Emailing- Prepositions and Determiners Pairwork

Emailing prepositions and determiners pairwork

Choose one section below and read out phrases with the same word in bold missing (“Could you possibly tell me BEEP dot dot dot?” etc) until your partner guesses what the missing word is. They can only guess once per example, so say another example if they guess wrongly. When they guess correctly, read out the ones they got wrong to help them remember them, then switch roles and guess the one missing word from your partner’s phrases. Take turns doing the same thing until your teacher tells you to stop. You can start with any section and any examples you like. If you don’t use all of the examples in one section, you can go back later and use the remaining examples. If you run out of examples, make up more example sentences and/ or give hints such as the first letter or meaning of the missing word.

Useful phrases for doing the task “Sorry, could you say the sentence again?” “I have no idea. Can you give me another example?”   “No, that’s not what is written here. I’ll give you another example.” “Sorry, you can only guess once per example. I’ll say another sentence.” “That’s correct.”   “Can you read them all again so I can hear the correct sentences?”

Swap worksheets and do the same, but make sure you start with the most difficult sections and examples this time (because your partner has already seen that worksheet).

Ask about any phrases you don’t understand, words in bold that you think could be different, etc.

Do the grammar presentation below, first of all with no help.

Look at the example sentences to help with the grammar presentation and to start checking your answers.

Do the brainstorming task on the last page below.

Use the completed descriptions of the grammar to help and to start checking your answers.  

Look at the first worksheets for ideas, brainstorm more, then compare your extra phrases as a class or with a list of phrases.

 

Student A

About

• Could you possibly tell me something about the next sales conference?
• How about coming for a drink with us on Tuesday?
• I’d like to enquire about your new range of products.
• I’m sorry about
• You also asked me about…
• I’m writing to you about our meeting next week.

 

Any

• Any feedback you can give me on this would be gratefully accepted.
• If you have any more questions, please let me know.
• Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any further assistance.
• Once again, please accept our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience caused.

 

As

• As promised, I’m sending you a copy of…
• As we discussed, here are my proposals for…
• That’s no problem. I’ll finish it as soon as I can.

 

From

• Are you free from two to three?
• I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.
• Looking forward to hearing from
• Say “Hi” to John from

 

On

• Are you free to meet on Monday 25th?
• I’m visiting one of your colleagues on Wednesday 25th March.
• Unfortunately, I have a conference overseas on that day.
• See you on the 12^th.

 

The

• All the best
• Are you available the week after next?
• Here’s the information that you asked for.
• I’m afraid that’s the best I can do.
• I’m afraid this really needs to be finished by the end of the week
• I’m writing to you about the meeting next week.
• Please see the attached XL document for more details.
• Please find the document attached.
• Please see the information below.
• Thank you for making the time to see me yesterday.
• This is due to the fact that…

 

To

• I hope we have the chance to meet again soon.
• I regret to inform you that…
• I was wondering if you would be able to help us with…
• I’d love to come, but…
• I’ll get back to you by Tuesday.
• I’m looking forward to seeing you then.
• I’m sorry to tell you that…
• Thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday.
• We are pleased to inform you that…

 

With

• I hope that is acceptable with
• I’ll complete it next week, if that is okay with
• I’m available the day after tomorrow, if that is convenient with
• Unfortunately, I was not completely satisfied with your hotel’s…
• Why don’t you come with us?

 

Your

• I just got your request for…
• I’m looking forward to receiving your
• I hope you and your family are well.
• Your attendance would be very much appreciated at this event.
• I’m sorry that it’s taken me so long to reply to your
• Thank you for your
• Thanks for your

 

- (= nothing, no preposition or determiner)

• About the meeting – next week,…
• I’m afraid I’m attending a conference – overseas on that day.
• How are – things?
• Regarding the meeting – tomorrow afternoon,…

Swap worksheets and do the same, but making sure you start with the most difficult sections and examples (because your partner has already seen that worksheet).

Student B

A

• If anything about that isn’t clear, please drop me a
• If you could get this finished by Friday, that would be a great help.
• It was a pleasure to meet you yesterday.
• Just a quick note to say…
• Just a few words about…

 

Any

• Any assistance you could give me with this matter would be greatly appreciated.
• I would be very glad to fit you any time after that.
• If you need any further details, please feel free to contact me at any
• If you need any further information about this matter, please feel free to contact me.

 

At

• Any help at all would be much appreciated.
• I’m afraid that is not really possible at this time.
• If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.
• If you look at page three of the document attached, you will see that…
• That would have been great, but at that time I’m meeting…
• Unfortunately, I will be flying abroad at just that time.

 

For

• I’d like to ask for some information about…
• Monday is best for
• That is perfect for I look forward to seeing you then.
• Would it be possible for you to…?
• Would you like to go out for dinner on Wednesday?

 

In

• I don’t have time to reply in detail at the moment, but…
• I have to go to a meeting in a minute but I thought I’d better let you know…
• I would be very grateful if you could take action in the next few days.
• I’m writing to you in connection with the meeting next week.
• I’m writing to you in order to check your progress on…
• Sorry for the delay in arranging this.
• Thank you in
• The person in charge of this will email you soon.
• We are expecting a decision in the next few days.

 

My

• Please give my regards to John.
• I’ll ask one of my colleagues to contact you.
• Pass my best wishes onto John.
• Give my love to John.
• Sorry for my late reply.

To

• Can you forward this to Mr Jones?
• Do you have time to meet on Monday 25th?
• I’m delighted to inform you that…
• Looking forward to hearing from you.
• If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
• Sorry it’s taken me so long to reply to your email.
• Thank you for writing back to me so quickly.
• To: All staff:
• The amount that you sent does not seem to be correct.

 

Your

• Thank you for your quick reply.
• Thank you for your
• In reply to your questions,…
• Thank you very much for your email of 7 March.
• I’m looking forward to your
• Once again, thanks for all your help with this matter.

 

- (= nothing, no preposition or determiner)

• I’m writing to you about our meeting the week after – next.
• Can you meet – this week?
• I have arranged to visit – your colleagues on Wed 25th March.
• It was great to meet you – yesterday.
• Please let me know what time most suits – you.

Swap worksheets and do the same, but making sure you start with the most difficult sections and examples (because your partner has already seen that worksheet).

Determiners and prepositions grammar presentation

First of all without looking above, try to think of prepositions or determiners which match the definitions given below. Some prepositions or determiners can go in more than one place. Some could also be – (= no preposition and no determiner).

Determiners (= articles, etc)

One (of many) = “_________________________________________________ thing”

The reader knows which one you are talking about = “____________________ thing”

There is only one (in the world, etc) = “_________________________________ thing”

“____________________________________________________thing at all (is okay)”

Prepositions

Prepositions of time

The opposite of “ago” = “__________________________________________” + time

“_______________________________________________________” + a day/ a date

“______________________________________________________” + a point in time

“_______________________________________________ + this/ next/ last” + time

“_________________________________________ + today/ tomorrow/ yesterday”

Prepositions of position

“_____________________________________________________” + a point in space

Other prepositions

“__________________________________________________________” + the topic

“_________________________________________________” + the purpose/ reason

“__________________________________________________” = the opposite of “to”

“As” + adjective + “_____________________________________________________”

Together = “__________________________________________________________”

Look at the previous worksheets to check and finish the task above.

Check as a class or with the answer key below.

 

Determiners (= articles etc)

One (of many) = “________________________a______________________ thing” 

The reader knows which one you are talking about = “________the_________ thing”

There is only one (in the world etc) = “_________________the____________ thing”

“____________________________any___________________ thing at all (is okay)”

Prepositions

Prepositions of time

The opposite of “ago” = “_____________in_____________________________” + time

“________________________on__________________________” + a day/ a date

“__________________________at_______________________” + a point in time

“_______________________– ______________________ + this/ next/ last” + time

“______________________– __________________ + today/ tomorrow/ yesterday”

Prepositions of position

“__________________________at______________________” + a point in space

Other prepositions

“____________________________about/ on______________________” + the topic

“___________________to/ for________________________” + the purpose/ reason

“_________________________from______________________” = the opposite of “to”

“As” + adjective + “______________as_________________________________”

Together = “_____________________with_______________________________"

 

Brainstorming stage

Without looking above for now, try to remember or think of at least three phrases with each of the functions below. Phrases which aren’t above are also OK.

Opening greeting

 

 

 

Opening lines

 

 

 

Closing lines

 

 

 

Closing greetings

 

 

 

Body

Mentioning information elsewhere (attachments, text pasted in, links, websites, etc)

 

 

 

Requests/ Enquiries/ Asking for information

 

 

 

Responding to requests/ Responding to enquiries/ Giving information

 

 

 

Making complaints

 

 

 

Invitations/ Making arrangements

 

 

 

Apologising/ Dealing with complaints/ Giving bad news

 

 

 

 

Look above, brainstorm more, then compare your extra ideas as a class or with a list of phrases.