商务信函的英文书写规则(2)
（一）避免使用可能产生不同理解或意义不明确的词汇
〈例一〉
As to the steamers sailing from Hongkong to San Francisco, we have bimonthly direct services.
（从香港到旧金山有直达船）
但是bimonthly 究竟是一个月两次，还是两个月一次呢？不明确。因此，最好清楚明白地说明“一个月两次”还是“两个月一次”：
（a）We have two direct sailings every month from Hongkong to San Francisco.
（每月两次直达船）
（b）We have semimonthly direct sailing from Hongkong to San Francisco.
（每半月一次直达船）
（c）We have a direct sailing from Hongkong to San Francisco every two month.
（每两个月一次直达船）
（二）注意修饰词的位置，有时修饰词的位置不同，会导致不同的含意如：
（a）Please let us know what you wish us to do about this matter as soon as possible:
（b）Please let us know as soon as possible what you wish us to do about this matter.
以上两句中修饰的内容不同：
（a） 你们要求我们尽快做些什么。
（b） 请尽快告诉我们。
所以 （a） 可译成“请告诉你们要求我们为此尽快做些什么”；
（b） 可译为“请尽快告知，你们要我们为此事做些什么”。
（三） 注意代名词，关系代词和先行词的关系
按照英语习惯，句子中的代名词和关系代词一般是指离得最近的名词，因此要特别注意，以免引起误解或不清楚。
例句：
不好： They informed Messrs.John & Smith that they would receive an answer in a few days.
较好： They informed Messrs. John & Smith that latter would receive an answer in a few days.
(四)注意前后一致和紧凑，连贯
不一致：Being a certified public accountant, I am sure you can help us.
一致： Being a certified public accountant, you can surely help us.
or; As you are a certified public accountant, I am sure you can help us.
（五）仔细和恰当地分段落（Paragraphing）
商业书信要写得使人一读就明白，因此必须按照内容仔细和恰当的分段落，一般的分段落原则是一个段落一个意思（A paragraph for each point is a good general rule.）。现举例说明：
Dear Sirs,
It is reported in a domestic newspaper that the Iranian Central Bank has instructed the commercial banks to suspend their business of opening a new letter of credit as from the 3rd May for financial reason of foreign currency. Although it is said th