This time, we'll highlight some of the most common and useful English you need to talk about remote work. All professionals should know these terms, whether or not you work from home yourself, so let's get to it!

WFH

This is an abbreviation for "working from home." Each full word should be pronounced rather than simply saying the letters.

• Office supply stores now have areas dedicated to WFH goods for remote workers.

Hybrid

Generally, this is a noun or adjective referring to a mixture of two or more things. In business, "hybrid companies" and "hybrid teams" are made up of a combination of employees who work in an office and those who work remotely.

• I'm on a hybrid team, so I rarely meet some of my colleagues face to face since they live in other areas.

This same idea is sometimes expressed with "blended."

• I was attracted to this company because it allows for blended teams.

Coworking space

Coworking spaces are offices that rent space to freelancers and professionals who work outside of their company's office. Some people do not enjoy working from home, so coworking spaces offer a convenient alternative.

• I met some designers at a coworking space who might be able to help me with a project I'm putting together.

Digital nomad

Nomads are people who regularly move from place to place instead of staying in one area and making a home there. 

"Digital nomads" are people who take advantage of their ability to work remotely by traveling while they work. 

• Once I became a digital nomad, I started traveling much more. I'm not on vacation, though — I still need to get my work done!

Asynchronous and synchronous communication

When two or more things are "synchronized," they are operating together, within the same time or in the same manner. Standard offices work in this way.

In "asynchronous" communication, on the other hand, colleagues work together even when there is a major difference in time or location. For example, instead of having meetings that everyone attends, information can be shared through email, recordings and messages on a company network. 

This term is often shortened to "async."

• Async communication is common in my company, so my colleagues don't always expect an immediate reply when they send me a message.

The opposite of this is "synchronous communication." In this type, everyone involved must be doing an activity at the same time as everyone else.

• Synchronous communication includes things such as in-person meetings, telephone calls and real-time video conferences.

Compressed workweek

"Compressing" something is squeezing it into a smaller space or time. Workers with a "compressed workweek" work longer hours over a shorter amount of days.

This working style is not specifically related to remote work, but it is also a business trend that is becoming more common.

• I have a compressed workweek, so I work 10-hour days but only four days a week. It's sometimes tough, but it means Thursday feels like Friday!

Distributed workforce

The verb "distribute" means "to spread out." Therefore, unlike traditional companies, a "distributed workforce" is one in which a company's staff is based in many areas instead of just one.

• Our distributed workforce consists of employees in several different countries in Asia and the Americas.

Single Source of Truth (SSOT)

When employees are spread out in different places and working at different times, it is especially important that everyone has the same information and understands the company's main goals.

What helps an organization do this is having a Single Source of Truth — a system or collection of core information that workers can reference when needed.

• If you're not clear about something, be sure to check the SSOT. That will help reduce mistakes and misunderstandings.

Brick-and-mortar

"Brick-and-mortar" is an adjective that refers to the materials needed to construct a building. This term is generally used in the retail industry as a way to talk about real, physical stores, not stores based online.

• Although most of our business comes from our website, we still operate several brick-and-mortar stores in key markets.

Retreat

"Retreats" are social events in which a company's employees gather in order to spend time together and form stronger bonds.

Although actual work is usually only a small part of retreats, the ultimate goal is for workers to feel more comfortable with each other so that they can create stronger teams.

• Because my company is fully remote, I only see most of my colleagues during annual retreats. 

BYOD

This stands for "Bring Your Own Device," and it is a policy in which workers are allowed to use their personal electronic devices  — such as computers and phones — for company business.

• The Information Security team is starting to feel nervous about our company's BYOD policy.

Gig economy

This refers to businesses such as ride-sharing and food delivery services. People who work in these industries are called "gig workers" and they work the days and hours they choose rather than traditional 40-hour weeks.

• Being a gig worker gives you a lot of flexibility but not much job security.

Non-verbal cues

"Non-verbal cues" is basically another term for body language. These cues include things like facial expressions, gestures and tone of voice.

As video conferences become more common, how we send signals to others without speaking is also increasingly important. However, these signals can often be hard to understand clearly.

• Even if you don't talk during a video call, you are still communicating with non-verbal cues.

Wrap-up

Even if your company does not allow remote work, it is now a standard part of the business world. Therefore, you should definitely become familiar with the vocabulary and expressions related to it.

And since you're already learning about business, why not take a look at these other posts that can help you as an English-speaking professional?

3 Easy Steps for Calling in Sick in English

5 Racing Terms Used in Business English

3 Tips for Negotiating Your Salary in English

The post Essential English Vocabulary for Remote Work appeared first on Engoo Blog.

Luckily, there are phrases you can use that sound more positive and productive than simply saying “I don’t know.” Each of the following expressions will be useful in your office or in any other formal situation. 

I’ll look into it.

“Look into” is one of the many phrasal verbs you can make with “look.” It means to research or investigate something, and it’s a great alternative to “I don’t know.”

• I’ll look into it and let you know as soon as I find out.

• Let me look into that and contact you when I know more.

Let me get back to you.

“Getting back” to someone is contacting them again at a later time. With this response, you are giving yourself time to get the answer.

• I'm not sure. Let me get back to you on that. 

• I don't know, but let me get back to you later today.

I’ll find out.

This phrase is quite simple, and it shows that you are taking positive steps to get the information you need.

• That's a good question. I’ll find out and report back by the end of the day.

• I'll find out for you and call you back shortly.

Please give me (time) to ~

Another alternative to “I don’t know” is to simply ask the other person to wait while you find the answer.

• I’m not sure, but please give me a moment to find out.

• Give me an hour and I'll follow up with the answer.

I’m (probably) not the best person to ask.

If a question isn’t related to what you do at work, you can suggest that it would be better to ask someone else. 

• I wish I could help, but I'm not the best person to ask. 

Even if you don't have a full answer, you can share the information you do have.

• I’m probably not the best person to ask, but I think that department is on the fourth floor.

That’s not my area of expertise.

Another choice is to directly say that something is not your speciality. Again, this is best when you can add some information, even if it is incomplete.

• I'm sorry, but that's not my area of expertise and I don't want to give you bad information.

• That's not my area of expertise, but I think this solution should work.

I don’t know, but I know who might/does.

A great way to avoid a simple “I don’t know” is to mention who you think does have the answer. This way, you are still being helpful to the other person.

• I don’t know, but I think Louis might. His office is down the hall.

Alternatively, you can simply mention the other person first.

• Actually, I think Petra would be a better person to ask. I want to make sure you get accurate information.

Adding the follow-up phrase lets the other person know that their question is important and deserves a quality answer.

Wrap-up

Saying that you don't know something doesn't have to be a short and negative end to a conversation. With these phrases, you can professionally ask for time to find the answers, or you can guide the other person to a better source of information. As long as you speak with a smile and a friendly tone of voice, you are communicating effectively and professionally.

The post How to Avoid Saying “I Don’t Know” Directly appeared first on Engoo Blog.

Think over

"Think over" includes the nuance that someone is carefully comparing the positive and negative points of something before making a decision.

• Jane hasn't told us if he's joining the camping trip yet; she's still thinking it over.

Mull over

This is a more informal way of saying "think over." 

• I'll give you some time to mull it over. There's no need for you to decide now.

Contemplate

"Contemplate" implies careful or deep thinking about something. Rather than simple decisions, it's often used when thinking about deep topics or things that cannot be fully understood.

• She looked up at the stars and contemplated the mysteries of outer space.

Ponder

Similar to contemplate, "ponder" implies deep thought. Although it is not a formal word, it has a slightly poetic feeling.

• I get inspired to paint by pondering nature from my favorite spot in the park.

Consider

"Consider" can be used instead of "think about." It is often used in the imperative form.

• Please consider our proposal and contact us when you are ready to continue the negotiations.

It is also used as an alternative to "realize."

• Sarah had an interesting idea that we hadn't considered before.

Reflect (on)

We "reflect" when we think about something in the past.

• Before I go to bed, I like to reflect on what happened during the day and think about what I can do better tomorrow.

Chew on

"Chew" is the verb we use for cutting and grinding food with our teeth in order to swallow it. But when it's used with "on," it's a casual phrasal verb for thinking about something.

• I've been chewing on the advice she gave me yesterday.

• The documentary gave me a lot to chew on.

Ruminate (on)

"Ruminating" is thinking about something over and over again.

• The president ruminated on the possible effects of his decision.

Reckon

This word is common in the southern states of the US as well as in countries where British English is spoken. It's used when someone has reached a conclusion or opinion after thinking about a situation.

• If we take my truck, I reckon we can get there in about an hour and 15 minutes.

• I think we should accept their proposal. What do you reckon?

Related article: How Are UK and US Communication Styles Different?

Weigh

Imagine two choices on opposite sides of a scale. When you think about the good points and bad points of each, you can say that you are "weighing" the choices.

• It didn't take much time for us to weigh the options; the decision was easy.

Deliberate (over)

As a verb, we use "deliberate" to refer to a careful process of thought or discussion in order to reach a decision.

• The members of the jury deliberated all afternoon, discussing different details of the court case.

• It's hard for me to make decisions quickly; I need to deliberate over everything before I can make a choice!

Meditate (on)

Meditation is generally thought of as a spiritual activity of calming and focusing the mind. But even when it is not related to religion or mindfulness, you can use it as a synonym for deep thought.

• I encourage everyone to meditate on the events of the past week. What can we learn from our experience?

Dwell on

"Dwell" is a verb that means "to live or stay" in a place. As a phrasal verb with "on," it means to keep thinking (or talking) about something. This is usually used for topics that are negative or unpleasant. 

• It's important to learn from our mistakes, but dwelling on them is unhealthy.

Entertain

You "entertain" something when you give it attention or thought.

• The boss didn't immediately agree to our suggestion, but he said he will at least entertain it.

Turn something over in one's mind

This expression means giving serious thought to something, usually over a long period of time.

• John turned the business proposal over in his mind during his flight home.

Wrap-up

There is more than one way of thinking about things; sometimes the action is quick, but in other situations, more time is needed. Additionally, are the thoughts about something logical and real or about something large and abstract?

Depending on the specific situation, some words and expressions may be a better fit than others. Try using alternatives for "think" with a tutor or your English-speaking friends and you will gradually learn the natural ways each is used.

The post Using Your Head: 15 Different Ways to Say "Think" appeared first on Engoo Blog.

For example, if you use it to explain to a coworker why you can’t take their call or attend a meeting, it can sound rude and even a bit unprofessional.

If you want a safer option, listed below are 10 English expressions that will communicate the same idea in a much better way.

I’m tied up.

Think of each task you need to work on as a rope. Each time you take on a new task, another rope is tied around you until you’re all “tied up” and not free to work on anything else.

• I’m all tied up with this project. Try asking Janet for help.
• Sorry I was unable to return your call today. I was tied up in meetings all day.

I’m preoccupied.

Imagine someone knocking on your office door while you’re having a meeting. Or imagine getting a call while you’re driving to work. In either case, you can say you're “preoccupied” because you are already (“pre-”) occupied (busy doing something).

• Sorry, I’m a little preoccupied at the moment. Can I call you back later?
• No worries about the late reply. I understand you’re preoccupied with more urgent matters at the moment.

I have a lot on my plate.

If your plate is full, there’s no room for you to put more food on it. In terms of work (and even daily life), this means you can’t accept any more tasks.

• I’d love to help, but I’ve got a lot on my plate right now.
• That’s a nice idea, but our team already has so much on our plate, I don’t think we’ll be able to work on it until at least next year.

I don't have the bandwidth.

“Bandwidth” is a technical term that has become a popular way to talk about the time and energy needed for work. However, it's mostly used in negative sentences.

• I wish I could take care of this now, but I don't have the bandwidth at the moment. Sorry!
• I don't have the bandwidth to handle that right now. You could try asking me about it again next month.

I’m juggling a lot right now.

“Juggling” takes a lot of energy and focus to do right. After all, you don't want to make a mistake and drop anything! This idea also applies to handling a lot of tasks at the same time.

• I’d love to help, but I’m juggling two jobs while also taking care of my newborn son. Sorry!
• I can make some time for lessons with my tutor even though I'm juggling a lot of stuff at the moment.

I’m spread (pretty) thin.

If you only have a little butter to spread on a piece of toast, it will become a very thin layer of butter. So if you’re “spread thin,” it means you’re spreading your limited time and energy among a lot of tasks.

• I’m afraid I can’t take on another commitment this semester. I’ve already spread myself too thin with two part-time jobs and extra classes.
• I realize that your team's resources are spread thin at the moment, but please do keep this initiative in mind.

Related article: Essential English Vocabulary for Cooking

I'm up to my ears. 

Think of a pile of work documents that is stacked from the floor all the way up to your ears! 

• It feels like I’m always up to my ears in paperwork. I need a break!
• We’ll be up to our ears in work before the holiday season.

You can use this expression for many situations. For example, you can be up to your ears in laundry (if you haven’t washed your clothes in a while) or debt (if there is a lot of money you need to pay off). 

I’m buried in work.

Imagine you’re buried in piles and piles of work and you can’t escape.

• Two of our team members are out sick, so we’re really buried in work this week.
• There’s no way I can take a vacation right now. I’m buried in deadlines.

People also say “I’m drowning (in work)” or “I’m snowed under (with work).”

I’m swamped.

It’s easy to get stuck in a swamp — or even sink into one! Similarly, if you’re “swamped” with work, it's like you have so much that you cannot move.

• We’re launching our marketing campaign this week, so I'm really swamped. But starting on Sunday, I'll be quite free.
• It’s my first day back at work, so I’m swamped. Can I get back to you on this next week?

Things are really hectic.

“Hectic” means that there are a lot of things going on that are difficult to organize or control.

• My schedule is quite hectic these days, but let’s catch up next time you’re here.
• I realize things are really hectic for you this time of year, but I must remind you that your payments are weeks overdue.

Keep in mind that you can’t say “I’m hectic.” “Hectic” describes a schedule, your life and things in your life. It can also describe periods of time (“It’s been a hectic day” or “This week has been hectic”). However, it is not used to describe people.

Wrap-up

Even if you have very little time for new tasks, you can still let others know in a polite way. The phrases we’ve introduced here may seem quite casual, but they are all common in professional situations. However, it is still a good idea to be careful using them with your boss or others with a higher position than your own.

Once you can use these phrases well, the following article will help you learn ways to simply say “No” in informal situations: "No way, José!" Other Ways to Say "No"

The post 10 Ways to Say You’re Busy Without Being Rude [Updated] appeared first on Engoo Blog.

So what are some sports terms that made their way into office buildings and meeting rooms? Below, we’ll introduce seven that you’ll definitely encounter when doing business in English.

Ballpark (adj.)

“Ballparks” usually refer to baseball fields, which often cover a very large area.

Similarly, the word “ballpark” in business is often used to talk about a range of numbers. For example, if you’re making a “ballpark estimate,” that means you don't need to be exact. Instead, your guess only needs to be reasonable or within an expected range (i.e. inside the ballpark).

• The amount of water the factory uses varies, but ballpark estimates are around 200,000 tons each day.
• I don’t need exact numbers. Ballpark figures will do.

A useful phrase to know is “in the ballpark.”

• We estimate that the deal is in the ballpark of $75 - 100 million.
• Guess again. Your first guess was not even in the ballpark.

Pitch (n., v.)

When you pitch a ball in baseball, you throw it toward your opponent and hope they don’t hit it.

In business, if you “pitch” an idea, you propose, or present, it to someone and hope they like it.

• The director pitched his idea for a new movie to many producers, but he didn’t get any positive responses.
• In Silicon Valley, there’s a Venezuelan cafe where many start-up founders pitch their ideas to investors.

Pitch is also used as a noun.

• They gave a good pitch, but their prices were just too high.
• The company was not impressed by our sales pitch and will be buying from one of our competitors instead.

Fun fact: An “elevator pitch” is a short, memorable description of an idea that you can give to someone important if you happen to ride an elevator together. There’s even a show based on this concept.

• I'm working on my elevator pitch, but it's still a bit too long.

Touch Base (idiom)

Like the previous two expressions, “touch base” also comes from baseball.

During a game, players must run around a diamond-shaped field to score. At each corner is a base that players must touch to get a point. Players usually run as fast as possible between them, which means that the time they “touch” each base is very short. So if you tell someone, “Let’s touch base soon,” you’re basically saying, “Let’s talk briefly soon.” 

• My schedule is full of meetings this week, but let's touch base soon to discuss the project.
• Hi Steve, I just wanted to touch base with you, because I’ve received complaints about your behavior from HR, and wanted to learn more about what may have happened.

Drop the Ball (idiom)

In most ball games, dropping the ball means losing a chance to score.

Outside of sports, “dropping the ball” means to fail or forget to do something. In fact, the phrase usually comes with an apology.

For example, if you invite someone to meet up and then forget to reply to them, you can say, “Sorry, I dropped the ball. Are you free to chat next Wednesday?”

• I’m so sorry I dropped the ball on this project. I’ll have more time for it now that I’ve finished work on other tasks.
• The company's security department dropped the ball when hackers were allowed to steal sensitive information from the database.

Get the Ball Rolling (idiom)

As our lesson on soccer expressions explains, “At the beginning of a soccer game, one player rolls the ball to another. So the expression ‘get the ball rolling’ means to start an activity.”

• Let’s meet next week so we can get the ball rolling on this project.
• Once Olivia returns from vacation, we can have a meeting and get the ball rolling on our new website.

Call the Shots (idiom)

The origins of this phrase are unclear, but it’s said that it comes from billiards or target practice. Both of these are sports in which people might announce what they’re going to hit before shooting.

In business, the person who “calls the shots” makes the important decisions.

• You’ll have to talk to my boss about this proposal. He’s the one who calls the shots here, not me.
• The person who calls the shots must be prepared to make tough decisions under pressure.

Pass Along/On (phrasal v.)

Many sports require people to “pass,” or transfer, a ball to a teammate.

In business, people often use the same word as a casual way to talk about sending information to other people. (Just like tossing a ball, you are moving something from yourself to someone else.)

• Thanks for sending your CV. I’ll pass it on to our hiring manager, who will reach out if your application moves to the next round.
• Dear managers, if you haven’t already, please complete this survey and pass it on to your team members.

Related article: 11 Phrasal Verbs with "Make"

Your Turn!

As you can see, even expressions that come from baseball fields and soccer matches can still be used in professional situations.

Try to use some of these expressions the next time you speak to a client or write an email. Using them effectively will definitely make your English sound more like that of a native speaker.

If you'd like to learn more about the sports and business worlds mixing, check out this article next: 5 Racing Terms Used in Business English.

The post 7 Business English Expressions that Come From Sports [Updated] appeared first on Engoo Blog.

So what can you do?

Luckily, there are a few expressions you can use to communicate your rush without sounding impolite. Memorize them so you’ll be ready when the clock is ticking!

As quickly as you can

The first expression on our list is a direct but soft way to say you need something quickly. Don’t forget to use “please”!

I’d appreciate it if you could hurry

Using “appreciate” shows that you are thanking the person for moving quickly. Expressions like this are mostly used when speaking to someone with a lower rank or position.

In order to make sure this is expressed in a friendly way, you’ll need to have a polite tone of voice and facial expression.

Adding a “thank you” after the other person’s response will also help the communication stay friendly and polite.

If it’s not too much trouble

You can say this any time you ask someone to do something for you. It expresses that you are only making a request, not making a demand.

I’m sorry to rush you

A great way to make an urgent request more polite is by apologizing for it.

It would be great if ~

This expression communicates that you would like something done quickly but without putting too much pressure on the other person. Therefore, if it is very important that something be done by a certain time, you should use a different expression.

You can replace "great" with other positive adjectives, such as "fantastic" or "awesome."

I’ll need that soon

This expression is a bit more direct than the others we’ve listed so far. Again, it’s best if you have a higher position than the person you’re speaking with, but you can combine it with some other expressions to make it sound softer.

ASAP

This is a common acronym that is short for “as soon as possible.” It is also the most direct way to request something quickly on our list. Combine it with an apology to make it softer.

This is a priority

A priority is something that is more important than other things. In both work and everyday situations, priority tasks are completed before everything else.

You can also use the verb form “prioritize.”

Wrap-up

Addressing people with respect and politeness is necessary for keeping good relationships with your colleagues. This is true even in urgent situations.

Use the expressions introduced here along with a polite tone of voice and a smile to help you get what you need while keeping your relationships healthy and strong. Learn them now so you’ll be ready when you need them!

For more useful business phrases, this article introduces seven expressions for making demands politely. Check it out!

The post 8 Expressions for Making Urgent Requests Politely appeared first on Engoo Blog.

But even if the rest of your letter is written perfectly, you aren’t finished until you’ve "signed off," or added an appropriate conclusion. This article will take a look at different ways to complete your email or letter depending on the kind of message you’re writing and who you are writing to.

Formal letters

The following are all standard choices for ending formal letters, such as business emails and invitations to formal events.

• Sincerely,
• Respectfully,
• With respect,
• Best/Kind/Warm regards,
• Cordially,

"Sincerely" is the adverb form of "sincere," which describes true, genuine feelings. Meanwhile, "cordially" is the adverb form of "cordial," which means friendly and polite.

Informal letters

If your letter is not related to business or professional matters — or if you simply have a closer relationship with the recipient — you can use one of the following sign-offs:

Best,

This is a shortened version of "Best regards," as we've covered earlier.

Talk soon, / See you soon,

These are useful for people that you see frequently, or for people you plan to see in the near future.

(Many) Thanks,

This is a friendly way to end a letter even if you aren't thanking the recipient for something specific.

Have a good day/evening/weekend,

Simple!

Yours truly,

This expression is quite common even for formal letters. However, that doesn't mean it's actually appropriate in those situations. In reality, telling someone that you are "theirs" has a nuance of closeness that should be saved for special people in your personal life.

Thank-you letters

If the purpose of your message is to thank the other person, you can also use one of the following expressions:

• With gratitude,
• With much appreciation,
• Thank you for your time/consideration,

"Thank you for your time/consideration" sounds more formal than the others and is especially good for things like cover letters sent with résumés.

Other ways to sign off

The following ways are all quite casual and should be reserved for friends and close family members.

Love,

This one probably does not need to be explained. This is best for people very close to you.

Cheers,

This is a common way of saying "Thanks" in British English.

XOXO
This is a short way of saying "hugs and kisses," so it is obviously not appropriate for professional messages!

Wrap-up

When it’s time to wrap up your letter, choose one of these expressions to match the type and tone of your message. This is the best way to leave your reader with a positive impression and create opportunities for more communication in the future.

The post Signing Off: How to End a Letter in English appeared first on Engoo Blog.

Use this article as a quick reference to help you understand what many of the most common tech terms mean. The next time you read them online or hear about them in a store, you'll be prepared!

Computer abbreviation meanings

CPU

An essential part of any electronic device is its CPU, which stands for "Central Processing Unit." CPUs make calculations and allow other features to run, or operate. They are often called the "brains" of a computer.

OS

OS is short for "Operating System." An operating system allows a computer's hardware (chips, circuits, etc.) to communicate with its software. 

When you download apps and other programs, they must be compatible, or able to be used, with your device's OS.

RAM and ROM

If you are shopping for a new computer, you should pay attention to these two abbreviations.

Unlike the others on this list, these are actually pronounced like regular words instead of saying each letter individually. However, please note that "ram" also has another meaning that is not related to computers or technology.

RAM stands for "Random Access Memory," and it stores data used by documents, videos and websites. A large amount of RAM will allow your device to do many or heavy tasks without slowing down.

(By the way, Random Access Memories is the name of the very popular 2013 album by the French funk and electronic duo Daft Punk!)

Next, we have ROM, which is short for "Read-Only Memory." Unlike RAM, ROM cannot be changed; instead, it contains the basic instructions that electronic devices need to operate.

HTML

This stands for "Hypertext Markup Language." This is the language used to build the webpages we browse every day. 

HTTP

Have you ever noticed the "http" at the beginning of the web addresses in your browser's search bar? It is short for "Hypertext Transfer Protocol." If you see an "s" at the end, it stands for "Secure."

ISP

ISP stands for "Internet Service Provider." These are companies that sell access to the internet. Depending on where you live, internet service may be sold together with phone service or other digital products.

SEO

This term has become very important for businesses in nearly every industry. It stands for "Search Engine Optimization."

When you "optimize" something, you make it as good or effective as possible. For companies and individuals who want to promote themselves, good SEO can make it easier for people to find them online.

SIM card

Many people are familiar with SIM cards, but have you ever wondered what those letters stand for? It's "Subscriber Identifier Module." Mystery solved! 

SIM cards are small chips inside phones and tablets that allow them to be identified on a cellular network. They connect your device to your unique account or phone number.

Like RAM and ROM, "SIM" is pronounced as a word.

VR and AR

You may know that VR stands for "Virtual Reality," which is an environment created in a computer that appears to be real.

AR, on the other hand, stands for "Augmented Reality."

"Augmenting" something is enhancing it or making it better in some way. Instead of creating a new world, like in VR, AR adds something to our real world. 

IP

IP is short for "Internet Protocol," which is the set of rules that controls how data moves across the internet.

Even if you aren't in the tech industry, you may still hear about IP addresses, which are numbers that identify devices connected to the internet, such as phones, computers and even household appliances! 

VPN

A VPN is a "Virtual Private Network." VPNs hide your device's true IP address so your internet service provider thinks your computer is located in a different place than it actually is. They can also encrypt your data, which makes it more difficult to read and understand by anyone other than the sender or recipient.

One popular use for VPNs is "tricking" streaming services into giving access to films and television shows from other parts of the world that normally are not available.

Wrap-up

Even though we see many of these abbreviations every day, most people do not stop to think about what they mean. But now you know! Additionally, learning the individual words will help you recognize them when you see them separately from these abbreviations.

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There isn't as big of a difference between the two as many students think. After all, the grammar and sentence structure are basically the same. However, there are some differences, mostly in word choice and expressions for particular situations. To help you understand how and when to use both, this article will look at each type in detail.

Summary of differences

Basically, using more informal language creates less of a separation between you and the person you are speaking with. Using formal phrases sounds unnatural when speaking to family or close friends, whether in person or through texts and emails.

Some languages, such as Japanese and Korean, have clear rules about levels of politeness when speaking to elders and people with a high rank. While English has both formal and informal ways to say things, the difference between them is much less strict compared to these other languages.

Characteristics of formal English

Formal English basically has the following characteristics:

• Fewer contractions
• No slang
• Polite expressions
• Generally longer words and expressions

Characteristics of informal English

Informal English is characterized by the following things:

• Many abbreviations and contractions
• Usage of slang
• Shorter, more casual expressions
• More idioms
• More backchanneling

Let's take a closer look at what separates these two types. 

Contractions and abbreviations

As we mentioned above, the use of contractions is a big difference between the two styles. Though very common in casual English, abbreviations are often avoided in more formal communication. In the list below, the informal contractions are on the left, and the more formal versions are on the right.

• I'll > I will
• we'll > we will
• don't > do not
• wanna > want to
• gonna > going to
• gotta > got to
• hafta > have to

Actually, the first three examples on this list are usually OK even when speaking professionally. However, abbreviations such as "wanna" and "hafta" should definitely not be used in formal situations.

Common expressions

Using or not using slang and casual expressions is a big way to change your style of speech in English. Look at the different ways to greet someone in the following examples.

Similarly, there are various ways to respond to requests or to confirm information.

*This expression comes from the US military, which uses special words to represent individual letters in radio communication. "Roger" represents the letter "R," which itself is short for "received," as in "Message received" or "I understand."

If you have to refuse an invitation or give someone bad news, you have these options:

Politeness level

When making requests, the situation and person you are speaking to should determine which level you use. For example, "Can you~" is not bad in business situations, but "Would you~" is better.

Next, let's look at ways to thank someone.

Adverbs and conjunctions

Listed below are regular adverbs and conjunctions on the left and their more formal versions on the right.

The regular words are not necessary to use for business; it is fine to use "so" and "but" whether you're communicating with close friends or with your boss. However, if you are writing a business document or an academic paper, the higher-level words can make your work sound more professional.

• so > therefore
• but > however
• maybe > perhaps / possibly

There are many more words like this that have informal and formal versions.

Homonyms

Depending on the situation in which they are used, some words have completely different meanings. These words are called "homonyms."

Sometimes meanings can also change depending on the type of industry a company is in, so it's a good idea to learn the specific words used in your business.

Numbers

Writing numbers in letters is rare in everyday English. However, you can often see this in business English, especially on formal documents, contracts and checks. 

Wrap-up

As you can see, rather than totally different grammar and special terms, the differences between formal and casual English mostly come from small changes and careful word choices. So for readers who are wondering which one to study, you may need to change the way you think about it. 

Each industry will have unique words and expressions, but in general, there is no "business English," only English that is more polite. And since there will always be times when politeness is appropriate, it's important to learn the different ways you can express the same ideas. Learning both styles will prepare you to speak confidently no matter what situation you are in.

Adapted from an article written by Tamaki Saito

The post What's the Difference Between Business English and Regular English? appeared first on Engoo Blog.

Sometimes, such as when serving guests, insisting may actually be polite. And in the business world, when plans and prices are sensitive, it may not be possible to accept changes or alternative suggestions.

So how can you insist while still being polite? This article will introduce several ways to do exactly that.

I must insist

This is the most straightforward way to make a strong request of your conversation partner. It's bold but still polite. 

I can't budge

"Budge" is a verb meaning "to move slightly." It is used literally when talking about very heavy objects and figuratively for difficult points in negotiations.

If you are unable to budge, it means that you cannot or will not change something such as a price or other details of an agreement.

As far as I can go

If you've reached your limit on something, you can use this expression to politely express it.

"Far" can be changed to "high," "low" or other adjectives that are appropriate for the situation.

I'm not prepared to __ more

Use this expression with verbs such as "pay" or "offer" to express the maximum you can do.

Non-negotiable

If something is non-negotiable, it cannot be negotiated. In other words, it must be part of the agreement without being changed.

Off the table

In negotiation, something that is "on the table" can be discussed and debated. On the other hand, if a topic is "off the table," it is no longer possible or available.

Not take no for an answer

This expression is very bold and direct. In business situations, it is rarely spoken to someone you are negotiating with. However, you may use it among colleagues when discussing an important meeting or agreement.

It's more commonly used in casual situations when extending invitations, often with a friendly tone of voice and a soft smile.

Protect your relationships and yourself

Flexibility is important in many areas of life. However, particularly in business, there are times when accepting an alternative is impossible or would lead to negative results.

Prepare yourself for these situations by learning these polite ways to insist. Remember that your facial expression and tone of voice work together with your words to create a polite feeling, so be sure to use them all!

For more examples of useful phrases for business situations, we recommend this article on making urgent requests politely.

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