WHAT IS BUSINESS ENGLISH?
In terms of grammar ‘business’ English and ‘ordinary’ English are the same. Business English is simply English for a specific purpose - for trade and commerce. In other words, when we talk about business English we are mainly talking about specialised vocabulary that includes:
- specialised terms or jargon that is used within a certain industry, and,
- everyday or common terms that have a precise meaning and are commonly used within a certain industry.
What this means is that a student of English who is working in a particular industry may need to learn and understand certain specific terms that are commonly used within that industry.
The good news for an English language learner is that these 'business' terms are used throughout the industry on a global basis. These terms and expressions will also have a specific and unambiguous meaning that is understood by anyone in the industry.
For example, a German businesswoman working in Berlin, a Brazilian sales manager in Sao Paulo, a Japanese salesman in Tokyo and a Chinese business owner in Beijing who are working in the cosmetic industry would all use and understand the following expressions: ‘anti-aging’, ‘exfoliation’, ‘matt finish’, ‘light-reflecting’ and ‘T-zone’.
Here are some common expressions you may hear in a business environment. Chose the correct answer to complete the sentences.
- At the start of the meeting everybody was very quiet and reserved, but the German CEO (Chief Executive Officer) told a few jokes to…. a. across the board b. break the ice c. broke the news d. take on board
- He’s not very quick on the uptake. It takes him quite a while to…… new ideas. a. on to a good idea b. take on board c. bullish d. breathing down
- We’re going to have to reduce budgets in every single department. There will be cuts… a. back to the drawing board b. brief c. across the board d. brainstorm
- My Brazilian boss never gives me any freedom. She’s always …. my neck. a. broke the news b. brief c. breathing down d. back to the drawing board
- We need a name for our new brand. The best thing is to get a few people together and try to ….a name. a. on to a good thing b. broke the news c. bullish d. brainstorm
- “I’m very happy with our sales prospects for the next year,” said the Japanese CFO (Chief Financial Officer). “I’m feeling really…” a. bullish b. back to the drawing board c. broke the news d. on to a good thing
- I’ve heard all about it. Sally…. to me. a. brainstorm b. on to a good thing c. breathing down d. broke the news
- “I know that this is a very good product. We are … with it,” said the Chinese salesman. a. on to a good thing b. across the board c. breathing down. d. brainstorm
- I guess that this market study shows that nobody wants to buy our product. It’s …for us. a. back to the drawing board b. brainstorm c. breathing down d. take on board
- We did not look at that because it was not part of the …. you set us. a. brief b. on to a good thing c. broke the news d. breathing down
ANSWERS
- At the start of the meeting everybody was very quiet and reserved, but the German CEO (Chief Executive Officer) told a few jokes to BREAK THE ICE.
- He’s not very quick on the uptake. It takes him quite a while to TAKE ON BOARD new ideas.
- We’re going to have to reduce budgets in every single department. There will be cuts ACROSS THE BOARD
- My Brazilian boss never gives me any freedom. She’s always BREATHING DOWN my neck.
- We need a name for our new brand. The best thing is to get a few people together and try to BRAINSTORM a name.
- “I’m very happy with our sales prospects for the next year,” said the Japanese CFO (Chief Financial Officer). “I’m feeling really BULLISH.
- I’ve heard all about it. Sally BROKE THE NEWS to me.
- “I know that this is a very good product. We are ON TO A GOOD THING with it,” said the Chinese salesman.
- I guess that this market study shows that nobody wants to buy our product. It’s BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD for us.
- We did not look at that because it was not part of the BRIEF you set us.
