$1.$ Employing Passive$-$Voice Verbs $(9\mathrm{.}2)$

YOUR TASK Revise the following sentences to present the bad news with passive$-$voice verbs. If possible, present the bad news positively.

a$.$ We cannot examine new patients until we have verified their insurance coverage.

b$.$ Company policy prevents us from offering health and dental benefits until employees have been on the job for $12$ months.

c$.$ Because we are retooling our production line, we are postponing requests for company tours until the fall.

d$.$ Unfortunately, we cannot offer free shipping until after January $1.$ Act now!

e$.$ Our retail stores will no longer accept credit cards for purchases under $$5.$

f$.$ As manager, I cannot grant you the three$-$week vacation period you request because others have already reserved that period.

$2.$ Subordinating Bad News $(9\mathrm{.}3)$

YOUR TASK Revise the following sentences to position the bad news in a subordinate clause. $($Hint: Consider beginning the clause with Although.$)$ Use passive$-$voice verbs for the bad news.

a$.$ Your frequent flyer miles expire on December $31$ because you have earned no qualifying segments during this calendar year. However, you could keep your miles if you apply for our Northeastern credit card and spend $$2,000$ in the next three months.

b$.$ We appreciate your interest in our organization, but we cannot extend an employment offer to you at this time.

c$.$ Regretfully, we cannot supply you with the cabinet hinge you requested. The manufacturer no longer offers it$.$ A new hinge should work for you, and we are sending it to you.d$.$ We now offer all our catalog choices on our website, which is always current. Unfortunately, we no longer print or mail a complete print catalog. Our sustainability goals made it impossible for us to continue that practice.

e$.$ We are sorry to report that we are unable to ship your complete order of compact fitness training stations for your hotel's gym at this point in time. However, we are able to send two Freestyle Gym compact workout stations now, and you should receive them within five days.

f$.$ We are sorry to disappoint you, but our nine$-$day boat excursion to the Gal$$pagos Islands has filled up quickly and is now fully booked. We are able to place you on a wait list that would make you only the second in line.

$3.$ Implying Bad News $(9\mathrm{.}4)$

YOUR TASK Revise the following statements to imply the bad news. If possible, use passive$-$voice verbs and sub ordinate clauses to further de$-$emphasize the bad news

DIRECT REFUSAL: We cannot send you a price list, nor can we sell our lawn mowers directly to customers. We sell only through authorized dealers, and you dealer is HomeCo.

IMPLIED REFUSAL: Our lawn mowers are sold exclusively through authorized dealers, and your dealer is HomeCo.

a$.$ Because our government contract has run out, we must disband the task force managing the project. Some of you will be reassigned; unfortunately, we will also have to let a few team members go

b$.$ We are sorry to tell you that we cannot ship our hand$-$dipped chocolate covered fresh strawberries c$.$o$.$d$,$ Your order was not accompanied by payment, so we are not shipping it$.$ We have it ready, though, and will rush it to its destination as soon as you call us with your credit card number.

c$.$ Unfortunately, we find it impossible to contribute to your excellent and worthwhile fundraising campaign this year. At present all the funds of our organization are needed to lease equipment and offices for our new branch in Clearwater. We hope to be able to support this commendable endeavor in the future.

d$.$ Because of the holiday period, all our billboard space was used this month. Therefore, we are sorry to say that we could not give your charitable group free display space. However, next month, after the holidays, we hope to display your message as we promised.