The Words That Win or Lose the Room
Grammar: Modal Verbs
A Business English English lesson exploring business.
What's in this lesson
A Business English ESL lesson on business, practising modal verbs. The worksheet has a reading, target vocabulary, a grammar reference with practice and discussion questions.
From the reading: The Words That Win or Lose the Room
In 2009, Airbnb's Brian Chesky stood in front of seven seed investors and told them the platform could eventually serve ten million travellers a year. Not would. Not will. Could. That single word choice, documented in the original pitch transcript, signalled something experienced investors recognise immediately: a founder who demonstrates traction without overclaiming. At the time, Airbnb had roughly 10,000 users. The gap between reality and projection was enormous — and Chesky's modal precision was the only honest bridge across it.
Vocabulary
- demonstrates traction
- hedging device
- anticipated growth
- raise a round
- addressable market
- modal qualifier
- value proposition
- measured claim
Grammar: Modal Verbs
- Modal qualifier
- Adoption could accelerate once the API launches. — signals possibility without overclaiming
- Distancing structure
- Our modelling suggests a 40% growth rate by year three. — separates the company from the projection
Discussion questions
- Do you think sounding confident always helps when numbers are uncertain?
- Is it ever right to soften a financial claim you genuinely believe in?
- Should a founder admit they do not know something in front of investors?
The Words That Win or Lose the Room
Grammar: Modal Verbs
What's in this lesson:
Full lesson plan with reading, grammar, vocabulary, and discussion.
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