Classwork: 1

English 105 Business English

Style/Register of Language

Summary: This handout will discuss what constitutes Business English, describe Style
Tone and Register of everyday language and provide sample exam questions for practice

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Full Marks: 16

The difference between Business English and the English you've been learning for the past
eight years lies primarily in the vocabulary (register) and in style (formality). In this
introductory session we will be discussing what these two things mean.

1. Consider the situations pictured below, in which a man calls on his bank manager
to ask for a personal loan. (They have never met before.) Then, in a small group,
discuss and answer the questions below. (5
marks)

a) How is the language the customer uses different in the two pictures? (Give examples.)

Business English 105 Introduction Handout

b) What other differences are there in the way he presents himself (non-verbal
communication), and what effect do they have?
Style/Formal and Informal Language
Language style simply put, is the level of formality, politeness, and personal distance you use
when you express yourself. Legal English, for example, is almost always formal and
impersonal in style. At the other extreme is slang, which is generally only used in personal
relationships (and pop music.) Extreme forms of slang are often accompanied by gestures,
noises, and swear words. Look at the examples of different styles below, and then try the
exercise.

Very formal: Attention. Visitors who wish to see the final performance of the
film "My Word is My Bond" should make their way to the cinema
on the first floor by way of the right staircase.

Impersonal / Formal: To see the film, visitors should go up the stairs on the right to the
cinema.

Polite: Would you mind going up the stairs, please? The film will begin in
a few minutes.

Casual / Friendly: It's time you all went up to the cinema now. The film is just about
to start.

Colloquial: Time to get going. The film's starting.

Slang / Rude: Get a move on! The film's starting.

2. Identify the style of the sentences below and then rewrite them in the style stated:
(6 marks)

(a) If you could possibly lend me $5 until the end of the week, I'd be extremely grateful.
(Change to: Informal)

(b) You're not supposed to give the lion's food.

(Change to: Formal)

(c) Passengers are advised to stand back from the doors as injury could otherwise result.
(Change to: Informal)

(d) Dude! Stop hogging that and gimme me the sugar.

(Change to: Formal)

(e) If you would kindly seat yourselves at the table, dinner will be served directly.
(Change to: Formal)

Business English 105 Introduction Handout

(f) This concert is a total ripoff, there’s not a hope in hell of getting your money’s worth with
these terrible bands playing.
(Change to: Formal)

(3) The language of the sentences below is inappropriate. Either the style is wrong or the
register/formality is incorrect. Re-write these sentences in BUSINESS ENGLISH
making any changes you need to keep the meaning. (5 marks)

a. A Doctor talking to Mr. Hannan, his patient: Yeah, so, dude, you broke like, three pieces of
the humerus bone on your arm, and it’s going to be set in those cast things, cause you totally
need to keep the arm like, not moving, yeah, umm... keep it immobile, I guess you could say.

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b. One colleague to another colleague: “It's obvious that the office environment is now bad
because of the new girl’s issues. She is a whiner; she is always nagging about others. It’s
always about stupid stuff too, like what someone said to her in the lift. I really hate her!”

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c, An Advertising agency executive, discussing a new client: “I think that the new client is
just a strange guy. As he can’t guide us on the new ad campaign, we should leave him out of
our plans. He doesn’t know how to sell his own product; can you imagine how dumb he is? If
the maker isn’t sure about a product’s good points, how can us advertising guys sell it?”

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d. One client referring a law firm to another: “I made a lot of illegal deals and bank loans over
the last 5 years, but Rahim Law Firm took care of all my corruption and bribing legal work. If
you have money you need to hide in some account outside the country, they are the best for
illegal, corrupt activities. Go to them to get help hiding your black-market money!”

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Business English 105 Introduction Handout
e. One worker requesting help from his colleague: “Can you stop being distracted with online
surfing and face book actually help me with this project? You know that the boss gave both of
us this work to do, right? Are you going to help me or are you going to be lazy and just not do
your job?”

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Business English 105 Introduction Handout