商务英语信函的句法特征_英语论文

Syntactic Features of Business English Letters

摘要

商务英语信函作为外贸业务中不可缺少的沟通交流方式，在合作双方贸易，进出口过程中都扮演着极其重要的角色。以往对商务英语信函的研究多是围绕信函的文体及语篇表达，然而在商务信函中，经常会出现句式不当及语用失误。因此本文将会从句法特征来研究商务信函的写作。

句子是一封商务信函的最基础部分，并且商务信函句型有其专业的表达方式以满足交际成功的要求,同时满足双方沟通达成共识的要求。商务信函的写作不仅有其相应格式也有很多写作原则。本文在Grice 总结的合作原则以及Leech提出的礼貌原则的基础上，研究英语句法、文体特征在商务英语信函中的应用，作者先通过对一些案例的分析研究,而后找到商务英语信函写作的技巧及策略。

本论文旨在为商务英语信函写作提供参考，帮助从事对外贸易工作的人员，尤其是帮助他们减少商务英语句式表达上的失误。从而促进合作的顺利开展，减少因表达不当而引起的合作中止。

关键词：商务英语信函；句子；句法特征

Abstract

Business English letters as an indispensable communication way in import and export trade play an extremely important role in the process of bilateral trade cooperation. Previous studies of commercial English letters are mostly around the letters’ stylistic and textural expression. But in business letters, there are still many syntactic impropriety and pragmatic failures. Therefore, the syntactic features of the business letters will be studied in this paper.

A sentence is a fundamental component of a business letter and also the sentence in a business letter is expressed in a specific way to meet the requirement successful commercial communications, and also to meet the needs of both sides to reach a consensus. Business letters with its own formats need follow some writing principles, so the business letters will share some sentence features. This paper, which is based on the cooperative principle concluded by Grice’s cooperative principle and Leech’s politeness principle, studies the syntactic features and syntactic construction of business letters. The author first analyzes some examples and then put forward the skills and strategies for business English writing.

This paper aims to provide a reference to write an effective business English letter, to help those who are engaged in foreign trade work, especially to reduce the syntactic mistakes in business English letters and finally contribute to the smooth cooperation and avoid the suspension caused by improper syntactic expression.

Key Words: Business English letters; sentences; syntactic features

Contents

1 Introduction 1

2 Business Letters 2

2.1 Definitions 2

2.2 Formats 2

2.3 Styles 3

2.4 Principles 3

3 Syntactic Features 4

3.1 Sentence patterns 4

3.1.1 Imperative and question sentences 4

3.1.2 Conditional sentences 5

3.1.3 Passive sentences 6

3.1.4 Affirmative sentences 7

3.1.5 Short sentences 8

3.1.6 Complex sentences 9

3.2 Special expressions in sentences 10

3.2.1 Deleted sentence patterns 11

3.2.2 Inverted sentence patterns 11

4. Fixed Sentences Expression 12

4.1 To begin a business letter 12

4.1.1 Showing appreciation 12

4.1.2 Making a request 12

4.1.3 Giving quotations 13

4.1.4 Placing an order 13

4.1.5 Giving bad news 14

4.1.6 Making complaints 14

4.1.7 Apologizing 14

4.2 To end a business letter 15

4.2.1 Showing friendship. 15

4.2.2 Making a request 15

4.2.3 Wishing for cooperation 16

4.2.4 Others 16

5 Suggestions 16

6 Conclusion 17

References 19