In our last lesson, we looked at words that are used to talk about jobs and working. Let's now have a look at how companies are structured and review words that are regularly used in business English. 

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Generally, companies and institutions have different "departments." For example, an IT department—short for "information technology"—handles any responsibilities related to computers and networks. The person in charge of a department can be referred to as a "department head," but also a "director" or "manager."

This is Jonathan from human resources at Phonez and More.

Caption 12, The Company: The Job Interview

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We've taken the time to interview quite a few people for the position in the marketing department.

Captions 9-10, The Company: Starting on a New Job

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Well, we zipped over here from Maui with my head of R and D [research and development] Michi Schweiger.

Captions 2-3, Naish SUP: Aloha Big Island!

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Some companies have multiple offices or "branches" in different cities, and may have a central office or headquarters. 

Welcome to corporate headquarters.

Caption 49, Cannes Advertising Festival Apple: Escape from the Office

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We currently offer our after-school program at the Williamsburg branch of the Brooklyn Public Library.

Captions 45-46, Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co.: Learn about this fun shop in Brooklyn, NY!

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Here are some important words related to daily operations:

And I called together an important board meeting of the local charitable organizations dedicated to protecting water.

Captions 20-21, Alison's Adventures: Your Passport to the World (LONDON)

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And NBC News is reporting that during a conference call, McConnell urged members of his Republican caucus not to mount an objection.

Captions 49-51, News: McConnell Accepts Reality, Trump Still Won't Concede

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Next Thursday, I'm gonna write a report about my meetings in Chicago.

Caption 81, Side by Side - Beginners: Future Tense - going to

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Further Learning
There are many videos featuring business topics on Yabla English, all of which contain essential vocabulary.

The three verbs above are very similar, but they actually have completely different meanings. Luckily, with a few examples from Yabla English, we can quickly clarify the difference. 

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The verb "to oversee" is synonymous with "to supervise," and means to watch over what someone is doing or something that is happening. 

Lee oversees the four restoration technicians we have in the museum. 

Caption 19, Motorcycle Masters: Birmingham Alabama

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The verb "to overlook," on the other hand, means to fail to see or notice something. It's almost the opposite of "to oversee"!

A gem of a park, it's often overlooked.

Caption 4, America's National Parks: Saguaro

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Cinderella was delighted, but there was still a small detail that the Fairy had apparently overlooked.

Captions 47-48, Yabla Fairy Tales: Cinderella

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And overlook this supposed crime

Caption 8, Alanis Morissette: Hands Clean

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The phrase "to look over" means to examine, review, check, or inspect something. 

There is nothing out of the ordinary, but we always recommend that you look over it closely.

Captions 30-31, The Company: Starting on a New Job

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Further Learning
Try writing your own sentences in different tenses. If you get stuck, look for examples with the root verbs "to see" and "to look" on Yabla English, as these can be used as a guideline.

A personal pronoun is a word that substitutes for a noun representing people, animals or objects.

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The first person singular pronoun "I" usually refers to yourself (or the speaker). In the plural form it is "we."

I really am passionate about this.

Caption 24, Business English - The Job Interview

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Well, we are very excited to have you with us!

Caption 16, Business English - Starting on a New Job

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The second person pronoun "you" can be singular or plural and usually refers to the person or persons you are addressing.

What will you have for lunch?

Caption 23, Caralie and Annie - Get To Know Each Other

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The third person pronoun refers to someone other than the person you are speaking to, and is "he" (male) or "she" (female) or "it" (object) in singular, "they" in plural:

She is elegant and we wish her luck this weekend.

Caption 32, Taylor Swift - Prom Party

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They thought it was a hoax.

Caption 7, Soccer World Cup - Australia

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Further Learning
Read the personal pronoun article in English and in your native language to help you understand the basics. Write a simple sentence in your native language for each of the personal pronouns, then translate them to English. Search for some personal pronouns on Yabla English and see some different examples of how they are used in context.