17 TALKING ABOUT YUOR BUSINESS

Reviewing Figures and Accounts

There are problems with the accounts
John Ward, the Head of Accounting, is rather cross
with Robert Hughes, the Director of the Sales Department: he has been
spending far too much lately, and needs to cut down on his expenses.
Melissa Stevens, Robert’s assistant, is the first to hear of this news.
On the phone: M.S.: Good morning, Melissa speaking.
J.W.: Good morning, Melissa. It’s John Ward from the Accounting
department. Could you put me through to Robert Hughes please?
M.S.: I’m afraid Robert’s in a meeting at the moment. Is it urgent?
J.W.: Yes it is rather urgent. There’s a problem with the sales
department’s expenses account and it’s been like this for a couple of months
now. I’d like to discuss with Robert about how we can bring these costs down.
When will he be free again? If possible, I’d like to speak to him before the
end of the week.
M.S.: Let me have a look at his diary... today is Tuesday. Tomorrow he’ll spend all
day in training. On Thursday morning he has a meeting with the Head of the
Human Resources Department, Thursday afternoon...
M.S.: I think that it would be better if you contacted him yourself or should
I ask him to call you?
J.W.: That’s not a bad idea. I’m in the office all day today so he can get hold
of me whenever he likes.

M.S.: Perfect. I’ll ask him to get back to you this afternoon.
A bit later in John Ward’s office
J.W.: John speaking.
R.H.: Hello, it’s Robert Hughes here. My assistant told me that you
wanted to have a word with me.
J.W.: Good afternoon Robert, is everything ok?
R.H.: Too much work as usual, but I'm not so bad thanks.
J.W.: I'm afraid I’ve got a major problem.
R.H.: Oh, yes, Melissa did mention something.
J.W.: Basically, I’ve looked through your department’s figures and I’m very
concerned to see that these last few months you’ve been spending
considerably more than what was budgeted.
R.H.: Yes, I don’t dispute that, we’ve had many expenses during these
last few months. But is the situation really that bad?
J.W.: I’m afraid so. You’re spending about 50 percent more than what
was forecast in the budget. You do understand of course that things can’t
carry on like this because otherwise the entire company is in danger.
R.H.: So basically, what you’re saying is that my department is spending
money that isn’t even there.
J.W.: Yeah, that's the bottom line, Robert.
R.H.: I agree that that’s a serious problem. Would you have any spare
time this afternoon? I would like to get this sorted out as soon as possible .
J.W.: Is 4.15 ok for you?
R.H.: Well, I’m in a meeting until ten past four and I’m interviewing a candidate
for a job in our department at twenty to five. So I suppose we’ll have to be
brief but it should be fine. I’d like to know more about this situation as
soon as possible.
J.W.: No problem.I’ll email you the relevant figures, tables, and graphs . That way you
can have a look at them before we meet.
R.H.: Great, thanks for all your help and see you this afternoon then.
J.W.: Thanks, see you later.
In the accounting  department.
Because he is in a meeting 
That Robert should call him in the afternoon
He has been spending considerably more than what was budgeted
Because the entire company could be in danger 
the relevant figures  , tables and graphs
Could you put me through to Robert Hughes
Let me have a look at his diary
I'll ask him to get back to you this afternoon
Melissa did mention something
You've been spending more than what was budgeted
I would like to get this sorted out
Good morning, Melissa speaking 
That's the bottom line  , Robert.

I'm afraid  I've got a major problem  . - Oh, yes, Melissa did mention
something.
I'm afraid Robert's in a meeting at the moment. Is it urgent  ?
Let me have a look at his diary... today is Tuesday. Tomorrow he'll spend
all day in training
There's a problem with the sales department's expenses account 
I'll email  you the relevant figures  , tables  , and graphs  . That way you
can have a look at them before we meet.
Well, I'm in a meeting until  ten past four.
I'm in the office all day today, so he can get hold of  me whenever he
likes.
Good afternoon Robert. Is everything  OK?
Yeah, that's the bottom line  , Robert.
Too much work as usual, but I'm not so bad  thanks.
Perfect. I'll ask him to get back  to you this afternoon.
Could you put  me through  to Robert Hughes please?
Great. Thanks  for all your help  and see you this afternoon then.
Let me have a look  at his diary  ... today is Tuesday. Tomorrow he'll
spend all day in training.
Too much work  as usual  , but I'm not so bad thanks.
I've looked through  your department's figures.
I'd like to discuss with Robert about how we can bring  these costs  down.
Would you have any spare time this afternoon? I would like to get  this
sorted out  as soon as possible  .
I've looked through your department's figures 

Phrasal Verbs 1

“take something on”  : to recruit / hire / employ.

"take off"  : become very successful.
"take up"  : accept an offer.
"turn up"  : appear or arise.
"turn down"  : decline an offer.

Meaning - Summary
Example
Phrasal verbs | Examples
...if no problems turn up, then do we offer them the job?  
If they turn the job down, then we’ll offer it to someone else.  
Lukas moved on last month. 
I need to take on a new member of staff.
Reminder
Phrasal verbs | Meaning
Phrasal verbs are made using a verb and one or two particles (we look at this more
in the form section).  
The verb’s meaning is changed by the particles that are added. Phrasal verbs with
the same verb, but different particles can have very different meanings. The
context will also determine the meaning. For example:  
“turn up”  appear or arise (when talking about problems)
“turn something down”  decline an offer (when talking about rejected offers or
proposals)
Phrasal verbs with the same particles, but different verbs, do not share the same
meaning either (although sometimes there are similarities). For example:  
“take on”  accept more responsibility - or - to recruit someone
“move on”  leave a job - or - change to another topic in a discussion. 

Remember, the context will help you identify the correct meaning.
Reminder
Phrasal verbs | Use
Phrasal verbs are used frequently in spoken and written English. Some are
informal, others are neutral and can be used in many situations (when speaking to
friends, at work, or in academic writing).  
When learning new phrasal verbs, make a note of how they are used. This can
help you understand and learn which situations it is OK to use them in.
Tips and Tricks
Learning phrasal verbs
Try to learn phrasal verbs as you encounter them. Use them in those same
situations that you find them, just like any other pieces of vocabulary or grammar.  
Avoid trying to learn all phrasal verbs with “take” for example. This can be
confusing as there are so many combinations of verbs and particles which look
very similar. It is more effective to focus on phrasal verbs (and other phrases)
connected with a certain situation or topic; like, “morning routines” or “getting a
job”.
Object pronouns  must go between the verb and the particle (e.g. "I'll call
you back."’).
When did Lukas move on ?
What time should I call you back ?
Make sure you check them out .
Let's see if we can get someone in for 2 days a week .
Can you look into that customer complaint ?
We don't have any more paper! We have totally run out !

Form - Summary
Reminder
Phrasal verbs | Form
Phrasal verbs can be categorised in the following 3 ways. These categories show
us how phrasal verbs can be used in sentences. It is possible for the same phrasal
verb to be used in different contexts, with different meanings.
Example
Type 1 | separable + object 
The majority of phrasal verbs are this type. Type 1 phrasal verbs have an object
(so they are “transitive”). The object can go between the verb and the particle. For
example:   
I’ll call you back.  
If they turn it down then we’ll go for the second-choice applicant.  
subject + verb + object + particle
If you use an object pronoun (“she”/”he”/”we” etc.), you must always put it between
the main verb and the particle.
Example
Type 2 | non-separable + object 
Type 2 phrasal verbs have an object (so they are “transitive”). However, the object
goes after the particle. The verb and particle cannot be separated. For example:  
we then have to look into their background   
we’re running out of time   
subject + verb + particle + (preposition) object
With some phrasal verbs of this type, a preposition connects the object to
the particle.
Example
Type 3 | non-separable + no object
Type 3 phrasal verbs do not have an object (so they are “intransitive”). The verb
and particle are not separated. For example:  
Business has really taken off.  
Lukas moved on last month.
subject + verb + particle
N. You look stressed! Whats up? J. I need to go over my application 
before sending it in.
N. Oh OK, I can help you with that tomorrow if you like. J. But the
deadline's in 45 minutes! I need to phone a customer back before 6.00
too, and I've nearly run out of time  . N. Wow, I'd better leave you to it.
Good luck!

N. Hi Jack! Any news on that job you applied for? J. Yeah, they just called
to say that they've finished drawing up the shortlist  and they'd like to
interview me.
N. Well, that took ages! But congratulations!! J. Apparently they had to go
through over 100 applications  .
N. That seems like a lot of work, just to bring in  one extra person.
J. Yeah, and I'm not sure if I'd even take up  the job if they offered it - they
seem really disorganised.