The way we communicate has changed and with it so has the language we use for instant communication on apps like Whatsapp or SMS etc…for example, have you ever been in a situation where you are having a chat online with a colleague or your boss and suddenly they write ASAP or BTW and you have no idea what they mean?
- ASAP – as soon as possible. Can be used in formal and informal chats. If your boss asks you to do something ASAP, it means they need you to do it as quickly as you can.
- BTW – by the way. This is a very common online abbreviation. ‘By the way’ is used to introduce a topic to the conversation when the speaker has just remembered something off-topic.
When arranging a call or meeting with a colleague be sure to use concise language to get the message across. You can use some of these acronyms also:
- FYI – for your information. This is often used in work emails when forwarding information that does not require a response.
- IMO – in my opinion. Another common internet abbreviation.
- TBA – to be announced. If you’re planning an event, meeting etc.. but you haven’t decided on a venue yet, this is the abbreviation to use. Also TBC – to be confirmed.
When chatting in English, messages need to be short and to the point and as always with indirect language for politeness; for example, when arranging a time for a meeting, you can use phrases like:
- Let me know which suits you best – Tuesday at 5pm or Wednesday at 11am?
- Please could you confirm the time and place of the meeting?
There are also other common phrases that are used when making suggestions for arrangements:
- Let´s – Let’s have a video call this week to go over the details.
- How about – How about we have this meeting via Zoom?
Do you know other useful acronyms for the workplace? Share in the comments.
Master Instant Messaging at Work
Grammar – Passive Voice 
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Passive Voice
- In general, when we talk or write we use the active voice, that follows the typical word order where we put the subject before the verb. We use the PASSIVE VOICE when we want to give importance to the object or the the action (verb), instead of the subject. For example:
- – The news are given by the Director every morning.
- Subject+ To Be + participle + by + object
- In this sentence, the person who performs the action is “the director”, but that is not relevant information. The important piece of information are the news, that become the subject of the passive sentence. In this is case, the sentence is in the present simple affirmative, this is why we use the present simple form of the verb To Be “are”. The verb To Be will give the tense and form of the sentence. For example:
- – The Starry Night was painted by Van Gogh.
- Subject + To Be (Past Simple Affirmative) + participle + by + object
- – The house hasn’t been cleaned by anyone.
- Subject+ To Be (Present Perfect Negative) + participle + by + object
- – The task must be finished by someone
- Subject+ (Modal verb) To Be + participle + object To form questions, we simply move the verb To Be before the subject of the passive sentence
- – Were you invited by the host?
- To Be (Past Simple) + subject + participle + subject?
- We use “by” to say who performs the action. This becomes the object of the passive sentence. Sometimes this information is not important and we can simply omit it. For example:
- -The house was built by someone in 1908.
- Subject + To Be (Past Simple Affirmative) + participle + object
- -The house was built in 1980. Subject + To Be (Past Simple Affirmative) + participle
- As you can see, who built the house is not important information and we can omit it.
Go back to unit 2 to complete the 3 microlessons.
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