{"id":106,"date":"2012-11-19T15:42:00","date_gmt":"2012-11-19T15:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/monkeygrammar.org\/index.php\/2012\/11\/19\/feel-good-grammar-how-to-make-sentences-in-business-english-2-updated\/"},"modified":"2020-04-16T12:20:17","modified_gmt":"2020-04-16T12:20:17","slug":"feel-good-grammar-how-to-make-sentences-in-business-english-2-updated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mindpowerasia.org\/feel-good-grammar-how-to-make-sentences-in-business-english-2-updated\/","title":{"rendered":"Feel Good Grammar: How to Make Sentences in Business English (2) (updated)"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/a><\/div>\n

Do you want to <\/span>stand out<\/span> at a meeting? Do you want to<\/span> impress<\/span><\/span> your coworkers? So you probably have to make suggestions, right? Now read the following suggestions.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

I <\/span>suggest to enter<\/span> the China Market. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
or<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Our department<\/span> planned expanded <\/span> the market share.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n


\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span><\/span>If you say something like the above, your co-workers will <\/span>laugh at you<\/span>. So to save your face, there is a <\/span>Feel Good Tip<\/span> for you:\u00a0Be <\/span>really really careful<\/span> when two verbs come together!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span>In other words, in English it is <\/span>absolutely wrong<\/span> to say:\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n

\n<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
suggest + to enter <\/span>(WRONG)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
planned + expanded <\/span> (WRONG)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n


\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In other grammar books, \u2018suggest\u2019 and \u2018planned\u2019 are named <\/span>finite<\/span> verbs but the verbs followed by them (to enter and expanded) are <\/span>non-finite<\/span>. \u00a0<\/span>What are finite and non-finite verbs? <\/span>Sorry <\/span>I am not going to tell you about them. What? Am I kidding? No!<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n

Instead, I will introduce you the concepts, the<\/span> concepts<\/span> of finite and non-finite verbs, but with <\/span>less threatening <\/span>terms: <\/span>Big Verbs<\/span> and <\/span>Small Verbs<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are <\/span>Big<\/span> Verbs & <\/span>Small<\/span> Verbs<\/span><\/b>?<\/span><\/p>\n

Although men think that sizes matter, in the world of English it is different. <\/span>Big Verbs<\/span> are not bigger in size. They are big because they<\/span> come first<\/span><\/span> in a sentence, pretty much like <\/span>a <\/span>first born <\/span>child<\/span><\/span> in a family. In other words, a sentence is like a family, in which a first born child is <\/span>privileged<\/span>. \u00a0(What is ‘privileged’? \u00a0Having special rights.)<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

That is, a verb can be big or small, depending on <\/span>its <\/span>position<\/span> in a sentence.<\/span> Any verb that comes first in a sentence is a big one; any verb that comes <\/span>second <\/span>is a small one. \u00a0<\/span>The following <\/span>examples<\/span> illustrate my points:<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nBig Verbs <\/span><\/td>\nSmall Verbs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
We <\/span>came<\/span> here <\/span>to introduce<\/span> our product.<\/span><\/td>\ncame<\/span><\/td>\nto introduce<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
This post <\/span>introduces<\/span> you concepts in grammar. <\/span><\/td>\nintroduce(s)<\/span><\/td>\nX<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

So in the sentence, \u2018<\/span>Our company <\/span>planned expanded <\/span>our market share\u2019 <\/span>is wrong as there are two Big Verbs coming together. \u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nBig Verb (1)<\/span><\/td>\nBig Verb (2)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Our company<\/span><\/td>\nplanned<\/span><\/td>\nexpanded<\/span><\/td>\nour market share.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

If you still remember the problem of two cars running to each other,<\/a> Big Verbs and Small Verbs come to solve them. You may just add <\/span>\u2018to\u2019 before the second verb <\/span>(expand) to solve it, as shown below:<\/span><\/p>\n

to + expand ————————-> to expand (Small Verb)<\/span><\/p>\n

So to get the ideas of Big Verbs and Small Verbs, you may <\/span>visualize <\/span>s<\/span>entences. Whenever you read a sentence, try to <\/span>look for<\/span> the first verb<\/span> (Big Verb) and then <\/span>the second verb<\/span> (Small Verb).\u00a0<\/span>For example, the following sentence will be something different.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

We plan to reduce our budget on travel allowances.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
We <\/span>plan<\/b><\/span> to reduce<\/span> our budget on travel allowances.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Well, peace forever? Not so soon. More about Big and Small Verbs are to come.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Big<\/span> Verbs<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n


\nBig Verbs usually come in <\/span>two <\/span>forms:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>be<\/span> and\u00a0<\/span>non-<\/span>be<\/span> verbs. \u00a0<\/span>For example, t<\/span>he big verb (is) in the following sentence is a grandchild of \u2018be\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nBig Verb (Type 1)<\/span><\/td>\nSmall Verb<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nBe<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The aim of this report<\/span><\/td>\nis<\/span><\/td>\nto discuss<\/span><\/td>\nthe potential of China market<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

So you may imagine \u2018be\u2019 is a grandfather or grandmother who has lots of grandchildren, such as:<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Be (Grandparents)<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Grandchildren<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Is \/am \/ are<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
was \/ were<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
will be \/ shall be<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
has been \/ have been<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

b. non-be verbs<\/span><\/p>\n

The big verb in the following sentence is \u2018decided\u2019.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nBig Verb\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nSmall Verb<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nNon-be Verb<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Our company<\/span><\/td>\ndecided<\/span><\/td>\nto renew<\/span><\/td>\nthe contract with Apple.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

<\/span>Unlike \u2018be\u2019, non-be verbs are usually much <\/span>more active <\/span>and <\/span>outgoing<\/span>.<\/span> In English there are lots of <\/span>non-be <\/span>verbs. What follows are those important to business English:\u00a0<\/span>agree, \u00a0 deny,\u00a0<\/span>suggest, persuade,\u00a0<\/span>request, \u00a0warn,\u00a0<\/span>inform,\u00a0<\/span>notify, <\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>guarantee<\/span>.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The case of Suggest<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

However, why is it <\/span>wrong<\/b><\/span> to say ‘<\/span>I <\/span>suggest to enter<\/span> the China Market<\/span>‘<\/b>? \u00a0What is the problem with putting ‘<\/span><\/span>Suggest’ and \u00a0‘to enter’ together? \u00a0<\/span><\/span>You\u2019ll get the answer in the next post of Small Verbs<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/b><\/p>\n

\n
This post is adapted from the book: <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/b><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/b>
\n<\/b><\/div>\n

<\/b>
<\/b><\/p>\n

Feel<\/span><\/i>Good<\/span><\/i><\/b>Grammar:\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/b><\/b><\/div>\n
How to<\/span><\/i><\/b> <\/i>Make <\/span><\/i>Sentences\u00a0<\/span><\/i>in <\/span><\/i>Business<\/span><\/i> English<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/b><\/b>
\n
\n<\/span><\/b>
\n<\/span><\/b>Buy the book:<\/em><\/span><\/b><\/b>
\n
\n<\/em><\/span><\/b>Kindle (ebook)<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Amazon (paperback)<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Kobo (ebook)<\/a><\/b><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Do you want to stand out at a meeting? Do you want to impress your coworkers? So you probably have to make suggestions, right? Now read the following suggestions. I suggest to enter the China Market. or Our department planned expanded the market share. If you say something like the above, your co-workers will laugh […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":757,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,11],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mindpowerasia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Run-a-business-600-x-400.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mindpowerasia.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mindpowerasia.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mindpowerasia.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mindpowerasia.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mindpowerasia.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=106"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mindpowerasia.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":796,"href":"https:\/\/mindpowerasia.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106\/revisions\/796"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mindpowerasia.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/757"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mindpowerasia.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mindpowerasia.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=106"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mindpowerasia.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}