B1 · Module 07 · Class 25 — The Mendez Call
Narrative Scene
Preparing the Call
The phase-gate review had gone well. Claire had approved the revised timeline. But the revised timeline was two weeks longer than what Santiago had implied to Rodrigo Mendez during the fieldwork.
Two weeks did not sound like much. In a procurement cycle with a narrowing window, two weeks was the difference between being in the first wave and being in the second. And Mendez had built his internal case on the first wave.
Santiago sat at his desk and wrote out what he needed to say. Not a script — he never worked from a script with Mendez. But a structure. The things he could not avoid saying. The things he needed to suggest. The things he was recommending. The risk he was asking Mendez to consider accepting.
He had learned, over six months of this engagement, that the language of difficult conversations was precise. You did not just say what you meant. You chose the exact words that named the action — and the exact grammar that framed who owned it.
Verb + Gerund (-ing)
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun. Many verbs in English are always followed by the gerund — never by the infinitive. Learning which verbs take the gerund is essential for professional fluency.
Form: VERB + [gerund] e.g. "I suggest reviewing the timeline." NOT "I suggest to review."
Group 1 — Verbs of Avoidance and Denial
Verb + gerund | Example | Function |
avoid + -ing | We cannot avoid revising the timeline — the data is clear. | Not doing something intentionally |
deny + -ing | Mendez denied receiving the updated schedule before the fieldwork ended. | Refusing to acknowledge an action |
risk + -ing | I do not want to risk losing his cooperation at this stage. | Taking a chance with a negative outcome |
resist + -ing | He resisted accepting the delay for the first twenty minutes of the call. | Holding back from doing something |
Group 2 — Verbs of Suggestion and Consideration
Verb + gerund | Example | Function |
suggest + -ing | I suggest presenting this as a technical adjustment, not a setback. | Proposing a course of action |
recommend + -ing | I recommend contacting Mendez before the formal letter arrives. | Advising a course of action |
consider + -ing | He considered walking away — but ultimately agreed to wait. | Thinking about a possible action |
propose + -ing | Santiago proposed scheduling a call rather than sending an email. | Putting forward a plan |
Group 3 — Verbs of Acknowledgement
Verb + gerund | Example | Function |
admit + -ing | I have to admit underestimating how quickly the window would narrow. | Acknowledging a truth reluctantly |
acknowledge + -ing | We acknowledge causing a degree of uncertainty with the revised date. | Formally recognising an impact |
mind + -ing | Would you mind holding the procurement meeting until we have clarity? | Polite request (in question form) |
delay + -ing | I recommend not delaying calling Mendez — every day matters here. | Postponing an action |
Group 4 — Preposition + Gerund
When a preposition is followed by a verb, the verb must be in the gerund form. This is one of the most common sources of error in professional writing.
Preposition + gerund | Example | Note |
by + -ing | By addressing this now, we protect the relationship. | Method / means |
without + -ing | I cannot revise the date without explaining why. | Absence of action |
instead of + -ing | Instead of delaying the call, I recommend making it today. | Alternative |
despite + -ing | Despite knowing about the window, we chose the longer timeline. | Concession |
after + -ing | After considering all options, I am recommending a two-week extension. | Sequence |
before + -ing | Before speaking to Mendez, I want to agree the language with you. | Sequence |
Phrasal Verbsbring up — to introduce a difficult subject in conversation: "Santiago needed to bring up the timeline revision without alarming Mendez." put off — to delay doing something, especially something unpleasant: "He had been putting off calling Mendez since Thursday." talk (sb) round — to persuade someone to change their position: "It took forty minutes, but Santiago talked Mendez round." |
Santiago's Call Notes + Follow-Up Email
Santiago's handwritten call notes (left column) and the follow-up email he sent immediately after the call (right column). Read both — notice how the gerund structures from Section C appear throughout the email.
CALL NOTES — R. Mendez | Thursday 16:00 ───────────────────────────────────────── — Opened by acknowledging the delay directly. Did not hedge it. — Mendez pushed back. Expected this. Resisted accepting it for ~20 mins. — Suggested reframing as "adjusted for regulatory precision" — he used that phrase back to me by end of call. Good sign. — Avoided blaming the Senate committee directly — recommended focusing on what we can control. — He considered pulling back to Wave 2. Talked him out of it by showing Wave 1 still viable with the revised date. — Closed by proposing a joint statement to his procurement team. He agreed. — Risk: he may still raise it with the board. Worth monitoring. |
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