Índice

1. Business letter............................................................................................................2
Business Letter Sample (Text Version).............................................................................3
2. Must............................................................................................................................4
Must or Have To............................................................................................................5
2.2. When to use “have to”:.......................................................................................5
2.3. Need to....................................................................................................................6
Need to Do—Important for Someone........................................................................6
Don't Need to Do—Not Necessary, but Possible.......................................................7
We use had better..............................................................................................................7
Note: Had better X would rather or would prefer (Compare)...........................................9
3. Phrasal verb................................................................................................................9
3.1. What is a phrasal verb?.................................................................................10
3.2. How to conjugate phrasal verbs...........................................................................10
3.3. Types of phrasal verbs..........................................................................................11
3.4. Word order with phrasal verbs......................................................................11
Simple past Vs Present perfect........................................................................................15
References Used:.............................................................................................................19

1
 1. Business letter
A business letter is a formal document often sent from one company to another or from
a company to its clients, employees, and stakeholders, for example. Business letters are
used for professional correspondence between individuals, as well.

Writing an effective, polished business letter can be an easy task, so long as

you adhere to the established rules for layout and language.

Realize that your recipient reads a significant amount of correspondence on a regular

basis and will favor well-executed letters that are free of typos and grammatical errors.

1.1. What to Include in the Letter

Make the purpose of your letter clear through simple and targeted language, keeping the
opening paragraph brief. You can start with, “I am writing in reference to…” and from
there; communicate only what you need to say.
The subsequent paragraphs should include information that gives your reader a full
understanding of your objective(s) but avoid meandering sentences and needlessly long
words. Again, keep it concise to sustain their attention.
If your intent is to persuade the recipient in some way, whether it's to invest
money, give you a reference, hire you, partner with you, or 􀁾x an issue,
create a compelling case for your cause.

If, for example, you want the reader to sponsor a charity event, identify any overlap
with their company’s philanthropic goals. Convince the reader that helping you would
be mutually beneficial, and you will increase your chances of winning their support.

1.2. Sections of a Business Letter

Each section of your letter should adhere to the appropriate format, starting with your
contact information and that of your recipient’s; salutation; the body of the letter;
closing; and finally, your signature.

Your Contact Information;

 Your Name;
 Your Job Title;
 Your Company;
 Your Address;
 City, State Zip Code;
 Your Phone Number;
 Your Email Address.

The Date
 The date you're penning the correspondence.

Recipient’s Contact Information

 Their Name
 Their Title
 Their Company

2
  The Company’s Address
 City, State Zip Code
The Salutation
Use "To Whom It May Concern," if you’re unsure specifically whom you’re addressing.
Use the formal salutation “Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. [Last Name],” if you do not know the
recipient.
Use “Dear [First Name],” only if you have an informal relationship with the recipient.

The Body
Use single-spaced lines with an added space between each paragraph, after the
salutation, and above the closing.
Keep your closing paragraph to two sentences. Simply reiterate your reason for writing
and thank the reader for considering your request.
Some good options for your closing include:
 Respectfully yours
 Yours sincerely
 Cordially
 Respectfully

If your letter is less formal, consider using:

 All the best
 Best
 Thank you
 Regards
Your Signature
Write your signature just beneath your closing and leave four single;
Spaces between your closing and your typed full name, title, phone;
Number, email address, and any other contact information you want to.

Your handwritten signature

Typed full name
Title
Make Sure Nothing Was Missed
A good rule of thumb is to proofread your
correspondence twice and then have a colleague
review it to ensure nothing was missed.
Business Letter Template
You can use this business letter sample as a model and download the template
(compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) for the text version below.

Business Letter Sample (Text Version)

Florinda Fiona Jose

Northern State University
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
linda.lau@email.com

3
872714623
March 5, 2020

Oscar Lee
Managing Editor
Acme Graphic & Design
123 Business Rd.
Business City, CA 54321

Dear Mr. Lee,

I would like to invite you to attend our upcoming Liberal Arts department job
networking event. The event will be held on the afternoon of May 1, 2020. We wish to
provide our graduating seniors with an opportunity to meet business leaders in the area
who may be looking for new hires who hold degrees in the Liberal Arts.

The event will be held at the Cox Student Center at Northern

State University and will last about two to three hours. If you have an interest in
attending or sending a company representative to meet with our students, please let me
know at your earliest convenience and I can reserve a table for you.

Thank for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.

Respectfully,

(Signature hard copy letter)

Email Signature Example
If you're sending an email letter, your signature will be slightly different.
Rather than including your contact information in the heading of the letter, list it below
your signature. For example:
Sending an Email Business Letter
Yours sincerely,
First Name Last Name;
Title;
Your Address;
Your Phone Number;
Your Email Address.

NB: Be clear why you're sending the message. Include the topic you're writing about in
the subject line of the email, so the reader is clear as to why you are sending.

Tips for Writing a Business Letter

Review letter samples, including cover letters, interview thank you letters, follow-up
letters, job acceptance, and rejection letters, resignation letters, appreciation letters, and
more business and employment-related letter samples and writing tips.

2. Must
Strong obligation – You must return the bike, if you use it.

4
Necessity – I must ride my bike to get my exercise.
Substitute must with “have to” – You have to return the bike, if you use it.

Must or Have To
Must and have to are both verbs in English, but they are used differently. We use must
when talking ab0ut something certain and subjective, whereas have to is used to talk
about obligation that is objective.
2.1. When to use must:
We use the modal verb must when we want to express personal obligations or express
what the speaker think is necessary. Overall, the modal verb must is related to
obligations that are subjective to us.
Examples:
 I must stop smoking.
 You must visit us soon.
 He must work harder.
How to use the modal verb must:
Must is a modal auxiliary verb. It is always followed by the main verb, and this is how
it structured: Subject + must + main verb.
The main verb here is only the base without “to”.
Let’s look at some examples:

Subject Auxiliary must Main verb Rest of the

sentence
I Must Go Home.
You Must Visit London.

We Must Stop Now.

As the examples shows the main verb is only the base verb without “to”.
Incorrect: I must to go School.
Correct: I must go School.
2.2. When to use “have to”:
We often uses have to express impersonal obligations, things that often related to others
or on oneself. Therefore, have to is often objective rather than subjective.

5
 Examples:
I have to walk the dog.
In London you have to drive on the left.
Francisca has to be at work on time.
Children have to go to school.
As we can see from the examples, the obligation is not subjective rather the obligation is
imposed from the outside, objective.
How to use “have to”: It is worth to clarify that “have to” is not a modal verb in fact it
is not even an auxiliary verb. It comes to serve as substitute for “must”, because it is
enabling people to express the idea of obligation or duty.
The structure of “have to” is:
SUBJECT + AUXILIARY + HAVE + INFINITIVE (WITH TO).

Let’s see some examples:

Form Subject Auxiliary Main verb “Have” Infinitive Rest of the

verb (with to) sentence

She --------------- Has To work ---------------

Affirmative
Negative I Do not Have To see The doctor

Question Did you Have To go To school

2.3. Need to
Use "need to" to express that something is important for you to do. This form is often
used for something that is important one time, rather than referring to a responsibility or
duty. Example: She needs to go to Seattle next week
Need to Do—Important for Someone
Use "need to" to express that something is important for you to do. This form is often
used for something that is important one time, rather than referring to a responsibility or
duty.
 She needs to go to Seattle next week.

6
  Do you need to get up early tomorrow?
 I need to spend more time with my children because I've been so busy lately.
 We need to focus on getting new business this month.
Don't Need to Do — Not Necessary, but Possible
Use the negative form of "need to" to express that something isn't necessary, but
possible. At times, English speakers use "don't need to" to express that they don't expect
someone to do something.
 You don't need to come to the meeting next week.
 She doesn't need to worry about her grades. She's a great student.
 I don't need to work next Monday!
 Peter doesn't need to worry about money because he's independently wealthy.

Need is a semi - modal verb because in some ways it is like a modal verb and in other
ways like a main verb. We use need mostly in the negative form to indicate that there is
no obligation or necessity to do something.
Example: You needn't take off your shoes.
Use "need to" to express that something is important for you to do. This form is often
used for something that is important one time, rather than referring to a responsibility or
duty. Example:
 She needs to go to Seattle next week.
 Do you need to get up early tomorrow?

2.4. Had better: form and meaning

We use had better

(Had better + bare infinitive)

7
  Had here is an unreal past; the meaning is present or future:
 I had/I'd better ring him at once/tomorrow. (This would be a good thing to do)
 To refer to the present or the future,
 To talk about actions we think people should do or which are desirable in a
specific situation.
Example: I had/I'd better ring him at once/tomorrow. (This would be a good thing
to do).

The verb form is always had, not have. We normally shorten it to‘d better in informal
situations. It is followed by the infinitive without to. Examples are shown below.
- Right: It’s five o’clock. I’d better go now before the traffic gets too bad.
- Wrong: I’d better to go now.

Note: Had better is a strong expression.

We use it if we think there will be negative results if someone does not do what is
desired or suggested. Examples: She’d better get here soon or she’ll miss the opening
ceremony.
Note: Had better (negative and question forms)
The negative is formed with not after better.
Example: You had better not miss the last bus. (It would be unwise to miss it, or I
advise)

The negative of had better is had better not (or’d better not):
- I’d better not leave my luggage there. Someone might steal it.
- You’d better not tell Mary about the broken crystal – she’ll go wild!

The question form of had better is made by inverting the subject and had.
- Had I better speak to Tom first before I send this report? What do you think?
- Had we better leave a memo for the delivery girl to take the package next door?

Negative questions with had better are more common than affirmative ones:
- Hadn’t we better got to the hospital and tell our friends that Fatima is sick?
- Hadn’t we better study our grammar lesson? We might get confused if we leave it.

8
Note: Had better X would rather or would prefer (Compare)

We don’t use had better when we talk about preferences. We use would rather or would
prefer.
Compare
- I’d better get a taxi. The buses are so slow (It is a good idea or advisable)
- I’d rather get a taxi. I don’t like buses (I prefer to get a taxi)
Note: In indirect speech had better with the first or third person remains unchanged; had
better with the second person can remain unchanged or be reported by advice +object+
infinitive.
Examples;
 He said, 'I'd better hurry' = He said (that) he'd better hurry.
 He said, 'Ann had better hurry' =He said (that) Ann had better hurry.
 He said, 'You'd better hurry' = He said (that) I'd better hurry

Note: Had better (main stream errors)

We use had better to give specific advice, not to talk about obligations or requirements;
instead, we use have to, have got to or must:

 You have to (or must) hold a full, valid driving license to hire a car.
 Not: You’d better hold a full, valid driving license to hire a car.
 We don’t use had better to talk about preferences; instead, we use would rather
or would prefer:
 They offered him a job in a restaurant, but he said she’d rather work in a
supermarket. (or … he’d prefer to work …)
 Not: … she’d better work …
 We don’t use had better to make ordinary suggestions or recommendations:
 Or is a great place to visit. He’d recommend you take a short trip and see some
of its holy places. Then you can find a nice restaurant for lunch.
 Not: You’d better take a trip and see some of its holy places. Then you’d better
find a nice restaurant for lunch.

3. Phrasal verb
Phrasal verbs are two or more words that together act as a completely new word, with a
meaning separate from the original words. For example, pick up means to “grab” or

9
“lift,” very different from the definitions of pick and up alone. Popular in spoken
English, phrasal verbs can be quite confusing because their definitions aren’t always
easy to guess—and there are thousands of them. In fact, many phrasal verbs are distinct
variations on the same base verb, which can add to the confusion. 
For multilingual speakers, in particular, phrasal verbs are one of the most difficult topics
in learning English. To help simplify this complicated issue, what follows is our guide
to understanding English phrasal verbs, including a list of the most common ones. 

3.1. What is a phrasal verb?

A phrasal verb combines a normal verb with an adverb or a preposition to create an
entirely new verbal phrase—the phrasal verb. The meaning of a phrasal verb is usually
unrelated to the meanings of the words that comprise it, so think of a phrasal verb as an
entirely new and independent word. 

When used in a sentence, phrasal verbs act the same as other verbs for conjugation and
placement, although they do have special grammatical rules about word order, which we
talk about below. Phrasal verbs can be conjugated into every type of verb form, so you
can use them anywhere you could use a normal verb. 
Let’s look at the phrasal verb get over as an example. The verb get alone means to
“acquire,” and the preposition over alone usually refers to being higher or going above
something. However, put them together and the phrasal verb get over means to
“recover” or “overcome,” a completely new definition that’s separate from the
definitions of get and over.  

You can use get over just like a normal verb, in any form or tense. Here are some quick
examples: 
Simple past tense:  I had the flu last week but got over it. 
Infinitive:  He wrote a song to get over his grandmother’s death. 
Gerund:  Getting over prejudice at work is never easy. 
Particle: Having finally gotten over the breakup, they were ready to return their
partner’s things.  
3.2. How to conjugate phrasal verbs

10
When a phrasal verb is used as the main verb of a sentence, you conjugate the verb part
and leave the other words as they are. Simply use whatever form of the verb you would
use if it were alone. 
 I get up at noon during the summer. 
 However, this morning I got up at sunrise. 
 I have gotten up early too many times this month. 
Notice how only the word get changes, but the word up remains the same. Also notice
how get, an irregular verb, uses its irregular forms to fit whichever tense it needs. 
In this way, you can use phrasal verbs in all the verb tenses, so you’re able to
communicate anything you want. Conjugation is also important for maintaining verb
tense consistency if you’re using phrasal verbs in a list with other verbs. 
3.3. Types of phrasal verbs
To better understand phrasal verbs, it helps to organize them into two pairs: transitive
and intransitive; separable and inseparable. A phrasal verb can belong to only one of
each pair (although all separable phrasal verbs are transitive). 
3.3.1. Transitive phrasal verbs:
Transitive phrasal verbs use a direct object, just like normal transitive verbs. 
Charlie couldn’t put up with the meowing cats any longer. 
3.3.2. Intransitive phrasal verbs:
Likewise, intransitive phrasal verbs do not use an object. 
The regional director was late, so the sales team went ahead without her. 
3.3.3. Separable phrasal verbs
With transitive phrasal verbs, you can sometimes put the direct object in between the
words, for example, “pick you up.” There are, however, a few rules to follow with
separable phrasal verbs, so pay attention to our next section about word order. 
He forgot to shut the lights off before he left. 
3.3.4. Inseparable phrasal verbs
Inseparable phrasal verbs cannot be split up and must be used together. 
The wayward son carried on without his father. 

3.4. Word order with phrasal verbs

Most of the time, the words in a phrasal verb stay together. For intransitive and
inseparable phrasal verbs, the verb and the particle must go next to each other and
should never be split up. 

11
Separable phrasal verbs follow different rules, however. For starters, separable phrasal
verbs are always transitive, so they always have a direct object. You can put the direct
object in the middle of separable phrasal verbs, in between the verb and the particle: 
Augustus would never let Hazel down. 
This is also true for noun phrases; place all words in a noun phrase in between the verb
and the particle of a phrasal verb: You would never let any of your friends down. 
Some separable verbs require you to put the direct object in the middle every time.
For example, let’s look at the phrasal verb get down. 
The beginning of the movie Up gets down everyone.
The beginning of the movie Up gets everyone down.
On the other hand, sometimes it doesn’t matter whether the direct object comes in the
middle or at the end of a phrasal verb. Both options are acceptable. Unfortunately,
there’s no method for knowing whether or not you have to separate a phrasal verb; you
just have to study and practice until it comes naturally. 
Pick the box up and carry it to the kitchen.
Pick up the box and carry it to the kitchen.
However, pronouns follow a special rule when it comes to separable phrasal verbs: If
the object is a pronoun, it must be placed in the middle of a phrasal verb. Pronoun
direct objects cannot go at the end. 
Pick up it and carry it to the kitchen.
Pick it up and carry it to the kitchen.
Remember that not all transitive phrasal verbs are separable. Transitive phrasal
verbs can be either separable or inseparable, so be careful of where you put your object.
For example, the transitive phrasal verbs get through, come between, and go against are
all inseparable, so the direct object comes after them every time. 
Nothing comes us between.
Nothing comes between us.
When the class was making fun of me, only the teacher backed me up. 
Break down
Stop working, especially when referring to machines
The ice cream machine at McDonald’s is always breaking down. 
Call around: Contact multiple people
Roy called around to find a nearby mechanic.
Calm down: relax after an energetic or irritated state

12
I need a few minutes to calm down after that match.
Call [x] off: cancel
We called the party off. / We called off the party.
Check [x] out: verify a person or thing (can sometimes be flirtatious when used in
reference to a person)
I’ll check the contract out. / I’ll check out the contract. 
Clean up: Be extremely successful in an endeavor, such as business, sports, or
gambling
Our hockey team cleaned up at the tournament and went home undefeated. 
Stop questionable behavior, such as consuming drugs or alcohol
Her boss said she had to either clean up or find a new job. 
Clean [x] up: clean a general area
John cleaned the living room up. / John cleaned up the living room. 
Cheer [x] up: make someone happy, especially if they were previously sad
Reading always cheers me up on a rainy day. 
Come between: disturb a relationship
After more than fifty years of marriage, nothing could come between them. 
Come down on: attack or punish harshly
Ever since last month’s accident, police have been coming down on drunk driving. 
Come down with: become sick
After sitting in the rain for hours, Chandra came down with a nasty cold. 
Come up: become the topic of discussion or receive attention
Everyone talked about how much they enjoyed the movie, but the run time never came
up in the conversation. Approach or come near
While walking outside the fence, a cow came up right next to me and licked my face. 
Happen or occur, as with an event or situation
Don’t worry about a problem until after it comes up. 
Come up with: think of an idea, especially as the first person to do so, or to produce a
solution. Sahar comes up with her best story ideas at night, so she writes them down
before she forgets them. 
Count on: rely or depend on 
If I’m ever making a mistake, I can count on my friends to warn me. 
Dive into: occupy oneself with something; to pore over quickly or reach into quickly
I’ll dive into that new TV show later tonight.

13
Dress up: wear nice clothes or put forth in the best light
Abed dressed up for the award ceremony.
End up: eventually reach some conclusion or destination
After thinking for a day, he ended up taking the job.
Fall apart: break into pieces
My new dress completely fell apart after just two washes. 
Suffer from mental or emotional distress 
He endured all kinds of harassment at work without flinching but completely fell apart
when his cat got sick. 
Fill [x] up: fill something completely
Bruce filled his wine glass up to the brim. / Bruce filled up his wine glass to the brim.
Find out: discover or learn
We’ll have to wait until the next TV episode to find out who the killer is.
Get [x] across: communicate or explain something clearly
The professor spoke for hours but didn’t get anything across to the students.
Get ahead: succeed or progress
You’ll never get ahead at this company unless you follow the rules.  
Get around: travel from place to place
It’s impossible to get around this city without a car. 
Get around to: do something eventually
I’ll get around to fixing the table after the playoffs. 
Get away with: escape punishment or some other unpleasantness
Shirley thought she got away with cheating until the teacher asked her to stay after
class.
Get along with: be friendly with 
My dog gets along with everyone as long as they’re not a cat. 
Get at: reach 
There’s an itch on my back that I can’t get at. 
Attempt to prove or explain
What these graphs are getting at is that we’ll be bankrupt by next week. 
Get away: escape or depart from 
Lucio liked to go to the lake every weekend, just to get away from the city. 
get away with
Escape punishment for a crime or misdeed

14
The boss’s nephew gets away with much more than any of the other employees. 
Get [x] back: have something returned
Rodger got his pencil back from Greta. / Rodger got back his pencil from Greta. 
Get back at: have revenge on someone
Leila promised herself that she would get back at whoever started the rumor. 
Get by: survive or manage at the bare minimum
When Sheila lost her job, the family had to get by with only their savings. 
Get down: enjoy oneself without inhibitions, especially with music or dancing
Vicente may be overly formal at work, but he sure knows how to get down to hip-hop. 

Simple past Vs Present perfect

English Verb Tenses: Simple Past vs. Present Perfect

Understanding when to use simple past or present perfect can be a challenge when
speaking – or writing – in English. In fact, using the past tense is difficult for many
English learners, so you are not alone! These exercises will teach you the rules of each
verb tense, describe some of the differences, and provide you opportunities to practice.
To understand the difference between the two past verb tenses, see the timeline below.

Simple Past is normally understood as a completed event that happened a specific point
in the past. Complete the conversations with the correct past simple form of the verb in
parentheses. Once finished, see the answers below.

Present Perfect is also used for events in the past, but over an extended period of time.
The period can be specified/known (see first timeline) or unspecified/unknown (second
timeline). Specified, or a specific period of time in the past, normally uses the words for
or since. Complete the conversations with the correct present perfect form of the verb in
parentheses. Once finished, see the answers below.

You should always use the "present perfect" when the period of an action is irrelevant
or not specified.

15
Alternatively, always use the "simple past" when providing or asking for details about
the time or place of an action.

Compare:

Present perfect Simple past

I have lived in Lyon. I lived in Lyon in 1989.

They have eaten Thai food. They ate Thai food last night.

Have you seen 'Othello'? Where did you see 'Othello'?

We have been to Ireland. When did you go to Ireland?

There is also a difference in attitude between these two tenses, which is often an
important factor in choosing the best tense to use.

 In "What did you do at school today?"   We use the "simple past" because the
question refers to activities, and the school period of the day is being considered
as closed.
 In "What have you done at school today?"   We use the "present perfect"
because the question refers to the results: "show them to me". The time when
the question was asked is considered as a continuation of the school term.

Use the simple past when the action started in the past, finished in the past, and is not
continuing now. Use the present perfect when the action started in the past and is
continuing now.

The simple past tells us that an action happened at a certain time in the past, and is not
continuing anymore. It doesn't tell us anything about when an action happened, so more
information needs to be given with this verb form, such as when the action took place.

The present perfect tells us that an action started in the past and it is still happening
now, or it is something that happens regularly. We may need more information to tell us
how long it has been going on. It may also tell us that the time period it started in is still
going on.

16
The following example sentences show the different meanings when using the two verb
tenses.

 The sun rose at 6:00 am. (Simple Past: We know that the sun came up at a time
in the past and it is not rising now. The sun may or may not be in the sky when
this statement is made. The time is important to add.)
 The sun has risen. (Present perfect: We know that the sun already rose, and it is
still in the sky now.)

 Jackson ate lunch early. (Simple Past: Eating lunch has started and ended in the
past. Someone might say this when the time for eating lunch has also ended.
Lunch happened early, and it is over now.)
 Jackson has eaten lunch. (Present Perfect: Jackson started and finished eating
lunch in the past, but lunch time is still going on. Someone might say this when
others are preparing to eat lunch, and they want to know whether Jackson will
join them.)

 Jeff was friends with Kelly when he was a kid. (Simple Past: This tells us that
Jeff is not friends with Kelly anymore, and the additional information tells us
when he was friends with her in the past.)
 Jeff has been friends with Kelly since he was a kid. (Present perfect: This tells
us that Jeff was friends with Kelly before now and is still friends with her now.
The friendship is continuing, and the additional information tells us how long it
has been going on).

 She lived in Paris for a year. (Simple Past: This action started and finished in
the past. She no longer lives in Paris. It is important to know the action lasted for
a year.)
 She has lived in Paris for a year. (Present perfect: This action started in the past
and is still going on now; it has not finished. She lives in Paris now, and
additional information tells us how long she has lived there.)

 Meg ran two marathons last year. (Simple Past: We know Meg ran two
marathons in the past, and the time period the action started in and finished in—
last year—has ended.)

17
 Meg has run two marathons this year. (Present perfect: We know Meg started
running marathons this year. However, this year has not ended and she may run
more marathons before the end of the year.)

18
References Used:

1 Thomson, A. J., & Martinet, A. V. (1980). A practical English grammar. Oxford

University Press.
2 Praninskas, J. (1975). Rapid review of English grammar: A text for students of
English as a second language. Prentice-Hall.
3 www.needgrammar.com
4 www.inglesparaleigos.com
5 https://www.grammarly.com
6 https://www.englishmirror.com › au...
7 https://dictionary.cambridge.org › n...
8 https://englishmirror.com
9 \Present perfect x Simple past _ EF _ Brasil
10 d:\g_toy\g-toy\g-toy\livros 2 ciclo\business letter format with examples
11 how to use must, have to, and need to in english

19