Tag: Writing

English: By vs till / until. It can be quite confusing when we are writing work emails to know if we should use by or until. It’s true that until can often be translated as ‘hasta‘ in Spanish, but not always.

BY

Meaning

Examples

TILL / UNTIL

Meaning (positive)

Examples

Meaning (negative)

Examples (negative)

Common Mistakes

It is quite common for Spanish speakers to mix up by and until as they both are indicating a time when something ends. Take a look at some of these common errors.

Practice

Fill in the blank space with by or until. Check your answers at the bottom of the post.

1. Please, respond to this email ____ Thursday.
2. I have to leave today ____ noon. I have a doctor appointment.
3. I am requesting time off, from June 10th ____ the 16th.
4. ____ Friday at the latest.
5. ____ June, we will not have any results for you.
6. The summer discount is available ____ September.
7. ____ 5 o’clock the office is closed and everyone has gone home.
8. ____ 5 o’clock the office is open and full of people.
9. You should have the asnwer ____ Monday at the latest.
10. ____ we find a solution, we are unable to check out databases.

English Writing

Now that you have seen English: By vs till / until, take a look at our other English Writing posts:
English Writing: Notifying errors
English Writing: Making requests in English

Cursos inglés

En la Escuela de Idiomas de la Cámara de Comercio de Álava tenemos cursos de inglés para mayores de 16 años. Ponte en contacto con nosotros para recibir más información

Respuestas

1. by
2. until
3. until
4. by
5. until
6. until
7. by
8. until
9. by
10. until

English Writing: notifying errors. Communicating an error or mistake can be a delicate matter, especially in emails. So, make sure that your language is clear, not aggressive and is focused on the solution.

NOTIFYING AN ERROR

Here are some of the basic rules for making complaints or for telling someone they have made a mistake.

HOW TO SOUND MORE POLITE

EXPLAINING THE ERROR

It’s also important to be clear about what the exact error is. Here are some examples:

• There was a discrepancy in the numbers. I noted that we have 4,300 pieces in the wearhouse and your document states that there is 4,200.
• There’s seems to have been a mix-up. We were charged $2,000 this month, but that was last month’s order size. This month we only ordered half, so the price should be $1,000.
• I’m sure it was just as oversight, but I believe the building has been undervalued by 10,000€. Can you please look into it for me?

CLOSING THE EMAIL

Always remember to close your email in a polite manner. Some examples are as follows:

• Hope to hear from you soon,
• Let me know if I can do anything,
• Give me a call if you have any questions.
• Thanks for giving this an extra look.

Writing

Now that you have read English Writing: notifying errors, have a look at our other Writing posts:
Writing: making requests in English
Writing: C1 Advanced Writing

Making requests in English. It’s true that us Americans are very direct giving answers and advice, however, when we need to request something, we usually take the indirect, more polite route. In Spanish, you would call this ‘haciendo pelota’ (kissing ass in English) but I promise it’s just built into us since childhood.

MAKING SIMPLE REQUESTS

Form

You have decided to use these phrases as they are the most appropriate for the situation. Now, let’s use them properly.

CAN / COULD

Remember that ‘could’ is more polite than ‘can’. This is the only difference between the two words.

• Can + subject + please + infinitive without to + object
  • Can we please call him?
• Can + subject + infinitive without to + object + please
  • Can John look for the cat please?
• Could + subject + please + infintive without to + object
  • Could you pease tell me you name?
• Could + subject + infinitive without to + object + please
  • Could she stop singing please. I can’t concentrate.

WOULD YOU MIND

To learn more about the different uses of the phrase ‘Would you mind?, click here.

• Would + subject + mind + gerund (+object)
  • Would you mind going? I’m very busy.
  • Would he mind finishing up early tonight?

ASKING FOR FAVORS OR MAKING BIG REQUESTS

When we ask people for favors or big requests, remember to use more polite language or they are less likely to say yes.

FORM

As was the case previously, it is important to know how to properly use these expressions.

Was/were wondering if…

Here we are using an indirect question to request something. To learn more about indirect questions, click here.

• Subject + was/were wondering + if + request (could + infinitive without to + object)
  • I was wondering if you could help me with this project.
  • I was wondering if Joe could take my place.
  • Paul was wondering if Ann could purchase the materials.
  • We were wondering if your team could give us a hand.

Do you think …

Here there are two versions. ‘Do you think you could‘, which is less polite than ‘Do you think you might be able to‘. However, both are good options. Since you are asking someone directly, we always start with ‘Do YOU think…’. If you ask ‘Does Carol think … ‘, we are asking someone for their opinion and it is no longer a request.

• Do you think + person + could + infintive without to (+ object)
  • Do you think you could come over?
  • Do you think that Jennifer could finish my part?
• Do you think + person + might be able to + infinitive without to (+object)
  • Do you think I might be able to take Monday off?
  • Do you think Martin might be able to do it?

I was hoping…

Here we can make a request for ourselves or for someone else. Since this is not a direct question, it may be unclear sometimes that this is a request, but it is!

• Subject + was hoping (+that) + person + could + infintive without to (+object)
  • I was hoping I could leave early today.
  • Emma was hoping that you could send her the homework.

Writing Rules

Now that you have seen Making requests in English, take a look at our other Writing Rules posts:
Writing Rules: C1 Advanced Writing
Writing Rules: Formal and informal emails

Cursos inglés

Si buscas un curso de preparación de exámenes, de Business English o simplemente de conversación, tenemos una oferta amplia. Haz clic aquí para ver nuestros horarios o ponte en contacto con nosotros a través de idiomas@camaradealava.com

English writing: Formal and informal. Truth be told, we are not as formal as you think, especially Americans. Not only that, but if you are still using very formal language with me after we have known each other for some time, I may feel offended. Formal language can be seen as cold and distant. So, I’m not saying forget everything your teachers have taught you, if you need to write a cover letter, a formal complaint or a first email to a new client, formal language is the way to go. But, once you have a relationship, lighten up.

REASON FOR WRITING

ATTACHMENTS

REQUESTS

CLOSING AN EMAIL

English Writing

Now that you have seen English writing: Formal and informal, have a look at our other Writing Rules posts:
Writing Rules: Gerunds that follow to
Writing Rules: Giving advice

Giving advice in English. There are only a few occasions when you should be using ‘have to’ with someone.

1. You are a parent and you are telling your children what to do (and this concept is debatable)
   • You have to clean your room before you leave this house.
2. You are telling your friend in an exaggerated way what they need to do because it was fun, exciting, entertaining, etc.
   • You HAVE TO see the last season of Stranger Things!
3. You are seriously concerned about someone.
   • We have to go to the emergency room now!

If you are not in one of these three situations, then stop telling people in English what they ‘have to do’. This is a strong statement for us and is usually used for children. So, when speaking or writing to adults, employees, etc, I soften my advice by using some of the following phrases. Why? Because they are adults and can make the best decisions for themselves. And yes! This included employees.

I RECOMMEND / SUGGEST…

• A polite way of giving advice to someone
• 1 Form: Person + recommend/suggest + gerund
  • They recommend printing the file instead of sending it by email.
  • She suggests charging them before sending anything out.
• 2 Form: Person + recommend/suggest + noun
  • My doctor doesn’t recommend those pills for pain.
  • Lucia suggests the white one because it is lighter.

I WOULD RECOMMEND / SUGGEST…

• A more polite way to give advice.
• 1. Form: Person + would recommend/suggest + gerund
  • I would suggest calling the store first to see if it’s still open before you take a ride over there.
  • I wouldn’t recommend eating there. It hasn’t got very good reviews.
• 2. Form: Person + would recommend/suggest + noun
  • I wouldn’t recommend the beef to anyone. It was not their best dish.
  • I think a doctor would suggest time off for that type of injury.
• Use the adverbs highly or stongly to give strength to your statement.
  • I would highly recommend checking with your doctor before trying that medication.
  • She would strongly recommend Paul’s garage for any problems you may have with your car.

IF I WERE YOU…

• A way of giving advice based on what you would do if you were in their situation.
• Form: If I were you + I + would + infintive (without to)
  • If I were you, I would finish send the email out before the end of the day.
  • If I were you, I would talk to my boss before jumpling to any conclusions.

HAVE YOU TRIED…

• An inoffensive way of asking what someone has already done.
• Form: Have you tried + gerund
  • Have you tried turning it on and off again?
  • Have you tried calling their main line and asking to speak to him directly?

Writing rules

Now that you have seen Giving advice in English, take a look at out other Writing Rules posts.
Writing Rules: I’m writing
Writing Rules: Gerunds that follow to

Cursos inglés

¡Ven a la Escuela de Idiomas de la Cámara de Alava para apuntarse a un curso de inglés hoy mismo!

English emails: I’m writing. When writing emails in Spanish, it’s quite common to use Present Simple: I write… However, in English we use Present Continuous to write about something that is happening in the moment. I’m writing this blog post right now, so I use Present Continuous.

EMAILS

Starting emails

Since I am writing an email in the moment, we use Present Continuous. To start the email, say:

• I’m writing you in reference to the conference that is taking place next month.
• I’m writing you in response to your questions about the fair.

Attachments

We can also use the present continuous to talk about an attachment to an email:

• I’m attaching the documents you requested earlier today.
• As requested, I’m attaching a copy of the budget.

Talking about yourself

Remember, we use Present Continuous to talk about things we are doing in the moment, so if you are talking about something happening now in your life, use present continuous:

• I’m working a lot right now since I just started a new job.
• I’m living in a nice apartment about 15 minutes from the center.

Writing Rules

Now that you have learned about English Emails: I’m writing, take a look at our other Writing Rules posts:
Writing rules: Gerunds that follow to
Writing rules: B2 Writing tips: RED

Cursos inglés

En la Escuela de Idiomas de la Cámara de Comercio de Alava, tenemos cursos de inglés para todos los niveles y necesidades. Para inscribirte en un curso o para recibir más información, rellena la hoja aquí.

English: gerunds that follow to. Gerunds and Infinitives are always difficult to remember (click here for more on gerunds vs infintives). They are also a large part of the B2 and C1 exams for Cambridge, Oxford, EILTS, EOI and so on. And let’s not forget that we use gerunds and infinitives all the time in geral conversation. So, yes, they are important. But, let’s not forget that sometimes gerunds follow ‘to’ (when functioning as a preposition). Here are just a few of the most common examples.

TO BE LOOKING FORWARD TO

• Mostly used at the end of an email but is also in spoken English
  • Looking forward to meeting you (Notice that we do not use the subject here. This is less formal)
  • We are looking forward to working with you. (This is more formal because we use the subject ‘we’)

BE USED TO / GET USED TO

COMMITTED TO / DEDICATED TO

CONFESSED TO / GET AROUND TO

Writing rules

Now that you have seen English: gerunds that follow to, take a look at our other Writing Rules posts:
Writing Rules: RED
Writing Rules: Mr., Miss, Mrs, Ms

Cursos de inglés en Vitoria

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• Business English / Inglés para negocios
  • InCompany
  • Online
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• General English / Inglés general
• Exam Prep / preparación de exámenes de Cambrdige, EILTS, EOI, Oxford Test of English

Writing Rules: Mr, Miss, Mrs, Ms. You may have heard of Mr., Miss and Mrs., but have you heard of Ms.?

History of Ms.

The idea of Ms was originally presented by publishers as early as the 1900s who wanted to avoid embarrassment by mistaking a woman’s status. It wasn’t until the 1960’s, however, that Sheila Michaels supported the idea of using Ms as a way for women to not have to be identified by their marital status. Read more about Sheila Michaels. Ms. was later used as the title of a famous feminist magazine in the US in 1971. Take a look at the online Ms Magazine here. However, Ms was not used in the New York Times until the 1980s. Today, the term is used quite frequently.

MR.

• Used to formally present or address a man.
• You can use Mr. with or without the man’s last name.
  • I would like to present Mr. Smith.
  • I met Mr. O’Donnell yesterday.
• Used to formally address someone in a letter or email, especially if you do not know the person’s name.
  • Dear Mr. Potter,
  • Dear Mr. Harry Potter,

MISS

• Miss has previously been used to refer to someone of a younger age.
• Today we use Miss to refer to an unmarried woman, young or old.
• As with Mr, use Miss with or without the first name.
  • Miss Philips will address the crowd at the concert this weekend.
  • Dear Miss Anita Jones,

MRS.

• Previously, Mrs. related to an older woman.
• Today we use Mrs. to refer to a married woman.
• As if the case with Mr and Miss, use Mrs. with or without the first name.
  • Mrs. Patel is presenting the awards tonight.
  • Dear Mrs. Lucy Johnson,

MS.

• Use Ms. To address a woman when you do not know her marital status.
• Women who may not want you to know their marital status may also use Ms.
• It is quite common today for someone to use Ms.
  • Hello Ms. Hintz. I would like you to meet my partner Mr. Williams.
  • Dear Ms. Rita Brown,

PRONUNICATION

It is quite important to know the difference between Miss, Mrs. and Ms.

• Pronounce the ‘s’ in Miss like the ‘s’ in snake
• Mrs is pronounced as if it was written misses,
  • the first S sounds like snake, but the second sounds more like a z in buzz
• Pronounce the ‘s’ in Ms with a ‘z’ sound only.

Writing Rules

Now that you have seen Writing Rules: Mr Miss Mrs Ms, take a look at our other writing focused posts:
Emails: we can do better
Frequency adverbs in less than 5 minutes