BUSINESS ENGLISH

FOR STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

OF HUMAN RESOURCES

PROFESSOR MARJANA EL MAKHZANI

S1 - FALL 2022
 Student Presentation

 Your name and age

 Your level in English: Beg., Inter., Adv.
 Where you work
 Something interesting about yourself
 What you expect to learn from this class
WHAT IS BUSINESS ENGLISH ?
 Introduction to Business English

 The aims of Business English are:

 to learn the language and concepts of business found in books,
journals, newspapers and magazines, and on websites
 to build vocabulary through reading, listening and speaking
 to develop reading skills and give practice in the
comprehension of business and economic texts
 to improve speaking skills, confidence and fluency, and to
provide learners with opportunities to express business
concepts themselves, while synthesizing, summarizing,
analyzing, criticizing and discussing ideas
 to develop writing skills.
 Lecture Outline

I. Tenses
II. Modal auxiliaries/modals
III. Conditional sentences, if-clauses type I, II,
III
IV. Relative pronouns
V. Quantifiers
 I. TENSES
1. PRESENT SIMPLE
2. PRESENT CONTINUOUS/PROGRESSIVE
3. PRESENT PERFECT
4. PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
5. PAST SIMPLE
6. PAST CONTINUOUS/PROGRESSIVE
7. PAST PERFECT
8. PAST PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
9. GOING TO-FUTURE
10. WILL-FUTURE
11. FUTURE PERFECT
12. FUTURE PROGRESSIVE
13. FUTURE PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
14. CONDITIONAL SIMPLE
15. CONDITIONAL PERFECT
16. CONDITIONAL PROGRESSIVE
17. CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
 1. Present Simple
1. Use of the Simple Present 4. Examples
1.1. repeated actions 4.1. Affirmative sentences in the Simple Present
My friend often draws nice posters.

1.2. things in general

The sun rises in the east.

1.3. fixed arrangements, scheduled events

The plane flies to London every Monday.
1.4. sequence of actions in the present
First I get up, then I have breakfast.
4.2. Negative sentences in the Simple Present
You must not negate a full verb in English. Always use the auxiliary do for
negations and the infinitive of the verb.

1.5. instructions
 
Open your books at page 34.

2. Signal words
• every day
• often
• always 4.3. Questions in the Simple Present
• sometimes You need the auxiliary do/does and the infinitive of the verb.
• never

3. Form
infinitive (3rd person singular he, she, it: infinitive + -s)
 2. Present Continuous/Progressive
1. Use of the Present Progressive 4. Examples

1.1. actions happening at the moment of speaking 4.1. Affirmative sentences in the Present Progressive
Peter is reading a book now.

1.2. fixed plans in the near future

We are going to Basel on Saturday.

1.3. temporary actions

I am working in Rome this month.

1.4. actions happening around the moment of speaking (longer

actions)
4.2. Negative sentences in the Present Progressive
My friend is preparing for his exams.

1.5. trends
More and more people are using their computers to listen to music.

1.6. repeated actions which are irritating to the speaker

(with always, constantly, forever)
Andrew is always coming late.

2. Signal words
 now
 at the moment
 Look!
 Listen!  
4.3. Questions in the Present Progressive
3. Form
to be (am, are, is) + Infinitiv + -ing
 3. Present Perfect
1. Use of the Present Perfect 4.2. Affirmative sentences in the Present Perfect – irregular verbs
 
1.1. result of actions in the past is important in the present – It is not
important when the actions happened.
I have cleaned my room.

1.2. recently completed actions

He has just played handball.

1.3. states beginning in the past and still continuing 4.3. Negative sentences in the Present Perfect – regular verbs
We have lived in Canada since 1986.  

1.4. together with lately, recently, yet

I have been to London recently.

2. Signal words
just
yet
never
already 4.4. Negative sentences in the Present Perfect – irregular verbs
ever  
so far
up to now
recently
Since
for

3. Form
have/has + past participle *

4. Examples
4.1. Affirmative sentences in the Present Perfect – regular verbs * past participle:
regular verbs → infinitive + -ed
irregular verbs → no rule
 4. Present Perfect Progressive
1. Use of the Present Perfect Progressive 4. Examples

4.1. Affirmative sentences in the Present Perfect

1.1. actions beginning in the past and still
Progressive
continuing (focus is on the action) – mostly with
since (point of time) or for (period of time)
I have been waiting for you for three hours. (It was too
long.)

1.2. recently completed actions (focus is on the

action)
She has been watching too many videos. (It took too
much time.) 4.2. Negative sentences in the Present Perfect Progressive

2. Signal words
 all day
 the whole day
 since
 for
 Questions with how long

3. Form
 
have/has + been + infinitive + -ing
4.3. Questions in the Present Perfect Progressive
 
 5. Past Simple
1.1. actions finished in the past 4.2. Affirmative sentences in the Simple Past – irregular
I visited Berlin last week. verbs

1.2. series of completed actions in the past

First I got up, then I had breakfast.

1.3. together with the Past Progressive/Continuous

The Simple Past interrupted an action which was in progress

in the past.
They were playing cards, when the telephone rang.
1st action → Past Progressive → were playing
2nd action → Simple Past → rang
4.3. Negative sentences in the Simple Past
Do not negate a main verb in English. Always use the
auxiliary did (Simple Past of to do) and the infinitive of the verb
for negations.

2. Signal words There is no difference between regular and irregular verbs

yesterday in negative sentences.
last week
a month ago
in 2010

3. Form
regular verbs → infinitive + ed
irregular verbs → no rule

4. Examples 4.4. Questions in the Simple Past

You need the auxiliary did and the infinitive of the verb.
4.1. Affirmative sentences in the Simple Past – regular verbs
 6. Past Progressive
1. Use of the Past Progressive 4. Examples
1.1. actions were in progress at a special time in the
past 4.1. Affirmative sentences in the Past
Peter was reading a book yesterday evening. Progressive

1.2. two actions were happening at the same time

(the actions do not influence each other)
Anne was writing a letter while Steve was reading the
New York Times.

1.3. together with Simple Past

While we were sitting at the breakfast table, the
telephone rang. 4.2. Negative sentences in the Past Progressive
 
1.4. repeated actions irritating the speaker
(with always, constantly, forever)
Andrew was always coming late.

2. Signal words
While

3. Form
to be (was, were) + infinitive + -ing 4.3. Questions in the Past Progressive
 7. Past Perfect
4.2. Affirmative sentences in the Past Perfect – irregular verbs
1. Use of the Past Perfect
1.1. together with the Simple Past
Mary had read the book before she watched
a film.

1.2. the past equivalent of the Present

Perfect
He had played hockey. 4.3. Negative sentences in the Past Perfect – regular verbs
 

2. Signal words
no specific ones

3. Form  
had + past participle *

4. Examples
4.1. Affirmative sentences in the Past
Perfect – regular verbs  
 7. Past Perfect
4.4. Negative sentences in the Past Perfect – 4.6. Questions in the Past Perfect – irregular verbs
irregular verbs  
 

4.5. Questions in the Past Perfect – regular

verbs

* past participle:
regular verbs → infinitive + -ed
irregular verbs → no rule
 
 8. Past Perfect Progressive

1. Use of the Past Perfect Progressive

how long something had been happening before something else happened

2. Form

had + been + infinitive + ing

3. Example

I had been waiting for Susan for 2 hours when she arrived.

 9. Future – Going to
1. Use of the going to-future 4.2. Negative sentences in the going to-
1.1. planned actions in the future future
We are going to sing at the party.

1.2. You are certain that sth. is going to

happen in the future (logical
consequence).
Look at that car! It is going to crash into the
yellow one. 4.3. Questions in the going to-future

 
2. Signal words
no specific ones

3. Form
to be (am, are, is) + going to + infinitive

4. Examples ATTENTION!!
4.1. Affirmative sentences in the going Do not mix up with the Present Progressive!
to-future
 10. Future – Will
1. Use of the will-future 4.2. Negative sentences in the will-future
1.1. future actions happen without the speaker's
intention
The sun will shine tomorrow.

1.2. predictions, assumptions

I think Sue will arrive in Paris at 6 pm.

1.3. spontaneous actions

Hang on! I'll have a word with you.

2. Signal words
no specific ones

4.3. Questions in the will-future

3. Form
will + infinitive

4. Examples
4.1. Affirmative sentences in the will-future
 11. Future Perfect

1. Use of the Future Perfect

sth. will already have happened before a certain time in the future

2. Form

will + have + past participle

3. Example

I will have written the letter by tomorrow.

 12. Future Progressive

1. Use of the Future Progressive

1.1. An action will be in progress at a certain time in the future. This action has begun before the

certain time.

1.2. Something happens because it normally happens.

2. Form

will + be + infinitive + ing

3. Examples

3.1. When I come to school, the other kids will be waiting for me.

3.2. We'll be going to the disco on Saturday.

 13. Future Perfect Progressive

1. Use of the Future Perfect Progressive

sth. that will have already begun and will be continuing in the future

2. Form

will + have + been + infinitive + ing

3. Example

I will have been swimming for an hour by 6.30.

 14. Conditional Simple

1. Use of the Conditional Simple

We use it for something that might happen.

We use it in the main clause in type II of the Conditional sentences.

2. Form

would + infinitive

3. Example

I would fly to Sydney if I had the money.

 15. Conditional Perfect

1. Use of the Conditional Perfect

We use it for something that might have happened in the past.

We use it in the main clause in type III of the if clauses.

2. Form

would + have + past participle

past participle → (infinitive + -ed) or no rule for irregular verbs.

3. Example

I would have phoned you if you hadn't switched your mobile off.

 16. Conditional Progressive

1. Use of the Conditional Progressive

We use it for something that might happen.

We use it in the main clause in type II of the Conditional sentences.

2. Form

would + be + infinitive + ing

3. Example

I would be going home if you came with me.

 17. Conditional Perfect Progressive

1. Use of the Conditional Perfect Progressive

We use it for something that might have happened in the past.

We use it in the main clause in type III of the if clauses.

2. Form

would + have + been + infinitive + ing

3. Example

Maria would have been singing if there had been more people in the church.
Tenses Diagram
 II. MODAL
AUXILIARIES/MODALS
 Modals
1. Auxiliaries, Modals and Main verbs
2. What to keep in mind when
be, have and do can be auxiliaries and main verbs. using modals
They have grammatical functions and are used for forming
tenses, questions, the passive, etc.  
Modals are can, could, may, might, must, ought
to, shall, should, will, would and need (need can also be a
main verb).

Examples:

We can play football.
We could play football.
We may play football.
We might play football.
We must play football.
We mustn't play football.
We needn't play football.
We ought to play football.
We shall play football.
We should play football.
We will play football.
3. Long and contracted forms
We would play football. of modals
III. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES, IF-
CLAUSES TYPE I, II, III
 Conditional sentences, if-clauses type I, II, III

Conditional sentences 3. Examples (if-clause at the end)

 
There are three types of conditional sentences.

4. Examples (affirmative and negative sentences)

1. Form

2. Examples (if-clause at the beginning)

IV. RELATIVE PRONOUNS:
who, which, whose and that
 Relative pronouns: who, which, whose and that

When do we use the relative pronouns who, which, whose and that?

who → when we talk about people

which → when we talk about things

whose → instead of his/her or their

We also use that for who/which.
 V. QUANTIFIERS

1. A LOT OF/LOTS OF
2. EACH/EVERY
3. MANY/MUCH, A LITTLE/LITTLE, A FEW/FEW
4. SOME/ANY
5. SOMETHING/ANYTHING
 1. Quantifiers: A lot of/Lots of
When do we use a lot of and when lots of? 2. Formal English
These phrases are mainly used in informal English
– lots of sounds a bit more informal than a lot of. In formal English we use plenty of or 
Both forms are used in singular and in plural sentences. much and many instead of a lot of/lots
of.
It is not the phrase a lot of or lots of which determines
singular or plural, but the noun of the sentence
(here: water and computers).
Singular
1. Informal English
Plenty of water is wasted.
Singular
Much water is wasted.
A lot of water is wasted.
Lots of water is wasted. Plural

Plural
Plenty of computers are needed at
A lot of computers are needed at schools. schools.
Lots of computers are needed at schools. Many computers are needed at schools.
 2. Quantifiers: Each/Every
When do we use each and when every?
The words each and every have similar meanings.
Each/Every time I go to work, the red car is parked in front
of the office.
But each and every are not always interchangeable. There
are situations where you can either use each or every.
Use
each is used when you see the persons in a group
as individuals.
every is used when you see the persons in a group as a unit.
1. each
The word each can be used alone or before an of-phrase.
1.1.can be used for two persons or things
There are two boys. Each is smiling.
1.2. can be used as a pronoun
There are 5 worksheets. Please take one of each.
1.3. can be used before a verb
The students each received a free copy of the magazine
2. every
2.1. used for three or more persons or things
The manager wants to speak to every employee in his office.
2.2. has to be used before a noun
They enjoyed every minute of their holidays.
2.3. used for repeated actions
I get up at 6 o'clock every morning.
The show will be broadcast every other Monday.
Every time I go shopping I choose the wrong queue.
There's a tram every ten minutes.
3. Singular or plural and each, every
If each is used after a subject in the plural (the girls), the
verb is used in the plural (have):
The girls each have written an e-mail.
The girls each have written e-mails.
If every should be used in this sentence, the singular of the
verb is used (has):
Every girl has written an e-mail.
3. Quantifiers: Many/Much, A little/little, A few/few
1. When do we use much and
when many?
much: uncountable nouns (milk,
marmalade, money, time etc.)
many: countable nouns (bottles of milk, jars
of marmalade, dollars, minutes etc.)
Examples:
How much money have you got?
How many dollars have you got?
In informal English these questions are often
answered with a lot of, lots of. There is no
much difference between the two phrases.
2. When do we use a little/little and when a few/few?
a little: non countable nouns (milk, marmalade, money, time
etc.)
a few: countable nouns (bottles of milk, jars of marmalade,
dollars, minutes etc.)
Examples:
He has a little money left.
He has a few dollars left.
We use few and little without the article a to point out a
more negative meaning.
Examples:
A few students of our school know this. (There are some
student who know it.)
Few students know this. (It is almost unkonown.)
 4. Quantifiers: Some/Any

When do we use some and when any?

We use some and any for an amount which is not known e.g. Have you got any crisps?

Use of some and any

some: affirmative statements, offers, requests and in questions when you expect the answer ›yes‹

any: negative statements, questions

Have you got any bananas? No, we haven't got any. But we've got some oranges.

Exceptions:

I would like to buy fruit at a market. I see the man has wonderful apples so I can ask him:
Can I have some of these apples?

If I do not see apples or if I am not sure whether there are apples at all I use any in this question.
Have you got any apples?
 5. Quantifiers: Some/Any
Compounds with some and any What is the difference
The compounds with some and any are used like the single between someone and somebody?
words some/any.
someone is used for a more special person
and somebody for a person in general.

There's someone at the door.

I'd like to be somebody.

* The
compounds someone/anyone and somebody/anybody a
re nearly identical.
THANK YOU!