Asking for Clarification

這類詞語可用來要求澄清事實，或確認您已瞭解對方的意思。
Let me make sure I understood you.
Let me see if I understand you correctly. Now is the time to sell?
They are not bringing in their own management team. Am I right? 請留意這一句詞語與其它的不同，因為它置於要確認的事項之後。當您使用 "Am I right?" 時，請記得句尾語調要上揚，以免聽起來不禮貌或唐突。
In the other words, Universal will keep restructuring to a minimum? 這一句詞語和以下的十分類似，後面要加上主詞和動詞。
Are you saying it's a good acquisition for both companies?
So what you're saying is it's a good acquisition for both companies?
So what I hear you saying is that it's a good acquisition for both comanies?

定冠詞及不定冠詞 definite and indefinite articles

定冠詞 "the" 置於單數或複數名詞之前，名詞由母音或子音開頭均可。
The company is trying to expand operations.
The operations now are limited to the U.S.

不定冠詞 "a" 與單數名詞合用，置於以子音或子音發音開頭的字之前。例如，它會置於 "uniform" 之前，因為此處 "u" 的發音為 "y"。
At his previous company, Bob was required to wear a cap and a uniform to work.

不定冠詞 "an" 與單數名詞合用，但是置於以母音發音開頭的字之前。
The assembly line has not had an accident for several months. 

"some" 可與不特定的複數名詞合用。它也能與不可數的不特定名詞合用，如下例所示 "I'd like some water"。
Some supervisors and some employees felt that the strike was a bad idea.

當說話者和聽者都知道所討論的事物，或是要討論某一特定事物時，就會用定冠詞來搭配該名詞。
The memo that the boss sent us clarified much of the confusion in the office.

如果只有說話者知道所討論的事物為何，或是雙方都不知道的話，就會用不定冠詞來搭配該名詞。如果該名詞不是指特定的事物，也請用不定冠詞。
We had a meeting to discuss scheduling, but you were out of town that day.

如果連續兩次提到某一名詞，第一次提及時，該名詞前面要加不定冠詞。第二次提及該名詞時，名詞前面要加定冠詞。
We called the manufacturer for a price quote. They faxed us the quote the same day we requested it.

當 "the" 出現在子音開頭的字之前時，"e" 的發音與 "about" 中的 "a" 相同。(發音:惹)
Pronunciation tip: the memo , the boss, the confusion

當 "the" 出現在母音開頭的字之前時，"e" 的發音與 "me" 中的 "e" 相同。(發音:李)
Pronunciation tip: the office, the other day, the understanding

Global English

bring (someone) up to speed(verb phrase) = 幫﹝某人﹞跟上速度、適應狀況

to give someone recent information about something

When Sarah gets back from vacation, we'll bring her up to speed on the changes in the accounting department.

restructure(verb) = 重整

to change the organization of something, such as a company

In order to cut costs, we're going to restructure our overseas sales offices.

restructuring (noun)

substantial(adjective) = 顯著的

large in number or degree, significant

The price of Crosley Motors stock had asubstantial increase last quarter.

sales force(noun) = 銷售人員

[countable]
the group of people who sell a company's products

Our sales doubled this year, so we're going to add 350 people to the sales force.

fill sb. in (on sth.)對某人提供(有關...的)情況 
Can you fill me in on what has been happening? 
你能把發生的事情原原本本地告訴我嗎？ 
fill in 有填補的意思同樣用法另有一個片語 
fill in sb's shoes 填補某人的空缺 不過前後文會決定中譯後的文字修飾哦! 

容易誤用的英文

1. cooperate vs. collaborate。
"我們公司想和貴公司合作 (開發...)" 該怎麼說？
常見錯誤用法是 "We would like to cooperate with you on ..."
正確用法是 "We would like to collaborate with you on ..."
兩者都是 "合作"，差別在哪裡？
Cooperate 是單向的合作，基本上是 "你們怎麼說，我們就怎麼做"，所以其實是 "配合"，通常用在 "Enron 跟執法單位合作，配合調查"，或是 "伊拉克政府和美國政府合作，建立國家安全機制" 這種場合。
Collaborate 才是雙向的合作，雙方共同主導，共享成果。
所以當你和美國公司說 "we would like to cooperate with you" 的時候，他們其實在心裡竊笑：有人來獻身了...

Words in Movies

out of shape : 變形；身體不好

"Tomato, Tomahto" : Like saying "Same thing!" about two things that aren't the same at all.

Jacuzzi : 按摩浴缸(源自商標名)

假設語氣

類型1 : 有可能發生的假設 (現在or未來式)
If Ray has time, he will make a video.
類型2 : 與現在事實相反 (過去式)
If Ray had time, he would make a video.
類型3 : 與過去事實相反(過去完成式)
If Ray had had time, he would have made a video.

類型1 : 

 類型2 :

 類型3 :

Modal verbs 助動詞

might:
must/have to:



◎ can : expresses ability or permission

can 可以用來表達「能力或許可」，例如：

I can play tennis.（我會打網球。）

Can I go with you?（我可以和你去嗎？）

◎ may, could : Use them for permission

may 和 could 可以用來表達「許可」。例如：

May I come in?（我可以進來嗎？）

Could I go with you?（我可以和你去嗎？）

◎ may, could : also used for possibility

除了表達「許可」，may 和 could 也能用來表達「可能性」，例如：

It may rain.（可能會下雨。）

◎ might : for remote possibility

might 也可以用來表達「可能性」，用 might 表示「極小可能性」，比用 may 的可能性還要再小，例如：

It might also snow.（也有可能下雪。）

◎ must, have to : use for obligation

must 和 have to 則是用來表達「責任」，例如：

I must catch my train.（我必須趕上火車。）

I have to catch my train.（我得趕上火車。）

◎ should : for giving advice and recommendation

如果要「提供意見或建議」，就可以用 should，例如：

You should drink more water.（你應該多喝水。）

You should try the new Chinese restaurant.（你應該試試新的那家中式餐廳。）

◎ will : for the furture

will 能用來表達「未來式」，例如：

I will see you tomorrow.（我們明天見。）

◎ shall : marking suggestions and offering help

shall 是用以「提出建議、提供協助」的助動詞，例如：

Shall we have a drink?（我們要不要喝一杯？）

Shall I carry your bag?（我幫你提袋子好嗎？）