English Explained Simply

  I. FIRST CONTACT A. Announcing / Informing - I'm writing to inform you that … - I'm sending you this email to let you know that … - I would like to draw your attention to the fact that … - We wish to inform you that … - I hope this email finds you in good health. - Let me go straight to the point. - How is everything going with you? - Unfortunately, I'm afraid I won't have time to reply to his email right now.  - We are pleased to inform you that we will be visiting your premises in a few months. - We have pleasure in announcing that we have won the contract thanks in particular to our expertise. - We regret to inform you that the carrier was involved in an accident during delivery. An alternative solution is being developed. - You will be interested in learning about our general terms and conditions which, in summary, remain unchanged from last year. B. Acknowledging receipt - Thank you for your confirmation. - Please confirm that you have received my email. - Plea...

I. THE INFINITIVE AND THE -ING FORM AFTER VERBS I wanted to call you but I ran out of time. They enjoy learning English . 1) After some verbs , we use the infinitive with to:   - She decided to train as a nurse .  - She hopes to find a job near her parents' home.  - Students want to find accommodation not far from their university.  - Students plan to visit an apartment tomorrow afternoon under the auspices of a real estate agency .  2) And after some verbs, we use the -ing form:   - She doesn't mind sleeping in the top bunk at a youth hostel . - I have just finished drafting an email to my supplier. - They enjoyed speaking foreign languages . - He suggested walking to the supermarket, which was just a stone's throw from their home. But we can also say: He suggested they walk to the supermarket, which was just a stone's throw from their home. 3) Here are some of the most common verbs of both types: a) Verbs + the infinitive with to: agree, arran...

Topic addressed: summary of the text in 200 words (minimum 180 words and maximum 220 words). Indicate the number of words at the bottom of the page.   This text, written by Gustave ELLA-MENYE on January 13, examines, through its nine paragraphs, the relevance of the market economy in the face of the rise of protectionism and state policies . It recalls that developed countries prospered thanks to free trade , with minimal state intervention and competition based on price on quality. (52 words) However, globalization has disrupted this model, contributing to mass unemployment , as companies prioritize profits, relocate production, and abandon unprofitable sectors. This situation has fuelled popular discontent and pressure for protectionism. (30 words) The author acknowledges farmers' concerns about unfair competition from countries with less stringent environmental, social, and regulatory standards, allowing for lower-cost production. (23 words) Nevertheless, he argues that aban...

Is the market economy still the panacea it once was or has it become obsolete with the new type of state-controlled economy that many governments are imposing on international agreements in the name of protectionism as the US administration has recently decided? The economic model that once enriched developed countries was precisely the free-trade economy , based on the quality and price of products as well as their diversity, and of course, on the price-quality ratio. Governments allowed their economic actors to conduct their activities under the control of trade regulations, without interfering in their affairs. The situation has, however, evolved with mass unemployment , which is rampant almost everywhere, a consequence of globalization . This globalization pushes shareholders to seek profit at all costs, incentivizing them to divest unprofitable branches of their companies in order to maximise their gains. Faced with growing popular discontent, often fuelled by unemployment due...

I. WHAT / WHEN / WHERE / WHICH / WHO / WHOSE / WHY / HOW / HOW MUCH / HOW MANY / TO WHAT EXTENT - What are you doing right now? I'm watching a thriller series on Netflix => asks about actions or things. - When did you start English lessons? Early February. => asks about time. - Where is the CEO? He is on his way to headquarters, from northern France to Paris. => asks about place. - Who gave you these books? Anne Lavigne . => asks about people. - Whose car is this? It's hers => asks about possession. - Why didn't you eat at the restaurant? Because I had a busy schedule. => asks about reason or purpose. - How did you get here? By car. => asks about means. - How did you find me here? I was warned by your sister. => asks about manner. - How much does it cost? It costs €10. => asks or talks about the cost of something. - How much butter do you need to make a cake? Check the recipe, but 220g seems to be the ideal amount => asks or talks a...

I. THE ARTICLES A/AN   A and AN are used with countable singular nouns :  1) To introduce a thing or person being mentioned for the first time: - I bought a new car. - We saw a good movie yesterday. - She went to a concert last night. - I spoke to a woman two days ago. 2) With job titles: - She's a bank advisor at the city's main bank. - He is an engineer specializing in road and safety issues. - She became a legal expert in a law firm. However, you can omit the article when referring to a single function: He's a headmaster / He's headmaster of Oakland International High School . 3) To express a general statement: - A cat is smaller than a cheetah . - A toothpick is sharper than a fork tine . 4) In a distributive sense, to indicate prices, frequency or speed: - These avocados cost €1 each, or €4 a kilo. - Take one pain relief tablet two or three times a day. - I was driving at 30 miles per hour downtown. 5) After a preposition: - She took advantage of a loophole in th...

I offer you the first part of some commonly used business expressions that you should learn by heart depending on your priorities. Happy reading! 1) A business loan        =      money gotten from a bank 2) A focus group        =      a bunch of people for market analysis 3) A huge marketing campaign        =      a massive publicity 4) A job benefit      =      an advantage related to the job 5) A lot of cold calling      =      to call unaware of the called party 6) A recruitment drive      =      a recruitment campaign 7) A shop is up for lease      =      ready to be rented anew 8) A sizeable raise      =      an important salary increase 9) Accounts receivable      =      money to be paid ...