一、文法上
1、切忌主客不分或模糊
例子:Deciding to rescind the earlier estimate, our report was updated to include $40,000 for new equipment.
应改为:Deciding to rescind our earlier estimate, we have updated our report to include $40,000 for new equipment. (We我们是主语, 不是report。)
2、句子不要凌碎
例子:He decided not to audit the last ten contracts. Because of our previous objections about compliance. 应该连在一起。
3、结构对称,令人容易理解。
例子: The owner questioned the occupant’s lease intentions and the fact that the contract had been altered with ink markings.
应改为:The owner questioned the occupant’s lease intentions and ink alterations of the contract.
4、单复数不要搞乱,不然会好刺眼,看不舒服。
例如:An authorized person must show that they have security clearance.
5、动词主词要呼应。想想这两个分别:
1)This is one of the public-relations functions that is underbudgeted.
2)This is one of the public-relations functions, which are underbudgeted.
6、时态和语气不要转变太多。看商务英语已经是苦事,不要浪费人家的精力啊。
7、标点要准确
例如:He did not make repairs, however, he continued to monitor the equipment.
改为:He did not make repairs; however, he continued to monitor the equipment.
8、选词正确
好像affect和effect,operative和operational等等就要弄清楚才好用啦。
9、拼字正确
有电脑拼字检查功能后,就更加不能偷懒。
10、大小写要注意
非必要不要整个字都是大写,除非要骂人。
例如:MUST change to OS immediately. 外国人就觉得不礼貌和喝令人一样。要强调的话,用底线,斜字,粗体就可以了。
二、 写信提示
1、人家的名字千万不要错。
老一辈的看到名字错就干脆撵去垃圾桶, 同样,头衔都不要错。头衔或学位,任择其一吧。以下是一样的: Howard E. Wyatt, D.D.SPhD. Dr. Howard E. Hyatt
2、多过一个男人,用Messrs,就是Misters的意思,不过不要跟名字,跟姓就行啦。
例如:Messrs. Smith, Wyatt, and Fury 。女人呢?用Mesdames, Mmes., or Mses. 同样不要跟名字. 例子:Mses. Farb, Lionel, and Gray 。男女一齐呢?弄清楚称呼就行。例如: Dr. and Mrs. Harold Wright ;Mr. Harold Wright and Dr. Margaret Wright ;Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Adams-Quinn 。
3、有人有自己头衔就要跟紧。
例如有人有荣誉学位就不喜欢用一般的头衔,有时不知道对方头衔,干脆用Ms.算了. Ms. Sarah Gray
4、地址要低日期至少两行。处名时,职衔短可以一行过,长就下一行吧。
例如:Ken Green, President /Ken Green /Vice President of International Operations 但这个就显得有点......
Ken Green /Vice President of Unicom China
正确应为:Ken Green /Vice President, Unicom China
5、老外的名字有时有Jr. 或 Sr.,之前的逗点是随你喜欢的,以下都是正确,不要笑人:
Michael J. Smith, Jr. /Michael J. Smith Sr.
6、外国国名尽量用大写。是为尊重,也方便邮差叔叔。
7、地址上的数字直接用阿拉伯数字吧,除了One。
例子: 127 Ninth Avenue, North ,127 E. 15 Street ,5 Park Avenue ,One Wingren Plaza ,556 - 91 Street