You will remember that there are 5 or 6 different patterns of verb chunks.
Task 1: Sort the verb chunks into the table below. Look the examples.
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allow s/o to V
arrange n.p.
be allowed to V
be prepared to V
be required to V
complete n.p.
agree to V
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consider n.p.
consider that v.p.
contact n.p.
decide ‘wh’ to V
decide that v.p.
decide to V
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enjoy n.p.
enjoy Ving
inform s/o that v.p.
prepare to V
read n.p.
allow n.p.
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require n.p.
require s/o to V
require that v.p.
tell s/o ‘wh’ v.p.
tell s/o ‘wh’ to V
tell s/o that v.p.
agree that v.p.
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V + n.p
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be Ved to V
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V s/o that V
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complete n.p.
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be allowed to V
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inform s/o that v.p.
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V s/o ‘wh’
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V to V
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V Ving
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tell s/o ‘wh’ v.p.
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prepare to V
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enjoy Ving
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V s/o to V
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V that + v.p.
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V ‘wh’ to V
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require s/o to V
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decide that v.p.
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tell s/o ‘wh’ to V
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Task 1 Feedback:
Check out your answers in the language bank below.
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V + n.p
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be Ved to V
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V s/o that V
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arrange n.p.
consider n.p.
enjoy n.p.
require n.p.
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complete n.p.
allow n.p.
read n.p.
contact n.p.
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be allowed to V
be required to V
be prepared to V
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inform s/o that v.p.
tell s/o that v.p.
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V s/o ‘wh’ + v.p.
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V to V
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V Ving
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tell s/o ‘wh’ v.p.
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prepare to V
agree to V
decide to V
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enjoy Ving
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V s/o to V
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V that + v.p.
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V (s/o) ‘wh’ to V
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require s/o to V
allow s/o to V
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agree that v.p.
decide that v.p.
require that v.p.
consider that v.p.
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decide ‘wh’ to V
tell s/o ‘wh’ to V
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*Notice that some of the patterns are more difficult than in previous units. ‘Be Ved to V’ for example is kind of strange. This is basically a passive verb. It’s worth learning as a chunk, however, because in business English this pattern is so common with these verbs that you can learn it as vocabulary item.
*Another pattern which you might find strange is ‘V ‘wh’ to V’. For example, ‘I couldn’t decide who to invite to the reception.’ ‘I can’t decide where to hold the End of Year Party.’
*Notice also, that as in previous units, some of the verbs can have more than one pattern. For example ‘prepare to V’ and ‘be prepared to V’; or ‘enjoy n.p.’ and ‘enjoy Ving’. Some of the verbs also appear with prepositional chunks, which you’ll learn more about in unit 10.
Ok, let’s look at examples of how these verb chunks are used in emails.
Task 2: Read these emails and find and underline the verb chunks from the previous task. Notice how they are used. Look at the example.
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Dear Maggie,
I really must complain about the new sales person – Mr. Googie Blunderer- you hired last month. I thought our company required skilled people to sell our complex products? He gave a presentation to the clients last night, which was not good, even though I told him in advance how to structure and prepare it. It seems he did not read up on the product specs and did not prepare for the questions. I cannot allow this. I would be grateful if you could arrange for someone to cover his duties and fire him immediately.
Dear Lucy,
Just a quick note to let you know what happened on Friday. I arranged the venue as you asked me to, and then returned to the office at around 4.00. However, as I was not wearing my badge I was not allowed to reenter the building. My mobile was dead and I could not contact anyone. I couldn’t decide what to do. I begged the security guard at the door to let me in, but he did not allow me to do so. So I went home.
Dear Amy,
I really must complain about your email, which I think was most unfair. You required us –against my advice- to redesign the financial spreadsheet program at a very bad time. I only have 8 people in my department, as you know, and we simply cannot deal with two complex jobs at the same time. The company was required to file all income tax returns before the end of the month, and we had to give this priority. I told you that my department was not prepared for such a huge backlog of work. I cannot now take the blame for this decision of yours, especially when I consider that I told you about the situation clearly a few weeks ago. We must now prepare to face huge delays, and possibly a fine for late payment of taxes.
Dear Mike,
Thanks for a great presentation yesterday. I think the clients all really enjoyed it, and I certainly enjoyed hearing about our successes. One of them informed me afterwards that I was lucky to have such a talented presenter in my company. However, when I told him how much I was paying you, he changed his mind! (Just kidding!)After hearing these comments, Lucy and I decided that you should deliver the share holders’ report at the AGM on Monday. Please contact me as soon as you can.
Dear Edward,
Further to our meeting last week, I read the consultant’s report with great interest. As he mentioned, we originally considered a strategic alliance with Global Star Inc., but they were not prepared to meet our terms. We then decided to give up the idea. The consultant’s other recommendations are very interesting. I’d like to arrange another meeting with you and the management team to discuss them in more detail.
Dear Lucy,
Before Macey went on vacation last week, did she complete the report as she agreed to?
If so, where is it? I can’t find it! I’m surprised that you allowed her to go on vacation without finishing this really important piece of work. I thought we agreed that she should finish it before she could go. Holiday regulations require that staff need approval from a supervisor before they leave for a vacation. Please let me know if you have it.
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Here are the answers from last week.
Task 2: Read these emails, and find and underline the verb chunks from the previous task. Notice how they are used. Look at the example.
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Dear Maggie,
I really must complain about the new sales person – Mr. Googie Blunderer- you hired last month. I thought our company required skilled people to sell our complex products? He gave a presentation to the clients last night, which was not good, even though I told him in advance how to structure and prepare it. It seems he did not read up on the product specs and did not prepare for the questions. I cannot allow this. I would be grateful if you could arrange for someone to cover his duties and fire him immediately.
required n.p.
told him (in advance) how to V
Dear Lucy,
Just a quick note to let you know what happened on Friday. I arranged the venue as you asked me to, and then returned to the office at around 4.00. However, as I was not wearing my badge I was not allowed to reenter the building. My mobile was dead and I could not contact anyone. I couldn’t decide what to do. I begged the security guard at the door to let me in, but he did not allow me to do so. So I went home.
arranged n.p.
was (not) allowed to V
contact n.p.
decide what to V
allow s/o to do v
Dear Amy,
I really must complain about your email, which I think was most unfair. You required us –against my advice- to redesign the financial spreadsheet program at a very bad time. I only have 8 people in my department, as you know, and we simply cannot deal with two complex jobs at the same time. The company was required to file all income tax returns before the end of the month, and we had to give this priority. I told you that my department was not prepared for such a huge backlog of work. I cannot now take the blame for this decision of yours, especially when I consider that I told you about the situation clearly a few weeks ago. We must now prepare to face huge delays, and possibly a fine for late payment of taxes.
required s/o to v
be required to v
told s/o that v.p.
consider that v.p.
prepare to v
Dear Mike,
Thanks for a great presentation yesterday. I think the clients all really enjoyed it, and I certainly enjoyed hearing about our successes. One of them informed me afterwards that I was lucky to have such a talented presenter in my company. However, when I told him how much I was paying you, he changed his mind! (Just kidding!)After hearing these comments, Lucy and I decided that you should deliver the share holders’ report at the AGM on Monday. Please contact me as soon as you can.
enjoyed n.p.
enjoyed hearing
inform s/o afterwards that v.p.
tell s/o how much v.p.
decide that v.p.
contact n.p.
Dear Edward,
Further to our meeting last week, I read the consultant’s report with great interest. As he mentioned, we originally considered a strategic alliance with Global Star Inc., but they were not prepared to meet our terms. We then decided to give up the idea. The consultant’s other recommendations are very interesting. I’d like to arrange another meeting with you and the management team to discuss them in more detail.
considered n.p.
were (not) prepared to v
decided to v
arrange n.p.
Dear Lucy,
Before Macey went on vacation last week, did she complete the report as she agreed to?
If so, where is it? I can’t find it! I’m surprised that you allowed her to go on vacation without finishing this really important piece of work. I thought we agreed that she should finish it before she could go. Holiday regulations require that staff need approval from a supervisor before they leave for a vacation. Please let me know if you have it.
agreed to v
allowed s/o to go
agreed that v.p.
require that v.p.
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