In Class with Pierre: Common Corrections, Vocabulary and Pronunciation Tips from My Online Business English Classes!

Hello and happy Friday, everyone! I hope you’ve had a fantastic week. If you're a motivated professionals committed to enhancing your English communication skills and realizing your full potential, you’re in the right place! This week, we’ll explore some essential topics: the difference between “-ing” and “-ed” adjectives, the distinction between present perfect and past simple tenses, and how to effectively use relative clauses. Along the way, I’ll share some common mistakes, valuable vocabulary, and pronunciation tips from our recent conversation sessions. Let’s work together to elevate your business English and boost your confidence in speaking!

Boost Your Professional English

If you're serious about refining your English fluency this season, my specialized online classes are designed to elevate your business communication skills and make you feel more comfortable using English at work. Feel free to book a consultation session with me via Google Meets to explore how I can help you become more effective in your professional communication! Alright, let's get to it!

Common Business English Mistakes

1. “-ing” vs. “-ed” Adjectives

One area where many learners struggle is understanding the difference between adjectives ending in “-ing” and “-ed.”

• “-ing” adjectives describe the effect that something has on a person or thing. They refer to the source of the feeling.
• “-ed” adjectives describe how someone feels. They refer to the person’s emotional state.

Correct Usage:

• Exciting: "The presentation was exciting." (This means the presentation caused excitement.)
• Excited: "I was excited about the new project." (This means I felt excitement.)

Tip: When you want to express how something impacts you, use “-ing.” When you want to express your feelings, use “-ed.”

2. Present Perfect vs. Past Simple

Understanding when to use the present perfect tense versus the past simple tense is crucial for expressing time accurately in business contexts.

• Present Perfect (have/has + past participle) connects past actions to the present. It’s often used for actions that are relevant now or have an impact on the present.
• Past Simple (verb + -ed for regular verbs) is used for actions that occurred at a specific time in the past and are now completed.

Correct Usage:

• Present Perfect: "I have completed the report." (This suggests that the report is relevant now.)
• Past Simple: "I completed the report yesterday." (This refers to a specific time in the past.)

Tip: Use the present perfect for ongoing relevance and the past simple for completed actions.

3. Relative Clauses

Relative clauses are essential for adding information about nouns. They can help clarify who or what you are talking about.

• Use “who” for people, “which” for things, and “that” for both people and things.

Correct Usage:

• "The manager, who is very experienced, will lead the meeting." (This provides additional information about the manager.)
• "I received the report that you sent." (This specifies which report you are talking about.)

Tip: Relative clauses can help make your sentences more informative and detailed, so practice using them in your writing and speaking.

Pronunciation Guide for Tricky Business Terms

1. “Argue”

• Pronunciation: “AR-gyoo”
• Tip: Stress the first syllable. This verb is commonly used in discussions or negotiations when expressing differing opinions.

2. “AI”

• Pronunciation: “A-I”
• Tip: Say each letter separately. AI, or artificial intelligence, is becoming increasingly relevant in various business discussions, especially in technology and innovation contexts.

3. “Specialized”

• Pronunciation: “SPEH-shuh-lized”
• Tip: Emphasize the first syllable. This term is often used in the workplace when referring to someone’s expertise in a specific area.

4. “Evolving”

• Pronunciation: “ee-VAL-ving”
• Tip: Stress the second syllable. It’s often used to describe changing business environments or industries, making it a valuable term to know.

5. “Obstacles”

• Pronunciation: “OB-sta-kulz”
• Tip: Emphasize the first syllable. This word is useful when discussing challenges that may impede progress in a project or strategy.

Vital Vocabulary for the Office

1. Burnout

• Definition: Burnout refers to a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, often resulting from overworking and lack of balance in personal and professional life.
• Example: "After months of back-to-back projects and long hours, Sarah felt she was on the verge of burnout."
• Tip: Recognizing the signs of burnout is crucial. Look out for symptoms such as fatigue, lack of motivation, and reduced performance. Employers should also foster a supportive work environment to help mitigate burnout among their teams.

2. Merge

• Definition: To merge means to combine or unite two or more entities into one, often used in a business context when companies or departments come together to improve efficiency or expand capabilities.
• Example: "The merger of the two tech firms created a stronger presence in the market and enhanced their competitive edge."
• Tip: Mergers can lead to increased resources and capabilities, but they may also bring challenges like cultural integration. It’s essential to communicate clearly during the process to ensure a smooth transition.

3. Impatience

• Definition: Impatience is the inability to wait calmly or tolerate delays, often leading to frustration and hasty decisions that can negatively impact workplace dynamics.
• Example: "Her impatience during the meeting caused some team members to feel undervalued, as she quickly dismissed their ideas."
• Tip: Cultivating patience can lead to better decision-making and improved team relationships. Techniques such as mindfulness and taking deep breaths during tense moments can help manage impatience.

4. Bad Habits

• Definition: Bad habits are repetitive behaviors that hinder productivity or disrupt workflow. They can range from poor time management to ineffective communication practices.
• Example: "Breaking bad habits, such as procrastination and multitasking, can greatly improve your work performance and efficiency."
• Tip: Identifying your bad habits is the first step to breaking them. Consider keeping a journal to track your daily activities and pinpoint areas for improvement. Setting specific goals for change can also be effective.

5. Redundancy

• Definition: Redundancy refers to a situation in which certain roles or tasks are no longer necessary, often leading to layoffs or the restructuring of teams. It can also refer to unnecessary duplication of tasks or resources.
• Example: "The company announced redundancies due to a shift in strategy, affecting several departments."
• Tip: While redundancy can be challenging for employees, it can also create opportunities for reassignment to different roles or departments. Open communication from leadership can help ease concerns and foster a sense of stability during transitions.

Wrap-Up

Improving your English for professional use is a gradual but rewarding journey. By incorporating these tips into your daily interactions, you’ll build both your confidence and fluency. If you’d like more personalized guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’m here to help you navigate any challenges and work with you to make your English not just proficient, but remarkable!

For tailored advice or to learn more about how I can support your business language development, visit my website or book a meeting with me on Google Meets. Let’s make this your most successful season of learning yet!

Useful Resources for Extra Practice

Podcasts:

The Business English Podcast – Focuses on real-world business scenarios to enhance your vocabulary and communication skills.

English for Business – Offers episodes that help improve your speaking confidence in various professional situations.

Speaking Confidence:

The Confidence Code – A podcast exploring how to build confidence in business communications.

Speak English Now – Focuses on improving fluency and conversational skills in English.

Let’s keep learning together and elevate your professional English skills!