提升商業英文專業度

Can you take the meeting minutes? 是請你做會議記錄 
會議紀錄英文不是 notes 或 record，而是時間單位「分鐘」的minute。這個字從拉丁文minutus (小)演化而來。以往會議紀錄都用小字草草記下，會議之後才用大字重謄，所以會議紀錄就沿用minutes。此外，它也可以當動詞用，minute a meeting 就是記錄會議內容。 

會議記錄重點 
1. discussion/ topics 記錄會上討論的事項與主題
2  resolution 決議
3. actions by whom 列出誰應該負責哪一件事
4  bullet points 點列式記錄，內容簡潔清楚，不必寫完整的句子。
例如:After some discussion, the members agreed. 討論後，全體出席者同意。 

內容、順序及格式 
date ( 開會 ) 日期
scheduled starting time 預計開始時間
actual starting time 實際開始時間
meeting end time 會議結束時間
place 地點
minutes taker 會議紀錄者
members in attendance 出席者，或是用 present
regrets 無法出席者
discussion/ topics 討論主題，此項目視會議情況也可用 announcements( 報告事項 ) resolution ( 針對上述討論主題 ) 通過的決議。
date of next meeting 下次會議
approval of previous meeting minutes 確認上次會議記錄 

圖表怎麼說，一張圖搞懂 

字搭對了，英文才夠專業 
有些字天生就是和另外一些字搭配在一起，中文這樣，英文也是。搭配語的英文是collocation，就字義來說就是co( 一起 )+location( 位置 )，放在一起的兩個字。以下這些是會議、email都十分常見的搭配語。搭配語用對了，就會有自然流暢的專業感。 
1 謝謝你提醒我們注意。
X Thank you for bringing this to our notice.
O Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
2 我寫信想表達我對於我對此事的不滿。
X I'm writing to show my dissatisfaction regarding this issue.
O I'm writing to express my dissatisfaction regarding this issue.
3 如果你需要進一步協助，請讓我知道。
X Please let me know if you require extra assistance.
O Please let me know if you require further/ additional assistance.
4 只是提醒一下，原訂明天的會議延到下周三的 9 點。
X Just a kindly reminder that tomorrow's meeting has been postponed until next Wednesday at 9:00 a.m
O Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow's meeting has been postponed until next Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. 
5 多年來你一直是我們的忠實客戶，我們決定不收取延遲費用。
X As you have been a faithful customer for years, we've decided to waive the late fee.
O As you have been a loyal customer for years, we've decided to waive the late fee.
6 我前一封信忘記提到，我下星期將不在辦公室。
X In my former email, I forgot to mention that I will be out of the office next week.
O In my previous email, I forgot to mention that I will be out of the office next week.
7 謝謝你迅速回覆。
X Thank you for your fast response.
O Thank you for your prompt response.
8 我們的營業時間從早上八點到晚上九點，周一到周六。
X Our hours of work are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
O Our hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 
9 明天是國定假日，我們店不營業。
X The store is shut tomorrow in observance of a national holiday.
O The store is closed tomorrow in observance of a national holiday.
10 我們很遺憾通知您的申請未獲得批准。
X We regret to notify you that your application has been denied.
O We regret to inform you that your application has been denied.
11 我們可以開個 Instagram 帳號。
X We could open an Instagram account.
O We could create an Instagram account.
12 Yvonne 昨天成交了。她今天要慶祝。
X Yvonne succeeded the deal yesterday, so she's celebrating today.
O Yvonne closed the deal yesterday, so she's celebrating today. 

本文摘錄自一張圖搞懂 2020年2月號
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