Terms on the Table
Grammar: Reported Speech
A Business English English lesson exploring business.
What's in this lesson
A Business English ESL lesson on business, practising reported speech. The worksheet has a reading, target vocabulary, a grammar reference with practice and discussion questions.
From the reading: Terms on the Table
In the third quarter of 2023, a single disputed tariff clause caused a 14-week delay in a bilateral trade agreement between two G20 economies, holding up an estimated $4.2 billion in contracted freight. Analysts at the World Trade Organization confirmed that unresolved contract language — not political will — was the leading cause of deal failure in 63% of stalled negotiations that year. The numbers are unambiguous: when the words around a table fall apart, the goods stop moving.
Vocabulary
- break down
- draw up
- hold up
- take on
Grammar: Reported Speech
- warn + object + that
- She warned the supplier that delays would trigger a penalty clause. — subject has prior knowledge of risk
- insist + that + should
- He insisted that the tariff band should be reviewed quarterly. — formal demand; should stays, does not backshift
Discussion questions
- Imagine a trade minister and a shipping CEO are stuck in a room until they agree — who speaks first, and what do they say?
- If you could rewrite one clause in any contract you have ever signed, which one and why?
- What would you do if your supplier called to say your shipment would be delayed by three months, starting today?
Terms on the Table
Grammar: Reported Speech
What's in this lesson:
Full lesson plan with reading, grammar, vocabulary, and discussion.
Sign up to access full lesson plans
Start with a free trial — 5 lesson generations included
Get Started Free