural: e.g. analysis – analyses;
basis – bases; diagnosis – diagnoses

Nouns ending in <on>

Some have the English plural: e.g. electron – electrons; proton – protons
Some only have the foreign plural: e.g. phenomenon – phenomena;
criterion – criteria

10) Some French words ending in <eau> add <s> or <x>.

e.g. bureau – bureaus/bureaux; plateau – plateaus/plateaux

11) Compound nouns

In most cases the plural ending is added to the last element.

e.g. greenhouse – greenhouses; go-between – go-betweens

The first element takes the plural form when the compound consists of a
noun + preposition + noun / noun + adjective / noun + adverbial particle
e.g. father-in-law – fathers-in-law; inspector general – inspectors general;
passer-by – passers-by

Both elements are made plural when the first element is man or woman
denoting the sex of the referent.
e.g. woman-teacher – women-teachers; manservant – menservants

12) Some nouns have two plural forms, each with a different meaning
Examples
brother: brothers (broers) – brethren (broeders)
cloth: cloths (doeken) – clothes (kleren)
penny: pennies (coins) – pence (value)

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2.7.2 Some nouns have the same form in the singular as in the plural

Some names of kinds of fish: e.g. fish, cod, salmon, trout

Some words ending in <s>: e.g. crossroads, gasworks, series
Some names of nationalities ending in <ese> and <ss>: e.g. Japanese,
Portuguese, Swiss
Some other nouns: deer, sheep, aircraft, dozen, horsepower

2.8 THE GENITIVE

2.8.1 Singular: noun + ’s

de tas van Michael Michael’s briefcase

de wensen van de klant the customer’s wishes
de brief van uw secretaresse your secretary’s letter
Het is niemands schuld. It’s nobody’s fault.
de instructies van de baas the boss’s instructions
het huis van mijn schoonvader my father-in-law’s house

BUT: singular ending in –s: ’ or ’s

de job van Charles Charles’s job (preferred) / Charles’ job

(AE)
de werken van Hercules Hercules’ works (classical name)
het boek van de heer Dubois Mr Dubois’ book (foreign name)

2.8.2 Plural: noun + ’

de eisen van de klanten the customers’ demands

het huis van de Smiths the Smiths’ house

BUT: plural not ending in –s: ’s

de kamer van de kinderen the children’s room

de opvattingen van vrouwen women’s views

2.9 THE SUFFIX <FUL>

When <full> is added to a word the second <l> is dropped.

e.g. beauty + full = beautiful

If the word to which the suffix is added ends in <ll> the second <l> is also
dropped.
e.g. skill + full = skilful

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2.10 THE OMISSION OF A FINAL <E>

Words ending in <e> following a consonant drop the <e> before a suffix
beginning with a vowel.
Examples
fame + ous = famous
move + able = movable (also: moveable)

The final <e> is also dropped in the following words: argument, awful.

The final <e> is not dropped:

with words ending in <ee>.
e.g. agree + able = agreeable
with words ending in <ge> and <ce> when the suffix begins with an
<o> or an <a>.
e.g. courage + ous = courageous / replace + able = replaceable
Remark: Words ending in <ce> change the <e> to <i> before <ous>.
e.g. space + ous = spacious

2.11 BRITISH AND AMERICAN ENGLISH (BE – AE)

Some words are spelt differently in different varieties of English. The main
contrasts are between British English and American English. You can, of course,
use whichever spelling you prefer but it is sensible to be consistent. For example,
do not write ‘You can see the different colours in the catalog’.
In BE you write: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
In AE you write: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

When you surf the Net or when you look for information in data bases it is also
important to know the differences berween BE and AE spelling, because this
knowledge will extend your search results.

In BE the final <l> of a verb (occurring after 1 vowel) is

doubled before the endings <ed > / <ing > / <er >. In AE, the
final <l> is only doubled if the syllable is stressed.
Examples
BE he 'equalled / AE he 'equaled
BE 'traveller / AE 'traveler
BE he re'belled / AE he re'belled
BE he is 'travelling / AE he is 'traveling

Some words end in <tre> in BE, and in <ter> in AE

Examples
BE theatre / AE theater
BE centre / AE center
BE metre / AE meter
BE litre / AE liter

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 Some words end in <our> in BE, and in <or>in AE
Examples
BE labour / AE labor
BE colour / AE color
BE flavour / AE flavor

Some words end in <ogue> in BE, and in <og> in AE

Examples
BE catalogue / AE catalog
BE dialogue / AE dialog

Many verbs which end in <ize> or <ise> in BE, end in <ize> in

AE
e.g. BE to realize / realise - AE to realize

Nouns ending in <nce> in BE, end in <nse> in AE

Examples
BE defence / AE defense
BE offence / AE offense

Adjectives formed with <ful> retain the double <l> in AE before

<ful>
Examples
BE skilful / AE skillful
BE wilful / AE willful

When a verb in BE ends in <p> and when the last syllable is

unstressed, the <p> is doubled before <ing> / <ed> . In AE the
<p> is not doubled.
Examples
BE he worshipped / AE he worshiped
BE he is worshipping / AE he is worshiping
Remark
The <p> is not doubled in BE either in: developing/developed -
enveloping/enveloped - gossiping/gossiped - galloping/galloped

Some spelling differences in individual words

Dutch BE AE
aluminium aluminium aluminum
analyseren to analyse to analyze
cheque cheque check

pyjama pyjamas pajamas

oefenen to practise to practice
programma programme (e.g. television, radio) program
program (computing)

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2.12 HYPHENS

Compound words are formed by linking two or more words to make one unit. We
can write the compound:
as one word: hairdresser
as two or more words: post office, Great Britain, North Africa
with a hyphen: lay-by
It is impossible in most cases to give a firm rule on when a hyphen should be
used. Therefore, always check the spelling in a dictionary and be consistent
throughout your text!

2.13 HOMONYMS

Homonyms or homophones are words which the same pronunciation but different
spellings. There is no rule for these. They have to be memorised.

Examples
brake – break
meet – meat
right – write

ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL LITERATURE

bibliotheek Schoonmeersen

Jefferson, A. (2008). Spellingwijzer Engels. Antwerpen: Intertaal.

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3 EXERCISES

3.1 THE ADVERB

Fill in the right form of the adverb

1. She (reluctant) accepted the boss’s decision.
2. The workers are (low) paid in this country.
3. When the accountant saw the crash, he acted very (responsible) and called
the police.
4. Before privatization, many nationalized industries were (heavy) subsidized by
the government.
5. The assembly shop was (full) automated.
6. A computer virus is a little program that multiplies (fast).
7. The fraud was (right) condemned to five years’ imprisonment.
8. The research was done (scientific).
9. Their products are always (attractive) packaged.
10. The plane goes (direct) from London to Houston without stopping.
11. She (sly) slipped a shot of vodka into his beer when he wasn’t looking.
12. This motorcycle is (whole) British-made.
13. Her contribution to the company’s success has never been (public)
acknowledged.
14. He (angry) denied that he had stolen the documents.
15. The forwarding agent is working far too (hard).

3.2 THE CAPITAL LETTER

Write with a capital letter when necessary

1 mr george lamb
2 the sun rises in the east.
3 north road
4 he is a professor.
5 islam
6 i speak russian.
7 monday
8 there is doctor adams.
9 adam's apple (de adamsappel)
10 diesel engine
11 norwegian

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12 north sea
13 french-speaking
14 the executive committee will meet again on may
10th.

Solution
1. Mr George Lamb
2. The sun rises in the east.
3. North Road
4. He is a professor.
5. Islam
6. I speak Russian.
7. Monday
8. There is Doctor Adams.
9. Adam’s apple (both meanings)
10. diesel engine
11. Norwegian
12. North Sea
13. French-speaking
14. The Executive Committee will meet again on May 10th.

3.3 THE PLURAL OF NOUNS

Fill in the correct plural forms

1. Europe has many beautiful (city).

2. He made a lot of business trips in the (90).
3. Have you learnt all those (formula) by heart?
4. There are three (crossroads) before turning left.
5. The (Swiss) used to produce a lot of (watch), but now the (Japanese)
have surpassed them.
6. Feed the (datum) into the computer.
7. This notebook costs fifty (penny). / I need 10 (penny) for the machine.
8. When her (sister-in-law) entered the computer shop, we saw that all the
(shelf) were empty.
9. The (ship) were unloading their (cargo) on to the (wharf).
10. He agreed that these were strange (phenomenon).
11. Where can I find these (apparatus)?
12. The translation of her birth certificate had to be sworn before two
(notary public).
13. (Lay-by) are places beside a road where a vehicle can stop without
interrupting other traffic.
14. Have you got a copy of this year’s and next year’s (syllabus)?
15. The (VIP) were welcomed by the Prime Minister.
16. Can you give me some (advice) about these (photo)?
17. They had to deal with two (crisis) at the same time.
18. Several hundred (policeman) and (policewoman) were on duty during
the demonstration.

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Solution
1. cities
2. 90s
3. formulae
4. crossroads
5. Swiss – watches – Japanese
6. data
7. pence (amount) / pennies (individual coins)
8. sisters-in-law / shelves
9. ships – cargo(e)s - wharves / wharfs
10. phenomena
11. apparatuses
12. notaries (public)
13. lay-bys
14. syllabuses / syllabi
15. VIPs / VIP’s
16. advice – photos
17. crises
18. policemen – policewomen

3.4 THE GENITIVE

Further information: see Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels –

Documenten - Spelling – The genitive

3.4.1 Translate using the appropriate genitive (the –s genitive or the

of-genitive?)
1. een gewicht van 25 pond
2. een vakantie van twee weken
3. de export van Vlaanderen
4. de verwerking van olie
5. de krantenwinkel van mevrouw Evetts
6. de meest modieuze straat in Londen
7. de verlichting van het huis
8. het verslag van John en Linda / het verslag van John en dat van Linda
9. een wandeling van 2 mijl
10. het gebruik van led’s

3.4.2 Translate using a double genitive or a local genitive

1. Hij eet ‘s middags altijd bij zijn ouders.
2. De magazijnier is een van mijn broers vrienden.

3.4.3 The Language Focus

Grammar 1: 26 Possessives – exercise 1,2
Grammar 2: 26 Possessives – exercise 2,4,5

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3.5 THE SUFFIX <FUL>

Add the endings to form new words

care + full
skill + full
skill + full + ly
forget + full
to full + fill
beauty + full

Solution
1. careful
2. skilful (BE) / skillful (AE)
3. skilfully (BE) / skillfully (AE)
4. forgetful
5. fulfil (BE) / fulfill (AE)
6. beautiful

3.6 THE OMISSION OF A FINAL <E>

Add the endings to form new words

argue + ment
absentee + ism
declare + ation
immediate + ly
awe + ful
notice + able
space + ous
courage + ous
lie + ar
change + able
disagree + ment
calculate + ion

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Solution
1. receiver
2. argument
3. absenteeism
4. removal
5. declaration
6. immediately
7. awful
8. noticeable
9. spacious
10. courageous
11. definitely
12. liar
13. changeable
14. disagreement
15. calculation

3.7 BRITISH AND AMERICAN ENGLISH

Are the following words British or American English?

programme
leveling
pretense
organization
handicapped
honor
analogue
tire
kilometer
goodbye
neighbour
to recognise
he quarreled

3.8 HOMONYMS

Choose the correct word that best completes each sentence.

1. England is known for its damp, and often cold (climb / clime).
2. The engineers were afraid the dam would (brake / break) if the water got
any higher.
3. The (cede / seed) is the specialized part of a plant that contains
reproductive organs.
4. Mrs Jones’s voice was (hoarse / horse) by the time she finished her
presentation.
5. His (manner / manor) of speaking was very soothing.
6. During the examination he kept staring at the (ceiling / sealing).
7. There is only one (seller / cellar) for the commodity.

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8. (You’re / Your) desk has been moved to the corner of the room.
9. There was graffiti on three sides of the building, but the back was (bare /
bear).
10. The carpenter felt a sharp (pane / pain) in his foot and realized he had
stepped on a nail.
11. I’m quite (confidant / confident) that I have made the right decision.
12. His car broke down so he called for a (tow / toe) truck.
13. The bus and rail services (compliment / complement) each other very
well.
14. The local (council / counsel) has decided not to allocate funds for the
project.
15. House prices have not been (stationary/stationery) for several months
now.

Solution
1. clime
2. break
3. seed (to cede = wijken, afstaan)
4. hoarse
5. manner (manor = groot herenhuis met omliggende gronden)
6. ceiling (to seal = verzegelen)
7. seller
8. Your
9. bare
10. pain (pane = ruit)
11.confident (confidant / confident = vertrouweling)
12. tow
13. complement
14. council
15. stationary

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UNIT 3: PRONUNCIATION

Kennis Je kent de belangrijkste uitspraakproblemen voor Nederlandstaligen.

Je kent de fonetische symbolen.

Je kent de verschillen tussen Brits en Amerikaans Engels.

Vaardigheden Je kunt in diverse situaties de standaarduitspraak van het Engels zoveel
mogelijk benaderen.

Je kunt een fonetisch gespeld woord correct uitspreken.

Je kunt de juiste klemtonen leggen.

Attitudes Je let steeds op een correcte uitspraak zodat misverstanden in een
gesprek in een internationale context zoveel mogelijk vermeden
worden.

Je hebt oor voor de varianten in de uitspraak van het Engels.

1 REASONS FOR PHONETIC TRANSCRIPTION

You will find phonetic transcription is very useful, because you cannot possibly
rely on English spelling to pronounce words correctly in English, as is illustrated
below.

1.1 SAME SOUNDS – DIFFERENT LETTERS

chamilo - bedrijfscommunicatie eng -> links -> the phonetic chart
[ ]
sew (naaien)
sow (zaaien)

[ ]
the
letter
pleasure
postman
Worcestershire

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1.2 SAME LETTERS - DIFFERENT SOUNDS

<ough>
although [ ]
bough [ ] (tak)
hiccough [ p] (hik)
tough [ f]

The garish cat was made in Warsaw and the watch-dog in Japan.
[ ] [æ] [ ] [ ] [ ][ ][ ] [ ] [ ] [æ]

1.3 SAME WORDS – DIFFERENT PRONUNCIATION

sow [sa ] (zeug, afvoergeul voor gesmolten metaal)

sow [so ] (zaaien)

photograph [ fo gr f]
photographer [ gr ]
photographic [fo græf k ]

man [mæn]
postman [ n]

1.4 THE <-ED> ENDING OF REGULAR VERBS

The <-ed> ending of the simple past and the past participle of regular verbs is
pronounced as a separate syllable [ d] after infinitives ending in a <d> or <t>;
e.g. landed – extended – waited.

After infinitives ending in a voiced consonant, <ed> is pronounced as [d]; e.g.

called – listened.

After voiceless consonants the pronunciation is [t]; e.g. finished – jumped –

worked.

Video lesson: see Chamilo - Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –

Video lesson - Pronunciation – pronunciation of ‹-ed›

Exercise: listen to the sentences in TLF, Grammar 1, map 2, exercise 1.

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2 PHONETIC SYMBOLS

2.1 VOWELS klinkers

[ ] as in pin
[i] as in reality
[e] as in pen
[æ] as in pan
[ ] as in gone
[ ] as in gun (resembles Dutch [ ])
[ ] as in pull
[ ] as in ago

[ ] as in sea
[ ] as in too
[ ] as in calm
[ ] as in law
[ ] as in bird

2.2 DIPHTHONGS tweeklanken

[ ] as in day
[ ] as in by
[ ] as in boy
[ ] as in how
[ ] as in home
[ ] as in fear
[ ] as in fair
[ ] as in poor (variant of [ ])

2.3 CONSONANTS

[p] as in pill [ph l]1 aangeblazen

[b] as in bill
[t] as in too [th ]1 aangeblazen

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[d] as in do
[k] as in coal [kh l] 1 aangeblazen
[g] as in goal

[f] as in few
[v] as in view
[ ] as in thin
[ð] as in this
[s] as in seal (zegel, zeehond)
[z] as in zeal (ijver)
[ ] as in fish
[ ] as in measure

[h] as in half

[ ] as in chin
[ ] as in gin

[m] as in mine
[n] as in nine
[ ] as in sing

[l] as in line

[r] as in ray
[j] as in yell
[w] as in well

Source:
van Dale, Groot woordenboek Engels-Nederlands, Van Dale Lexicografie,
Utrecht/Antwerpen, derde druk, 1998.

1
Before vowels p, t, and k are aspirated.
Unit 3: Pronunciation
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3 EXERCISES

3.1 EXERCISE 1

Read the transcriptions in the left hand column aloud and write the
words in the right hand column
Stress is indicated by the symbol < >.

Check your pronunciation in TLF EN Grammar 1, map 36-words with variable

stress and pronunciation, exercise 01.

æspr n
ns
sl
da n

kt

nd pend ns
nt rest
nd
li v
v
lu z
lu s
meds n
pr s
fo gr f
gr
res pi
ska
ski
ta ni
ved bl

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3.2 EXERCISE 2

Indicate the stress in the words printed in bold.

Check your pronunciation in TLF EN Grammar 2, map 36-words with variable

stress and pronunciation, exercise 01.

1. What is the object of this meeting?

2. I object to walking so far.
3. There has been an increase in interest.
4. They say the value has increased by 10 %.
5. You need a permit to park here.
6. We cannot permit such a situation to continue.
7. We export more than we import.
8. Some countries restrict the import of luxury goods.
9. The company made record profits last year.
10. We recorded what their spokesman said.
11. The company is looking for more finance.
12. How are we going to finance our holidays?
13. We should advertise in the popular press.
14. Do people pay much attention to advertisements?
15. We need a deposit.
16. This is a new product.
17. We produce more here than in France.
18. Everyone was present at the meeting.
19. How are we going to present the plants.
20. We were not content with the content of the article.

verbs: second
zelfstandig naamwoord: first

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3.3 EXERCISE 3

Cover the right hand column. Read the words in the left hand column
aloud.

[ ho m me n] home automation
[ mo t k tro l] remote control
[ bl la ] affordable lighting
[ s ve ns] video surveillance
[ en i lz] energy bills

4 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BE AND AE

4.1 INTRODUCTION

Although we commonly talk about ‘English pronunciation’ obviously not all

speakers of English pronounce it in the same way. Even between countries where
English is the first language of the majority of the population there are
considerable differences, and we can distinguish between the pronunciation of
British English (BE), American English (AE), Australian English, South African
English and so on. Within Britain and the USA there are also many regional
accents.

The use of English has spread far beyond those countries where it is used as a
first language. The widespread of English as an international language has led to
an enormous variety of accents of English. It would be impossible to switch your
pronunciation each time you were talking to a speaker with an accent different
from your own.

Consequently it is useful to ‘model’ your pronunciation on one variety. We focus

on the main differences between British and American English, the most
important varieties for us.

Video lesson: see Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –

Video lessons - Pronunciation – BE/AE

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4.2 THEORY

1 can’t – glass

BE: [ ]
AE: [ae]

2 <r>

BE: only pronounced before a vowel/diphthong, e.g. rain [re n]

AE: proounced in all positions in a word

3 <t>
between vowels or between vowel and ‹r›, e.g. writer - party

BE: unvoiced – [ ra ] - pa:ti]

AE:voiced

final position (tendency)

BE: what - [w t]
AE:
[WD]

after ‹n› (sometimes)

BE: centre - sente]

AE: [‘sener]

4 <n> / <t> / <d> + <u> / <ew>, e.g. new, tune, duke

BE: [ nju ] - [ tju n] - [ dju k]

AE:
5 Vowels are often nazalized in AE.
This means that

6 home – no

BE: [ ]
AE:

7 pot – hot

BE: [ ]
AE:

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8 Words ending in <tile>, e.g. fertile

BE: [ ta l]
AE:

9 borough – thorough

BE: [ ]-[ ]
AE:

10 Some common words: different stress / different pronunciation

internet
spelling pronunciation BE pronunciation AE
cigarette ret ret
detail di te l te l
magazine mæg zi n mæg zi n
address
advertisement
brochure
category kæt gri kæt ri
dictionary nri neri
enquiry
garage
necessary nes sri nes seri
(n)either
patent

4.3 EXERCISES

4.3.1 Exercise 1

Audio lesson: see Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –

Audio lessons - Pronunciation

Here is a text read aloud first by a British English speaker and then an
American English speaker. Listen and note the most important differences in
pronunciation that you observe.

I was reading in a magazine the other day about how common obesity is now. Some new
research has found that over forty percent of the population is overweight. Most people
in the survey said they’d rather drive than walk, and that it’s better to spend leisure time
at home than outside. That’s understandable in the winter, I guess, but surely everyone
can build some exercise into their daily schedule?

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Words Rule
rather 1.2
other over percent overweight survivey rather uiderstandeble winter exercise their 2
forthy 2.3

new 4
commen 7
magezine research leisure surelt schedule 10

Different stress / different pronunciation

spelling Pronunciation BE Pronunciation AE

research
leisuere
sureky
schedual

4.3.2 Exercise 2: Read the words in BE and AE aloud

spelling pronunciation BE pronunciation AE

go go ± go
stop st p ± st p
example z mpl zæmpl
litre / liter li li r
futile fju ta l fju tl
laboratory tri læbr ri
reduce dju s du s

5 ADVICE

For more examples and exercises, explore www.agendaweb.org/phonetic.html

with links to interesting websites concerning:
- phonetic symbols and sounds,
- text-to-speech,
- pronouncing dictionary with instant sound,
- the sounds of AE,
- phonemic typewriter.

Unit 3: Pronunciation
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 UNIT 4: VOCABULARY

Kennis Je beheerst gangbare basisbegrippen uit het zakelijke

Engels.

Je kent enkele idiomatische uitdrukkingen en ‘phrasal

verbs’.

Je kent enkele Amerikaans Engelse varianten.

Vaardigheden Je kunt de betekenis van een woord / uitdrukking
afleiden uit de context.

Je kunt het juiste woord / de juiste uitdrukking

opzoeken in een woordenboek.

Je kunt het juiste woord / de juiste uitdrukking / het

juiste voorzetsel kiezen in een gegeven context.
Attitudes Je bent je ervan bewust dat het gebruik van het juiste
woord / de juiste uitdrukking / het juiste voorzetsel
fundamenteel is om doeltreffend te communiceren in
een internationale context.

Je past je woordgebruik aan een Britse / Amerikaanse

context aan.

1 IDIOMS

Our English is not always up to scratch. What do you think about the following
quotes said by Dutch-speaking people:
‘I sat there completely with my mouth full of teeth.’
‘I am the first woman State Secretary for the Inside and I am having my
first period.’
‘I always get my sin in meetings.’

An idiom is an expression which cannot be understood from the literal meaning

of the words of which it is composed. For example, ‘to turn a blind eye to
something’ is an idiom meaning ‘iets door de vingers zien’. This idiomatic
meaning is completely unrelated to the literal meanings of the individual words
‘turn’, ‘blind’ and ‘eye’.

Idioms should always be learned in context. Furthermore, an ability to guess the

meaning of an idiom from its context will prove to be of great value.

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1.1 MATCH THE IDIOM WITH ITS TRANSLATION

idiom meaning
1 to beat about the bush voet bij stuk houden a
niet toegeven
2 to do one’s level best voor een appel en een ei verkopen b
3 to speak to the point kort en zakelijk spreken c
4 to keep a stiff upper lip eromheen draaien d
5 to sell at a sacrifice zijn uiterste best doen e

1.2 IDIOMS USED IN CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH

An eager beaver is a person who is hardworking and

An eager beaver enthusiastic, sometimes considered overzealous.

A person that is top dog means that he is better, more

Top dog important or more powerful than others.

The term dead wood refers to people or things which are

Dead wood no longer considered useful or necessary.

If you use elbow grease, you need energy and strength

(Use) elbow
to do physical work such as cleaning or polishing.
grease
If somebody pulls strings, they use influential friends in
Pull strings order to obtain an advantage.

Someone accused of wheeling and dealing is thought to

Wheeling and be involved in complicated, if not dishonest, deals in
dealing business or politics.

The term red tape refers to official rules and bureaucratic

Red tape paperwork that prevent things from being done quickly.

If you talk shop, you talk about your work or business in

a social situation with someone you work with, and make
Talk shop
the conversation boring for the others present.

A backroom boy is a person who does important work

Backroom boy but has no contact with the public.

To refer to something as the acid test means that it will

Acid test prove how effective or useful something is.

If a person delivers the goods, they do what is expected

Deliver the goods of them or what they have promised to do.

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 A person or company who holds all the aces is in a very
strong position because they have more advantages than
Hold all the aces
anyone else.

If a person asks you to keep them posted, they want

Keep someone
you to keep them informed about a situation
posted
If you go the extra mile, you do more than what is
Go the extra mile
expected of you.
If you make headway, you make progress in what you
Make headway are trying to achieve.

If you bend over backwards, you try very hard to do

Bend over
something, especially to please somebody.
backwards
If you turn on/up the heat on a person or organization,
Turn on/up the you put pressure on them in order to obtain what you
heat want.

To say that a person, a business or the economy in

general is in the doldrums means that the situation is not
In the doldrums successful or even gloomy and that nothing new is
happening.

If you blow a fuse, you suddenly lose your temper and

Blow a fuse become very angry.

To say that someone is coming apart at the seams

Come apart at the means that they are extremely upset or under severe
seams mental stress.

Speak English like a native speaker!

Complete these sentences with the appropriate idiomatic expression.

1 The management wants to reduce costs by cutting out the ….…………………………

2 The director …………………………………………………. and persuaded them to accept our
proposal.
3 If there wasn't so much ………………………, the company would be up and running
already.
4 With low production costs and excellent transport facilities, they seem to be
…………………………………………………….
5 Despite the recent measures, the economy remains in …….………………………….
6 The new accountant works all the time - first to arrive and last to leave - a
real …………………………………………!
7 The training course was very interesting but the ……………………………….. will come
when I start my new job.
8 Our agent promised to ………………………………………………. on developments in the
negotiations.
9 It took a considerable amount of ………………………………. to renovate the old
house.

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10 I never go out with my colleagues because we inevitably end up …………….
………….
11 Bikkembergs used to be …………………………… in fashion before he went
bankrupt.
12 Since the beginning of the election campaign, there's been a lot of ………….
……………………………………. going on.
13 Charlie …………………………………………… yesterday when he discovered that his
ipod had been stolen.
14 David found a job easily - his Dad just ………………………………………………………..!
15 …………………………………………….. don't always receive the credit they deserve for
their work.
16 Let's hope that new whiz-kid the boss hired can …………………………………………..!
17 If the goods are not delivered this week, we'll have to ………………………………….
18 You can count on Tom; he's always willing to ……………………………………………….
19 Investigators have made little …………………………….. in their search for the
causes of the catastrophe.
20 Bob has had so many problems lately, he's coming ……………………………………..

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2 PHRASAL VERBS

Phrasal verb is a general term for all combinations of ‘verb + adverbial particle’
and/or ‘preposition’. A phrasal verb can have more than one meaning. Its
meaning may be non-idiomatic or idiomatic. If the phrasal verb is idiomatic, it
has a special meaning which you cannot easily guess from the meaning of the
separate words.

For example, the non-idiomatic meaning of ‘pack something in’ is clear in the
sentence: ‘He opened his suitcase and packed all his clothes in.’
However, in the sentence ‘She decided to pack her job in.’ the individual
meanings of ‘pack’ and ‘in’ do not convey the idiomatic meaning, which is ‘leave’
here.

Some phrasal verbs have several idiomatic meanings, depending on the words
that accompany them.
Example: to take off
The aircraft took off. (i.e. left the ground)
The dog took off. (i.e. ran away in a hurry)
The new product took off. (i.e. began to improve greatly)

EXERCISE

Replace the words between brackets in the following exercise with a

suitable phrasal verb. Make any other necessary changes.

back someone up / brush up on something / slip out / check in / stop over / get
over something / put someone up / get something over / go off something /pass
something on / try out / shut something down / break in / turn up / bring
something up / look on / hold up / catch someone out / come across something /
break up / look out for something / work something out / call for someone / fill
something in / mix something up / take on / stick to something / look into /
make something up / turn something off / deal with something

1 I'll phone you from the hotel as soon as I've (registered my arrival).
2 We ought to discuss the matter as soon as possible. I'll (introduce it for
discussion) at the meeting tomorrow.
3 Come and help me to carry the boxes! Don't just stand there (watching
inactively)!
4 Be quiet, David. You really shouldn't (interrupt) when the chairman is
speaking. It's impolite.
5 I've got a message for Peter from Linda. Could you (tell it to him) when
you see him this afternoon?
6 If you could go to an English-speaking country to (revise your past
knowledge of English), which country would you choose?
7 Sally is disappointed that she didn't get the job at the research laboratory,
but she'll (recover from it).
8 Why did they (close) the factory in King Street? There are hundreds of
people out of work now.

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9 When we fly to Texas, we're going to (break our journey) in Atlanta to
visit some friends.
10 I wish the examination was tomorrow! I'm nervous, so I shall be glad to
(complete it).
11 The oral examination was difficult. The examiner tried to (outwit or trick
me) by asking some tricky questions.
12 Here are the visa application forms. You have to (complete them) and
return them to the consulate.
13 I don't believe the story Bob told us. I'm sure he (invented it).
14 We don't know who's staying where. The secretary has (put the hotel
bookings in the wrong order).
15 If you see this sign in a shop window, you can pay by credit card. So
remember, just (be alert so as to see) the sign.
16 If you've made a decision, (adhere to it). Don't change your mind again.
17 Do you know what this word means? I haven't (met it) in our English books
before.
18 'Have you got the answer to number seven in the maths exercise?' 'No. I
haven't (calculated it) yet.'
19 I’m sorry about the mix-up with your order, Sir. I’ll (handle it) at once.
20 I don’t need to book a hotel room in Manchester, Joa n has offered to (give
me accommodation).
21 I wonder if you could (collect me) on your way to the meeting.
22 The trouble with Frank is that he never (arrives) on time for meetings.
23 Because of an accident on the line between Brighton and Victoria, my train
was (delayed) for several hours.
24 The meeting was a very long one and didn’t (finish) until 11.30 p.m.
25 I had to leave the meeting half way through. I managed to (leave quickly
and quietly) without disturbing anyone.
26 If you’re still looking for a job, I believe Warner & Sons are (employing)
new people.
27 Look, if I tell Mr Blake that we’re not prepared to work overtime tonight, will
the rest of you (support me)?
28 Johnson, I’d like you to (examine) this complaint we received this morning.
29 I won’t be a minute, Jan. I just want to (test) this new tool.
30 I enjoyed learning German at first, but I (lost my taste or liking for it)
when it got difficult.

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3 PREPOSITIONS

Beware when translating prepositions. They express more than one idea and
while one meaning of the preposition may translate literally, others often do not.
So, carefully consider the context.

EXERCISES

1 Give the correct preposition

1 That question is (naast) the point.

2 I’m good (in) English.
3 Wait for me here, please. I’ll be back (binnen) a few minutes.
4 The argument started (door) a stupid misunderstanding.
5 Are you (achter) the strike?
6 I get very nervous whenever I give a presentation (voor) an audience.
7 The committee will discuss this question on Friday, so please submit any
suggestions (tegen) Thursday.
8 Look at these figures (vergeleken met) last year’s; they’re so much better this
year.
9 The architecture of the building is rather (volgens) the style of Wren.

2 Choose the correct preposition

1 I don’t want to take part (at,of,in) any more conferences.

2 Could you translate this from English (in, into,at) Dutch, please?
3 Congratulations (on, at, for, with) your new job.
4 Please fill in the form (by, in, with) black or blue ink.
5 What are you doing (at, in, on) the weekend.
6 Brie is an example (for, from, of) a French soft cheese.
7 In Britain binge drinking is not only typical (for, of, from) boys but also (for, of,
from) girls.
8 Always be polite (against, to, at) your parents and teachers.
9 I got (of, off, from) the bus just in time.
10 I feel angry (with, at, on) my brother for saying such terrible things.

3 Complete the sentences with the missing prepositions, then answer

the questions.

1 Do you admire a famous person? What is he/she well-known … ?

2 What do you often worry ... ?
3 What talents are you envious ... ?
4 Are there things you are particularly afraid ... ?
5 What things in your life are you most proud ... ?
6 What kind of music are you keen ... ?
7 Who will you always be grateful ... ? What will you be grateful ... ?
8 Which languages are you fluent ... ?
9 What or whom do you get annoyed ... ?
10 Which person, or people, in your life can you most rely ... ?

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 11 Who are you most similar ... – your mother or your father?
12 What would you like to be famous ... ?
13 When did you last complain ... something? Who did you complain ... ?
14 What is your opinion ... the current political situation?

4 British and American English: give the American alternative

British English American English

to check something to check something (...)
to do something again to do something (...)
to visit/meet someone to visit/meet (...) someone
from Monday to Wednesday from Monday (...) Wednesday

5 TLF, EN Grammar 1 and EN Grammar 2, Map 34, Prepositions

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4 BRITISH AND AMERICAN ENGLISH

There are numerous differences in vocabulary between the English of the UK and
Ireland and the English of the USA and Canada, the two dominant areas which
have historically influenced English in many other parts of the world. However,
there is also a great amount of mixing, and Americans and Canadians are
often familiar with British and Irish usages, and vice versa. Nowadays,
thanks to the media and the internet, American vocabulary is influencing and
being imported into British, Irish and international English more and more. In the
case of Ireland, this is more noticeable than in Great Britain. Other important
varieties, such as Indian, Australian, African, Carribean, etc., also have their own
words and phrases, but have probably, for historical reasons, had less influence
overall on international usage.

When you surf the Net or when you look for information in data bases it is also
important to know the differences between BE and AE vocabulary, because this
knowledge will extend your search results.

The differences between BE and AE vocabulary is clearly illustrated by the text

below.

4.1 TEXT: CITY LIFE – LIZ’S FIRST VISIT TO NEW YORK

Liz had expected to dislike the skyscrapers of Manhattan, but some of them, she
thought, were far more splendid than any of the modern buildings in London.
She was excited by the long, straight avenues stretching away into the misty
distance, especially Fifth Avenue with its fashionable stores, and Park Avenue,
with its multi-storeyed apartment houses. She never had the feeling of being
lost, as she did when she visited London. The plan of London’s streets was like a
jigsaw puzzle, but the streets of Manhattan were like the strings of a tennis
racket, all crossing each other at right angles, the avenues running north and
south, the streets east and west. She was surprised by the great variety of
people she saw in the streets. There were a lot of well-dressed blacks, as well as
many whites who were, she was sure, descendants of immigrants who had come
from many different countries. In Boston most of the whites looked as if their
ancestors came from some part of the British Isles. A lot had come from
Southern Ireland, Alex told her.

After a while she found the heat in the canyon-like streets too much, so she went
down into one of the city’s air-conditioned malls. The mall had been built
beneath one of Fifth Avenue’s great stores and it was beautifully cool as she
wandered along the shop-lined passages. Finally she sat down at one of the
cafés. It was like sitting in an indoor garden. There were even tall trees, and
the sun shone through a glass roof far above, at the very top of the building.
She ordered a cup of coffee.

Immediately a young man at the next table leant over and said,
‘You’re English.’

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‘That’s right. Have you been to England?’
‘No. My folks are from Naples, Italy. Say, you haven’t got anything like this mall
in London, have you?’
‘No, but we have shopping precincts, which are closed to traffic.’
The young man laughed. ‘No kidding? We have precincts, too. If you’d like to
see one, ask a cop. I guess you think “rest rooms’’ are places where you lie
down and take a rest.’ He laughed again.
Liz got up. ‘We call them “toilets”. That’s where I’m going now.’
Liz stopped a girl and asked the way to Radio City Music Hall.
‘Sure! It’s in Rockefeller Center. Go on down Fifth Avenue to West 50 th Street.
It’s on the corner of West 50th and Seventh Avenue. It’s about ten blocks – a
long way.’
Liz thanked her.
‘You’re welcome’, the girl said. ‘Have a nice day!’.
Liz decided to take a taxi, which is called a ‘cab’ by most Americans. The New
York yellow cabs were not nearly as comfortable as the London taxis.
Alex was waiting for her.
‘Hullo!’ she said.
‘Hi!’ he replied.
He took her into the Music Hall and told her about the Rockettes. ‘They’re great,
the most famous chorus girls in the world.’
‘Chorus girls! I see! So that’s why you’ve chosen this show?’
‘The Rockettes have been dancing here ever since 1926.’
‘Really? They must be a bit long in the tooth then!’

4.2 EXERCISE

Find the AE words/expressions in the previous text and complete the

table

American English British English Dutch

shop
multi-storied
my family
You’re joking!
bobby (policeman)
to expect, to think
(public) toilet
Certainly! Of course!
centre
across the next ten
streets
It’s a pleasure!
Goodbye!
taxi
Hullo!

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4.3 SOME OTHER WORDS

G general
E electromechanics

American English British English Dutch

G accomodations accommodation accommodatie
E aluminum aluminium aluminium
G apartment flat flat
G apartment building block of flats flatgebouw
G bill bank note bankbiljet
invoice factuur
G cafeteria canteen cafetaria
cafeteria
G check bill rekening (in restaurant)
E cord lead / flex elektrisch snoer
kabel
G crosswalk zebra crossing zebrapad
G desk clerk receptionist receptionist
G detour traffic diversion omleiding
G downtown city centre stadscentrum
G driver’s license driving licence rijbewijs
G elevator lift lift
G fall autumn herfst
E faucet tap kraan
E fender wing/mudguard of a spatbord
car
G first floor ground floor benedenverdieping
G freeway motorway snelweg
E furnace central heating boiler centraleverwarmingsketel
G gas/gasoline petrol benzine
G gas station petrol station benzinestation
G gearshift gearlever versnellingspook
E grounded earthed geaard
E hood bonnet motorkap
G incorporated limited (company) naamloze vennootschap
(company)
G inventory stock voorraad
G legal holiday bank holiday offciële feestdag
E license plate number plate nummerplaat
E muffler silencer Knalpot (van auto)
E overall dungarees overall
overalls
boiler suit
E outlet socket contactdoos
stopcontact
G pants trousers pantalon
G parking lot car park parkeerterrein

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G railroad (station) railway (station) spoorweg(station)
G résumé curriculum vitae curriculum vitae
G second floor first floor eerste verdieping
G semester term semester
E shock absorber shock absorber schokdemper
damper
G stock share aandeel
G sidewalk pavement trottoir
G streetcar tram tram
G Styrofoam polystyrene foam piepschuim
G traffic circle roundabout rotonde
E truck lorry / truck vrachtwagen
E trunk boot koffer / bagageruimte
(van auto)
G uptown residential area away bovenstad
from the city centre betere woonwijk-AE
G vacation holiday vakantie
E windshield windscreen voorruit
E wrench spanner moersleutel
G zip code postcode / postal postcode
code

More words

http://www.english-zone.com/vocab/ae-be.html

translator BE-AE / AE-BE: http://esl.about.com/library/vocabulary/blbritam.htm

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UNIT 5: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Kennis Je kent de behandelde algemene en bedrijfsgerichte

woordenschat: bv. Engels – Nederlands, Nederlands –
Engels, synoniemen, phrasal verbs, BE-AE

Je kent het verschil tussen formeel en informeel Engels.

Vaardigheden Je kunt bedrijfsgerichte boodschappen begrijpen en
interpreteren.

Je kunt een schriftelijke en mondelinge boodschap in

een gepaste en correcte taal formuleren: bv. Zeg in het
Engels dat … / Vraag in het Engels of …

Je kunt zinnen met een zakelijke inhoud naar het Engels

vertalen.

Je kunt alternatieve uitdrukkingen in het Engels geven.

Je kunt het Engelse alfabet in een concrete situatie

gebruiken (bv. aan de telefoon).

Je kunt diverse vragen in het Engels beantwoorden.

Attitudes Je verzorgt je Engels in diverse zakelijke situaties.

Je bent je ervan bewust in welke situatie je formeel en

informeel Engels moet gebruiken.

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1 MAKING PROFESSIONAL CONTACT

Video lesson: see Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –

Video lessons - Business communication – Making professional contact

1.1 GREETING / INTRODUCING YOURSELF AND OTHER PEOPLE -

USEFUL PHRASES

1.1.1 Greeting and introducing yourself at the first meeting

FORMAL

Greeting and introducing yourself Reply

Pleased to meet you. I’m … Pleased to meet you too. I’m …
How do you do. My name is … How do you do. I’m …
(It’s) nice to meet you. I’m … Nice to meet you too. I’m …
(I’m) glad to meet you. I’m … Glad to meet you too. I’m …
Good morning. Allow me to introduce Good morning. I’m …
myself. My name is …
Hello. Let me introduce myself. I’m … Hello. My name is …

Notes

In the UK shaking hands is usually limited to first meetings.

When do we say?

Good morning. before noon

Good afternoon. after noon and before 6 pm
Good evening. after 6 pm
Good night. When we leave someone in the
evening.

Informal ways to introduce yourself

Hello / Hi. I am … / My name is …

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 When you identify yourself to someone you often need to give not only
your name, but also any other relevant details about yourself and the
situation: e.g.

- I’m from …
- I work for …
- I’m in charge of … / I’m responsible for …

1.1.2 Greeting someone at the second and subsequent meeting

FORMAL GREETINGS (people you see less frequently)

Greeting
Good morning Ms Halen.
Follow-up enquiry
How are you today?
Reaction
I’m very well, thank you. And you?

Greeting
Hello, Ms Halen. I’m (very) pleased to see/meet you again.
Hello Ms Halen. It’s (very) nice to see/meet you again.
Reaction
And you.

DAILY GREETINGS

Greeting Follow-up enquiry Reply

Hello Sue. How are you? Fine, thanks and you?

Good morning. How are you doing? Very well thanks. How about you?
Good afternoon. How are things? Not too bad. And you?
Not too good, I’m afraid.
Absolutely awful / terrible / dreadful.

Remark
After ‘Not too good, I'm afraid./ Absolutely awful. / Absolutely terrible. /
Absolutely dreadful.’ it is polite for the other person to ask:

- What’s the matter?

- What’s the problem?

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1.1.3 Introducing other people

FORMAL

May I introduce you to Ms Halen?

I'd like to introduce you to Ms Halen.
I’d like you to meet ....
Mr Ward, this is Mrs Osborne.
Allow me to introduce you to …

INFORMAL

Do you know Sue?

Michael, this is Sue.
I want you to meet ...
Can I introduce you to ...?

1.1.4 Saying something after introductions

FORMAL

How do you do, Ms Halen. …… How do you do.

It’s a pleasure to meet you , Ms Halen. …… I’m very pleased to meet you too.

INFORMAL

Hi Sue. Nice to meet you. …… Nice to meet you too.

Hello Sue. I’m happy to meet you. …… Lovely to meet you too.

1.2 GREETING / INTRODUCING YOURSELF AND OTHER PEOPLE -

EXERCISES

1.2.1 What would you say to introduce yourself in the following

situations?

1. Je werkt voor het bedrijf Databloc en je bent juist aangekomen om het bedrijf
Electro AR te bezoeken. Je hebt een afspraak met de heer Bell van de
personeelsafdeling om 10.30 uur. De eerste persoon die je tegenkomt is de
veiligheidsagent. (omgangstaal)

hi, my name is Joey and I am from datablock. I have an appointment with mr.
Bell from the personal department at half past ten. Do you now where I can find
him.

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 2. Je moet een bezoeker, die een collega van jou wil ontmoeten, opvangen. Stel
jezelf voor en zeg dat je voor de productie van de goederen verantwoordelijk
bent. (standaardtaal)

good morning, my name is Joey Defauw. and I am responsible for the

production of the goods.

1.2.2 Complete the dialogue between David Hamilton and a colleague

from Switzerland following the notes.

Pierre Hello, David. It's nice to see you again. It's been a long time. How are you.
David Hello, Pierre. (Groet hem. Je hebt hem al een tijdje niet meer
gezien. Stel een algemene vraag.)
Pierre Okay. We've been extremely busy and it looks as if it's going to
continue. What about you?I've heard that you've been transferred to
(Richt het gesprek opnieuw
headquarters?. Hownaar David.
are you Je hebt
enjoying yourgehoord
new job? dat hij
overgeplaatst is naar de hoofdzetel van zijn bedrijf. Vraag naar de
job.)
David Okay, so far. Everything's going very smoothly and I'm enjoying the
challenge.

1.2.3 Christopher Hutton has recently joined your company. How

would you introduce the following people to him? What will Christopher
Hutton’s reaction be?
1. Paula Brown / werkt in hetzelfde bedrijf als jij / jouw secretaresse (informal
business context)
2. Tom de Wey / Nederlander / werkt in een Nederlandse dochteronderneming /
Marketing Manager (rather formal business context)
3. Francis Renard / Fransman / een vriend (informal social context)
4. Mr Utowa / Japanner / verkoopdirecteur bij een leverancier (formal context)

1.2.4 Say or ask it in English / Exchanging personal details

Vraag hoe iemand ook alweer heet. what was your name again?
Zeg dat je al altijd in Brussel gewoond hebt. I have always lived in Brussels
Zeg dat je geboren en getogen bent in België. I'm Belgian, born and bred.
Zeg dat je in de Veldstraat nummer 10 woont. I lived at 10, Veldstraat.
Zeg dat je in 2002 naar Gent verhuisd bent. I moved to Ghent in 2002/ In 2002, I ...
Zeg dat je geboren bent op 22 maart 1990. I was born on the 22nd of March 1990
Zeg dat je vrijgezel/alleenstaand bent. I'm single
1.2.3
1. Christopher, this is Paula. she is my secretary
2. May I introduce you to Tom De Wey. He's Marketing Manager with a Dutch subsidiary.
3. Do you know Francis Renard, a friend of mine from France.
4. I'd like you to meet Mr Utowa. He is japanees and Sales Manager with a supplier of ours.

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1.3 EXCHANGING JOB INFORMATION

1.3.1 Matching exercise: describing tasks

Which department or division

1 buys supplies? (a) accounts department

2 sells the products? (b) advertising department
3 plans how to sell new products? (c) after-sales service department
4 organizes training courses? (d) distribution department
5 recruits new employees? (e) financial services department
6 sends the products to the customers? (f) maintenance department
7 packs the products? (g) marketing department
8 manufactures the products? (h) packaging department
9 checks the quality? (i) personnel department
10 sends invoices to customers? (j) production department
11 takes care of the machines? (k) purchasing department
12 pays the staff? (l) sales department
13 is responsible for after-sales care? (m) training department / centre
14 deals with taxation, investment and (n) wages and salaries department
cash management?
15 runs advertising campaigns? (o) quality (control) department

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
k l g m i d h j o a f n c e b

1.3.2 Say or ask it in English

what trade are you in ?
Vraag in welke sector iemand actief is.
do you have a steady job ?
Vraag of iemand vast werk heeft.
I'm self-employed/ I'm an office clerk.
Zeg dat je zelfstandig/bediende bent.
I commute to Brussels every day.
Zeg dat je elke dag naar Brussel pendelt.
I'm on the road a lot
Zeg dat je vaak onderweg bent.
I have a bachelor (degree) in electromachanics
Zeg dat je bachelor bent in …
I'm taking a evening classes
Zeg dat je een avondcursus volgt.

1.3.3 Give synonymous expressions

What’s your profession? What's your job?
Have you got a job? Are you employed?
I’m unemployed. I'm out of a job. / I have no job.

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1.3.4 Give the informal expressions
What’s your profession? What do you do for a living.
I’m unemployed. I'm on the dole.
1.3.5 Exercise: which is correct?

1 If a business breaks even it (.....)

ceases to exist
joins together with another company
makes neither profit nor loss

2 A sleeping partner is a person who (.....) = stille venoot

owns less than 50 % of a company's capital
owns a dormant company
provides a percentage of a company's capital but takes no active part
in its management

3 If you work longer than your usual working hours, you

work unsocial hours
do overtime
do shift-work

1.3.6 Exercise and more vocabulary

Fill in the blanks

1. She asked her (boss – other word) … for a pay … (opslag).

2. Did you know Peter (kreeg promotie) …? He was appointed marketing …
(kaderlid).
3. Since several … (collega’s) are … (met ziekteverlof), our department is
planning to … (aanwerven) temporary … (bediendes).
4. I’d rather … (pendelen) by train than by car from Ghent to Brussels every
day.
5. She now works as a … (ambtenaar) in the Department of Employment, but
she wants to become … (zelfstandige) and … (zakenvrouw worden).
6. Nurses and workers on the assembly line who do … work (ploegenarbeid)
earn more, but working a regular … (nachtploeg) really undermines your
health.
7. If they want to … (ontslaan) me, they have to give me six months’ …
(opzeg).
8. A friend of mine who works in banking, needs a challenge every so often.
That’s why he … (neemt ontslag) every six years to look for another job. I
wonder if he will keep this up until he … (met pensioen gaan).
9. If you work …, there are two ways to be compensated. Either you are paid
the extra hours, or you take extra days off.
10. (het loon van geschoolde arbeiders; use a genitive) … will be higher than
those of (ongeschoolde arbeiders) …

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manual labour handenarbeid
(un)skilled worker (on)geschoolde arbeider
staff personeel
work force personeelsbestand
executive kaderlid
employee werknemer, bediende
employer werkgever
colleague / workmate collega
to hire / to employ / to take on in dienst nemen
to earn a living zijn brood verdienen
to get a (pay) rise opslag krijgen
to work overtime overuren maken
a two-day leave twee dagen verlof
a day off een vrije dag / snipperdag
to be on sick leave met ziekteverlof zijn
lunch break lunchpauze
to be promoted / to get promotion promotie krijgen
company regulations bedrijfsreglement
to do shift work in ploegendienst werken
night shift nachtdienst
commuter pendelaar
to dismiss / to fire ontslaan
to resign / to give in one’s notice ontslag nemen
resignation ontslag
to retire met pensioen gaan
retired gepensioneerd
civil servant ambtenaar
a business that runs at a profit een winstgevende zaak
a business that runs at a loss een verlieslatende zaak
a sole trader eenmanszaak
to go into business zakenman worden
to close down a business - to go out of business - failliet gaan
to go bankrupt
The company goes public. Het bedrijf wordt een open nv.
The company is wound up. Het bedrijf sluit zijn deuren.

1.4 SAYING GOODBYE

FORMAL
Goodbye. It has been a pleasure meeting you. / The pleasure is mine. I hope to
see you again soon.

I must be on my way. It was nice seeing you again. / Likewise. I look forward to
seeing you again soon.

INFORMAL

I must go. Catch you later. / OK. See you later. Bye

I’ll be off now. Speak to you later. / Sure. Take care.

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1.5 SUMMARY

You are able to:

- greet and introduce yourself at a first meeting
- greet someone at the second and subsequent meeting
- introduce other people
- say something after introductions
- exchange job information
- say goodbye

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2 MAKING APPOINTMENTS

2.1 TELLING THE TIME

in conversations timetables in stations, airports …

official announcements

9.00 nine (o' clock) 9.00 nine hundred hours

9.05 five (minutes) past nine 9.05 nine oh five
M 9.10 ten (minutes) past nine 9.10 nine ten
O 9.15 a quarter past nine 9.15 nine fifteen
R 9.20 twenty (minutes) past nine 9.20 nine twenty
N 9.25 twenty-five (minutes) past nine 9.25 ...............................................
I 9.30 half past nine 9.30 ...............................................
N 9.35 twenty-five (minutes) to ten 9.35 ...............................................
G 9.40 twenty (minutes) to ten 9.40 ...............................................
9.45 a quarter to ten 9.45 ...............................................
9.50 ten (minutes) to ten 9.50 ...............................................
9.55 five (minutes) to ten 9.55 ...............................................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E 9.00 nine (o' clock) 21.00 twenty-one hundred hours
V 9.05 five (minutes) past nine 21.05 twenty-one oh five
E 9.10 ten (minutes) past nine 21.10 twenty-one ten
N 9.15 a quarter past nine 21.15 twenty-one fifteen
I . .
N . .
G . .

2.1.1 Telling the time in conversations

In AE after is used instead of past; of instead of to.

e.g. a quarter of four
The word minutes is always used except with five / ten / twenty /
twenty-five.
e.g. It's eight minutes past six.
The twenty-four hour clock is not used. It would be very strange to say, for
example four minutes past fifteen. If there is a danger of
misunderstanding, four minutes past three in the afternoon is used
(write: 3.04 pm).

Other examples
three [e em] or three (o' clock) in the morning (write: 3.00 am)
eight [pi em] or eight (o' clock) in the evening (write: 8.00 pm)
12.00: (twelve) noon
24.00: midnight / twelve o' clock at night
In colloquial English half past … is often shortened to half …
e.g. half nine means half past nine (= 9.30 uur)
This is very confusing for Dutch-speaking people!

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2.1.2 Some useful idioms

(…..) - 2 possibilities What time is it ?

Hoe laat is het?
(…..)
Wanneer vertrekt de trein? when does you train leave ?
By my watch it's 5 o' clock.
(…..)
on/at the stroke of two = klokslag 2h
(…..)
(…..)
op tijd aankomen to arrive on time
(…..)
Tegen de tijd dat we thuis zijn … by the time we get home
One at a time, please!
Eén tegelijk, a.u.b.
(…..)
De hoeveelste is het vandaag? what's today's date ?
My watch is ten minutes fast/slow.
(…..)

2.1.3 Say it in English

Zeg dat het precies halfdrie is. It's exactly half past 2
Zeg dat het even na vijven is. It's a few minutes past 5
Zeg dat het ruim vijf uur is. It's at least five hours
2.1.4 Give synonymous expressions
It’s exactly three o’ clock. It's 3 o'clock sharp
It’s almost five. It's a few minutes to five
2.1.5 More vocabulary

a fortnight twee weken

a weekday werkdag
at the weekend in het weekend
the other day onlangs
daily dagelijks
the day before yesterday eergisteren
a week today vandaag over een week
the day after tomorrow overmorgen
in the morning ‘s morgens
in the evening ‘s avonds
at night ‘s nachts
in the early morning in de vroege ochtend
half an hour een half uur
around midnight rond middernacht
towards the end of the month tegen het einde van de maand
at the beginning in het begin
in the end uiteindelijk
once in a while af en toe
later on straks / later op de dag

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now and again af en toe
in the meantime in de tussentijd
nowadays vandaag de dag
annually jaarlijks
straight away onmiddellijk
throughout the year het hele jaar door
by noon tegen de middag

2.2 USEFUL PHRASES FOR MAKING APPOINTMENTS

2.2.1 Inviting business contacts

FORMAL (on first contact or when people know each other only slightly and at a
business level)

Would you like to + infinitive?

I was wondering if you would like to + infinitive?

INFORMAL (at a more personal level)

Do you feel like .... (-ing)?

How about .... (-ing)?

2.2.2 Fixing a time

SUGGESTING A TIME

Can you make / manage 2 o' clock on Thursday?

Are you free on the 26th?
Are you free at 3.30?
How about the 26th / 3.30?

SUGGESTING A TIME - SAYING YES

Yes, that suits me.

Yes, I’m free.
Yes, that’s fine.

SUGGESTING A TIME - SAYING NO

I’m afraid I can’t make/manage it.

I’m afraid I’m tied up.

ASKING FOR SUGGESTIONS

When / What time would suit you?

When / What time would be convenient for you?

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2.2.3 Thanking and accepting invitations

FORMAL

Thanking Accepting
That’s very kind of you. I’d be delighted to come.
Thank you for inviting me. That would be very nice.
Thank you very much. I’d like that very much.
That would be lovely
I’d love to …

INFORMAL

Thanking Accepting
Thanks. That’s a good idea.
That sounds fun.
Yeah, great.

2.2.4 Declining invitations

Thanking Declining
That’s very kind of you. But I don’t think I can.
Thank you for inviting me. I’d love to …, but …
Thank you very much. But I’m afraid I can’t.
But unfortunately …

Remark

When declining an invitation it is also usual to give a reason: e.g.

I've already arranged something else.
I won't be here tomorrow.
I'm busy on Thursday.

2.3 EXERCISES

2.3.1 Inviting business contacts

MAKE AN APPROPRIATE INVITATION FOR THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS

You have been showing a foreign visitor around your department. You
have some tickets for the theatre for tomorrow evening and want to invite
him. You have met him several times before and know that he likes
theatre.

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formal: would you like to go to the theatre tomorrow evening?

informal: do you feel like going to the theatre tomorrow ?

You have just finished a meeting with a potential customer. You want to
invite him out for a meal tonight. This is the first contact.

I was wondering if you would like to ...

2.3.2 Accepting invitations

GIVE THE MOST APPROPRIATE OPTION TO REPLY TO THE INVITATIONS

If you're free tomorrow evening, would you like to go to the theatre? I've
got a spare ticket.

thanks you for the invitation, I would like to go with you

Mr Jones, I was wondering if you would be free to have dinner this

evening.

thats very kind of you, I'd like that very mach.

Do you feel like coming over for a drink at the weekend?

thanks, that sounds fun.

2.3.3 Declining invitations

WHILE BRIAN DUKE WAS ON BUSINESS IN SWEDEN HE WAS INVITED OUT TO EAT BY A NEW
CONTACT. COMPLETE THE DIALOGUE BY FOLLOWING THE NOTES.

Jan Do you know Malmö at all, Brian?

Brian No, this is my first visit.
Jan Well, if (.....) tonight, I was (.....) if (.....) this evening. Then I can
show you something of the town. (Leads into the invitation by
checking to see if Brian is busy. Makes an invitation to look round
the town.)
Brian That's (.....). I'm (.....) (Thanks him for the invitation but declines.
He has other plans.)

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2.3.4 General exercises

PUT THE SENTENCES IN THE CORRECT ORDER TO MAKE A SHORT CONVERSATION AND
SUPPLY ALTERNATIVES FOR THE PHRASES PRINTED IN ITALICS

Yes, please. Would Tuesday the 26th be convenient?

.........................................................................................................
It's quite all right. I'll look forward to seeing you on Thursday the 28th,
then.
I'm calling about our appointment on the 25th. I'm afraid I can't make it.
..........................................................................................................
Thank you. Goodbye.
Yes, I can manage the 28th. I'm sorry to be a nuisance.
..........................................................................................................
It doesn't matter. Would you like to fix another time?
...........................................................................................................
I'm afraid I'm tied up on the 26th. How about the 28th?
...........................................................................................................

SAY IT IN ENGLISH

Dialogue 1
Zeg dat je graag een afspraak met de ploegbaas zou willen maken. Vraag
of het morgen om 2 uur past.
Zeg dat het om twee uur uitstekend past / dat het prima is.
Zeg dat het je spijt, maar dat het om twee uur niet past. Vraag of het om
drie uur kan.
Zeg dat hij drie uur niet haalt en dat hij liever om half vier komt.

Dialogue 2
Zeg dat je vreest dat je de afspraak voor 4 mei moet afzeggen, omdat er
iets is tussengekomen.
Zeg dat je de afspraak moet verzetten / uitstellen en vraag aan welke
datum je gesprekspartner de voorkeur geeft.
Zeg dat je even in je agenda moet kijken.

2.4 SUMMARY

You are able to:

- tell the time
- invite business contacts and fix a time
- accept invitations
- decline invitations

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3 TRAVELLING ON BUSINESS

3.1 BOOKING A HOTEL ROOM

1 Zeg dat je een kamer met ontbijt wenst voor drie dagen.
2 Zeg dat je halfpension / volpension neemt.
3 Zeg dat je een eenpersoonskamer met een eigen badkamer wilt boeken.
4 Zeg dat je een tweepersoonskamer voor niet-rokers wilt boeken.

3.2 TRAVELLING ON BUSINESS BY PLANE

3.2.1 Enquiring at the travel agency: translate

1. Hoeveel vluchten naar München zijn er op dinsdagmorgen?

2. Hoeveel bagage kan ik meenemen?
3. Wanneer is de volgende vlucht?
4. Wanneer komt het vliegtuig aan?
5. Kan ik mijn reisschema veranderen?

3.2.2 Making a flight reservation

MATCH THE DEFINITION WITH THE TYPE OF TICKET

1. Business travellers prefer this ticket. a) restricted return ticket

2. the most expensive ticket b) business class
3. It takes you there and back. c) one-way (AE)/single ticket (BE)
4. the cheapest of the open tickets d) round-trip (AE)/return ticket (BE)
5. You can choose your return date. e) economy class
6. You can't change this one at all. f) first class
7. You can't return with it. g) open return ticket

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3.2.3 Checking in at the airport

Audio lesson: see Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –

Audio lessons – Business communication

FLIGHT UA755 / LISTEN TO THE DIALOGUE AND FILL IN THE MISSING WORDS

Jeff Kramer is flying to Denver. He's at the check-in desk now.

Check-in clerk: Your ticket, please, sir.

Jeff: There you go.
Check-in clerk: Flight UA755 to Denver, then you’re going on to Aspen, on
flight RM002?
Jeff: That’s right.
Check-in clerk: Do you have any ...................................................., Mr
Kramer?
Jeff: Yes, I do. Just one piece.
Check-in clerk: And did you pack it yourself, Mr Kramer?
Jeff: Yes, I did.
Check-in clerk: Are any of the articles on this list in your bag?
Jeff: Um .... No.
Check-in clerk: Would you like me ..................... this bag .................... to
Aspen? Then you won't have to pick it up in Denver.
Jeff: That would be great. Thanks.
Check-in clerk: Do you have a ............................ preference, Mr Kramer?
Jeff: An .......................... seat. Extra legroom, if possible.
Check-in clerk: Yes, I have a seat next to the ...........................................
So that's flight UA755 to Denver, departing at 5.30 p.m.,
................................. at Gate Number 2 in 20 minutes. The
flight's ......................................... to depart on time.
Here's your .................................................. You'll have to
report to the ..................................................... in Denver
for a seat ....................................... on your
........................................ flight.
Jeff: Thank you.
Check-in clerk: You're welcome. Have a good flight.

NOTES

Formal phrases of thanks

e.g. It is really kind of you to ..... / Thank you very much for (....). / Thank you.
Responding to people thanking for a service
e.g. You're welcome. / Don't mention it.
Responding to people thanking for personal help
e.g. It was no trouble. / That's okay. / That's all right.

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RULES AND REGULATIONS: Complete the sentences, using can, can’t, must, have to,
don’t have to, mustn’t

Passengers .............................. make sure their luggage is clearly

labelled / tagged.
Passengers .............................. take a small bag onto the plane with
them.
Passengers .............................. carry dangerous articles such as
weapons, explosives or fireworks.
Passengers .............................. check in 2 hours before departure on
international flights.
Passengers ............................... check in 2 hours before departure on
domestic flights, 60 minutes is sufficient.
The airline ............................. accept responsibility for delays due to bad
weather.
They transfer our luggage to the next plane. We ..............................
carry it.
Passengers ............................... use cell / mobile phones because they
interfere with the plane’s electronic equipment.
Passengers ............................... smoke.
Passengers ................................. take out travel insurance, but it's a
good idea.

3.2.4 Going through the airport security check

COMPLETE THE SENTENCES USING PREPOSITIONS

When you go (1) .................... the Security Check (2) ..................... an

airport, you have to put your carry-on luggage (3) ....................... the
conveyor. Security looks (4) .............. an X-ray of your luggage. You take
any metal objects (5) ......................... your pockets and you go (6)
........................... the scanner. Then you pick (7) ........................ your
luggage. If Security sees something electronic, such as a radio, they may ask
you to turn it (8) .......................

Vocabulary
security check (veiligheidscontrole)
carry-on luggage / hand luggage (handbagage)
conveyor (lopende band)
X-ray (röntgenfoto)

3.2.5 Airport arrivals: going through customs

DIALOGUE BETWEEN TADASHI NAKAMURA AND THE CUSTOMS OFFICER

Customs Officer: Excuse me. Do you have anything to declare?

Tadashi Nakamura: No, nothing. Just the normal allowance.
Customs Office: Have you read the customs form, sir?
Tadashi Nakamura: Yes, I have.
Customs Officer: OK then, could you open up your suitcase for me,
please?

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Tadashi Nakamura: Sure.
Customs Officer: That's fine, thank you. You can proceed.
Tadashi Nakamura: Thanks.
Customs Officer: Enjoy your stay in the United States.

Vocabulary

customs officer douanebeambte

to declare something iets aangeven
the normal allowance dat wat normaal toegelaten is
customs form douaneformulier
to proceed verdergaan

3.2.6 Translate
1. De aansluitende vlucht naar Australië is helemaal volgeboekt.
2. We moeten overstappen op een binnenlandse vlucht.
3. De lijnvlucht naar Athene vertrekt om 11.15 uur.
4. De luchtvaartmaatschappij verontschuldigde zich voor de vertraging.
5. Vooraleer de vertegenwoordiger naar Rusland reisde, vroeg hij een visum aan.

flight attendant steward(ess)

cabin crew cabinepersoneel
to take off opstijgen
scheduled flight lijnvlucht
a stop-over tussenlanding
return trip terugreis
to go abroad naar het buitenland gaan
to exchange money geld wisselen
to apply for a visa een visum aanvragen
departure vertrek

3.3 TRAVELLING ON BUSINESS BY CAR

3.3.1 Fill in the correct words

traffic regulations - spare tyre - sharp bend – motorway – puncture – motorist –

roundabout - windscreen wiper - traffic jam - traffic/road sign – unleaded/lead-
free petrol - speed ramp – headlights – congested - speed limit - dead end street
/ cul-de-sac

1. Four roads meet at this (…..).

2. The (…..) said ‘Give Way’.
3. Stop and reverse, we are in a (…..).
4. The (…..) is 40 mph here.
5. The (…..) has 4 lanes and 2 fast lanes.

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6. After the accident there was an enormous (…..).
7. The roads in central Paris are often (…..) with traffic.
8. Another word for traffic rules is (…..).
9. Another word for a flat tyre is a (…..).
10. Have you got a (…..)?
11. Does your car use diesel or (…..) as fuel?
12. A person who owns a car is a (…..).
13. Slow down, there’s a (…..) ahead!
14. I had to drive to the nearest garage because my (…..) and (…..) were
broken.
15. Be cautious, you may not overtake in a (…..).

3.3.2 More vocabulary

van bestelwagen
road works wegwerkzaamheden
dual carriageway vierbaansweg
to change lanes van rijstrook wisselen
street sign straatnaambord
rush-hour spitsuur
signpost wegwijzer
one-way street straat met eenrichtingsverkeer
breakdown autopech
collision botsing
a short cut een kortere/snellere weg

3.4 TRAVELLING ON BUSINESS BY TRAIN

3.4.1 Fill in the correct words

slow train – platform - by rail – carriage - change trains – run – boarded - goods
train

1. From which (…..) does the train for London leave?

2. You have to (…..) at Manchester.
3. The (…..) stopped at every village.
4. I asked the guard how often the trains to Cambridge (…..).
5. I always go to work (…..).
6. I (…..) the train and went into a nonsmoker compartment.
7. When is the next (…..) with the cars from Liverpool due?
8. The bomb exploded in the second (…..) of the tube train / London
underground train.

3.4.2 More vocabulary

public transport openbaar vervoer

delay vertraging
to get on / off in- / uitstappen
track spoor(lijn)
a stop halte

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3.5 ASKING AND SHOWING SOMEONE THE WAY

3.5.1 Ask or say it in English

1 Vraag of iemand van hier is.
2 Vraag of er hier een geldautomaat in de buurt is.
3 Vraag hoe ver het is tot het dichtstbijzijnde metrostation.
4 Zeg dat hij de straat moet inlopen en dat het een twintigtal minuten te voet is.
5 Zeg dat hij rechtdoor moet gaan en dan de tweede straat rechts moet nemen.
6 Zeg dat zij de straat moet uitlopen en aan de lichten linksaf moet slaan.
7 Zeg dat iemand aan het kruispunt / zebrapad moet oversteken.
8 Vraag of je door de tunnel / langs het kanaal moet rijden.
9 Vraag of je tot aan de eerste rotonde moet rijden.

oval roundabout (ovonde)

Swindon’s magic roundabout

The traffic flow around the larger, inner roundabout is anticlockwise. The traffic flows in
the usual clockwise manner around the five mini-roundabouts and the outer loop.

10 Zeg dat iemand tot op het einde van de straat moet rijden.
11 Zeg dat iemand de richting ‘centrum’ moet volgen.
12 Zeg dat iemand de bus richting ‘station’ moet nemen en aan de derde halte
moet uitstappen.
13 Zeg dat de dienst Toerisme zich tegenover het politiekantoor bevindt.
14 Zeg dat het ziekenhuis net voorbij de bocht ligt.
15 Zeg dat het gebouw aan de rechterkant ligt.

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3.5.2 Role-play
Situatie: Persoon B is verloren gelopen en vraagt hulp aan persoon A, die daar
toevallig voorbijkomt.

B Spreek A aan en vraag om hulp.

A Reageer positief op de vraag naar hulp.
B Zeg dat je de weg kwijt bent en op zoek bent naar de Vlaanderenstraat,
die in de buurt van de kerk zou moeten liggen.
A Reageer verrast. Zeg dat je zelf in die straat woont. Leg de weg uit (straat
uit –derde straat rechts – eerste straat links – rotonde oversteken –
voorbij de kerk – tweede straat rechts)
B Reageer ontgoocheld en zeg dat je het nooit op tijd zal vinden (je hebt een
afspraak binnen 20 minuten).
A Vraag hoe laat het is.
B Antwoord 14.40 u.
A Aarzel even en zeg uiteindelijk dat je eigenlijk toch naar huis moet en
nodig B uit met je mee te lopen.
B Reageer zeer dankbaar en aanvaard de uitnodiging.
…..

A Zeg dat jullie in de Vlaanderenstraat zijn aangekomen en vraag op welk

huisnummer B moet zijn.
B Geef het nummer.
A Toon waar het ongeveer moet zijn (aan welke kant).
B Bedank A.
A Reageer vriendelijk op de bedanking.
B Antwoord.

3.6 SUMMARY

You are able to:

- book a hotel room
- travel on business by plane
- travel on business by car
- travel on business by train
- ask and show someone the way

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4 LETTER-WRITING

Although the layout of a business letter has not been strictly standardised the
following example can be used as a guideline.

4.1 THE STRUCTURE OF A BRITISH BUSINESS LETTER

GLOBAL Ltd. (1)

Communications systems
23 Harold Road
Morden, Surrey
Registered number: 760234 VAT:6319042 Tel. 01-324 98 Bank of England: 003-8798431-65

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your ref.: NSO/LS/PT (2)

Our ref.: 3/LS/D24/372/JN

Mr Thomas Bowles (3)

North Sea Oil Company Ltd.
25 Preston Road
London SW 2
10 October 2013 (4)

Dear Mr Bowles (5)

Layout of a business letter (6)

Body of the letter (7)

Yours sincerely (8)

(9)
Charles Stewart
Sales Manager

Enc (1) (10)

cc Mr Calderwood (11)

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Remark: In correspondence that does not have a printed letterhead, the
sender’s address is written on top of the right-hand side of the page.

4.1.1 Letterhead

PLACE

Letterheads are usually arranged on top of the letter. But, in modern business
letters parts may be put at the bottom of the page.

KIND OF INFORMATION

name and address of the company

line of business
telephone number
VAT number
registered office (zetel)
registration number (inschrijvingsnummer)
names of directors
logo
bank account number

4.1.2 References

PLACE: below the heading in the upper left-hand corner

POSSIBLE INFORMATION

correspondent’s initials
typist’s initials
a code for a file
a department number
a number indicating the quantity of letters written to that particular customer

REMARK

For reason of courtesy Your ref. is mostly placed above Our ref. Very often these
words are preprinted. They may also be left out.

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4.1.3 The address of the person or company the letter is sent to (=
inside address)

PLACE: below the reference line, on the left-hand side of the letter

PARTS

a) The name

one person only

Mr John Smith married/unmarried man
Mrs Lucy Smith married woman
Miss Mary Smith unmarried woman
Ms Sue Smith married/unmarried woman (neutral)

Remark: Either the first name or the initial of the first name can be used. But,
address the person exactly as he signs himself. If he signs as 'James Brown',
address him in that way and not as 'J. Brown'.

partnerships whose name includes a personal element

Messrs Smith and Jones Messrs is the abbreviation of Messieurs. It is used for
Messrs Smith and Co. a firm named after 2 persons or for a firm of which 1
person is named and the others referred to by Co.,
Sons or Bros.

b) The number and the name of the street

e.g. 47 (,) High Street

c) Town, county, country, postal code

Pinner
Middlesex
GREAT BRITAIN
HA4 5PJ

Remarks
The name of the town may also be followed by a comma and
the name of the county.
Some firms still use the old system and put the postal code
behind the town.
The name of the country is only mentioned in international
correspondence.
For companies based in large towns the name of the county is
not typed.
e.g. Messrs W. Brownlow & Co.
600 Grand Street
London
UNITED KINGDOM
WIN 9U2

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 Companies based in London often put the postal code behind
the town and do not type the name of the country.
List of the counties of Great Britain, see
http://www.abcounties.co.uk/counties/list.htm

4.1.4 The date

PLACE
The date is placed on the right-hand side of the letter. It is found between the
inside address and the salutation.

FORM
See ‘Technical communication – Numbers’

REMARKS
Do not use abbreviations like Nov. or ’09.
Do not use an ordinal number for the days, except in the body of the letter
when you refer to a day without mentioning the month, e.g. We hope to
see you on the 25th.

4.1.5 Salutation

FORMAL SALUTATION

a) Use

when you don’t know the addressee personally

b) Forms

Dear Sir to a man / name unknown

Dear Madam to a woman / name unknown
Dear Sir or Madam to a company (you don’t know the addressee)
Dear Sir/Madam
Dear Sirs plural + masculine
Dear Mesdames plural + feminine / when the partnership consists of
women only

LESS FORMAL SALUTATIONS

a) Use

when your correspondent is known to you personally or when you have traded
with him for some time

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b) Forms
Dear Mr Brown
Dear Mrs Brown
Dear Miss Brown
Dear Ms Brown

REMARK: The salutation should always be in the same style as the complimentary
close.

4.1.6 Subject line

PLACE: The subject line is put between the salutation and the body of the letter.
It may be centrally arranged.

FORM

To draw attention the subject is often underlined or in bold print.

The subject line does not end with a full stop.

4.1.7 Body of the letter

Some important points you should always keep in mind are:

It is now customary to set the business letter out in the blocked style.
This means that the paragraphs are separated from each other by leaving
one space between them.
Letters should be grammatically correct, brief, clear and to the point.
Contractions such as we'll / don't / ... are not used in correspondence.
Make sure there are no spelling mistakes and/or typing errors.

4.1.8 Complimentary close

PLACE: normally some spaces below the body of the letter on the left-hand side.

FORMS

Formal Less formal

Yours faithfully Yours sincerely

REMARK

The complimentary close should always be in the same style as the salutation.

Dear Sir or Madam Yours faithfully (BE)

Dear Mr Smith Yours sincerely (BE)

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4.1.9 Signature – name and function correspondent

Always sign your letters by hand and in ink. To sign with a rubber stamp is
a form of discourtesy.
If you sign the letter in behalf of someone else you can write ‘for’ or ‘pp’ (=
Latin per procurationem) before the name.

4.1.10 Enclosure

FORM
Enclosure(s) / enclosure(s) / Enc. / enc. / Enc / enc

REMARKS
If there are several enclosures, the names of the documents are listed or the
number of the enclosures is noted.
e.g. Enc.:
(1) Brochure
(2) Invoice A-5017

1 Enc.

Enclosures (2)

4.1.11 Copy

PLACE: below or instead of the enclosure

FORM + MEANING

e.g. cc Mr Calderwood
cc = carbon copy. This means that the recipient is informed of the fact that a
copy is sent to Mr Calderwood.

Other possibilities:
- Copy
- Copies to

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4.2 THE LAYOUT OF AN AMERICAN BUSINESS LETTER

Potter & Sons

1256 Sherwood Avenue, Beachport, RI 12901
Telephone: 215-996-4831 Fax: 215-996-3522
[email protected]
www.pottersons.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 4, 2013

Mr. Thomas Bowles

Advertising Director
Quick Copy, Inc.
6599 State Street
Portland, ME 04456

Dear Mr. Jones:

American style letters

This is an example of a letter written in American style. It is a format that is commonly

used in the USA and Canada.

Notice that the date, the complimentary close, the name and the function of the
correspondent begin at the centre line.

The date at the right top of the letter (under the letterhead) is written in the American
style.

In the inside address the name of the city is followed by a comma, the abbreviation of
the name of the state and the zip code. Mr., Mrs. And Ms. are written with a full stop (or
‘period’ as the Americans call it).

The salutation is followed by a colon. The most common salutation for American
companies is Gentlemen:

Two common complimentary closes are Sincerely yours and Cordially yours. The
complimentary close is followed by a comma.

‘cc’ is also followed by a colon.

Sincerely yours,
[signature]
John Miles
Sales Manager

1 Enclosure
cc: Ms. Rita Davids

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List of the states of the USA and their abbreviation

Alabama AL
Alaska AK
American Samoa AS
Arizona AZ
Arkansas AR
California CA
Colorado CO
Connecticut CT
Delaware DE
District of Columbia DC
Federated States of Micronesia FM
Florida FL
Georgia GA
Guam GU
Hawaii HI
Idaho ID
Illinois IL
Indiana IN
Iowa IA
Kansas KS
Kentucky KY
Louisiana LA
Maine ME
Marshall Islands MH
Maryland MD
Massachusetts MA
Michigan MI
Minnesota MN
Mississippi MS
Missouri MO
Montana MT
Nebraska NE
Nevada NV
New Hampshire NH
New Jersey NJ
New Mexico NM
New York NY
North Carolina NC
North Dakota ND
Northern Mariana Islands MP
Ohio OH
Oklahoma OK
Oregon OR
Palau PW
Pennsylvania PA
Puerto Rico PR
Rhode Island RI
South Carolina SC
South Dakota SD
Tennessee TN
Texas TX
Utah UT
Vermont VT
Virgin Islands VI
Virginia VA
Washington WA
West Virginia WV
Wisconsin WI
Wyoming WY

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4.3 MAKING AN ENQUIRY

4.3.1 A general enquiry

A general enquiry is a short letter in which the sender asks for a catalogue,
price-list, brochure, samples or for a representative to call.

LETTER

Dear Sir or Madam

Enquiry for a catalogue and price list

I have a large hardware store in Southampton and I am interested in the electric heaters
you are now advertising in the West Country Gazette.

I await your illustrated catalogue and price-list with interest.

We hope to hear from you shortly.

Yours faithfully

VOCABULARY

enquiry - prijsaanvraag
hardware - hardware
electric heater - elektrische verwarming
gazette - krant

STRUCTURE

- Information about your own business / How doI know the supplier's name?
- Request for catalogue, price list, brochure, samples or for a representative to call.
- Looking forwqrd to receiving an early reply

4.3.2 A specific enquiry

LETTER

Dear Mr Jones

Enquiry for ‘Koolair’- air-conditioning units

Last year we bought from you a consignment of ‘Koolair’ air-conditioning units. We are
interested to know whether you are still making units of this type and, if so, we should be
glad to have particulars, including prices for quantities of not less than fifty. We should
require delivery within four weeks of order.

As the matter is urgent we should appreciate an early reply.

Yours sincerely

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VOCABULARY

consignment zending
particulars bijzonderheden

STRUCTURE

- reason for the enquiry

- description of the goods: kind, quality, quantity
- details of what you would like your prospective supplier to send you: catalogue,
price list, samples discounds, terms of payment/delivery, delivery time
- closing sentence

4.3.3 Useful phrases/sentences

FIRST CONTACT WITH SUPPLIER

We have learnt from Messrs Miller & Sons that you are suppliers /
manufacturers of ...
We have seen your stand at the Hanover Fair, and should be obliged if
you would forward us your ...

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR OWN BUSINESS

We are one of the leading importers of transformers in this country.

Information concerning our financial standing may be obtained from the
following firms: ...

REASON FOR THE ENQUIRY

As our stocks are running low / are almost depleted, we are in need of
...
We are most impressed with the CD players demonstrated by your
agent.

ASKING FOR A CATALOGUE AND PRICE-LIST

We have seen your advertisement in ... and should be glad if you would
send us your catalogue and price-list.
We have read your advertisement in ... and should be pleased to
receive your catalogue together with the price-list.

ASKING FOR A REPRESENTATIVE TO CALL

We would be grateful if you could arrange an appointment with your

representative.
We would appreciate a visit by your representative when he is in the
area.

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ASKING FOR SAMPLES

We need a new range of samples for our showroom.

We should be glad / grateful if you would send us samples of ...

ASKING DETAILS ABOUT GOODS / PRICES / TERMS / DELIVERY TIME / DISCOUNTS / ...

We should appreciate particulars about ...

Please quote us your best prices for the following items: ...
When replying, please mention your terms of delivery and earliest
delivery dates.
Can you guarantee delivery within 3 weeks of receiving orders?
We are also interested in your terms of payment and in discounts
offered for regular purchases and large orders.

CLOSING SENTENCES

We are looking forward to receiving your early reply.

4.3.4 Translate

1. We zouden graag uw catalogus en prijslijst voor magnetronovens

ontvangen.
2. Wilt u ons van ieder van de onderstaande artikelen een monster sturen?
3. Kunt u levering binnen 3 weken na ontvangst van de bestelling
garanderen?
4. Ik zou een bezoek van uw vertegenwoordiger zeer op prijs stellen;
misschien kan hij enige monsters meebrengen.
5. Kunt u ons a.u.b. de leveringsdatum bevestigen, aangezien verscheidene
van onze klanten op de levering wachten?
6. We gaan binnenkort een nieuw filiaal openen in Leicester.
7. We hebben uw adres te danken aan de Firma Townsend & Co.
8. Wilt u ons uw prijs opgeven voor 10 klopboormachines en 25
rooksnuffelaars?

4.3.5 Write a letter zie ander word doc 'write a letter p166 letter1'

LETTER 1

Afzender: Elektra nv / 9000 Gent / Bomanslaan 92

Geadresseerde:
The Southwall Engineering Co., 254 Smuts Avenue, Liverpool, L30 7KE
Brown Inc., 21 Estover Road, 60601 Chicago, Illinois
Situatie:
Elektra nv verwijst naar een artikel in het vakblad ‘The Engineer’ van
vorige week
In dit artikel staat uitvoerige informatie over elektromotoren die Southwall
maakt.
Als fabrikant van wasmachines heeft Elektra nv zulke motoren nodig.
Elektra nv zou graag een catalogus ontvangen met tekeningen,
installatieinstructies en een beschrijving van de elektromotoren.

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LETTER 2

Afzender: General Electronics / 1000 Brussel / Beethovenlaan 128

Geadresseerde: Sales Manager van Brown Ltd. / 21 Estover Road / PL6 7PZ /
Plymouth

Situatie:
General Electronics is zeer geïnteresseerd in de dvd-spelers die ze vorige
week op de British Industries Fair zagen. Het bedrijf is immers op zoek
naar betrouwbare en goede kwaliteitsproducten.
Vragen: Is er een korting voor een eventuele bestelling van 200 stuks? –
Hoeveel bedraagt de prijs? – Wat zijn de betalingsvoorwaarden? – Kan er
3 weken na de bestelling geleverd worden?

4.4 PLACING AN ORDER

Order form + covering letter

Correspondence concerning orders is largely routine, because buyers usually use

printed order forms. These order forms have the following advantages:
the forms are pre-numbered and therefore easy to refer to;
important details cannot easily be overlooked;
the general conditions under which orders are placed can be printed on the
back.
Order forms should be accompanied by a covering letter as it allows you to stress
particular points.

EXAMPLE OF A COVERING LETTER

Dear Sirs

We thank you for your letter of 5th July and enclose our order no. 237 for four of the
items.

Our customer requires all these items urgently. We therefore hope you will send them
immediately.

Yours faithfully

STRUCTURE OF THE COVERING LETTER

- reference to the enlosed order form

- closing sentence: request for early delivery or satisfactory completion

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4.5 VOCABULARY

4.5.1 Price

competitive prices concurrerende prijzen

At what price? Tegen welke prijs?
VAT / value-added tax btw
net price nettoprijs
invoice factuur

4.5.2 Payment

cash discount korting voor contant

to allow a discount een korting geven
quantity discount kwantumkorting
to be in the black uit de rode cijfers zijn, solvent zijn
a standing order doorlopende order, staande opdracht
(bv. huur)
direct debit domiciliëring (bv. telefoonrekening)
to take out a loan een lening aangaan
to take out a mortgage een hypotheek nemen
to pay something by instalments iets in termijnen afbetalen

Which is correct?

1 A blank cheque has no (.....) on it.

date
signature
amount

2 One method of payment is (.....) cheque.

with
through
by

3 Your current account is in the red. This means (.....)

you have no money in the account
you have money in the account

4 My salary is monthly transferred to my (…..)

deposit account
savings account
joint account
current account

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4.5.3 Order

to cancel an order een bestelling annuleren

the execution of an order de uitvoering van een bestelling
a firm offer een vaste offerte

4.5.4 Delivery

to deliver from stock uit voorraad leveren

a range of goods een assortiment aan goederen
a trial order een proefbestelling
the packing de verpakking
to replenish the stocks de voorraad aanvullen

4.5.5 Other words

gross / net profit brutowinst / nettowinst

subsidiary dochteronderneming
to recommend a manufacturer een fabrikant aanbevelen
trade fair handelsbeurs
turnover omzet
profitable rendabel / winstgevend
supply and demand vraag en aanbod
wholesaler groothandelaar
retailer detailhandelaar

4.6 SUMMARY

You are able to:

- write a British business letter
- write an American business letter
- make a general/specific enquiry
- place an order

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5 EMAIL

5.1 INTRODUCTION
Email has now overtaken paper correspondence and fax as the main mode of
communication between companies. Individuals who have had frequent contact
with each other can use a relatively informal style and sometimes very brief
messages. An impersonal but friendly style is more usual in standard business
situations.

5.2 EMAIL STRUCTURE

Examples of an email

Example 1

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Example 2

Dear James

Further to our telephone discussion on Thursday, I am delighted to tell you that we are
now able to reduce the price of our Peach Series computers by 10%. This is due to the
recent fall of the dollar. Each computer now also comes with a free PH7054 colour
printer. I am attaching our new price list.

We look forward to receiving your order. If you need any further information, just let me
know.

Best regards

Jim Hutton
Sales
Data Services
Howard House
456 Hinley Road
London WC1 1OR

5.2.1 Subject headings

Many businesses receive hundreds of emails every day. A lot of these messages
are “junk mail”, usually advertising. Many people do not even open these
messages – they delete them straight away. For this reason it is important that
your emails have a short, clear subject heading which encourages the reader to
open the message. This also helps to ensure that the message goes to the right
person.

What subject headings can you put for these messages?

Subject: ………………………………………..
bank charges, money transfers

Dear Mr Hui

Please can you tell me what your bank charges for money
transfers? I would like to make a transfer to Japan.
…

Subject: ………………………………………..
Spare parts electronic products

Dear Ms Jones

Thank you for your email. Unfortunately we do not stock spare parts for
electronic products.

I suggest you contact Woshiba Radios directly and ask where your nearest
service centre is. Their email address is [email protected].
…

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5.2.2 Salutation

This corresponds with the salutations in letter-writing. However, Dear Sir, Dear
Madam and Dear Sirs are less frequently used. first contact, formal style

Extra possibilities

less formal – Either you have had contact with this

Dear James person before, or he has already addressed you by
your first name.
Dear Smith & Jones when emailing to a company
Hi/Hello Mary informal - usually used with colleagues you often work with/
Mary may be used at first contact sometimes
no salutation very informal - usually used in message which are parts of a longer
amail exchange
5.2.3 Some ways to begin a message
We are writing to enquire about …
We are interested in … and we would like to know …
..........................................................................................
I am writing in connection with ...

5.2.4 Some ways to introduce the subject of a message when

referring to a previous contact
With reference to (our telephone discussion on Thursday…)
With regard to (your company’s advertisement in The Times of ...)
.........................................................................................
Furter to (our telephone conversations)
.........................................................................................

5.2.5 Some ways to end a message

This corresponds with the closing sentences in letter-writing.

If you gave some information in your message, you can close:
I hope that this information will help you.
If you need any further information, please (feel free to / don’t
just let me know
hesitate to) contact me /please let me know / ...........................

5.2.6 Complimentary close

The way you close a message depends on how you open it.

Yours sincerely very formal - rarely used in emails

Regards most commonly used - can be used in formal and
Best wishes
Kind regards informal emails
………………………………….
best regards
Bye friendly - informal emails
All the best
Best
James first name only (or initials) is also common when writing to close
Mary colleagues

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5.3 MESSAGE STYLE

For a student of English, this can be a problem, because if you use the wrong
style, you can cause offence or give the wrong impression. For this reason, in
this course you will learn a style that you can use in most situations.

Writing tips
Think of the register of your email.
Contractions are possible.
Be polite and diplomatic.

5.3.1 Register
The register of an email (how formal or informal it is) depends on the type of
message and who you are writing to. An email about rescheduling a meeting
might be less formal than an enquiry. Similarly, an email to a new customer or
the CEO of your company would probably be more formal than an email to an old
customer or a colleague.

Salutation and complimentary close (see 5.2)

Vocabulary
The vocabulary used can make an email formal or informal: e.g.

Formal Informal
to arrange to set up
to assist to help
assistance help
to contact to get in touch
convenient OK
to enquire (from someone) to ask
to inform to tell
to postpone / to delay to put off
to purchase to buy
to receive to get
to regret to be sorry
to reply to answer
to require to need

Text-message abbreviations
The use of abbreviations are more common in informal emails (e.g. between
colleagues).

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Although some standard abbreviations (like asap) are also found in formal
emails.

Write the following email ‘lingo’ in full :

AFAIK As far as I know

asap as soon as possible
ATB All the Best
B2B Business to Business
BTW by the way
CU See you
F2F Face to Face
FYI for your information
HTH hope this helps
IMO In my opinion
REQ request
Rgds regards
Colloquial phrases
When English native speakers write to each other as close business
acquaintances (less formal emails) they often use colloquial phrases. Be careful
when using these phrases as they can make your English sound too familiar
when used in the wrong context.

Colloquial language Standard language

to check something out to look at something in detail
to touch base with somebody to get in contact with somebody
to send something by snail mail to send something by post
to mail* somebody to send somebody an email
to give somebody the low-down to give somebody information
to chase something up (AE: down) to try to find or get sth (that is missing)
to be out of the loop to be out of touch / not have heard sth
to put something on hold to postpone something

* In AE to mail als means sending something by the traditional postal service.

Emoticons
These written forms of body language or gesture are often used in less formal
emails to help the recipient understand exactly what you mean.
:-) I’m happy (smiley face)

:-( I’m unhappy (sad face)

;-) I’ve made a joke or said something funny (one eye closed)
:-› Sarcastic comment – more powerful than ;-)
O:-) I’ve just made a sweet remark (face like an angel)
:-O I’m angry or shocked (shouting face)
:-l No comment (neutral face)

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5.3.2 Contractions
Emails often reflect spoken English and tend to use contractions instead of the
full form.
e.g. it’s, can’t, don’t

5.3.3 Be polite and diplomatic

If you are polite and diplomatic, you will usually get a better response and better
service. Users of English often do the following to show politeness and
diplomacy.

Say please and thank you.

Thank you for your email/order.
Please can you send me your catalogue?

Avoid being direct.

Do not write ‘Your prices are not acceptable.’
Write e.g. We think your prices are rather high.

Ask rather than order.

Do not write ‘Send it straight away.’
Write e.g. Please send it as soon as possible? (colleagues) / We would be
grateful if you could send it … (formal – first contacts)

Avoid blaming or accusing the addressee.

Do not write ‘You’ve made a mistake with my order.’
Write e.g. I am afraid there is a problem with the order.

Understate the point.

Do not write ‘There is a problem.’
Write e.g. It seems we have a small problem.

Be careful when showing emotion. Using exclamation marks and writing

words or phrases in capital letters can make your message too strong; it
can look like you are shouting.

Do not write ‘Joanne, I’m still wating for a reply!!

Write e.g. Could I please remind you of my email I sent to you the day
before yesterday?

Do not write ‘ I needed the report on MONDAY.

Write e.g. Just writing to you what happened to your report. I needed it
*Monday* and it’s now Friday. Can we discuss?

5.3.4 Extra writing tips

If you are writing a reply to an email, erase all unnecessary parts of the
original message.
Divide your message into paragraphs.
Check your email before you send it.

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5.4 CONTENTS OF A MESSAGE

Say it in English

Bedank iemand voor de mail van 6 juni.

Zeg dat de prijslijst als bijlage is meegestuurd. (4 mogelijkheden)
Zeg dat de zender vergeten is het rapport als bijlage toe te voegen.
Zeg dat je de bijlage helaas niet kunt openen. Vraag of de zender de
bijlage in een andere versie kan opsturen.
Zeg dat je van de ontvanger van de mail graag een
ontvangstbevestiging zou willen krijgen.

5.5 EXAMPLE OF A LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Unless otherwise agreed expressly in writing by (name senior manager) of (name

company), this communication is to be treated as confidential and the
information in it may not be used or disclosed except for the purposes for which
it has been sent. If you have reason to believe that you are not the intended
recipient of this communication, please contact the sender immediately.

5.6 EXAMPLES OF AN OUT-OF-OFFICE REPLY

Thank you for your email message. I shall be out of the office until … Your
message has been forwarded to … for action.
Thank you for your e-mail message. I’m out of the office at the moment and
will attend to your message as soon as I get back. If you need an urgent
response, please call …
I will be out of the office from … to … and will not be checking my email. If
your query cannot wait until my return, please email my colleague, (name), at
…
I am currenty out of office and can only provide a limited follow-up to
messages. I will return to office on … For urgent matters, please contact our
secretariat.

5.7 EXERCISES

5.7.1 Register – Vocabulary: Complete the emails below.

Dear Mr Bass

I am writing to (1) about your range of less exclusive products. Our company has
diversified recently and, in addition to the professional equipment we have previously
(2), we now (3) products for the hobby golfer.

Could we (4) a meeting to see one of your sales representatives who can (5) us about
your products? The week of 19 August would be (6) for us.

As I will be out of the office from 2 to 6 August, please (7) my assistant, Sylvie Jouet,
directly.

Best regards
Simon Smith

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Hi Sylvie

Just a quick note to say we are very (8) for the delivery delay.

I’m afraid we’ll have to (9) the delivery date for 10 days because of the truck drivers’
strike. When exactly do you (10) the goods? If it’s very urgent I’ll (11) the managers of
the forwarders whether we can (12) a special delivery somehow.

I’ll (13) asap, but please let me know the latest date for the goods.

Despite this, have a nice day.

Rgds

Jean

5.7.2 Register – Text-message abbreviations

The use of abbreviations is not the only way native speakers try to keep their
informal email messages short. They often also omit articles, pronouns and
auxiliary verbs.

Look at the following sentences and write them out in full.

1 Thx for yr email. I’m glad u recvd the pkt OK. Great 2 hear u like the pics.
2 Looking fwd to seeing u next wk.
3 Tia for yr help.
4 Will be in touch tomorrow with updated figures.
5 Pls call me re our meeting on Thurs am.
6 Just a quick email to give you new dates.
7 Got any exciting plans for the w/e?
8 No info on pay rises at the mo. Hope to hear sth soon though.

5.7.3 Register – Colloquial phrases

Rewrite the email using standard language

Hello Sally

Thanks for getting in touch and giving me the low-down on the March sales meeting.
BTW, I called Barbara’s office and tried to chase up the January figures but she’s been on
holiday – so no success there. Perhaps you could touch base with Gary and ask him to
mail me the info directly. I hope he can – I’d hate to have to put the meeting on hold.

Oh, one last thing: can you send me a few of the new brochures? No hurry – snail mail
will do.

Bye
Jon

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5.7.4 Register – Emoticons

Add the appropriate emoticon

1 Have a nice weekend!

2 You’re great. Thanks so much for helping. What would I do without you?
3 Have you heard Paula’s leaving the company & moving to the competition.
4 My computer crashed yesterday & I lost all my data.
5 I don’t believe you’re finally going on holiday. In fact, I didn’t think you even
knew what a ‘holiday’ was.

6 You’re going to the conference with Steve? Do you know what he’s like?
7 Sorry, I can’t talk about that. Top secret!

5.7.5 Register – General exercise

Read the two emails and find at least five things that make them either formal
or informal.

Hi Sam

I’m coming over to Bern for a conference in 2 weeks & was wondering if you could sort
out somewhere for me to stay? I’ve got a bit of info about the conference hotel, it’s the
Hotel Bern in Viktoriastra e 43, but not sure I want to stay there.
Can you help me pls?

Hope this is OK with you!

Teresa

PS How about meeting up for a drink one night? ;-)

Dear Sam

I’m writing to you about my visit to Bern. I’m attending a conference on 20 March and
hope you can assist me in arranging accommodation. I’ve tried the tourist information
office but they weren’t very helpful.

The conference hotel is Hotel Bern in Viktoriastra e 43 but I’d prefer to stay in a smaller
guest house in the vicinity. Unfortunately I don’t know Bern so it’s rather difficult to find
out where the best accommodation is.

I really hope the above is convenient.

Best regards
Teresa

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5.7.6 Contractions

A virus has knocked out all apostrophes in the sentences. Put them back in.

1 The employees were asked to comment on a non-smoking policy. Well report

the results in our next online bulletin.
2 Were happy the negotiations ended positively for both parties.
3 Heres the survey. Remember, well have to scrap the product if its not popular.

5.7.7 Be polite and diplomatic

The following messages sound impolite in English. Why? Make them more polite.

Your company delivered the goods very late. This is very bad service. Please
deliver on time in the future.

I received your letter. I have sent the goods. You will get them on Tuesday.

What’s your price for a Delphi ZX45 modem?

Rewrite the email to make it more polite.

Dear Thomas
could
Jane at headquarters gave me your name and said you will help me. I need some
information about the upcoming trade fair in Berlin.

1) Who is attending from the Berlin office?

2) How many hotel rooms have you booked?
3) What time and where is the Tuesday night reception?

Send me the information immediately. ask rather than order

Kind regards
Martin
could you please give me your extension number?
PS I want you to send me your extension number too. I can’t find it on the international
list.

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Rewrite the email to make it more diplomatic.

Bob
a slight *last week*
We have a problem! I asked you to send me the conference details LAST WEEK but I still
haven’t received anything. What’s going on?!
unfortunately, the hotel needs the info today the situation is rather serious
Now the hotel has asked me for the info today or we will lose the reservation. This is NOT
a good situation!! This is the ONLY hotel available in Liverpool for our dates and I don’t
want to have to change the conference location. could you please take care of this as soon as
possible?
PLEASE TAKE CARE OF THIS IMMEDIATELY!

Jack thanks in advance

5.7.8 Write an email

Travelling on business: confirm the booking of a hotel room (formal email)

Je gaat op zakenreis en hebt telefonisch een kamer in een hotel gereserveerd.

Daarna stuur je via mail een bevestiging van de datum, het type kamer en de
gewenste maaltijd.

Verwijs naar het telefoongesprek van deze morgen.

Bevestig je reservatie van een eenpersoonskamer voor niet-rokers en met
een eigen badkamer.
Je blijft één nacht: 11 maart.
Je wenst een ontbijt.

Making appointments: confirming an arrangement (informal email)

Je gaat op zakenreis en zal Peter een heel goede zakenrelatie op maandag 21

maart ontmoeten. Je stuurt een e-mail om jouw bezoek te bevestigen.

Je vraagt of Peter jou van het station zou kunnen afhalen.

Je trein komt om 10 uur ’s morgens aan.
Je bedankt Peter.
Je kijkt ernaar uit om de nieuwe productie-afdeling van het bedrijf te zien.
(gebruik een emoticon)

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5.8 BRITISH AND AMERICAN ENGLISH

Besides the obvious difference in accent when speaking, there are some
important differences when writing.

Style
AE writers use a more informal style than BE writers.
If an AE writer does not know the person’s name, they may use the job title, e.g.
‘Dear Corporate Section Manager:’

Spelling
Consult unit 2 : Spelling.

Vocabulary
Consult unit 4 : Vocabulary.

Grammar
AE usually uses the past simple where BE uses the present perfect.

Writing tip
You can use either AE or BE. The most important point is that you are consistent,
or it will look like a mistake. Check in a dictionary if you are not sure.

Exercise
Read the American email below and find the differences with a British email (5.2)

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 colon = :

British English American English

spelling catalogue, colour, centre catalog, color, center, colon after
salutation
vocabulary
ground floor first floor

grammar your telephone call ON Friday your telephone call friday.

we have received / received a We received a cancellation this morning
cancellation this morning

5.9 SUMMARY

- You are able to structure an email.

- You are able to write a message and you pay attention to the style of it.
- You know what a legal disclaimer is.
- You are able to write an out-of-office reply.
- You know the differences between British and American English in emails.

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6 TELEPHONING

6.1 SAYING TELEPHONE NUMBERS

In the UK, telephone numbers are pronounced in groups of three or four.

However, each digit is read out individually.
e.g. 0525372671: oh-five-two-five-pause-three-seven-two-pause-six-
seven-one
0 is pronounced oh/zero.
For double figures there are two possibilities.
e.g. 77: double seven / seven seven
When the last two digits are 00 we read hundred.
e.g. 7322300: seven-three-double two-three hundred
When the last three digits are 000 we read thousand.
e.g. 497000: four-nine-seven thousand

Exercise: read the following phone numbers

7846325
2084569953
022876510 (Brussels)
108659300

6.2 THE ALPHABET

Video lesson – Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –

Pronunciation – The English alphabet
Spelling of names and towns: TLF, Grammar 1, map 24, exercise 5
Spelling of words: TLF, Grammar 1, map 24, exercise 6

6.3 READING ELECTRONIC ADDRESSES

[email protected]

http://www.hogent.be

[email protected]

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 translate into english/dutch
synonym
AE variants

6.4 STANDARD VOCABULARY

Where is the nearest (tele)phone box / call telefooncel

box / (tele)phone booth?
I had a (telephone) call from our agent in telefoontje
Spain.
He (tele)phones / rings (up) / calls (up) telefoneert/belt op
/ gives a ring - BE /gives - makes a call
from a phone booth.
Mr Jackson is on the phone. is aan de lijn
This phone number has six digits. cijfers
You can find the number in the (tele)phone telefoonboek
book/directory
You will find our number in the yellow gele/gouden gids
pages.
Subscribers get a new directory every year. abonnees
Will you answer the phone / take the call, de telefoon aannemen
please?
The phone is ringing. gaat over
You have dialled the wrong number. het verkeerde nummer draaien
The dialling code for Liverpool is 151. netnummer / kengetal
(AE: area code)
Do I have to put down the receiver/ hoorn
handset?
My extension number is 18. toestelnummer
What’s his direct dial number? doorkiesnummer
You cannot use this phone because it is out stuk / defect
of order.
Could you call/ring me back tonight? terugbellen
(AE: to get back to someone)
I would like to make a reverse/transferred betaald oproepgesprek
charge call.
(AE: collect call)
If you make a collect call, the recipient/ ontvanger
telephonee will pay the costs.

Do you want an outside line? buitenlijn

I have a crossed line, I can hear other verbinding met derde abonnee
people talking in the background. er doorheen
I had a bad/poor line so that I couldn't slechte verbinding
understand anything.
Will you put me through to Mr Steel? doorverbinden
(AE: connect)
Would you hold on / hold the line, please? aan de lijn blijven
He will probably ask you to hang up / ring ophangen
off (only BE).
I will pass on the message to our accounts doorgeven
department.

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If a phone number starts with 0800, you can gratis bellen
call free / phone free.
A local call is far less expensive than a long- lokaal gesprek
distance call / trunk call (BE). interlokaal gesprek

If the people you are calling are talking to de lijn is bezet

somebody else, you say that the number/
line is engaged./ AE: the line is busy

With a mobile phone / cell(ular) phone mobiele telefoon / gsm

you can phone from any place.
Have you got an answering machine / antwoordapparaat
answer phone?
The overseas number / code for internationaal toegangsnummer
international calls / international prefix
is double oh.
There is an overseas call call for you. buitenlands gesprek
The tone you will hear when you first pick up kiestoon
the telephone is the dialling tone (BE) /
dialing tone (AE)/ dial tone.
The engaged tone is the tone you will hear bezettoon
should the number you require be engaged.
The connections between the extensions binnenkomende gesprekken
within a firm and the incoming and buitengaande gesprekken
outgoing calls are made through the
operator.
What is the charge for a telephone call? tarief
You should check his subscriber's number. abonneenummer
The country code of Belgium is 32. landnummer
The main parts of the telephone are the
receiver, which you lift off the cradle/hook haak
and the dial. kiesschijf
A press-button telephone has keys to telefoon met druktoetsen
select a number. toetsen
When you have lost contact with the person verbroken
you were phoning you have been
disconnected/cut off.
If you don't know someone's number you can inlichtingen
call directory enquiries.
(AE: directory assistance)
A number which is not in the telephone privé-nummer
directory is an ex-directory number.
(AE: an unlisted number)
I have dialled a wrong number. verkeerd nummer
While we were talking, the connection was verbinding
broken.
I'm afraid Mr Budding is on another line. is telefonisch in gesprek
Could you speak up/louder, please? luider spreken

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6.5 VOCABULARY EXERCISES

6.5.1 With which terms do the definitions correspond?

the number of a town or village

to choose a telephone number
a call which will be paid for by the person
receiving the call
to connect by telephone
a device with which telephone calls can be
recorded
book with addresses and phone numbers
of business
any number from 0 to 9
to put the receiver back
a person who has a telephone connection

6.5.2 Complete the conversation with the correct idioms in the correct
form

a crossed line / go dead / be cut off / put someone through / take the call / hold
the line / out of order / get through / ring off / the line is engaged

'I've been trying to ring my brother Nick at work, but I couldn't (1) to him. First
of all, it took me half an hour to find a phone-box that worked - the first three I
went into were all (2). I dialled Nick's number and heard it ringing, then there
was silence, nothing! The line had simply (3). I dialled again and got a wrong
number. The third time, Nick must have been phoning someone himself because
(4). At the fourth try I had (5) - I could hear two people having a rather
personal conversation. The fifth time, I managed to speak to Nick's secretary. I
asked her to (6) to Nick. She told me to (7) and I heard her ask Nick if he
wanted to (8). Of course he said 'Yes' and we exchanged a few words, then for
some reason we (9) and we lost connection. By this time I was very angry. I
dialled a sixth time, but it was a bad line, so I had to (10). When I tried again
later, the secretary told me that Nick had left the office for the afternoon!' 'How
annoying! But tell me, what was it that you wanted to tell your brother so
urgently?' 'That my home telephone's out of order! Nick is the head of the fault
section at British Telecom.'

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6.6 TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS

Video lesson – Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –

Business communication - Telephoning

6.6.1 Answering the phone: identifying the caller and yourself

Fill in the missing sentences

Woman 1 : Hello. Data Systems. This is Jennifer. (1) .....................................?
Man 1 : Good morning. Intel Publishing. (2) ......................................?
Woman 2 : (3) ..................................... Alliance. (4) ................................
How may I help you?
Man 2 : PR Systems, good afternoon. How may I direct your call?

Dutch
1 Hoe vraag je hoe je iemand kunt helpen / van dienst kunt zijn?

How can I help you? / May I help you?

2 Bedank iemand voor het telefoontje.

Thanks you for calling

3 Zeg dat de heer X aan de lijn is.
This is mr. X speaking

Give three alternative sentences for sentence 3

1 Joey speaking
2 my name is Joey Defauw from ...
3 (this is ) Joey here

Other useful phrases

Listen to the four dialogues and complete.

Dutch English
Person called Who shall I say is calling?
Wie mag ik aanmelden? Who is on the line?
Wie is er aan de lijn? Who’s calling/speaking, please?
………………………………………………………………………
may I ask who's calling
May I tell him who's calling
……………………………………………………………………..
May I ask your name?
……………………………………………………………………..

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6.6.2 Asking to be connected and transferring calls

Fill in the missing sentences

Dialogue 1
Woman: Hyatt Incorporated. How may I help you?
Man: Yes. My name is Larry Tate from California Internet. (1)
........................... Mrs. Christensen?
Woman: Sure. Just a minute, (2) ..............................

Dialogue 2
Man: Thanks for calling The Weekly. This is Ken speaking. How may I help you?
Woman: Yes. (3) ..............................................
Man: One moment. (4) ...........................................

Dialogue 3
Man: Bio-Tec. How may I direct your call?
Woman: Hello. I'm calling for Joe Russell.
Man: Just a second.

Dialogue 4
Woman: Hello. Penn College. Admissions Department. How may I help you?
Man: Hello...Um...I'm calling for...uh...Jody Warrens?
Woman : Oh right. You mean Judy Warrens?
Man: Yes. I think that's right.
Woman: Hold on one second. (5) ...........................................................

Hoe kun je vragen om te worden May I speak to ...

doorverbonden? I'm calling for ...

Hoe kun je iemand doorverbinden? I'll transfer you...

Let me transfer you ...
I'll put your through her line ...
Other useful phrases – translate

Dutch English
Ik zou graag met de heer Henderson
I'd like to speak to/with Mr. Henderson, please.
willen spreken, a.u.b.
Ik schakel over op een andere
binnenlijn.
I'll transfer the call to another extension
house line
inside line

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6.6.3 Holding the line

Fill in the missing sentences

Dialogue 1
Man 1: American Chamber of Commerce. How may I help you?
Man 2: Yes. I was calling for the secretary to executive director.
Man 1: (1) .......................................
Man 2: Sure.

Dialogue 2
Man: Good morning. Compaq.
Woman: Hi. May I speak with Helen please?
Man: I'm sorry she's on another line. (2) ...........................................
Woman: Yes. I'll hold.

Dialogue 3
Man 1: Geo Markets. This is Ben speaking. May I help you?
Man 2: Yes, I’d like to speak to Don Henderson please.
Man 1: I'm sorry he's with a client right now. (3) ............................................
Man 2: No, I don’t mind. Thanks.
Dialogue 4
Woman: Hello?
Man: Yes. Is this Language Systems?
Woman: Yes, it is. May I help you?
Man: Yes. I’d like to speak with the manager.
Woman: She's with a customer right now. (4) ..............................................
Man: Actually, may I hold for her?
Woman: Sure. No problem.

Dialogue 5
Man 1: A&R Insurance. May I help you?
Man 2: Yes. My name is Kevin Richards from Great Western Bank. May I speak to
someone in accounting please?
Man 1: Sure. Just a moment please.

Hoe kun je vragen dat iemand aan de lijn blijft?

1 Hold the line please.

2Would you like to hold?

3 Would you mind holding

4 Just a moment, please

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Other useful sentences: u wilt iemand doorverbinden, maar het lukt niet
– translate

Dutch English
Zou u later kunnen terugbellen? Could you call back later ?
Sorry, ik krijg geen antwoord.
Sorry, there is no reply/respons
Helen is op dit ogenblik in vergadering. Helen is in a meetinf. At what number can
Op welk nummer kan zij u bereiken? you be reached?
Ik probeer de heer Robinson te I'm trying to reach Mr. R., but his line seans
bereiken, maar de lijn blijkt to be engaged/bussy all the time. Shall I
voortdurend bezet te zijn. Zal ik hem ask him to call you back?
vragen dat hij u terugbelt?

6.6.4 Leaving messages

Fill in the missing sentences

Dialogue 1
Man 1: Dr. Jackson's office.
Man 2: Yes. This is Tony Reynolds. May I speak with Dr. Jackson please?
Man 1: I'm sorry Mr. Reynolds, he’s with a patient right now.
Man 2: (1) .......................................................
Man 1: Sure.
Man 2: Please tell him that my wife’s fever has gone and that she feels much
better right now.
Man 1: OK. Anything else?
Man 2: Yes. Could you please (2) ...............................................................
at home when he gets the chance?
Man 1: Sure. What's your number?
Man 2: It's 234 9934.
Man 1: OK. I'll let him know.
Man 2: Thanks.
Man 1: Sure.

Dialogue 2
Man 1: Hello. Liberty Stocks. How may I help you?
Man 2: Yes. This is Harrison Brown calling for Mr. Kline.
Man 1: Mr. Kline is away from his desk.
Man 2: (3) .........................................................?
Man 1: Sure.
Man 2: Once again. This is Harrison Brown. I want him to sell 50 % as soon as
possible and could you have him call me at the office?
Man 1: Does he have your number?
Man 2: Yes, he does.
Man 1: OK. I’ll let him know.
Man 2: Thank you.

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Wat zeg je als je een boodschap wil achterlaten?

Useful phrases – translate

Dutch English
Ik zal later terugbellen.

Ik bel u in verband met een factuur die

ik heb ontvangen.
De reden waarom ik bel is …

6.6.5 Taking messages

Fill in the missing sentences

Dialogue 1
Man 1: Hello, G&H. May I help you?
Man 2: Yes. I'd like to speak to Ray Johnson please.
Man 1: I'm sorry he's not in right now. (1) ...................................................?
Man 2: Yes. Could you please have him call Harry Donald at 555-4564?
Man 1: Sure. No problem.
Man 2: Thank you.

Dialogue 2
Man: Northern Electric. This is Jack. How may I direct your call?
Woman: Hi. May I speak with Janice Jones?
Man: Janice is at lunch. She'll be back in about an hour.
Woman: (2) ....................................................?
Man: Sure.
Woman: Please tell her that Sue Grant called. Could you have her call me back
at home?
Man: Does she have your number?
Woman: Yes.
Man: OK. I'll let her know.
Woman: Thank you.
Man: No problem.

Dutch
1 Zou u een boodschap willen achterlaten?

2 Zou ik haar een boodschap kunnen

achterlaten?
Zou u een boodschap kunnen aannemen
/ doorgeven?

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6.6.6 Unclear line and bad connection

Fill in the missing sentences

Dialogue 1
Man 1 : Hello may I speak to Ron please?
Man 2: Hello?
Man 1: Hello. Yes. May I speak to Ron please?
Man 2: Hello. I’m sorry, I can’t hear you. (1) ..............................................
(2) .........................................

Dialogue 2
Man 1: New York Legal Associates. How may I help you?
Man 2: Yes. I would like to speak to someone in accounting please?
Man 1: I'm sorry sir, I can’t hear you.
Man 2: Yes. I would like to speak to someone in accounting please?
Man 1: Sir. I'm sorry I can't hear you at all. (3) ........................................

Dutch
1 Zeg dat het een slechte verbinding is.

It's a bad connection.

2+3 Hoe kun je zeggen dat je later terugbelt – vragen dat iemand later
terugbelt?
I'll call back later. / please call us back.

Translate

Wilt u iets langzamer spreken, a.u.b.?

Wat zegt u? Ik versta u zeer slecht.
We hebben blijkbaar een slechte
verbinding. Zou u iets luider kunnen
spreken?

6.6.7 Wrong number

Fill in the missing sentences.

Dialogue 1
Man: Western Wear. May I help you?
Woman : Uh... Isn't this Office Max?
Man : No. I'm sorry. (1) ..............................................................
Woman : Sorry about that.
Man : No problem.

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Dialogue 2
Man 1 : Hello?
Man 2 : Hi. May I speak with Robbie Robertson?
Man 1 : I think you have the wrong number.
Man 2 : (2) ................................................
Man 1 : It's all right.

Dialogue 3
Woman : Hello. Doctor's office. Can I help you?
Man: Hello. I'm calling for Jane Heller.
Woman : Who?
Man : Uh... Jane Heller.
Woman : I'm sorry (3) ......................................................................
Man : Is this 7980983?
Woman: No. This is 7980986.
Man : Oh, sorry about that.
Woman: It's Ok.

English
1

Other useful phrases – Translate

English Dutch
Het nummer is gewijzigd.
De gevraagde persoon is onbekend.

6.7 OTHER USEFUL SENTENCES FOR THE CALLER AND THE PERSON
CALLED

6.7.1 Hoe kunt u iemand bedanken?

That’s very / most kind of you.

Thank you very much for your help/the information
I’m grateful for your assistance.

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6.7.2 Hoe kunt u reageren als u bedankt wordt?

My pleasure. / It was a pleasure to help.

You’re welcome.
Not at all/ Don’t mention it.
I’m glad I could be of assistance.

6.7.3 Hoe kunt u het gesprek afsluiten? – Geef vier mogelijkheden.

Bye.
Thank you for calling.
Nice speaking to you.
See you. (informal)

6.8 SUMMARY

You are able to:

- say telephone numbers
- use the alphabet
- read electronic addresses
- use standard vocabulary
- answer the phone
- ask to be connected
- transfer calls
- ask to hold the line
- leave messages
- take messages
- deal with unclear lines and bad connections
- deal with wrong numbers
- deal with some other standard situations

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7 MEETINGS

7.1 CONVENING / CALLING A MEETING

convening a meeting: for a formal meeting

calling a meeting: for a less formal meeting

Example of an email

Dear All,

There will be a special meeting of the Budget Committee on Thursday 7 April at 2.30 in
the Board Room. The main item of business will be to consider the implications of the
cuts announced last week. I attach the agenda and a copy of the CEO’s report for your
convenience.

Would you please inform me, when you cannot attend the meeting?

Regards,

Tom

7.2 THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

1 Welcome and Introduction De opening van de vergadering

2 Apologies for Absence Bericht van afwezigheid of verhindering
3 Adoption of the Agenda Goedkeuring van de agenda
Consideration of the Agenda
less usual in the English-speaking
countries
4 Minutes of the Previous Meeting Notulen vorige vergadering
5 Matters Arising Stand van zaken
6 Correspondence Ingekomen stukken
(ook buitengaande correspondentie)
7 General items on the agenda Wisselende agendapunten
8 AOB (= any other business) Varia
9 Next meeting Volgende vergadering
10 Adjournment De sluiting van de vergadering

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7.3 THE CHAIRPERSON

Video lesson – Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –

Business communication - Meetings

7.3.1 Welcome and introduction

True or false?

The chairperson opens the meeting and thanks the attendees for
their presence. true
The chair circulates an attendance list. false
The chair is the person who runs/chairs the meeting. t
The chairperson introduces the agenda items. t
The chairperson asks the minute-taker to take/keep the minutes. t

Hoe vraagt de voorzitter of iedereen een agenda heeft?

has every body have an copy if the agenda/ does everyone have an agenda?
................................................................................................................
Hoe vraagt de voorzitter of iemand wil notuleren?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
would you mind taking minutes/ Could someone take the minutes, please?
Hoe opent de voorzitter de vergadering officieel?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
well, then lets get started
Some alternatives:
Let’s begin, shall we?
Let’s get down to business.
I declare open this meeting.
I call this meeting to order (more formal).

Hoe verwoordt de voorzitter het doel van de vergadering?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
objective/ purpose / aime of today's meeting is to discuss the proposal.
We're here to ...
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7.3.2 Apologies for absence

Mr/Madam Secretary, have you received any apologies for absence?
Mr/Madam Secretary, would you please record these apologies?

7.3.3 Adoption of the Agenda = goedkeuring van de agenda

Do I have a motion to adopt/approve the agenda?

7.3.4 Minutes of the Previous Meeting

Does anyone wish to propose any amendments to the minutes?
If not, I move that the minutes be taken as read. Is this seconded? /
Do I have a seconder?
I propose that the minutes be approved/accepted/adopted as
amended.

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7.3.5 Correspondence
Mr/Madam Secretary, is there any inward/outward correspondence?

7.3.6 General items on the agenda

Hoe moedigt de voorzitter de aanwezigen aan om aan de discussie deel te

nemen? (4 answers)
let's hear from
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
i'd like to open it up for discussion
les't open it up for discussion
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
do you have a view
Who'd like to start the discussion
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
what's your view
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Some alternatives:
Jane, would you like to kick off?
Jane, would you like to get the ball rolling?

Hoe gaat de voorzitter over naar het volgende punt op de agenda?

Could we now move on to the next item on the agenda?
Let’s move on to the next item on the agenda, Item 4.

Hoe vat de voorzitter de discussie samen? (3 answers)

To sum up...
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
in summary
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
so the main points are
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Hoe stelt de voorzitter voor om over een voorstel te stemmen?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
we'll put it to a vote
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
all those in favour? All those against?
Some alternatives:
Perhaps we should vote on this.
Let’s take a vote on it.

Outcome – fill in
very formal meeting motion carried / not carried by vote
formal meeting recommendation agreed / not agreed by vote
less formal meeting decision can be taken by consensus consensus
(reaching an agreement
7.3.7 AOB during the meeting =
Is there any other business? consensus)
Any further points?

7.3.8 Next meeting

Can we set the date for the next meeting, please?
The next meeting will be on …

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7.3.9 Adjournment
If there is no other business, then this meeting is adjourned/closed.
If nobody has anything to say, then I’d like to close the meeting.

7.4 THE ATTENDEES

7.4.1 Zeg of vraag in het Engels

1 Hoe spreek je de voorzitter tijdens de vergadering aan?

a chairman mister chairman/chairperson
a chairwoman mister chairman/chairperson / madam chairperson
2 Vraag aan de voorzitter of je het woord mag nemen.
3 Vraag of je eens mag onderbreken.
4 Iemand onderbreekt jou, maar je accepteert de interruptie niet. Wat zeg je?
5 Hoe introduceer je je mening tijdens de discussie?
6 Vraag of iemand anders jou begrijpt.
7 Zeg dat je het nog eens zult doornemen.
8 Je wil controleren of je iemand goed begrepen hebt. Wat kun je zeggen?

7.4.2 Replace by another word/phrase

I propose that … suggest
I’m sorry. I don’t quite follow you. I'm not quite with you
I didn’t hear what you said. catch
That’s not what I meant. That's not what I had in mind

7.5 GENERAL EXERCISES

7.5.1 Translate

1 De bestuursvergadering is gepland om 10 uur ’s morgens in de conferentiezaal.

2 Ik heb de jaarlijkse algemene vergadering naar volgende maand verschoven,
zodat u genoeg tijd hebt om het rapport te lezen.
3 We hebben beslist de vergadering uit te stellen omdat de Duitse
onderhandelaars pas morgen in Brussel kunnen zijn.
4 Wegens een staking werd de bestuursvergadering afgelast.
5 Nadat we over de nieuwe fusieplannen hadden gestemd, werd de vergadering
geschorst.

7.5.2 Role-play

Situatie: vergadering met discussie. De voorzitter (A) verwelkomt de

aanwezigen en leidt de vergadering in. Een deelnemer (B) komt iets te
laat binnen.

A Verwelkom de aanwezigen en introduceer het thema: “Moet roken op het

werk worden toegelaten?” Vraag de opinie van een deelnemer aan de
discussie.

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B Je komt te laat binnen op de vergadering. Begroet de aanwezigen en
verontschuldig je bij de voorzitter voor de onderbreking.
A Aanvaard de verontschuldiging. Herneem je inleiding en vraag de mening
van B.
B Zeg dat je de vraag niet helemaal begrepen hebt.
A Herhaal je vraag met andere woorden en controleer of ze nu duidelijk is.
B Zeg dat het duidelijk is. Druk een negatieve opinie ter zake uit.
A Vraag om verduidelijking.
B Verklaar je nader en geef aan dat je het vervelend vindt dat A je niet
begrijpt.
A Verdedig je door te zeggen dat B je verkeerd begrepen heeft.
B Aanvaard de verontschuldiging en zeg dat je A niet wilde beledigen.
A Bedank B en ga verder door B te vragen om zijn mening te illustreren met
een ervaring die hij zich herinnert van zijn vroegere werkomgeving.
B Leg uit dat er binnen niet mocht worden gerookt.
A Toon interesse voor die maatregel.
B Rond het gesprek af door te zeggen dat het voorstel misschien op een
volgende vergadering verder behandeld kan worden.
A Stem in met B’s voorstel en vraag aan de andere aanwezigen of iedereen
akkoord gaat.
B Vraag toestemming om even de vergadering te verlaten omdat je een
telefoonoproep krijgt.
A Geef de toestemming en stel voor dat de vergadering over een kwartier
wordt voortgezet.
B Bedank A en verontschuldig je voor de onderbreking.

7.6 SUMMARY

You are able to:

- use standard vocabulary
- convene/call a meeting
- chair a meeting
- take part in a meeting as an attendee

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8 TAKING MINUTES

8.1 TAKING MINUTES DURING MEETING

Date
Secretary
Chairman
Present
Not present

Subject – Decisions - Actions Responsible Deadline

8.2 MINUTES OF A MEETING

Compared to Dutch there are three important linguistic differences in the

minutes of a meeting:

1 the use of indirect/reported speech

2 the use of the past tense
3 the way conclusions are formulated

8.2.1 Reported speech – sentence structure

main clause subordinate clause

Statement He/she said … (that) …
reported that …
claimed
agreed
announced
confirmed
noted
Request to someone asked X + to + infinitive + something
for something + to be + past participle
Request to do sth. asked X + to + infinitive + something
Yes/no-question asked whether/if …
wondered
Wh-question asked who/which/when/what/where/how …
wondered

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8.2.2 Past tense

VERBS IN SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

Direct speech Indirect speech

I write he wrote
I am writing he was writing
I wrote he had written
I was writing he had been writing
I have written he had written
I have been writing he had been writing
I had written he had written
I had been writing he had been writing
I will write he would write
I will be writing he would be writing
I will have written he would have written

REFERENCES TO TIME AND PLACE IN SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

Direct speech Indirect speech

this that
these those
here there
now then
today on that day
tomorrow the day after

8.2.3 Conclusions

In a report a conclusion is preceded by Resolved:

The sentence following starts with That.
The form of the verb is bare infinitive + past participle.

e.g. Resolved: That John Smith be appointed minute-taker.

8.2.4 Other remarks

The minutes start with a short description of what the meeting was about
and with the date of the meeting.
e.g. Meeting to discuss office redesign – 1 March 2015
Votes are usually recorded.
e.g. The committee decided by 6 votes to 1 to take on a new salesperson.
The action points are short and simple.
e.g. Sue: to look for new computers.

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8.3 EXERCISES

8.3.1 Turn the sentences into reported speech

1 May I address the meeting?

2 We will not be able to afford it.
3 Sales have risen during the first quarter.
4 When will the new timetable be available?
5 Would you please withdraw the motion?
6 Has anyone read the minutes of the previous meeting?
7 This is a good idea.
8 Will it be possible to make the report available tomorrow?
9 It can only lead to dissension.
10 I see that the letter arrived today.

8.3.2 Formulating conclusions

Read the extract of a meeting and formulate the two conclusions

Right. Let’s wrap up things here. Good work as always. Before you all go, I just want to
go over what we’ve decided this afternoon. Now, we’ve decided to redesign our current
offices rather than moving into new premises. So we’ve decided that we’ll contact three
interior designers and ask them to give quotations for redesigning the office.

Conclusion 1:

Conclusion 2:

8.3.3 Listening and writing exercise

Audio lesson: see Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –

Audio lessons – Business communication

Listen to a meeting between managers at a call centre and complete the minutes
of the meeting

Present
Apologies

Recording of the votes

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Action points
Sheila

Susie

David

Next meeting

8.4 SUMMARY

You are able to:

- take minutes during a meeting
- write the minutes of a meeting
- use reported speech

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9 REPORTING

9.1 STANDARD VOCABULARY

acknowledgement / quotation of sources bronvermelding

Appendix Bijlage
Annex
bar chart staafdiagram
bibliographical entry titelbeschrijving
title description
brief – mandate - remit opdracht
column kolom
to commission a report een rapport bestellen
Conclusion Besluit
diagram schematische voorstelling
Executive Summary Samenvatting
Management Summary
Glossary Verklarende woordenlijst
Glossary of Terms
graphs grafieken
histogram histogram, kolommendiagram
in-text citation tekstnoot
in-text reference
Introduction Inleiding
legend legenda
limitations/constraints of the investigation de beperkingen van het onderzoek
line graph lijndiagram, grafiek
List of Abbreviations Lijst met afkortingen
Main body Middenstuk
major findings belangrijkste bevindingen
paragraph alinea
pie chart cirkeldiagram
Preface Voorwoord
Acknowledgements (BE)
Acknowledgments (AE)
(Foreword)
recommendations aanbevelingen
to refer verwijzen
Roman numeral Romeins cijfer
row rij
scope reikwijdte
section hoofdstuk (in een rapport)
source bron
subsection paragraaf
subtitle ondertitel
Table of Contents Inhoudsopgave
Contents
tables and figures tabellen en figuren
terms of reference aanleiding en reikwijdte
begrenzing van het onderwerp
Title page Titelpagina

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9.2 LAYOUT OF A REPORT

The different elements

Title page
Executive Summary / Management Summary
Preface / Acknowledgements (BE) / Acknowledgments (AE) / (Foreword)
Table of Contents / Contents
List with illustrations
Introduction
Main body
Conclusion
List of References / Bibliography
Glossary of Terms / Glossary
List of Abbreviations
Appendix / Annex

9.2.1 Title Page

the title (and subtitle)

the author’s name and function
the date: month and year
name and/or logo of the organisation responsible for the publication
of the report
(reference number)

Form of the title and the subtitle

Exercise: Make an English title

Introductie huisstijl introduction of house style

Volgorde sprekers orde of speakers

9.2.2 Executive Summary / Management Summary samenvatting

9.2.3 Preface / Acknowledgements (BE) / Acknowledgments (AE) /

Foreword (= less usual)
voorwoord
This is a short paragraph thanking any person or organization which gave you
help in collecting data or preparing the report.

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Sample sentences
We wish to thank … for their assistance in preparing this report.
We would like to acknowledge the assistance we received from …

9.2.4 Table of Contents / Contents inhoudstafel inhoudsopgave

9.2.5 List with illustrations

lijst met illustraties
9.2.6 Introduction
doel aanleiding
It consists of three parts: The Objective, The Terms of Reference and The
Structure of the Report structuur van het report

The Objective is the most important part and is mentioned first.

The Terms of Reference sets the scene for the report. It should define the
scope and limitations/constraints of the investigation (for example your deadline,
permitted length). It should also say who the report is for and what you want to
achieve.
The Structure of the Report gives an outline of the structure of the report.
e.g.

Exercise

1 Supply two alternatives for: The objective of this report is to develop a set of
guidelines that …

2 Terms of reference - Zeg dat:

het uw opdracht was om RGB sensors te onderzoeken.
dit rapport besteld werd door … om … te onderzoeken.
u werd gevraagd advies te geven en aanbevelingen te doen over …

3 Structure of the report

Zeg dat het rapport als volgt is gestructureerd: …
Zeg dat het rapport uit drie hoofdstukken bestaat.
Welke werkwoorden kun je gebruiken om in The Structure of the Report
de inhoud van een hoofdstuk weer te geven?
Section 1 …

9.2.7 The main body

DIVISION

The main body of the report is divided into: sections, subsections and
paragraphs. For the numbering of the sections and subsections use the decimal
system (3 levels). In subsections a further subdivision with letters is possible.

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EXAMPLES OF SUBTITLES niet kennen, gewoon info

Analysis of the results Analyse van de resultaten

Approach Aanpak
Areas of concern Aandachtspunten
Areas of strength Sterke punten
Background Achtergrond
Clarification of … Uitleg bij …
Current strategy Huidige strategie
Definitions
Evaluation criteria Criteria voor evaluatie
General assumptions Algemene veronderstellingen
General observations Algemene waarnemingen
General principles Algemene principes
Methods used Gebruikte methodes
Methods of investigation Onderzoeksmethodes
Overview of … Overzicht van …
Procedures Procedures
Relevant legislation Relevante wetgeving
Views of … Visie / Opvatting van …

IN-TEXT CITATIONS / REFERENCES

Use the APA-style (for further information consult the syllabus ‘Onderzoeks- en
Communicatievaardigheden)

TABLES AND FIGURES

Exercise: Fill in the missing words

pie chart - labelled – rows – adjacent - histogram - legend – stages – line graphs
- columns - segments – bar chart – flowchart – figures – bars – intersect - table

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There are different types of diagrams or (1). In a report they are (2).

A (3) is a circle divided into (4) from the middle to show how the total is
divided up. A key or a (5) shows what each segment represents.
A (6) is a diagram in which different amounts are represented by thin
vertical or horizontal (7) which have the same width but vary in height. A
(8) is a kind of a bar chart but the bar width also varies to indicate
different values.
A (9) is a diagram which indicates the (10) of a process.
(11) are drawn by plotting points on them and then drawing a line to join
(12) points. If there are two lines, they can cross or (13). But the lines
can also run parallel to one another.
This type of diagram shows how numbers increase (rise/grow) or decrease
(fall/drop/decline)

A (14) is a grid with (15) and (16).

Some conventions

Capital letter Each item (word or short sentence) begins with a capital.
Title Examples
Table 9: College housing

Fig. 9: Software Installation Flowchart

Fig 9: …

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Acknowledgement The source is mentioned under the title of the table or
figure.
e.g. Source: Mulhall, 2010
Referring Sample phrases
Table 5 shows the results of …
As shown by the data in Figure 1 …

Exercise: referring to tables and figures

Supply three alternative verbs and then turn the sentence into a passive:
Table 5 shows the results of …
Supply an alternative phrase: As shown by the data in Table 1 …
Zeg dat ‘grafiek 1 en 2 een overzicht geven van …’.

9.2.8 Conclusion niet op examen

This part consists of the conclusion itself and recommendations.

Examples for subtitles are:

Conclusions Recommendations
Major findings Analysis and recommendations
Proposed solution Outlook for (year)

Some sample sentences for a conclusion:

In this report, we have addressed three specific questions: …
Our investigation produced the following major findings: …
Five main issues arose concerning technical aspects of …
We conclude that … should be …

Some sample sentences for a recommendation:

In order to achieve X, we recommend / it is recommended … that (something)
should be done.
If X is to be achieved, we advise / it is advised … that (someone) should do
(something).
To achieve X … (someone) needs to do (something).

Exercise: sentence structure of a recommendation - Complete the table

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

doel adviserend werkwoord advies (zou moeten)

verb: verbs: verbs:

to achieve to advise/ recommend should/ need

9.2.9 List of References / Bibliography

Depending on the contents, this part is called References/List of References

or Bibliography.

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What is the difference?

References are items referredto in the report. A Bibliography contains additional material not
specially reffered to, but also used while writing or preparing the report.

The APA-style is a commonly used method for bibliographical entries.

Example of a website: Kleur, geur en smaak. (2004). Geraadpleegd op 19 oktober

2008 via http://www.kleurenengeuren.be
Translate into English:

kleur, geur en smaak (2004), Retrieved October 19, 2008 from http://...

Some other differences:

- see https://www.scribbr.nl/apa-stijl/verschil-tussen-nederlands-en-engels-bij-
de-apa-stijl/
- see http://taaladvies.net/taal/advies/tekst/87/literatuurlijsten_algemeen/

9.2.10 Glossary of Terms / Glossary

9.2.11 List of Abbreviations

9.2.12 Appendix / Annex

Some ways to refer to an appendix in the text are:

As can be seen in Appendix A, …
The tests we carried out (see Appendix I for details) indicate that …
The conditions are described in Appendix II.
The data are given/shown in Appendix C.

Each appendix gets a title and starts on a new page.

Answer the questions:

1 What is the plural form of ‘appendix’? appendices (BE) - appendixes (AE)
2 How can you refer to the appendix in a report?
Roman numeral or capital letter
9.3 TONE AND STYLE OF THE REPORT

problem construction used examples

referring to reader Management should consider …
(Main body) Consideration should be given
to …
translating ‘men’ Many people find that …
(Main body) It is often found that …
giving opinions It is our view that …
giving recommendations We recommend that …
(Conclusion)
The Committee feels that …
It was felt that …

Do not use contractions such as: I’ve, don’t, it’s, …

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9.4 EDITING YOUR REPORT

This checklist may help you in editing your report. Can you tick off each item?

Contents
1. Have you clarified your purpose?
2. Have you identified your reader’s needs/characteristics?
3. Have you identified the main points?
4. Are points supported by evidence?
5. Is the information relevant to the purpose?
6. Do the figures add up?
7. What is the balance between sections?
8. Is the report easy to follow? Will the readers understand it?
9. Is it easy to find information in the report?
10. Are the arguments followed through?
11. Is the report logical/easy to follow?
12. Is the report clear, direct, easy to read?
Form
13. Is the lay-out appealing?
14. Does the lay-out highlight important points?
15. Are the references correct, in the text and at the end?
16. Are all sources of information listed in the References section?
17. Are abbreviations consistent?
18. Are images clear?
19. Do the most important items have the most space?
20. Are headings and numbering clear?
21. Will the tone of the report help you achieve the purpose?
22. Is the grammar correct?
23. Are there any spelling mistakes?
24. Can unnecessary words/phrases be deleted?
25. Is there any repetition?

9.5 SOME FURTHER QUESTIONS

1 What are five essential items of a title page?
2 In which part do you thank all people that gave you help in collecting data or
preparing your report? Give a sample sentence to do this.
3 Discuss the contents of the ‘Introduction’.
4 Study the translation of the possible subtitles of the main body.
5 Discuss the following conventions for tables and figures: capital letter, title,
acknowledgement and referring.
6 Give two possible sentences to introduce the conclusion of your report.
7 What are common subtitles in the Conclusion?
8 How can you express a recommendation in the Conclusion? Give two sample
sentences.
9 Discuss the tone and style of a report.

9.6 SUMMARY

You are able to:

- use standard vocabulary
- write standard sentences
- apply conventions
- answer questions about a report

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10 APPLYING FOR A JOB

10.1 VACANCY

SERVICE ENGINEER (M/V) (Regio Kortrijk)

Vereiste studies
Prof. bach. Elektromechanica: Elektromechanica
Kandidaten gelijkwaardig in ervaring komen ook in aanmerking voor deze
vacature.

Talenkennis
• ENGELS (goed)
• DUITS (in beperkte mate)
• NEDERLANDS (zeer goed)
• FRANS (goed)

Werkervaring
beperkte ervaring

Contract
Type contract: Onbepaalde duur
Tijdsregeling: Voltijds
Soort job: Vaste Job

Regio
Regio Kortrijk

Vacaturedatum: 04 juni 2014

Laatst gewijzigd op: 04 juni 2014
VDAB referentie: 53063329
JOB-JAGER zoekt

1 SERVICE ENGINEER (M/V)

Opstarten van machines • Herstellen van machines [zowel mechanisch als elektrisch] • Kennis
van pneumatica en hydraulica • Analytisch denken [problemen analyseren en detecteren] •
Zelfstandig kunnen werken • Internationaal reizen en weekendwerk • Kennis van PLC’s [B&R,
Siemens, ..] • Een echte problem solver Dit in overleg met uw teamgenoten en met
terugkoppeling met productieafdelingen en onderzoeksteam.

Gezocht profiel
Je hebt een hogere opleiding industriële wetenschappen (elektromechanica, …) of
gelijkwaardig door ervaring. • Je hebt een gerichte interesse in machinebouw en industriële
wasserijmachines en bent bereid je hierin te vervolmaken. • Je beschikt over een analytische
geest en getuigt van dynamiek, zelfstandig en nauwkeurig werken met hoge inzet • Je gaat
analytisch te werk steeds met het oog op betrouwbaarheid, kostenbewustzijn en
standaardisatie • Je communiceert vlot in het Nederlands, Engels en Frans en beschikt over
noties Duits

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Jobgerelateerde competenties
• Monteren van onderdelen of stukken van de industriële of exploitatieuitrusting
volgens de machinevoorschriften, documentatie, ...
• De industriële of exploitatie-uitrusting afstellen en de werking ervan
controleren
• Een storing in de installatie lokaliseren en technische oplossingen en
herstellingsvoorwaarden bepalen
• De componenten van defecte systemen identificeren, herstellen of vervangen
(tandwielstellen, kogellagers, hydraulische verdelers, onderdelen van
gestuurde processen, ...)
• De technische werking uitleggen aan klanten of gebruikers en hen
begeleiden bij het in gebruik nemen van de installatie
• De opvolggegevens van interventies registreren en de informatie doorgeven
aan de betrokken dienst
• Het werk van leveranciers of dienstverleners controleren

Persoonsgebonden competenties
• bereid zijn tot leren
• klantgericht zijn
• resultaatgericht werken
• samenwerken
• zelfstandig werken
• plannen en organiseren
• nauwkeurig werken
• werkinstructies volgen
• creatief zijn
• commercieel inzicht hebben

Aanbod en voordelen
Een job in een internationaal gerenommeerd, gezond bedrijf met de slagkracht van een grote
onderneming en de dynamiek en flexibiliteit van een KMO. • Een gevarieerde functie met
uitdagende projecten en inspraak bij de uitvoering van de diverse toepassingen • Een
motiverende verloning conform jouw functie en profiel

Plaats tewerkstelling
Regio Kortrijk

Solliciteren
JOB-JAGER
Oude Baan 145
2990 WUUSTWEZEL

Mogelijk te solliciteren via onze website: http://www.job-jager.be/node/4301

Dit is een job ingegeven door onze partner waarmee VDAB een
samenwerkingsovereenkomst heeft m.b.t. het uitwisselen van vacatures. De
informatie werd niet nagekeken en gecontroleerd door de VDAB. De VDAB is
niet aansprakelijk voor de inhoud van deze werkaanbiedingen of advertenties, en
de eventuele inbreuken hierin op de geldende wetgeving.

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10.2 LETTER OF APPLICATION
When you apply for a job in an American company in Flanders use the American
spelling and the layout of an American business letter.

Structure of the body of the letter

Opening paragraph
- Mention the post you are applying for.
- Specify where you have read the employment advertisement or heard of the
vacancy.

Central part
- Give information about your education.
- Indicate why you show special interest in the job and the company.

Closing sentence
Refer to a job interview.

Say it in English

Opening paragraph
Zeg dat je solliciteert voor de functie van … en dat de functie
bekendgemaakt is in het vakblad …
Zeg dat je van de heer … vernomen hebt dat er een vacature is voor …
Zeg dat je graag voor de functie in aanmerking zou willen komen.

Central part
Zeg dat je afgestudeerd bent als professionele bachelor … aan de
Hogeschool Gent in …
Zeg dat de job je vooral interesseert omdat …
Zeg dat je onder de indruk bent van de prestaties van het bedrijf.

Closing sentence

Zeg dat je uitkijkt naar een antwoord.

Zeg dat je hoopt verdere details in een sollicitatiegesprek te kunnen
bespreken.

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CURRICULUM VITAE (BE): two pages

Persoonlijke gegevens P……………………. d……………………….

Wat vermeld je hier onder elkaar?

Opleiding E…………………………. and Q……………………………….

Hoe rangschik je je diploma’s?

Hoe vemeld je dat je een professionele bachelor hebt

behaald aan de Hogeschool Gent?

Werkervaring W………. e……………………………………

Hoe rangschik je je werkervaring?

Wat vermeld je?

Vaardigheden S……………………….

Wat kun je hier o.a. vermelden?

Hobby’s I……………………………………

Referenties R………………………………………………

Hoeveel referenties worden normaal vermeld?

Wat vermeld je?

Wat kun je vermelden als je liever niet hebt dat de namen

voor een eventueel sollicitatiegesprek bekend zijn?

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RÉSUMÉ (AE): two pages and when you apply for a job in an American company in
Flanders

Persoonlijke gegevens P…………………. d…………..

Wat vermeld je?

Professional Objective (= a kind of window dressing)

Vaardigheden P………………………. S……………. S……………………..

Opleiding E…………………………….

see British CV
Werkervaring Work Experience
see British CV
Hobby’s Interests

Referenties References
see British CV

10.3 VOCABULARY DURING JOB INTERVIEW

Dutch Engels
aanwerven to recruit / to take on
afspraak appointment
anciënniteit seniority
bedrijfswagen company car
bekwaam competent
bijscholing extra training
carrièreplanning career planning
diploma diploma
bachelorproef thesis
ervaring experience
karaktertrek characteristic
loon wage
salary
loopbaan career
mobiliteit mobility

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opleiding schooling / training
organisatievermogen organizational skills
personeelsadvertentie employment advertisement
personeelsdirecteur human resources manager
personnel manager
persoonlijkheid personality character
profiel profile
sollicitant applicant
sollicitatie application
sollicitatiegesprek job interview
stage work placement (BE)
internship (AE)
stagiair trainee
sterk punt strength / asset
talenkennis command / knowledge of languages
vakgebied field / domain
vakliteratuur specialist / professional literature
vrije tijd spare time
zich interesseren voor to be interested in
zich kandidaat stellen to put oneself up for
zwak punt weakness

10.4 SUMMARY

You are able to:

- analyse a vacancy
- write a letter of application
- write a CV / résumé
- have a job interview

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UNIT 6: TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

Kennis Je kent de behandelde algemene, bedrijfsgerichte en

opleidingsgerichte woordenschat: bv. Engels – Nederlands,
Nederlands – Engels, synoniemen, phrasal verbs, BE-AE

Je kent de inhoud van de behandelde teksten.

Vaardigheden Je kunt het Engelse getallensysteem in diverse contexten
toepassen.

Je kunt de behandelde algemene, bedrijfsgerichte en

opleidingsgerichte woordenschat gebruiken, correct spellen en
uitspreken.

Je kunt opleidingsgerichte teksten begrijpen, interpreteren en naar

het Nederlands vertalen.

Je kunt opleidingsgerichte zinnen naar het Engels vertalen.

Je kunt opleidingsgerichte vragen in het Engels beantwoorden.

Attitudes Je hebt belangstelling voor informatie in het Engels binnen je
vakgebied.

Je zoekt woorden die je niet kent spontaan op in een woordenboek.

1 NUMBERS = getal cijfer = digit or figure

1.1 CARDINAL NUMBERS = hoofdtelwoorden hyphen = koppelteken

1.1.1 Forms

1 one 11 eleven 21 twenty-one 31 thirty-one

2 two 12 twelve 22 twenty-two 40 forty
3 three 13 thirteen 23 twenty-three 50 fifty
4 four 14 fourteen 24 twenty-four 60 sixty
5 five 15 fifteen 25 twenty-five 70 seventy
6 six 16 sixteen 26 twenty-six 80 eighty
7 seven 17 seventeen 27 twenty-seven 90 ninety
8 eight 18 eighteen 28 twenty-eight 100 a / one hundred
9 nine 19 nineteen 29 twenty-nine 1,000 a / one thousand
10 ten 20 twenty 30 thirty 1,000,000 a / one million

1,000,000,000: a/one billion (old-fashioned BE : a/one thousand million)

400: four hundred
biljoen: trillion (old-fashioned BE: billion)
140: a/one hundred and forty
1,006: a/one thousand and six
5,000: five thousand
260,127: two hundred and sixty thousand, one hundred and twenty-seven

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1.1.2 Remarks

A hyphen is used between the tens and the units.

From 1,000 numbers are divided in groups of three by means of a comma.
Nought / zero / nil / [ ] / love / cypher (cipher) / nothing

a) in mathematics

e.g. 0.02
BE: nought point oh two/ zero point zero two
AE: zero point zero two

b) in telephone numbers, reference and account numbers, room numbers

e.g. 09 242 02 15
BE + AE: oh/ zero

c) in temperatures

e.g. –5°C
BE + AE:minus 5 degrees centigrade /5 degrees below zero

Remark: The Americans use the Fahrenheit scale instead of the Celsius
scale.
To convert Fahrenheit into centigrade: subtract 32 and multiply by 5/9.
See also:
http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-fahrenheit.htm
http://www.albireo.ch/temperatureconverter

d) in zero-scores in team-games

e.g. Manchester United won 2-0.

BE: two to nil
AE: two to zero/nothing

e) in tennis

e.g. 30-0
BE + AE: thirty love

f) in a figurative sense

e.g. Hij is een grote nul.

BE + AE: he is a mere cypher/cipher.

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 The use of AND
a) When a number is composed of three or more figures we use and
before ..........................................................................................
units, tens, with hundreds of millions or thousands
e.g. 5,102: five thousand, one hundred and two
713: seven hundred and thirteen
320,410: three hundred and twenty thousand four hundred and ten
303,000,000: three hundred and three million
b) and is not used in .................
american English.
e.g. 875: eight hundred seventy-five

A / ONE before hundred, thousand, million, billion

A is only used at the beginning of a number and AND follows, otherwise we use ONE

e.g. 102: a/one hundred and two

1,040: a/one thousand and forty
1,235: one thousand two hundred and thirty-five
1,140: one thousand, one hundred and forty

Abbreviations

million: m thousand k
billion: bn

1.2 ORDINAL NUMBERS = rangtelwoord

1.2.1 Forms

first eleventh twenty-first thirty-first

second twelfth twenty-second fortieth
third thirteenth twenty-third fiftieth
fourth fourteenth twenty-fourth sixtieth
fifth fifteenth twenty-fifth seventieth
sixth sixteenth twenty-sixth eightieth
seventh seventeenth twenty-seventh ninetieth
eighth eighteenth twenty-eighth hundredth
ninth nineteenth twenty-ninth thousandth
tenth twentieth thirtieth millionth

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1.2.2 Remark

when ordinal numbers are expressed in figires the last two letters of the writeen word must be
added

e.g. first = 1st / second = 2nd / third = 3rd / fourth = 4th

1.3 FRACTIONS = breuken

a vulgar fraction: een gewone breuk

1.3.1 Simple fractions = denominator have 1 or 2 figures

numerator: (=teller) cardinal number

denominator: (=noemer) ordinal number

Examples
1/8: an/(one) eighth
4/9: four ninths
2 5/7: two and five sevenths

But
1/2: a/(one) half
1/4: a/(one) quarter
3/4: three quarters

1.3.2 Complex fractions

3 or more figure in the denominator

cardinal number over cardinal number

e.g. 317/509: three hundred and seventeen over five hundred and nine

1.4 DECIMALS

decimal fraction: decimale breuk

In decimals the ‘decimal point’ is used!

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Examples
0.5: point five
8.04: eight point oh / zero four
3.37 : three point three seven (BE) / three point thirty-seven (AE)

1.5 PERCENTAGES

Examples BE AE
50 %: fifty per cent / percent
3 ½ % three and a half per cent
7.75 %: seven point seven five per cent
20 – 30 %: from twenty to thirty per cent

Remarks
per cent: AE
percent: BE
second
pronunciation of per cent / percent : the stress is on the ................
syllable

1.6 RATIOS = verhoudingen

The relationship between figures is often expressed as a ratio.

Examples
1:7:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
a ratio of one to seven
Instead of saying ‘only 25 % of the customers’ we could write or say:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
one out of 4 / one in 4 customers

1.7 CALCULATIONS

1.7.1 Addition

e.g. 712 + 145 = 857

formal: plus - equals/is

1.7.2 Subtraction

e.g. 619 - 428 = 191

formal: minus - equals

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1.7.3 Multiplication

e.g. 17 x 381 = 6,477

formal: multiplied by - equals

informal – most common form in AE: times - is/makes

1.7.4 Division

e.g. 121 ÷ 11 = 11

formal: devided by - equals

Less formal - informal (<- niet voor examen, gewoon ter info)

small calculations example pronunciation

addition 6+8 = 14 and – is/are
subtraction 7-3 = 4 three from seven leaves/is four

seven take away three is/leaves

four
multiplication 3x4 = 12 three fours are twelve

three by four is/equals twelve

division 9÷3 =3 three into nine goes three (times)

1.8 DATES

1.8.1 The days of the week

Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday / Sunday

1.8.2 The months of the year

January / February / March / April / May / June / July / August / September /

October / November / December

1.8.3 Ways to write a date

Example: 21 maart 2004 / 2012

BE: 21(st) March 2004

AE: March 21(st), 2004

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Remark
When the date is written completely in figures, the British put the day first,
Americans put the month first.

1.8.4 Pronunciation of dates

Day + month British English:the twenty-first of march, March the twenty-first

Day + month American English: March twenty-first

Year: two thousand and four, twenty oh four

1.9 MONEY

1.9.1 British currency = munteenheid

£1: one pound

1p: 1 penny
£0.30 / 30p: 30 pence
£2.25 (sum consisting of pounds and pence together): two (pounds)
twenty-five

1.9.2 American currency

$1: 1 dollar
1c: 1 cent
$0.25 / 25c twenty-five cents
$6.59 (sum of dollars and cents together): six (dollars) fifty-nine
$1m: a / one million dollars
a penny: one-cent coin
a nickel: five-cent coin
a dime: ten-cent coin
a quarter: twenty-five-cent coin
a halfdollar: fifty-cent coin

1.10 SOME MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSIONS

< is less than

> is more/greater than
4 the (square) root of four
3
x the cube root of x / x to the power of three / x to the third power
22 two squared
3
3 three cubed / three to the power of three / three to the third power

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 24 two to the power four / two to the fourth power (AE)
pi /pai
± plus or minus / approximately
is approximately equal to
2x + 3y – z = 3z/4x
two x plus three y minus z equals three z divided by four x / equals three z
over four x

1.11 THE IMPERIAL UNITS AND THE UNITS IN SI

SI-units
The Imperial system is a collection of English units, first defined in the Weights
and Measures Act of 1824, later refined and reduced. The units were introduced
in the UK and its colonies, including Commonwealth countries (e.g. Australia and eg = for
New Zealand), but excluding the then already independent USA. The US example
customary units (also called standard units there) are slightly different from
the Imperial units.

CURRENT USE OF THE IMPERIAL UNITS

The United Kingdom completed its legal transition to SI units in 1995 (SI =
système international), but a few Imperial units are still in official use: draught
beer must still be sold in pints, roadsign distances are still in yards and miles,
and speed limits are in miles per hour. Most British people also still use Imperial
units in colloquial discussion: e.g. weight (ounces, stones and pounds), height
(feet and inches) and surface area (acre).
The use of SI units is increasingly mandated by law for the retail sale of food and
other commodities. Also in the British industry the SI units are used.
e.g. newton, joule, watt

CURRENT USE OF THE US CUSTOMARY UNITS

In the United States the US customary units are still in common use. The United
States is the only industrialized nation where metrication has been less forcefully
imposed than in other countries. Metrication is the process of introducing the
International System of Units or metric system.
In the United States the SI metric system of units is predominantly used in the
fields of physics, chemistry and the automobile industry. However, by and large,
the US customary units are still widely used in industrial manufacturing,
engineering, marketing and the general public of the United States.

1.11.1 Length (measure of length = lengtemaat)

1 inch, afk. enk. en mv. in. (2.54 cm / centimetres)

1 foot , afk. enk. en mv. ft. = 12 inches (0.3048 m / metres)
1 yard, afk. yd(s). = 3 feet (0.9144 m)
1 mile, afk. enk. en mv. m. = 1,760 yards (1.609 km / kilometres)

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Remarks
When there is more than 1 inch / yard / mile / centimetre / metre / kilometre
we normally use the plural of these words.
When there is more than 1 foot, we can either use foot or feet (more usual).

1.11.2 Square measure (oppervlaktemaat)

1 acre = 4047 m² / square metres (ruim 40 are)

1 square mile = 60 acres (259 ha)

1.11.3 Liquid measure (maat voor natte waren)

1 pint, afk. pt(s). (UK: 0.568 l / USA 0.473 l)

1 gallon, afk. gal(s). (UK: 4.546 l / USA: 3.785 l)

1.11.4 Weights (gewicht)

1 ounce , afk. enk. en mv. oz. (28.35 g / grams)

1 pound , afk. lb(s). = 16 ounces (0.454 kg / kilos / kilograms)
1 stone , afk. enk. en mv. st. = 14 pounds (6.35 kg)

Remarks
ounce / pound can take <s> in the plural when they are used as nouns, stone /
kilo / kilogram usually take <s> in the plural when they are used as nouns.

1.12 EXERCISES

1.12.1 How do you write and pronounce the Dutch numbers in BE and
AE?

(1) 153 (11) 125/725 125/725

153
(2) 5/6 5/6 (12) 10,01 10.01
(3) 22e (13) 173e 173rd
22nd
(4) 0,001 (14) 43926 43,926
0.001
(5) 1 : 5 (15) 1/6 1/6
(6) 48,991%
1:5 (16) 0,01% .01%
(7) 8671 48.991% (17) 91e 91st
(8) 6 1/2% 8,671 (18) 25/37 25/37
(9) 21,68 6 1/2% (19) 1304879 1,304,879
(10) 2 : 7 21.68 (20) 98%
98%
2:7

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1.12.2 Pronounce the symbol 0 AE BE
(1) 8.03 8. zero 3 8. oh 3/ 8. zero 3
(2) - 4°C minus 4 degrees centigrade, 4 degrees below zero
(3) My phone number is 427 3088. zero/oh
(4) Liverpool won 3-0. 3 to zero, 3 to nothing, 3 to nil
(5) .04 . zero 4, . oh 4
(6) I'm in room 204. 2 zero 4, 2 oh 4

1.12.3 How do you pronounce the calculations?

(1) 18 - 4 = 14
(2) 257 +125 = 382
(3) 13 + 9 = 22
(4) 57 x 62 = 3,534
(5) 125 - 68 = 57
(6) 56 ÷ 7 = 8
(7) 9 x 3 = 27
(8) 903 ÷ 21 = 43

1.12.4 How do you write and pronounce the dates in BE and AE?
(1) 07.11.08
(2) 04.5.82
(3) 08.01.97

1.12.5 Write the words in alphanumeric format

(1) one thousand, four hundred and forty-six
(2) three and three quarters
(3) eighty-five point seven six two
(4) the twenty-third of April nineteen ninety-five
(5) two million dollars
(6) five point seven billion dollars
(7) eight metres by four metres
(8) eight squared
(9) the square root of 16
(10) fifty-six over eighty-nine

1.12.6 Answer the questions

(1) Name the first four odd numbers.
(2) Name the first four even numbers.
(3) Name the first four prime numbers.

1.12.7 Pronunciation of numbers

TLF, grammar 1, map 24, exercise 4

TLF, grammar 1, map 24, exercise 8

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2 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

2.1 INTRODUCTION

electrical engineering elektrotechniek electrical engineer elektrotechnicus

electrotechnology electrotechnician elektrotechnisch
electrotechnics ingenieur
electricity elektriciteit electrician elektricien

Electrical engineering is about the generation and distribution of electricity

and its many applications. It includes electricity generating, electrical installation,
lighting and the maintenance of the equipment. Electricity generating is
concerned with power stations. Electrical installation deals with cables,
switchgear and connecting up electrical equipment.

Vocabulary

generation het opwekken van

application toepassing
lighting verlichting
maintenance onderhoud
power station
kracht centrales
switchgear schakel- en verdeeltoestellen
to connect up aansluiten

2.2 TRANSLATE

1 Volt is de eenheid bij het meten van de elektrische spanning.

2 Ampère is de standaard eenheid om de elektrische stroomsterkte te
meten.
3 De elektrische weerstand van een draad of circuit (gemeten in ohm)
vindt men door de spanning te delen door de stroom.
4 Watt is de eenheid van elektrisch vermogen. Eén watt is gelijk aan een
stroom van één ampère bij een spanning van één volt, of één joule per
seconde, of ongeveer 1/746 van een paardenkracht.
5 Gelijkstroom is een elektrische stroom in één richting. Wisselstroom is
een elektrische stroom die eerst in één richting gaat en daarna in de
tegengestelde richting.
6 Een zekering is een apparaatje dat een stukje draad bevat dat smelt,
als er een te grote elektrische stroom doorheen gaat, bv. bij een
blikseminslag.

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 7 Het potentiaal verschil is het verschil in elektrische kracht tussen twee
punten in een circuit.
8 Een gesloten circuit is een ononderbroken baan van geleiders en
andere elektrische componenten waarlangs een elektrische stroom kan
vloeien.
9 Een open circuit is een circuit dat onderbroken is, waardoor de stroom
niet kan vloeien.
10 Een klem is het punt waar een stroom een circuit binnenkomt of
verlaat.
11 Een spoel is een draad die rond een vast voorwerp is gewikkeld. Hij
wordt gebruikt voor zijn elektromagnetische effecten.
12 Een dynamo is een kleine elektrische generator, die gelijkstroom
opwekt.
13 Een transformator is een apparaat dat de wisselspanning omhoog of
omlaag transformeert. Een transformator bestaat uit twee spoelen, de
primaire spoel en de secundaire spoel. Beide spoelen zijn rond dezelfde
zachtijzeren gelamelleerde / gelamineerde kern gewikkeld.
14 De primaire spoel van een transformator die omhoog transformeert,
bevat een paar windingen van dikke draad. De secundaire spoel bevat
veel windingen van dunne draad.
15 Een transformator die omhoog transformeert heeft een
wikkelverhouding die groter is dan één. De wikkelverhouding is de
verhouding van het aantal wikkelingen in de secundaire spoel t.o.v. het
aantal wikkelingen in de primaire spoel.
16 Een kortsluiting veroorzaakt soms doorsmelten van zekeringen, vonken
en vuur.
17 Het ziekenhuis heeft een noodaggregaat voor het geval dat de
openbare elektriciteitsvoorziening niet meer functioneert.
18 De bedrading in dit huis is oud en gevaarlijk.
19 De elektricien nam 2-aderige kabels mee.
20 In de elektrotechniek worden verschillende soorten materialen en
chemicaliën gebruikt zoals wolfraam, mangaan en messing.
21 Er is één stroomonderbreker in deze stroomkring.
22 Een bliksemafleider is een metalen staaf die gebouwen beschermt
tegen de elektriciteit van bliksem door ze naar de aarde te leiden.
23 In elk ziekenhuis is er een noodverlichting in geval van stroomuitval.
24 De lichtsterkte van deze lichtinstallatie is niet voldoende.
25 De bedieningshefboom van deze machine bevindt zich achter de
lichtschakelaar.

2.3 EXERCISE
Correct the statements that are incorrect

1. In a step-down transformer there are more turns on the primary winding

than on the secondary winding.
2. A transformer consists of 2 coils which are wound round 2 different iron
cores.
3. A short-circuit is a shortened form of a parallel circuit.
4. When we speak of an electric fence we can think of live wire.
5. A transformer changes the voltage of direct current.

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2.4 CCGT TECHNOLOGY

2.4.1 Read the text, fill in the missing words and translate the text

In its power stations, Electrabel uses various technologies and sources of energy
to produce electricity. CCGT technology is a relatively recent method of
generating electricity. It combines a gas turbine and a conventional thermal
power station, and generates electricity twice. CCGT power stations are more
environment-friendly than nuclear power stations and conventional thermal
power stations. CCGT power stations can be found in e.g. Herdersbrug, Ghent
and Vilvoorde.

stoomturbine

Production of electricity in a CCGT unit starts with natural gas being burned in
the combustion chamber of a (1) . The hot combustion gases drive the turbine,
which in turn drives a (2). A (3) raises the voltage and the electricty is supplied
to the electricity grid.

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The combustion gases leave the gas turbine and enter a (4). There they heat the
water flowing through a series of pipes, converting it into steam. The combustion
gases finally escape through the chimney.

The hot steam drives a (5). This in turn drives yet another (6). Sometimes the
gas turbine and steam turbine drive the same alternator. In this case it is called
a single-shaft installation.

The steam leaves the steam turbine and condenses in an air-cooled or water-
cooled (7).

In an air-cooled (7) the steam passes through a large number of pipes over
which cold outside air is blown by large fans. Upon contact with the air, the
steam condenses back into water, which is pumped back to the (4).

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

CCGT STEG-centrale (stoom- en gascentrale)

combined cycle gas turbine
conventional thermal power station klassieke thermische centrale
environment-friendly milieuvriendelijk
nuclear power station kerncentrale
combustion chamber verbrandingskamer
combustion gas verbrandingsgas
electricity grid elektriciteitsnet
shaft as
to condense condenseren
air-cooled luchtgekoeld

2.4.2 Translate into English

In een watergekoelde condensor gaat de stoom doorheen buizen waarover koud

water vloeit, opgepompt uit een nabij gelegen rivier, kanaal of de zee. Het
koelwater neemt de warmte van de stoom op en koelt daarna af in een
koeltoren.

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In een grote hyperboolvormige koeltoren komt het water in contact met een
opstijgende luchtstroom die door het schoorsteeneffect ontstaat. Het water koelt
af en komt als regen naar beneden in de koeltoren. De opgewarmde lucht, die
met waterdamp is verzadigd, verlaat de koeltoren als een witte damppluim. Het
grootste deel van het afgekoelde koelwater wordt opnieuw naar de condensor
gepompt en hergebruikt. Slechts 1 tot 1,5 % verdampt.

Sommige STEG-centrales hebben geen koeltoren en lozen het koelwater terug in

het oppervlaktewater.

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3 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

3.1 INTRODUCTION

mechanical werktuigbouwkunde mechanical engineer werktuigbouwkundige

engineering
mechanics werktuigkunde mechanic werktuigkundige
mechanica mechanician mecanicien
monteur

Explain the difference between a ‘mechanic’ and a ‘mechanical engineer’.

Mechanical engineering deals with the design and manufacture of tools and
machines. It includes marine, automobile, aeronautical, heating and ventilating.
The first three are concerned with transport: ships, cars and planes. The last
deals with ventilation, air-conditioning, refrigeration, etc. Mechanical engineers
are also involved in support services such as roads, rail tracks, harbours and
bridges.

Vocabulary

to deal with - heeft te maken met

- vervaardigen
to manufacture
- gereedschappen
tools - omvatten
to include - scheepsbouwkunde
- auto bouwkunde
marine engineering - vliegtuigbouwkunde
automobile/car engineering - koeling
- betrokken bij
aeronautical engineering - ondersteunde dienst
refrigeration - spoorlijn
to be involved in
support services
rail track

3.2 TEXT

Prime movers
Machines whose input is a natural source of energy are called prime movers.
(e.g. windmills, waterwheels, turbines driven by water or steam that turn the
generators that produce electricity, combustion engines that use petroleum
products as fuel)

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Force
Force is an effort that results in motion or physical change.
For example, the water which strikes the blades of a turbine is exerting force on
those blades, thereby setting them into motion.
In the USA the poundal is the unit of force required to accelerate 1 pound 1 foot
per second per second. In the metric system the newton is the unit of force
required to accelerate one kilogramme one metre per second per second.
Force can also be expressed in (pound) force.
One poundal is equal to 0.138255 newton. One pound-force is equal to
4.4482216 newton.

Work
Work is the combination of the force and the distance through which it is
exerted. It can be expressed mathematically in the formula: work = force x
distance.
In the USA, work is usually measured in terms of foot-pounds. One foot-pound
is a force of one pound through a distance of one foot in the direction of the
force. One foot-pound is equal to 1.355818 joule.

Power
Power is the rate or speed at which work is performed.
In the USA, the rate of doing work is usually measured in terms of mechanical
horsepower (hp). This expression resulted from the desire of James Watt to
describe the work his steam engines performed in terms that his customers could
easily understand. After much experimentation, he settled on a rate of 33,000
foot-pounds per minute as 1 horsepower. In the metric system power is
measured in terms of watts or kilowatts. The watt is the power to do one joule
of work per second. The joule is a small unit of work, approximately three-
quarters of a foot-pound. One mechanical horsepower is equal to 745.6999
watts. The kilowatt, a more widely used term, equals a thousand watts or
approximately 1 1/3 horsepower in the English system.

Efficiency of a machine / friction

The efficiency of a machine is the ratio of the output of work to the input of
energy given in terms of a percentage. No machine is 100% efficient because of
friction, the resistance to relative motion that is produced by two bodies moving
in contact with each other.

Linear motion
Linear motion is the movement in a straight line. The technical term for this
kind of motion is translation.
Reciprocating motion
Reciprocating motion is a linear motion that goes back and forth or up and
down.
Rotary motion
Rotary motion is the movement in a circular path. To produce rotary motion it
is necessary to have torque, a force that can cause a twisting motion called
torsion.
Rotary motion generates a centrifugal force, a force which pushes outwards,
away from the axis of rotation.

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Mechanical advantage
The mechanical advantage is the ratio between output force and input force.
If a device requires an effort of 10 pounds to move a weight of 20 pounds, the
mechanical advantage is 2.

prime mover krachtwerktuig

windmill windmolen
waterwheel waterrad
combustion engine verbrandingsmotor, ontploffingsmotor
fuel brandstof
effort inspanning
physical change natuurkundige/fysische verandering
to strike raken
blade schoep
to exert uitoefenen
thereby daardoor
to accelerate versnellen
foot-pound voetpond
to measure in terms of uitdrukken
power vermogen
rate snelheid
to settle on vaststellen
approximately ongeveer
a more widely used term een algemener gebruikte term
to equal gelijk zijn aan
efficiency rendement
ratio verhouding
friction wrijving
linear motion lineaire/rechtlijnige beweging
straight recht
translation translatie
reciprocating motion heen- en weerbeweging
rotary motion cirkelvormige beweging
path baan
torque aanzetmoment, koppel
twisting motion wringingsbeweging
torsion torsie
centrifugal force centrifugale kracht
mechanical advantage mechanisch nuttig effect

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 EXERCISES

Match the terms with the correct statements

(1) force / (2) work / (3) machine / (4) prime mover / (5) translation / (6)
reciprocating motion / (7) rotary motion / (8) torque / (9) efficiency / (10)
mechanical advantage / (11) friction / (12) power / (13) foot-pound / (14)
horsepower / (15) joule / (16) watt / (17) kilowatt / (18) newton / (19)
centrifugal force

rendement (.....)
9 The ratio between output in work and input in energy.
(.....)
11 The resistance to motion produced by 2 bodies that are moving in
contact with each other.
translatie (.....)
5 Motion in a straight line, or linear motion.
(.....)
14 A US customary unit of power equal to 33,000 foot-pounds per
paardekracht
minute.
koppel (.....)
8 A twisting force that produces torsion or rotary motion.
centrifugaal kracht(.....)
19 A force that is generated by rotary motion.
mech nuttig (.....)
10 The ratio of output force to input force of a machine.
rendement (.....)
16 A metric measure of power, equal to one joule per second.
(.....) A US customary unit of work, a force of one pound moving through
13
a distance of one foot in the direction of the force.
(.....)
1 An effort that results in motion or physical change.
kracht
(.....)
18 Force necessary to move one kilogramme one metre per second per
second.
arbeid (.....)
2 Force times the distance through which it is exerted.
(.....)
15 A metric measure of energy, equal to approximately 3/4 of a foot-
pound.
(.....)
3 A device that applies force to accomplish an objective.
vermogen (.....)
12 The strength or force at which work is performed.
(.....)
4 A machine that converts energy from a natural source.
(.....)
17 A metric measure of power, equal to a thousand watts, or
approximately 4/3 hp. in the English system.
(.....)
7 Motion in a circular path.
(.....)
6 Back and forth or up and down motion in a straight line.
heen-en weer gaande beweging
Complete the table

US customary units SI/metric system

force Poundal Newton
work foot-pound Joulle
power
horsepower (= 33 000 foot-pounds Watt (= 1/746 hp)
per minute) kilowatt (=4/3 hp)

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3.3 OTHER TERMS IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Translate the words in bold italics into Dutch

The photo below shows a bolt and a nut. Bolts have

threads. bout
moer
schroefdraad

Washers are metal discs which fit between the head of a

bolt or a nut and the components being bolted together.
roundelle

A rivet is a permanent fastener. It cannot be unscrewed.

klinknagel

The greater the mass of an object, the greater the external

force required to cause it to accelerate or decelerate. vertrager
Resistance to acceleration or deceleration is called inertia. traagheid
The lever has a fulcrum which allows the lever to pivot.
hefboom
steunpunt
kantelen

The turning force generated by a lever is called leverage. hefboomkracht

When moving parts of machines, such as wheels, turn
through complete rotations, we say they revolve. draaien
The rotational velocity of rotating parts is measured in rotatiesnelheid/ omwentelingsnelheid
revolutions per minute (rpm).
The rotational velocity of an engine is measured by a rev
counter. toerental
An engine can be revved to a certain speed, e.g. revved
to 6,000 rpm. toerental opdrijven

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Stiction is the frictional resistance between two surfaces
that are at rest. It measures the force needed to start a statische wrijving
sliding action.
Gear wheels (gears) are wheels with cogs. The teeth
interlock with those of other gear wheels.
tandwiel
tanden die in elkaar grijpen

Gears are normally fitted to shafts. assen

Drive, usually supplied by an engine or motor, causes a
shaft to revolve. aandrijving

3.4 SOLDERING

For some pipe joints and for electrical connections, soldering is often used.
Solder is a filler metal which has a lower melting point than the workpiece. Unlike
welding, the base metal of the components is not melted, so the components are
not fused. Soldered joints are therefore weaker than welds.

In brazing, brass – an alloy of copper and zinc – is melted using an oxyfuel

torch, and added as filler to form the joint. Brazing is also called hard
soldering. The solder may also be an alloy of copper and silver.

In soft soldering, an alloy – of tin and lead, or of tin and copper – is melted
using an electrically heated rod called a soldering iron.

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A temperature of 400 °C is usually used as a practical delineating point between
soft soldering and brazing.

filler (metal) / solder soldeermateriaal

joint verbinding
a weld las
brazing / hard soldering hardsolderen
oxyfuel samentrekking van ‘oxygen’ en ‘fuel’

aanduiding voor het proces waarbij een

brandstof met zuivere zuurstof wordt
verbrand
soft soldering zacht solderen
soldering iron soldeerbout
delineating point scheidingslijn

Reading exercise: To which technique does each sentence apply?

sentence brazing soft soldering

hard soldering
Copper is used in the filler metal. x x
A soldering iron is used to melt the filler. x
The filler material contains silver. x
The base metal is melted to fuse with the filler. to welding
Heat is provided by a flame, often from oxyfuel. x
Tin is used in the filler metal. x
This produces stronger joints than welding.
A filler metal has a melting point of 550 degrees x
Celsius.
The workpiece has a higher melting point than the
x
filler metal. x

3.5 MATERIAL TYPES AND PROPERTIES

Answer the questions – Complete the sentences

1 Which two types of metals do you know?

2 Steel is an alloy of iron and (…..).
3 What is duralumin?
4 What is mild steel?
5 Give an important weakness of mild steel (its surface progressively deteriorates
due to a chemical reaction).
6 A low alloy steel contains 90% or more iron alloying metals such as (c…..),
(n…..) and (m…..).
7 How is the steel called that does not rust?
8 With which metal can aluminium be alloyed to produce very strong, lightweight
metals?
9 Which precious metals are very good electrical conductors and are often used
for electronic connections?
10 Which precious metal resists corrosion better: gold or silver?
11 How can non-ferrous metals be used to protect steel from corrosion?
12 How is zinc plating also called?
13 Copper can be mixed with tin and (…..) to produce bronze.

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14 Zinc can be mixed with copper to make (…..).
15 When a material is subjected to tension, its length will increase by a certain
amount. This is called extension or (…..).
16 Explain: compressive strength.
17 If a material is brittle it has low (…..) and low (…..).
18 How do you call a material that can be deformed by hammering or rolling, for
example lead?
19 How do you call a material that can be stretched, for example copper?
20 The coefficient of thermal expansion for aluminium is 0.000023. What does
this mean?
21 How is the coefficient of thermal expansion also called?
22 The hardness of a material affects its durability. Generally, hard materials are
more durable than soft materials, because they are better at resisting (…..) to
their surfaces.
23 Materials with a high degree of scratch hardness are good at resisting damage
due to (…..) (the action of two surfaces being rubbed together).
24 To which two material problems must special attention be paid in aircraft
construction?
25 Copper is an excellent thermal conductor. Polystyrene foam, on the other
hand, is a thermal (…..).

Vocabulary

alloy legering
duralumin duraluminium
mild steel zacht staal
alloy steel staallegering
alloying metal legeringsmateriaal
to rust roesten
rusty roestig, verroest
precious metals edelmetalen
compressive strength drukvastheid
brittle broos
to hammer kloppen
to roll walsen, pletten
thermal expansion thermische uitzetting
durability duurzaamheid
thermal conductor warmtegeleider
polystyrene foam piepschuim
engineering material bouwmateriaal
iron oxide ijzeroxide
metallic (bijvoeglijk naamwoord) metalen
to oxidize oxideren
yield point elasticiteitsgrens
fracture point breekpunt
stiff material onbuigzaam materiaal
indentation indeuking

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4 ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

4.1 INTRODUCTION

electronic engineering elektronica electronic engineer elektronicus

electronics

Electronic engineering is concerned with developing components and

equipment for communications, computing, and so on.

Vocabulary

communications communicatie
computing computerisering

4.2 INTERFACE UK

4.2.1 Description of the company

Interface UK is an importer of electronic goods. Dishwashers, fridges, microwave

ovens, TV sets and camcorders are some of the appliances the company imports.
Interface UK also acts as an intermediary between R&D companies in the United
Kingdom and Philips Semiconductors, one of the largest suppliers of
semiconductors to the worldwide equipment market.

4.2.2 Event

Peter Phayer, Strategic Account Manager with Interface UK, and Clive Ritchie, a
client and Managing Director of a large construction firm, are discussing a
solution to a technological problem: constructing a robot for the building
industry. Mr Phayer convinces his client that Philips Semiconductors is the
company to turn to.

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4.2.3 Conversation between Peter Phayer and Clive Ritchie

Audio lesson: see Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –

Audio lessons – Technical communication

VOCABULARY

to afford zich veroorloven

customer-driven klantgericht
to be second to none voor niemand onderdoen
cost-effective rendabel
to reassure geruststellen
to handle manipuleren
sheet plaat
labour intensive arbeidsintensief
specification gedetailleerde beschrijving
grab grijparm
remote steering afstandsbesturing
layman leek
to approach benaderen
go-between bemiddelaar, tussenpersoon
application toepassing
innovator vernieuwer
in response to in reactie op
to build on voortbouwen op
to raise a problem een probleem ter sprake brengen

LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION AND WRITE DOWN IF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ARE TRUE
OR FALSE

1. Philips Semiconductors is no longer part of Philips. false

2. Philips has changed its image and is now seen as ‘a customer-driven’ true
company.
3. System, application and technology oriented engineers are all working
false
in one team.
4. Innovators do not usually provide practical solutions. false
5. Interface UK is good at connecting companies.
true
LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION AGAIN AND ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

1. How does Clive Ritchie react to Peter Phayer’s remark that he is not
really a technical person?
2. What does ‘Black, please’ mean?
3. Why doesn’t Mr Ritchie immediately accept Mr Phayer’s suggestion of
turning to Philips Semiconductors for help?
4. What makes Clive Ritchie change his mind?
5. Why is Peter Phayer called ‘a layman’?
6. What does Clive Ritchie expect from ‘technology oriented engineers’?
7. Do the Philips engineers have to start from scratch? Explain.
8. What will the set of copies brought by Clive Ritchie be used for?

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4.2.4 Translate the role-play

P: Gaat u zitten en vertelt u me maar eens wat uw problemen zijn.

C: We hebben veel vorderingen gemaakt met het ontwerpen van een robot voor
de bouw. De ontbrekende schakel is de juiste halfgeleidertechnologie.
P: Ik denk dat onze Nederlandse partner Philips Semiconductors u wel kan
helpen.
C: Ik weet niet zeker of we ons een duur onderzoek kunnen veroorloven.
P: Ik denk niet dat u zich zorgen hoeft te maken over de prijs. Ze zijn zeer
efficiënt en klantgericht en ze verstaan hun vak. Wat wilt u uw robot precies
laten doen?
C: Het manipuleren van glasplaten. Dat is erg arbeidsintensief.
P: Ah, u heeft uw specificaties meegebracht. Wat doen we met Philips?
C: Ik zou graag willen dat u hen zo spoedig mogelijk benadert.
P: Bemiddelen is waar Interface UK goed in is. U heeft technologie-georiënteerde
ingenieurs nodig.
C: Geven zij ook praktische oplossingen?
P: Ja. Zij concentreren zich op het vinden van oplossingen op verzoek van de
klant.
C: En zij bouwen natuurlijk verder op het werk dat al gedaan is door onze
systeemingenieurs?
P: Precies. Ik zal uw problemen ter sprake brengen en ervoor zorgen dat u alle
bijzonderheden na de vergadering ontvangt.
C: Prima. Ik heb hier een set kopieën.
P: Dank u wel. U hoort volgende week van mij.
C: Ik verwacht er veel van.

4.3 POWER LINE DISTURBANCES

4.3.1 Text - translate

Today's sensitive electronic equipment depends upon clean and steady

alternating voltage in order to operate properly and safely. But power line noise,
voltage sags and surges and other disturbances can make alternating voltage
unfit for sensitive equipment. Program errors, memory loss, repeated downtime
and system damage may occur as a result of these disturbances.

Disturbances and their sources

Overgangsverschijnselen
Transients are caused by utility companies as they switch on power-factor
correction capacitors, networks and other loads.
Voltage peaks are caused by lightning and the operation of heavy
equipment.
Undervoltage and overvoltage are caused by heavy loads to the feed line.
Outages are caused by faults within the users' networks and by
breakdowns of the current transmission line of the utility company.

Transients and voltage spikes are noise disturbances that can affect computer
operations. Typical examples of noise disturbances are snow on a TV screen and
statics on a radio broadcast.

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4.3.2 Vocabulary

power line hoogspanningskabel

steady vast
properly correct
geluid
noise
voltage sags / surge spannings daling / schommeling
unfit ongeschikt
downtime uitvaltijd
transient
stroomstoot
nutsbedrijf
utility company
power factor correction capacitor arbeidsfactor correctie condensator
load lading
voltage peak
spanningspiek
onderspanning
undervoltage
overspanning
overvoltage
outage stroomonderbreking
breakdown pech (motorpech)
current transmission line stroomlijn
to affect beïnvloeden
statics
statica/ evenwichtsleer
radio uitzending
radio broadcast

4.3.3 Exercise

TRANSLATE

1. Tegenwoordig wordt de gevoeligste elektronische apparatuur ontworpen

om binnen een tolerantiebereik van ongeveer 10 % van de nominale
netspanning te werken.
2. De technische apparatuur die in de moderne elektronica gebruikt wordt,
heeft een laag stroomverbruik.
3. De lasrobots in autofabrieken zijn een goed voorbeeld van
programmeerbare CNC-machines.

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5 RENEWABLE ENERGY

5.1 WIND TURBINES

5.1.1 Components of a wind turbine

pitch / low-speed shaft / rotor / gear box / generator / brake / controller / anemometer /
yaw drive / yaw motor / high-speed shaft / nacelle / wind vane / blades / tower

English meaning Dutch

1 It measures the wind speed and transmits windsnelheidsmeter
anemometer
wind speed data to the controller.
2 blades Turbines mostly have three. rotorbladen/wieken
3 brake It stops the rotor in emergencies. rem
4 It starts up the machine at wind speeds of
about 8 to 16 mph and shuts off the machine
controller at about 55 mph. Turbines do not operate at regelaar
wind speeds above about 55 mph because
they might be damaged by the high winds.

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5 Gears connect the low-speed shaft to the
high-speed shaft and increase the rotational
gear box
speeds from about 30 to 60 rotations per versnellingsbak
minute (rpm) to about 1,000 to 1,800 rpm,
the rotational speed required by most
generators to produce electricity.
6 generator It produces AC electricity. generator
7 High-speed shaft It drives the generator. hogesnelheidsas
8 low-speed shaft The rotor turns it at about 30 to 60 rotations as die aan lage snelheid
per minute. roteerd
9 It contains the gear box, the low-speed and
nacelle high-speed shafts, generator, controller and gondel
brake.
10 Blades are turned or pitched, out of the wind
pitch to control the rotor speed and keep the rotor
from turning in winds that are too high or too afstellen
low to produce electricity.
11 rotor It consists of the blades and the hub. rotor
12 Wind speed increases with height. So, the
tower taller it is the more electricity the turbines mast
generate.
13 It is used to keep the rotor facing into the krui-aandrijving
yaw driver wind as the wind direction changes.
14 yaw motor It powers the drive. kruimotor
15 It measures the wind direction and
wind vane communicates with the yaw drive to orient windvaan
the turbine properly with respect to the wind.

5.1.2 Reading and writing exercise

The following information is from the website of a firm that advises clients on
wind energy projects.

1 Wind turbines use the kinetic energy, movement of the wind, to generate
green electricity.
2 Wind turbines consume no fuel and waste very little energy.
3 Wind turbines need to be located on relatively windy sites in order to function.
4 Wind turbines rarely function continuously, due to the fact that wind speeds
are inconsistent.
5 The generating capacity of wind turbines is generally insufficient/inadequate for
it to be relied upon 100%.
6 To work effectively, wind turbines should be located away from features that
can obstruct the wind, such as buildings or trees.

You are an engineer. The marketing manager has asked you to provide some
technical answers for the frequently asked questions section of the company’s
website. The FAQ section is aimed primarily at potential clients who are thinking
of installing wind turbines at their sites (factories, office complexes, hospitals and
university campuses. Write the answers for the website using the information
above and your own knowledge.

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1 What is the main advantage of a wind turbine?
It uses a (…..) energy source that is readily available. This is in contrast with the
(…..) energy.
2 How dependable are wind turbines as a source of power, given that weather
conditions are changeable?
3 What are two more disadvantages of wind turbines?
They have a major visual impact due to (…..).
They are relatively (…..).
4 What types of location are most suitable for wind farms?

VOCABULARY

renewable energy
synonyms: herbruikbare energie

green energy
alternitieve energie
wind turbine
synonyms: windmolen
WPU (wind power unit)
wind generator

site terrein/ locatie

feature kenmerk
to be aimed at gericht zijn op
readily available beschikbaarheid / gemakkelijk verkrijgbaar
a major impact een grote inpact
wind farm een windmolenpark

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5.1.3 Listening and writing exercise

Audio lesson: see Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –

Audio lessons – Technical communication

Mike, Loreta and Hanif, engineers at a wind turbine constructor, are discussing
performance and suitability issues relating to offshore wind turbines. Listen to
the conversation and answer the following questions.

1 Which wind turbine component do the engineers discuss?

2 What is the big problem with offshore installations?
3 Which two types of construction material are being compared?
4 Why are coastal defences mentioned?
5 What comparison needs to be made with regard to lifespan?

VOCABULARY

performance uitvoering
issue kwestie, vraagstuk
offshore in zee, voor de kust
coastal defences large walls, blocks, etc., constructed to
protect the coast from sea erosion
lifespan (potentiële) levensduur
tubular steel tower buisvormige/kokervormige stalen mast
tubular steel buizenstaal
a cost-effective alternative een rendabel alternatief
a fixed structure een vast bouwwerk
een vaste constructie
reinforced concrete gewapend beton
to look into something iets bekijken
in the short term op korte termijn
in/over the long term op lange termijn
ineffective ondoeltreffend
to corrode verroesten
constituent bestanddeel
to be embedded in(side) vastzitten in
to erode uithollen
to crumble away verbrokkelen
cover bedekking
slender teer, broos
lumps of concrete brokken beton
to resolve something oplossen
the key issue hoofdthema
to assess bepalen, inschatten

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5.1.4 Listening and reading exercise: Wind turbine syndrome

Listen to people living near wind turbines

Video lesson
See Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten – Video lessons –
Technical communication – Wind turbine syndrome

Ernie Marshall at first supported the wind farm that was placed near his home
near Goderich, Ontario, Canada.However, he also says that once the turbines got
rolling, his health began to suffer. “I had problems with my heart, with my eyes,
my digestive system,” Marshall told CTV News. “It traumatizes your whole
body.”…. “Everyone was calling me a liar,” Ernie Marshall said.

Read the text and answer the questions

Could Wind Turbines Be Toxic To The Ear?

by Audrey Carlsen
April 02, 2013 3:55 PM ET

i
The U.S. is embracing wind energy, with wind turbines making up half of the new
electricity added to the power grid last year. But a smattering of people who live near the
turbines say they're a nuisance — and making them ill.

Dr. Nina Pierpont, a Johns Hopkins-trained pediatrician and biologist in upstate New York,
has been collecting their anecdotes for years. She coined the term wind turbine
syndrome to encompass the symptoms of headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, ear pain, and
difficulty sleeping that people in several states and countries have complained of —
largely on the Internet. And she says she's convinced the culprit is the low frequency
noise, called infrasound, from the turbines and how it's disturbing the delicate vestibular
system of the inner ear.

The claims of the existence of wind turbine syndrome have been met with heavy
skepticism from a host of experts in energy and public health since few studies aside
from one self-published report from Pierpont have shown any link between the turbines
and health. The World Health Organization, which classifies diseases, does not recognize
wind turbine syndrome, nor does any other medical institution. And otolaryngologists,
who are experts on ear health, have remained largely silent on the issue.

Until now.

A recent study by ear, nose and throat specialists in the U.K. found that infrasound can
have physiological effects. The review article, published in the March issue of the Journal
of Laryngology & Otology, showed that outer hair cells of the cochlea respond to

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infrasound, which could affect the functioning of the ear. Another study looked at how
the auditory cortex of the brain can also be activated by low-frequency noise, which
could produce health effects.

Dr. Amir Farboud, a senior surgical ear, nose and throat resident at Glan Clwyd Hospital
in Rhyl, Wales and co-author of the review, says that he initially thought that wind
turbine syndrome was "rubbish" when someone came into his office claiming to have it.
But, over time, his opinion has changed. "The more you look into it, the more you realize
there's some science behind this," he says.

However, Farboud cautions that there is no conclusive evidence that infrasound causes
any specific symptoms.

"We think infrasound causes problems in the inner ear and we think wind turbines
produce infrasound, but we can't stand up and put our hands on our hearts and say
'Wind turbines cause wind turbine syndrome,'" says Farboud. "The symptoms are just too
vague. More research needs to be done."

Other researchers are much more skeptical, including Simon Chapman, a professor of
public health at the University of Sydney. Chapman believes that wind turbine syndrome,
which has been an especially contentious issue in Australia recently, is "probably an
example of community panic."

Chapman says that the current concern over wind turbines fits a historic pattern of
people distrusting any kind of new technology, ranging from televisions to cell phones to
wi-fi.

In a study published in March on the University of Sydney's website, Chapman reports

that only five of the 49 wind farms in Australia have ever drawn complaints, and that all
five had been targets of anti-wind activism.

He also points out that, although wind turbines have been operating in Australia since
1993, over 80 percent of complaints arose after 2009, when anti-wind groups first began
emphasizing the potential health hazards of wind turbines. (Chapman is planning on
submitting his study for peer-review.)

Chapman and others have said that wind turbine syndrome is a result of the nocebo
effect, in which merely suggesting that something could be harmful to your health causes
it to be so.

He refers to a University of Auckland study, published this month in Health Psychology,

which found that healthy volunteers were more likely to report symptoms after exposure
to fake infrasound if they had been told beforehand about the potential health effects of
such noise.

"I'm quite prepared to believe that there are many people who sincerely are experiencing
symptoms," says Chapman. But he believes that those symptoms have a psychological
rather than a physical basis.

In the meantime, we're likely to see more turbines dotting our skylines in the coming
years. And if the possibility of wind turbine syndrome attracts the interest of more people
who really understand how sound affects health, perhaps we'll get a clearer picture of
whether there's any truth to it, or not.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/03/27/175468025/could-wind-turbines-be-toxic-to-the-ear

Unit 6: Technical communication 200

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QUESTIONS

1 Why do scientists try to find out if wind turbines could be ‘toxic to the ear’?
2 What is Dr. Nina Pierpont’s point of view? She is a pediatrician and biologist in
upstate New York.
3 What does Dr. Amir Farboud believe? He is a senior surgical ear, nose and
throat resident at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Rhyl, Wales.
4 What does Dr. Simon Chapman’s study reveal? Dr. Chapman is a professor of
public health at the University of Sydney.
5 What is Audrey Carlsen’s conclusion? She is the author of the article.

5.2 SOLAR ENERGY

5.2.1 Translate

1 Een zonnepaneel bestaat uit fotovoltaïsche cellen / zonnecellen.

2 Zonnecellen zijn meestal gemaakt van silicium*.
3 Een zonnepaneel of PV-paneel zet zonne-energie om in elektriciteit.
4 Zonne-energie is een duurzame hulpbron.
5 Zonnepanelen leveren gelijkspanning van 12 of 24 volt.
6 Een ondulator/omvormer is een elektrisch apparaat dat gelijkstroom omzet in
wisselstroom.
7 De gratis groene stroom wordt aangesloten op het net. U verbruikt wat u nodig
heeft, de rest vloeit naar het net terug en uw elektriciteitsmeter draait terug.
Wanneer u meer elektriciteit nodig heeft dan u produceert, dan wordt dit van het
net afgenomen.
8 Het bedrijf dat de installaties voor zonne-energie voor bedrijven en de
residentiële markt levert, plaatst en onderhoudt, heeft aandacht voor een
maximaal rendement uit de stroominstallatie en een snelle terugverdienperiode
van de investering. Bovendien probeert het bedrijf zonnesystemen te leveren
aan scherpe prijzen en binnen korte leveringstermijnen.

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*Remarks
Do not confuse with silicone.
Do not confuse with silica, also known as silicon dioxide, a chemical
compound with the chemical formula SiO2. Silica is used primarily in the
production of glass for windows, drinking glasses and beverage bottles.

5.2.2 Solar updraft tower

Video lesson
See the video animation explaining the principle of the solar updraft tower and
answer the questions (Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –
Video lessons - Technical communication – solar updraft tower)

1 Which three technologies does the solar tower combine?

2 Where is the air contained that is heated by the sun?
3 What happens with the air?
4 How is electricity generated?
5 What ensures a continuous electricity production?

5.2.3 Solar power tower

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Video lesson
See the video explaining the principle of the solar power tower and fill in the
missing words (Chamilo – Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten – Video
lessons - Technical communication – solar power tower)

A solar power tower converts sunshine into clean electricity for the world’s
electricity grids. The technology utilizes many large, sun-tracking (1) to focus
sunlight on a (2) located (3) a tower. In a steam power tower (4) is pumped to
the receiver where it is heated to more than 1,000 °F to generate steam. Some
of the steam is (5) in a tank, but most of it is sent to a power block. Here (6)
spins a (7) to produce electricity. A great advantage is that thermal energy can
be stored for later use. If a cloud blocks the sun the steam stored in the (8) is
used to continue to produce electricity for (9).

Another system uses (10) because of its superior heat transfer and energy
storage capabilities.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Discuss the construction and principle of a molten salt power tower

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6 STUDY VISIT TO A COMPANY / GUIDED SELF-STUDY

Questions about the study visit to a company are provided.

See Chamilo: Bedrijfscommunicatie Engels – Documenten –

BZL/Bedrijfsbezoeken

7 TECHNICAL SOURCES

Digital sources (http://bib.hogent.be)

1 Data banks
Lexisnexis (newspapers and magazines)
Ebsco Academic Search Premier (full text journals)
Springerlink (full text journals and e-books)
Elsevier ScienceDirect (full text journals; also bibliographic)
Web of Science (bibliographic)

2 Websites
Directory of open access Journals (http://www.doaj.org/)
Google scholar (http://scholar.google.be/)
Scirus (http://www.scirus.com/)

3 E-books (see catalogue University College Ghent)

4 Dictionaries
Van Dale (English-Dutch / Dutch-English)

Journals (= vaktijdschriften) in library campus Schoonmeersen

Elektor: maandblad voor elektronica

Elektro Data: technisch magazine voor de industriële automatiseringsmarkt
Energymag: the energy manager magazine
Engineeringnet Trendwatch
Hydropneuma automation magazine
Scientific American
Time

Technical dictionaries in library campus Schoonmeersen

Kanon, J.B. (1999). Woordenboek werktuigbouwkunde: Nederlands, Engels, Duits.

Antwerpen: Kluwer.
Schrijber, R.A. (1999). Woordenboek elektrotechniek & elektronica: Nederlands,
Engels, Duits. Antwerpen: Kluwer.
Kluwer (English-Dutch / Dutch-English)

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

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