Amend a clause 修改条款
A:Here is the draft contract, Mr Brown. Let's discuss the clauses to see if we agree on all of them. Then I will make out an original of the contract. After that,what's left is to fill out the contract and sign our names.
B:That's OK.
A:The contract is to be written in Chinese and English. Both languages are equally effective.
B: Fine. If you'll excuse me, I'd like to go it over first. (After about 15 minutes) Hmm, you've done a pretty good job. It's well prepared.
A:Thank you.
B:Well, I suggest that we discuss only the clauses and points where we have different opinions, just to save time.
A:That's a good idea.
B:First, let's read Clause Two about packing.It's our usual practice to ship our products in containers.That'll save time and money, but your contractstipulatesthe use of wooden cases. So, we'd like to have the words "containers are allowed" in the contract.
A:Agree.
B:For shipment, you know we are producing a complete set of equipment for you and it won't all be finished at one time. So would you allow us to make partial shipments.
A:I understand your position.
重点讲解:
1. What's left is to fill out the contract and sign our names. 中使用句子“what's left”做此复合句的主语,这是一个主语从句,通常放在逐句位于动词之前或由形式主语it代替。
2. It's our usual practice to ship our products in containers. 中的it是形式主语,真正的主语to不定时较长,为避免句子的头重脚轻,我们一般将不定式主语后置,而在句子前面使用形式主语it。
3. stipulate v. 规定,保证
A:布朗先生,这是我们的合同草案。让我们讨论并看一下是否能达成一致,然后我们再拟定一份合同正本,最后就只剩下填写合同还有我们的签名了。
B:好的。
A:合同将由问中文和英文各一份。中英文的效力是一样的。
B:好的,如果可以的话,我想先看一下。(15分钟后)嗯,你们做得很漂亮,准备得很好。
A:谢谢。
B:好吧,为了节省时间,我们就某些我们有不同意见的条款讨论一下吧。
A:好主意。
B:首先,我们来看一下关于包装的第二条款,按照惯例我们应该用集装箱装运,那样会省时省钱,但是你的合同规定用木箱。因此,我们应该加上“允许使用集装箱”。
A:同意。
B:你也知道,我们生产了一整套设备,这不可能一次全部运完,你们可以允许我们分几部分运吗?
A:可以理解。