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Upper Intermediate Business Writing: Worksheet 1: Formal and Informal Correspondence

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240 views2 pages

Upper Intermediate Business Writing: Worksheet 1: Formal and Informal Correspondence

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Juliana Xavier
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Upper Intermediate Business Writing

Life
Worksheet 1: Formal and informal correspondence

1 How often do you write emails or letters at work? How formal or informal are
they? Mark the level of formality on the scale and compare it with a partner.

Very formal  Neutral  Very informal

2 Read three pieces of correspondence. What level of formality are they? Write 1, 2
and 3 on the scale and compare with your partner. Explain your reasons.

Dear Ryan 1 2
I am writing in response to your message on my voicemail. Hi
I’d e delighted to gi e a talk to your business students on
the subject of Modern Management Practices. I’d e I’m afraid my plane is delayed by
grateful if you could send me any days and times you have two hours. Can you pick me up at
in mind so we can finalise the exact date.
around 2 instead?
I look forward to hearing from you.
See you soon. (I hope!)
Best regards
Corinne

Dear Mr Baker 3
With regard to your interest in the position of IT assistant, please find attached the full job
description and application form. Please note that the closing date for applications is the 30th of
this month. Unfortunately, due to the expected high number of applications for this post, we are
only able to reply to those applicants who have been shortlisted.

We thank you for your interest.

Yours sincerely

Alan Johnson

3a The verbs 1–10 tend to be used in more formal correspondence. Match the formal
verbs 1–10 to the less formal verbs in the box.

need tell change say sorry get ask about ask for help stop give

1 inform 6 enquire
2 request 7 alter
3 apologise 8 terminate
4 receive 9 require
5 assist 10 provide

b How many of the verbs 1–10 have a noun form? e.g. inform – information
Life Upper Intermediate 2nd edition Business Writing ©National Geographic Learning 2019
4 Find expressions in the texts in Exercise 2 to complete the table.

FORMAL OR NEUTRAL INFORMAL


Opening 1 Hello
_________________________ 2
_________________________
Reason for writing / Further to your letter … It’s a out …
3
Reference _________________________
4
_________________________
Enclosure or I’ e losi g Here is …
attachment 5
_________________________
Give good news We’re happ to i for ou that … Good news!
6
_________________________
Apologise / Give bad
Sadly … 7
_________________________ Sorry but …
news 8
_________________________
We regret to inform you that …
Request Would it be possible for you to …? Could you …?
9 10
_________________________ _________________________
Thanks / Refer to 11 13
_________________________ _________________________
future contact
12 14
_________________________ _________________________
Closing Kind regards Yours Bye
15 Love
_________________________

5 Rewrite this email using an informal style. Use expressions from Exercises 3 and 4.

Dear Dr Bruce Baines


With regard to our isit to Ital e t eek, I’ atta hi g details of your flights and hotel
reservations. I regret to inform you that the business college in Perugia has cancelled the
appointment on Wednesday. Would it be possible for you to give the same presentation in
Bologna?
I’d e grateful if you could confirm the flight times as soon as possible. Please do not hesitate
to contact me if you need me to assist you any further.

6 Read this informal reply. Rewrite it using a neutral or more formal style.

Hi Maddie
It’s a out the flight ti es to Ital . Sorr ut I a ’t fl out o Monday morning. Can you
change it to Monday evening?
I’ happ to talk i Bolog a i stead.
B.

I CAN
write using a formal and neutral style 
an informal style 

Life Upper Intermediate 2nd edition Business Writing ©National Geographic Learning 2019

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