19 WELCOME A NEW COLLEAGUE

Welcoming a New Recruit

A new colleague

Being the Head of Human Resources, Sheela Roberts has a lot of responsibilities. Not all of them
are pleasant,

but today, Sheela is quite looking forward to welcoming a new recruit (Carl Powlson). He seems
really nice and friendly, and is very impressed by the tour of the company that Sheela takes him
on.

At the end of it, he meets Sandra Williams, who is to be his secretary.

At the reception desk C.P.: Good morning. My name’s Carl Powlson and it’s my first day with your
company.

R.: Welcome, Mr Powlson. I’ll call Sheela Roberts from the Human Resources Department, so she
can help you along.

R.: Please take a seat, she’ll be with you shortly. C.P.: Perfect. Thanks a lot.

S.R.: Good morning. Are you Mr Powlson? C.P.: Yes I am. S.R.: Pleased to meet you.. C.P.: Pleased
to meet you too.

S.R.: Perhaps I could start by giving you a brief tour of the office. Then I can give you all the
practical information you need before you start. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask
me. C.P.: Alright. I’ll follow you.

S.R.: Your office is on the second floor, next to Sandra Williams, your secretary. I'll introduce you to
her later.

C.P.: I was wondering whether it would be possible to park my car in the garage. S.R.: Of course it
is, Mr Powlson. C.P.: Please, call me Carl.

S.R.: The only thing you need is a badge and I will make sure that one is delivered to you by the
end of the afternoon.

S.R.: We’re walking along the corridor with the meeting rooms now. If you want to organise a
meeting, then you have to contact the staff at the reception and book a meeting room through
them.

S.R.: You have to arrange the time and date beforehand and it’s absolutely essential that you stick
to this. The rooms are almost constantly in use.

C.P.: If I want to arrange for coffee and tea, do I also organise that through the receptionist or do I
have to ask someone else?
S.R.: You, or your secretary, should call the restaurant yourself, because the catering staff take
care of the distribution of drinks and sandwiches.

S.R.: If you’re in your office and you want to drink something, then you don’t have to go to the
restaurant because there is a fridge with soft drinks and a coffee machine that makes fresh coffee
on every floor. We try not to create too much work for the Catering staff.

C.P.: Are they in the small kitchen that I saw on the third floor? S.R.: Yes, that’s right.

S.R.: And here we are on the groundfloor. This is the IT department. If you ever have a problem
with your computer this is the place to come. For minor problems you can simply call them.

S.R.: You’ll find a list of internal numbers underneath your telephone or you can call 2111 and you
get through to the receptionist.

C.P.: When’s the lunch-break?

S.R.: You can take your break whenever you like, but I’d say that most people go for lunch about a
quarter to one.

C.P.: And where’s the restaurant? S.R.: Oh yes, I totally forgot about that, it’s on the sixth floor.

C.P.: Is there a system with tickets or can we simply pay with cash? S.R.: You simply pay with cash
or Switch, whichever you prefer.

S.R.: And here we are. This is your secretary, Sandra Williams.

C.P.: Pleased to meet you. S.W.: Welcome, Mr Powlson.

S.R.: I’ll leave you two then. If you have any further questions, then you can always call me on
2154.

C.P.: Thank you very much for the tour and the information. S.R.: My pleasure. I hope you settle in
well here. C.P.: I’m sure I will.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Carl Powlson and Sheela Roberts are meeting at the reception desk

Sandra Williams will be his secretary

He needs a badge to park his car in the garage

Anyone who wants to organise a meeting has to book a meeting room through the staff at
the reception.

The catering department takes care of the distribution of drinks and sandwiches.

The IT department is on the ground floor.

There's a list of internal numbers underneath his telephone.

Cash or switch can be used at the restaurant

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please take a seat, she'll be with you shortly

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me

I will introduce you to her later

I will make sure that a badge is delivered to you

You can take your break whenever you like

I was wondering whether it would be possible to park my car in the garage .

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Then I can give you all the practical information you need before you start. If you have any
questions, please feel free to ask me

And here we are. This is your secretary, Sandra Williams. - Pleased to meet you.

Perhaps I could start by giving you a brief tour of the office.

Is there a system with tickets or can we simply pay with cash ?

We're walking along the corridor with the meeting rooms now.

And where's the restaurant ? - Oh yes, I totally forgot about that ! It's on the sixth floor.

Thank you very much for the tour and the information. - My pleasure . I hope you settle in
well here.

Please take a seat, she'll be with you shortly

You have to arrange the time and date beforehand

You simply pay with cash or switch, whichever you prefer

Your office is on the second floor, next to Sandra Williams, your secretary. I will introduce you to
her later

You, or your secretary, should call the restaurant yourself, because the catering staff take care of
the distribution of drinks and sandwiches.

The only thing you need is a badge and I will make sure that one is delivered to you by the end of
the afternoon.

Thank you very much for the tour and the information. - My pleasure. I hope you settle in well
here.
This is the IT department. If you ever have a problem with your computer this is the place to come.

Thank you very much for the tour and the information.

Please take a seat, she'll be with you shortly. - Perfect . Thanks

Perhaps I could start by giving you a brief tour of the office.

This is the IT department. If you ever have a problem with your computer this is the place to come

And here we are on the groundfloor

If you have any further questions , then you can always call me on 2154.

We try not to create too much work for the catering staff.

You can take your break whenever you like, but I'd say that most people go for lunch about a
quarter to one.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Learning How to be a Shop Assistant

So, you would like to be a shop assistant here…. First, always remember that shop assistants
should look after their customers.

It is very important to be familiar with the goods sold here and to help customers to make up their
mind. Very often, they want to find out more about the article they're interested in, before buying
it.

Next, when a customer has decided which brand of article to buy, you should carefully wrap it up.

Finally, show the customer the way to the cashier. OK?

By the way, have you heard about our opening hours here? On Friday and Saturday the store is
open 'til 9 p.m.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

name that identifies a particular company and its products = brand

the person a customer pays = cashier

a person who works in a shop = shop assistant

prepare an item before giving it to a customer = wrap up (two words)

items for sale in a shop = goods

the time period customers can go into a shop = opening hours

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The cashier will give you your bill.

By the way , have you heard that they have got married?

The toilets are located on the second floor.

This firm has few customers ; I think it will go bankrupt.

What is your favourite brand of running shoes?

I'm afraid we no longer have this article in stock.

This assistant helps customers to make up their mind.

Have you looked at their range of goods ?

This shop is not open today.

ou'll find this product in the basement

These two stores sell the same range of goods.

She hasn't made up her mind yet.

Have you found out why this range sells so badly?

Shop assistants should look after customers.

This man is interested in economics.

Have you heard about our opening hours ?

The shop assistant carefully wraps up the gift.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modal and Semi-Modal Verbs

Anna doesn't like being in the office every day.

Louise doesn't think the job Anna has been offered is better in every way.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meaning - Summary
Example

Obligation or necessity

It is important that something is done (and a problem will arise if it is not done).

 I have to be in the office for a team meeting every morning.

 I really must go.

 Do you need to be there for that?

Example

Permission

It is OK to do something (and there won't be a problem if it is not done).

 You'd be allowed to work from home.

 You can wear jeans on a Friday.

Example

No obligation

It is OK to NOT do something (and there won't be a problem if it is done).

 I don't need to travel far to my current job, it is very close.

  The new company says she doesn't have to come to the office every day.

Example

Prohibition

It is important that something is NOT done; it is forbidden / not allowed (and a

problem will arise if it is done).

 No, I can't work from home. The company rules say that teleworking is forbidden.

 You’re not allowed to work from home because all company files must remain in the
office.

 You mustn't be late again!

Modal and semi-modal verbs | Meaning

obligation or necessity permission no obligation (freedom to choose) prohibition

can cannot/can't

(be) allowed to not allowed to

must must not/musn't

don't/doesn't have to /
have (got) to have/has not (got) to /
haven't/hasn't got to

need to do not/don't need to

Have to / must

Using "have to" suggests it is important to do something, and that has been decided by
another person or organisation.

Using "must" suggests it is important to do something, and you decided that by yourself (or
you will benefit from it).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Examples: 1. CAN & MUST: She can work from home twice a week. - They can't go for
lunch before 12.00. - I must leave at 4.00 today, I have an appointment. 2. NEED TO: I
need you to finish the report today. - He needs us to finish the report today. - She doesn't
need us to come into the office today. 3. (BE) ALLOWED TO: I'm allowed to bring my
little dog into the office. - Silvia is not allowed to bring her snake into the office. 4.
HAVE/HAS (GOT) TO: I've got to phone 3 more customers before I go home. - He has to
meet Mrs Mitchell at 4.15. - Paul doesn't have to finish that now, he can do it later. - Aziz
hasn't got to work this weekend. • Grammar rule: Use the base form (e.g. "be") of the verb
after "can", "must" or "need to".

Examples: 1. CAN & MUST: She can work from home twice a week. - They can't go for
lunch before 12.00. - I must leave at 4.00 today, I have an appointment. 2. NEED TO: I
need you to finish the report today. - He needs us to finish the report today. - She doesn't
need us to come into the office today. 3. (BE) ALLOWED TO: I'm allowed to bring my
little dog into the office. - Silvia is not allowed to bring her snake into the office. 4.
HAVE/HAS (GOT) TO: I've got to phone 3 more customers before I go home. - He has to
meet Mrs Mitchell at 4.15. - Paul doesn't have to finish that now, he can do it later. - Aziz
hasn't got to work this weekend. • Grammar rule: In statements (not questions) only "need"
can be followed by a noun or pronoun.

Examples: 1. CAN & MUST: She can work from home twice a week. - They can't go for
lunch before 12.00. - I must leave at 4.00 today, I have an appointment. 2. NEED TO: I
need you to finish the report today. - He needs us to finish the report today. - She doesn't
need us to come into the office today. 3. (BE) ALLOWED TO: I'm allowed to bring my
little dog into the office. - Silvia is not allowed to bring her snake into the office. 4.
HAVE/HAS (GOT) TO: I've got to phone 3 more customers before I go home. - He has to
meet Mrs Mitchell at 4.15. - Paul doesn't have to finish that now, he can do it later. - Aziz
hasn't got to work this weekend. • Grammar rule: Only "need" has 3rd person singular "-s"
(she/he/it + verb+"s").

Examples: 1. CAN & MUST: She can work from home twice a week. - They can't go for
lunch before 12.00. - I must leave at 4.00 today, I have an appointment. 2. NEED TO: I
need you to finish the report today. - He needs us to finish the report today. - She doesn't
need us to come into the office today. 3. (BE) ALLOWED TO: I'm allowed to bring my
little dog into the office. - Silvia is not allowed to bring her snake into the office. 4.
HAVE/HAS (GOT) TO: I've got to phone 3 more customers before I go home. - He has to
meet Mrs Mitchell at 4.15. - Paul doesn't have to finish that now, he can do it later. - Aziz
hasn't got to work this weekend. • Grammar rule: "be" always comes before "...allowed
to..." and "...not allowed to..." . The subject (I, you, he, she, etc.) determines which form of
"be" is used.

Examples: 1. CAN & MUST: She can work from home twice a week. - They can't go for lunch before
12.00. - I must leave at 4.00 today, I have an appointment. 2. NEED TO: I need you to finish the
report today. - He needs us to finish the report today. - She doesn't need us to come into the office
today. 3. (BE) ALLOWED TO: I'm allowed to bring my little dog into the office. - Silvia is not allowed
to bring her snake into the office. 4. HAVE/HAS (GOT) TO: I've got to phone 3 more customers
before I go home. - He has to meet Mrs Mitchell at 4.15. - Paul doesn't have to finish that now, he
can do it later. - Aziz hasn't got to work this weekend. • Grammar rule: The subject determines
whether to use "has" or "have".

Examples: 1. CAN & MUST: She can work from home twice a week. - They can't go for
lunch before 12.00. - I must leave at 4.00 today, I have an appointment. 2. NEED TO: I
need you to finish the report today. - He needs us to finish the report today. - She doesn't
need us to come into the office today. 3. (BE) ALLOWED TO: I'm allowed to bring my
little dog into the office. - Silvia is not allowed to bring her snake into the office. 4.
HAVE/HAS (GOT) TO: I've got to phone 3 more customers before I go home. - He has to
meet Mrs Mitchell at 4.15. - Paul doesn't have to finish that now, he can do it later. - Aziz
hasn't got to work this weekend. • Grammar rule: Use "don't" or "doesn't" to make the
negative forms of "have to" and "need to".

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We can leave early today !

She can't go for lunch until Marie gets back .

I mustn't be late again or I'll lose my job .

I must improve my English .

Emma needs to get a higher paid job .

Ricardo does not need to wake up until 8.30 .

Zhao is allowed to take his work laptop home .

Julia is not allowed to make personal calls during working hours .

He has to unlock the office at 7.30 .

We do not have to work on Sundays .

She has got to check her boss's emails .

I have not got to visit any customers today .

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Form - Summary
Example

"can" and "must"

 She can work from home twice a week.

  They can't go for lunch before 12.00.  

 Can you leave early today?

 I must leave at 4.00 today, I have an appointment.

 I mustn't be late again or I won't get paid.

"Can" and "must" | Positive statements

verb
subject can / must rest of sentence
(base form)

can
I/you/we/they/he/she/it work from home.
must

"Can" and "must" | Negative statements

verb
subject can / must + not rest of sentence
(base form)

cannot (can't)
I/you/we/they/he/she/it work from home.
must not (mustn't)

"Can" | Questions

can / must subject verb (base form) rest of sentence

Can / Must I/you/we/they/he/she/it work from home?

Example

"need to"

 I need to finish the report today.   

 He needs to finish the report today.  

 She doesn't need to come into the office today.

 Do we need to come into the office tomorrow?

 "need to" | Positive statements

subject need to verb (base form) rest of sentence

I/you/we/they need to
finish the report today.
he/she/it needs to

"need to" | Negative statements

subject do/does + not need to verb (base form) rest of sentence

I/you/we/they do not (don't)

need to finish the report today.
he/she/it does not (doesn't)

"need to" | Questions

verb
do/does subject need to rest of sentence
(base form)

Do I/you/we/they
need to finish the report today?
Does he/she/it

Example

"(be) allowed to"

 I'm allowed to bring my little dog into the office.  

 Silvia is not allowed to bring her snake into the office.

 Are you allowed to take a 2-hour lunch break?

"(be) allowed to" | Positive statements

verb 
subject be allowed to rest of sentence
(base form)

I am
you/we/they are allowed to leave early today.
he/she/it is

"(be) allowed to" | Negative statements

subject be + not allowed to verb (base form) rest of sentence

I am not ('m not) allowed to leave early today.

you/we/they he/she/it are not (aren't)
 "(be) allowed to" | Negative statements

subject be + not allowed to verb (base form) rest of sentence

is (isn't)

"(be) allowed to" | Questions

be subject allowed to verb (base form) rest of sentence

Am
I
Are
you/we/they allowed to leave early today?
he/she/it
Is

Example

"have to" and "have got to"

 I've got to phone 3 more customers before I go home.  

 He has to meet Mrs Mitchell at 4.15.  

 Paulo doesn't have to finish that now, he can do it later.  

 Aziz hasn't got to work this weekend.

"have (got) to" | Positive statements

verb 
subject have/has + to rest of sentence
(base form)

I/you/we/they
-'ve/have (got) to
meet a customer later.
-'s/has (got) to
he/she/it

"have to" | Negative statements

verb
subject do/does + have + to rest of sentence
(base form)

I/you/we/they do not/don't have to

meet a customer later.
he/she/it does not/doesn't have to

"have got to" | Negative statements

verb
subject have/has + not + got + to rest of sentence
(base form)

I/you/we/they have not got to (haven't got to) meet a customer later.
 "have got to" | Negative statements

verb
subject have/has + not + got + to rest of sentence
(base form)

has not got to (hasn't got to)

he/she/it

"have to" | Questions

verb 
do/does subject have to rest of sentence
(base form)

Do I/you/we/they
have to meet a customer later?
Does he/she/it

"have got to" | Questions

verb
have/has subject got to rest of sentence
(base form)

Have I/you/we/they
got to meet a customer later?
Has he/she/it

.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

L. Hello. A. Hi, Lou. I just thought I’d give you a call and let you know about my chat with
the boss. L. Ah, you did it! That’s good. Tell me all about it. A. Well, she told me I don't
need to worry, that she can make some changes to help me.

L. Like what? Will you be allowed to work from home?

A. Yes!! She said I can work from home twice a week.

L. Great, congratulations! A. Thanks. I’ve got to join the team meeting every morning, but I
can do that through a video call with the NEW LAPTOP she’s giving me.

L. A company laptop? Check you out! Have you got it already? A. Not yet, I need to collect
it from the IT department tomorrow morning.

L. Brilliant! Maybe I can use it while my computer’s being repaired? A. Sorry, Lou, but
I’m afraid you can't. I’m not allowed to use it for personal stuff.

L. Of course! No worries. So when’s your first day of homeworking? A. Next week, she
wants to tell the rest of the team about it first. L. Ah, so you’ll have to keep quiet about it?

A. Yeah, she said I mustn’t tell anyone else on the team until she has spoken to everyone.
L. That sounds fair. Hey, I must go! Baywitch is on TV in a moment and I don't want to miss it!

A. Cool, thanks again for your advice, Lou. L. No worries. I’m just pleased you don’t have
to drive an extra 4 hours a day! A. Yeah me too! Anyway, speak soon. Bye mate.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modals ('can', 'may' & 'should')

Tony feels bad when he tries to stand.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The doctor tells Tony it is possible his leg will hurt when he tries to stand.

When Tony tells the doctor about skiing, he talks about an ability he has in the present but
that he didn't have in the past.
The doctor tells Tony if he doesn't rest it is possible he won't ski in the future.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meaning - Summary
Important

We use the modal verbs - may and might to show that something is possible, but not
certain, in the present/future.

Example

They might come later. (I'm not certain, but it is possible)

I may have a pen in my bag. (It is possible, but I'm not certain, so I will need to check)

Tips and Tricks

May and might are synonyms. May is more formal in spoken English. 

Important

1. We use the modal verb can / can't to talk about our present abilities.

2. We use could not / couldn’t to talk about abilities in the past.

Example

1. I can't play football. I have broken my leg.

2. He can’t talk because he has a sore throat.

3. I couldn't ride a bike until I was nine.

Important

We use the modal verb should / shouldn't to give advice; to say that something is a good/
bad idea.

Example

You should see a doctor if you are still sick tomorrow. 

You shouldn't carry that bag. It's very heavy!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To make negative sentences 'not' comes after the modal verb.

A verb (base form) is used after all modal verbs.

After a modal verb, we never add 's' to the third person singular base form of the following
verb.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

She may be late for work.

Could you drive when you were younger?

You should listen to the teacher!

I cannot understand French.

Might she come to the party?

He can ski really well.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Form - Summary
Important

May / Might

1. Positive - present / future

Subject + may/might + verb (base form)

2. Negative - present / future

Subject + may not/might not + verb (base form)

Example

1. I may be late for work.

2. I might not come to the party this weekend. 

Important

Question form 

To make questions - change the place of 'may/might' and the subject.

(Question word) + may/might + subject + verb (base form)?

Example

1. Why might he be late?

2. May she use the bathroom?

Important

Can / Could

1. Positive - present / past

Subject + can/could + verb (base form)

2. Negative - present / past

Subject + can't/cannot / couldn't/could not + verb (base form)

Example

1. I can ride a bike. 

I could speak English well when I was 10. 

2. I cannot drive.

I couldn't ride a bike when I was a child. 

Tips and Tricks

After could and couldn't we usually say the time when we didn't have this ability. We use
expressions such as; "when I was + age/a child/at school".

Important

Question form

To make questions - change the place of 'can' and the subject.

(Question word) + can /can't + subject + verb (base form)?

Example

What can't she do?

Can he read?

Important

Should

1. Positive 

Subject + should + verb (base form)

2. Negative

Subject + should not / shouldn't + verb (base form)

Example

1. You should do more exercise. 

2. We shouldn't leave yet. It's raining outside.

Important

Question form

To make questions - change the place of 'should' and the subject.

(Question word) + should/shouldn't + subject + verb (base form)?

Example

Should we take the bus?

What shouldn't I eat before bed?

Tips and Tricks

These are all modal verbs and, if there is a following verb, it will always be a base form of
the verb.

*Do not add ‘s’ to the third person singular of the verb that follows a modal verb.

For example - He should buy a new car. NOT He should buys a new car.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doctor: Hi again, Tony. Let’s have another look at your leg. Tony: Great, doc! I can stand
(I am able to stand) on it now.

Doctor: That sounds good but you shouldn't stand (not a good idea to stand) on it too much.

Tony: Sorry, doc. My mum also told me I should (is a good idea) rest or it might not (possible it
won't) get better. Doctor: Yes, your mum is right!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doctor: I will take the cast off now. It might hurt (possible it will hurt) a little, so you
shouldn't (not a good idea) move.

Tony: Ok. I am ready. I won’t move. Doctor: (Are you able to) Can you stand? Remember,
it might (it is possible) hurt.

Tony: Yes! I can stand (it is possible for me to stand)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doctor: And can you walk (are you able to walk) to the door?
Tony: Ow! No, I can’t (I am not able). What should I (is a good idea for me) do?