Sunday, September 29, 2013

Lumiere English Academy; Basic Grammar - Lesson 23 Basic Business and Other Letters; 5.Congratulations to a New Graduate 6. Declining an Invitation




Lumiere English academy
A Basic Grammar
Lesson 23
Basic Business and Other Letters
Sample Letters 
5. Congratulations to a New Graduate


Dear . . . 

Heartiest congratulations on obtaining your Bachelor of Science degree.  You deserve it!
I know how hard you studied and how many sacrifices you made to gain this brilliant
achievement.

I am sure your family is very proud of you and they have every right to be so. 
I know you intend to continue studying for your Honours degree and would like to take this opportunity of wishing you every success in your future academic pursuits.

Keep up the good work.

Kind regards 
(Sign your name here)


6. DECLINING AN INVITATION
Unless you're sure you will be able to attend and be on time, do not accept an invitation.
If you are already committed to attend another function, you will only offend your hosts by dashing in early from one reception to arrive late at the next. They are prepared to spend hard-earned money to entertain you. Don't let them waste it. You can only be in one place at a time.

Dear

Thank you very much for your cordial invitation to your (wedding/party/birthday celebrations) on 5 November. I would have loved to attend. As I am already committed to a previous engagement in Johannesburg on that day, however, I must reluctantly decline. 

I hope your party is a wonderful success.

Kind regards
(Sign your name here)

Dr Luky Whittle

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Lumiere English Academy; Basic Grammar - Lesson 22 Basic Business and Other Letters; 3.Application for a Position 4. Congratulations on the Arrival of a New Baby




Lumiere English academy
A Basic Grammar
Lesson 22
Basic Business and Other Letters
Sample Letters
3. Application for a Position

Your address if you wish
Your phone number and contact details if you wish
The date e.g. 6 March 20 ...
Dear . . . 

With reference to your advertisement in Onlinenews of  5 March 20... for the
position of . . . I would like to apply for the vacancy. As stipulated in the
advertisement, I enclose a fully detailed curriculum vitae which is 
self-explanatory.

If you grant me an interview, I shall endeavour to supply any further information as to why I believe myself to be singularly well qualified for the position advertised.

I trust you will give my application your favourable consideration and look forward to receiving your reply in this regard.

Yours faithfully 
(Sign your name here)

4. CONGRATULATIONS ON THE ARRIVAL OF A NEW BABY
Dear

Congratulations on the arrival of your beautiful baby boy. I am sure he will bring much joy and laughter into your lives. I pray that he will be a source of blessing to you, his parents.

I enclose a little suit for the new arrival. May he wear it in good health.

Kindest regards to all three of you
(Sign your name here)

Dr Luky Whittle



Lumiere English Academy: Basic Grammar - Lesson 21 Basic Business and Other Letters; 1. Acceptance of an Invitation 2. Advising the Principal about One's Child's Absence from School




Lumiere English academy
A Basic Grammar
Lesson 21
Basic Business and Other Letters
Few things help one's business better
Than a neatly worded letter

A courteous, well-written letter is a credit to the sender and may be a source of pleasure and pride to the recipient. Nothing betrays one's ignorance of English more humiliatingly, however, than bad grammar. 
If your writing is not of the best, avoid long, flowery epistles. 
Write courteously, briefly and to the point and avoid elaborate verbosity.
It is better to keep one's letter (and speeches) to a minimum at all times, even when one is convinced of one's linguistic expertise.
People whose very business lives depend on the written (and the spoken) word are among those who keep files of precedent (examples that have happened before) letters among their records. You would do well to do likewise.
Whenever you receive a well phrased business letter, you could take a copy and add that to the contents of your own precedent file as well.
Remember to be brief and specific in your letters.
For example, if you wish to offer your services, be specific in describing the way you are able to be of service and beware of promising more than you can fulfil.
 SAMPLE LETTERS
1. Acceptance of an Invitation

Your address if you wish
Your phone number and contact details if you wish
The date e.g. 6 March 20 ...
Dear (name of the recipient),

 Thank you very much for inviting my husband (wife/family) and myself to attend the marriage of your daughter Pule and her fiance on 5 May next. 
We were indeed honoured to receive your gracious invitation which we cordially accept herewith. 
My husband will accompany me to this festive event to which both of us eagerly look forward.

Kind regards
(Sign your name here)

2.  ADVISING THE PRINCIPAL ABOUT ONE'S CHILD'S ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

Your address if you wish
Your phone number and contact details if you wish
The date e.g. 12 January 20 ...
Dear

My son, John Smith, a Grade 4 pupil in Mrs Brown's class, is in hospital after an emergency appendix operation last night. 
Please excuse him from school for the time it takes him to recuperate.
This is estimated at approximately three weeks from the date of this letter.

It is a source of regret to me that John will be missing valuable lessons due to his unexpected illness. Therefore, subject to your approval, I would like to call on the class teacher to ask for guidance to enable me to help John catch up on the work he will be losing. Your kind approval in this regard will be sincerely appreciated.

Yours faithfully
(Sign your name here)

Dr Luky Whittle

Monday, September 23, 2013

Lumiere English Academy; A Basic Grammar - Lesson 20 Prepositions H to W




Lumiere English academy
A Basic Grammar

Lesson 20
Prepositions
H to W
Student, take a wise decision
Never mix a preposition
You cannot be too careful about the correct use of prepositions.
Here are some examples of the most common kinds of
prepositions. These are printed in capitals. Make your own list
of any others you come across.
H
Happy FOR the winner
Having hidden the evidence, he had made himself an accessory
AFTER the fact
He changed FROM his office clothes INTO something more
casual
He insisted ON seeing the manager
He made his money OUT OF scrap iron
He was hit OVER the head
Holding the plate ON her lap
Horrified AT the person's discourtesy
I
I believe IN angels
I don't know WHETHER you can block publication
If you ever go ACROSS the sea TO Ireland
I have often walked DOWN this street before
I'll start off BY asking some questions
In looks he takes AFTER his father, in character AFTER his
mother
IN love WITH the lens
IN the blink of an eyelid
Insist ON getting the correct change
Insulting someone BY mistake
Interest is paid AT the current rate
I release him INTO your custody
It sounds strange TO me to hear you say that
J
Jack's marks were better THAN Jill's
Jealous OF the winner
Journeys have taken me OVER/ACROSS land and sea
Just a song AT twilight
K
Keeping oneself TO oneself
L
Lazarus rose FROM the tomb
LEAVING South Africa to go TO London you depart FROM
Jan Smuts FOR Heathrow
Living next door TO Alice
Living WITH my parents
Love BETWEEN two people can be sacred
M
Meet me IN St Louis, Louis, meet me AT the square
My chosen career will lead me INTO the realm of science
N
No use crying OVER spilt milk
O
Offending someone ON purpose
On behalf of my classmates I welcome you TO this gathering
Once IN the dear, dead days BEYOND recall
ON holiday
ON my way to the Mall
On top OF old Smokey, all covered WITH snow
Oranges can be broken INTO segments
OUT of the frying pan INTO the fire
R
Rather THAN eat apples, I'd eat pears
Reaction TO the news
Responsible TO the authorities FOR the disaster
Ridicule is offensive TO the recipient
Riding ON a bicycle
Robbed OF his possessions
Running FROM pillar TO post
S
Safe IN the Arms of Jesus
She headed FOR the shops
She paid FOR the groceries
She was convinced OF winning the competition
She was sorry FOR him
She would have been surprised IF he had recognized her
Speaking ON the phone is an expensive pastime
Staying FOR supper
Succeeding IN coming first
Suffering FROM illness
Surprised AT the reaction
T
Taking AFTER one's parents
Talking ABOUT people BEHIND their backs
Telling people TO their face you dislike them is discourteous
Terrified OF the results of the medical test
The golf course is situated OPPOSITE my house
Their quarrelling led TO sustained conflict
The Prodigal Son repented OF his sins AGAINST heaven and
his father
The scouts went ON AHEAD
They run FROM the field when they leave the game
They say when you fall FROM a horse you should get right back
ON again
Thinking OF moving TO a smaller house
Those endearing young charms that I gaze ON today
TO the manner born
TROUBLE with the neighbours
W
Wet WITH perspiration
Who's afraid OF the big bad wolf?
Will you eat here WITH us?
WITHIN earshot
WITHOUT a trace
Dr Luky Whittle