Acueil téléphonique – phrases utiles

Voici un petit lexique des phrases utiles quand on est au téléphone: Comment puis-je vous aider? – How can I help you? Je vous le/la passe. – I’ll put you through A quel sujet? – what’s it regarding?/what’s it about? Il n’est pas là pour l’instant – He’s not here at the moment. Je peux [...]

Business English word of the day: to embezzle

to embezzle : détourner (fonds) embezzlement : détournement de fonds My boss was fired last week because he was caught embezzling the company’s finances. Corrupt politicians are often involved in embezzlement scandals. This strange word actually has its origins in Old French. The word was ‘bésillier’, meaning to ‘torment’ or ‘destroy’. The anglo-saxon prefix ‘em’ [...]

Business English word of the day: Overtime

overtime : heures supplémentaires You can say ‘to do overtime’ or ‘to work overtime’ Examples: “I won’t be home till late tonight, I have to do overtime” “It’s a great job, nine to five and no overtime!” “Work more to earn more is a good idea in principle, but if your employer won’t give you [...]

What are they talking about? No. 6

a. phone call b. letter c. report d. form Nicky: Have you finished writing your _________ for the boss? Sergei: Not yet, I made a draft yesterday, but it’s not ready to be submitted. Nicky: Well, it’s probably not that urgent anyway, once he has read it it will be filed away with thousands of [...]

What are they talking about? No. 5

a. computer file b. printer c. email d. photograph Ryan: Help! I can’t find that ________ anymore, it seems to have disappeared! Marianne: Don’t panic, maybe you just forgot where you saved it. Ryan: Well the last time I opened it, it was on my desktop Marianne: And you haven’t modified it since then? Ryan: [...]

What are they talking about? No.4

a. form b. report c. letter d. email Stan: Have you joined the health club yet? Mavis: No, I still have the _______ but I haven’t got around to filling it in. Stan: Well, when you do, sign it and make a copy of it, they often get lost. Mavis: Good idea, I’ll send it [...]

What are they talking about? No. 3

a. report b. form c. book d. letter Lucy: Did you finish writing your __________ ? George: Yes, I’m going to send it later, but I don’t have an envelope. Could you get me one when you go to town? Lucy: No problem. do you want me to address it and post it? George: Oh [...]

what are they talking about? No.2

a. computer b. phone call c. photocopier d. email Olivia: I need to call a technician, my ___________ won’t shut down. Jack: Really? does it often crash like that? Olivia: No, it’s the first time. But when this happens, I can’t even try to reboot it. Jack: Well the easiest way to restart is to [...]

What are they talking about? No.1

Read the following conversation and choose the right word to fill the gap. Notice carefully the verbs that are used – they all collocate strongly with one of the following: a. letter b. email c. computer d. report Practice acting out the dialogue. Zak: Did you check your ________? I sent you something yesterday. Ruby: [...]

Business English word of the day: to sue

to sue : intenter un procès The verb to sue is the action of making a claim against someone, usually for money, because that person has harmed you or your interests in some way. Look at these examples: I broke my leg falling in the street, so I’m suing the local authorities for compensation When [...]