Forum newsfeeds
Forum Newsfeeds


Sites for Teachers

Sites for Teachers


Go Back   UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum > Learning English > Editing & Writing Topics

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 25-Apr-2005, 12:28
Dany's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Country: Germany
Posts: 602
Current Location: Germany
First Language: German
Thanks: 2
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Dany
Default if-clauses in business letters

Hello everyone,

I've got one question. A collegue of mine said, that it is not polite to use if-clauses in business letters. And if it is necessary then don't use "if" at the beginning of the sentence.

Is this correct? I think that it is sometimes more polite to use if-clauses.


Thanks for your help,
Dany
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 25-Apr-2005, 17:46
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Country: UK
Posts: 25,130
Current Location: Phnom Penh
First Language: English
Thanks: 2
Thanked 242 Times in 232 Posts
Tdol has disabled reputation
Default Re: if-clauses in business letters

'We would be grateful if you could...' This order is more common, but I wouldn't go that far as to say the other way round would be impolite.
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 25-Apr-2005, 18:44
Dany's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Country: Germany
Posts: 602
Current Location: Germany
First Language: German
Thanks: 2
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Dany
Default Re: if-clauses in business letters

Quote:
Originally Posted by tdol
'We would be grateful if you could...' This order is more common, but I wouldn't go that far as to say the other way round would be impolite.
Thanks a lot Tdol.
Would you please say to me which of these sentences would you prefer use?

1.) If your prices are acceptable, we should be prepared to place a trail order.
2.) We should be prepared to place a trail order if your prices are acceptable.

I would use the first one.


Best regards,
Dany
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 25-Apr-2005, 19:05
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Country: UK
Posts: 25,130
Current Location: Phnom Penh
First Language: English
Thanks: 2
Thanked 242 Times in 232 Posts
Tdol has disabled reputation
Default Re: if-clauses in business letters

I think either could be used, though I'd say 'trial order'.
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 25-Apr-2005, 19:19
DuncanW
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Smile Re: if-clauses in business letters

I would personally go for the first. You may also want to use 'will' instead of 'should' as it makes a more positive statement. Positive statements tend to bring positive responses.
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 26-Apr-2005, 08:21
Dany's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Country: Germany
Posts: 602
Current Location: Germany
First Language: German
Thanks: 2
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Dany
Default Re: if-clauses in business letters

Thanks a lot


Best regards,
Dany
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 27-Apr-2005, 13:53
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 727
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
twostep
Default Re: if-clauses in business letters

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dany
Thanks a lot Tdol.
Would you please say to me which of these sentences would you prefer use?

1.) If your prices are acceptable, we should be prepared to place a trail order.
2.) We should be prepared to place a trail order if your prices are acceptable.

I would use the first one.


Best regards,
Dany
Tdol my grammar days were in the dark ages -
If your prices are acceptable we will be prepared .. ???
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
ifclauses, business, letters

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Writing Business Letters shasha1 Editing & Writing Topics 1 22-Sep-2004 04:45
writing business letters Anonymous Ask a Teacher 1 08-Sep-2004 20:48
Business Meetings: Understanding, Running and Participating Red5 General Language Discussions 0 11-Mar-2004 14:19
Business Letter Formulas Red5 General Language Discussions 0 11-Mar-2004 14:19
time clauses and conditional clauses Anonymous Ask a Teacher 1 06-Jan-2004 20:16


New To Site? Need Help?

All times are GMT. The time now is 12:22.


vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.2.0 RC5
Copyright © 2002 - 2008 UsingEnglish.com