Using English at work: Advanced English lesson

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Grammar included: ‘Received Pronunciation’ and ‘The Correct Pronunciation of “ED” in a regular verb.

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Remember that during the lesson we are continuing our RP practice to be able to improve our pronunciation and diction.

READING (Concentrate on your pronunciation of the ‘ed’ sounds. You will find the ‘ed’ lesson at the end of this English lesson.

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At the end of this English lesson you will find the rules to using the perfect tenses with examples

SECTION ONE (READING)

NEW VOCABULARY:

Here are five advanced business English words for an advanced English student, along with their meanings and example sentences:

  1. Synergy (noun)

    • Meaning: The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.
    • Example Sentence: The merger between the two tech companies was expected to create significant synergy, resulting in increased innovation and market share.
    • Now I would like you to prepare a sentence on paper using this word and then when you are satisfied with the sentence you can say it to me. (Don’t forget to check your spelling, grammar and punctuation.
    • Now I would like you to write a different sentence using the same word but this time include an example of the present perfect progressive tense: (have or has + been + gerund).
    • (See two examples in the text below)

  2. Paradigm (noun)

    • Meaning: A typical example or pattern of something; a model or framework that is widely accepted within a particular field or discipline.
    • Example Sentence: The introduction of remote work has shifted the paradigm of traditional office environments, leading to more flexible and dynamic workspaces.
    • Now I would like you to prepare a sentence on paper using this word and then when you are satisfied with the sentence you can say it to me. (Don’t forget to check your spelling, grammar and punctuation.
    • Now I would like you to write a different sentence using the same word but include an example of present perfect progressive.
    • (See two examples in the text below)

  3. Leverage (noun)

    • Meaning: The use of various resources or strategies to gain a strategic advantage or achieve a desired outcome, often involving the use of borrowed capital or other assets.
    • Example Sentence: The company plans to leverage its existing customer base to introduce new products and expand its market reach.
    • Now I would like you to prepare a sentence on paper using this word and then when you are satisfied with the sentence you can say it to me. (Don’t forget to check your spelling, grammar and punctuation.
    • Now I would like you to write a different sentence using the same word but include an example of present perfect progressive.
    • (See two examples in the text below)

  4. Benchmark (noun)

    • Meaning: A standard or point of reference against which things may be compared or assessed, often used to measure performance or quality.
    • Example Sentence: The quarterly financial report will serve as a benchmark to evaluate the company’s progress towards its annual goals.
    • Now I would like you to prepare a sentence on paper using this word and then when you are satisfied with the sentence you can say it to me. (Don’t forget to check your spelling, grammar and punctuation.
    • Now I would like you to write a different sentence using the same word but include an example of present perfect progressive.
    • (See two examples in the text below)

  5. Disruptive (verb)

    • Meaning: Causing or tending to cause disruption, especially in a market or industry, by introducing new and innovative products or services that change the traditional way things are done.
    • Example Sentence: The start-up’s disruptive technology has transformed the renewable energy sector, offering more efficient and sustainable solutions.
    • Now I would like you to prepare a sentence on paper using this word and then when you are satisfied with the sentence you can say it to me. (Don’t forget to check your spelling, grammar and punctuation.
    • Now I would like you to write a different sentence using the same word but include an example of present perfect progressive.
    • (See two examples in the text below)

BUSINESS TEXT:

Using business English at work involves understanding and effectively utilizing a specific vocabulary that enhances communication within a professional environment. One of the key terms often used is “synergy,” which refers to the collaborative effort between teams or departments to achieve greater results than they could individually. For instance, companies have been leveraging their resources in a way that maximizes synergy and drives innovative solutions. Another crucial concept is the “paradigm,” which denotes a typical example or pattern of something. In the modern business world, companies have been shifting paradigms to adapt to new market demands, thus staying competitive. To maintain a competitive edge, businesses often set a “benchmark” to measure their performance against industry standards. This benchmark acts as a goalpost for continuous improvement. Additionally, embracing “disruptive” innovations can redefine industries, offering new and efficient ways to meet customer needs. In this context, companies have been developing disruptive technologies that challenge traditional market structures and open new avenues for growth. Mastering these terms and concepts in business English not only aids in clear and effective communication but also empowers professionals to engage in meaningful strategic discussions.

VOCABULARY: Now discuss any new vocabulary.  https://translate.google.co.uk/

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SECTION TWO    (REVISION)

How to pronounce the ‘ed’ sounds in regular verbs.

 

‘ED’ practice text

In this text remember that we are practicing our RP but at the same time we are going to practice how to pronounce the ‘ed’ in regular verbs. Here is an explanation.

In English, the pronunciation of the past tense suffix “-ed” varies and is determined by the final sound of the root verb:

1. /t/ Sound: We use this sound when the root verb ends in voiceless consonants (except for /t/), such as /p/, /k/, /s/, /ʃ/ (sh), /ʧ / (ch), and /f/. For example:
– “walk” becomes “walked” and is pronounced as /wa: kt/
– “laugh” becomes “laughed” and is pronounced as /laugh: ft/

2. /d/ Sound: We use this sound with root verbs ending in voiced sounds, which include all vowel sounds and voiced consonants (except for /d/), such as /b/, /g/, /v/, / z/, etc. For example:
– “call” becomes “called” and is pronounced as /ca lld/
– “rob” becomes “robbed” and is pronounced as /rob bd/

3. /ɪd/ or just /d/ Sound: We use this sound distinctly when the root verb ends in either a /t/ or a /d/. This additional syllable makes it easier to pronounce. For example:
– “want” becomes “wanted” and is pronounced as /ˈwant: id/
– “need” becomes “needed” and is pronounced as /ˈneed: id/

ANSWERS:

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Here is a comprehensive guide to the grammar rules for all of the perfect tenses in English, along with examples:

Present Perfect Progressive Tense

Rule: The present perfect tense is used to describe an action that occurred at an unspecified time in the past or an action that began in the past and continues in the present. It is formed by using the present tense of the auxiliary verb “have” (have/has) followed by the past participle of the main verb.

Structure:

  • Subject + have/has + past participle

Examples:

  • I have eaten breakfast. (Action at an unspecified time in the past)
  • She has lived here for five years. (Action that began in the past and continues in the present)

Past Perfect Tense

Rule: The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action or time in the past. It is formed by using the past tense of the auxiliary verb “have” (had) followed by the past participle of the main verb.

Structure:

  • Subject + had + past participle

Examples:

  • I had finished my homework before the movie started. (Action completed before another action)
  • They had left by the time I arrived. (Action completed before another action)

Future Perfect Tense

Rule: The future perfect tense is used to describe an action that will be completed before a specific time in the future. It is formed by using “will have” followed by the past participle of the main verb.

Structure:

  • Subject + will have + past participle

Examples:

  • I will have finished my project by tomorrow. (Action that will be completed before a specific future time)
  • She will have travelled to five countries by the end of the year. (Action that will be completed before a specific future time)

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Rule: The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and has continued up until now, often with an emphasis on the duration. It is formed by using “have/has been” followed by the present participle (verb + ing).

Structure:

  • Subject + have/has been + present participle

Examples:

  • I have been studying for three hours. (Action started in the past and continues up to now with emphasis on duration)
  • She has been working here since June. (Action started in the past and continues up to now with emphasis on duration)

Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Rule: The past perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past and was completed before another past action. It is formed by using “had been” followed by the present participle (verb + ing).

Structure:

  • Subject + had been + present participle

Examples:

  • I had been reading for two hours when the power went out. (Ongoing action in the past completed before another past action)
  • They had been living in Paris for a year before they moved to London. (Ongoing action in the past completed before another past action)

Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Rule: The future perfect continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing action that will be completed before a specific future time, often with an emphasis on the duration. It is formed by using “will have been” followed by the present participle (verb + ing).

Structure:

  • Subject + will have been + present participle

Examples:

  • By next month, I will have been working here for five years. (Ongoing action that will be completed before a specific future time with emphasis on duration)
  • They will have been traveling for 24 hours by the time they arrive. (Ongoing action that will be completed before a specific future time with emphasis on duration)

These rules and examples should help you understand and use the perfect tenses in English accurately.

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