（一）避免使用可能產生不同理解或意義不明確的詞匯

〈例一〉

　　As to the steamers sailing from Hongkong to San Francisco, we have bimonthly direct services.
　　（從香港到舊金山有直達船）

　　但是bimonthly 究竟是一個月兩次，還是兩個月一次呢？不明確。因此，最好清楚明白地說明“一個月兩次”還是“兩個月一次”：

（a）We have two direct sailings every month from Hongkong to San Francisco.
　　（每月兩次直達船）

（b）We have semimonthly direct sailing from Hongkong to San Francisco.
　　（每半月一次直達船）

（c）We have a direct sailing from Hongkong to San Francisco every two month.
　　（每兩個月一次直達船）

（二）注意修飾詞的位置，有時修飾詞的位置不同，會導致不同的含意如：

（a）Please let us know what you wish us to do about this matter as soon as possible:

（b）Please let us know as soon as possible what you wish us to do about this matter.

以上兩句中修飾的內容不同：

（a） 你們要求我們盡快做些什么。
（b） 請盡快告訴我們。

所以 （a） 可譯成“請告訴你們要求我們為此盡快做些什么”；
　　 （b） 可譯為“請盡快告知，你們要我們為此事做些什么”。

（三） 注意代名詞，關系代詞和先行詞的關系

　　按照英語習慣，句子中的代名詞和關系代詞一般是指離得最近的名詞，因此要特別注意，以免引起誤解或不清楚。

例句：

不好： They informed Messrs.John & Smith that they would receive an answer in a few days.

較好： They informed Messrs. John & Smith that latter would receive an answer in a few days.

(四)注意前后一致和緊湊，連貫

不一致：Being a certified public accountant, I am sure you can help us.

一致： Being a certified public accountant, you can surely help us.
　　　 or; As you are a certified public accountant, I am sure you can help us.

（五）仔細和恰當地分段落（Paragraphing）

　　商業書信要寫得使人一讀就明白，因此必須按照內容仔細和恰當的分段落，一般的分段落原則是一個段落一個意思（A paragraph for each point is a good general rule.）。現舉例說明：

Dear Sirs,

　　It is reported in a domestic newspaper that the Iranian Central Bank has instructed the commercial banks to suspend their business of opening a new letter of credit as from the 3rd May for financial reason of foreign currency. Although it is said that this arrangement would be a temporary one and with establishment of new import policy this emergency arrangement would be lifted, we are much concerned about the outcome of this movement toward restriction of import to Iran and shall be obliged if you will kindly keep us well advised of development of this new arrangement especially in connection with import from France.

Yours faithfully,

　　以上這封信只有一段，供兩句。第一句39字，第二句66字。 讀后雖然能基本了解其內容，但讀起來很舒服。信的內容大體有三點：

1、伊朗中央銀行因外匯原因，通知各商業銀行從五月三日起停止開立信用證；
2、這臨時措施，新的進口政策一訂，這個措施就可能取消；
3、希望對方隨時告之有關情況。

　　按照這三點，適當地分分段落，把信重新改寫一下，可能讀起來比原來的清楚易懂：

Dear Sirs,

　　It is reported in a vernacular newspaper that the Iranian Central Bank has instructed the commercial banks to suspend their issuing new Letters of Credit as from the 3rd May because of its decreasing foreign currency funds. Furthermore it is said that the suspension seems a temporary one and will be released with establishment if a new import policy.
　　We are much concerned, however, about the outcome of this movement toward restriction of import to Iran. We, therefore, shall be obliged if you will keep us well informed of development of this new state of affairs, especially in connection with imports from France.

Yours faithfully