English for Business 101

Choose the correct answer!

• We need to get our sales achievement higher

• We need to get our sale's achievement higher

Answer explanation

You use an apostrophe in a short form words/contractions (e.g., “there is” to “there’s”) or to show possession (e.g., “the manager’s pet peeve”). You don’t use one if the “s” is there simply to make a word a plural.

True or False: Being busy is the definition of "hands are tied"

Answer explanation

"Hands are tied" means unable to carry out a meaningful action because of regulations, rules or other people with authority.

Example: I wish I could help you cut through all this red tape (another business idiom meaning administrative procedures) but my hands are tied. My boss won’t let me.

Choose the correct answer!

• Less than 100 purchases were made

• Fewer than 100 purchases were made

Answer explanation

This one is sort of a trick question! You can consider "less" and "fewer" as synonym and it doesn't really stand out as a mistake if you use either one. However, apparently you should use "fewer" for countable things (e.g less than 100) and "less" for things that you can't really count (e.g counting grains of sand)

Which of the following statement shows "courtesy" in a business message?

• Your prompt payment will be deeply appreciated

• Your failure to pay us on time has caused tremendous inconvenience

Choose the correct answer!

• The TA that reach their sales target will get a reward

• The TA who reach their sales target will get a reward

Answer explanation

Use “that” when you’re talking about things, and “who” when you’re talking about people.

What is the definition of "table the conversation"

• Have the conversation later

• Have the conversation now

• Pause the discussion

• Never discussing it again

Choose the correct answer!

• This quarter's achievement is better than last quarter's achievement

• This quarter's achievement is better then last quarter's achievement

Answer explanation

You use “then” when you’re talking about time (e.g., “I’m going to go to the meeting, then to lunch”), and use “than” when you’re comparing things (e.g., “I’m older than he is”).

The potential client didn't ___ the rate card on time

• signs

• signing

• signed

• sign

Choose the correct answer!

• Their going to to the office over there

• They're going to the office over there

Answer explanation

"There” is a location, as in “not here. Sometimes it’s also used as an exclamation (e.g. “So there!”). “They’re” is a short form word/contraction of “they are.” And “their” is a possessive, meaning ownership by more than one person.  

What is the definition of "cutting corners"?

• finishing something quickly

• finishing something quickly and carelessly

• finishing something carelessly

• finishing something quickly and efficiently

Answer explanation

“To cut corners” is to complete a task in a fast and careless way. It means to do something without paying attention to details, thereby making mistakes or causing new problems.