In deze zakelijk Engels woordenlijst vind je 50 Engelse woorden die je waarschijnlijk bekend voorkomen: ze zijn namelijk hetzelfde - of bijna hetzelfde - in het Nederlands en in het Engels. Tijd om deze woorden in je zakelijke communicatie te gebruiken!
Wil jij je zakelijk Engelse skills verbeteren? Bekijk dan al onze zakelijk Engelse cursussen en ontdek welke cursus aansluit bij jouw zakelijke doelen.
Snel en effectief aan je zakelijk Engelse skills werken? Dan is onze Spoedcursus Zakelijk Engels iets voor jou. Een intensieve cursus om je business English een flinke boost te geven!
Deze zakelijke Engelse woordenlijst bevat woorden die hetzelfde betekenen in zowel het Engels als het Nederlandse. We gebruiken ze in nuttige voorbeeldzinnen, geschreven en in audio om de juiste uitspraak te oefenen. Ideaal voor professionals die hun Business English willen verbeteren en zelfverzekerd willen communiceren op de werkvloer.
Gebruik deze lijst om je Engelse vocabulaire eenvoudig uit te breiden en de woorden direct in je dagelijkse zakelijke gesprekken te gebruiken.
1. Advertisement (advertentie)
The advertisements in this campaign are really young and fresh. I think they are going to work well for us.
2. Aggressive (agressief)
It is hard to handle angry, aggressive customers, but I have learned to stay calm and really listen to what they are upset about. Then I can find a solution.
3. Atmosphere (sfeer)
You will love working at our office. The atmosphere is casual and friendly.
4. Boss (baas)
I would never want to be a boss. It’s way too much stress!
5. Brilliant (briljant)
Steve Jobs was a very difficult guy, but you have to admit, he was brilliant.
6. Capacity (capaciteit)
The warehouse is full. It’s at capacity. We can’t order any new product right now, we just don’t have the room.
7. Client (cliënt)
Many of our foreign clients find us on the internet. And because of video conferencing, we can meet with those potential clients without ever leaving our office!
8. Colleague (collega)
My new colleague is a little slow. I hope he catches on soon!
9. Collegial (collegiaal)
We value workers with a collegial approach. At our company, you really have to know how to work well on a team.
10. Commercial (commerciël)
This is not a recreational club. This is a business, a commercial enterprise, and we are here to make money.
11. Communication (communicatie)
Good communication is essential for a successful company.
12. Communicative (communicatief)
My intern is not very communicative. I think she is so quiet because she is a bit overwhelmed by all her new tasks.
13. Costs (kosten)
We have got to do a better job of controlling costs.
14. Creative (creatief)
Being creative is important. Sometimes you just have to think “out of the box” and create something really different.
15. Crisis (crisis)
The terrible financial crisis of 2007–2009 came to be known as “the great recession.”
16. Dynamic (dynamisch)
Your presentation was very dynamic. You got the whole team excited.
17. Effective (effectief)
She is a highly effective communicator. She really knows how to get her point across quickly and concisely.
18. Energetic (energiek)
I always feel really energetic on Mondays but by Friday I am exhausted.
19. Energy (energie)
I always have lots of energy for new projects, but sometimes I get tired later on when I have to handle the details.
20. Enthusiastic, enthusiasm (enthousiast, enthousiasme)
The new director is so enthusiastic that he has got everyone really fired up. At my company, enthusiasm is sometimes as important as skill.
21. Essence (essentie)
The essence of the report is the story of the comeback after the crisis.
22. Essential (essentieel)
He brings some essential skills to the team.
23. Expressive (expressief)
She is very expressive and that is one reason she is such a good leader and motivator.
24. Focused (gefocust)
You really have to be focused when you are in important meetings. It’s no good to be checking your phone and looking out the window.
25. Good character (goed karakter)
Our organization is an NGO (not for profit) and good character is something we really look for in new hires.
26. Good leader (goede leider)
He is a great colleague but a bad leader. I don't think he will be promoted to management.
27. Hard working (hardwerkend)
Only hard-working people are welcome at our company. The owners really expect a lot from the team.
28. Loyal (loyaal)
My company has been good to me for many years, so I feel very loyal.
29. Inclusive (inclusief)
The conference center’s quote is inclusive of rooms, food, beverages, misc., and taxes.
30. Innovation (innovatie)
Without innovation, companies cannot survive for long. You have to change with the times.
31. Integral (integraal)
Research and development (R&D) is an integral activity at our company.
32. Integration (integratie)
The integration team is finding it tough to get all the platforms working together.
33. Last minute (laatste minuut)
My boss is always asking for “one more thing” at the last minute. It makes me crazy!
34. Leadership (leiderschap)
Leadership is a broad set of skills and while you can teach it, I think some people are just born with it.
35. Location (locatie)
These days, it is super quick and easy to find the location of a company; just Google them.
36. Motivation (motivatie)
Motivation is key. They say that to be successful in sales, you have to be motivated by money.
37. Microphone (microfoon)
Is your microphone on or off? I think you are muted.
38. Partner (partner)
My best friend and I started a business together. Now my best friend is also my business partner. I sure hope it works out.
39. Passion (passie)
HR is looking for designers with passion for our creative team.
40. Passive (passief)
Being passive in the workplace is not helpful. Employees need to speak up, contribute and share their opinions.
41. Plus (plus)
While my colleague was sick last week, I had to do his work plus mine. Wow, that was too much.
42. Presentation (presentatie)
Your presentation to the board was outstanding. It was the best one of the day. Well done!
43. Product management (product management)
Product management means many things, including new product development, planning, forecasting, pricing, product launch, and marketing.
44. Project management (project management)
Good project management practices help companies achieve goals and do it on time.
45. Telephone (telefoon)
Hey, I know you like to text and email, but you do remember how to use a telephone, right?
46. Shocking (schokkend)
The news of the merger was extremely shocking. We had no idea!
47. Success, successful (succes, succesvol)
To achieve great success, you have to want it really badly. Successful people are almost always highly motivated.
48. Team leader (teamleider)
The team leader will set a good example and make sure that everyone is working well as a team.
49. Team player (teamspeler)
Lots of companies hire many specialists, but the individual employees still have to get along, communicate well, and be real team players.
50. Workplace (werkplek)
During Covid, my workplace was no longer a chic office at the World trade Center. It was my dining room, or my living room… and sometimes my bedroom!
Tot slot: we hopen dat deze zakelijk Engelse woordenlijst van pas komt in je dagelijkse zakelijke interacties. We hebben de woordenlijst zo relevant mogelijk gemaakt, zodat het integreren van je nieuwe vocabulaire een piece of cake (appeltje, eitje!) wordt.
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Ben je klaar om je zakelijke Engelse vaardigheden écht naar een hoger niveau te tillen, met persoonlijke 1-op-1 begeleiding van een Business English expert? Of je nu je grammatica wilt bijspijkeren, je schrijfvaardigheid wilt verbeteren of je uitspraak wilt perfectioneren, wij hebben de perfecte cursus voor jouw doelen. Bekijk ons volledige aanbod van zakelijk Engelse cursussen en vind de training die bij je past. Wil je je gesproken zakelijk Engels verbeteren? Bekijk onze privé Cursus Zakelijk Engels Spreken.
Je kunt samenwerken met een professionele, native-speaker trainer en praktijkervaring opdoen in:
Amsterdam (vlakbij het Vondelpark of Centraal Station)
Amstelveen (makkelijk parkeren, rustige omgeving)
Den Haag (de keuze van Zuid-Holland voor Engelse training)
Hoofddorp (centraal, goed bereikbaar, modern)
Blijf je liever thuis? Neem contact met ons op over online cursussen van het English Center.
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Post "Zakelijk Engels woordenlijst", published May 2021, ed. May 2022 and Sept. 2024
Auteur: Brenda de Jong-Pauley MA is the director and founder of The English Center (est. 2009). Trained as a teacher and psychologist in the US, she loves helping people achieve their communication goals.
Duizenden tevreden leerlingen gingen je sinds 2009 voor
Wat onze studenten van ons vinden: Bezoek TrustPilot voor geverifieerde beoordelingen.
The English Center is CEDEO-erkend
De wereld van zakelijk Engels wordt aangedreven door woorden. Rapporten, vergaderingen en e-mails kunnen soms een puzzel lijken om op te lossen met al het ingewikkelde en specifieke zakelijk jargon dat wordt gebruikt. Dus hoe kun je je eigen zakelijk Engels woordenschat verbeteren zonder de definities van honderden woorden uit het hoofd te leren? Onderzoek naar woordenschatontwikkeling (tweede taalverwerving of SLA) verandert de manier waarop we woordkennis benaderen. Hier zijn enkele van de onderzoeksresultaten die gemakkelijk kunnen worden overgenomen door alle professionals die hun zakelijke Engelse woordenschat wil opbouwen.
Als het gaat om het bestuderen van woordenschat, kan het overweldigend zijn om te weten waar te beginnen. Je kan zelfs ontmoedigd raken door het aantal woorden dat je niet kent in plaats van uit te zoeken hoe je kunt bouwen op wat je wel kent. Bovendien hebben we met onze hectische agenda's vaak niet genoeg tijd om te kunnen besteden aan het ontwikkelen van onze Engelse woord vaardigheid.
Om het meeste uit jouw studie zakelijk Engels te halen - of het nu gaat om een groepscursus Engels, privé coaching, een in-company training of zelfstudie - bedenk waar je aan moet werken en wat belangrijk is voor jouw werk. Als jij op de IT-afdeling werkt, hoef je geen uren te besteden aan het uit jouw hoofd leren van financiële terminologie als boekhouden geen belangrijk onderdeel van jouw werk is. Als jij een project manager bent, heb je dan echt sleutelzinnen nodig voor verkooppresentaties of klantenservice? Aandacht besteden aan jouw unieke behoeften in jouw Business English reis kan je een goede basis geven voor het bouwen van je mentale woorden bibliotheek, en er ook voor zorgen dat wat je leert nuttig zal zijn en voor jou in jouw huidige werkplek en op de lange termijn, in jouw carrière.
Sommige leerlingen van zakelijk Engels vertrouwen graag op lange lijsten van woorden en zinnen met definities in hun eigen taal, of een uitleg in het Engels. Als dat voor jou werkt, prima dan! Maar dit haalt de woorden uit hun context - en dit kan vaak de betekenis van het woord en hoe het wordt gebruikt veranderen. Een van de moeilijke aspecten van het bestuderen van Engels is dat woorden vaak meerdere betekenissen en gebruiken hebben, die veranderen afhankelijk van de context.
Bijvoorbeeld het woord "market." In sommige contexten kan het een leuke plaatselijke winkel betekenen waar jij je boodschappen voor de week haalt. Maar in de context van een verkoopgesprek kan "markt" de betekenis aannemen van een gebied waar u aanwezig wilt zijn, zoals "de Europese markt" of "de Zuidoost-Aziatische markt."
Context is ook de sleutel voor het gebruik van idiomen. Zelfs als je de betekenis van deze verwarrende termen begrijpt, is het correct en - wat nog belangrijker is - het natuurlijk gebruiken ervan een punt waar taalleerders vaak moeite mee hebben. Door te kijken naar de context waarin een idioom wordt gebruikt, en naar de betekenis ervan, wordt het gemakkelijker om deze uitdrukkingen te gebruiken als een moedertaal.
Door de woordenschat in de juiste context te plaatsen, met voorbeeldzinnen bij de definitie, wordt je je beter bewust van de vele betekenissen die Engelse woorden kunnen hebben en kun je ervoor zorgen dat je de juiste woorden in de juiste context gebruikt. Anders als je door iemand anders gevraagd wordt naar de ontwikkeling van de Aziatische markt en uiteindelijk praat over hun nieuwe bakkerij afdeling die onlangs naast het gedroogde fruit is geopend. Nee, he?
Doe nu onze gratis en vrijblijvende Engels niveautest. 50 meerkeuze vragen!
Een taal brok is een zinsdeel van twee of meer woorden die samen voorkomen en als één geheel fungeren. "Toch" is één woord, terwijl "Hoe maakt u het?" een eenheid is die betekenis kan overbrengen. Studies tonen aan dat het voor leerlingen van vreemde talen veel gemakkelijker is om brokken taal te onthouden en in hun geheugen op te slaan dan losse woorden.
Als we opnieuw kijken naar ons voorbeeld van "markt" - het kan worden gebruikt om talloze brokken te maken die veel gemakkelijker te onthouden zijn dan het woord op zichzelf. Door verschillende woorden samen te voegen tot woordgroepen of zinnen, breid je niet alleen jouw woordenschat uit, maar wordt je geheugen ook sterker wanneer je het woord weer oproept.
Dit kan heel nuttig zijn bij het meest voorkomende type woordgroep: het gevreesde werkwoord in woordgroepen. Het onthouden van de betekenis van "ter sprake brengen" kan eenvoudig zijn, maar door het samen te voegen met enkele verwante woorden, zoals "de kwestie met u ter sprake brengen" of "het onderwerp ter sprake brengen in de vergadering" kan je meer oefenen met het woord en het ook gemakkelijker maken om het te produceren wanneer dat nodig is.
In staat zijn om een woord te herkennen wanneer je leest of naar iemand luistert, is slechts één aspect van woordenschatkennis. Dit staat bekend als "receptieve taal". Het deel dat problemen veroorzaakt voor veel mensen is hun "productieve taal" of het daadwerkelijk gebruiken van de woordenschat zelf. Dus hoewel het geweldig is om een lange woordenlijst te hebben voor de farmaceutische verkoop, hoe kan je ervoor zorgen dat je in staat bent om die Engelse woorden en zinnen spontaan te produceren wanneer je ze nodig hebt?
De sleutel is om de productie van zakelijk Engels vocabulaire zelf te oefenen, zowel met schrijven als spreken. Als je niet iemand hebt die bereid is om met jij te gaan zitten praten, probeer dan jezelf op te nemen - met jouw smartphone over een onvoorbereid onderwerp gedurende een minuut - luister dan terug en kijk hoeveel van jouw doelwoorden je heb gebruikt. Door je zenuwen kun je je verspreken en fouten maken, maar niemand zal deze opnames ooit horen als je dat niet wil!
Oefen met het schrijven van e-mails, rapporten, memo's, wat jij dan ook voor jouw werk moet doen, en gebruik daarbij jouw nieuwe woordenschat. Al die prachtige zakelijke woordenschat zit gewoon in je hersenen, en het zal muf worden en verrotten als je niet probeert om het te gebruiken. Zoals we in het Engels zeggen, "use it or lose it!"
"Spoel en herhaal" is een Engels idioom dat betekent, "Doe het nog eens. En nog eens. En nog eens." De harde waarheid die veel studenten niet kunnen bevatten over het leren van een taal is dat het niet van de ene op de andere dag gebeurt. Vocabulaire leren, zoals elk onderdeel van het leren van een vreemde taal, is niet zoals het opslaan van een bestand op een computer; maak de map, sla het bestand op, en het is er voor altijd. Een taal leren vergt tijd en herhaling om het niveau van zakelijk Engels te bereiken dat je nodig heb voor professioneel succes.
Welke gewoonte je ook aanneemt om jouw woordenschat te vergroten, probeer er een gewoonte van te maken. Of het nu gaat om het lezen van een artikel in het Engels dat gerelateerd is aan jouw vakgebied, het oefenen van zakelijke Engelse woordenschat met flashcards, of zelfs alleen maar jezelf pushen om met je collega's in het Engels te chatten, maak er een gewoonte van om te doen wat jij het meest nuttig vindt voor het ontwikkelen van jouw vaardigheden en kennis.
Herhaling heeft niet alleen het voordeel dat het jouw beter helpt worden in je taalvaardigheid, maar ook kan helpen je vertrouwen in jouw capaciteiten te ontwikkelen. Hoe vaker jij met collega's of klanten in het Engels spreekt, hoe zelfverzekerder je je elke keer zult voelen, en zelfvertrouwen is essentieel in de zakenwereld.
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Auteur: Clare Kelleher, MA TESOL, Oktober 2021
Vertaling May 2022
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Hebt u de hoofdstukken 1-4 in onze idioom les reeks gelezen?
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Doe nu onze gratis online test voor zakelijk Engels en ontdek hoe goed u de uitdrukkingen (=expressions) begrijpt die in het dagelijks professioneel Engels worden gebruikt.
Laten we dan afspreken voor een gratis consult.
Woordenschat - woorden, zinnen, idioom, collocaties, zinsdelen - hoe u het ook omschrijft, u heeft deze taal bouwstenen nodig. En wat uw niveau ook is, beginner tot gevorderde, u moet uw woordenschat blijven aanvullen en opfrissen. Misschien bent u enkele oude woorden vergeten, of misschien moet u nieuwe woorden toevoegen die betrekking hebben op uw job....? U kunt uw woordenschat uitbreiden met een privé cursus op maat die zich richt op de taal die voor u het belangrijkst is!
Als u Nederlands bent, mis dan niet deze ENG-NL zakelijke woordenschat post met audio: 50 Zakelijke Engelse woorden die je al kent!
Als Engels de bedrijfstaal is waar u werkt, zijn er misschien werknemers die op een professioneler niveau moeten spreken en schrijven. Bezoek onze in-company training pagina voor meer informatie over onze bedrijfstraining aanpak en diensten.
Zou u graag een kleine groep cursus zakelijk Engels volgen? Groepscursussen zijn beschikbaar op intermediair en gevorderd niveau. Privétrainingen en in-company trainingen worden op maat gemaakt en zijn beschikbaar voor alle niveaus.
Wilt u een 1:1 privécursus met een native-speaker trainer?
Met een privé cursus zakelijk Engels kunt u zich richten op de woorden en zinnen die voor u en uw werk het belangrijkst zijn.
The English Center of Amsterdam is uw bron voor trainingen Engels voor gevorderden en zakelijk Engels in Nederland - en overal Live Online - altijd met een top native-speaker business English trainer. We bieden echter ook in-person lessen aan op geweldige locaties in Amstelveen, Amsterdam, den Haag en uw kantoor in de Randstad. Vraag het ons.
Bel +31 20 823 0569. We staan u graag te woord in het Engels of Nederlands! Laten we contact opnemen!
In this very engaging TEDx video, Celeste Headlee – journalist, author and public speaker – shares her 10 Tips for Better Conversations.
Watch the video now, but if English is not your first language, please scroll down for our vocabulary expansion list before you view the video.
Conversational fluency is important, right? We all know that. And we know it is even harder to converse well in our second language. But the beauty of these tips is that these "rules" transcend language; these tips will work for you regardless of the language you are speaking. But if English is not your first language, our vocabulary notes may help you better understand the tips.
You might also enjoy our post The Fine Art of English Conversation with 14 MORE conversation tips. Are you looking for an online conversation course to improve your conversational business English fluency?
Call The English Center +31 20 823 0569
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Brenda de Jong Pauley, 2022
In this article we will answer the question, "How to write a business email." We'll review some common English email phrases and explain their uses – and limitations – in business English emails. And as a bonus, we've included a short dive into the tricky area of gender and salutations.
Master your business English writing with our Business English Writing Course.
If your inbox is anything like mine, it's is overflowing with emails that deserve responses. Emails are an indisputably large part of our work lives, and despite so many communication options, from Slack to WhatsApp, the email still rules as the monarch of business communication. Yes, being able to send clear, concise, professional emails in English is an essential skill for the modern workplace. So here are some email phrases that will help you communicate with everyone from cold calls to clients, and from colleagues to CEOs.
We begin at the beginning. Sort of.
After the subject line – which you must state clearly and concisely – comes the salutation. This is the opening greeting and will be the second thing (after the subject line) that creates an impression on the reader. So it’s very important to get it right. While internal emails to close colleagues can be easily addressed with a simple “Hi, hello or even, hey,” emailing someone you don’t know, or a client, requires more diplomacy and care. To be safe, you can almost always begin with “Dear” and, whenever humanly possible, include the name of the person to whom you are writing.
Get a name!
Making an effort to get the recipient's name – and spelling it correctly – is of top importance, because getting an email to Sir/Madam or “to whom it may concern” is very boilerplate and impersonal. Emails that begin that way scream SPAM / unsolicited communication from someone trying to sell me something, so please, use a name. Important exceptions may include job solicitations, where the recipient’s name has been deliberately hidden, but in general, GET a NAME!
First name or both names? Just be observant. If you are replying to someone, and they have signed off with just their first name, replying with just your first name is perfect. When the recipient sets a lower level of formality, such as being on a first name basis, you should follow suit. Read more about diplomacy here.
Sometimes, however, we try our very very best and, alas, fail to get the name. So in order to maintain a high level of professionalism and to show respect, we can use the salutations,
“Dear Sir/Madam,” or the even more formal, “To whom it may concern”
While the phrases above are well known and allow us to begin the email formally and correctly, I must point out that “Sir/Madam” raises non binary gender issues. A solution that is applied in the UK, but is not globally common, is “Mx.” This honorific replaces the traditional Mr, Miss and Ms.
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Mister, always written in its contracted form Mr. (US) or Mr (UK), is a widely used English honorific for men under the rank of knighthood. The title "Mr" derived from earlier forms of master, as the equivalent female titles Mrs, Miss, and Ms. all derived from earlier forms of mistress. Ms. replaced Miss and Mrs. many years ago. Please note that American English (mostly) uses a period; British English does not. Thus Mr./Mr, Miss/Miss, Mrs./Mrs, Mx./Mx
According to Wikipedia, Mx. (usually pronounced /məks/ or /meks/ is an English language neologistic honorific that does not indicate gender. Developed as an alternative to gendered honorifics (such as Mr. and Ms.) in the late 1970s, it is the most common gender-neutral title among non-binary people and people who do not wish to provide a gender in their titles. Mx. is widely accepted by the Government of the United Kingdom and many businesses in the United Kingdom, and is also in many English dictionaries.
You can also use a job title in a salutation, such as “Dear HR Director” or “Dear Client.” Or you can simply say “Hello” as a standalone salutation.
Okay, so we’ve got the salutation out of the way, now what? It’s often good practice to include a friendly opening phrase at the beginning of an email, rather than just launching straight into your main request or point. Think of this like “small talk” when meeting someone; we often ask how their day has been, if they’re enjoying their stay in the city, or, most commonly, comment on the weather. Emails by nature don’t allow for this friendly back and forth, but a phrase like
“I hope this email finds you well.” or "I hope you are well." These openers allow you to appear amicable and considerate, but also maintains a professional tone and distance.
Are you looking for a private 1:1 writing course to help you become a better business English writer? Work with us Live Online or in person in Amsterdam and Den Haag.
I love to say thank you early on in an email. You can thank the recipient for their last purchase, their help with a project, their inquiry, their interest or their feedback, even if the feedback was negative. Gratitude is an attractive, disarming, “feel-good” message. Use it generously!
"Thank you for your inquiry."
"Thank you for your feedback."
"Thank you for contacting us."
You’ve made small talk, so now let’s get down to business. To address the topic of your email, you should already have included a clear and concise subject line, but here is where we can include more information about our request/clarification/issue.
“This email is to inform you that…” is a great way to impersonally introduce the matter at hand in the email, while
“I am/we are writing to you regarding...” adds a bit more of a personal touch while still maintaining some formality.
So you’ve given all the necessary information, but you can’t just sign off immediately. It’s important to maintain an open line of communication, so a few set phrases at the end will express this.
"If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me." This can be tacked on at the end of any email to allow the recipient to feel comfortable approaching you again.
“I hope you find this satisfactory.” can also be used if you want to express the desire that you hope you have been helpful or provided the right information.
Your “goodbye” will also play into the final impression that your email leaves with a reader. This is why email beginnings and closings are so important, as they will be the things that build the image of you in the mind of the reader. It doesn’t matter how charismatic you are in person; if you only communicate with someone over email and do so curtly, that’s how they will view you. So be careful with how you end things!
If you want a reply from the recipient, finish your email body with…
“I look forward to hearing from you.” This classic CTA (call to action) works wonderfully well and signals reciprocity and open lines of communication. It says, "the ball's in your court."
If you know you will be meeting them in person, you can say…
“I look forward to meeting you on x date”
This line politely communicates a positive attitude towards the meeting.
Finally, conclude your email with
“Kind regards or best regards”
The truth about email English is that tone and register will vary widely - there is huge variety in correspondence within industries and companies. Diplomacy and levels of formality, relationship/power hierarchies and cultural norms can mean that it’s best to play it safe and err on the side of formality and diplomacy. But too much formality can also cause problems as the reader may experience a formal style as cold, non-authentic or old fashioned. To better understand diplomacy and levels of formality in English, click here.
The bottom line is to know your company's style, be diplomatic, and be appropriate for the reader and the situation.
Would you like a practical book on the subject of English Emails? We recommend Email English by MacMillan. Their Email Phrasebook section can be a life saver!
Do you want a book that improves ALL your writing skills? Then get a copy of Skrunk & White's The Elements of Style.
Do you want to know how well you write in English? The English Center offers a writing test.
Would you benefit from a private writing course? The English Center offers private training to help you find your English voice at your keyboard! We can help with all kinds of writing tasks, from academic papers to business blogs. We can begin with a free consultation appointment.
Salutation Options
Dear Ms. Kelly,
Dear Mr. Kelly,
Dear Betsy Kelly,
Dear Betsy,
Dear Sir/Madam,
Dear Mx. Kelly,
Hello,
To whom it may concern,
Openings and Small Talk
I hope this email finds you well.
I hope you are well.
Thank you!
Thank you for your inquiry.
Thank you for your feedback.
Thank you for contacting us.
Stating the Purpose
This email is to inform you that...
I am/we are writing to you regarding...
Closing with Kindness and a CTA
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
I hope you find this satisfactory.
I look forward to hearing from you.
I look forward to meeting you on...
Kind/Best regards,
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Clare Kelleher
Brenda de Jong Pauley
April, 2022
This Business English Idiom Lesson (Chapter 4) contains definitions and examples of common idioms used in the workplace. Mastery of these idiomatic phrases, also called English expressions, will help you communicate like a native speaker. This is the fourth post in our Business English Idiom Series.
This post follows Chapter 3 in the idiom series. Please also check out "39 Business English Idioms Explained, Chapter 2" and if you want to start at the beginning, go to "Learn 20 Business English Idioms, Chapter 1."
Let's jump in now with Chapter 4 in our Business English Idiom Lesson Series. After you finish, be sure to take our free idiom test.
1. To keep something under wraps
to keep something secret, to not let people know about something:
We're going to give Suzanna a big bonus next month, but don’t tell her. Let's keep it under wraps for now.
2. To lay out a plan
to present a plan:
We had to lay out a plan for dealing with the Corona lockdown and the eventual return to normal business.
3. To pay a premium
to pay a higher price for something because it is perceived to have greater value. Also to pay more because of scarcity. Note: this phrase can also apply to payments for insurance.
You’ll pay a premium for coffee at that shop, but it is the best in town.
4. To play catch up
to make a big effort to overcome a late start; when you are behind and you have to take actions to get to the level of your competition:
Let’s face it, our competitors own that market right now. But we’re going to work really hard and play catch up.
5. To plug a product or service
to promote a product; to talk positively about it:
A famous celebrity plugged the product for years, and it really helped with sales.
6. To pull the plug
to stop a project that is not doing well; stop moving forwards; discontinue:
Even though it was an interesting idea to give away a mug with each book purchase, the boss pulled the plug as we ran out of mugs.
7. To put a lid on it / put a lid on something
to stop; to stop something from increasing; often used to discuss spending. Also to encourage someone to stop talking about something:
Expenses are getting out of control. We need to put a lid on spending.
Enough complaining! Let’s put a lid on it for now.
8. To rally the troops
to motivate others; to get others excited about; to move forward:
The new manager was good at rallying the troops to build company spirit. He planned sports events that were lots of fun.
9. To snap up
describes buying behavior; to buy quickly or in large quantities; a term that implies that a product is very popular and desirable:
Customers snapped up so many of the new T-shirts that we had to silkscreen a bunch more to meet demand.
10. To throw cold water over/on (an idea/plan)
to discourage an idea, plan or action:
I thought the new marketing campaign concept was great, but my colleagues just threw cold water on it. They hated the idea.
11. Under the table
secret dealmaking, as in money that is paid “off the books” or in cash (e.g., the deal is often illegal). The idiomatic opposite of “under the table” is “above board.”
They made their agreement under the table, so I don’t really know what was agreed to.
12. Uphill battle
a difficult challenge, usually a long process so hard that it feels like a fight:
It was really an uphill battle to get the extra vacation day approved.
13. Word of mouth
news spread by people talking to each other; gossip:
Often used as a marketing term to describe an advertising or marketing message that is spread from one person to another, which is a positive thing for the company because it means that people are talking about the company's product or service:
The new restaurant’s reputation for delicious food spread so quickly by word of mouth that they didn’t need to spend a penny on advertising.
14. Up in arms
very angry; agitated and ready to fight:
The employees were up in arms when the health insurance costs went up.
15. Value added
value-added products or services are worth more because they have been improved or something was added:
When we added personal coaching hours to the online video course, we created a value added experience that enhanced the attractiveness of the product and therefore improved sales.
16. Walking a tightrope between
in a sensitive situation, to behave carefully and deliberately. To avoid an error when a small misstep can produce a big problem ; choosing between two things (often opposing things). Note: a tightrope is a rope or a “high wire” such as in a circus:
It was difficult to do my job as it always seemed like I was walking a tightrope between one manager and another.
17. Warts-and-all
accepting something or someone despite problems or flaws; ignoring or accepting unattractive features:
I have some issues with my boss, but overall I like working for him, warts-and-all.
18. Weigh in on
to clearly and directly give one's opinion about something:
Roger is making over $100,000 a year. I'd like to weigh in on the decision of what he gets paid for next year.
19. Worth a fortune
worth a large amount of money:
The coffee franchise was worth a fortune.
20. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours
to offer help in exchange for help. Watch out! This can sometimes have a “shady” (=disreputable) quality about it:
If you help me out with my social media strategy, I swear I will like every one of your posts!
OK... that's it for the Business English Idiom Lesson Chapter 4. We hope you benefit from our series of 4 business English idiom lessons And if you would like to further develop your business English, we have some suggestions for you. Please keep reading and take the free test.
Go to Chapter 1 of our Business English Idiom series
Go to Chapter 2 of our Business English Idiom series
Go to Chapter 3 of our Business English Idiom series
Take our free business English idiom test online now and discover how well you understand the expressions (=uitdrukkingen) used in everyday professional English.
If English is the corporate language where you work, there may be some employees who need to speak and write at a more professional level. Visit our in-company training page to learn more about our approach and services.
Vocabulary – words, phrases, idioms, collocations, phrasal verbs – no matter how you describe it, you need these language building blocks. And whatever your level, beginner to advanced, you need to keep adding and refreshing your vocabulary. Maybe you have forgotten some old words, or maybe you need to add new words that relate to your job….? You can build your vocabulary with a private customized course that focuses on the language that is the most important for you! Would you like to speak with a native speaker teacher in a free consultation appointment?
Read more about our Live Online Business English Conversation Cafe.
With a private business English course, you can focus on the words and phrases that are most important for you and your job.
Would you like to take a free English level test? You can do it online now.
In 2022, we are seeing clients Live Online, on location, and in person.
Call +31 20 823 0569. We are happy to speak with you in English or Dutch!
Contributors: Brenda de Jong-Pauley, Kerry Finlayson and Marike Duizendstra-Wolters
April, 2022
Every year on February 14, love is in the air. It’s a time for romance, flowers, and pretty, witty words from William Shakespeare. We begin with Shakespeare's romantic quotes from Romeo and Juliet, the most timeless, famous and beloved of all love stories.
Table of Contents
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1. "I do love nothing in the world so well as you—is not that strange?”
Romeo and Juliet – Act 4, Scene 1
2. “Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow.”
Romeo and Juliet – Act 2, Scene 2
3. “Love is a smoke rais’d with the fume of sighs;
Being purg’d, a fire sparkling in a lover’s eyes;
Being vex’d, a sea nourish’d with lovers’ tears:
What is it else? a madness most discreet,
A choking gall and a preserving sweet.”
Romeo and Juliet – Act 1, Scene 1
4. "My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep. The more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite."
Romeo and Juliet — Act 2, Scene 2
5. "Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight, For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night."
Romeo and Juliet — Act 1, Scene 5
Scroll down to see the trailer for Twentieth Century Fox's 1996 movie, Romeo + Juliet, directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes as the star crossed lovers.
6. "If music be the food of love, play on"
Twelfth Night – Act 1, Scene 1
7. “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.”
A Midsummer Night's Dream – Act 1, Scene 1
8. "The course of true love never did run smooth."
A Midsummer Night's Dream – Act 1, Scene 1
9. "Sleep thou, and I will wind thee in my arms.
Fairies, begone, and be all ways away.
So doth the woodbine the sweet honeysuckle
Gently entwist; the female ivy so
Enrings the barky fingers of the elm.
O, how I love thee! how I dote on thee!"
A Midsummer Night's Dream, Scene 4, Act 1
10. "I love you more than words can wield the matter, Dearer than eyesight, space and liberty."
King Lear – Act 1, Scene 1
11. "Hear my soul speak: / The very instant that I saw you, did / My heart fly to your service."
The Tempest – Act 3, Scene 1
12. “I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.”
Much Ado About Nothing, Act IV, Scene 1
13. “I will live in thy heart, die in thy lap, and be buried in thy eyes—”
Much Ado About Nothing, Act V, Scene 2
14. "Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date;
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm'd;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade,
Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st;
Nor shall death brag thou wander’st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st:
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee."
(Sonnet 18, Lines 1–2)
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! Please note that I chose to place this sonnet at the end of the post, as it speaks of a more mature love which remains strong and true despite storms (tempests) and time (the sickle reference). And though it opens with a reference to "marriage," the word in line one is used to mean the uniting of two true minds rather than a legally sanctioned partnership.
"Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove.
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wand'ring bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me prov'd,
I never writ, nor no man ever lov'd."
(Sonnet 116)
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Author: Brenda de Jong-Pauley, February 2022, edited 2025. The English Center.
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PS. Would you like more Shakespeare? Yes? Read our popular post, "Shakespeare: Ten Favorite Quotes and a Beautiful Apology."
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December, 2021
Christmas movies are the perfect way to enjoy some quiet time at home. Choose a holiday film, grab the remote, and don't forget the popcorn! Please note that this post was written during a Covid lockdown
A famous Christmas song says, "There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays;" and while that may be true, with a new Covid lockdown in the Netherlands announced a few days ago, many of us are feeling a bit bored and "cooped up." (=feeling confined in a small space)
Still, we will all make the best of it, right? We have to keep safe and count our blessings, and one of the blessings of this season is an ample (=more than sufficient) supply of great holiday movies. As a bonus, movies are a great way to work on your English, eh?
Our holiday film list includes 4 of our favorite English language holiday films. I hope Santa brought you Netflix, Videoland, Pathe Thuis, Ziggo Film1 or Prime so that you can watch these feel good films. And many of these films are available for rent on YouTube, too.
So pop some popcorn, grab a blanket and settle in for some holiday cheer.
We have selected a wildly mixed group so we hope there is something here for everyone. And if you don't find what you're looking for here, check out this Rotten Tomatoes list of 65 Top Rated Christmas Movies.
The Rotten Tomatoes algorithm ranks this old movie as the number one holiday movie of all time, and their critics say that It's a Wonderful Life is one of a handful of films worth an annual viewing (=you should watch it every year.)
After George Bailey (James Stewart) wishes he had never been born, an angel pretends to drown, knowing that George will save him. The angel then proceeds to show George how much good he has done in his life. (This is a reference to Dicken's "A Christmas Carol.")
This movie is a slice of small town life in an America that is long past. But the lessons are eternal and the story has a happy ending.
YouTube Trailer: It's a Wonderful Life
While there are older and newer adaptations – Scrooge (1935), Scrooged (1988), and The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017) – this 1950s version is my favorite. It is properly spooky and dramatic but also wonderfully vintage, with a very authentic look and feel.
A Christmas Carol, a story written by Charles Dickens in 1843, is about a mean-spirited and selfish old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, who hates Christmas. One cold Christmas Eve, Scrooge is unkind to the people who work for him. Then he refuses to give even a penny to charity, and finally, he's rude to his nephew who invites him to his house for Christmas.
When Scrooge gets home, he is very alone. He tries to sleep, but is visited by the ghost of his old business partner Jacob Marley – and then by three more ghosts! They are the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future.
The ghosts’ show Scrooge his life – past, present and future – thus teaching him the error of his ways. When he wakes up on Christmas Day, he is full of excitement and buys the biggest turkey in the shop for the Cratchit family before spending the day with his nephew, full of love, charity and the joys of Christmas. A very happy ending!
YouTube Trailer: A Christmas Carol
"Once a year, the chronically depressed, misanthropic, alcoholic wreck-of-a-man safe-breaker, Willie T. Soke, wakes up from his annual slumber to team up with his partner-in-crime, the ill-tempered dwarf, Marcus. Theirs is a simple but ingenious plan: Willie, as a department store Santa, and Marcus, as his trusted elf-helper, use this cover to crack safes for nearly eight years now, in the most wonderful time of the year. However, this time, the scheme is on the verge of falling apart, as Willie's professional incompetence along with a hawk-eyed mall security chief in Phoenix, threaten to blow their cover--and to top it all off, Willie finds the time to befriend a lonely picked-on kid, Thurman. Is now the moment for some unorthodox Christmas spirit?"
Plot summary by Nick Riganas, reproduced from IMDB
FYI, the IMDb (an abbreviation of Internet Movie Database) is a good online resource – a database of information related to films, television series, home videos, video games, and streaming content online. It began as a fan-operated movie database but is now a subsidiary of Amazon.
A very clever 8-year old boy has to protect his house from two burglars when he's accidentally left behind during Christmas vacation.
"It is Christmas time and the McCallister family is preparing for a vacation in Paris, France. But the youngest in the family, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin), got into a scuffle with his older brother Buzz (Devin Ratray) and was sent to his room, which is on the third floor of his house. Then, the next morning, while the rest of the family was in a rush to make it to the airport on time, they completely forgot about Kevin, who now has the house all to himself. Being home alone was fun for Kevin, having a pizza all to himself, jumping on his parents' bed, and making a mess. Then, Kevin discovers two burglars, Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), about to rob his house on Christmas Eve. Kevin acts quickly by wiring his own house with makeshift booby traps to stop the burglars and to bring them to justice."
Plot summary by John Wiggins, Reproduced from IMDb
-----------------------------------
Didn't see the right film for you? No worries! Go to Rotten Tomatoes right now and cruise through their extensive list of 65 holiday Christmas movies – real cinematic gems. I am sure you will find the right movie for you. Enjoy!
Merry Christmas, happy holidays, soulful solstice and a happy, healthy new year from the English Center Team– Brenda, Kerry, Marike, Michael, Ian, Noelle, Tina, Carolyn and all the English Center Teachers
PS Are you looking for some Netflix series?
Would you like to read a famous Christmas poem?
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Call +31 20 823 0569. We are happy to speak with you in English or Dutch!
Brenda de Jong-Pauley, December, 20
24 more business English idioms to help you "get ahead" in business English communications. This third-in-our-series list will enrich and expand your language with common, colorful expressions that native speakers use everyday.
This alphabetical business English idioms list is Chapter 3 in our idiom series. It follows the previous idiom post, "39 Business English Idioms Explained, Chapter 2." If you have not already seen Chapters 1 and 2, and if you want to start at the beginning, go to "Learn 20 Business English Idioms, Chapter 1."
Since we have already reviewed the question of "what are business English idioms" in chapters one and two, let's jump right in with the chapter 3 list!
1. Quick buck
Quick or easy earnings; same as “fast buck.” Can suggest unethical behavior.
Example: Those stock traders are ruthless. They’re just out to make a quick buck.
2. Reality check
To think realistically about the situation
Example: Let’s have a reality check and see if the company needs to cut back on employee hours. With our decreased profits, the ROI is just not there.
3. Redtape
Obstructive official routine or procedure; time-consuming bureaucracy
Example: In order to get the project greenlighted, there was loads of red tape to get through. All of those phone calls and meetings were exhausting!
4. Rule of thumb
A useful principle having wide application but not intended to be strictly accurate or reliable in every situation
Example: The rule of thumb at my office is to wear casual clothes on Fridays.
5. Scale back
Reduce the number of hours or the size of the project, etc
Example: We are scaling back operations until production picks up again.
6. Scratch someone’s back
To do something for someone with the intent that he/she does something for you
Example: Listen, I will scratch your back if you scratch mine. I’ll put a good word in for you this time, and when it’s my turn to lead the project, you do the same. Okay?
Note: this can sound shady (=disreputable).
7. Selling like hotcakes
To sell quickly and in large numbers
Example: The new laptops were selling like hotcakes!
8. Short on cash
Having little or a limited amount of money
Example: Sorry, but there’s no way we can give raises this year; the company is short on cash.
9. Sparks fly / make sparks fly
Interaction that becomes heated, angry or confrontational
Example: You should have seen the sparks fly at the meeting with the heads of the department! Some of the managers were really furious.
10. Spend a fortune
To spend a large amount of money
Example: It seems like they spent a fortune on the company party. There was an open bar, live entertainment, and great food.
11. Test the waters
To try it; to experiment
Example: I wanted to test the waters before I started working on this project, so I mentioned my concept at the board meeting. Then I just watched to see how they reacted.
12. Thick-skinned
Insensitive to criticism
Example: My colleague is so thick-skinned that he never gets upset, no matter how harshly he is criticized.
13. Throw in the towel
To quit; to give up
Example: I decided to throw in the towel on my old job. It was so bad that I just had to quit.
14. To beat someone to the punch
To do something before somebody else has a chance
Examples: I really wanted to explain that point in the meeting, but my colleague opened his big mouth and beat me to the punch.
15. To be hit hard by something
To suffer financial losses; to have your market sharply contract
Example: The travel and hospitality sectors have been hit very hard by the Covid pandemic.
16. To blow up
To become very angry
Example: I am afraid that my boss is going to blow up when I tell her I did not close the deal.
Also when your mobile or social media account is getting lots of messages, posts, calls and notifications
Example: OMG, after my last post, my Twitter account totally blew up!
17. To blow it
To mess something up; to spoil your chances of achieving success because of what you say or do, or don’t do
Example: I think I priced that job way too high. I think I blew the sale.
18. To come up with
To think of a new idea or approach
Example: I don’t know who came up with the idea of a company breakfast once a month, but it sure sounds like fun!
19. To drop the ball
To make a mistake; to fail to perform one's responsibilities
Example: My boss totally dropped the ball, and now we will never get that big contract we were all working on.
20. To flog something
To aggressively promote or sell something
Example: Multilevel companies are terrible; you have to flog products to your friends and family.
21. To get ahead
To advance in one's career
Example: To get ahead at my company, you have to work hard, produce sales and keep really long hours.
22. To get laid off / to be made redundant
To lose one’s job, but not through firing
Example: I am afraid I will be laid off because of the corporate reorganization.
23. To get wind of
To find out about something that is not well known
Example: I got wind of the reorganization and decided to quit before I got laid off.
24. To have seen better days
To be in a period of decline
Example: Our office building has seen better days. It is old and rundown.
OK... that's it for this Chapter 3 idiom list. We hope you enjoy using these business English idioms. And if you would like to further develop your business English, we have some suggestions for you. Please keep reading and take the free test.
Go to Chapter 1 of our Business English Idiom series.
Go to Chapter 2 of our Business English Idiom series.
Go to Chapter 4 in our Business English Idiom Series.
Take our free business English idiom test online now and discover how well you understand the expressions (=uitdrukkingen) used in everyday professional English.
If English is the corporate language where you work, there may be some employees who need to speak and write at a more professional level. Visit our in-company training page to learn more about our approach and services.
Vocabulary – words, phrases, idioms, collocations, phrasal verbs – no matter how you describe it, you need these language building blocks. And whatever your level, beginner to advanced, you need to keep adding and refreshing your vocabulary. Maybe you have forgotten some old words, or maybe you need to add new words that relate to your job….? You can build your vocabulary with a private customized course that focuses on the language that is the most important for you! Would you like to speak with a native speaker teacher in a free consultation appointment?
Read more about our Live Online Business English cafe.
With a private business English course, you can focus on the words and phrases that are most important for you and your job.
Would you like to take a free English level test? You can do it online now.
In 2020 and 2021, we are seeing most of our clients online via Zoom, Google Meet, etc.
Call +31 20 823 0569. We are happy to speak with you in English or Dutch!
Contributors: Brenda de Jong-Pauley, Kerry Finlayson and Marike Duizendstra-Wolters
August 2021, Updated April 2022.
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Wilt u een gratis English Center niveau test doen die veel Engelse grammatica vragen bevat?
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Het gebruik van het veelgebruikte simpel lijkende werkwoord "send" kan eigenlijk best lastig zijn, zowel omdat het een onregelmatig werkwoord is als vanwege de D en T uitgangen. In het Engels wordt de laatste D vaak uitgesproken met een T-klank, zoals in de woorden watched, cooked, liked. De uitspraak van deze woorden maakt ze dus moeilijker te spellen. Bovendien zorgt deze klankverschuiving voor verwarring over de tijd en wanneer je welke vorm moet gebruiken.
Het hele werkwoord is send, de verleden en de voltooide vorm zijn sent. Zorg ervoor dat u deze woorden correct uitspreekt.
Oefen het uitspreken van send, sent, sent en overdrijf de D en T klanken. De T is plosief en maakt een plop van lucht. De D plopt niet. Het is een zwaardere, donkerdere klank. Als het verschil u niet duidelijk is, probeer dan deze woorden te oefenen:
send: dad, did, dude
sent: tote, tart, toot
1. Present simple (wordt gebruikt voor gewoonten, feiten, gebruiken en herhaald gedrag
I send many emails every day
2. Present continuous (wordt gebruikt voor wat er NU gebeurt. Acties die tijdelijk zijn)
I am sending you an email right now, while we are on the phone.
3. Present simple voor de toekomst met ‘will’ en ‘going to’
I will (I’ll) send the email in a second / in one minute / this afternoon / tomorrow.
I will (I’ll) send the package next week.
I am going to send (I’m going to send) the package on Tuesday.
4. Past (voltooide actie in het verleden)
I just sent the email.
I sent you an email this morning / 5 minutes ago / yesterday / last week.
5. Past continuous (een doorlopende/voortschrijdende actie, voltooid in het verleden)
I was sending an important email when the Internet went down.
6. Present perfect (een actie in een tijdsperiode die aansluit op het nu, zoals vandaag, deze week, deze maand)
I have sent hundreds of emails this week.
7. Present perfect continuous (een doorlopende/voortschrijdende actie in een tijdsperiode die aansluit op het nu, zoals recentelijk, de laatste tijd, de laatste paar dagen)
Recently, I have been sending so many emails that I can write them really quickly.
8. Past perfect (een handeling in het verleden vóór een andere handeling in het verleden: de relatie van die twee handelingen)
I had just sent her a long email when she rang me.
9. Past perfect continuous (doorlopende/voortschrijdende actie in het verleden voordat iets anders in het verleden gebeurde: de relatie van die twee acties)
I had been sending so many emails that I decided to create a template to make it go faster.
OK! Maar om het simpele woordje SEND echt onder de knie te krijgen, moeten we dieper in de Engelse grammatica duiken. Laten we beginnen met de present simple.
Gebruik de present simple om te praten over tijdsschema's, gewoontes, gebruiken, herhaald gedrag en wetenschappelijke feiten. We gebruiken deze vorm om te praten over dingen die stabiel zijn en NIET tijdelijk. Dingen die in het verleden waar waren, nu waar zijn, en waarschijnlijk in de toekomst waar zullen zijn. We gebruiken vaak altijd of nooit bij present simple zinnen.
The train leaves at 6:00. The team meets at 9:00 on Mondays. The presentation begins at 11:00. The train departs at 4:05. What time does the meeting begin? We leave for the US tomorrow.
I send my boss a report every day. I never eat lunch at my desk.
He never sends attachments with his emails.
We celebrate New Year’s Eve with fireworks. How do you celebrate New Year’s? I send holiday greeting cards (Christmas cards) every December.
Water boils at 100 degrees. The earth orbits around the sun.
- zoals houden van, liefhebben, ruiken, willen, nodig hebben, verkiezen, weten, veronderstellen, bedoelen, begrijpen, onthouden, erbij horen, passen, bevatten, bestaan, lijken, beseffen.
Let op: in gesproken Engels overtreden mensen soms de regesl over de status werkwoorden, maar in geschreven zakelijke communicatie mag dat niet. Zo kunt u in een informeel gesprek tijdens een etentje zeggen: “I am loving this fish! It’s delicious.” Dit is technisch onjuist, maar het komt steeds vaker voor in informeel gesproken Engels en in marketing. Herinnert u zich de McDonalds-campagne "I'm lovin' it!" nog?
Maar schrijf niet in een zakelijke e-mail: "We are liking your proposal." ☹ Schrijf in plaats daarvan: “We like your proposal.”
I like our new office.
I prefer Apples to PCs.
I remember you from the last conference.
This report looks messy.
I recommend the café on the corner.
I realize now that I will never like my boss.
I’m really loving our new office.
Oh yeah, I’m remembering that grammar rule now.
This report is looking pretty messy to me.
I’m recommending the café on the corner a lot these days. It is so good!
I’m realizing now that I will never like my boss. ?
Gebruik de present simple vorm van het werkwoord met "to."
I want to send the report before noon.
I need to send it right now.
I like to send emails with lots of emojis.
I have to send this to my colleague for review.
We must send the complete report today if we want to keep the client happy.
They can send everything to my address and I will share it.
They could complete and send the review this week if they had more help.
We should send all the info before 17:00.
If I were you, I would send that to the entire team.
Would you send me a link to that article?
Do you send a report every week?
Does she send good meeting notes every week?
Did you send the notes last week?
Zorg ervoor dat je een S toevoegt als je de present simple gebruikt in declaratieve zinnen met derde persoon zelfstandige naamwoorden en voornaamwoorden.
Stephanie always sends emails with perfect grammar.
He sends greeting cards to top clients on their birthdays.
Tom sends out lots of email with mistakes.
Wilt u een gratis Engelse niveautest doen? Deze test bevat veel grammatica vragen. U kunt de test nu online doen.
Wilt u een gratis zakelijk Engels test doen? Deze test richt zich op Engelse idiomen die in zakelijke gesprekken worden gebruikt.
Vraag uw gratis online kennismaking aan.
Bent U geïnteresseerd in een groepscursus zakelijk Engels? Cursussen zijn beschikbaar op 2 niveaus: intermediate en advanced.
Met een privécursus zakelijk Engels kunt u zich richten op de woorden en zinnen die voor u en uw werk het belangrijkst zijn.
Bel +31 20 823 0569. Wij spreken graag met u in het Engels of Nederlands!
Dit artikel is geschreven en bewerkt door English Center Teachers: Brenda de Jong-Pauley en Kerry Finlayson.
The Raven, by Edgar Allan Poe, is one of American literature's best known poems. Poe (1809–1849) is a revered author and is best known for his works related to mystery, horror, and suspense.
Perhaps his most famous work, The Raven – an 18 stanza poem – is a dark tale about a man tormented by a raven (= a black bird) who speaks to him, but has just one word – “nevermore.” Between the frightening bird and the death of his beautiful young wife, Lenore, the man slowly descends into madness. He feels that he will never be free from the grief of his lost love. The poem The Raven is one of the most easily recognisable pieces of literature, and is the perfect reading to get you in a creepy Halloween mood.
Stanza 1
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As if someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
“’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door—
Only this and nothing more.”
Stanza 2
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December;
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore—
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Nameless here for evermore.
Stanza 3
And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
“’Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door—
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;—
This it is and nothing more.”
Stanza 4
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
“Sir,” said I, “or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you”—here I opened wide the door;—
Darkness there and nothing more.
Stanza 5
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, “Lenore?”
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, “Lenore!”—
Merely this and nothing more.
Stanza 6
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
“Surely,” said I, “surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see, then, what threat is, and this mystery explore—
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—
’Tis the wind and nothing more!”
Stanza 7
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Stanza 8
Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
“Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
Stanza 9
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning—little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door—
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as “Nevermore.”
Stanza 10
But the Raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing farther then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered—
Till I scarcely more than muttered “Other friends have flown before—
On the morrow he will leave me, as my Hopes have flown before.”
Then the bird said “Nevermore.”
Stanza 11
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
“Doubtless,” said I, “what it utters is its only stock and store
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of ‘Never—nevermore’.”
Stanza 12
But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking “Nevermore.”
Stanza 13
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom’s core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion’s velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o’er,
But whose velvet-violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o’er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!
Stanza 14
Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
“Wretch,” I cried, “thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore;
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
Stanza 15
“Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—
On this home by Horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore—
Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
Stanza 16
“Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us—by that God we both adore—
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore.”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
Stanza 17
“Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!” I shrieked, upstarting—
“Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
Stanza 18
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted—nevermore!
The end: The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
1. Dreary
To be very dull, and boring, and often repetitive, in a depressing way.
Example: The weather was so cold and dreary this morning, I really didn’t want to get out of bed.
2. Weary
A feeling of extreme tiredness, usually after some kind of exhausting task.
Example: He looked at the hundreds of unread emails in his inbox, and let out a long, weary sigh.
3. Lore
A collection of knowledge or tradition, typically very old, and passed down through generations.
Example: Did you know that Halloween lore began in Ireland, with the pagan festival of Samhain?
4. Rapping (to rap)
No hip-hop to be found here, this is another verb to describe the action of knocking, usually with short and sharp sounds.
Example: The trick-or-treaters were eager for their treats on Halloween, and rapped eagerly on their neighbour’s door.
5. Bleak
Similar to "dreary" above, this adjective describes something depressing; with no hope, warmth, or joy.
Example: If we don’t tackle the issue of climate change soon, the future for the planet looks bleak.
6. Ember
After the flames are finished; the final glowing remains of a fire.
Example: As the embers of the bonfire died, the excitement of Halloween was over for another year.
7. Sorrow
A deep sadness or regret.
Example: Edgar Allan Poe’s life was filled with pain and sorrow after the death of his wife.
8. Terrors
Something frightening or terrifying
Example: As an ex-soldier, he was forever haunted by the terrors of war.
9. Raven
A large, black bird with shiny feathers. Different from the more common crow in that ravens are much larger.
Example: The raven is a symbol of great wisdom, but also of death and bad luck.
10. Obeisance
Moving the body to show respect or authority. Tip: Think of the word "obey."
Example: The priest made his obeisances in front of the altar, before walking up the stairs and beginning to read.
11. Ghastly
Something truly terrifying and horrifying.
Example: A ghastly scream came from deep within the dark woods.
12. Grim
Gloomy and depressing.
Example: The grim tale of a murderer haunted by the heartbeat of the man he killed is another famous story by Edgar Allan Poe called The Tell-tale Heart.
13. Ungainly
Awkward and without grace.
Example: He grew several inches over a short period of time, and so his movements were ungainly for a while.
14. Melancholy
A sad mood or feeling.
Example: The long, grey winters give many people a feeling of melancholy.
15. Desolate
A place without inhabitants; a lonely, abandoned place.
Example: She shivered in fear every time she walked by that old, desolate house in the neighborhood.
16. Fiend
A sadistic demon, devil or murderous person.
Example: I have no idea who this murderous fiend may be.
17. Nepenthe
A potion used in ancient times used to make someone forget pain or sorrow.
Example: She felt so much pain and sorrow, that the old witch made her a nepenthe, to help her forget and sleep peacefully.
18. Plume
A feather.
Example: He placed a plume in his hat to make him appear more sophisticated.
19. Fiery
Full of intense, hot emotions.
Example: His fiery temper caused him to act very violently.
20. Radiant
Literally shining or exuding light. Radiant can also mean looking very happy.
Example: He fell in love instantly with her radiant smile.
21. Nevermore
At no future time, never again.
Example: We will nevermore be in this place.
Author: Clare Kelleher
Editors: Brenda de Jong & Kerry Finlayson
Just click the Halloween! 30 Words, History and Films below and start watching.
Halloween! 30 Words, History and Films
