6. 說明你所能做的和不能做的：

　　We are unable to …

　　We are able to …

　　We have been forced to …

　　環境：

　　You cannot lower your prices.

　　We regret that we are unable to reduce out prices.

　　You have had to raise your prices because the government has increased the sales tax.

　　We have been forced to raise our prices because the government has increased the sales tax.

　　However, you can give them a discount of 5% if their order is for more than $8,000.

　　We are able to give you a discount of 5% if your order is more than $8,000.

　　With regard to their second question, you cannot accept payment in Egyptian pounds but you can accept US dollars or Euros.

　　We are sorry that we are unable to accept payments in Egyptian pounds but we are able to accept US dollars or Euros.

　　7. 說明原因：

　　This is owing to …

　　due to …

　　a result of …

　　because of …

　　注：owing to 通常用于不好的消息。如果想在原因中使用動詞，請加上the fact that的從句。

　　環境：

　　increase prices --- fall of the dollar

　　We have been force to increase our prices. This is owing to the fall of the dollar.

　　Delay the delivery of the goods --- strike by airline pilots

　　We have been forced to delay the delivery of the goods. This is owing to the strike by airline pilots.

　　Increase all salaries by 10% --- rise in sales

　　We are able to increase all salaries by 10%. This is the result of a big rise in sales.

　　Cut all salaries by 10% --- fall in sales

　　We have been forced to cut all salaries by 10%. This is due to the fact that there has been a fall in sales in the past ten months.

　　Cannot deliver your new order --- we have not received your payment fro the last order

　　We regret that we are unable to deliver your new order immediately. This is owing to the fact that we have not received your payment for the last order.

　　Cancel the meeting --- a lot of staff have been ill

　　We have been forced to cancel the meeting. This is because some members of our staff have been ill.

　　8. 請求采取行動：

　　Please could you …

　　We would be grateful if you could …

　　We would be appreciate it if you could … as soon as possible.

　　without delay.

　　immediately.

　　注：please could you … 是最直接的方式。在要求一些一般性的事情時，可以使用這種表達。

　　環境：

　　You have seen an advertisement in the newspaper for a post as office manger. You want an application form.

　　I would appreciate it if you could send me an application form.

　　The photocopier in your office has broken down. You want to have it repaired, quickly.

　　We would be grateful if you could send a repairman to fix our photocopier as soon as possible.

　　You have moved your office and you want the post office to forward your letters to your new address.

　　Please could you forward my letters to my new address.

　　You want the telephone company to put another telephone in your office. You need it urgently.

　　We would appreciate it if you could put another telephone in our office immediately.

　　You have written to a company and you want them to reply quickly.

　　I would be grateful if you could give us a reply quickly.

9. 抱歉：

　　We must apologize for …

　　We apologize for …

　　We are extremely sorry for …

　　注：以上句型后請使用動詞ing形式。

　　以上句型中的for可以換成that，然后用從句表達。

　　一般來說，解釋產生問題的原因，然后在信的結尾處再次表達歉意。

　　再次抱歉：

　　Please accept our apologies once again.

　　We hope that this has not caused you any inconvenience.

　　With apologies once again.

　　10. 要求提供信息：

　　Please could you

　　We would be grateful if you could

　　We would appreciate it if you could give us further details about ..

　　inform us (about/if) …

　　let us know ( about/if ) …

　　We would like to know ( about/if ) …

　　注：如果需要特別重要的信息，可以在以上句型前使用：in particular。

　　環境：

　　You wrote a letter to someone and they haven’t replied. You want to know if they received the letter.

　　We would be grateful if you could let us know if the letter has reached you.

　　A businessman is going to your country. He wants you to get a visa for him. You need all the details about his passport (his nationality, date of birth, where his passport was issued, and when it expires).

　　Please could you give details about your passport. I would like to know your nationality, date of birth, where your passport was issued and when it expires.

　　You want to know about the same businessman’s flight (flight number, date and time of arrival).

　　In particular, I would like to know your flight number, date and time of arrival.