Unit 3: Transport

a, Say where we are when that person receives our message. Use the past simple:

S + V2/ed + …

For Example: I went for a drink with Lucy. My boyfriend called me so I went out with him.

b, Thank that person for something. Use “thank you for + sth/-ing”; “a big thank you for + sth/- ing”; “(many) thanks for + sth/-ing”; “thanks a million for + sth/-ing”:

For example: Thank you for an unforgettable evening. I really enjoyed the food and the music.

c, Pass on a message from another person/ Tell that person about something that has happened (present perfect). Use the past simple, present perfect and imperative:

Present perfect: S + have/ has + V3

E.g: He has cancelled tennis this afternoon.

Call him back after 5 o’clock.

d, Congratulating her/him on/for sth

Use: Congratulations!/ Well done!/ Congratulations on sth / Congratulate sb on sth / Congratulate sb for (doing) sth:

E.g : I’ve just heard that you passed all your exams. Congratulations!

e, Apologize for something.

Use: I’m (really) sorry for (sth/sb/ + verb-ing): Sorry for arriving late at your party. I’m sorry about (sth/sb/ + verb-ing): I’m really sorry about not being able to come to your party.

I’m sorry + (that) …: I’m sorry that I got so angry. / Sorry I lost my temper yesterday.

I’m sorry + to infinitive: I was sorry to miss your concert.

I must apologize for (+ verb-ing)…: I must apologize for not being able to come to your party.

f, Tell that person to do something, for example, give her/him instructions, an order…

e,g: Can you bring some nice food, please?

g, Tell that person to remember something. Use “Please remember to + infinitive”, “Please don’t forget to + infinitive”:

e.g: When you go out, please remember to leave one light on.

h, Invite that person to something or to do something/ Offer that person something. Use: I’m writing to invite you to … my birthday party on 26th July.

i, Make a suggestion or give advice. You can use a lot of structures:

Structures + infinitive:

I think we/you should …, We/You should …, We/You shouldn’t …, We/You could …, We/You can… I think you should do some exercise and eat lots of fruit and green vegetables.

k, Asking for advice/an opinion.

You can use “should” and other structures like the following: I’ve got a problem and I’d like your advice.

Do you think I should (+ inf)…?: Do you think I should hire a bicycle or travel around by car or bus?

Let's practice to improve your message and note writing skills!

Task 1: How do you normally send notes and messages to friends and colleagues.By text or email? What other ways do you use?

Task 2: Rewrite these phone messages as shorter text messages.

1. ' I'm sorry but I'm stuck in a traffic jam. I'll see you in half an hour.'

-> Sorry. Stuck in traffic. See you in 30 mins.

2. 'Thank you for booking the train tickets. I'll pay you when we meet at the station.'

3. 'Take the underground to Oxford Street and the Moon café is at the end of platform one.'

4. 'Peter wants to come with us in the taxi. Can a call him and tell him where to meet us?'

5. 'My flight is an hour late. Meet me at the arrivals terminal at five o'clock.'

Task 3: Write a short note or message for each situation.

a, Write a thank-you note to your care-giver when you were in hospital.

b, You have invited your English friend Jo to stay with you next month, but you now need to delay this visit.

Write a card to send to Jo. In your card, you should

• apologise to Jo

• explain why the visit has to be delayed

• suggest when it would be convenient for Jo to come.

Write about 45 words on your answer sheet.

Task 4: Generate a written list of sentences that are commonly found on notes, such as How are you?/ I miss you./ I’m sorry.

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