Saturday, October 29, 2016

Computers & Information Technology

N.B. The British spelling 'programme' is no longer used to refer to a computer program, although it is still correct in other phrases e.g. 'television programme'.

Word


Meaning

adwareA software application which displays unwanted pop-up advertisements on your computer while in use.  Adware is often installed at the same time as free software or shareware.
applicationAny program designed to perform a specific function directly for the user.  Microsoft Word, Outlook or Adobe Photoshop are examples of application programs.
bloatware/fatwarePre-installed software that occupies a lot of space, leaving little memory for storing personal data.
browserA program or tool such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or Google that enables you to browse or surf the World Wide Web and view internet sites.
bugA defect or fault in a program that prevents it from working correctly.  Bugs are caused by mistakes or errors made by those who write the program.
cacheA sort of fast memory used for temporary storage of recently accessed web pages, which enables the browser to display them more quickly on the next visit.
cookiesSmall piece of information on the times and dates you have visited web sites.  A web server can temporarily store this information within your browser.  The main purpose is to identify users and possibly prepare customized web pages for them.
crashWhat happens when a program or the entire operating system, unexpectedly stops working.
cursorA blinking symbol on the screen that shows where any new text will next be entered.
driverA special program which enables a computer to work with a particular piece of hardware such as a printer.
e-businessBusiness done over the internet or any internet-based network.
e-mailElectronic mail : messages sent from one computer to another over the internet.
FAQFrequently Asked Questions.
firewallSpecialized hardware or software designed to prevent unauthorized access into or out of a computer or network.
fontA particular kind of lettering (e.g. Arial, Verdana, etc.)
hardwareThe physical equipment or touchable parts of a computer system (the CPU (central processing unit), monitor, keyboard,  mouse, external speakers, scanner the printer, etc.)
hitA visit to a website.
home pageThe main page or opening page of a website.  It usually contains links to other pages.
loginProcess by which a user enters a name and password to access a computer.

Friday, October 28, 2016

Business English resources

Apologising
(US: Apologizing)
  • We are sorry for the delay in replying to ...
  • I regret any inconvenience caused (by) ...
  • I would like to apologise for the (delay, inconvenience)...
  • Once again, please accept my apologies for ...
Orders
  • Thank you for your quotation of ...
  • We are pleased to place an order with your company for..
  • We would like to cancel our order n° .....
  • Please confirm receipt of our order.
  • I am pleased to acknowledge receipt of your order n° .....
  • Your order will be processed as quickly as possible.
  • It will take about (two/three) weeks to process your order.
  • We can guarantee you delivery before ...(date)
  • Unfortunately these articles are no longer available /
    are out of stock.
Prices
  • Please send us your price list.
  • You will find enclosed our most recent catalogue and price list.
  • Please note that our prices are subject to change
    without notice.
  • We have pleasure in enclosing a detailed quotation.
  • We can make you a firm offer of ...
Referring to payment
  • Our terms of payment are as follows  ...
  • Our records show that we have not yet received
    payment of ...
  • According to our records ...
  • Please send payment as soon as possible.
  • You will receive a credit note for the sum of ...
Enclosing documents
  • I am enclosing ...
  • Please find enclosed ...
  • You will find enclosed ...
Closing remarks
  • If we can be of any further assistance, please let us know.
  • If I can help in any way, please do not hesitate to
    contact me.
  • If you require more information ...
  • For further details ...
  • Thank you for taking this into consideration.
  • Thank you for your help.
  • We hope you are happy with this arrangement.
  • We hope you can settle this matter to our satisfaction.
Referring to future business
  • We look forward to a successful working relationship in the future.
  • We would be (very) pleased to do business with your company.
  • I would be happy to have an opportunity to work with
    your firm.
Referring to future contact
  • I look forward to seeing you next week.
  • Looking forward to hearing from you, ...
  • Looking forward to receiving your comments,
  • I look forward to meeting you on the (date).
  • I would appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience.
  • An early reply would be appreciated.
Ending business letters
◊ Sincerely,    }
◊ Yours sincerely,} for all customers / clients
◊ Sincerely yours,}
◊ Yours faithfully,in more formal letters
◊ Regards,for those you already know and/or with whom
you have a working relationship

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Useful phrases for writing business letters

Salutation• Dear Mr. Brown
• Dear Ms. White
• Dear Sir
• Dear Madam
• Dear Sir or Madam
• Gentlemen
Starting•  We are writing
- to inform you that ...
- to confirm ...
- to request ...
- to enquire about ...
• I am contacting you for the following reason...
• I recently read/heard about ..... and would like to know ....
• Having seen your advertisement in ..., I would like to ...
• I would be interested in (obtaining / receiving) ...
• I received your address from ----- and would like to ...
Referring to previous
contact
• Thank you for your letter of March 15.
• Thank you for contacting us.
• In reply to your request, ...
• Thank you for your letter regarding ...
• With reference to our telephone conversation yesterday...
• Further to our meeting last week ...
• It was a pleasure meeting you in London last month.
• I enjoyed having lunch with you last week in Tokyo.
• I would just like to confirm the main points we discussed
 on Tuesday.
Making a request• We would appreciate it if you would ...
• I would be grateful if you could ... 
• Could you please send me ... 
• Could you possibly tell us / let us have ... 
• In addition, I would like to receive ...
• It would be helpful if you could send us ...
• I am interested in (obtaining / receiving) ...
• I would appreciate your immediate attention to this matter.
• Please let me know what action you propose to take.
Offering help• Would you like us to ...?
• We would be happy to ...
• We are quite willing to ...
• Our company would be pleased to ...
Giving good news• We are pleased to announce that ...
• I am delighted to inform you that ..
• You will be pleased to learn that ...
Giving bad news • We regret to inform you that ...
• I'm afraid it would not be possible to ...
• Unfortunately we cannot / we are unable to ...
• After careful consideration we have decided (not) to ...
Complaining • I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with ...
• I am writing to complain about ...
• Please note that the goods we ordered on ( date )
 have not yet arrived.
• We regret to inform you that our order n° ----- is now
 considerably overdue.
• I would like to query the transport charges which seem
 unusually high.

Friday, October 21, 2016

Writing Business Letters

If writing a business letter takes you much longer than in your own language,here are a few guidelines that you may find helpful.


  • Plan before you write.
    • Look up words you need before you start.
    • Note the points you want to make, and order them into logical paragraphs.

  • Tone
    • Write as you would speak in a business conversation.
      The tone should be friendly and polite.

  • Names
    • Make sure you check the gender of the addressee (the recipient),
      as well as the correct spelling of the person's name and title.
    • Use Ms. for women and Mr. for men.
      You can use Mrs. for a woman if you are 100% sure that she is married.

  • Dates
    • To avoid any confusion, write the month instead of using numbers
      (e.g. January 15th, 2012  or 15 January 2012).

  • Be concise and clear. The easier it is to read a letter the better.
    • Keep sentences and paragraphs short and simple.
    • Use straightforward vocabulary to avoid any misunderstanding.
    • Ask direct questions.
    • Rewrite any sentence that does not seem perfectly clear.
    • If the recipient is not a native English-speaker, it is preferable to avoid 
      words or expressions that are too technical or complicated.

  • Remember this word order principle
      SubjectVerbObjectMannerPlaceTime
        WhoDoes What  HowWhere When

      Example : 
      Mr. Brown will travel by plane to London on Monday, June 5th.
      A technician will install the equipment in your office on Tuesday.
  • Avoid old-fashioned words

    • Although they are used in legal documents and contracts, words like 
      'herewith', 'herein', 'aforementioned', etc. are rarely used in letters.

      The following style of sentence is preferable :
      "You will find more information on our products in the enclosed brochure."

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Advertising

Word

Meaning

advertisementItem of publicity to promote a product or service in newspapers, magazines, on TV, etc.
advertising agencyMarketing services firm that assists companies in planning advertisements.
AIDAAttention, Interest, Desire, Action - the aim of all advertising.
benefitAdvantage of a product or service.
billboardSignboard for advertising posters.
broadsheetNewspaper printed in a large format.
campaignorganised course or plan of action.
circulationAverage number of copies of newspapers or magazines sold over a period of time.
classified adsSmall advertisements in newspapers or magazines, divided into categories.
commercialAdvertisement on radio or television.
couponPart of a printed advertisement to be used to order goods or samples.
direct mailAdvertisement sent by post to prospective customers.
double-page spreadAdvertisement printed across two pages in a newspaper or magazine.
editingReviewing or rewriting in order to make suitable for publication.
eye-catcherSomething that particularly attracts one's attention.
featuresSpecial characteristics of a product.
generic advertisingAdvertising for a whole sector, such as tourism, rather than a specific product.
hoardingWooden structure or signboard, used to carry advertisements.
hypeExcessive or intensive publicity;  exaggerated claims made inadvertising.
jingleCatchy tune, with a short simple rhyme, used to promote a product.
key wordsInformative words chosen to indicate the content of a document.
launchTo start an action in order to introduce something (e.g. a new proeduct).
mailshotPiece of advertising material sent to potential customers by post.
mass mediaThe main means of mass communication (newspapers, TV and radio).
plugFavourable publicity in the media for a commercial product
(e.g. a book).
posterLarge sheet of paper used in advertising.
prime timeHours on radio and TV with the largest audience, usually the evening.
promoteUse advertising and publicity to try to increase sales of a product.
roadside signsLarge panels along roads and motorways used for outdooradvertising.
sloganPhrase used to advertise a product, or to identify a company or organisation.
slotSpecific time in a broadcasting schedule allotted for a commercial.
soundbiteShort extract from a recorded interview or speech.
spamUnsolicited advertising sent through the internet as an email message.
spotPosition of a commercial in a radio programme or TV schedule.
tabloidNewspaper printed in small format, usually with a lot of photographs.
targetObjective;  what is aimed at.
U.S.P.Unique Selling Proposition;  a declaration of what makes a product different.
write copyWrite a text to be printed or spoken in an advertisement or a commercial.

Friday, October 14, 2016

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Word

Meaning

Ltdlimited
momonth
N/Anot applicable
NBNota Bene  (it is important to note)
nonumber
PApersonal assistant
p.a.per annum  (per year)
Plcpublic limited company
plsplease
p.m.post meridiem  (after noon)
p.p.per pro  (used before signing in a person's absence)
PRpublic relations
p.s.post scriptum
PTOplease turn over
p.w.per week
qtyquantity
R & Dresearch and development
rewith reference to
ROIreturn on investment
RSVPrepondez s'il vous plait  (please reply)
s.a.e.stamped addressed envelope
VATvalue added tax
VIPvery important person

Saturday, October 8, 2016

BUSINESS ENGLISH VOCABULARY

Word

Meaning

@at
a/caccount
AGMannual general meeting
a.m.ante meridiem  (before  noon)
a/oaccount of  (on behalf of)
AOBany other business
ASAPas soon as possible
ATMautomated teller machine (cash dispenser)
attnfor the attention of
approxapproximately
cccopy to
CEOchief executive officer
c/ocare of  (on letters:  at the address of)
Cocompany
cmcentimetre
CODcash on delivery
deptdepartment
e.g.exempli gratia (for example)
EGMextraordinary general meeting
ETAestimated time of arrival
etcet caetera  (and so on)
GDPgross domestic product
GNPgross national product
GMTGreenwich mean time  (time in London)
i.e.id est  (meaning : 'that is')
Incincorporated
IOUI owe you
IPOinitial public offer
Jrjunior
Kthousand
lbpound (weight)
£pound (money/currency)

Friday, October 7, 2016

words and expressions

Word
Cage sandals
A type of sandal with a lot of thin straps.
Captcha
Completely Automated Public Turing Test To Tell Computers and Humans Apart. A distorted image of letters and numbers used to ensure that a response is not generated by a computer, in order
to prevent spamming.
Carjacking
Blend of 'car' and 'hijacking'.
When a car driver is forced to give up his vehicle or drive to a destination designated by the attacker.
Carnapper
A person who steals a car.
Catfish 
A person who sets up a false profile on a social networking site
in order to deceive others or for fraudulent purposes.
Charticle
Blend of ‘chart’ and ‘article’.
A news article that is composed primarily of a chart, image or graphics with just a brief text for additional information.
Chatroom
Areas on the internet where people can communicate by exchanging typed messages
Chick lit
Books, usually featuring female characters, written by women on contemporary themes and issues that appeal more to women than to men.
Chillaxing
Blend of 'chilling' and relaxing'.
Taking a break from stressful activities to rest or relax.
Citizen journalism
News collected and reported by ordinary people, especially through the use of blog software.
Click and collect
A shopping facility which enables customers to order and pay for goods online, then collect them from a local branch of the store.
Click bait
Put something on a website that will encourage visitors to click on a link.
Clickjack
Clickjacking
Tricking Internet users into clicking on hidden links.
Cloud computing
A computing service which enables access to a shared pool of resources (servers, data storage, applications, etc.) over the Internet. Users can access and use tools or applications through
a web browser without having to install them on their computers.
Coatigan
Blend of 'coat' and 'cardigan'.
A long cardigan or knitted jacket which from a distance looks more like a coat. Designed as transitional wear for autumn weather before a heavier coat is necessary.
Content farm
A website that publishes large amounts of low-quality content, or content copied from elsewhere, in order to attract visitors and improve its search-engine rankings.