VOCABULARY Letters of Complaint PDF

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VOCABULARY ABOUT HOW TO V¡CREATE LETTERS OF COMPLAINT...

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Letters of Complaint -Useful Phrases and Vocabulary Even when you complain about someone being rude, or has done something you consider wrong or unpleasant to you, you shouldn’t be rude in return! Be criticizing but polite! Here are some useful phrases you can use to be polite: Phrases:  I am writing in connection with…  I am very disappointed because….  Unfortunately, your product (service) was…  I hope that we can overcome this difficulty…  I would be grateful if you could….  I am sorry to have to inform you that…  On using this product I discovered… faults…  I look forward to…  I wish to complain about…  According to…, but…  Despite my request for…  …is not what I expected  I am particularly unhappy about…  What would suit me best is…

Use of However, But and Although – a Review However, but and although are very similar in meaning, but their grammar is different. But and although connect two parts of the same sentence. Although sometimes comes at the start of the sentence. However usually starts a new sentence and is followed by a comma. Ex. 1. You can call the Cable Company 24 hours a day, but it takes them a long time to answer. 2. Although you can call the Cable Company 24 hours a day, it takes them a long time to answer 3. You can phone the Cable Company 24 hours a day. However, it takes them a long time to answer. Vocabulary • • • • • • • • • • • •

a recalled product: a defective product that is taken off the market malfunctions: failures in operation faulty: defective apology: an admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret e.g. public apology annoyance: Being bothered by something or someone e.g. She expressed annoyance at the slow service dissatisfaction: a feeling of unhappiness or disapproval, e.g. She expressed her dissatisfaction with the service satisfaction: a happy or pleased feeling because of something that you did or something that happened to you attitude: the way you think and feel about someone or something quality: how good or bad something is to portray: to describe (someone or something) in a particular way incompetence: lack of the ability to do something well to attend to: to give needed help or attention to (someone or something)

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severe: very bad, serious, or unpleasant to compensate: to give money or something else of value to (someone) in return for something to demand: to require (something) hazardous: dangerous a lawn mower: a machine used for cutting the grass on lawns assembly: the act of connecting together the parts of something (such as a machine)  to chuckle: to laugh in a quiet way a welded edge: to join pieces of metal together by heating the edges until they begin to melt and then pressing them together a coupler: something combined with something else to misuse: to use (something) incorrectly hassle: to bother or annoy (someone) constantly or repeatedly

How to write a letter of complaint checklist Who am I writing to (be specific)?

  What is the purpose of my letter?  Why are you complaining? Why are you are unhappy with the company?  What evidence do you have?  What would you like them to do?  When/how do you want them to respond?

EJEMPLO Dear Sir/ Madam, (INTRODUCTION) I am writing to express my strong dissatisfaction at the disgraceful treatment I received at the Walford Branco of Stimpson’s Electronics yesterday afternoon. (MAIN BODY) Firstly, the product I was given was not the model I had asked for. The new X-401 calculator was demonstrated to me by the sales assistant, and I agreed to buy it. However, on unpacking my purchase, I saw that I had been given the smaller X-201 model instead. Furthermore, this calculator was much cheaper than the model I requested and paid for. It did not have many of the features I needed and was much more basic than the one I was shown to begin with. To make matters worse, I was deeply offended by the behaviour of the sales assistant when I went back to the shop to complain. He was not only impolite, but also unhelpful. He refused to contact the manager when I asked to speak to him about the incident. (CONCLUSION) As you can imagine, I am extremely upset, I must insist on a full refund, in addition to a written apology from the local manager, or else I shall be forced to take further action. I expect to hear from you as soon as possible. Yours faithfully, Caroline Adams

VOCABULARY FOR RENTING We've prepared a list of useful and easy short questions you can ask when you're looking to rent accommodation - rooms, apartments, a flat, a house, whatever it might be! 1. I would like to rent a flat/apartment please. 2. I would like to be close to the town centre, with a view of the beach. 3. What does the flat/apartment contain? 4. Is bed linen available? 5. Are towels provided? 6. Is there a cleaning/housekeeping service? 7. Are there any sports facilities? 8. How much does it cost? 9. How far is it from the airport? 10. Could you send me a brochure, please? ...And here is some vocabulary you will also find useful: - unfurnished = an apartment/house which doesn't have furniture - furnished = an apartment/house which is complete with furniture - semi-furnished = an apartment/house which has some furniture, but not all you need - spacious = big; offering lots of space - run-down = used to describe a building which is not in good condition - old-looking and not wellmaintained. - renovated/refurbished = everything has been fixed/redesigned, and made new - to move in = enter an apartment/house to live there - utilities = basic needs e.g. water, electricity and heat. Apartment Types and Sizes "Bachelor”: provided.

a small apartment without a kitchen. Sometimes a hot plate or microwave are

"Single" or "Studio”: a single room apartment with a small kitchen and a bathroom. "One Bedroom”: a one-bedroom apartment that can be for one person or shared. Some students choose to use the living area as a second bedroom.

"One Bedroom Efficiency”: a large single that has been converted into a one bedroom by dividing the room with doors. An efficiency should be smaller and cheaper than a normal one bedroom. "Room in a Private Home”: a homeowner will rent a bedroom in their home to a student. Sometimes a private bath is available, sometimes a private entrance. Kitchen privileges, parking, and other issues are arranged between the homeowner and the student. "Guest House”: a homeowner sometimes has a smaller structure behind or next to their property that can be used as a private living space. Size and features vary. Sometimes the guesthouse is a converted garage or pool house. "Townhouse”: a private home or very spacious and luxurious apartment that sometimes has it's own laundry, pool and recreational facilities.

Apartment Features "Kitchenette”: a term used for kitchen accessories in bachelor apartments. Usually includes a hot plate, a small refrigerator, and sometimes a microwave. "Utilities”: the term used for the extra charges for gas, electricity, cable television, and water. Hot water is often included with the rent. Plan on spending an extra $25-$100 per month depending on your lifestyle. Some students are careful about finding "gas stoves" and "non-halogen lamps" as they use less energy. Remember that heaters and air conditioners can use a lot of energy too.

Rental Agreement Terms "Lease”: a legal contract regarding the length of stay, price, and conditions of a rental agreement. It is important to not sign a lease for more than the amount of time you will stay. You are responsible for rent the entire length of the lease. IMPORTANT: Read through your lease for any conditions that you were not aware of when asking about the apartment. It is better to politely ask a manager to explain something in your lease than to sign it without knowing all the information. "Sublet”: a special arrangement where you live in someone's apartment in their place. Sublets are attractive because they are often short-term opportunities with furnished rooms and no deposit. However, it is usually best to ask the person renting if their manager or landlord knows about your agreement, in case the lease prohibits you from taking his / her place. "Deposit”: an additional amount required for security purposes when moving into an apartment (usually no more than one month's rent). The deposit is returned in full to you if there is no damage to your apartment at the end of your stay. Make sure to have a written agreement to receive the deposit within 3-4 weeks after you have moved out. The deposit will often be sent in the form of a check. Some people inspect their apartment carefully when moving in and record any damages, so that they will not be charged for it when moving out. Managers will sometimes charge a small fee

for "cleaning" after you have moved out. You can sometimes avoid this charge if you leave your apartment in perfect condition, but it is best to speak to the manager before you try this. "Credit Check”: a process in which the landlord verifies your credit history and confirms your bank information. International students who do not have a credit history in this country should not need to pay for a credit check, but it may be necessary to negotiate an agreement with the landlord in this case (extra deposit, higher rent, or other documentation / financial support) because they will not have this means of knowing your reliability....