Business English

Lesson 2 English for Sales & Marketing

LESSON 1
Content

• Commas

• Semicolons

• Colons

• Apostrophes

• Essays

• Pronouns
Commas

The comma is a punctuation mark that indicates a pause in a sentence or a separation of

things in a list.

Commas can be used in a variety of ways.

The comma symbol is this ,

Commas

Example:

• Introductory word: Personally, I think the session was helpful.

• Lists: The garage, the shed, and the back porch were destroyed by the wind.

• Coordinating adjectives: He was tired, upset, and hungry.

Commas

• Conjunctions in compound sentences: The bedroom door was not open, so the boy knew
his grandmother was asleep.

• Interrupting words: I knew where it was hidden, of course, but I wanted her to find herself.

• Dates, addresses, greetings, and letters: The letter was postmarked June 3, 1954.
Commas

Commas after an Introductory Word or Phrase

Sometimes a comma appears near the beginning of the sentence, usually after a word or
phrase.

This comma lets the reader know where the introductory word or phrase ends and the main
sentence begins.
Commas

Example:
• Without spoiling the surprise, we need to tell her to save the date.

In this sentence, without spoiling the surprise is an introductory phrase, while we need to tell
her to save the date is the main sentence.

Notice how they are separated by a comma. When only an introductory word appears in the
sentence, a comma also follows the introductory word.

Example:
• Ironically, she already had plans for that day.
 Look for the introductory word or phrase. On your own sheet of
paper, copy the sentence and add a comma to correct the
sentence.

Activity 1
1. Suddenly the dog ran into the house.
2. In the blink of an eye the kids were ready to go to the movies.
3. Confused he tried opening the box from the other end.
4. Every year we go camping in the woods.
5. Without a doubt green is my favourite colour.
6. Hesitating she looked back at the directions before proceeding.
7. Fortunately the sleeping baby did not stir when the doorbell
rang.
8. Believe it or not the criminal was able to rob the same bank
three times.
Semicolons

The semicolon indicates a break in the flow of a sentence, but functions differently than a
period or a comma.

When you encounter a semicolon while reading aloud, this represents a good place to
pause and take a breath.

The semicolon symbol is this ;

Use a semicolon to combine two closely related independent clauses. Relying on a period
to separate the related clauses into two shorter sentences could lead to choppy writing.
Using a comma would create an awkward run-on sentence.
Semicolons

Example:

• Correct: Be sure to wear clean, well-pressed clothes to the interview; appearances are
important.

• Choppy: Be sure to wear clean, well-pressed clothes to the interview. Appearances are
important.

• Incorrect: Be sure to wear clean, well-pressed clothes to the interview, appearances are
important.
Colons

The colon is another punctuation mark used to indicate a full stop. Use a colon to introduce lists,
quotes, examples, and explanations. You can also use a colon after the greeting in business
letters and memos.

The colon symbol is this :

Example:

• Dear Hiring Manager:

• To: Human Resources

• Mark Twain said it best: “When in doubt, tell the truth.”

Apostrophes

An apostrophe is a punctuation mark that is used with a noun to show possession or to

indicate where a letter has been left out to form a contraction.

The apostrophe symbol is this ‘

Example:
Jen’s dance routine mesmerized everyone in the room.

The dog’s leash is hanging on the hook beside the door.

Jess’s sister is also coming to the party.

Apostrophes

A contraction is a word that is formed by combining two words. In a contraction, an

apostrophe shows where one or more letters have been left out.

Example:
• I do not like ice cream. / I don’t like ice cream.

Commonly used Contractions

aren’t are not isn’t is not they’ll they will

can’t cannot he’ll he will you’ll you will
doesn’t does not I’ll I will it’s it is, it has
don’t do not she’ll she will let’s let us
who’s who is, who has she’s she is, she has there’s there is, there has
Pronouns

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of (or refers back to) a noun or another pronoun.
The word or words a pronoun refers to is called the antecedent of the pronoun.

Example:
• Lily complained that she was exhausted.

*She refers to Lily

*Lily is the antecedent of she
Types of Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns – those referring to one or more unspecified objects, beings, or

places, such as someone, anybody, nothing. Notice in the examples below that there is no
set position for where an indefinite pronoun will appear in a sentence.

Indefinite pronoun examples:

1. Anyone
2. Somebody
3. Whichever
4. Whoever
5. Other
6. Something
7. Nobody

Examples:

Would anyone like coffee?

Take whichever you like. Rob took one cookie and Susan took the other.
Types of Pronouns

Personal pronouns – those associated with a certain person, thing, or group; all except
you have distinct forms that indicate singular or plural number.

Personal pronouns are always specific and are often used to replace a proper noun
(someone’s name) or a collective group of people or things.

Personal pronouns have two main groups, one referring to the subject of the sentence (I,
you, he, she, it, we, you and they) and one to the object (me, you, him, her, it, us, you,
them).

Examples:

We will be late if you don’t hurry up.

Missing the train will cause us to be late.
Types of Pronouns

Relative pronouns – those which refer to nouns mentioned previously, acting to introduce
an adjective (relative) clause.

They will usually appear after a noun to help clarify the sentence or give extra information.

Examples include: who, which, that, whom, whose.

Examples:

The man who stole the car went to jail.

The table, which sits in the hallway, is used for correspondence.
This is the woman, whose key you found.
Types of Pronouns

Interrogative pronouns – Those which introduce a question.

Examples: who, whom, whose, what, which.

We can usually identify an interrogative pronoun by the fact that they often appear at the
beginning of a question.

Examples:

Who will come to the party?

Which do you prefer?
Whose clothes are on the floor?
 Create business related sentences based on the word given.

Vocabulary Definition
Activity 2A lead /lēd/
be in charge or command of
manipulate
control or influence (a person or situation) cleverly,
/məˈnipyəˌlāt/
unfairly, or unscrupulously

fact /fak(t)/
a thing that is known or proved to be true
corporation
a company or group of people authorized to act as a single
/ˌkôrpəˈrāSHən/
entity (legally a person) and recognized as such in law
exceed /ikˈsēd/
be better than; surpass
 Create business related sentences based on the word given.

technology
Activity 2B the application of scientific knowledge for practical
/tekˈnäləjē/
purposes, especially in industry
network
/ˈnetˌwərk/ a group or system of interconnected people or things

know-how
/ˈnōˌhou/ practical knowledge or skill; expertise

derive /dəˈrīv/
obtain something from (a specified source)
͞
deduce /dəˈdoos/ arrive at (a fact or a conclusion) by reasoning; draw as a
logical conclusion
 Create business related sentences based on the word given.

infographic
Activity 2C a visual image such as a chart or diagram used to represent
/ˌinfōˈɡrafik/
information or data
analyze /ˈanlˌīz/ examine methodically and in detail the constitution or
structure of (something, especially information)
misleading
/ˌmisˈlēdiNG/ giving the wrong idea or impression

digital /ˈdijədl/ relating to, using, or storing data or information in the form
of digital signals
scientific
/ˌsīənˈtifik/ systematic; methodical
 Create business related sentences based on the word given.

exponential
/ˌekspəˈnen(t)SH(
Activity 2D (of an increase) becoming more and more rapid
ə)l/

concept
/ˈkänˌsept/ an abstract idea; a general notion

standard
an idea or thing used as a measure, norm, or model in
/ˈstandərd/
comparative evaluations
secure /səˈkyoo͝ r/ not subject to threat; certain to remain or continue safe and
unharmed
outsmart
defeat or get the better of (someone) by being clever or
/ˌoutˈsmärt/
cunning
Essay

An essay is a short piece of writing outlining the writer’s perspective or story. Essays can be
formal as well as informal.

Formal essays are commonly used in school and workplace, and talk about serious topics.

Informal essays are more personal and may have humorous elements.
Essay

There are 5 types of essays:

Expository Essays
• A writer presents a balanced study of a topic.
• Writer must have real and extensive knowledge about the subject.
• There is no scope for the writer’s feelings or emotions in an expository essay.
• It is completely based on facts, statistics, and examples.
Essay

Argumentative Essays
• A genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and
evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner.
• Calls for extensive research of literature or previously published material.
• Require empirical research where the student collects data through interviews, surveys,
observations, or experiments.

Persuasive Essays
• To get the reader to your side of the argument.
• An attempt to convince the reader of the writer’s point of view.
• Both sides of the argument have to presented in these essays, however the aim is to
persuade the readers that the writer’s argument is stronger.
Essay

Narrative Essays
• Writer is narrating an incident or story through the essay. So these are in the first person.
• To involve the reader in them as if they were right there when it was happening. Writer
must try to make them as real as possible.

Descriptive Essays
• Writer describes a place, an object, an event or maybe even a memory, however it is not
just describing things.
• The writer must paint a picture through his words and evoke the senses of the reader.
• A good descriptive essay when will make the reader feel the emotions the writer was
feeling.
 Write a 250 word DESCRIPTIVE essay about Sales & Marketing.

Activity 3
Q&A Session