Wednesday's Assignment

Grammar in Context: Prepositional Collocations

Task 1:

Complete the sentences below with the correct verb or adjective followed by an appropriate preposition (e.g., for, to, with, about).

thank	apply	inform	respond
inquire	upset	interested	complain
invite	sorry	concerned	apologize

1. I would like to ...............................my absence at the meeting.

2. I am ........................the lack of supervision in the playground.

3. I am writing to ................................the poor service I received at your store.

4. I am very ........................... not being able to meet the deadline.

5. We would like to ......................you................. the ABC Company’s open house on Saturday, June 16 at 1:00 p.m.

6. I am writing to ............................you the new budget proposal.

7. I would like to take this opportunity to .....................you .................  being a loyal customer over the years.

8. I am ........................... finding out about the training programs that you offer.

9. I am very ...................................the way I was treated by one of your admin staff.

10. I am writing to ................................ the position you have available.

11. I am .....................................your advertisement in the Globe and Mail on June 3, 2009.

12. I would like to ...........................the position of Sales Manager that was advertised in the Kingston Whig Standard on September 31, 2010.

Task 2:

Write six sentences of your own using prepositional collocations.

Task 3:

Errors in Letter-writing Conventions

This letter has nine errors relating to proper business letter conventions. Underline the mistakes and correct them.

Mrs. Lucinda Minto, Manager

Bright Star Lighting Store

11 Glendale Ave.

Oshawa, ON L1H 8K9

Monday September 12, 2009

Dear Lucinda;

On August 25, 2009, I bought a floor lamp in your store. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to use it because it did not work properly. Every time I switched it on, it switched off by itself after about 30 minutes. I took the lamp back to the store but the salesgirl refused to give me my money back. I had a telephone conversation with you about it and you confirmed that your store’s policy is to exchange faulty merchandise rather than refund the money. Unfortunately, the lamp that I want is no longer available at your store. Given these circumstances, I would like to request that you refund my money.

I want to hear from you soon.

Cheers,

Marisa Romer

Task 4:

Answer the questions.

1. What is the purpose of the letter?

2. What is the problem?

3. What is the customer requesting?

4. Is it a reasonable request? Why?