This document provides an overview of key expressions and grammar structures commonly used in business English communication. It covers collocations, question forms, word stress rules, phrases for conversation participation, uses of the present perfect and future tenses, conditional sentences, and expressions for agreeing and disagreeing. The goal is to help non-native English speakers develop proficiency in business English vocabulary and grammar to effectively communicate in logistics processes and management.

1. Logistics process improvement

2. Tabla de contenido
Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1
Concept map.......................................................................................................... 2
1. Vocabulary: collocations.................................................................................. 3
What is a collocation? ......................................................................................... 3
Why learn collocations? ...................................................................................... 3
How to learn collocations .................................................................................... 3
Types of collocation ............................................................................................ 4
2. Wh questions..................................................................................................... 4
Some other expressions with What and Which................................................... 5
Word order in questions ...................................................................................... 6
3. Word stress rules.............................................................................................. 7
Stress on first syllable ......................................................................................... 7
Stress on last syllable ......................................................................................... 7
Stress on penultimate syllable............................................................................. 7
Stress on ante-penultimate syllable .................................................................... 9
4. Phrases to participate in conversation ........................................................... 9
5. Present perfect................................................................................................ 10
Use.................................................................................................................... 10
6. Conditional sentences.................................................................................... 13
7. Future time....................................................................................................... 14
8. Oral presentations .......................................................................................... 15
Do ..................................................................................................................... 15
Don’t:................................................................................................................. 15
Useful language for presentations..................................................................... 16
9. Expressions for agreeing and disagreeing................................................... 17
References........................................................................................................... 23

3. 1
Introduction
Fuente: Pixabay (2016)
Is vital to know different expressions of the English language frequently used in the
business world and its pronunciation are essential for the development of the
logistics processes, due to allow an accurate and effective communication in the
different scales of the supply chain links and all the logistic process management,
especially when the partakers involved are native English speakers.
Because of the preview information, in this training material will be study the types
of common expression such as placements, Wh questions and some grammatical
figures often used.
Fast
food
What is your
name? Finally

4. 2
Concept map
In the conceptual map that is shared below, you can see the thematic content
interrelationship that arises in this learning material:

5. 3
1. Vocabulary: collocations
What is a collocation?
A collocation is two or more words that often go together. These combinations just
sound "right" to native English speakers, who use them all the time. On the other
hand, other combinations may be unnatural and just sound "wrong".
Natural English... Unnatural English...
The fast train.
Fast food.
The quick train.
Quick food.
A quick shower.
A quick meal.
A fast shower.
A fast meal.
Why learn collocations?
 Your language will be more natural and more easily understood.
 You will have alternative and richer ways of expressing yourself.
 It is easier for our brains to remember and use language in chunks or blocks
rather than as single words.
How to learn collocations
 Be aware of collocations, and try to recognize them when you see or hear
them.
 Treat collocations as single blocks of language. Think of them as individual
blocks or chunks, and learn strongly support, not strongly + support.
 When you learn a new word, write down other words that collocate with it
(remember rightly, remember distinctly, remember vaguely, remember vividly).
 Read as much as possible. Reading is an excellent way to learn vocabulary and
collocations in context and naturally.

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 Revise what you learn regularly. Practice using new collocations in context as
soon as possible after learning them.
 Learn collocations in groups that work for you. You could learn them by topic
(time, number, weather, money, family) or by a particular word (take action, take
a chance, take an exam).
 You can find information on collocations in any good learner's dictionary. And
you can also find specialized dictionaries of collocations.
Types of collocation
There are several different types of collocation made from combinations of verb,
noun, adjective etc. Some of the most common types are:
 Adverb + adjective: completely satisfied (NOT downright satisfied).
 Adjective + noun: excruciating pain (NOT excruciating joy).
 Noun + noun: a surge of anger (NOT a rush of anger).
 Noun + verb: lions roar. (NOT lions shout).
 Verb + noun: commit suicide (NOT undertake suicide).
 Verb + expression with preposition: burst into tears (NOT blow up in tears).
 Verb + adverb: wave frantically (NOT wave feverishly).
2. Wh questions
To ask about: We use
A thing.
What’s that under the table?
Which is your report?
A time.
When is the meeting with the boss?
What time is the meeting with the boss?

7. 5
A place.
Where did you get the feedback from
your boss?
A person. Who is your favorite colleague?
The way you do something. How do you export a product?
The reason for doing something.
Why are you implementing an evaluation
of your logistics process?
A period of time. How long does the meeting last?
The number of times you do
something.
How often do you evaluate your product?
The cost of something. How much does the transportation cost?
 We use what if there are many possible answers:
What is your name?
 We use Which if there are only a few possible answers.
Which do your prefer; coffee or tea?
Some other expressions with What and Which
What sort / kind of company have you got?
Which places do you want to visit?
What time does the office open?
Which part of Mexico is Monterrey in?
What color is the product?

8. 6
Word order in questions
 Be
With the verb be we ‘invent’ the subject and the verb.
They are in the meeting room. Are they in the meeting room?
You were late for the conference. Were you late for class?
 Modal verbs
With modal verbs (can, will, might) we also invert the subject and the verb to
form the question.
Erika can present the plan. Can Erika present the plan?
 Other verbs
With other verbs, we put the auxiliary verb do or does before the subject if you
are using present simple.
They work in the office. Do the work in the office?
Jamie has his own business. Does Jamie have his own business?
The question word comes before the auxiliary verb.
Where do you have the conference?
How often do you have meetings with your boss?

9. 7
3. Word stress rules
There are two very simple rules about word stress:
 One word has only one stress. (One word cannot have two stresses. If you
hear two stresses, you hear two words. Two stresses cannot be one word. It is
true that there can be a "secondary" stress in some words. But a secondary
stress is much smaller than the main [primary] stress, and is only used in long
words.)
 We can only stress vowels, not consonants. Here are some more, rather
complicated, rules that can help you understand where to put the stress. But do
not rely on them too much, because there are many exceptions. It is better to try
to "feel" the music of the language and to add the stress naturally.
Stress on first syllable
Rule Example
Most 2 - syllable nouns. Present - export - China - table.
Most 2 - syllable adjectives.
Present - slender - clever -
happy.
Stress on last syllable
Rule Examples
Most 2 - syllable verbs. Present - export - decide - begin.
Stress on penultimate syllable
(Penultimate = second from end).
Rule Example
Words ending in – ic. Graphic - geographic - geologic.
Words ending in - sion and -
tion.
Television - revelation.

10. 8

11. 9
Stress on ante-penultimate syllable
(Ante-penultimate = third from end).
Rule Example
Words ending in - cy, - ty, - phy
and - gy.
Democracy - dependability,
photography - geology.
Words ending in – al. Critical - geological.
Compound words
(Words with two parts).
Rule Example
For compound nouns, the stress
is on the first part.
Blackbird - greenhouse.
For compound adjectives, the
stress is on the second part.
Bad-tempered, old-fashioned.
For compound verbs, the stress is
on the second part.
Understand, overflow.
4. Phrases to participate in conversation
Giving an opinion Asking for opinions
In my opinion…
It seems to me that…
What’s your feeling?
What do you think about…?
Managing the discussion Disagreeing tactfully
Do we all agree on that, then?
Perhaps you should break for coffee.
Could we come back to this later?
I agree up to a point, but…

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Interrupting Asking for clarification
Sorry, but could I just say… So are you saying that…?
Persuading
One point to consider…
Isn’t it the case that…?
5. Present perfect
The present perfect is formed from the present tense of the verb have and the past
participle of a verb.
The present perfect continuous is formed with have/has been and the -ing form of
the verb.
Use
We use the present perfect tense:
 For something that started in the past and continues in the present:
o They’ve worked in the company for nearly twenty years.
o She has planned this meeting since last two weeks.
 For something we have done several times in the past and continue to do:
o We’ve implemented warehousing procedures for two months.
o He has written two reports so far this week.
Note: We normally use the present perfect continuous for this:
 She has been working in the company for twenty years.
 The logistics group has been discussing about the project.

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o I’ve been planning a new improvement process.
 We often use a clause with since to show when something started in the past:
o They’ve been working on the project since last week.
o I have worked here since I left school.
o I’ve been attending the meeting since it started.
 When we are talking about our experience up to the present:
We often use the adverb ever to talk about experience up to the present:
o My last meeting with the boss was the worst day I have ever had.
And we use never for the negative form:
A: Have you ever met the manager?
B: Yes, but I’ve never met his wife.
 For something that happened in the past but is important at the time of
speaking:
o I can’t get in my office. I’ve lost my keys.
o Teresa isn’t in the meeting room. I think she has gone home.
o I’m tired out. I’ve been working all day.
 We use the present perfect of be when someone has gone to a place and
returned:
A: Where have you been?
B: I’ve just been out to have some coffee.
But when someone has not returned we use have/has gone:
A: Where is Maria? I haven’t seen her for weeks.

14. 12
B: She's gone to Paris for a new business for a week. She’ll be back tomorrow.
 We often use the present perfect with time adverbials which refer to the recent
past:
Just; only just; recently; already.
o Scientists have recently discovered a new breed of monkey.
o We have just used the most cost-effective packaging method.
 Or adverbials which include the present:
Ever (in questions); so far; until now; up to now; yet (in questions and
negatives).
o Have you ever exported a product?
o Where have you been up to now?
o Have you finished your report yet?
Warning
We do not use the present perfect with an adverbial which refers to
past time which is finished:
o I have checked the report yesterday.
o We have just implemented a new plan last week.
o When we were students we have been to some congresses.
But we can use it to refer to a time which is not yet finished:
Have you seen Helen today?
We have presented an improvement plan this week.

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6. Conditional sentences
A conditional sentence typically consists of an If-clause (which presents a
condition) and a result clause.
Example:
If the company manufactures a product from parts purchased from suppliers, and
those products are then sold to customers, one will be able to speak about a
supply chain.
Overview of basics verbs forms used in conditional sentences
Situation If-clause Result clause Example
True in the present /
future (first conditional)
Simple
present
Will + simple form
If companies
improve the
efficiency of their
logistics processes,
they will gain and
edge over their
competitors.
Untrue in the present /
future (second
conditional)
Simple past
Would + simple
form
If companies didn’t
reduce
transportation costs,
they would face
problems.
Untrue in the past
(third conditional)
Past perfect
Would have +
past participle
If the company had
improved the
logistics planning,
they would have
had higher
productivity, happier
customers, and a
more profitable
company.

16. 14
7. Future time
Will vs. be going to
To express a prediction: use will
The improvement of logistics planning
will inevitably lead to higher
productivity, happier customers, and a
more profitable company.
When the speaker is making a
prediction (a statement about
something she/he thinks that will be
true or will occur in the future), use will.
To express a prior plan or intention: use be going to
The company is going to evaluate the
logistics process in the next meeting.
When the speaker is expressing a prior
plan (something the speaker intends to
do in the future because in the past
she / he made a plan or decision to do
it), only be going to is used.
Future progressive
The staff will be having the meeting
during the morning.
The future progressive expresses an
activity that will be in progress at a time
in the future.
Future perfect
By the time the day ends, the
employees will have received
feedback.
The future perfect expresses an activity
that will be completed before another
time or event in the future. (Note: by the
time introduces a time clause; the
simple present is used in the time
clause).
Future perfect progressive
When the manager of the company
retires next year, he will have been
working in the company for 20 years.
The future perfect progressive
emphasizes the duration of an activity
that will be in progress before another
time or event in the future.

17. 15
8. Oral presentations
Here are the British Council top tips for oral presentations:
Do
 Use the planning time to prepare what you’re going to say.
 If you are allowed to have a note card, write short notes in point form.
 Use more formal language.
 Use short, simple sentences to express your ideas clearly.
 Pause from time to time and don’t speak too quickly. This allows the listener to
understand your ideas. Include a short pause after each idea.
 Speak clearly and at the right volume.
 Have your notes ready in case you forget anything.
 Practice your presentation. If possible record yourself and listen to your
presentation.
 If you can’t record yourself, ask a friend to listen to you. Does your friend
understand you?
 Make your opinions very clear. Use expressions to give your opinion.
 Look at the people who are listening to you.
Don’t:
 Write out the whole presentation and learn every word by heart.
 Write out the whole presentation and read it aloud.
 Use very informal language.
 Only look at your note card. It’s important to look up at your listeners when you
are speaking.

18. 16
Useful language for presentations
Explain what your presentation is about at the beginning:
 I’m going to talk about ...
 I’d like to talk about ...
 The main focus of this presentation is ...
 Use these expressions to order your ideas:
 First of all, ...
 Firstly, ...
 Then, ...
 Secondly, ...
 Next, ...
 Finally, ...
 Lastly, ...
 To sum up, ...
 In conclusion, ...
Use these expressions to add more ideas from the same point of view:
 In addition, ...
 What’s more, ...
 Also, ...
 Added to this, ...

19. 17
To introduce the opposite point of view you can use these words and expressions:
 However, ...
 On the other hand, ...
 Then again, ...
9. Expressions for agreeing and disagreeing
Stating an opinion Interruptions
• In my opinion...
• If you want my honest opinion....
• According to Lisa...
• As far as I'm concerned...
• If you ask me...
• Asking for an opinion…
• Can I add something here?
• If I might add something...
• Sorry to interrupt, but...
Expressing agreement Settling an argument
• I agree with you 100 percent.
• I couldn't agree with you more.
• That's so true.
• That's for sure.
• You're absolutely right.
• Absolutely.
• That's exactly how I feel.
• Exactly.
• I'm afraid I agree with James.
• (Agree with negative statement) Me
neither.
• (Weak) I suppose so. / I guess so.
• You have a point there.
• I was just going to say that.
• Let's just move on, shall we?
• Let's drop it.
• I think we're going to have to agree
to disagree.
Expressing disagreement
• I don't think so.
• I'm afraid I disagree.
• (Strong) I totally disagree.
• (Strong) I'd say the exact opposite.
• Not necessarily.
• That's not always true.
• That's not always the case.
• No, I'm not so sure about that.

20. 18
Review of tenses
Simple present
Affirmative She drinks.
Negative She does not drink.
Interrogative Does she drink?
Form I, you we they play | he, she, it plays.
Uses
• Action in the present taking place once, never or several
times.
• Facts.
• Actions taking place one after another.
• Action set by a timetable or schedule.
Present progressive
Affirmative He is reading.
Negative He is not reading.
Interrogative Is he reading?
Form To be (in the simple present) + verb + ing.
Uses
• Action taking place at the moment of speaking.
• Action arranged for the future.
Simple past
Affirmative I cried.
Negative I did not cry.
Interrogative Did I cry?
Form
Regular verbs: verb + ed | Irregular verbs: forms differ and
should be learned by heart.
Uses
• Action in the past taking place once, never or several times.
• Actions taking place one after another.

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Past progressive
Affirmative He was driving.
Negative He was not driving.
Interrogative Was he driving?
Form To be (in the simple past) + verb + ing.
Uses
• Action going on at a certain time in the past.
• Actions taking place at the same time.
• Action in the past that is interrupted by another action.
Present perfect simple
Affirmative They have slept.
Negative They have not slept.
Interrogative Have they slept?
Form
• Have / has + past participle (past participle of regular verbs:
verb + ed.
• Past participle of irregular verbs: forms differ and should be
learned by heart.
Uses
• Emphasis is on the result (not the duration).
• Action that started in the past & is still going on.
• Action that stopped recently.
• Finished action that has an influence on the present.
Present perfect progressive
Affirmative He has been thinking.
Negative He has not been thinking.
Interrogative Has he been thinking?
Form Have or has + been + verb + ing.
Uses
• Putting emphasis on the course or duration (not the result).
• Action that recently stopped or is still going on.
• Finished action that influenced the present.

22. 20
Past perfect simple
Affirmative She had won.
Negative She had not won.
Interrogative Had she won?
Form
• Had + past participle (past participle of regular verbs: verb +
ed.
• Past participle of irregular verbs: forms differ and should be
learned by heart.
Uses
• Action taking place before a certain time in the past.
• Sometimes interchangeable with past perfect progressive.
• Putting emphasis only on the fact (not the duration).
Past perfect progressive
Affirmative He had been waiting.
Negative He had not been waiting.
Interrogative Had he been waiting?
Form Had + been + verb + ing.
Uses
• Action taking place before a certain time in the past.
• Sometimes interchangeable with past perfect simple.
• Putting emphasis on the duration or course of an action.
Future simple
Affirmative I will open the door.
Negative I will not open the door.
Interrogative Will you open the door?
Form Will + verb.
Uses
• We use the simple future for instant decisions.
• We use the simple future when we predict a future situation.
• We use the simple future in conditional sentences type one.

23. 21
Future plan (going to)
Affirmative He is going to clean the car.
Negative He is not going to clean the car.
Interrogative Is he going to clean the car?
Form To be (in the simple present) + going + to + verb.
Uses
• To express the future when we intend to do something or
have decided to do something but did not arrange it. It is
just an intention.
• Predictions in the future.
Future plan (present progressive)
Affirmative He is traveling to Egypt next week.
Negative He is not traveling to Egypt next week.
Interrogative Is he traveling to Egypt next week?
Form To be (in the simple present) + verb + ing.
Uses
When we say what we have planned and arranged to do at a
specific time in the future. These are fixed plans with definite
time and / or place.
Future progressive
Affirmative She will be listening to music.
Negative She will not be listening to music.
Interrogative Will she be listening to music?
Form Will + be + verb + ing.
Uses
• Action that is going on at a certain time in the future.
• Action that is sure to happen in the near future.

24. 22
Future perfect
Affirmative He will have spoken.
Negative He will not have spoken.
Interrogative Will he have spoken?
Form
Will + have + past participle (past participle of regular verbs:
Verb + ed | Past participle of irregular verbs: forms differ and
should be learned by heart.
Uses Action that will be finished at a certain time in the future.

25. 23
References
 Allison, J. y Enmmerson, P. (s.f.). Meetings. Teamwork. The Business
Intermediate Student’s Book. Macmillan.
 British Council. (s.f.). Exams. Speaking exams. Oral presentations. Consultado
el 02 de diciembre de 2016, en http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org
 British Council. (s.f.). Grammar. Present perfect. Consultado el 02 de diciembre
de 2016, en https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org
 Cunningham, S. y Moor, P. Revision of Question forms. Cutting Edge pre-
intermediate. (2a
ed.). Longman.
 English Club. (s.f.). Collocations. Consultado el 02 de diciembre de 2016, en
https://www.englishclub.com
 English Club. (s.f.). Expressions for agreeing and disagreeing. Consultado el 02
de diciembre de 2016, en https://www.englishclub.com
 English Club. (s.f.). Pronunciation. Word Stress Rules. Consultado el 02 de
diciembre de 2016, en https://www.englishclub.com
 My English Pages. (2016). Review of tenses. Consultado el 02 de diciembre de
2016, en http://www.myenglishpages.com
 Pixabay. (2016). Retroalimenatción. Consultado el 17 de octubre de 2016, en
https://pixabay.com
 Schrampfer, B. (s.f.). Understanding and Using English Grammar. (2a
ed.).
Longman.

26. 24
Control del documento
Autor
Nombre Cargo Dependencia Fecha
Lina Marcela
Camargo León
Experta
técnica
Centro de Servicios
Empresariales y
Turísticos.
Regional Santander
Agosto de
2016
Adaptación
Luz Clarena
Arias González
Guionista -
línea de
producción
Centro
Agroindustrial.
Regional Quindío
Diciembre
de 2016