EnglishLCI
Joined: 20 Aug 2009 Posts: 49 Location: Denver, Colorado
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 6:20 am Post subject: Avoid Mistakes: Business Terms That May Confuse You! |
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There is a range of business terms and words you will need to know before you can confidently enter the business field in an English-speaking country or communicate with English-speaking business associates. But beware, some words are commonly confused and used incorrectly. Here are the top 10 pairings of words to take note of:
1. Accept vs Except
Accept - to agree to (a verb)
e.g. I accept the proposition you have put forward.
Except - not including (a preposition)
e.g. Everyone has been counted except those who are not present.
2. Advice vs Advise
Advice - an opinion or recommendation from another person (a noun)
e.g. What advice would you give me regarding this matter?
Advise - to offer an opinion or suggestion to someone else (a verb)
e.g. I would advise you not to go ahead with the plans.
3. Council vs Counsel
Council - an assembly or body of persons that carry out a role (a noun)
e.g. The council of employees will speak on everybody�s behalf.
Counsel - a piece of advice (a noun) / to give advice (a verb)
e.g. We would like to take come counsel from the previous manager/ He was counseled by our staff.
4. Borrow vs Lend
Borrow - to obtain with the promise to return
e.g. We will have to borrow more money from the bank.
Lend - to grant the use of, on the promise that it is returned
e.g. We plan to lend Mr Smith a new computer until his is fixed.
5. Expand vs Expend
Expand - to increase in size
e.g. We are looking to expand the business within three months.
Expend - to use up/ pay out
We have expended all our resources on this project
6. Improve vs Improvise
Improve - to make better
e.g. We are going to improve our business strategies.
Improvise - to deliver something without time to prepare
e.g. We will have to improvise in our negotiations if it does not go according to our plan.
7. Interested vs Interesting
Interested - possessing a right or a claim to something (an adjective)
e.g. They are an interested party in this business venture.
Interesting - something that has appeal or holds attention
e.g. We found the discussion very interesting.
8. Look Over vs Overlook
Look Over - to browse or read through something
e.g. I will look over the report this afternoon.
Overlook - to neglect
e.g. I�m afraid I overlooked the request you put in yesterday.
9. Precede vs Proceed
Precede - to go or come before
e.g. The person that preceded me was very skilled.
Proceed - to go ahead with
e.g. We will proceed with the business deal unless told otherwise.
10. Personnel vs Personal
Personnel - a body of people employed by an organization
e.g. The personnel at this office are very friendly
Personal - relating to an individual person
e.g. That is my personal belief about this situation.
If you are interested in mastering your business English, opt to take [url=http://www.englishlci.com/esl-classes.html ]ESL classes[/url] in the USA to teach you everything you need to know to be successful with your business matters. Executive English courses last from three weeks and equip you with the English you need to know for every business situation.
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Rachel Clarkson
Rachel Clarkson is an English teacher at LCI English ESL Programs and blogger at the ESL Blog. _________________ LCI offers the best ESL classes through experienced teachers and high quality programs in Denver, Colorado. Check out great ESL resources and articles at www.englishlci.com/blog |
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