Unit 6 Getting the right tone

General English:8

Unit 6 Getting the right tone

Expressions Formality

Levels of formality

With people you know well, you might ask very direct questions.

Where's tomorrow's meeting?

With people you need to address more formally,
you can use a phrase like I was wondering to introduce a question rather than asking it directly.
Notice in this kind of sentence that the auxiliary verb goes at the end.

I was wondering where tomorrow's meeting will be.

There are other phrases you can use to show greater courtesy.
Instead of a simple Hey, you might get someone's attention using a phrase like this:

Sorry to disturb you.

A phrase like Do we need to come? might be replaced by this:

Is it necessary to attend?

When a friend asks you to do something, you might respond No problem,
while in a more formal situation you might add more words.

No problem at all. I'll do that straight away.

Here are some other phrases you can use in formal situations.

I'm afraid that's not possible.

Could you possibly tell me when you'd be available?

Would it be possible to get me an estimate?

I'm afraid that's not possible.

Could you tell me when you're available?

Is it necessary to attend the meeting?

Would it be possible to meet now?

Is it absolutely necessary to attend the meeting?

I was wondering whether you'd made a decision yet.

Expressions Phrasal verbs and idioms

We have to put off the meeting.

It's necessary to postpone the meeting.

Here are informal and formal ways to talk about looking at options.

We'll look into all the alternatives.

We'll investigate all the alternatives.

Here are informal and formal ways to discuss dealing with an issue.

We need to deal with this issue.

We need to resolve this issue.

Similarly, language that contains a lot of idioms is usually quite informal.
Look at the examples. The first one means you're busy, the second that something is annoying or difficult,
and the third is a nice way to thank someone for their help.

I'm rushed off my feet!

It's a pain in the neck.

Thanks so much. You're a star!

I'm sorry I can't help, but I'm rushed come put off my feet.
I'm sick, so we'll have to take put come off the meeting.
This is a big problem. We need to attend resolve postpone the issue quickly.
I can rush come look into the issue for you.
We need to investigate attend postpone all the options so we can find a solution.
These technical problems are a real pain in the feet neck legs .

Reading Update email

From: chris.smith@bosnyacts.com 
To: sharon.ross@bosnyacts.com
Subject: update

Hi, Sharon.

I'm sorry to disturb you while you're on vacation, but there are a few issues I need to resolve as quickly as possible.

• Can we postpone the meeting with our new client, Jacoby, until your return? They want to meet with you in person.

• Do I need to deal with the insurance problem, or will you handle that? Nobody knows about it yet.

• Kurt Tong is looking into problems with our supplier. Could you possibly let me know if you have a replacement in mind?

I'd really appreciate it if you could get back to me in the next day or two.

Thanks so much!

Chris

Final Task A formal email

Read the list of issues that you need to discuss with your boss.
Then write only the body of an email to your boss. You do not need to write the addresses,
greetings or the closing. Use a formal tone.
Type in the input box. Write 80-100 words. Use your own words where possible.

Issues to ask your boss about in the email:

Are you going to the conference next month?
Should we put off the company meeting until after the conference?
Who is researching a replacement for her?

I was wondering wether you have spare time to atttend the conference next month.
It's about our new product features and could help us optimize our producut.
If you attend the conference,Should we put off the company meeting until after the conference?In my opinion,
I think we should put off the company, because we should learn something from the comference and sharing it   to our staff.

In addition,Tom is resign about two weeks and we should find someone for his position.

I'd really apprreciate it if you could get back to me in the next day or two.