ABSTRACT
This chapter starts defining business English and explaining the importance of equipping oneself with communicative competence. It mainly covers four unique features of business English to familiarise working professionals and students learning business English with the appropriate style for workplace communication:
Don’t use a long word where a short word will do.
Use familiar and common words.
Don’t use the passive where you could use the active.
If you can cut a word out, cut it out and omit it.
Readers are expected to understand the principles governing workplace communication and their importance, and then apply these principles for successful communication in the workplace.