BUSINESS

CORRESPONDENCE

Prepared by Tuyen Le
ENQUIRIES
LESSON CONTENT
I. Definition
II. The format of an enquiry
III. Useful Languages
IV. Analysis of the sample
V. Practice
 I. Definition
• An enquiry is used to ask for
information
• A simple enquiry can be made by
email, fax, or cable.
• The contents of an enquiry will
depend on 3 things:
+ how well you know the supplier
+ whether the supplier is in your
country or abroad
+ the types of goods or services you are
enquiring about
 What’s the
purpose of this
letter?
 Format

Opening Making enquiry Closing

- Introduce about you - Asking about price list, - Thank

and your catalogue - Mention the
organization - Asking for details prompt reply
- How did you hear - Asking for samples, - Indicate further
demonstration, etc. business you
about the company - Suggesting terms, payment would be
you are contacting methods, discounts interested in
- Other references - Asking for goods on approval,
or on sale or return
- Asking for an estimate or
III. USEFUL LANGUAGE
1. Opening
III. USEFUL LANGUAGE
1. Opening
III. USEFUL
LANGUAGE
2. Making enquiry: Asking for catalogues, price lists, etc.
III. USEFUL LANGUAGE • Be specific and state exactly
2. Making enquiry: Asking for details what you want
III. USEFUL LANGUAGE
2. Making enquiry: Asking for samples, patterns and demonstrations
 III. USEFUL
LANGUAGE
2. Making enquiry:
•Suggesting terms,
methods of payment,
and discounts
III. USEFUL LANGUAGE
2. Making enquiry:
Asking for goods on
approval, or on sale or
return
III. USEFUL LANGUAGE
2. Making enquiry: Asking for an estimate or tender

Estimates are quotations to

complete a job

Tender are similar quotations but

in written from
III. USEFUL LANGUAGE
2. Making enquiry: Asking for an estimate or tender
A company may write CIRCULAR
LETTERS to several suppliers,
inviting offers to complete a job
III. USEFUL LANGUAGE

3.
IV. ANALYSIS OF THE SAMPLE

P.43
To indicate that he may be able
to sell a large quantity of CDs

From an advertisement

He wants leading brands

suitable for domestic recording,
and some samples.

Trade discounts

Yours sincerely
a. Leading
b. Brand
c. Substantial
d. discount
IV. ANALYSIS OF THE SAMPLE

P.45
Chain of retailers

Men’s leisurewear

At Hamburg Menswear
Exhibition

Quantity and trade

discounts
 30-day bill of exchange,
documents against
acceptance

Over 500

a. range
b. displayed
c. Net price
d. garment
III. Practice
1. Polite request
III. Practice 1. Polite request

that the consignment is delivered before the end of September

please send us your catalogue and a price list?

order, we would like to know if you allow quantity discounts?

email us if you are unable to deliver the goods

it if you could send us some samples

III. Practice 1. Polite request
you could send one of your representatives here to give us an estimate

in seeing a demonstration of both models

able to let us have twenty units on approval?

when you will be able to let us have the cheque

our suppliers allow us to settle by monthly statement.

III. Practice Exercise 2
to by
of

for in with

at
of
in
in in
for
III. Practice
Exercise 3: Writing Practice
o