Lessonpills

1

Think about these questions before reading. Share your ideas with a partner.

Think about a time you had to propose a new idea or suggest a change at work or in a study group. How did you present your idea to make it sound convincing?
What, in your opinion, are the biggest challenges when trying to convince a team or a manager to accept a new proposal? Consider factors like budget, tradition, or team dynamics.
How does the way you suggest an idea to a colleague differ from how you would formally present it to your boss or a client? What changes in your language, tone, and preparation?

2

Making a Business Proposal

Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.

3

Answer these questions in your own words. Support your answers with evidence from the article.

01According to the article, what is the main purpose of using the subjunctive mood in a business context?

Sample answerIts main purpose is to make formal suggestions and recommendations sound more professional and persuasive. It's used for expressing necessities or demands rather than just stating facts.

02In what way do the practical phrases mentioned in the article help when presenting an idea in a team meeting?

Sample answerThey provide a structure for your presentation. They help you introduce your idea clearly, explain the reasons behind it, ask for feedback from your team, and move the discussion towards a final decision.

03Based on the vocabulary definitions, what is the difference between 'fleshing out' a proposal and 'running it by someone'?

Sample answer'Fleshing out' a proposal means adding more detail and substance to the core idea to make it more complete. 'Running it by someone' is about seeking feedback on that idea from a colleague before presenting it officially.

04The article explains a key grammar rule for the subjunctive. What is this rule and what common mistake does it help learners avoid?

Sample answerThe rule is that you must always use the base form of the verb, like 'be' or 'attend'. This helps avoid the common mistake of adding an '-s' for the third person singular, for instance, writing 'he attend' instead of the incorrect 'he attends'.

4

Vocabulary

These expressions will help you communicate more naturally about this topic.

Examples

to put forward a proposal — to offer an idea, plan, or suggestion for other people to consider.

Usage note: This is a formal but common phrase used in meetings and written communication. It's a great alternative to simply saying 'I suggest...'.

to get buy-in — to get the support, agreement, and commitment from other people for a plan or project.

Usage note: This is very common in business contexts. For example: 'Before we proceed, it's crucial that we get buy-in from the senior management team.'

to weigh the pros and cons — to consider the advantages and disadvantages of something before making a decision.

Usage note: This is a widely understood idiom suitable for both semi-formal and informal discussions. You can also say 'weigh up the pros and cons'.

a potential pitfall — a likely mistake or problem that you could encounter in a particular situation.

Usage note: Use this to sound more professional when discussing risks. For example: 'One potential pitfall of this strategy is the high initial cost.'

the path forward — the plan or course of action to be taken in the future.

Usage note: This phrase is often used in meetings to conclude a discussion and focus on next steps. For example: 'Thank you for the feedback. Now, let's agree on the path forward.'

5

Phrases for discussing proposals

Complete the sentences by matching the beginning on the left with the correct ending on the right.

Match each item on the left with the correct item on the right.

Drag or click to match

Definitions

6

Grammar: The subjunctive mood

Grammar

The subjunctive is a specific verb form used to talk about hypothetical situations, suggestions, demands, or necessities, rather than facts. In business English, it's frequently used after certain verbs and phrases to make recommendations and proposals sound more formal and authoritative.

Examples

The committee recommends that the new policy be implemented by the end of the quarter.

Notice the use of 'be' instead of 'is'. The subjunctive uses the base form of the verb, regardless of the subject.

It is crucial that every stakeholder understand the potential risks involved.

Here, we use 'understand', not 'understands'. The verb does not change for the third-person singular (he/she/it).

I insist that he attend the next project meeting to provide his feedback.

This structure is common after verbs of suggestion or demand, such as 'propose', 'insist', 'request', and 'suggest'.

Key points

Always use the base form of the verb (e.g., go, be, create) in the subjunctive clause.
It often follows verbs like 'recommend', 'suggest', 'demand' and phrases like 'it is vital that...'.
Common mistake: Avoid adding an '-s' for the third person (e.g., '...that she join' not '...that she joins').

7

Find the mistake

Read the sentences below, which are all related to making business proposals. Each one has a single error. Can you spot it and fix it?

Each sentence contains one error. Find and correct it.

01The board recommended that the new project is postponed until the next quarter.

Corrected version

The board recommended that the new project is be postponed until the next quarter.

02Before we proceed, we must careful weigh the pros and cons of this strategy.

Corrected version

Before we proceed, we must ~~careful~~ carefully weigh the pros and cons of this strategy.

03It's crucial to get buy-in of the senior management team for this proposal to succeed.

Corrected version

It's crucial to get buy-in of from the senior management team for this proposal to succeed.

04The CEO insisted that every department head attends the emergency meeting.

Corrected version

The CEO insisted that every department head ~~attends~~ attend the emergency meeting.

05One potential downfall we need to consider is the risk of alienating our existing customers.

Corrected version

One potential ~~downfall~~ pitfall we need to consider is the risk of alienating our existing customers.

06During the brainstorming session, he put up an excellent idea for the path forward.

Corrected version

During the brainstorming session, he put up forward an excellent idea for the path forward.

07I suggest to run these figures by the finance department before the presentation.

Corrected version

I suggest to ~~run~~ running these figures by the finance department before the presentation.

8

Developing a strong proposal

Read the text about the process of creating a business proposal.

Fill in each blank with the correct word from the word bank.

Word bank

Before you formally a proposal, it's crucial to do your homework. You must thoroughly the pros and cons of your idea and anticipate any pitfalls. It is essential that you key stakeholders early to get their initial feedback and start building support. Gaining this early is often the most critical step towards getting the green light for your project. Only then can you confidently recommend a clear forward for the team.

9

Choose the best answer based on the information in the article.

01According to the article, what does the phrase 'to get the green light' mean?

02The article states that the subjunctive is often used after certain adjectives. Which of the following is an example of such an adjective?

03What is the stated purpose of the 'Practical English' section described in the article?

04Which of the following topics is NOT mentioned in the article as a component of the lesson?

10

Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.

When putting forward a proposal, some believe it's crucial to present a complete, detailed plan. Others argue it's better to start with a broad vision to get buy-in first, then work out the details together. Which strategy do you think is more effective, and what are the potential pitfalls of each approach?
In your country's business culture, is it more common to openly weigh the pros and cons of a proposal in a group meeting, or is it expected that potential issues are discussed privately beforehand? How might this cultural norm affect the process of getting buy-in?
Imagine your team has decided on a path forward, but you foresee a major potential pitfall that nobody else has mentioned. What is the most professional and effective way to raise your concern without undermining the team's decision or the person who led the proposal?