Unit 1

BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS

I. TELEPHONING

1. Find the suitable missing words or phrases to fill in the following telephone
conversation.

A: Good morning, Olympia Shipping. May I 1. ….. you?

B: Yes, good morning. This is Alice Stillman, I 2. ….. to speak with Sven Jannsen, please.
A: One moment please . . . I am sorry, but Mr. Jannsen is out of the office right now, can I 3.
….. a message?
B: Yes, please. Would you 4. ….. him that we need to reschedule our meeting for tomorrow? I
have a conflicting appointment that I can’t change.
A: Of course. I’ll let him 5. ….. that you have a conflicting appointment tomorrow that you
cannot change it, is that correct Ms. Stillman?
B: Yes, that is correct.
A: And may I 6. ….. you number please, Ms. Stillman?
B: Yes, I am at 422-5692, that’s Hanson Furniture Company.
A: That’s 422-5692. Is there anything else I 7. ….. help you with, Ms. Stillman?
B: No, 8. ….. you. That’s all I needed. Bye bye.
A: Good bye, Ms. Stillman.1

2. Use the following chart to make a complete telephone conversation. If you need to
refer to the Language Checklist on the following page.

Caller Receptionist
1. ”Good morning, Welsh and Rossler.”
2. Introduce yourself
3. Ask to speak to Mr. ... 4. Mr. ... is not in.
5. Ask when you can contact him 6. Explain he is away and offer to take a
message.
7. Leave the message. You want Mr... 8. Confirm the information
to call you. Repeat your name. Give
your number.
9. End call 10. End call.

1
See also http://www.businessenglishebook.com/business-english-lessons-activities/business-english-taking-
messages-lesson/
 3. Roleplay the following customer telephone situations. Take turns to be the caller
and the secretary. Use the Language Checklist below to help you.
 A customer wants to contact the Sales Department about a delayed order. The
secretary puts him through.
 A client wants to speak to Mr. Jones about a mistake in his/her invoice. Mr Jones
is not in, the secretary takes a message.
 Eric Blunt phones on behalf of his boss, Mr. Adams, to postpone a meeting. The
secretary arranges for a convenient date.
 Philip Doggers wants to make an appointment for a job interview. The secretary
takes his number and assures him that she will call back after she has spoken to
her boss.

LANGUAGE CHECKLIST2
Telephoning

Introducing yourself Taking a call :

 Good morning, John.
 Hello, this is .... from.... .
 Hello, my name’s ....calling from.... .
 Hello, my name’s ...., I'm calling on
behalf of Mr. X ...
Saying what you want
 I’d like to speak to ...., please.
 Could I have the .... Department,
please?
 Is ... there, please?
 I’m ringing to ...
 I need some information about ....
 X speaking. Can I help you?
Asking for a name / information :
 Who's calling please?
 Who's speaking?
 Where are you calling from?
 Are you sure you have the right number
/ name?
Asking the caller to wait :
 Hold the line please.
 Could you hold on please?
 Just a moment please.

Making arrangements Connecting :

 Could we meet some time next month?
 When would be a good time?
 Would Thursday at 5 o’clock suit you?
 What about July 21st?
 That would be fine.
 No, sorry, I can’t make it then.
 Sorry, I’m too busy next week.
 Thank you for holding.
 The line's free now, I'll put you
through.
 I'll connect you now  / I'm connecting
you now.
Saying someone is not available

2
See also S. Sweeney, 1997, p. 39.

Changing arrangements
 We’ve got an appointment for next
month, but ...
 I’m afraid I can’t come on that day.
 Could we fix an alternative?
Leaving messages
 Could you give him/her a message?
 Can I leave him/her a message?
 Could you ask him/her to call me back?
 Please tell him/her to ring me on ....
 Could you tell him/her that I called?
Ending a call
 Right. I think that’s all.
 Thanks very much for your help.
 I look forward to ... seeing you / your
call/ your letter / your fax / our
meeting.
 I’m sorry he/she is not available ... .
 Sorry, he/she’s away / not in / in a
meeting / in London
 I'm afraid the line's engaged. Could you
call back later?
 I'm afraid he's in a meeting at the
moment.
 I'm sorry. He's out of the office today. /
He isn't in at the moment.
 I'm afraid we don't have a
Mr./Mrs./Ms/Miss. ... here
 I'm sorry.  There's nobody here by that
name.
 Sorry.  I think you've dialled the wrong
number./
I'm afraid you've got the wrong
number.
Taking a message :
 Can I take a message?
 Would you like to leave a message?
 Could you give me your name please?
 Could you spell that please?
 What's your number please?
 Can I take a message?
 Would you like to leave a message?
 If you give me your number, I’ll ask
him/her to call you later.
Telephone problems :
 The line is very bad ...  Could you
speak up please?
 Could you repeat that please?
 I'm afraid I can't hear you.
 Sorry. I didn't catch that.  Could you
say it again please?
Offering to help in other ways
 Can anyone else help you?
 Can i help you perhaps?
 Would you like to speak to his
assistant?
 Shall I ask him to call you back?
Asking for repetition
  Sorry, I didn’t catch your name /your
number/ your company name, etc.
 Sorry, could you repeat your name /
number, etc.
 Sorry, I didn’t hear that.
 Sorry, I didn’t understand that.
 Could you spell that / your name,
please.

Confirming information
 So ...
 Okay, I’ve got that now.
 To confirm that ...
 Can you ? Can I confirm that by fax?

II. MEMOS, FAXES AND E-MAILS

1. Discution
a. How often do you use electronic mail?
b. Have you ever sent a fax?
c. Have you ever received a memo?
d. Which form of business communication do you find more effective?

2. Read the following text on Memos, faxes and e-mails and answer the questions.
a. What do memos, faxes and e-mails share in common?
a. What is the main function of a memo? How is it transmitted?
b. What are faxes mainly used for?
c. What are the disadvantages of sending e-mails?

MEMOS, FAXES AND E-MAILS

Memos, faxes and e-mails are quick, easy and effective ways for a company to communicate
internally. Although they are very different types of correspondence, they have in common fact
that they give busy readers information quickly, focusing on the day-to-day activities in a
company – sales and product information, policy and schedule changes, progress reports, orders,
troubleshooting problems, etc. Also, they are less formal than the business letters or the reports.
They use a conversational style of writing and can use the jargon and abbreviations.
Memos
The chief function of a memo is to record information of immediate importance and interest:
announcing a company policy, alerting readers to a problem or deadline, reminding readers about
a meeting, and so on. Memos are important tools for companies and reflect company politics,
policies, and organization. They are sent down the administrative ladder from executives to
middle managers to employees and up the ladder from employees to supervisors.

Faxes
Faxes are still widely used in business. They are particularly useful for sending copies of
documents and graphics. Always include your phone number on your fax in case the recipient
needs to verify your message or has trouble receiving the fax. Remember that the confidentiality
of faxes is difficult to safeguard; unless the recipient has his or her own secured fax machine,
anyone in the receiving office can read your fax. 3

E-mail
E-mail has revolutionized the way messages are sent and received in the business world
as it meets the needs of the fast pace of business and society. There are advantages and
disadvantages to its use. Speed and convenience are the primary advantages, while lack of
privacy and security are its disadvantages. There are those in the business world who frown on
the use of e-mail because of its informality. The number of errant e-mails and “junk mail” that
have caused embarrassing situations for employees can attest to the opinions that it is an
inappropriate form of correspondence. Therefore, use e-mail cautiously and courteously.
Within a business, e-mail is primarily used to communicate internally, providing the user
with the convenience of reaching many people quickly and simultaneously. It can be used to
send notices to departments, update team members on a project or inform employees of benefits
information or training opportunities. While humor and informality can be acceptable in this type
of correspondence, the e-mail is strictly a tool for quick communication.4

3. This memo is used by a supervisor to set up a series of meetings and to announce the
first scheduled meeting. Choose a suitable heading (1-4) for the main parts of the
memo (A – D).

Headings:
1. Confirmation of Date, Time and Place
2. Send/Receive/Subject Information
3. Closing & “Signature”
4. Announcement of Meeting

A To: Department Managers

3
Philip C. Kolin, Successful Writing at Work, 11th Edition, University of Southern Mississippi 2017 | Published
https://www.csun.edu/~bashforth/306_PDF/Project2/Eng%20306%20Memos-faxes-etc%20.pdf
4
J. A., Carey, J. Dugger, 2002, p. 234.
 . From: C. Jarrett
Subject: Budget Meetings

We will be meeting to plan the capital budgets for the coming year. I expect it will take
B. three to four meetings for us to get the numbers on the table and then work it all out to
the final projections.

The first meeting will be held on November 2nd at 10 a.m. in the conference room. We
C. will set the remaining meeting dates/times during this first one. Bring your
department’s budget projections and be prepared to explain how your department will
contribute to the company’s cost-cutting drive.

Thanks,
D Carl
.

Considering the above example, write a memo to your classmates announcing a

meeting for those interested in an Erasmus scholarship. Make sure you follow the
example above.

4. Read and discuss the following two faxes.

A. The first fax is from Lynk & Co, who received a damaged consignment and were told by
their supplier, Mr Causio, to return it.

P. Lynk & Co. Ltd

Nesson House, Newell Street, Birmingham B3 3EL

fax
TO: D. Causio FROM: K. Pane,
PHONE: 021-327 5385 PHONE: 021-876 5432
SUBJECT: damaged delivery DATE: 24 January 2016
Urgent [X] Please Reply [ ] For Review [ ]
COMMENTS:
Dear Mr. Causio,
This is an urgent request for a consignment to replace the damaged delivery that we received,
and about which you have already been informed. Please airfreight the following items: Cat.
no. Quantity PN40 60 AG20 75 L28 100
The damaged consignment will be returned to you on receipt of the replacement.
 Yours sincerely,
K. Pane, Chief Buyer

B. The second fax is from a sales representative, who needs something to be done urgently
by his Head Office.
MANSON OFFICE SUPPLIER LIMITED
Canal Street, Manchester M12 4KQ

fax
TO: Sue Bresson FROM: Nick Manson
PHONE: 021-924 5385 PHONE: 021-716 0274
SUBJECT: more samples needed DATE: 15 May 2016
Urgent [X] Please Reply [ ] For Review [ ]
COMMENTS:
Sue,
I've been in Bournemouth now since yesterday, and our clients seem to be most enthusiastic
about our new range of notepaper. Can you send some more samples and about twenty more
catalogues? Please send them Datapost, then I'll definitely get them tomorrow.
Also, just to let you know I'll be in Norwich on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th, and back at the
office on Monday.

Thanks, and see you next week.

Discussion
Compare the styles of the two faxes. How are they different? How does the style change
according to the writing situation?

5.

Mrs Watson works in the Sales Department. This morning she received three important faxes
from customers. Unfortunately, they got mixed up with some waste paper and were fed into the
shredder. She has managed to recuperate some of the pieces. Can you help her to sort out and
then recreate the original messages. She remembers that there was an enquiry from a Mr Benn, a
fax about a late payment from a Mrs Walsh and a complaint from a Mr Smith.5

iscount on large orde

pay by draft at 90 da

nother invoice as soo verdue payme

5
http://tefl.teacher.pagesperso-orange.fr/writing.pdf
 informed our bank to make a transfer imm
eference to your reminder
discrepancy between the amount invoiced a
6. Below there is an example of a e-mail written by Jane Jones as a follow-up for a job
interview. Read the text carefully and then try to write an e-mail in which Jane tells
her best friend Mary how the interview went.

Send To… Joan.smith@company.com

Cc…
Account Bcc…
Subject Thank you – Assistant Account Executive Interview
Dear Ms. Smith,

It was very enjoyable to speak with you today about the assistant account
executive position at the Smith Agency.

The job seems to be an excellent match for my skills and interests. The creative
approach to account management that you described confirmed my desire to
work with you.

In addition to my enthusiasm, I will bring to the position strong writing skills,

assertiveness, and the ability to encourage others to work cooperatively with the
department.

I appreciate the time you took to interview me, I am very interested in working for
you and look forward to hearing from you regarding this position.

Sincerely,
Jane Jones
____________

Jane Jones
janejones@gmail.com
(555) 555-5555
 7. Request for Appointment
The following e-mail is used by a salesperson to set up appointments and to announce his
schedule. Unfortunately, it got mixed up. Put the e-mail in a logical order. You may use the
following headings as guidelines:
1. Salutation
2. Request for Appointment
3. Benefit
4. Added Service
5. Complimentary Close
6. Typed Name / Title
7. Postscript

A. I have enclosed our latest catalog. Please note the items in yellow highlight.
They are special values or new products that A-1 Cleaners will want to take
 advantage of now.

B. Sincerely yours,

C. P.S. See page 68 of our catalog for a great value on our most-ordered product
choice!

D. Dear Ms. Montgomery,

E. Douglas James
Sales Representative

F. I will contact you later this week to schedule an appointment. If you need to get
in touch with me, call me at 800-555-9047. I look forward to talking with you.
Thank you for your continued business.

G. I will be in Lincoln on February 3 and would like to meet with you at your office
to discuss cleaning supplies you may need in the second half of the year.

III. BUSINESS LETTERS

Business letters are crucial to the success of every professional. Effectively written letters
can increase the quality of working relationships and the quantity of business one can attract.
There are many parts to a business letter — some required, some optional. The parts of a
business letter follow:
1. Letterhead or Heading
2. Date
3. File Number (optional)
4. Confidential (optional)
5. Inside Address
6. Attention Line (optional)
7. Salutation (optional)
8. Subject Line (optional)
9. Body of the Letter
10. Complimentary Close (optional)
11. Signature
12. Added Information (optional)
13. Postscript (optional)
14. Mailing Instructions (optional)
In the following business letter example, decide which of the above listed parts were used.
Capital Supplies
8995 Camden Rd. • Williamsburg, WI 63094
October 2, 20XX
Lance Smith, Director
Terrance Trucking
P.O. Box 4440
Houston, TX 34598-4440

Dear Mr. Smith,

Thank you for your conscientious service. All 15 of your last shipments have arrived
undamaged. We have never contracted with a supplier with as fine a record as yours. We
appreciate the extra effort it takes to ship our order intact and on time.

Ted McCracken and Bob Smiley have delivered these shipments to our loading dock supervisor.
I have attached copies of logs for your review. Note that the unloading time is approximately
half of that from other shippers for a similar load. Ted and Bob frequently help our crew unload
the crates. This additional service always comes with an exchange of jokes. Our crew collects
laughs to compete
with your drivers!

Doing business with your organization is a pleasure. You save us money by eliminating shipping
waste and time by providing efficient drivers. Please accept the enclosed certificates of merit to
Terrance Trucking, Ted and Bob, with our appreciation. We are confident in referring our
customers and vendors to Terrance Trucking for their shipping needs.

Sincerely,

Cala Reginald
CLR:mjk
Enc. (10)

Pair work
Student 1. Write a letter to Vodafone. Complain about one of its products. Ask for a
refund. Show your partner your paper. Correct each other’s work.
Student 2. Write a letter of apology to the customer. Explain why you cannot give a refund.
Show your partner your letter. Correct each other’s work.
Use the Useful Phrases and Vocabulary for Writing Business Letters below to help you.

USEFUL PHRASES AND VOCABULARY 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.

Apologising
• 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 ...

Placing 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 clients)
Sincerely yours / Yours faithfully (in more formal letters)
Regards (for those you already know and/or with whom you have a working relationship)
 GRAMMAR
FUTURE FORMS
VERB FORM EXAMPLE MEANING
will I'll be twenty next Friday neutral meaning; we use it to
talk about facts in the future

prediction
I think the European market will collapse.
instant decision
“What would you like?”
“I'll have an orange juice, please”
offer, willingness
“We've lost a file.”
“I'll help you look for it.”
promise
“I’ll buy you a bicycle for your birthday.”
be going to What is Daniel going to do now that he’s been fired? intention, arrangement, plan
He’s going to apply for another job.
She says she's going to be a sales manager when she
grows up.
I'm going to spend some time working on this report.
predictions based on present
It's nearly nine now. We're going to be late. evidence
Look at those clouds - it's going to pour with rain!
Present Are you doing anything this evening? intention
continuous I'm visiting my friends.

Mark is going to listen to music while he's driving time clauses

to Scotland.
Present simple My train leaves at seven twenty in the morning. timetable
The meeting starts at half past seven.
in time clauses after: as soon
I'm starting a job in sales after I finish college. as, before, when, by the time,
I must get to the bank before it closes. until, when, while.
be to OPEC representatives are to meet in Geneva next Tuesday. future event that is officially
arranged
be about to The plane is at the end of the runway. It is about to take
off. very near future
Do you want to say goodbye to our visitors? They're about to
leave.
be due to The BA 561 is due to arrive from Athens at 13:15. used in connexion with
The BA 561 is not due till 13:15. timetables and itineraries
Future Will you be waiting for me when my plane arrives tonight? action in progress in the
continuous At this time tomorrow I will be cooking and you will be future
(progressive) studying.
Future perfect By next November, I will have received my promotion. action which occurs before a
By the time I finish this course, I will have taken ten tests. specific time or action in the
 future

1. There are a number of different ways of referring to the future in English. Match the
following sentences with a corresponding idea.

1. Simple prediction a. This time next week I'll be sun-bathing.

2. Arrangements
3. Plans and intentions
4. Time-tabled events
5. Prediction based on present evidence
6. Willingness
7. An action in progress in the future
8. An action or event that is a matter of
routine
9. official future event
10. An action or event that will take place
immediately or very soon
11. Projecting ourselves into the future and
looking back at a completed action.
b. A month from now he will have finished all
his exams.
c. The Queen is to address the nation on Friday
evening.
d. I think it's going to rain!
e. The train is about to leave.
f. There will be snow in many areas tomorrow.
g. We'll give you a lift to the cinema.
h. I'm meeting Jim at the airport.
i. We're going to spend the summer abroad.
j. The plane takes off at 3 a.m.
k. You'll be seeing John in the office
tomorrow, won't you?

2. Make questions or negative sentences with will or going to. Sometimes either form is
possible.
1. Michelle / not start work / tomorrow.
Michelle is not going to start work tomorrow.
2. I / not be / here next week.
I won’t be here next week.
3. We / not have / money for a holiday.
4. Where / I find / the key?
5. John / pass / his exams?
6. The train / not be late.
7. all this money / change your life?
8. Bob /phone/ this evening?
9. I / not stop / smoking.
10. Hellen / not marry / her boss.
11. it / rain/?
12. I / not cook steak / this evening.
13. When / you / have a haircut?
14. When / you and your wife / come and see us?

3. Complete the sentences. Choose will ('11) or be going to, whichever is correct or more
likely, and one of these verbs.
 collapse eat enter explode have increase leave paint phone
re-open retire see show be sick walk
1. Get out of the building! It sounds like the generator ..... .
2. Tim ..... early before he reaches 65. He mentioned it at the meeting recently.
3. 'I think I ..... home across the park.' 'That's a good idea.'
4. Next year, no doubt, more people ..... the competition as the prize money increases.
5. 'Can we meet at 10.00 outside the station?' 'Okay. I ..... you there.'
6. Don't sit on that bench, I ..... it.
7. I'm not feeling well. In fact, I think I ..... !
8. 'Closed over the New Year period. This office ..... on 2nd January.' (Sign on an office
window)
9. I'm sure you ..... a good time staying with Richard.
10. We ..... with Tim tonight. He's asked us to be there at 7.00.
11. 'The 2.35 to Bristol ..... from platform 5.' (Announcement at railway station.)
12. I wouldn't walk across that old bridge if I were you. It looks like it .....
13. 1 read in the paper that they ..... the price of gas again.
14. Do you like my new solar watch? Here, I ..... you how it works.
15. 'Dr Jackson isn't in his office at the moment.' 'In that case, I ..... him at home.'

4. These sentences refer to the future. Complete them with either going to or the present
continuous, whichever is correct or more likely, using any appropriate verb.
1. I can't go any further. I..... on that bench for a while.
2. The game ..... at two o'clock tomorrow. I hope you can be there.
3. The service here is very slow. I..... to the manager if we're not served soon.
4. I have a right to be heard, and no-one ..... me from putting my side of the argument.
5. The two leaders ..... for talks later this afternoon.
6. The bank has announced that it ..... its interest rates by one per cent from tomorrow.
7. Are you ..... my questions or not?
8. I have to get up early tomorrow. I ..... a Physics class at 8.00 in the morning.
9. Before I apply for the job, I ..... more information about it.
10. Brazil ..... Colombia in today's final.

5. Use the present simple or the will + infinitive of an appropriate verb to complete these
sentences.
1. Martha's new play ...... at the Grand Theatre next week.
2. The committee ...... Stockholm on Sunday morning, ...... in Australia on Monday
and ...... work on Tuesday.
3. National No-Smoking week ...... on October 24th.
 4. On tonight's programme we ...... to the deputy president about the latest
unemployment figures.
5. In a few moments, I ...... over there and give the signal to start running.
6. Your plane ...... London at 8:30 and ...... in Cairo at 12:00.
7. Dr Smith ...... available again at 9.00 tomorrow.
8. The door in front of us ...... automatically in a few moments.
9. The Prime Minister ...... in India on Tuesday, then ...... to Malaysia.
10. ...... to the main point of my talk in a little while.

6. Fill in with the suitable form of the verbs in brackets.

1. I'll be ready as soon as you (be).
2. We'll stay here till she (return).
3. Please, call us when you (arrive).
4. I'm going to tell her before she (leave).
5. I don't know when the party (start).
6. He'll drive you there whenever you (need).
7. The moment summer here, the garden (be) so beautiful!
8. I am going to take the exam after I (study) all these books.
9. He will wait for you until you (be back).
10. Don't worry! I'll watch you while you (swim) in the lake.

Be to and be about to
1. Complete these sentences on the news. Some are spoken by the newsreader in the studio
and some by reporters on the spot. Use be to or be about to with the verbs in brackets.
1. The new museum is to open (open) in the autumn.
2. The Prime Minister is at the microphone now. He is about to start (start)
speaking.
3. The leading runner is nearly there now. She (win) the race.
4. Taxes (go) up from next April.
5. The US President (visit) Ireland in the new year.
6. The riot isn't over yet, but the police are here. They (move) in.
7. The talks on world trade (take) place later this year.
8. The Parliament meeting (be held) on Monday.

2. Put in the missing words. Use one word only in each space.
1. I don't want a steak. I think I'll have the chicken.
2. There's a fireworks display tomorrow. Janet is ..... to watch it.
3. We're at that table in the corner. ..... you join us?
4. I'm seeing the boss this afternoon. But I must study this report before I ..... her.
 5. The European heads of state are ..... meet in Brussels on the 3rd of October.
6. It's a lovely day. ..... we go for a walk?
7. My birthday ..... on a Sunday next year.
8. My brother is engaged. He's ..... married in June.
9. You won't be allowed to go to your seat after the play ..... .
10. Martin's got his coat on. I think he's ..... to go out.

3. Write the sentences correctly.

1. I'm hungry. I think I have something to eat.
I think I'll have something to eat.
2. You say you're getting a coach at nine. What time is it getting to London?
3. I'll give Polly the news. I'll tell her when I'll see her this evening.
4. Rupert looks really tired. He's about felling asleep.
5. We've arranged to go out. We meet in town later.
6. I'm going to Spain next week. I send you a postcard.
7. I'm going to get to the airport early. I can read a book while I'll be waiting.
8. I feel a bit tired, I go to lie down.
9. Why not come to the party? All your friends shall be there.
10. There's been a bomb warning. No one can go into the building until the police
will have searched it.

Future Continuous
Choose a verb that can complete both sentences in the pair. Use the future simple will/won't
+ infinitive in one sentence and the future continuous will/won't be + -ing in the other.
drive go open organise tell try

1. a. Matsuki ..... their first factory in Europe next year.

b. Here, give me the bottle. I ..... it for you.
2. a. Keno ..... to win his third gold medal in the next Olympics.
b. I ..... to get over to see you, but I've got a very busy weekend coming up.
3. a. Sam ..... to the dentist. He simply refuses to make an appointment.
b. I ..... to the party, I'm afraid; I have to be in Spain that weekend.
4. a. 'How old is he?' 'I've no idea, but I'm sure he ..... you if you ask him.'
b. In this programme I ..... you how to cook duck in a lemon sauce.
5. a. It's odd to think that this time tomorrow we ..... to Madrid.
b. He ..... anywhere without first looking at a road map.
6. a. I won't have time to meet you next weekend, I'm afraid. I ..... the school
timetable for next year.
b. Perhaps John ..... the games at the party. I'll ask him. He's good at that sort of
thing.
Future Perfect (will have done)
Put the verb into the correct form:
1. By this time tomorrow, I (finish) the project.
2. By 8 o'clock, the kids (fall) asleep.
3. By tomorrow morning, he (sleep) wonderfully.
4. By next year, she (receive) her promotion.
5. John (sell) his car by next Sunday.
6. Mary (clean) the entire house by lunch.
7. We (dance) a few dances before midnight.
8. At this time tomorrow morning, they (begin) working.
9. At this time next week, we (catch) the thief.
10. By 2018, I (live) in Madrid for 5 years.