今天我們來學習禮貌守則的最后一個P——professional。

Being Courteous: How To Be Professional 

So far, you've learned three ways to make your writing more courteous. You've learned how to make your sentences polite, positive and personal. You also need to learn how to use the fourth "P" to make your writing professional.

Did you know that modern business English includes many standard expressions?

Many phrases in English are standard. That is, they don't change. If you know these phrases, you can use them again and again.

And when you use these standard expressions, your writing will look more professional.

However, you need to use these expressions correctly, or your writing will look very unprofessional. Look at this sentence.

"I am appreciate if you send me the documents."

The person who wrote this sentence tried to use a standard expression. However, they didn't use it correctly.

It should be:

"I would appreciate it if you could send me the documents."

You can use the table below to learn some of the standard expressions in English business correspondence.

You can practise writing professional sentences by doing the exercise below.

There are five business situations below. For each situation, choose the correct standard expression(s).

Some situations have more than one correct answer.

1. Request someone to send a catalogue of their products.

A. Would you mind to send a catalogue of your products?

B. Could you please send a catalogue of your products?

C. Would you mind sending a catalogue of your products?

D. I would request a catalogue of your products?

2. Suggest that someone refer to the "Quick Guide" for information.

A. Please refer to the "Quick Guide" for information.

B. Please reference the "Quick Guide" for information.

C. May I suggest that you refer to the "Quick Guide" for information?

D. May I suggest you to refer to the "Quick Guide" for information?

3. Refer to a fax you received on 9 March.

A. Your fax of 9 March refers.

B. Thank you for your fax of 9 March.

C. Thank you for your fax on 9 March.

D. I refer to your fax of 9 March.

4. Close a letter politely.

A. I look forward to hearing from you.

B. In anticipation of your reply.

C. Eagerly awaiting your reply.

D. I hope this information is helpful.

5. Ask for clarification of a meeting time.

A. I am not clear for the meeting time.

B. It is not sure for the meeting time.

C. It is not clear whether the meeting time.

D. I am not sure about the meeting time.

Keys:

1. BC  2. AC  3. BD  4. AD  5. D

我們已經了解了being courteous 的四個P 原則：polite，positive，personal，professional。下一節我們將對本章所講述的內容作一次總結練習。

（來源：中國物流論壇 實習生江巍 英語點津 Annabel 編輯）