Business English Mastery: Grammar, Finance and Negotiation

English Grammar: Conditionals

• Zero Conditional: Used for general truths and real situations. Structure: If/When + Present Simple, Present Simple. (Example: If you press this switch, the computer comes on).
• First Conditional: Used for likely situations. Structure: If + Present Simple, Will + Verb Infinitive. (Example: If I don’t get the job, I won’t move house).
• Second Conditional: Used for imaginary or unreal situations. Structure: If + Past Simple, Would/Could/Might + Verb Infinitive. (Example: If I were you, I wouldn’t apply for that job).

Essential Business and Financial Vocabulary

• Banking Operations: Set up a standing order, pay by card, deposit 100 in your account, enter your PIN, transfer money to another account, or withdraw 110 from an ATM.
• Commerce and Value:
  • Bargain: A very good price.
  • Concession: Something granted in return for something else.
  • Refund: Devolución.
  • Discount for: A reduction in price.
  • Compensation: Money provided for your inconvenience.
  • Worth: Valor.
  • Waste: Pérdida.
  • Take it or leave it: A final offer.
• Negotiation Terms: Negotiator, negotiations, negotiating, and negotiable.
• Persuasion: A persuasive person, convincing arguments, "talked me into it," "talk him out of," and tough (difficult).
• Financial Management:
  • Raise: To get or collect money.
  • Expenditure: Money leaving an organization.
  • Income: Money coming in.
  • Cash flow forecast: A financial projection.
  • Budget: A plan of how to spend money.
  • Bankrupt: When you cannot pay what you owe.
  • Business plan: A document explaining business goals.
• Investment and Credit: Credit card, family, business angel (investing in return for a share), short supply (scarce/hay pocos), loan shark (prestamista), and bank manager.
• Professional Situations: Hesitate to lend (dudar en dejar), issues (asunto), behind schedule (retraso), decision to make, and avoid (evitar).
• Career and Life: Promotion (ascenso), work abroad (fuera), gap year (año sabático), mortgage (hipoteca), and insurance.
• Banking Contrasts:
  • Lend vs. Borrow: Giving vs. receiving a loan.
  • Deposit vs. Withdraw: Putting money in vs. taking it out.
  • Standing Order vs. Direct Debit: Paying a fixed amount every month vs. allowing a withdrawal on a particular date.
  • Debit vs. Credit: Taking money from an account vs. putting money in.
  • In Credit vs. Overdrawn: Having money in the account vs. having less than you want to withdraw.
  • Debits: Cobrar.
• Economic Indicators: Inflation (the rate at which prices increase), outgoings (regular expenses), savings (ahorros), shares (acciones), interest (intereses), and shifts (turnos).

Professional Communication Functions

Asking for Requirements

• What are your main concerns?
• What is the most important thing?
• What is your priority?

Putting Forward a Proposal

• What I propose is...
• What we can offer is...

Negotiating

• In return (a cambio).
• Further (adicional).
• Unless we...

Agreeing to a Proposal

• It’s a deal (trato).
• That would be fine for us.
• We can agree to that.

Rejecting a Proposal

• I’m afraid that such a short timetable...
• That is impossible.
• That wouldn’t be possible.

Workplace Skills and Job Applications

I am writing in response to your advertisement for a Front Desk Manager in your hotel (Post Ref: HR/475).

As you will see from my CV, which is attached to this email, I have a qualification in Hotel Management. I have also worked as a trainee front desk manager for the past two years, so I believe I have the necessary customer service skills and experience for the post. I am available for an interview most days. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely, Pepe.

Standard CV Sections

• Contact details (email, phone).
• Personal statement (definición personal).
• Education.
• Professional experience.
• Professional skills.
• Interests.
• Referees.