abide by v., to comply with; to conform
a. The two parties agreed to abide by the judge's decision.
b. For years he has abided by a commitment to annual employee raises.
agreement n., a mutual arrangement, a contract
a. The landlord and tenant were in agreement that the rent should be prorated to the middle of the month.
b. According to the agreement, the caterer will also supply the flowers for the event.
assurance n., a guarantee; confidence
a. The sales associate gave his assurance that the missing keyboard would be replaced the next day.
b. Her evident self-assurance made it easy to see why she was in charge of the negotiations.
cancel v., to annul; to call off
a. The man canceled his magazine subscription and got his money back.
b. When the concert was canceled, the singer sued to get her fee paid.
productive adj., constructive; high yield
a. The unproductive sales meeting brought many staff complaints.
b. Alonzo is excited about his productive sales territory.
satisfy v., to make happy
a. Henri was perfectly satisfied with his new fishing rod and recommended the brand to many friends.
b. If you don't know what kind of gift will satisfy your friend, think about giving a gift certificate instead.
characteristic adj., revealing of individual traits
a. The cooking pot has features characteristic of the brand, such as "stay cool" handles.
b. It is not characteristic of the store to be slow in mailing a refund check.
consequence n., that which follows necessarily
a. The consequence of not following the service instructions for your car is that the warranty is invalidated.
b. As a consequence of not having seen a dentist for several years, Lydia had several cavities.
consider v., to think about carefully
a. The customer considered buying the VCR until he learned that the warranty coverage was very limited.
b. After considering all the options, Della decided to buy a used car.
cover v., to provide protection against
a. Will my medical insurance cover this surgery?
b. Her car insurance provided for complete coverage against collision.
expire v., to come to an end
a. The warranty protection on this product will expire on year after the date of purchase.
b. I didn't have time to read another fitness magazine, so I let my subscription to the latest one expire.
frequently adv., occurring commonly; widespread
a. Appliances frequently come with a one-year warranty.
b. Warranties for this kind of appliance are frequently limited in their coverage.
imply v., to indicate by inference
a. The guarantee on the Walkman implied that all damages were covered under warranty for one year.
b. The travel agent implied that our hotel was not in the safest part of the city, but, when pressed for details, he said the location was fine.
promise v., n., to pledge to do, bring about, or provide
a. A warranty is a promise the manufacturer makes to the consumer.
b. The sales associate promised that our new mattress would arrive by noon on Saturday.
protect v., to guard
a. Consumer laws are designed to protect the public against unscrupulous vendors.
b. You can protect yourself from scams by getting detailed information on the seller.
reputation n., the overall quality of character
a. Even though the salesperson showed me a product I had never heard of, I bought it because of the good reputation of the manufacturer.
b. The company knew that the reputation of its products was the most important asset it had.
require v., to deem necessary or essential
a. A car warranty may require the owner to have it serviced by a certified mechanic.
b. The law requires that each item clearly display the warranty information.
vary v., to be different from another; to change
a. The amount of protection offered by different policies will vary.
b. Consumers' needs vary, so different kinds of warranties appeal to different types of consumers.
address v., to direct to the attention of
a. Marco's business plan addresses the needs of small business owners.
b. Be certain to pay attention to addressing the cost of infrastructure when you estimate your expenses.
avoid v., to stay clear of; to keep from happening
a. To avoid going out of business, owners should prepare a proper business plan.
b. Lloyd's errors in accounting could have been avoided by a business consultation with his banker.
demonstrate v., to show clearly and deliberately; to present by example
a. Alban's business plan demonstrated that he had put a lot of thought into making his dream a reality.
b. The professor demonstrated through a case study that a business plan can impress a lender.
develop v., to expand, progress, or improve
a. Lily developed her ideas into a business plan by taking a class at the community college.
b. The restaurant Wanda opened ten years ago has developed into a national chain.
evaluate v., to determine the value or impact of
a. It's important to evaluate your competition when making a business plan.
b. The lenders evaluated our creditability and decided to loan us money.
gather v., to accumulate; to conclude
a. We gathered information for our plan from many sources.
b. I gather that interest rates for small businesses will soon change.
offer v., to propose; to present in order to meet a need or satisfy a requirement
a. We offered the job of writing the business plan to Devon.
b. Jackie must offer her banker new statistics in order to encourage the bank to lend her money toward her start-up business.
primary adj., most important; first in a list, series, or sequence
a. The primary reason for writing a business plan is to avoid common errors.
b. Writing the business plan was the primary task, then seeking funding, followed by finding a suitable building.
risk n., the chance of loss or damage
a. The primary risk for most start-up businesses is insufficient capital.
b. Expanding into a new market is a big risk.
strategy n., a plan of action
a. A business plan is a strategy for running a business and avoiding problems.
b. Let's develop a strategy for promoting our ice cream parlor.
strong adj., powerful; economically or financially sound
a. The professor made a strong argument for the value of a good business plan.
b. Even in a strong economic climate many businesses fail, so do your planning carefully.
substitute v., to take the place of another
a. Here's a model business plan; just substitute the specifics of your business.
b. Don't try to substitute intuition for good planning.
accommodate v., to fit; to provide with something needed
a. The meeting room was large enough to accommodate the various needs of the groups using it.
b. Because the deadline for reserving rooms was past, the hotel manager could not accommodate our need for more rooms.
determine v., to find out; to influence
a. After reading the contract, I was still unable to determine if our company was liable for back wages.
b. The skill of the union bargainers will determine whether the automotive plant will open next week.
engage v., to hire; to involve someone or something
a. We engaged a salsa band to play at the reception.
b. Once we engaged Otto in the decision making for the project, he became much more supportive.
establish v., to institute permanently; to bring about
a. Through her many books and interviews, Dr. Wan established herself as an authority on conflict resolution.
b. The merger of the two companies established a powerful new corporation.
obligate v., to bind legally or morally
a. The contractor was obligated by the contract to work 40 hours a week.
b. I felt obligated to finish the project even though I could have exercised my option to quit.
party n., a person or group participating in an action or plan; the persons or sides concerned in a legal matter
a. The parties agreed to a settlement in their contract dispute.
b. The party of the first part generally has the advantage of preparing the contract or agreement.
provision n., a measure taken beforehand; a stipulation
a. The father made provisions for his children through his will.
b. The contract contains a provision to deal with how payments are made if John loses his job.
association n., an organization of persons or groups having a common interest; a relationship or society
a. Membership in a trade or professional association provides business contacts and mutual support.
b. Local telephone companies formed an association to serve common goals, meet their common needs, and improve efficiency.
attend v., to go to; to pay attention to
a. We expect more than 100 members to attend the annual meeting.
b. The hotel manager attended to all our needs promptly.
get in touch v., to make contact with
a. As soon as we arrive at the hotel, we will get in touch with the manager about the unexpected guests.
b. The registration desk is a good central location for people to get in touch with each other.
hold v., to accommodate; to conduct
a. This meeting room holds at least 80 people comfortably.
b. She holds an annual seminar that is very popular.
location n., a position or site
a. The location of the meeting was changed from the Red Room to the Green Room.
b. Disney World was the perfect location for the annual meeting since many members could bring their families.
overcrowded adj., too crowded
a. As soon as the guests entered the dining room for dinner, Sue Lin could see that the room would become overcrowded.
b. To avoid being overcrowded, we limited the number of guests that members could bring.
register v., to record
a. Hotels ask all guests to register and give a home address.
b. More than 250 people registered to attend the afternoon seminar.
select v., to choose from a group
a. The conference participant selected the marketing seminar from the various offerings.
b. The winners were selected from the conference registrants.
session n., a meeting
a. The morning sessions tend to fill up first, so sign up early.
b. Due to the popularity of this course, we will offer two sessions.
take part in v., to join or participate
a. The format for the session is very informal, which makes it easier for people to take part in the discussion.
b. We could not get enough people to take part in the meeting, so we canceled it.
access v., to obtain; to gain entry
a. We accessed the information on the company's Web site.
b. You need a password to access your account.
allocate v., to designate for a specific purpose
a. The office manager did not allocate enough money to purchase software.
b. The architects must allocate enough space for the word processing department.
compatible adj., able to function together
a. This operating system is not compatible with this model computer.
b. Users of software applications want new versions to be compatible with current versions.
delete v., to remove; to erase
a. The technicians deleted all the data on the disk accidentally.
b. This button on the keyboard deletes the characters from the screen.
display n., what is visible on a monitor; v., to show
a. The light on the LCD display is too weak.
b. The accounting program displays a current balance when opened.
duplicate v., to produce something equal; to make identical
a. I think the new word processing program will duplicate the success of the one introduced last year.
b. Before you leave, please duplicate that file by making a copy on a flash drive.
fail v., not to succeed; not to work correctly
a. The new printer failed to function properly.
b. The power failed as we were downloading files.
figure out v., to understand; to solve
a. By examining all of the errors, the technicians figured out how to fix the problem.
b. We figured out that it would take us at least ten minutes to download the file.
ignore v., not to notice; to disregard
a. When the director is working at the computer, she ignores everything around her.
b. Don't ignore the technician's advice when connecting cables.
search v., to look for; n., investigation
a. The computer searched for all names that began with W.
b. Our search of the database produced very little information.
shut down v., to turn off; to cease operations
a. Please shut down the computer before you leave.
b. We always shut down the air conditioning system on the weekend.
warn v., to alert; to tell about a danger or problem
a. The flashing light warns the computer user if the battery is low.
b. There is an electrical hazard warning on the back of most electronic equipment.
affordable adj., able to be paid for; not too expensive
a. The company's first priority was to find an affordable phone system.
b. Obviously, the computer systems that are affordable for a Fortune 500 company will not be affordable for a small company.
as needed adv., as necessary
a. The courier service did not come every day, only as needed.
b. The service contract states that repairs will be made on an as-needed basis.
be in charge of v., to be in control or command of
a. He appointed someone to be in charge of maintaining a supply of paper in the fax machine.
b. Your computer should not be in charge of you, rather you should be in charge of your computer.
capacity n., the ability to contain or hold; the maximum that something can hold or do
a. The new conference room is much larger and has a capacity of one hundred people.
b. The memory requirements of this software application exceed the capacity of our computers.
durable adj., sturdy, strong, lasting
a. This printer is so durable that, with a little care, it will last another five years.
b. These chairs were more expensive, in the long run, but also more durable.
initiative n., the first step; an active role
a. Employees are encouraged to take the initiative and share their ideas with management.
b. Our technology initiative involves an exciting new database system and will help us revolutionize our customer service.
arrangement n., the plan or organization
a. The travel arrangements were taken care of by Sara, Mr. Billings's capable assistant.
b. The arrangement of speakers was alphabetical to avoid any hurt feelings.
resolve v., to deal with successfully; to declare
a. The mediator was able to resolve the problem to everyone's satisfaction.
b. The businessman resolved to clean out all the files by the end of the week.
specify v., to mention explicitly
a. Mary specified in the contract that her bill must be paid within 30 days.
b. The letter does not specify which attorney is handling our case.
attract v., to draw by appeal
a. The display attracted a number of people at the convention.
b. The new advertising attracts the wrong kind of customer into the store.
compare v., to examine similarities and differences
a. Once the customer compared the two products, her choice was easy.
b. The price for this brand is high compared to the other brands on the market.
compete v., to strive against a rival
a. With only one store in the area, it is difficult for Hector's business to compete with large chains.
b. We competed against three other agencies to get this contract.
consume v., to absorb; to use up
a. The business plans consumed all of Fritz's attention this fall.
b. Chen consumes more than his share of computer time.
convince v., to bring to believe by argument; to persuade
a. The salesman convinced his customer to buy his entire inventory of pens.
b. Before a business can convince customers that it provides a quality product, it must convince its marketing staff.
current adj., happening or existing at the present time; adv., to be on top of things
a. It is important to read current magazines to see how competitors market their products.
b. Good marketing requires keeping current with modern technology and best practices.
fad n., a practice followed enthusiastically for a short time; a craze
a. The mini dress was a fad once thought to be finished, but now it is making a comeback.
b. Classic tastes may seem boring but they have proven to resist fads.
inspire v., to spur on; to stimulate imagination or emotion
a. The heart-wrenching video about world hunger inspired Kristen to get involved in food security issues.
b. His painting style was inspired by the works of the Old Masters.
physical adj., perceived by the senses
a. The physical presence of a computer expert is better than telephone support.
b. The memory capacity of a computer doesn't correlate to its physical size.
provider n., a supplier
a. The department was extremely pleased with the service they received from the phone provider.
b. As your health service provider, we want to make sure you are happy and satisfied with the service you are receiving.
recur v., to occur again or repeatedly
a. The subject of decreasing sales recurs in each meeting, sometimes several times.
b. The managers did not want that particular error to recur.
reduction n., a lessening; a decrease
a. The outlet store gave a 20 percent reduction in the price of the shelves and bookcases.
b. The reduction in office staff has made it necessary to automate more job functions.
stay on top of v., to know what is going on; to know the latest information
a. In order to stay on top of her employees' progress, she arranged weekly breakfast meetings.
b. In this industry, you must stay on top of current developments.
stock n., a supply; v., to keep on hand
a. The office's stock of toner for the fax machine was quickly running out.
b. The employees stocked the shelves on a weekly basis.
appreciate v., to recognize, understand the importance of; to be thankful for
a. He didn't appreciate the complexity of the operation until he had to do it by himself.
b. The team members sent the director a card telling her how much they appreciated her time and dedication.
be exposed to v., to become aware of; to gain experience in
a. Mergers require that employees be exposed to different business practices.
b. New hires spend a week in each department so that they are exposed to the various functions in the company.
bring in v., to hire or recruit; to cause to appear
a. The company president wanted to bring on an efficiency consultant.
b. The company brought in a new team of project planners.
casual adj., informal
a. Fridays are a casual dress day in the office.
b. It was supposed to be a casual meeting, but everyone showed up in suits and ties.
code n., rules of behavior
a. The new employees observed the unwritten code of conduct in their first week on the job.
b. Even the most traditional companies are changing their dress code to something less formal.
glimpse n., a quick look
a. The secretary caught a glimpse of her new boss as she was leaving the office.
b. After one year with the company, he still felt as though he had only a glimpse of the overall operations.
made of v., to consist of
a. This job will really test what you are made of.
b. People say that the negotiator has nerves made of steel.
out of adj., no longer having, missing
a. Orders should be placed before you run out of the supplies.
b. The presenter ran out of time before he reached his conclusion.
outdated adj., obsolete; not currently in use
a. The purpose of the seminar is to have employees identify outdated methods and procedures.
b. Before you do a mailing, make sure that none of the addresses are outdated.
practice n., method of doing something
a. Office practices may vary greatly from one company to another.
b. The manager had started her practice of weekly breakfast meetings more than twenty years ago.
reinforce v., to strengthen, support
a. The financial officer's unconventional method of analyzing data was reinforced by the business journal article.
b. The employees were expected to reinforce what they had learned at the workshop by trying it out in the workplace.
verbal adj., oral
a. Excellent verbal skills are expected in the marketing department.
b. The employee was given a verbal warning after arriving late to work for the third time.
disk n., an object used to store digital information
a. I lost the flash drive on which I had saved my school assignment, so now I have to start all over again.
b. It is important to make a backup disk of all documents on your computer.
facilitate v., to make easier
a. The new computer program facilitated the scheduling of appointments.
b. The director tried to facilitate the transition to the new policy by meeting with all staff who would be affected.
network n., an interconnected group or system; v., to connect; to broadcast over a radio or TV; to engage in informal communication
a. There is a network of women professionals that meets once a month for drinks.
b. We networked my assistant's computer to mine, so that we can easily share files.
popularity n., the state of being widely admired, sought, or accepted
a. After the new commercials began running, the popularity of the batteries increased significantly.
b. This brand of computers is extremely popular among college students.
process n., a series of operations or actions to bring about a result; v., to put through a series of actions or prescribed procedure
a. There is a process for determining why your computer is malfunctioning.
b. I've processed the data I collected and have gotten some interesting results.
replace v., to put back in a former place or position; to take the place of
a. I've replaced the hard drive that was malfunctioning.
b. We have been looking for three months and we've found no one who can replace our former administrator.
market v., the course of buying and selling a product; n., the demand for a product
a. When Omar first began making his chutneys, he marketed them door-to-door to gourmet shops.
b. The market for brightly colored clothing was brisk last year, but moving sluggishly this year.
persuade v., to move by argument or logic
a. Juan, with his charming personality, eventually persuaded the pharmacist to stock samples of the new medicine.
b. No amount of marketing could persuade Doris to give up her old, but reliable, laundry soap.
revolution n., a sudden or momentous change in a situation; a single complete cycle
a. There has been a revolution in the workplace since computers became available for every employee.
b. My CD player is broken; the disk cannot make a complete revolution around the magnet.
sharp adj., abrupt or acute; smart
a. There was a sharp decline in calls to the help desk after we upgraded each employee's computer.
b. The new employee is extremely sharp, being able to learn the new program in a few days.
skills n., a developed ability
a. The software developer has excellent technical skills, and would be an asset to our software programming team.
b. Salman's job as designer of electronic tools makes good use of his manual dexterity skills.
software n., the programs for a computer
a. This new software allows me to integrate tables and spreadsheets into my reports.
b. Many computers come pre-loaded with software.
storage n., the safekeeping of goods or information
a. The double-sided disk has storage room for up to 500 megabytes of data.
b. The sensitive electronic equipment must be kept in temperature-controlled storage.
technical adj., special skill or knowledge
a. The newspaper article on the development of new fiber-optic cables was so full of technical language that only an electrical engineer could understand it.
b. The computer can only be repaired by someone with technical knowledge.
assemble v., to put together; to bring together
a. Her assistant copied and assembled the documents.
b. The mail room clerk read the directions before assembling the parts to the new postage printer.
beforehand adv., early, in advance
a. To speed up the mailing, we should prepare the labels beforehand.
b. The goods could have been shipped today had they faxed the order beforehand.
complicated adj., not easy to understand
a. This word processing program is too complicated for a beginner to use.
b. This explanation is too complicated; try to make it simpler.
courier n., adj., a messenger, an official delivery person
a. We hired a courier to deliver the package.
b. The courier service will clear the goods through customs.
express adj., fast and direct
a. It's important that this document be there tomorrow, so please send it express mail.
b. Express mail costs more than regular mail service, but it is more efficient.
fold v., to bend paper
a. Fold the letter into three parts before stuffing it into the envelope.
b. Don't fold the document if it doesn't fit the envelope.
layout n., a format; the organization of material on a page
a. We had to change the layout when we changed the size of the paper.
b. The layout for the new brochure was submitted by the designer.
mention v., to refer to; n., something said or written
a. You should mention in the letter that we can arrange for mailing the brochures as well as printing them.
b. There was no mention of the cost in the proposal.
petition n., a formal, written request; v. to make a formal request
a. The petition was photocopied for the workers who will take the copies to collect the necessary signatures.
b. We petitioned the postal officials to start delivering mail twice a day in business areas.
proof v., to look for errors
a. This letter was not proofed very carefully; it is full of typing mistakes.
b. Very few people bother to proof their E-mails before they send them; consequently, E-mails often contain spelling errors.
registered adj., recorded and tracked
a. Since the mail was registered, we know when it was received and who signed for it.
b. Send this package by registered mail and insure it for $500.
revise v., to rewrite
a. The brochure was revised several times before it was sent to the printer.
b. We will need to revise the form letter since our address has changed.
abundant adj., plentiful, in large quantities; n., a large number
a. The computer analyst was glad to have chosen a field in which jobs were abundant.
b. The recruiter was surprised at the abundance of qualified applicants.
accomplishment n., an achievement, a success
a. The success of the company was based on its early accomplishments.
b. In honor of her accomplishments, the manager was promoted.
bring together v., to join, to gather
a. Every year, the firm brings together its top lawyers and its newest recruits for a training session.
b. Our goal this year is to bring together the most creative group we can find.
candidate n., one being considered for a position, office, or award
a. The recruiter will interview all candidates for the position.
b. The president of our company is a candidate for the Outstanding Business Award.
come up with v., to plan, to invent, to think of
a. In order for that small business to succeed, it needs to come up with a new strategy.
b. How was the new employee able to come up with that cost-cutting idea after only one week on the job?
commensurate adj., in proportion to, corresponding, equal to
a. Generally the first year's salary is commensurate with experience and education level.
b. As mentioned in your packets, the number of new recruits will be commensurate with the number of vacancies at the company.
match n., a fit, a similarity
a. It is difficult to make a decision when both candidates seem to be a perfect match.
b. Finding a good match is never easy.
profile n., a group of characteristics or traits
a. The recruiter told him that, unfortunately, he did not fit the job profile.
b. As jobs change, so does the company's profile for the job candidate.
qualifications n., requirements, qualities, or abilities needed for something
a. The job seeker had done extensive volunteer work and, therefore, was able to add this experience to his list of qualifications.
b. The applicant had so many qualifications, the company created a new position for her.
recruit v., to attract people to join an organization or a cause
a. The company's policy is to recruit new employees once a year.
b. When the consulting firm recruited her, they offered to pay her relocation expenses.
submit v., to present for consideration
a. Submit your resume to the human resources department.
b. The applicant submitted all her paperwork in a professional and timely manner.
time-consuming adj., taking up a lot of time, lengthy
a. Even though it was time-consuming, all of the participants felt that the open house was very worthwhile.
b. Five interviews later, Ms. Lopez had the job, but it was the most time-consuming process she had ever gone through.
ability n., a skill, a competence
a. The designer's ability was obvious when she showed the interviewer her portfolio.
b. The ability to work with others is a key requirement.
apply v., to look for; to submit an application
a. The college graduate applied for three jobs and received three offers.
b. Everyone who is interested should apply in person at any branch office.
background n., a person's experience, education, and family history
a. Your background in the publishing industry is a definite asset for this job.
b. The employer did a complete background check before offering him the job.
be ready for v., to be prepared
a. The applicant had done all of her research and felt that she was ready for the interview with the director of the program.
b. The employer wasn't ready for the applicant's questions.
call in v., to request
a. The young woman was so excited when she was called in for an interview that she told everyone she knew.
b. The human resources manager called in all the qualified applicants for a second interview.
confidence n., a belief in one's abilities, self-esteem
a. Good applicants show confidence during an interview.
b. He had too much confidence and thought that the job was his.
constantly adj., on a continual basis, happening all the time
a. The company is constantly looking for highly trained employees.
b. When my friend was looking for a job, he constantly checked his messages to see if anyone had called for an interview.
expert n., a specialist
a. The department head is an expert in financing and is known around the world.
b. The candidate demonstrated at the interview that he was an expert in marketing.
follow up v., to take additional steps, to continue; n., the continuation of a previous action
a. Always follow up an interview with a thank-you note.
b. As a follow up, the candidate sent the company a list of references and published works.
hesitate v., to pause; to be reluctant
a. Don't hesitate to call if you have any questions concerning the job.
b. We shouldn't hesitate to offer the job to the best-qualified applicant; other-wise she may not be available.
present v., to introduce; to show; to offer for consideration
a. The human resources director presents each candidate's resume to the department supervisor for review.
b. The candidate presented her qualifications so well that the employer offered her a job on the spot.
weakness n., a fault; a quality lacking strength
a. Interviewers often ask applicants about their strengths and weaknesses to get a sense of their characters.
b. The candidate's only weakness seems to be her lack of experience in fund-raising.
conduct v., to hold, to take place, to behave; n., one's behavior
a. Interviews were conducted over a period of three weeks.
b. The trainees' conduct during training was unacceptable; something must be done.
generate v., to create, to produce
a. The new training program generated a lot of interest among employees.
b. The job fair at the college campus should generate interest in our company.
hire v., to employ, to offer a job or position; n., an employee
a. She was hired after her third interview.
b. The new hire has integrated well with his colleagues.
keep up with v., to stay equal with
a. The workers were told that they must keep up with the changes or they would find themselves without jobs.
b. Employees are encouraged to take courses in order to keep up with new developments.
look up to v., to admire, to think highly of
a. Staff members looked up to the director because he had earned their respect over the years.
b. There are few people in this world that I look up to as much as I look up to you.
mentor n., a person who guides and instructs, a resource
a. The mentor helped her make some decisions about combining career and family.
b. One problem with many programs is that the mentors don't feel invested in the progress of the employees with whom they are working.
on track adj., on schedule; focused
a. If we stay on track, the meeting should be finished at 9:30.
b. You have a lot of work; if you can't stay on track, let me know immediately.
reject v., to turn down; to say no, to not accept
a. Even though Mr. Lukin rejected their offer, they remained in contact.
b. Ms. Gauchet rejected the offer because they could not offer her the salary that she requested.
set up v., to establish, to arrange; adj., established, arranged
a. Set up a time and place for the meeting and then inform everyone who is involved.
b. Check with your supervisor to make sure that your office is all set up before you begin work.
success n., an accomplishment; reaching a goal
a. The director's success came after years of hiring the right people at the right time.
b. When the manager won an award, he attributed his success to his colleagues.
training n., the preparation or education for a specific job
a. The new hire received such good training that, within a week, she was as productive as the other workers.
b. The training is designed to prepare all workers, new and old, for the changes that the company will face.
update v., to make current; n., the latest information
a. The personnel officer updated the employees on the latest personnel changes.
b. Our latest update shows that business is down 15 percent.
basis n., the main reason for something; a base or foundation
a. The manager didn't have any basis for firing the employee.
b. On the basis of my ten years of loyalty to this company, I feel that I deserve three weeks vacation.
be aware of v., to be conscious of; to be knowledgeable about
a. The new staff member wasn't aware of the company's position on working a second job.
b. Are you aware of the new employee's past work history?
benefits n., the advantages provided to an employee in addition to salary; v., to take advantage of
a. Although the analyst earned a better salary at his new job, his benefits were better at his previous job.
b. We all benefit from the company's policy of semiannual reviews.
compensate v., to pay; to make up for
a. The company compensates employees for overtime by paying more for those extra hours worked.
b. The company will compensate employees for any travel expenses.
delicate adj., sensitive; adv., with sensitivity
a. Contract negotiations are very delicate and should be conducted by senior management.
b. The manager delicately asked about the health of his client.
eligible adj., able to participate in something; qualified
a. Some employees may be eligible for the tuition reimbursement plan.
b. I don't understand why I'm not eligible if I have been with the company for over a year.
flexible adj., not rigid, able to change easily
a. Sometimes the manager is too flexible and his workers take advantage of him.
b. Younger workers tend to be more flexible with their work schedules.
negotiate v., to talk for the purpose of reaching an agreement, especially on prices or contracts
a. You must know what you want and what you can accept when you negotiate a salary.
b. The associate looked forward to the day that she would be able to negotiate her own contracts.
raise n., an increase in salary
a. The supervisor expected a substantial raise and was disappointed with the 2 percent increase she received.
b. With his raise, Mr. Drvoshanov was able to afford to buy a new car.
retire v., to stop working; to withdraw from a business or profession
a. She retired at the age of 64 but continued to be very active with volunteer work.
b. Many people would like to win the lottery and retire.
vested adj., absolute, authorized
a. The day that Ms. Weng become fully vested in the retirement plan, she gave her two weeks' notice.
b. The company has a vested interest in the happiness of its employees.
wage n., the money paid for work done, usually hourly
a. Hourly wages have increased by 20 percent over the last two years.
b. The intern spends more than half of her wages on rent.
achieve v., to succeed, to reach a goal
a. I hope to achieves as much as you have in your short time with the company.
b. The new Board of Directors has achieved all of its goals in the first six months.
contribute v., to add to; to donate, to give
a. Make sure your boss is aware of the work you contributed to the project.
b. All employees are asked to contribute a few minutes of their spare time to clean up the office.
dedication n., a commitment to something
a. The director's dedication to a high-quality product has motivated many of his employees.
b. We would never be where we are today if it weren't for many long hours and so much dedication.
look forward to v., to anticipate, to be eager for something to happen
a. The regional director was looking forward to the new, larger offices.
b. We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting.
looked to v., to depend on, to rely on
a. The workers always looked to him to settle their disagreements.
b. The staff is looking to their supervisor for guidance and direction.
loyal adj., faithful, believing in someone or something
a. You have been such a loyal advisor for so many years, I'm not sure what I'll do without you.
b. Even though your assistant is loyal, you have to question his job performance.
merit n., excellence, high quality
a. Employees are evaluated on their merit and not on seniority.
b. Your work has improved tremendously and is of great merit.
obvious adj., easy to see or understand
a. The marketing coordinator is the obvious choice to replace Ms. Nance.
b. In many companies, it is very obvious who will be promoted.
productive adj., useful, getting a lot done
a. The researcher wasn't as productive when he first started working here.
b. The managers had a very productive meeting and were able to solve many of the problems.
promote v., to give someone a better job; to support, to make known
a. Even though the sales associate had a good year, it wasn't possible to promote him.
b. The Assistant Director promoted the idea that the Director was incompetent.
recognition n., credit, praise for doing something well
a. The president's personal assistant was finally given the recognition that she has deserved for many years.
b. Recognition of excellent work should be routine for every manager.
value n., worth
a. It is difficult to put a value on the work that an employee does.
b. Employees value their colleagues' opinions.
bargain n., something offered or acquired at a price advantageous to the buyer
a. We were thrilled with the bargains we found at the clothing sale.
b. Lois compared the sweaters carefully to determine which was a better bargain.
bear v., to have a tolerance for; to endure
a. Annu is conducting a survey on whether consumer behavior differs between men and women.
b. Suspicious behavior in a department store will draw the attention of the security guards.
behavior n., the manner of one's actions
a. Annu is conducting a survey on whether consumer behavior differs between men and women.
b. Suspicious behavior in a department store will draw the attention of the security guards.
checkout n., the act, time, or place of checking out, as at a hotel, library, or supermarket
a. The line at this checkout is too long, so let's look for another.
b. Get in the checkout line now and I'll join you with the last items.
comfort n., a condition or feeling of pleasurable ease, well-being, and contentment
a. I like to dress for comfort if I'm spending the day shopping.
b. Arlo likes to go to the mall where he can shop in comfort, regardless of the weather.
expand v., to increase the size, volume, quantity, or scope of; to enlarge
a. The new manager has significantly expanded the store's inventory.
b. The shoe store is out of room and is thinking about expanding into the adjacent vacant building.
explore v., to investigate systematically
a. The collector likes to explore antique shops looking for bargains.
b. While his mother shopped for clothes, Michael wandered off to explore the toy section.
item n., a single article or unit
a. The grocery store has a special checkout line for people who are purchasing less than ten items.
b. Do you think I can get all these items into one bag?
mandatory adj., required or commanded; obligatory
a. The jewelry store has a mandatory policy of showing customers only one item at a time.
b. There is a mandatory limit of nine items for use of this checkout line.
merchandise n., items available in stores
a. I am very impressed with the selection of merchandise at this store.
b. Helen wanted to make sure that the store had a wide variety of merchandise before she committed to buying a gift certificate.
strict adj., precise; exact
a. The store's policy states that returns must be made within 30 days of purchase, but the staff is not strict in enforcing it.
b. There is a strict limit of four items per person that can be taken into the changing room.
trend n., the current style; vogue
a. The clothing store tries to stay on top of all the new trends.
b. Mioshi followed market trends closely before she bought a clothing franchise.
diverse adj., different; made up of distinct qualities
a. The Office Supply Warehouse offers a diverse range of office supplies.
b. The diversity of staff in this office is amazing.
enterprise n., a business; a large project
a. The new enterprise quickly established an account with the office supply store.
b. This enterprise has become unmanageable and is beginning to lose money.
essential adj., indispensable, necessary
a. Having Ann on this team is essential if we are to win the contract.
b. A good record-keeping system is an essential component of inventory control.
everyday adj., routine, common, ordinary
a. Though they are more expensive, these folders will withstand everyday wear and tear.
b. This everyday routine of having to check inventory is boring.
function v., to perform tasks
a. The daily functioning of this office has been compromised.
b. She functioned as the director while Mr. Gibbs was away.
maintain v., to continue; to support, to sustain
a. I've been maintaining a list of office supplies that are in greatest demand.
b. Trying to maintain two different stockrooms is too much work.
obtain v., to acquire
a. I've been trying to obtain a list of supplies from the administrator for three weeks now.
b. The employee obtained the report from her supervisor.
prerequisite n., something that is required or necessary as a prior condition
a. One of the prerequisites for this job is competence in bookkeeping.
b. Here are the prerequisites that you need to purchase before coming to class.
quality n., a distinguishing characteristic; a degree of excellence
a. The most important qualities we look for in a supplier are reliability and quick response.
b. The quality of their clothes has fallen ever since they started using cheaper fabrics to make them.
smooth adj., without difficulties; deliberately polite and agreeable in order to win favour
a. The transition to the new supplier went smoothly and there was no interruption in shipments.
b. Her smooth manner won her the appreciation of the manager but not her colleagues.
source n., the origin
a. I can't tell you the source of this information.
b. The source of this rare pottery that we are selling in our shop is a small village in India.
stationery n., writing paper and envelopes
a. We do not have enough stationery, so please order some more.
b. The new stationery featured the company's logo in blue ink at the top of the page.
accurate adj., exact; error-less
a. He counted the boxes three times to ensure his that figure was accurate.
b. The barcode reader not only saved the carrier time but also gave more accurate information than did handwritten documents.
carrier n., a person or business that transports passengers or goods
a. Lou, our favourite carrier, takes extra care of our boxes marked fragile.
b. Mr Lau switched carriers in order to get price savings on deliveries out of state.
catalogue n., a list or itemised display; v., to make an itemised list of
a. The upcoming fall catalogue shows a number of items from Laos that Mr Lau has never before been able to offer.
b. Ellen catalogued the complaints according to severity.
fulfil v., to finish completely
a. The engineers fulfilled a client's request for larger display screens.
b. Her expectations were so high, we knew they would be hard to fulfil.
integral adj., necessary for completing
a. Good customer relations is an integral component of any business.
b. A dependable stream of inventory is integral to reliable shipping of orders.
inventory n., goods in stock; an itemised record of these goods
a. The store closes one day a year so that the staff can take inventory of the stockroom.
b. Their inventory had not changed much over the years, which made the customers feel bored.
minimise v., to reduce; to give less importance to
a. The shipping staff minimised customer complaints by working overtime to deliver the packages quickly.
b. To keep the customers happy and to minimise the effect of the carrier strike, we shipped orders directly to them.
on hand adj., available
a. We had too much stock on hand, so we had a summer sale.
b. The new employee will be on hand if we need more help with shipping orders.
remember v., to think of again; to retain in the memory
a. I remembered the delivery clerk's name as soon as I got off the phone.
b. I will remember the combination to the safe without writing it down.
ship v., to transport; to send
a. Eva shipped the package carefully since she knew the contents were made of glass.
b. Very few customers think about how their packages will be shipped, and are seldom home when the packages arrive.
sufficient adj., as much as is needed
a. The postage on that box is not sufficient to get it to its destination.
b. Harriett did not order sufficient packing materials, so there was a delay in getting the boxes in the mail.
supply v., to make available for use; to provide; n., stock
a. Gerald supplied the shipping staff with enough labels to last a year.
b. By making better use of our supplies, we can avoid ordering until next month.
charge n., an expense or a cost; v., to demand payment
a. The extra charge for gift wrapping your purchase will appear on your invoice.
b. The customer service representative was responsible for telling all existing customers that higher prices would be charged next month.
compile v., to gather together from several sources
a. I have compiled a list of the most popular items in our sales catalogue.
b. The clerk is responsible for compiling the orders at the end of the day.
customer n., one who purchases a commodity or service
a. Let's make sure all invoices sent to customers are kept in alphabetical order.
b. As part of our customer satisfaction plan, let's offer a discount to customers who pay their invoices within a week.
discount n., a reduction in price; v., to reduce in price
a. We are offering a 10 percent discount to all new customers.
b. They discounted the price of the merchandise damaged in shipment.
efficient adj, acting or producing effectively with a minimum of waste or unnecessary effort
a. The account was so efficient in processing the customer receipts that she had the job done before lunch.
b. Electronic invoicing has helped us to be efficient.
estimate v., to approximate the amount or value of something; to form an opinion about something; n., an approximation
a. We estimated our losses this year at about five thousand dollars.
b. In the owner's estimation, the high level of customer satisfaction was an adequate measure of how well the company was doing.
Near VS Nearby: เวลาต้องการบอกตำแหน่งของสถานที่ บุคคล หรือ สิ่งของ
"near" เป็น preposition เวลาใช้ต้องตามด้วย คำนาม หรือ สรรพนามกรรม
Are you working near the hospital?
Does Jack live near us?
In yesterday's meeting, Peter was sitting near me.
There are some nice cafes near here.
"nearby" เป็น adverb มีความหมายว่า แถวนี้
เวลาใช้ ห้ามตามด้วย คำนาม หรือ คำสรรพนามเด็ดขาด
Are you working nearby?
Does Jack live nearby?
There are some nice cafes nearby.
Brush up (v)You need to brush up on some English vocabulary before the test.My English is getting rusty.Verbs:Sentence: S VerbVerb: voice & tenseVoice: Active VS PassiveActive voice:
Present Simple: S V1 | S do/does not V1 | Do/Does S V1?
The janitor cleans this room every morning.
My brother changes the password every month.
My brothers change the password every month.
S helping verb not + verb:
My brother doesn't change the password every month.
My brothers don't change the password every month.
Helping verb + s + verb:
Does my brother change the password every month? Yes, he does. No, he doesn't.
Do my brothers change the password every month? Yes, they do. No, they don't.
Most Thai students travel to school by bus.
Most Thai students don't travel to school by bus.
Do most Thai students travel to school by bus?
Do you eat beef?
Do they play soccer well?
S is/am/are noun/place/adj
Your boss is at the meeting.
Your boss isn't at the meeting.
Is your boss in the meeting? Yes, he is. No, he isn't.
Why is your boss in the meeting?
I am a teacher at I-Genius.
I'm not a teacher at I-Genius.
Am I a teacher at I-Genius? Yes, you are. No, you aren't.
My students are ready now.
Are my students ready now? Yes, they are. No, they aren't.
I am sorry.
Are you from Japan?
You are from Japan.
Are they in the canteen?
They are in the canteen.
There + be + noun
There are (not) thirteen students in this online class at the moment.
Are there thirteen students in this online class at the moment?
There is some sugar in that bottle.
S has/have ...
I-Genius has so many classes.
Does I-Genius have so many classes?
You have some friends in Spain.
Do you have any friends in Spain?
Past Simple: S V2 | S did not V1 | Did S V1?
Two days ago, last year, this morning, last night, in 2003
The janitor cleaned this room this morning.
I met your sister at the mall yesterday afternoon.
I didn't meet your sister at the mall yesterday afternoon.
When did I meet your sister at the mall?
Jane did yoga twice a week last year.
Jane didn't do yoga twice a week last year.
How often did Jane do yoga last year?
S was/were noun/place/adj
Jack and Tommy were (not) my workers three years ago.
When were Jack and Tommy my workers?
Your boss was (not) at the conference this morning.
How long was your boss in the meeting this morning?
Peter was (not) angry at me last night.
Why was Peter angry at me last night?
There was/were noun
There were (not) many students in my class yesterday morning.
Were there many students in my class yesterday morning?
Yes, there were. No, there weren't.
There was (not) an increase in our English course sales last week.
Was there an increase in our English course sales last week?
Today my brother left home at 8 a.m., caught a van to school ten minutes later and arrived at school on time/ punctually.
Catch/get on/board + a bus/ a light/ a train
Complex sentence:
Subordinating conjunction/ Subordinators S ...
Subordinate clause, ...
When/After/Before/Once/As soon as S V2 ..., S V2 ...
When my brother opened the door, he found something inside.
My brother found something inside when he opened the door.
After I finished my study here, I started my first job at the ABC Hotel.
I started my first job at the ABC Hotel after I finished my study here.
As soon as Tommy arrived in Bangkok, he called his Thai friends.
I worked for that company for three years.
Present Continuous: S is/am/are Ving
Our janitor is cleaning this room.
Our janitors are cleaning this room. Subject-verb agreement
I am (not) watching TV now.
Are you watching TV now?
They are (not) listening to music.
Why are they listening to music?
Jack is (not) playing badminton at the moment.
What is Jack playing at the moment?
What are you doing now?
I am seeing my friends here.
Liverpool is playing well this month.
Why are you currently/presently coming to work late these days?
I am visiting Jack at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
What time are you seeing Professor Maprang?
I am flying to Spain tomorrow evening.
Our son plays basketball every other day, but this week he is swimming a lot with his new girlfriend.
Our son is playing basketball every other day this month.
Future Simple: S + will V1
Almost all the students in my class will not pass the final exam.
Present Perfect: S has/have V3
Jack has known those two neighbours for a few months.
I have spoken Chinese fluently since 2002.
She has driven to work since last month.
She has driven to work since she broke up with her boyfriend.
I have worked for that company for three years.
Over the past/ In the last ...,
Over the past/ In/ During the last two months, my sister has travelled to Phuket every week.
Present Perfect Continuous:
Over the past two months, my sister has been travelling to Phuket every week.
Passive voice:
Present Simple: S is/am/are V3
This room is cleaned every morning.
The password is changed by my brother every month.
Past Simple: S was/were V3
ห้องนี้ถูกทำความสะอาดเมื่อเช้านี้
This room was cleaned this morning.
Present Continuous: S is/am/are being V3
This room is being cleaned by our janitor.
