New York English

Say versus tell

2008-10-08T00:59:00.000-07:00

Say versus tell

Say and tell function differently in speech reports. Tell focuses on the content or message of what was said:

She told him they were going on holiday. (focus on the information)

Say focuses more on the words someone said:

‘Hello,’ she said.

(~~‘Hello,’ she told me.~~)

Say can introduce direct reports. Tell is not normally used in this way:

He said, ‘I’m not paying $50 for that.’

(~~He told me, ‘I’m not paying $50 for that.’~~)

Say and tell have different rules of complementation. Say is used with an optional prepositional complement and an object (which is the reported clause). Tell normally has an indirect object, along with a direct object (which is the reported clause):

I said to her, ‘When I’m ready I’ll tell you.’

She said she didn’t know anything about it.

(or: She told me she didn’t know anything about it.)

(~~She told she didn’t know anything about it.~~)

And then they told us we had to do it.

(or: And then they said we had to do it.)

(~~And then they told we had to do it.~~)

Say is not used with an indirect object to refer to the person addressed:

I said to her, ‘When I’m ready I’ll tell you.’

(~~I said her, ‘When I’m ready I’ll tell you.’~~)

They told me I’d have to wait.

(or: They said I’d have to wait.)

(~~They said me I’d have to wait.~~)

Generally, tell but not say is used with an infinitive clause to report directives:

The man from Foreign Affairs had told her to prepare for the worst.

But in informal spoken contexts, say may also be used with an infinitive clause to report a directive:

I phoned up the hospital and they said to go down.

331 Most Common Verbs

2008-10-07T00:15:00.000-07:00

accept	let	aim	love	attack	mention	break	occur
care	pass	clean	prepare	complete	publish	contribute	recognize
could	regard	deal	report	develop	roll	drink	serve
enjoy	shoot	fail	sort	fit	study	gain	take
happen	thank	hope	understand	inform	wash	kill	would
lead	admit	listen	argue	may	become	must	can
open	charge	plan	come	promise	consist	reach	cost
reduce	cry	remove	depend	return	divide	seem	encourage
settle	explain	sing	fight	state	forget	supply	handle
teach	help	travel	include	wait	join	wish	lay
account	lie	allow	make	avoid	might	build	offer
carry	pay	clear	present	concern	pull	control	record
count	relate	decide	represent	die	run	drive	set
examine	should	fall	sound	fly	succeed	get	talk
hate	think	hurt	use	intend	watch	knock	write
learn	affect	live	arrange	mean	begin	need
order	check	play	commit	protect	contact	read
refer	cut	repeat	describe	reveal	do	sell
shake	express	sit	fill	stay	forgive	support
tell	hide	treat	increase	walk	jump	wonder
achieve	like	answer	manage	base	mind	burn
catch	perform	climb	press	confirm	push	cook
cover	release	deliver	require	disappear	save	drop
exist	shout	fasten	speak	fold	suffer	give
have	throw	identify	used to	introduce	wear	know
leave	afford	look	arrive	measure	believe	notice
ought	choose	point	compare	prove	contain	realize
reflect	damage	replace	design	ring	draw	send
shall	extend	sleep	find	stick	form	suppose
tend	hit	try	indicate	want	keep	work
act	limit	appear	mark	be	miss	buy
cause	pick	close	prevent	connect	put	copy
create	remain	demand	rest	discover	say	eat
expect	show	feed	stand	follow	suggest	go
head	touch	imagine	visit	invite	will	last
lend	agree	lose	ask	meet	belong	obtain
own	claim	prefer	complain	provide	continue	receive
refuse	dance	reply	destroy	rise	dress	separate
share	face	smile	finish	stop	found	survive
test	hold	turn	influence	warn	kick	worry
add	link	apply	matter	beat	move	call
change	place	collect	produce	consider	raise	correct
cross	remember	deny	result	discuss	see	enable
experience	shut	feel	start	force	suit	grow
hear	train	improve	vote	involve	win	laugh

Useful Business English Phrases

2008-10-06T01:06:00.000-07:00

Business English: Running a Meeting

The following phrases are used to conduct a meeting. These phrases are useful if you are called on to conduct a meeting.

Opening

Good morning/afternoon, everyone.
If we are all here, let's get started / start the meeting / start.

Welcoming and Introducing

Please join me in welcoming (name of participant)
We're pleased to welcome (name of participant)
I'd like to extend a warm welcome to (name of participant)
It's a pleasure to welcome (name of participant)
I'd like to introduce (name of participant)

Stating the Principal Objectives

We're here today to ...
I'd like to make sure that we ...
Our main aim today is to ...
I've called this meeting in order to ...

Giving Apologies for Someone Who is Absent

I'm afraid.., (name of participant) can't be with us today. She is in...
Unfortunately, (name of participant) ... will not be with us to day because he ...
I have received apologies for absence from (name of participant), who is in (place).

Reading the Minutes (notes) of the Last Meeting

To begin with I'd like to quickly go through the minutes of our last meeting.
First, let's go over the report from the last meeting, which was held on (date)
Here are the minutes from our last meeting, which was on (date)

Dealing with Recent Developments

Jack, can you tell us how the XYZ project is progressing?
Jack, how is the XYZ project coming along?
John, have you completed the report on the new accounting package?
Has everyone received a copy of the Tate Foundation report on current marketing trends?

Moving Forward

So, if there is nothing else we need to discuss, let's move on to today's agenda.
Shall we get down to business?
Is there Any Other Business?
If there are no further developments, I'd like to move on to today's topic.

Introducing the Agenda

Have you all received a copy of the agenda?
There are X items on the agenda. First, ... second, ... third, ... lastly, ...
Shall we take the points in this order?
If you don't mind, I'd like to go in order today.
skip item 1 and move on to item 3
I suggest we take item 2 last.

Allocating Roles (secretary, participants)

(name of participant) has agreed to take the minutes.
(name of participant), would you mind taking the minutes?
(name of participant) has kindly agreed to give us a report on ...
(name of participant) will lead point 1, (name of participant) point 2, and (name of participant) point 3.
(name of participant), would you mind taking notes today?

Agreeing on the Ground Rules for the Meeting (contributions, timing, decision-making, etc.)

We will first hear a short report on each point first, followed by a discussion of ...
I suggest we go round the table first.
Let's make sure we finish by ...
I'd suggest we ...
There will be five minutes for each item.
We'll have to keep each item to 15 minutes. Otherwise we'll never get through.

Introducing the First Item on the Agenda

So, let's start with ...
I'd suggest we start with...
Why don't we start with...
So, the first item on the agenda is
Pete, would you like to kick off?
Shall we start with ...
(name of participant), would you like to introduce this item?

Closing an Item

I think that takes care of the first item.
Shall we leave that item?
Why don't we move on to...
If nobody has anything else to add, lets ...

Next Item

Let's move onto the next item
Now that we've discussed X, let's now ...
The next item on today's agenda is...
Now we come to the question of.

Giving Control to the Next Participant

I'd like to hand over to (name of participant), who is going to lead the next point.
Next, (name of participant) is going to take us through ...
Now, I'd like to introduce (name of participant) who is going to ...

Summarizing

Before we close today's meeting, let me just summarize the main points.
Let me quickly go over today's main points.
To sum up, ...,.
OK, why don't we quickly summarize what we've done today.
In brief, ...
Shall I go over the main points?

Finishing Up

Right, it looks as though we've covered the main items.
If there are no other comments, I'd like to wrap this meeting up.
Let's bring this to a close for today.
Is there Any Other Business?

Suggesting and Agreeing on Time, Date and Place for the Next Meeting

Can we set the date for the next meeting, please?
So, the next meeting will be on ... (day), the . . . (date) of.. . (month) at ...
Let's next meet on ... (day), the . . . (date) of.. . (month) at ... What about the following Wednesday? How is that?

Thanking Participants for Attending

I'd like to thank Marianne and Jeremy for coming over from London.
Thank you all for attending.
Thanks for your participation.

Closing the Meeting

The meeting is finished, we'll see each other next ...
The meeting is closed.
I declare the meeting closed.

Business English - Discussing Ideas at a Meeting

2008-10-06T01:04:00.000-07:00

Discussing Ideas at a Meeting

Chairman: I'd like to open today's meeting. Robert?
Robert: First, I'll quickly go over the main points of the last meeting.

Chairman: …. (finishes) , if no one has anything to add, let's move on to today's agenda.
Robert: I suggest we each give a little background on the suggestions we discussed last week.

Chairman:Could you repeat that, please?
Robert: Let's start by going over the research you've done on the suggestions.

Chairman: You'll find most of the information outlined in the summary documents in front of you.
Robert: These figures are interesting. It's clear to me that customer communications are not working as they should.

Chairman: Yes, our marketing efforts really haven't been effective to date.
Robert: I suggest we break up into groups and discuss how we can improve our message.

Chairman: Unfortunately, we're almost out of time. I suggest you submit your ideas on marketing and we can discuss the best next week.
Robert: Before we close, could we quickly discuss the Armstrong situation?

Key Vocabulary

to open a meeting
to go over
main points
to add something to a discussion
agenda
to move on
to give some background
outlined
summary documents
figures
communications
marketing efforts
to date
to break up into groups
out of time
to close a meeting

Business English - Tomorrow's Meeting

2008-10-06T01:03:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow's Meeting

Alice: We're having a meeting tomorrow. Can you make it?
Kevin: When is it taking place?

Alice: We're planning on 10 o'clock. Is that OK?
Kevin: Yes, that'll be fine.

Alice: We're going to go over last quarter's sales figures.
Kevin: Good. I have some input I'd like to make.

Alice: Frank is also going to make some suggestions on improving the bottom line.
Kevin: That'll be interesting. He's got keen insights.

Alice: Yes, he's going to outline some new sales strategies.
Kevin: Is Alan attending?

Alice: No, he's flying to San Francisco and won't be able to make it.
Kevin: Oh well, maybe He'll phone in.

Key Vocabulary

to make a meeting
to take place
sales figures
quarter
bottom line
insight
strategy
to phone in

Business English - Funds Transfer and Deposits

2008-10-06T01:01:00.000-07:00

Funds Transfer and Deposits

Maria: Alice, have you transferred the funds to the Anderson account yet?
Alice: No, I haven't done that yet.

Maria: Good, there are a few changes we need to make.
Alice: Really? It's good I haven't had a chance to go to the bank yet. What has been changed?

Maria: They've asked to how the funds transferred into three different accounts. Here's the updated information.
Alice: This looks more complicated.

Maria: It's not that difficult. Just take along the account numbers, amounts and payment scheme to the bank with you.
Alice: Am I authorized to make these changes?

Maria: I can call ahead and let them know. Here's the PIN number in any case.
Alice: Is there anything else I need to do?

Maria: Yes, could you make these deposits when you go.
Alice: Certainly, which accounts do you want to use.

Maria: Deposit the checks into our savings account. Put the cash into checking
Alice: OK, I'll probably leave in about a half an hour.

Key Vocabulary

to transfer funds
updated
complicated
payment scheme
to be authorized to do something
to call ahead
PIN number

Business English - Taking a Message

2008-10-06T00:53:00.000-07:00

Taking a Message

Receptionist: Janson Wine Importers. Good Morning. How can I help you?
Caller: Could I speak to Mr Adams, please?

Receptionist: Who's calling please?
Caller: This is Anna Beare.

Receptionist: Sorry, I didn't catch your name.
Caller: Anna Beare. That's B E A R E

Receptionist: Thank you. And where are you calling from?
Caller: Sun Soaked Vineyards

Receptionist: OK Ms Beare. I'll try and put you through. … I'm sorry but the line's busy. Would you like to hold?
Caller: Could I leave a message?

Receptionist: Certainly.
Caller: Could you tell Mr Adams that our shipment will be postponed and that the 200 cases ordered should arrive next Monday.

Receptionist: Shipment delayed … arriving next Monday.
Caller: Yes, and could you ask him to call me back when the shipment arrives?

Receptionist: Certainly. Could you give me your number please?
Caller: Yes, it's 503-589-9087

Receptionist: That's 503-589-9087
Caller: Yes, that's right. Thanks for your help. Goodbye

Receptionist: Goodbye.

Key Vocabulary

to catch a person's name
to be busy / to be engaged
to hold the line
to leave a message
shipment
to postpone
to be delayed
to call someone back

2008-10-01T19:19:00.000-07:00

air - The air is good today.
angry - He is very angry.
animal - A dog is an animal. A cat is an animal.
answer - He answered the question.
apple - I love red apples.
area - This area is pretty.
art - I love Mongolian art.
atom - The atom is very small.
baby - She put her baby into its crib.
back - My back hurts. He said that he will come back to Ulaanbaatar.
ball - A ball is round; paper is flat; buildings are tall.
band - The band played all night.
bank - The bank closes at three in the afternoon.
bar - Let's go to the bar and get a beer.
bear - The bear is a dangerous but playful animal.
beautiful - Marilyn Monroe was beautiful.
bell - He rang the bell.
bird - There are many birds in the jungle.
blood - Look at the blood on the floor! What's happened?
boat - He bought a new boat for his birthday.
body - He left the body at the side of the road.
bone - I found a bone in the desert.
book - You should read this book!
bottom - You will find the coin at the bottom of the lake.
box - I put the extra clothes into that box.
boy - Do you see that boy over there?
branch - There is a bird on that branch.
bread - Could you get some bread when you go to the supermarket?
break - If you jump, you will break your leg.
brother - My brother lives in Darkhan.
call - Give me a call when you arrive.
camp - My son goes to camp in the summer.
capital - The capital of Mongolia is Ulaanbaatar.
captain - The captain told his crew to raise the sail.
car - He drove his car very fast.

Nouns, Verbs, and Adjectives

2008-10-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

Nouns

time
person
year
way
day
thing
man
world
life
hand
part
child
eye
woman
place
work
week
case
point
government
company
number
group
problem
fact

Verbs

be
have
do
say
get
make
go
know
take
see
come
think
look
want
give
use
find
tell
ask
work
seem
feel
try
leave
call

Adjectives

good
new
first
last
long
great
little
own
other
old
right
big
high
different
small
large
next
early
young
important
few
public
bad
same
able

AMERICAN ACCENT TRAINING

2008-09-30T21:52:00.000-07:00

(AMERICA NAEKSENT TRAINING)

1. What is accent?

Intonation (speech music)
Liaisons (word connections)
Pronunciation (sounds of vowels, consonants, and combinations)

2. LISTEN
BETTER

3. BUSINESS
POOL

4. Exaggerate

5. Tense vowels

Take
Eat
Ice
Hope
Smooth
Caught
Cat
Down

6. Lax vowels

Get
It
Took
Some

7. Semi vowel

Her
Dull

8. Voiced and unvoiced consonants: initial, medial, final
9. American intonation

Do not speak word by word
Connect words to form sound groups: Bob is on the phone = Ba bisan the foun

up stair

Use staircase intonation: We and cases.

go down

One of The Best Way to Improve Your English

2008-09-30T21:41:00.000-07:00

Objective: To improve the English conversational ability of bank employees.

Issues:
1. When students are given free courses, they sometimes lack motivation.
2. Students taught in large group settings may not participate to the fullest extent.
3. When students are told what they will study or how – in other words, not given a choice – they may lack motivation and purpose.

Responses:

Voucher system: employees given vouchers to use as they choose from a variety of classes and courses offered by NY English including large group classes, small group conversation classes, computer assisted English instruction, learning through entertaining videos, informal English-only get-together, day-long intensives, subject matter courses (for example, modern economic theory, marketing)
Vouchers offered as a reward or only upon application and interview
Large group instruction enhanced by fun and friendly competition

Discussion: Business leaders and employees are generally in agreement about the importance of improving English language skills in conversation, reading, and writing. Businesses may pay for or subsidized their employees attending courses at English language schools. Employees may, on their own, attend courses to improve their employability. The results of these efforts, however, may prove to be less than expected. Many traditionally taught classes that rely on book learning may not lead to improved conversational skills, and employer sponsored programs often fail to motivate students. Whether these courses are presented in house or at a language center does not seem to make a difference in many cases. So what is the answer? Or answers? How can employers get the “biggest bang for their buck?”

Let’s stake a step backwards – or to the side – and, instead of looking at the employees, let’s take a look at ourselves. Why haven’t you, why haven’t I, learned that second or third language we wanted to? Why haven’t II – or you -- mastered that musical instrument, or learned to dance, or paint, or – you name it? Of course there are a host of reasons that people succeed in or fail to achieve their goals, but the one common feature we have found in the students who appreciably improve their English language skills is let them talk.