Use the verb in brackets to fill the gaps to create a sentence with present simple or present continuous.
Use the verb in brackets to fill the gaps to create a sentence with present simple or present continuous.
Exercise on Present Simple and Present Continuous
Present Simple vs. Present Continuous. Explanation + Exercise
Present Simple
I speak (or any other verb).
Negative: I DON'T speak (short for DO NOT).
Question: DO you speak?
It's used for habits, things you regularly do, or things that do not change over time.
It usually comes with the following adverbs:
Frequency adverbs: always, never, usually, normally, sometimes, often, hardly ever.
Every + period of time: everyday, every morning/Friday/week/summer/year.
Present Continuous
I'M speaking (short for I AM).
Negative: I'M NOT speaking.
Question: ARE you speaking? (am, is or are depending on the subject).
It's used for actions done right now, or in a close future, or during a short period of time. It's far more frequent in conversations than in texts.
It usually comes with adverbs such as: Now, today, tonight, at the moment, these days, currently.
This or next + period of time: this or next morning/evening/week/week/month/year/course/summer.
Exercise on Present Simple and Present Continuous.
Use the verb in brackets to fill the gaps to create a sentence with present simple or present continuous. You can find the right answer below.
Sally _____________ (work) at the council library.
We _____________ (stay) at the hotel until Sunday morning.
_____________ (you, know) Ms Cooper, our Marketing Director?
Don't start eating! I _____________ (get) to the restaurant in ten minutes.
She _____________ (take) dancing lessons every Wednesday evening.
A: "There's a football match on TV." B: "Who _____________ (play)?"
Professional musicians _____________ (practice) every day.
Call the technician! The central heating _____________ (not, work).
Tonight I _____________ (go) to the movies with Mary.
An inspector _____________ (come) today at lunchtime. Make sure the kitchen is clean!
Our company _____________ (manufacture) its products in China and _____________ (sell) them all across Europe.
I _____________ (not, usually, travel) by bus, but today I _____________ (take) one.
My friends and I _____________ (get) together every year to remember the old good times.
Our sales _____________ (rise) this quarter, so we_____________ (plan) to hire more staff.
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Sally works at the council library.
We are staying at the hotel until Sunday morning.
Do you know Ms Cooper, our Marketing Director?
Don't start eating! I'm getting to the restaurant in ten minutes.
She takes dancing lessons every Wednesday evening.
A: "There's a football match on TV." B: "Who is playing?"
Professional musicians practice every day.
Call the technician! The central heating is not working.
Tonight I am going to the movies with Mary.
An inspector came today at lunchtime. Make sure the kitchen is clean!
Our company manufactures its products in China and sells them all across Europe.
I don't usually travel by bus, but today I'm taking one.
My friends and I get together every year to remember the old good times.
Our sales are rising this quarter, so we are planning to hire more staff.
English Vocabulary for Contracts and Law
Contracts
the terms and conditions of a contract = terms and conditions = basic stipulations, conditions
two parties of a contract = the signing parts of a contract
a purchase/service/lease contract
to close a deal = come to an agreement, sign a contract
a template of a contract = model contract for edition
to draw UP a contract = to write
to make a draft = an early version
to make an ultimate version
Using nouns to sound formal is customary (= a custom, habit):
the provision of the service
the completion of the service
in legalese = written in legal jargon, informal
shall = will, formal
party = each side of the agreement
on behalf of = representing
thereby, hereby = therefore, consequently
owing to = due to, because of
on one hand ..., on the other hand = to introduce both parties
hereinafter = herein, from now on in this document
MegaCorp Industries, hereinafter referred to as “the organisation”
clauses, sections, annexes of a contract
fulfil = meet, satisfy a condition
binding clauses = shall be respected
to state = to assert, to declare, to manifest
a statement = a declaration, an assertion
a lease (= rental) agreement
cars/computers/offices on lease
the leaser and the leasee, formal
the landlord/landlady (= owner, proprietor) lets/leases/rents out the property = collects rent
the tenant/user rents it = pays rent
null, void = invalid, not binding
force majeure = unforeseeable event preventing the fulfilment of the contract
arbitration = settlement of a dispute
the compliance department
be in compliance with the law/regulation
be compliant = to abide by the law
a breach of the contract = to 'break' the contract, fail to abide
liability = responsibility
be liable for = be responsible for
to terminate the contract voluntarily/for a breach of the contract
the termination of
the expire date = the ending date
the contract expires = reaches expire date
fees = salary/remuneration of a contractor
to claim = to make a claim (=demand) for a refund or compensation
to refund/reimburse = to pay back
a refund/reimbursement and/or compensation for damages
a faulty/defective product = with manufacture problems
penalty fees/penalisation for damages/misuse/failure of completion
deposit = refundable payment kept aside to pay possible penalties
misuse = improper use of the product, causing damages/disruption
Insurance:
insurer = insurance company
an insurance policy = contract detailing items insured
policyholder = person contracting an insurance policy
a comprehensive policy = all-inclusive
insurance appraiser = person assessing damages
assessor = person who assesses (=evaluates, appraises)
total loss = damages so severe it's not worth repairing
Law
a lawyer = person who gives legal device and conducts suitsa legal suit, lawsuit = a legal dispute
a court = where legal disputes are settled (=solved)
a trial = an event in which a legal dispute is settled
a judge = person ruling a court and giving verdict
a jury = group of people giving verdict in a case
legal counsellor, legal advisor = gives legal advice
attorney = lawyer in US English
barrister = in UK, lawyer defending a client in court
solicitor = in UK, lawyer doing legal paperwork out of court
to denounce = to announce that someone committed a crime
to sue = to denounce, to take someone to court
to press charges against someone = to denounce
to plead = to formally claim in court
a plea = a formal claim in court
to plead guilty / not guilty = to declare yourself
the defendant = person who allegedly committed a crime
the prosecutor = person leading a case against a defendant
allegedly = supposedly, but not proved yet
to witness a crime = to see
a witness = a person who saw a crime and speaks in court
to make a case = to share an argument, give reason
be guilty= responsible for a crime
the culprit = person declared guilty
an offence = a particular crime
a verdict, a sentence = the decision made by the judge
to punish = to have someone pay for their crimes
punishment = economic fines or imprisonment
a fine = an economic compensation/punishment
to ban = to forbid someone to do something
a ban = a prohibition
to convict someone to = to declare a punishment
inmate = a convicted prisoner in jail (= prison)
to release = to let out, to let go
to be released on parole = the inmate
to bail out = to pay to have someone released from prison
Crime
to steal = taking away someone's things with no permissiona thief = a person who steals
theft = the act of stealing
a pickpocket = steals from people's pockets unnoticedly
a burglar = to steal from houses, usually unnoticedly
to break into = to enter private property with no permission
to assault = to attack, to damage physically
assaulter = the person who assaults
to rob = to steal from a shop or bank, often with violence
a robbery = the act of robbing
to mug = to steal on the street with threats and violence
a mugger = the person who mugs
shoplifting = unnoticedly stealing small items from a shop
stealthily = cunningly and unnoticedly
to go unnoticed = no one noticed you or what you did
to get away = to escape, to run away
to get away WITH it = not pay the consequences
a scammer, a con man = a person who commits fraud
to cheat = to fool, to deceive someone to take their money
to smuggle = to take illegal items across borders
a smuggler = the person who smuggles
to sneak something IN/OUT= to take it in/out illegally
a trafficker = a drug dealer, a pusher
bribery = illegally paying someone to earn their favour
to bribe = to commit bribery
to blackmail = demand money from someone in exchange for not releasing controversial information
embezzlement = stealing money you were in charge of but don't own
to kidnap, to abduct = take a prisoner and hide him/her
kidnapper = person who kidnaps someone
to take someone hostage = to kidnap someone
a ransom = money claimed to release a hostage
to hijack = to take people hostage in a plane/bus/shop
English Vocabulary List about Organisations
Organizations
the head of the department = the manager, director
be in charge OF, be responsible FOR
to head a project/team = to lead, be the leader
vice = assistant, deputy, used as an adjective
"Vice president. Deputy manager."
PM = project manager
PA = personal assistant. "I'm PA to the Managing Director"
to report to someone/a boss
"I report to the Head of Finance."
your reports = employees reporting to you
underlings = employees below you
to account FOR something (to someone) = be responsible of
to hold someone accountable = make them report
better accountability = transparency in reports
the hierarchy/organigram = structure of the company
have someone above/below you = immediately over/under
departments within (=inside) an organisation
high and low tiers = ranks, categories
divisions, business lines, P&L accounts (=Profit and Loss)
& = ampersand, used for titles, brands, briefing style
to assign responsibilities to someone
to take ON new responsibilities = accept, assume
to take OVER a new position = accept, usually management
to be appointed (=named) to this position
to allocate (=assigne) a budget
to bestow responsibility = assign, formal
the founder = who founded (=started) the company
a startup = a new company with small budget, often in IT
a venture = a new business, often by established companies
a joint venture = when companies join to start a project
an entrepreneur = someone who founds companies
entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial spirit = what it takes (=is necessary) to be an entrepreneur
chairman > CEO > president
chairman or chairperson = leads the board of directors
CEO = Chief Executive Office, leads operations of the group
president = leads day-to-day executive operations
Note: All these positions might converge in the same person.
to chair a meeting = lead, moderate a meeting
board of directors = 'the board', elected by shareholders
steering committee = board of directors, advisory committee
managing/executive committee = for daily operations
an ordinary meeting = a regular meeting
an extraordinary meeting = exceptional, like a crisis committee
the management = the top directors, top executives
a managing director = manager of managers
an operations manager = manager of employees, executive
national/local divisions, branches, offices
different sectors, industries, activities
different product lines, divisions = usually in the same sector
labour-intense sectors = relying on large workforce
capital-intense sectors = relying on big investments
HQ = headquarters, head office
"The company is headquartered in San Francisco."
a parent company owns a child company
a subsidiary = a child company in a holding group
a conglomerate = a holding group, company of companies
Departments
operations, executive = core business, daily operations
core = central, basic, most important
"Our core business is rental of office space."
HR, human resources = recruitment, training, work contracts
purchase, procurement dept. = in charge of buying
sales & marketing dept. = placing product in the market
key account manager = holds long-term relationship with clients
PR agent = public relationships, dealing with press, conventions
finance dept.= raising funds, dealing with assets and liabilities
IT dept., ICT dept. = information (& communication) technologies
legal, compliance dept. = dealing with laws and regulations
R&D = research and development
customer service = customer care, aftersales, claims
IT helpdesk = remote technical service
labour hazard prevention = to prevent accidents
mergers & acquisitions = when two companies get together
maintenance/facilities dept = dealing with the facilities, maintenance, utilities contracts
utilities = power and water supply, telecommunications, ...
outsourcing company = external contractor/company
offshore services = provided remotely to sae costs
to relocate production = send production overseas to save costs
overseas = abroad, business jargon
History of a company
to set UP a company = start, found, establish
to run a business/shop = manage, operate daily
to struggle financially = have a hard time
to make ends meet = manage to cover costs
to break even = manage to cover costs
break-even point = when your initial investment returns
to suffer a U-turn, downturn = a complete turn downwards
a head start = a solid start
to make headway = make progress
to thrive, to break through = take good steps
a blossoming/flourishing/thriving business = take good steps
springing up = appearing, opening
"Pizza takeaways are springing up all over the place."
to plan short term/mid term/long term
"To set long-term goals. To draw long-term projections."
projections = forecast, expectations
to expand INTO other countries/sectors/activities
to tap INTO new markets = venture into, explore, expand
to set office in China = open
to operate in different countries/sectors
be in the red = be indebted
to go/run/slide into debt = enter 'the red'
to go bust = go bankrupt, informal
to close DOWN the business = definitive closure
declare the company dormant = stop operations temporarily
to cut down costs, slash costs = reduce
to make people redundant = to fire many employees at once
to lay off employees = to fire many employees at once
a redundancy plan = when employees are made redundant
layoffs = firings, "There will be layoffs."
Conflict
mobbing = harassment, to harass someone at work
be sidelined, be edged OFF , be stripped OFF your responsibilities
duties = responsibilities, main tasks
to claim (=ask for, demand) your rights
trade union, workers' union = organisation representing workers
workers council/committee = workers' representatives of a company
a business association = working for business owners' interests
collective bargaining agreement = terms and conditions of employment in an industry (=sector)
go ON a strike = stop work as a protest, to walk out
take industrial action = start a protest
industrial disputes = conflict between unions and management
to pay a settlement = compensation to resolve a dispute
to settle matters = solve matters/conflict
English Vocabulary List for Negotiations
People involved
a salesperson, salesman, saleswoman
a sales rep = sales representative
a key account manager = in charge of a big client
a buyer, a purchase/procurement manager
the purchase/procurement department
a supplier (of goods/products),
a provider (of services), a contractor
a business partner
an affiliate = collaborator within a large program/scheme
a joint venture = do business together/jointly
to go INTO business with = to partner with, team up with
to cater (= provide services for) big corporations/SMEs
an ad-hoc service = a one-time/one-off/standalone project
a recurrent (= regular, repeating) order, a regular client
a VIP (=very important) client
B2C = business-to-customer services
B2B = business-to-business services
SMEs = small and medium enterprises
SOHOs = small office and home office
work in retail = for final consumers/families/households
Early stage
to facilitate some references
to refer someone TO someone
to show samples of your work, a portfolio, a catalogue
give/provide further information
give an insight INTO something
to sit around the negotiation table = to enter negotiations
to announce/state your goals/view/stance/position
let's get DOWN TO business = start negotiations
to get TO the point = focus on the important matters
to start/announce a request for provider
to select a provider through a contest
a (public) procurement process = selection of provider
to brief a client = to detail the request
to provide (= send) a briefing ( = instructions)
the contestants/applicants
to bid = to send you business and economic proposal
to make an offer/bid/proposal
to send a quotation/budget = estimated cost for the service
to do a screening (= to filter out) candidates
to dismiss (= leave out/rule out) a candidates
to make a shortlist of candidates
to make a draft (= early version) of the contract/proposal
to give the go-ahead (= approval)
to deploy (= to go live, launch, implement) the solution
Talking money
to bargain, to haggle over the price = to push prices up/down
what a bargain! = a great price/deal
this is our starting/final price
to make an aggressive offer
to secure a project = make sure you get it
to cut/push the price DOWN
to lower/cut DOWN your profit margin
tell me your best price
the bottom line = my final price, my last price
"This is my bottom line. Take it or leave it."
to dump prices = cut prices so much you run at a loss
to engage (= participate) in price dumping/a price war
to run INTO debt = to go into the red, to run at a loss
to meet/fulfil your obligations/expectations/standards
to comply WITH/abide BY (=respect/observe) the law
be complaint, be in compliance with the law/regulations
service level agreement, SLA = rewards and penalisations depending on performance
to establish (=set, define) a trial period, to be on trial
to work on a commission basis, get a commission rate
get it IN writing = a hard copy, on paper
to draw UP (=produce, elaborate) a contract/an agreement
to come TO (=reach, obtain) an agreement
Conditional sentences:
If ... = to establish a condition
Unless ... = to break the condition
As long as / provided that ... = the condition is respected over a long period
Psychology
a tough meeting/negotiation/speaker = hard to convince/deal with
to be pushy = be determined/resolute/set out to achieve something
to hold ONTO/cling ONTO your position
to be soft, be bland, be a pushover (negative)
to give IN/cave IN = to make (too many) concessions
to compromise = be flexible, make concessions, see reason
have the upper hand = have more negotiation power
to impose your conditions UPON others
Disagreement
a sticking point = a matter of concern/conflict, a controversial point, a thorny issue
to pull OUT from a negotiation/from the negotiation table
to pull BACK = change you mind at an advance stage, back away, retreat, recoil
to turn DOWN (= reject, decline) an offer
to claim (= request) a compensation for damages
to claim a refund/reimbursement for the inconvenience
to fill OUT a complaint form = a formal written complaint
to refund/reimburse (=give back) the money
to reward (= give money) or penalise (= take away money)
to settle (=resolve) differences, to iron OUT differences
a settlement = an economic compensation
to settle a legal dispute
Agreement
to bring someone AROUND to your positions/ideas
to win someone OVER = to gain their backing/support
to talk someone INTO doing something = to convince/urge/compel/encourage
to gain their favour/trust/confidence
to assent (=accept), to concede
to meet halfway = both sides compromise, make concessions
to see reason = be reasonable, make a sensible decision
to move AWAY from your initial demands
to seek a consensus, to find common ground
we see eye to eye on this matter
we are on the same page on this issue
to close/strike a deal = to sign the agreement, cut a deal, sign
this is a win-win situation = beneficial for both
to create sinergy = a mutually beneficial relationship
to pull together (= collaborate) into the same direction
Payments
to make an upfront payment = before starting work
to pay by installments = divided into smaller payments, usually monthly
to apply a discount on volume = the amount purchased
scale economics = when discounts on volume are applied
to issue (= make and send) an invoice, to bill a client
to pay within 30 days after issuance of the invoice
to apply a discount ON early payments
to do a financial check to avoid bad payers/late payers
Deliveries
to deliver (=send) a product/service
to deliver a milestone = big piece of a large project
to set a deadline (= final date) for the next delivery/milestone
to define the timeline of the project = calendar of deliveries
to shorten (=make shorter) the delivery times
English Vocabulary for Finance, Accounting, Tax & Banking
Finance & Accounting
revenue, turnover = income of a company
expenses, expenditure = money going out
make a profit = revenue exceeds expenses
make a loss = expenses exceed revenue
gross profit = before paying tax
net profit = after paying tax
finance department = raising funds, dealing with assets and liabilities
to raise funds = obtain money through banks, investors, donors, membership fees
accounts department = keeping/recording all the transactions
bookkeeper, accountant = work in accounting/accounts
to 'cook the books' = to falsify the accounts
assets = what the company owns (landed property, intellectual property, machinery, cash in the bank ...)
liabilities = what the company owes (debt from loans, unpaid salaries or providers, ...)
be liable FOR = be economically responsible for, to owe
creditor = lender, who lent a credit/loan
debtor = borrower, who must pay back a credit/loan
financial statements = declarations, documents
a balance sheet = shows assets and liabilities at the end of the financial year
a profit & loss statement = revenue and expenses over a year
a P&L account = division within a company with separate accounting books
to state = to declare, to assert
to break it down INTO concepts = explain the smaller parts
cash flow = liquidity management, cash in hand
equity, patrimony = assets
a monthly/quarterly/annual report
a quarter = three months
to do/run an audit = to verify a company's accounts (or safety conditions, quality standards, ...)
auditors = professionals doing audits
Tax
income tax = personal income tax, for individuals, also PIT
corporate tax = tax on companies' profit, also CIT
VAT = value-added tax, tax on purchased good and services
tax exemption = be exempt, don't have to pay (in some sectors or up to a certain income threshold)
threshold = certain figure above which conditions change
PAYE in UK = pay as you earn, income tax paid by a company on behalf of their employees
National Insurance contributions = to fund pensions, medical leaves and similar, also NIC payments
dividend tax = on dividends paid OUT to shareholders
carbon tax = on carbon emissions
the treasury = tax authorities & budget management
HMRC in UK, stands for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, formerly Inland Revenue
IRS in USA, stands for Internal Revenue Service
the taxman = informal for tax authorities
"The taxman will knock on your door."
Companies House = the registrar of companies in UK
tax returns, tax forms = tax reports
to fill OUT a form = to complete a form
as of = on a certain date
the payment is due/outstanding = it has not been paid
be in credit = when you have overpaid
to declare a company dormant = not in business, inactive
Investing
to raise funds (=to finance, to fund) for a startup company
a startup = newly created company, a small budget, often in the tech sector
to raise funds THROUGH tax, donations, membership fees
fundraisers = specialised in raising funds, often for charities
the 3 F's of investing = family, friends and fools
a fool = someone who is easily cheated (=deceived, fooled)
seed capital = initial investment to start a company
angel investors, seed/venture capitalists = who invest in startups
the Dragons' Den = British TV show about entrepreneurs and angel investors. Check it out!
to play it safe = do not make risky investments
to do/run some financial checks = request financial information
to have a sound economy = have cash, be likely to pay back
high returns = good profit for your investment
ROI, stands for return of investment
"I invested $100 and made $200. That makes a ROI of 200%."
to break even = to manage to cover costs
break-even point = when you get your initial investment back
to run at a loss = not making a profit, losing money
to run INTO debt = be in the red, in red numbers, indebted. Also slide into, fall into.
to make a killing = make a fortune, a lot of money
to make a quick buck = make money fast and easily
to go bust = to go into bankruptcy
to sell OFF = sell all product at a high discount
to go INTO liquidation = all assets sold to creditors
to hold an auction = public sale to the highest bidder
to bid = to offer a price
Banking
current account, checking account = a basic bank account
to deposit = to put in money
to withdraw = to take out money, make a money withdrawal
an ATM = cash machine, stands for Auto Telling Machine
a bank clerk = attendant, teller, officer
a bank slip = a small bank statement, document
retail banking = for regular clients/depositors
finance banking = for companies and investors
High Street banks = popular retail banks
a paycheck = salary paid as a cheque (in UK, check in US)
cheque payable to the bearer/holder = the person carrying it
to pay bills through a standing order = automated payment, usually monthly, for loans, mortgages, utilities
a loan = credit, borrowed money
a mortgage = a loan to buy a house
utilities = water, gas, electricity, phone and internet
to have an overdraft = the account is in red numbers
Loans
to purchase on credit = to pay in small monthly payments
installments = monthly payments
a down payment = a partial payment made at the beginning
to pay upfront = to pay everything at the beginning
"I made a 30% down payment to purchase the house."
Notice the stress: a 30% [perc'Ent]
But: a p'ERcentage
to pay OFF your loan/debt = finish paying back
to write OFF their debt = to cancel, to condone
to liable FOR = to have pending debt, formal
to default on your payments = to fail to pay, be a defaulter
a default risk assessment = evaluate chances of default
collectors' services = specialised in recovering defaults
to run after a defaulter = to chase, go after
to urge (= insist on, pressurize) someone to pay
Ownership
sole trader, independent contractor = one-person company, formal
freelancer = independent contractor, often working remotely
a one -man band = informal (literally, a man playing many instruments at once)
Ltd in UK, Llc in US = Limited Liability Company, privately owned
liability = economic responsibility
Plc = Public Limited Company, or simply public company owned by shareholders
national company, state company = owned by government
federal company = national company in US
stock market = where shares are traded (=bought and sold)
shareholders = own the company through shares
to own shares = a small percentage of ownership of a company
to go public = enter the stock market
to retain earnings = reserve the profits, not pay out dividends
to pay OUT dividends = profit paid to shareholders
have a stake in the company = have decision power, have many shares
stakeholders = those with a great interest
have a say = have decision power, have an opinion
"They don't have a say in this matter" = their opinion is not taken into account
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