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From: the Omrud <usenet.omrud@gmail.com>
Newsgroups: alt.languages.english
Subject: Re: Correction
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 19:26:15 -0000
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References: <crob6e$gsv$1@nsnmpen3-gest.nuria.telefonica-data.net> <CZlFd.37607$TN6.1322049@news20.bellglobal.com> <Misc-2BD86B.08382213012005@individual.net>
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Miss Elaine Eos typed thusly:
> In article <CZlFd.37607$TN6.1322049@news20.bellglobal.com>,
> "Judy" <wumpygirleatsnospam@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > "migmam" <migmam2@nospam.com> wrote in message
> > news:crob6e$gsv$1@nsnmpen3-gest.nuria.telefonica-data.net...
> > > Hi everybody.
> > >
> > > Is the following conversation ok?
> > >
> > > Thanks for your help improving our English.
> > >
> > > Miguel Angel
>
> > > Hello, good morning.
> > > Can I talk to Mr. Benito?
>
> This is slang, and how someone might improperly phrase the question in
> casual speech.
Slang? It might be slightly less than fully formal, but it's hardly
slang. "Hey, dude, I wanna rap with that Benito guy" is slang.
> > May I please speak with Mr. Benito?
>
> This is the correct, more "formal."
The correct, more formal *what*? Ah, I see, you're not a native
English speaker. Sorry, but some of your replies are less than
entirely correct.
In any case, the version above is not preferred in UK English.
"speak with" sounds like pretentious management language. There's
nothing wrong with "speak to".
> > > Sorry, He is on a trip to China. Can I help you?
>
> > Don't use a captital "h" for "He". It's "he."
>
> In addition, more-correct would be "may I help you?"
Why the hyphen in "more correct"?
> > > Yes, He told me to phone him today to confirm the amount of the bank
> > > draft.
> >
> > Again, drop the "H" and use the small "h."
... and use *a* small "h". And I know the US style guides say that
punctuation comes inside the quotation marks, but sometimes it just
looks silly. Break the rules rather than look silly.
> From the rest of the conversation, I think you might mean "bank cheque"
> or "cashier's cheque" in place of "bank draft." Below, your "I will get
> a bank draft" sounds like "I will withdraw money from the bank into my
> wallet", but I think you might mean "I will obtain a cashier's cheque to
> send to you."
Nope, a bank draft (or draught) is a perfectly normal UK term for a
cheque drawn on the bank.
> > > Can you confirm me the total amount?
> >
> > Can you confirm the total amount? (remove the "me")
>
> Or add "for", as in "can you confirm for me the total amount?"
That's too clumsy.
> > > Yes, just a minute... The total amount adds up to 3.000 euros.
>
> Again, "just a minute" is casual slang. More formal/proper would be
> "yes, one minute please..." or "yes, please wait..." (no time is
> specified in the latter usage.)
Again, not really. It's a perfectly normal everyday expression.
> > > Oh! This is quite expensive! Is there any discount to loyal clients?
> >
> > Are there any discounts for loyal clients?
Or, "Is there any discount for loyal clients?"
--
David
=====
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