Lesson 03

The future of business communication

LANGUAGE AT WORK

01. GRAMMAR

Future: will and won’t

01 | Look at the following infographic and answer the questions.
a) Do you work remotely nowadays?
Yes I do, I work remotely.

b) How often do you use video conferencing today?

I use frequently video conferencing today.

c) Do you think that video conferencing will be the #1 means of

communication?
Yes I do, I think that video conferencing will be the number one means of
communication of the work.

d) What is your opinion about prediction #3?

e) It will be good and bad because it’s means that the companies don’t give
more legal benefits and there will be not seniority.

f) What processes are becoming automated in your workplace? Do you

agree that this will increase?
The processes are becoming automated in my workplace was the signatures
of contracts and the files of the candidates. They became electronic. I think it’s fine
in some cases because of the distance, but the feedback face to face is lost.

g) Is your office an open space? If not, do you think it will turn into one in
the future?
Its open space as home office but not is anywhere.

02 | Read the following Grammar box.

FUTURE: WILL AND WON’T
People won’t go* to the office as often as today.
Will you become an independent contractor in the future? No, I won’t.
I think companies will become more flexible.
I can see you’re busy. I’ll attend the video call for you.
I’ll have the document ready this afternoon.
COMMON TIME EXPRESSIONS TO REFER TO THE FUTURE
in the next few years – by (next) year – in (ten) years’ time – before the end of … –
in (two) weeks’ time – by the end of …

Answer the following questions.

a) What is the short form of will not?
People won’t go* to the office as often as today.

b) What verb form follows will and won’t?

I think companies will become more flexible.
I can see you’re busy. I’ll attend the video call for you.
I’ll have the document ready this afternoon.

c) Which sentences refer to future predictions?

Will you become an independent contractor in the future? No, I won’t.
I think companies will become more flexible.

d) Which sentence uses will to make a promise?

I’ll have the document ready this afternoon.

e) Which sentence uses will for an offer?

I can see you’re busy. I’ll attend the video call for you.

Complete the following rule with words from the box.

RULE!
We use will /won’t + infinitive to talk about future predictions and events.
We use will + infinitive for offers and promises.

03 | Look at the sentence below. They all have mistakes. Find it and write the
correct full sentence below.

a. Desk phones and desktop computers disappear in the next five years.
Desk phones and desktop computers will disappear in the next five years.

b. Most companies will be opened for business 24/7.

Most companies will be open for business 24/7.

c. As a result, it not be easy for staff to have a good work-life balance.

As a result, it won’t be easy for staff to have a good work-life balance.

d. I will think most companies use social networking tools for internal
communication.
 I think most companies will use social networking tools for internal
communication.

e. In many big companies, video conferencing replace face-to-face

meetings.
In many big companies, video conferencing will replace face-to-face
meetings.

f. As a result, managers no spend as much time travelling for work.

As a result, managers won’t spend as much time travelling for work.

g. I no think companies will use e-mail, except for external

communication.
I think companies won’t use e-mail, except for external communication.

04 | Complete the sentences below with future time expressions from the
box.

a) Sales of luxury cars will double by next year.

b) I’ll send you a copy of the report tomorrow morning.
c) We’ll finish the work before the end of June.
d) We’ll finish the work on the new building next July.
e) In two weeks’ time, we’ll review the budget.
f) We will need to modernize our factory ___in the next__ two years.
g) Most people will have a fast broadband connection at home in five years’
time.

05 | Match the statements to the offers in the box.

a) I don’t have a hard copy of the report I’ll print it out for you.
b) I can’t find Sara’s address. I’ll email it to you.
c) I think it’s time to go home. I’ll give you a lift to the station.
d) These boxes are so heavy. I’ll carry one for you.
e) I’m very thirsty. I’ll get a drink from the machine.

06 | Work in groups. You have to organize the launch of your new website.
Offer to do as many things as possible. Give reasons. Use the list below and
your own ideas.

inform the local media

design invitations
send out invitations
order snacks and drinks
make a welcome speech
give a presentation about the website
Example: OK. I’ll inform the local media. A friend of mine is a journalist. I’m sure
she can help us.
Prepositions of time
07 | Read the rule for prepositions of time.

RULE!
We use:
•in for MONTHS, YEARS, CENTURIES AND LONG PERIODS
•on for DAYS and DATES
•at for a PRECISE TIME
Look at the chart and complete it with words from the box.

IN ON AT
the summer Tuesday 3 o’clock
Afternoon Independence Day 10.30 am
May Christmas Day the moment
the 21st century New Year’s Eve sunrise
the evening 9 September night
the past my birthday lunchtime
1990 holiday
midday

08 | Complete the email with suitable prepositions.

1. In 5. On 9. At
2. On 6. On 10. In
3. At 7. At 11. At
4. At 8. At 12. In

02. Pronunciation: /v/, /w/ and short form of will

Difference between /v/ and /w/

The sounds denoted by the letters "w" and "v" in the English alphabet are very
often confused by foreign language learners of English. However, it is very
important to know and practise the correct pronunciation of these two sounds so
that listeners do not confuse words that sound very similar. Take for example the
words worry and very. They can be easily confused when their beginning
sound is mispronounced.
Tip!
• To make the /w/ sound, you should round your lips and the air will move freely.
The teeth are not involved.
• To make a /v/ sound, your top teeth should bite the bottom lip, the air will blow
between the teeth and lip, creating friction. You will hear your vocal cords vibrate.
01 | Listen to the difference between /v/ and /w/.

/v/
video
value
/w/
win
way

Complete the sentences with the words you hear.

The ___webside__ is ___very__ exciting.
In my __viu__, it’s a ___weistey__ of money.
__which___ site do you __visit___ most often?
The ___world__ Wide Web is of great ___value__ to advertisers.
In my _____, it’s a _____ of money.
I received a __values___ warning.
Listen again and practise saying the sentences.
   
Pronouncing the short form of will = ‘ll
02 | Listen to the pronunciation of the contracted forms.
I’ll show you.
You’ll need it.
He’ll want one.
She’ll buy them
We’ll watch it.
They’ll do it.
Listen to the examples again and practise saying them.

03 | Which sentence of each pair do you hear?

We take the early flight.
We’ll take the early flight.

They work hard.

They’ll work hard.
I do it for them.
I’ll do it for them.
You have to download it.
You’ll have to download it.
They buy the same software.
They’ll buy the same software.
We try all the search engines.

Now practise saying all the pairs.

VOCABULARY

Tool= Herramienta

Busy= Preocupado

before the end of= Antes de que

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