3. Who has learned the lesson? I. He - She 5. Who saw that mistake? I -it. He In place of the following singular pronouns and verbs, supply plural pronouns and plural verbs. Instead of I saw, Instead of he sees, say they see. Sometimes say we saw. Change all the verbs from present to past tense. You have used the pronouns I, he, it, she, you. What are the possessives of these words? What are the plurals? What are the possessives of the plurals? Which of the following words are possessive? Make sentences, using these words correctly. 170. ORAL LESSON BUSINESS LETTERS Almost every one nowadays needs sometimes to write a Here are two examples: business letter. 125 Broadway, Rochester, N.Y. April 15, 1911. Mr. E. B. Ryan, Williamsport, Pa. My dear Sir: Your order for 250 hedge plants arrived to-day. The plants will be shipped to you by express at the earliest possible date. If you do not receive them by April 20, kindly write us and inform us of the fact. The plants arrived to-day in good condition. your promptness in filling the order. Sincerely yours, E. B. Ryan. In each of these examples, notice (1) that the addresses of the writer and of the person to whom it is written are given; (2) that the letters are short; and (3) that they are perfectly clear. They are also entirely formal in tone, and contain nothing except the business in hand. Discuss what you would have to say in letters on the fol lowing matters; then dictate the letter as a business man would dictate it to his stenographer: 1. An order to a merchant for half a dozen tennis balls. 2. A letter to the express company calling attention to the fact that they have overcharged you for delivering a trunk. 3. A letter inclosing payment by postal money order for a book. 4. A subscription to a paper. 5. An appointment by mail for an interview. 6. An excuse to the teacher for an absence. 7. An answer to this advertisement: WANTED. - A boy about fourteen to work in a lawyer's office during the summer vacation. He must be willing and intelligent. Address Box 174, Sun Office. 171. WRITTEN LESSON Write an appropriate letter applying for the position in Example 7 of the preceding lesson. Give briefly and clearly the reasons why you think you could do the work well. The letters may be compared in order to see who would be most likely to secure the position. 172. LANGUAGE LESSON SHALL AND WILL. VERB-GROUPS I shall and we shall refer to what is likely to happen. I shall be tired after the walk. We shall not have time. I will win the prize if I can. We will help you with your lessons. Shall we see you at church? Make sentences, using I and we with shall and will. We have seen that one verb may have many forms. What is a verb-group? Among the forms of the verb be are the following: Make a sentence for each of these forms, using as subject, I, he, or they, as may be proper. EXAMPLE: I was to have been there at noon. Some verb-groups of the verb talk are: have talked, will talk, shall talk, am talking, have been talking. Make a sentence, using each form with I for a subject, and with one adverb modifying the verb. 173. ORAL LESSON BUSINESS LETTERS. PROTESTS Not all the letters in the business world are easy to write. Sometimes one must call attention to errors or injustices; overcharges, neglect, even dishonesties, must sometimes be taken up by letter. Do He It is important that any complaint you make be dignified and courteous. You gain nothing by being abusive. not assume that the other man intended to do wrong. may be as honest as you are, and you sometimes make mistakes yourself. What would you say in some of the following cases? Frame your protest as if you were making it over the telephone, or dictating it to your stenographer. 1. A roll of silk is delivered one yard short. 2. The grocer sent bad butter last week. 3. The laundry sent home some collars and handkerchiefs badly injured. 4. You find yourself charged, in the milkman's bill, with two more bottles of cream than you had. 5. You were away from home during August, and the house was closed. But you got a gas bill of the usual size, just the same. 174. WRITTEN LESSON TELEGRAMS Writing telegrams is a valuable exercise. It teaches one to be brief and to the point; for, except in night letters, one must pay extra for more than ten words. But it is not always easy to make ten words clear. 1. Arrived twelve to-night. All well at home. Letter follows. This is entirely clear. Can you fill it out as it would be spoken? How would you word a telegram to a friend announcing that you will arrive at the Polk St. Station in Chicago at four o'clock on Wednesday next, asking him to meet you in his automobile, and informing him that you are not bringing a trunk with you? In how few words can you say this? Try to say in ten words or less that you have received the parcel of sporting goods, but that there are two tennis balls and one golf club missing. Invent material for other telegrams, and have your classmates try to write the messages. |