Lesson 15: Queries

and reporting errors

Types of error
Misleading Mix up Oversight

Overvalue Inconsistent Discrepancy

Guess the correct meaning
Misleading a difference between two figures that should be the same

Mix up a mistake made because somebody failed to notice something

Oversight a mistake that causes confusion

Overvalue to give (something) a value that is too high

different and not agreeing with other parts of an idea, study, research, data
Inconsistent
sheet etc.

Discrepancy causing someone to believe something that is not true

Dialogue 1: Reporting an error
 I
Dialogue 1: Reporting an error

Finance Department, Stan Speaking.

Hi Stan, it’s Martina from KPI.

Hello Martina. What can I do for you?

Well I’m calling about our last invoice. There seems to be ____ _____ __ _____.

Can you be a little more specific ?

Yes, the invoice is for 300 units but we only ordered 100.
It was last month that we ordered 300.

I do apologise. It might be ____ ___ ___ ___ _____ _______.

I’ll _____ ___ __ ____ ___ ___ ____later today.

Thank you Stan.

Dialogue 2-3: Explaining an error
 Dialogue 2: ReportingIand explaining errors

Hello this is Conrad speaking.

Hello Conrad, it’s Lesley from head office. I’m calling because there is a_______ ______
____________________ between your commission claim for this month and the actual
figures sold.
Oh really? What _____ ____ ____________?

The difference is almost 30%.

I’m sorry about that. It must have been ___ _____________.

Dialogue 3: ReportingIand explaining errors

Hello, Ross Marshall speaking.

Hi Ross, it’s Nikita Van Patten. I wanted to talk to you ___ ____ ___________ of
my apartment at at Green Acres.

Certainly Nikita. How can I help?

Your report values the property at 400,000 but ___ __________ ____ ____
___________ at around 450,000.
Yes, 400,000 does sound a little low for Green Acres. I’ll go through it again and
_____ ____ __ ____ ___________ figure.
I’d appreciate that.
Listen and repeat
Reporting an error:

• The figures are clearly inconsistent.

• There seems to be some sort of mix-up.

• I've just been going through your data and it looks like

you've undervalued.
Explaining an error:

• I must have overlooked something.

• It's probably an oversight on our part.

• It might be due to our new accounting software.

Quoting a discrepancy:

• The quotation says 45,000 but the real figure is more

likely to be 55,000.

• We forecasted a turnover of 3.2 million when the

actual value was 3.1 million.

• You valued the property at 400,000 but my estimates

put the figure at around 450,000.

• We ordered 100 units but you have billed us for 140.

Promising action:

• I'll check with my accounts department and get

back to you in the morning.


• I'll look into it right away.

• I'll go through it again and work out a more

reasonable figure.
 Lesson Review: 

Queries and reporting errors
 Useful Expressions

Function Phrases
• a difference between two figure that should be the same

• a mistake that causes confusion

• to give (something) a value that is too high

• a mistake made because somebody failed to notice something

Report an error

Explain an error

Quote a discrepancy

Promise action