Task4.1
Business English Letter
Inquiries and Replies
Contents
Business English Letter
1. Aims and Requirements
2. Teaching tasks
3. Useful sentences & Homework
Aims and Requirements
Business English Letter
• In this task, students are required to grasp as
follows:
• 1. Know how to make enquiry orally
• 2. Know how to write a letter of enquiries and
replies.
• 3. How to write letters of general enquiries and
replies.
• 4. How to write a letter of specific enquiries and
replies.
• 5. Grasp some words, expressions and typical
sentences on this topic.
• 6. Master some negotiation strategies
Teaching tasks
Business English Letter
• Task 1. Learn some basic knowledge of enquiry
• Task 2 Learn some dialogues and letters of
making enquiry and its replies, master how to
write.
• Task 3 Learn some negotiation strategies.
• Task 4 Useful words, expressions and sentences
• Task 5 Practice
Task 1. Learn some basic knowledge of
enquiry
Business English Letter
Types of enquiry
•
Inquiry consists of general inquiry and specific
inquiry. A general inquiry refers to the general
information of all the products asked by the
buyer to the seller. A product catalogue and a
price list may be inquired by the buyer. A
specific inquiry is the specific information asked
by the buyer for a specific product or several
specific products on specific terms.
Business English Letter
Inquiry letter requirements:
• Brief, specific, clear and to the point;
• Replies for an inquiry require: prompt and
courteous and cover all the information asked for.
• Importance: it is the first period of a successful
business; take care of each detail with quick and
correct response.
Specimen Letters:
General Inquiry
Business English Letter
•
Dear Sir or Madam,
•
We know your company and products from alibaba.com. We are
importer of kites in England, we have examined your website and
have interests to your advertised kites. It is appreciated to get a
price list and catalogue in details for all kites related.
•
Thanks for your quick response.
•
•
•
•
Best regards
Kiteman
Kiteman Company
E-mail: kiteman@kiteman.com
Writing skills
Business English Letter
How did you know the information
Your products interested
Type of our company
Line and products
General ideas of price list and catalogue
Samples requirement
Other details you want to know
Wishes
Specimen Letters:
Specific Inquiry
Business English Letter
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Dear Sir,
We have been enquired by our client for Hydrogenated Castor Oil.
You therefore, please quote your most competitive price at C&F
Kuwait for 20' FCL. Send us also the related specifications. Inform
us also your standard packing size and shortest delivery period,
country of origin.
Payment will be 100% an irrevocable L/C at sight.
We would be most grateful if you could send us your firm offer
immediately. If your price meets our client's satisfactory, then the
order will be placed with you on regular basis.
Look forward to receiving your offer by return.
Best regards,
Specimen Letters:
Reply to inquiry
Business English Letter
•
Dear Sirs,
•
We have received your letter of March 13 enquiring about the possibility
of selling your men’s Shirts, Hubao Brand in our market.
•
•
In reply, we wish to inform you that we are well-connected with major
dealers in the line of textiles. There is always a ready market here for
men’s shirts, provided they are of good quality and competitive price.
Therefore, it will be appreciated if you will let us have your best firm
offer, preferably by fax, and rush us samples by airmail. If your shirts
agree with the taste of our market, we feel confident of placing a trial
order with you.
•
Please give this enquiry your prompt attention.
•
Yours faithfully
Writing skills
Business English Letter
Reply to generally inquiry
Thanks
Reply each point of the inquiry
Quick response ASAP
Wishes
Contact information
Reply to Specific inquiry
Thanks
Reply each point of the inquiry clearly
Quick response ASAP
Wishes
Contact information
Task 3 Learn some negotiation strategies.
Business English Letter
How to use polite and correct language
in international business negotiations?
• Change the commanding tone into requesting
tone, that is, the imperative sentence into general
question with the word “will” or “would” at the
beginning
• Use the past subjunctive form
• Use mitigation and avoid overemphasizing your
own opinion and irritating your partner
• Use the words or expressions with the meaning
of joy, thanks and regret.
Task 4 Useful words, expressions and
sentences
Business English Letter
• Words and expressions
• 1. general inquiry 一般询盘
• 2. specific inquiry 具体询盘
3. dealer 商人
4. quotation 报价
5. sales department 销售部
6. purchase 购买
7. enquiry 询价
8. quote 开价
9. sample 样品
10. a long-term contract 长期合同
Business English Letter
• Useful sentences
• If your prices are favorable, I can place the order right
away. 。
• 2. When can I have your firm C.I.F. prices, Mr. Li? We’d
rather have you quote us F.O.B .prices.
• Would you tell us your best prices C.I.F. Hamburg for the
chairs?
• Will you please tell the quantity you require so as enabling
us to sort out the offers? We’d like to know what you can
offer as well as your sales conditions.
• How long does it usually take you to make delivery? Could
you make prompt delivery?
Task 5 Practice
Business English Letter
Oral Practice: Make a dialogue according to the
following situations and requirements:
• You are a buyer of computers with a large
quantity. Now you are enquiring for a low price
and discount.
Business English Letter
• Writing practice: Write a letter according to
the following information.
•
• 我方在“国际交易会”上看到了贵方的产品，并对贵方的金
属箱以及各类刀具颇感兴趣。
• 请贵方按随函附上的清单中的项目向我方报来贵方的最低价，
并同时告知最早交货日期、付款方式以及定期购买折扣。
• 早日赐复，不胜感激。
• 谨上
Business English Letter
•The End
•Thank you!