1. Writing letters formal x informal language

2. Present perfect
+ HAVE + …-ED (3.tvar) I have been to England three times. He has written 3 books.

3. Present perfect I
Co bylo doposud uděláno/neuděláno I have been to America three times. He hasn´t read Hamlet yet. They have already seen the film eight times. She has never eaten caviar. Have you ever driven a car? Has he finished it yet?

4. Present perfect I x Past
Časový údaj v minulosti = minulý čas I have been to England twice. x I was in England last year. He has written four books. He wrote the book 3 years ago. How many books has he written? When did he write the book?

5. Present perfect II
Děj začal v minulosti a trvá do této chvíle I have lived in Brno for 6 years. I have known him since How long has she been here?

6. Present perfect II
A - I live in Brno. B - I moved to Brno in C - I have lived in Brno since 2005/for 8 years. B A 2005 NOW C

7. Present perfect - practice
Dennis Heal _____(be) a politician. He _____(go) to Oxford University in 1950, and in 1957 he ______ (become) a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Labour Party. He _______ (be) an MP since then. He _____ (be) Defence Minister from He _________ (write) three books, including his autobiography The Time of my life, and a spy story called The Time to Run. He is married to the artist, Edna Heal, and they have two children. They ____ (live) in Oxford for 15 years, then _____ (move) to London in They now _____ (live) in a house in central London. is
went
became
has been
was
has written
lived
moved
live

8. Present perfect - practice
What does Dennis Heal do?
_______________________________? He´s a politician. In _______________________________? In _______________________________? Since _______________________________? From _______________________________? Three.
When did he go to Oxford?
When did he become an MP?
How long has he been an MP?
When was he Defence Minister?
How many books has he written?

9. Present perfect - practice
Has he written a spy story?
_______________________________? Yes, he has. It´s called The Time to Run. _______________________________? She´s an artist. For 15 years. _______________________________? In _______________________________? In a house in central London. _________________________________? Since 1970.
What does his wife do?
How long did they live in Oxford?
When did they move?
Where do they live now?
How long have they lived in London?

10. Present perfect - practice
Právě přijeli. Kdy přijeli? Odešel před 5 minutami. Byls někdy v Británii? Znám ho už léta. Jak dlouho bydlíš v Brně?
They have just arrived.
When did they arrive?
He left 5 minutes ago.
Have you ever been to Britain?
I have known him for years.
How long have you lived in Brno?

11. Present perfect - practice
Bydlím tu od roku Kde je Anna? Šla do kina. Kdy jsi začal pracovat pro Microsoft? Jak dlouho je tvá matka v nemocnici? Dokončil jsem to ve dvě ráno.
I have lived here since 1990.
Where´s Ann? She has gone to the cinema.
When did you start working for Microsoft?
How long has your mother been in hospital?
I finished at two in the morning.

12. Passive
+ BE ED (3.tvar) This house was built in The rooms are cleaned every day. The letter has been sent. It will be done later.

13. Active x Passive
Somebody built the house in x The house was built in 1981.

14. Passive
Letters _________ by the postman every day. (deliver) This bag ________ in the bus yesterday. (find) I ________ the dress in hot water. (not wash) The message _______ tomorrow. (send) They _____ the offices every day. (clean) This building __________________ since the 1930's. (not reconstruct) They _____ last umbrellas yesterday. (sell) All the halls __________ next week. (paint)
are delivered
was found
didn´t wash
will be sent
clean
has not been reconstructed
sold
will be painted

15. Complete the missing information and find the mistakes in the text.

16. Key

17. Formal writing
Remember:
do not use everyday, colloquial language; slang or jargon
do not use contractions (I’m; it’s, we´ve, etc)
do not use emotive, subjective language (terrible, rubbish etc)
use ‘modal verbs’ such as would, could and should.
„Please send me“ → more formally „I would be grateful if you could send me“
Don’t overdo it though, and don´t make your language too formal or maybe old fashioned.

18. Functions – formal x informal
With reference to your letter, I...
In response to your letter, I can confirm...
I saw your advertisement in the local newspaper and would like to...
Thank you for your advice regarding...
I am writing to thank you for your assistance.
Thanks for your .
Making reference F
Saying thank you F
Saying thank you I

19. Functions – formal x informal
I am writing to inform you that...
I should like to remind you that ...
A quick note to tell you…
I would be grateful for your advice concerning…
I would appreciate your advice on ...
Can you tell me about…
I’d like your advice about…
Informing F
Informing I
Asking for advice F
Asking for advice I

20. Functions – formal x informal
In response to we may suggest that you contact ....
With regard to your enquiry about ... we advise you to ...
Why don’t you…
Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.
Please contact me if you need any further information.
Giving advice F
Giving advice I
Offering help F

21. Functions – formal x informal
Feel free to contact me…
Please accept our apologies for this misunderstanding.
I am writing to apologise for...
Sorry for…
Offering help I
Apologising F
Apologising I

22. as short as possible but not shorter clearly written clearly set out
Tips for formal letter
as short as possible but not shorter
clearly written
clearly set out
well structured – paragraphs
appropriate in tone and style

23. Examples - mistakes Example 1:
Mr Brown hit the windscreen of the car with his head, but as it was composed of celluloid he was unhurt.

24. Key - examples
Example 1:
Mr Brown hit the windscreen of the car with his head, but as it was composed of celluloid he was unhurt.
Solution: Unclear whether it is Mr Brown´s head or the windscreen that is composed of celluloid.
Redrafted version: Mr Brown hit the windscreen of the car with his head, but as the windscreen was composed of celluloid he was unhurt.

25. Examles - mistakes Example 2: contract
John drafted the contract for the client during the meeting itself and he then read it through carefully.

26. Solution: Not clear who read the contract, whether the client or John.
Key - examples
Example 2: contract
John drafted the contract for the client during the meeting itself and he then read it through carefully.
Solution: Not clear who read the contract, whether the client or John.
Redrafted version: John drafted the contract for the client during the meeting itself and the client then read it through carefully.