HOW TO ASK FOR A PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Helpful Phrases:

What does it look like?

What does the building look like?

How big is it?

How big are the offices?

How much does it weigh?

How much does this container weigh?

How high is it?

How high is the whole structure?

What’s it made of?

What are the pens made of? Metal or plastic?

HOW TO ASK FOR PAYMENT

Helpful Phrases:


When is your next payment date?
When is your next payment date? I can't wait forever.
When will my cheque be ready?
When will my cheque be ready? On Monday?
According to our records
According to our records you still owe us $ 4,500.
Your instalment is past due
Your monthly instalment is past due. Do you have any problem?
When shall I pass by to collect?
When shall I pass by to collect? I do need the cash.

HOW TO ASK ABOUT PAYMENT TERMS

Helpful Phrases:


What are your payment conditions?
What are your standard payment conditions?
Could we talk about payment terms?
Could we talk about payment terms later? I'm in a hurry now.
How do you normally get paid?
How do you normally get paid? We generally send a cheque.
Would a letter of credit be all right?
Would a letter of credit be all right? It's the best method.
What about paying in installments?
What about paying in installments? We do need some financing.

HOW TO ASK ABOUT DELIVERY TIMES

Helpful Phrases:


When could we receive?
When could we receive the goods?
What are your shortest delivery times?
What are your shortest delivery times for Canada?
How long will it take to arrive?
How long will it take to arrive at our factory?
When can we count on having it?
When can we count on having it ready for shipping?
Could we get it by?
Could we get it into port by next Tuesday?

HOW TO ASK ABOUT WAITING TIMES

Helpful Phrases:


How long will?
How long will it be before you fix the leak?
Is he going to take a long time?
Is the Doctor going to take a long time?
How delayed?
How delayed is the flight?
Do you think we should wait?
Do you think we should wait? It's eleven and nothing has happened yet.
When will?
When will the speech end? I'm tired of sitting here!

HOW TO ASK SOMEONE TO WAIT

Helpful Phrases:


Would you mind waiting?
Would you mind waiting outside, please? There's a couch by the window.
Could you hold on?
Could you hold on? I'll finish this and shall be with you in a minute.
Just a second, please
Just a second, please. Yes, how can I help you?
Could you remain?
Could you remain here for minute, please? I'll get the manager.
Just hang around
Just hang around for a while. I'll try to sneak you in through the back door.

HOW TO ASK ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY

Helpful Phrases:


Who is in charge?
Who is in charge of operations?
Who is running?
Who is running the Asia Pacific division now?
Who is accountable for this?
Who is accountable for this mistake?
Who will be blamed?
Who will be blamed? I'm sure it will be me!
Under whose responsibility?
Under whose responsibility was the test conducted?

HOW TO ASK ABOUT PRICE

Helpful Phrases:


What’s the price?
What's the price for one thousand units?
How much does it cost?
How much does the whole system cost?
What do you charge?
What do you charge for a hundred grams?
Could you give me your fees?
Could you give me your fees for the high season, please?
What are you asking for this?
What are you asking for this vase? It can't be very much…

HOW TO ASK ABOUT A PRODUCT OR SERVICE

Helpful Phrases:


Could you give me some information?
Could you give me some information on your services?
What can you tell me about?
What can you tell me about this dynamo?
What features does it have?
What features does this hydraulic press have?
What are the specifications?
What are the specifications of the switchboard?
Where can I buy it?
Where can I buy the MXC lava lamp?

HOW TO ASK ABOUT A COMPANY

Helpful Phrases:


What does your company do?
What exactly does your company do?
What are your main products?
What are your main products in the detergent category?
Which do you specialize in?
Which sector do you specialize in?
Which services do you provide?
Which services could you provide for us?
Where are you located?
Where are your headquarters located in Europe?