B1 · Module 07 · Class 28 — All Conversations Closed

Vocabulary

full mandate — unrestricted authorisation to act; here, to continue the engagement across both markets

scope extension — a formal increase in the boundaries and deliverables of an existing engagement

mid-year review — a formal assessment at the halfway point of an annual engagement

subject to — conditional on; only effective if a specified condition is met

in recognition of — as an acknowledgement of a contribution or achievement

Verb

Example

Core function

avoid + -ing

We avoided blaming anyone directly.

Not doing something intentionally

deny + -ing

He denied overstating the commitment.

Refusing to acknowledge an action

risk + -ing

I did not want to risk losing his cooperation.

A chance with a negative outcome

suggest + -ing

I suggest reframing this as an adjustment.

Proposing a course of action

recommend + -ing

I recommend contacting Mendez today.

Advising a course of action

consider + -ing

She considered pulling back to Wave 2.

Thinking about a possible action

admit + -ing

I had to admit underestimating the window.

Acknowledging a truth reluctantly

mind + -ing

Would you mind holding the procurement meeting?

Polite request (question form)

delay + -ing

I recommend not delaying this conversation.

Postponing an action

Preposition

Example

Function

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, I recommend calling today.

Alternative

despite + -ing

Despite knowing the risk, we chose the longer path.

Concession

after + -ing

After considering all options, we chose Phase 2B.

Sequence

before + -ing

Before speaking to Mendez, align on the message.

Sequence

Verb

Example

Core function

agree + to

Elena agreed to implement the checklist.

Both parties reach the same conclusion

refuse + to

She refused to accept it was systemic.

Declining to do something

promise + to

Elena promised to consult Santiago before signing.

Committing to a future action

offer + to

Santiago offered to run the training himself.

Voluntarily proposing to help

manage + to

They managed to agree on all three points.

Succeeding despite difficulty

fail + to

The process failed to catch Clause 7.3.

Not achieving something expected

tend + to

Altius tends to prioritise relationships over process.

Habitual pattern

appear + to

Elena appeared to accept the proposal.

Giving an impression (formal)

decide + to

Santiago decided to raise it in person.

Making a choice

Verb

Example

Core function

ask (sb) + to

He asked Elena to commit to the review protocol.

A request directed at a specific person

tell (sb) + to

He told Marco to flag all uncertainty before submitting.

An instruction to a specific person

advise (sb) + to

Patricia advised Santiago to document the conversation.

Professional recommendation

encourage (sb) + to

Elena encouraged Santiago to raise concerns earlier.

Supporting someone to take action

expect (sb) + to

Vantage expected Altius to deliver the register on time.

An assumption about another

want (sb) + to

Elena wanted Santiago to lead the training.

Expressing a preference about another

allow (sb) + to

Elena agreed to allow him to run the session.

Giving permission

Verb

Example (both forms correct)

begin

He began reviewing / began to review the clause.

start

She started addressing / started to address the team.

continue

He continued covering / continued to cover for Marco.

intend

I intend raising / intend to raise this before Phase 3.

like / hate / prefer

She prefers working / prefers to work with clear protocols.

Verb

+ Gerund

+ Infinitive

remember

He remembered signing it. (He signed it — recalls it.)

He remembered to sign it. (He did not forget his duty.)

forget

I forgot mentioning it. (I mentioned it — forgot I had.)

I forgot to mention it. (I never mentioned it.)

stop

She stopped reading at page ten. (Ended the activity.)

She stopped to read it. (Paused something else to read.)

try

Try softening the language. (Experiment — may work.)

I tried to soften it, but failed. (Made a difficult effort.)

Quick Decision Guide — Which Verb Pattern?

Is the verb in this list? avoid/deny/risk/suggest/recommend/consider/admit/mind/delay  →  GERUND

Is there a preposition before the verb? (by/without/instead of/despite/after/before)  →  GERUND

Is the verb in this list? agree/refuse/promise/offer/manage/fail/tend/appear/decide  →  INFINITIVE

Is there a named person between the main verb and the action? (ask HIM to / tell HER to)  →  OBJ+INF

Is the verb begin/start/continue/intend/like/hate/prefer?  →  EITHER (no change)

Is the verb remember/forget/stop/try?  →  CHECK: does the gerund refer to a past event, the infinitive to a duty?

FROM: [email protected]

TO: [email protected]; [email protected]

SUBJECT: Full Mandate — Phase 3 Renewal and Scope Extension

Santiago, Elena,

I am writing on behalf of the Vantage Capital investment committee

[A] ________ (confirm) formal renewal of the Altius engagement mandate

for Phase 3, extended to cover both the Colombia and Chile corridors.

The committee considered [B] ________ (limit) the renewal to Colombia only.

After [C] ________ (review) the interim findings in full, we decided

[D] ________ (proceed) with the dual-market mandate instead.

We acknowledge [E] ________ (take) longer than anticipated to reach this

decision. We had to manage [F] ________ (balance) several competing priorities

within the fund. We appreciate you [G] ________ (wait) without [H] ________

(press) for a faster resolution.

The scope extension is subject to a mid-year review in July.

We look forward [A2] ________ (continue) this work with your team.

Claire Beaumont  |  Partner  |  Vantage Capital Partners