HELPFUL HINTS FOR BUSINESS ENGLISH: Common mistakes

Do you make these English mistakes? I have corrected the first few. Do you think you can do the rest?

-  It’s not happen much (it doesn’t happen much/often)

-  Sometimes I not find the word (sometimes I don’t find the word)

-  Usually I’m have a lot of mistakes on the  grammar (Usually I have a lot of grammar mistakes)

-  I find myself all stucking (I find myself stuck all the time)

-  The most purpose is to speak (The most important is to speak)

-  I hate those stuff (I hate these things/ I hate that stuff) - you can’t count stuff so you can’t use these

- People that starts their own business (people that start their own business)

- Usually it’s encourages innovation (usually it encourages innovation)

It’s depends (it depends)- This is one of the BIGGEST mistakes even with my high-level students

- I had a perfect English (I had perfect English)

- I came up really early, like 6:00 pm (I got up)

-  I’ve retired before the army (I retired before the army)

- It was few months ago (It was a few months ago)

- He didn’t help me because he wasn’t concentrated

- The way to prepare to this presentation was different

- I’m still not in the level that I can do it on my own

- They eventually succeed next time

- I know what it is authority

- I ask her what she want to do

- I worked as a waitress since I was 14

-  They want change this balance

- Last week I was in stress

All these mistakes are completely avoidable. Happy to talk about how I can help you and your team avoid them

“Don’t look in front of you at the insurmountable mountains, look behind you at the ones you have already conquered. ”

— Tara Carey, Founder of Art of English

HELPFUL HINTS FOR BUSINESS ENGLISH: Preposition review

Prepositions Reminder:

Prepositions can get confusing even for English speakers. Here is a friendly reminder to keep those little words in order.

DATES:

I  was born in February  ------ GENERAL- the month

I was born on the 26th ------  is ------  SPECIFIC- the day

I was born on (a) Tuesday                                          

I was in the north of Israel (not the south, not the center, etc.)

I was born at the hospital on February 26th.  (We focus on the most specific)

I was born in July

I was born on the 24th

I was born on July 24th

THE- relates to something more specific.  The best movie ever was The Sound of Music.  Why is this ‘the’, because there are many movies out there and you are talking about a specific one.

COMBINATION

I work at Gett in the finance department

I work at Sunday Sky in the creative department

I’m on the plane, sitting in my seat at the back of the plane.

“Don’t look in front of you at the insurmountable mountains, look behind you at the ones you have already conquered. ”

— Tara Carey, Founder of Art of English

HELPFUL HINTS FOR BUSINESS ENGLISH: Sensationalizing of English

I feel the need to sensationalize the English language.  Just because you don’t feel you are proficient in English doesn’t mean you need to fish or cut bait.  It means you need to get granular and practice more.  Just take your learning and your pitfalls in stride.  All good things come to those who wait, or in your case, practice.  A tip that I tell my students all the time is to start with 2 minutes a day and just talk to yourself.  

Examples:

Wow, these eggs are really fresh.  Yesterday they weren’t as tasty.  

What a great day I had.  I’m so tired but I’m also so excited for what’s in store tomorrow.  

I’m so pissed off at John.  He was late again for the meeting.  How are we ever going to get ahead if he can’t keep such a small commitment

Just talk to yourself.  Once you feel up to it, move up to 5 minutes or 10 minutes.   When you are ready you can move up to talking with a friend.

Feel free to add some jargon or new words you used

Examples:

Wow, I need to get granular and get my report out

That meeting was so boring until John told us about the merger.  What a paradigm shift  

Don’t forget to keep me posted as to how it’s going.  

“Don’t look in front of you at the insurmountable mountains, look behind you at the ones you have already conquered”

— Tara Carey, Founder of Art of English

HELPFUL HINTS FOR BUSINESS ENGLISH: Jargon Scenario

JARGON SCENARIO (this is fictitious)

So the other day I was in a meeting and I was getting so frustrated.  Every idea that was being put out was either punted or shelved.  What is up with that? I’m already giving my 110% and I don’t know what else to leverage.  Personally, I think that there are too many moving parts to actually have the bleeding edge.  I’ve got to re-evaluate my spot in this company or at the very least check back to what my core competencies are and if they are aligned with this company.

Punt- give up on an idea, toss it out
Shelf- put on hold

Leverage- control or manipulate 

Too many moving parts- too many processes or employees

Bleeding edge- be ahead of the game of innovation 

Core competencies- what I do best, my main skills

Aligned- a good fit 

“Don’t look in front of you at the insurmountable mountains, look behind you at the ones you have already conquered. ”

— Tara Carey, Founder of Art of English

HELPFUL HINTS FOR BUSINESS ENGLISH: Striking up a Conversation part 4

LAST CONVERSATION TO STRIKE UP (well maybe not, but it’ll be your last tip for this topic.  I think…………..)

QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS:  When we ask open-ended questions, it takes the pressure off of us to speak, and allows the other person to talk and feel heard.  Try asking about someone else’s background.

Example:

Hey, welcome to the team.  Where did you join us from?  

Hey, I heard that you just moved to the area.  Where were you before?

So I’ve never asked you about your move to xxxx country.  How was the transition? 

MORE HELP IN THE FORM OF ADVICE:  Everyone likes to feel needed and that they can help in some way or another.  Be careful though.  Don’t ask for personal advice if you aren’t really close with the person you are asking.

Example:

The format I’m using for my presentation next week just isn’t sitting well with me.  Do you have any ideas of how to make it pop more? 

SHARED INTERESTS or ACTIVITIES:  We’ve already talked about this a bit, but let’s come at it from  another angle.  If you see a stranger who’s got the same computer as you, or you know someone who has the same reading interests as you, you can use that.  

Examples:

Hey, I see you are reading XXX.  I just finished that last week.  I won’t spoil it for you, but man idoes it have a good ending

Hey, I just upgraded my motherboard in the same computer because I loved it so much.  Do you like yours?

HAHAHAHAHA JOKES FOR THE WIN:  Make sure it’s not offensive or off-kilter.  I love jokes.  I love making people laugh and I love laughing.  It is always a great way to build a connection with someone.

Example:   He gave a great 10-minute business speech yesterday. The only problem was it took him an hour to deliver it.

“Don’t look in front of you at the insurmountable mountains, look behind you at the ones you have already conquered. ”

— Tara Carey, Founder of Art of English

HELPFUL HINTS FOR BUSINESS ENGLISH: Striking up a Conversation part 3

STRIKING UP A CONVERSATION (NOT A POSE) part 3

What have you taken away from the last 2 posts?  Have you been able to engage a little bit easier?  Have you been able to start the conversation yourself instead of just responding?

HELP!!!!  Ask for it.  It humbles you, empowers the other person and you have now opened the door to conversation.  

Examples:  

Excuse me, but can you help me find the coffee?  I’m not sure where it is.

Hey, I can’t seem to fix the jam in the copier.  Can you give me some help?

I’m so stumped as to how to write this email.  Do you have any tips?

WOW, YOU LIKE THAT TOO?  COMMON INTERESTS:  You’d be shocked at how much people have in common.  Even ones from different backgrounds and cultures.  Look for signals or cues.

Examples:

Wow, you’re following football too?  FYI, American football is not European.  That is called soccer in North America

You have the same electric bike as me.  How do you find your’s charges?

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMMMMM:  What do you know that may be interesting, insightful or helpful to someone else?   

Example:  I see that you like XXXX Bluetooth headset and not XXX like me.  What do you like best about it?  I like XXXXX

COMMON PERSONALITY:  You won’t want to get too personal with this one.  If it’s someone that you don’t know so well, I wouldn’t mention how disorganized he/she is 😉.

Examples: 
Hey, I’m a lefty too.  Have you ever heard that we’re in our right minds (that’s a high level of English)

Hey, I noticed that you hum when you think like me

“Don’t look in front of you at the insurmountable mountains, look behind you at the ones you have already conquered. ”

— Tara Carey, Founder of Art of English

HELPFUL HINTS FOR BUSINESS ENGLISH: Striking up a Conversation part 3 (Copy)

STRIKING UP A CONVERSATION (NOT A POSE) part 3

What have you taken away from the last 2 posts?  Have you been able to engage a little bit easier?  Have you been able to start the conversation yourself instead of just responding?

HELP!!!!  Ask for it.  It humbles you, empowers the other person and you have now opened the door to conversation.  

Examples:  

Excuse me, but can you help me find the coffee?  I’m not sure where it is.

Hey, I can’t seem to fix the jam in the copier.  Can you give me some help?

I’m so stumped as to how to write this email.  Do you have any tips?

WOW, YOU LIKE THAT TOO?  COMMON INTERESTS:  You’d be shocked at how much people have in common.  Even ones from different backgrounds and cultures.  Look for signals or cues.

Examples:

Wow, you’re following football too?  FYI, American football is not European.  That is called soccer in North America

You have the same electric bike as me.  How do you find your’s charges?

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMMMMM:  What do you know that may be interesting, insightful or helpful to someone else?   

Example:  I see that you like XXXX Bluetooth headset and not XXX like me.  What do you like best about it?  I like XXXXX

COMMON PERSONALITY:  You won’t want to get too personal with this one.  If it’s someone that you don’t know so well, I wouldn’t mention how disorganized he/she is 😉.

Examples: 
Hey, I’m a lefty too.  Have you ever heard that we’re in our right minds (that’s a high level of English)

Hey, I noticed that you hum when you think like me

“Don’t look in front of you at the uncermountable mountain. Look behind you at the mountains you have already conquered. ”

— Tara Carey, Founder Art of English

HELPFUL HINTS FOR BUSINESS ENGLISH: Striking up a Conversation

Striking up a conversation with people in your non-native tongue can be scary but also very important.  It's the best way to learn about an industry, company or person.

Here are some tips:

TIME:  It is important to be aware of your surroundings and even more so the time.  We lose sight of a lot when we are trying to focus on another language.  You'll have less time if you're waiting for the elevator than waiting in a long line for a cup of coffee. 

Examples:

Elevator:  Why are elevators so slow? 

Coffee:  Why do I always wait in this line?  Why don't I bring my coffee to work?

BREATHE:  When we stress out we don't breathe properly and then we can't think properly.

INFORMATION GATHERING:  Ask open-ended questions.  That'll take a little bit of the heat off of you and allow the other person to speak more.

Examples:

What do you think of the new office?

I really have been enjoying this workshop.  What about you?

COMPLEMENT:  We all like a good complement.

Examples:

Wow, I really like your bag, where is it from?

That is a great shirt.  Where'd you get it?

WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN COMMON: Use your environment.  For example, are you at the same conference, do you see them in the office building often?  How about on the train?

Examples:

Hey, we seem to be on the same schedule

Do you work in the building?  I notice you coming in at the same time as me frequently.

CURRENT EVENTS (but be careful)  Besides politics and a few other selective things, current events can be a way to open up a conversation. 

Examples:

I'm so glad the holidays are over.  Now I can eat less.

More in the next post...................

“Don’t look in front of you at the insurmountable mountains, look behind you at the ones you have already conquered. ”

— Tara Carey, Founder of Art of English