Requesting action

Учебный элемент 3 (УЭ – 3)

Requesting action, apologising, requesting information, telexes

A Study section

Constucciones Jimenez ask about delivery

Constucciones Jimenez SA, Spain, ordered some drills from Haga Verktyg AB, Sweden. They asked their bank for a letter of credit in Haga Verktyg’s favour but after two months Haga Verktyg had still not sent the goods.

Construcciones Jimenez
Dear Sirs We are writing in connection with our order no. 2886 for 5 Kraftborr drills. As it is now more than two months since we opened a letter of credit in your favour, we would be grateful if you could arrange shipment of the goods as soon as possible. We would also appreciate it if you could let us know exactly when the goods will arrive. We look forward to receiving the drills. Yours faithfully
Jose Munoz
Jose Muňoz
Manager
	Haga Verktyg
Dear Sr. Muňoz Thank you for your letter dated 13 May concerning your order for five of our drills. We must apologise for the delay in shipping this order. This was due to unforeseen circumstances. However, your order is being dealt with and will be sent without further delay. With apologies once again, Yours sincerely
Erik Stenlund
Erik Stenlund
Export Manager

in your favour:	in your name, payable to you.
a letter of credit (l/c):	a bank paper that guarantees payment.
unforeseen circumstances:	an unexpected situation (This phrase is often used when you do not want to give the real reason.).

1. What does Construcciones Jimenez want Haga Verktyg to do?

2. How exactly does Haga Verktyg apologise?

3. Why hasn’t Haga Verktyg sent the goods?

Requesting action

Here are some ways to ask people to do something for you.

If it is urgent, add:
Please could you …	as soon as possible
We would be grateful if you could …	without delay
We would appreciate it if you could …	immediately

Note: ‘Please could you …’ is the most direct. You can use this when you are asking for something usual.

1. These requests are all mixed up. In each sentence put the words and phrases in the correct order.

a) please / arrange / for ten o’clock / could / an appointment / you

b) we / send us / as soon as possible / would / if you / the goods / be grateful / could

c) we / without delay / appreciate it / you could / pay our bill / would / if

d) confirm / please / you / are the same / could / your prices / that

e) we / exactly when / appreciate it / if you / would / could / tell us / you will arrive

2. What would you write in the following situations?

a) You have seen an advertisement in the newspaper for a post as office manager. You want an application form.

b) The photocopier in your office has broken down. You want to have it repaired quickly.

c) You have moved your office and you want the post office to forward your letters to your new address.

d) You want the telephone company to put another telephone in your office. You need it urgently.

e) You have written to a company and you want them to reply quickly.