Checking information - 09 - English at Work checks that things are correct

Anna’s checking up on some orders today. As a result some of embarrassing mistakes in deliveries, Tip Top Trading’s big boss in America has ordered a re-check of every order this month. Let’s hear how she checks on things in the warehouse. For more English at Work and other great content:: TRANSCRIPT Narrator: Welcome back! This is what’s happening today: as a result some of embarrassing mistakes in deliveries, Tip Top Trading’s big boss in America has ordered a re-check of every order this month. So, Paul is talking to key customers to see if they’ve got what they needed: Paul: I just want to check you’re happy with the grapes? Narrator: Tom, whom we all know was responsible for the disaster, is phoning his clients to make sure he has the correct information about what they want: Tom: Ya, yah, I just want to make absolutely sure we get the order right for you and have the correct number of fruit... Narrator: Denise is, well, talking on the phone to a friend. Denise: Brown shoes don’t look right on him! He’s not a brown shoe sort of person... Narrator: Anna has to go down to the warehouse, where the products are prepared for delivery. Anna: I have to speak to Mr Ingle. Apparently he’s not very friendly! He might not like me asking lots of questions! Narrator: Well, be polite, and start your sentences with things like: I just want to make sure that... Could you possibly clarify... I just want to check... Just to be absolutely clear... One thing I wasn’t sure of was... Narrator: Good luck! Anna: Mr Ingle, I don’t think we’ve met yet, I’m Anna. Ingle: Hello. Oi! What are you doing with those boxes? I told you to put them in storage. Anna, is it? Anna: Yes, sorry to bother you, I just want to check something. We’ve had a few problems with orders…. Ingle: Well, that’s not my fault. I do exactly what I’m asked to do. (To workers) No, not there, in storage! Anna: Oh, well, I just want to make sure that…. Ingle: Thirty years I’ve been doing this job, and I’ve never made a mistake. Anna: Of course, but because we’ve had problems, we need to make absolutely sure that all deliveries are correct. Ingle: Humph. Anna: Could you possibly clarify what went out in today’s delivery to Mr Berry of, er, Bluetree Enterprises? Ingle: 500 redcurrants. Anna: Right. That’s fine. Narrator: Well done Anna, this is going very well. Remember that other phrase – “I just want to check…“ Anna: OK. Now, I just want to check what was sent to Cocoline Limited – it should have been fifteen mangos – Ingle: That’s right. Anna: Great, and just to be absolutely clear, you sent the soft mangos, not the plastic ones? Ingle: Yes, just like I was told to. Anna: Good. One thing I wasn’t sure of was whether we had enough yellow bananas in stock – I know there are some purple ones, but... Ingle: We do need more yellow bananas. Anna: Okay, I’ll just write that down. Thank you Mr Ingle. By the way, I like your overalls! Ingle: Oh thanks. Narrator: Well he was a bit unfriendly, but Anna got what she needed. Here are the phrases she used: I just want to make sure that... Could you possibly clarify... I just want to check... Just to be absolutely clear... One thing I wasn’t sure of was... Well, everything in the warehouse seems to be okay. Back in the office, Tom is having less luck. Tom: (on the phone) Really? Here it says 5,000 not five... oh... Narrator: It’s going to be a long day for him! Until next time. Bye!