If you want to avoid always repeating the same basic English vocabulary words or if you want to make your Business English writing seem more formal or professional, consider using the following synonyms:
ADJECTIVES
Sufficient (instead of “enough”)
We don’t have enough resources to expand our business at this time.
We don’t have sufficient resources to expand our business at this time.
Additional (instead of “more” with a noun)
You can find more information on our website.
You can find additional information on our website.
Several (instead of “many”)
Many employees missed work today with the flu.
Several employees missed work today with the flu.
Effective (instead of “good” when producing results)
The changes that we made to our logistics were good.
The changes that we made to our logistics were effective.
ADVERBS
Slightly (instead of “a little”)
The product that I received is a little different than the image of the product on the website.
The product that I received is slightly different than the image of the product on the website.
Very or Incredibly (instead of “really/so”)
The presentation was so interesting.
The presentation was very interesting.
The presentation was incredibly interesting.
In advance (instead of “before” as an adverb)
The meeting is on Friday, but I’ll send an agenda to everyone before.
The meeting is on Friday, but I’ll send an agenda to everyone in advance.
Poor or Poorly (instead of “bad” / “badly”)
The Board of Directors made a bad decision
The Board of Directors made a poor decision.
The new system rollout was implemented badly. It had several issues.
The new system rollout was implemented poorly. It had several issues.
NOUNS
Concerns (instead of “worries” or "doubts")
Staff members expressed some worries about the new work schedule.
Staff members expressed some concerns about the new work schedule.
Issues (instead of “problems”)
All of the problems have been resolved.
All of the issues have been resolved.
Insight (instead of “advice” / “information” when it comes from experience or knowledge)
Thank you for your advice. It has helped me a lot.
Thank you for your insight. It has helped me a lot.
VERBS
Purchase (instead of "buy")
We purchased $10,000 of materials from our supplier
Would you like to purchase this today?
Verify (instead of "check")
I'll verify this information with our accounts department
Can you call the Director to verify that the meeting is still going to happen?
Enquire (instead of "ask")
I'd like to enquire about the order that we placed last week.
I'm calling to enquire about the status of my reservation for the conference.
Request (instead of “ask for”)
I’d like to ask for another invoice.
I’d like to request another invoice.
Require (instead of “need”)
Every flight attendant needs CPR training.
Every flight attendant requires CPR training.
Consider (instead of “think about” with options)
We are going to think about all options before we make a decision.
We are going to consider all options before we make a decision.
Discuss (instead of “talk about”)
Do you have time to talk about the new project?
Do you have time to discuss the new project?
Resolve (instead of “fix”)
Our team is trying to fix the problem.
Our team is trying resolve the problem.
Respond (instead of “answer” when it's related to communication)
I emailed the client, but she hasn’t answered yet.
I emailed the client, but she hasn’t responded yet.
Submit (instead of “send in”)
We need to send in our offer by Tuesday.
We need to submit our offer by Tuesday.
Determine (instead of “decide on” when introducing a firm judgement/decision)
We decided that cutting jobs was not necessary.
We determined that cutting jobs was not necessary.
Provide or Supply (instead of “give”)
I’ll call them to see if they can give us a quote.
I’ll call them to see if they can provide a quote
I'll call them to see if they can supply a quote.
Receive (instead of “get”)
All of our high-value clients get special promotions.
All of our high-value clients receive special promotions.
Inform or Notify (instead of “tell”)
I’m writing this email to tell you that we will have a visitor to the office on Monday.
I’m writing this email to inform you that we will have a visitor to the office on Monday.
I'm writing this email to notify you that we will have a visitor to the office on Monday.
Demonstrate (instead of “show” when it involves action/behavior)
All of our employees show a commitment to high performance.
All of our employees demonstrate a commitment to high performance.
Illustrate (instead of “explain” when it involves statistics, charts, examples and pictures)
The statistics in the chart explain the increasing demand for our product line.
The statistics in the chart illustrate the increasing demand for our product line.
Retain (instead of “keep” when it is used with a noun)
We want to keep our best employees.
We want to retain our best employees.
Produce or Manufacture (instead of “make” for products)
The factory makes around 10,000 cars per year.
The factory produces around 10,000 cars per year.
Would like (instead of “want”)
I want everyone to attend the training workshop.
I would like everyone to attend the training workshop.
Attend (instead of “go to” for an event)
Around two-hundred people are expected to go to the conference.
Around two-hundred people are expected to attend the conference.
Assist (instead of “help”)
Would you like someone to help you with that?
Would you like someone to assist you with that?
Develop (instead of "improve”)
I want to improve my communication skills.
I want to develop my communication skills.
Discover (instead of “find out”)
We found out some problems within our production process.
We discovered some problems within our production process.
Examine (instead of “study" / "look at (closely)”)
We should look at the results of the survey.
We should examine the results of the survey.
Select (instead of “choose”)
Have you chosen a candidate for the position?
Have you selected a candidate for the position?
Ensure (instead of “make sure”)
Please make sure that you complete the online training course by November 10th.
Please ensure that you complete the online training course by November 10th.
Advise (instead of “suggest”)
I suggest that you use different colors for the logo design.
I advise that you use different colors for the logo design.
Appreciate (instead of “thank you”)
Thank you for your support.
I appreciate your support.
Apologize (instead of “be sorry”)
I’m sorry for missing the meeting.
I apologize for missing the meeting.
Practice
Rewrite the sentences below using the appropriate substitute word for the underlined word:
assist / would like / requested / producing / attend / submitted / in advance / retain / poor / developing / issue / resolve / responded / insight / advises
Please let me know if you will be able to go to the meeting.
The legal department suggests that we avoid mentioning our competitor in the new commercial.
The company announced bad financial results, which resulted in their stock price falling by 7%.
Any of our service representatives would be happy to help you with anything that you need.
I asked for vacation time next month, but the Human Resources department hasn’t answered.
We need to fix this mistake as soon as possible.
Any requests for a day off should be sent in at least three days before.
The company is focused on improving its products and making them with attention and care.
I want to hear your advice about how we should deal with this problem.
Our competitors are strong, but I believe we can keep our position as the top brand in the market.
several / selecting / apologize / discuss / sufficient / discovered / illustrates / determine / effective / ensure / demonstrate / I appreciate / considering / notified / concerns / examine
We tried advertising through direct mail, but it wasn’t good.
The company doesn’t have enough capital to expand at this time.
If you have any worries, you can email me, and I’d be happy to talk about them with you.
We must look at each building carefully before choosing one to become the new head office.
Many of our sales staff found out that one of our new products has a design flaw.
I was told by the project manager that they are thinking about delaying it until June.
We must make sure that we decide on an incentive scheme that will significantly motivate staff.
I'm sorry for the mistake. Thank you for your patience.
Leaders must show the commitment that they expect from their employees.
This graph explains the effects of higher interest rates on the economy.
Answers
First Set:
Please let me know if you will be able to attend the meeting.
The legal department advises that we avoid mentioning our competitor in the new commercial.
The company announced poor financial results, which resulted in their stock price falling by 7%.
Any of our service representatives would be happy to assist you with anything that you need.
I requested vacation time next month, but the Human Resources department hasn’t responded.
We need to resolve this mistake as soon as possible.
Any requests for a day off should be submitted at least three days in advance.
The company is focused on developing its products and producing them with attention and care.
I would like to hear your insight about how we should deal with this issue.
Our competitors are strong, but I believe we can retain our position as the top brand in the market.
Second Set:
We tried advertising through direct mail, but it wasn’t effective.
The company doesn’t have sufficient capital to expand at this time.
If you have any concerns, you can email me, and I’d be happy to discuss them with you.
We must examine each building carefully before selecting one to become the new head office.
Several of our sales staff discovered that one of our new products has a design flaw.
I was notified by the project manager that they are considering delaying it until June.
We must ensure that we determine an incentive scheme that will significantly motivate staff.
I apologize for the mistake. I appreciate your patience.
Leaders must demonstrate the commitment that they expect from their employees.
This graph illustrates the effects of higher interest rates on the economy.