Polite Diplomatic Language
Which is correct? “I suggest to do it” / “I suggest doing it”?
Suggest is followed by a gerund, not an infinitive (“to do” is incorrect).
Which modal expresses polite obligation:
'Should'
What’s the difference between “say” and “tell” in reported speech?
“Say” = general reporting; “tell” = requires an object (someone).
Identify the type: “If I were you, I’d review the report again.”
Second Conditional (advice / hypothetical)
Choose the correct phrase: “make a decision” or “do a decision”?
“make a decision”
Rewrite this direct request politely: “I need that by tomorrow.”
“Would it be possible to have that by tomorrow?”
Choose the correct sentence: (a) “We could meet tomorrow.” (b) “We can meet tomorrow.”
(a) “We could meet tomorrow.” (more polite/suggestive)
Direct → Reported: “He said, ‘I’ll call you tomorrow.’”
said, ‘I’ll call you tomorrow.’”He said he would call me the next day.
Think of the correct word to fit: “I look forward to ___ from you.”
'hearing'
Fill in: “We need to ___ a meeting for next week.”
“schedule / arrange / set up”
What’s the function of softening phrases like “I’m afraid…” or “Unfortunately…”?
They make negative messages more polite
What’s the difference in tone between “You must submit the report” and “You should submit the report”?
“Must” = strong obligation; “should” = recommendation.
Why do we use reported speech in business?
To summarize what others said in meetings or reports without quoting directly.
She is responsible ___ quality assurance.
''She is responsible for quality assurance.''
Which collocation is correct? “Strong competition” or “heavy competition”?
“Strong competition”
Correct the tone: “You are wrong.” → Make it professional.
“I see your point, but I think there might be another way to look at it.”
Complete the conditional: “Had we acted sooner, we ___ have lost the client.”
Might not
Change to reported speech: “The manager said, ‘We are hiring new staff.’”
The manager said they were hiring new staff.
What does this mean in basic terms: “If it weren’t for our team, the project wouldn’t succeed”?
The team is essential; without them, the project would fail.
Correct this sentence: “We must do a good impression at the conference.”
“We must make a good impression at the conference.”
Make this feedback tactful: “Your presentation was confusing and too long.”
Example: “The presentation covered a lot of useful information; perhaps it could be streamlined slightly for clarity next time.”
Rephrase to sound tactful in writing: “You didn’t follow the instructions.”
Example: “It seems some of the instructions may not have been fully followed.”
Correct this sentence: “She said me that she will send the document and that she must also prepare for the meeting tomorrow.”
“She told me that she would send the document and that she had to prepare for the meeting the following day.”
Identify and correct the error: “I wish I would know the results before the meeting.”
“I wish I knew the results…” Wish + past simple = unreal present. Would not used for present wishes.
Rewrite more formally: “If you don’t send the data soon, we can’t proceed.” Hint: use passive and modal verb
“Unless the data is sent promptly, we will be unable to proceed.”