Gap-fill
French B2 gap-fill: reporting a promotion rumour and a decision
Complete 12 reporting and tense gaps as a promotion rumour becomes a confirmed decision. Distinguish conditional reports from facts, with translation.
- B2
- 12 gaps
- Translation included
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In short
A conditional can mark an unconfirmed report: elle aurait accepté. It can also express a future viewed from a past moment: il a annoncé qu’il partirait. Read the source and timeline before deciding which meaning applies.
| Meaning | French pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Unconfirmed present situation | conditional present | Selon un collègue, le poste serait libre. |
| Unconfirmed completed action | conditional past | Elle aurait reçu une proposition. |
| Future seen from a past statement | conditional present | Il a dit que la réunion aurait lieu lundi. |
| A confirmed event | indicative | La direction a confirmé la date. |
On Monday, a team hears that Aline has been promoted. A signed decision arrives on Thursday. Complete 12 gaps with the expression or tense specified in each cue. Keep the rumour’s proposed date separate from the date in the final document.
Une annonce trop rapide
Lundi matin, un message a circulé dans l’équipe. « (according to; contracted expression beginning with D) un collègue du siège, Aline (être choisie; past conditional, unconfirmed completed selection) pour diriger le service. Elle (prendre; present conditional, unconfirmed future start) ses fonctions dès juin. » Un autre salarié a ajouté qu’elle (signer; past conditional, unconfirmed completed action) son contrat. Personne n’a joint de document.
Mardi, Aline a lu ces messages avec étonnement. La direction avait seulement indiqué lundi que la décision (être; future viewed from that past announcement) publiée jeudi. Elle (demander; pluperfect, request made before Tuesday) aux responsables de garder les candidatures confidentielles. Aline a rappelé qu’elle (attendre; imparfait, simultaneous with her reminder on Tuesday) encore une réponse officielle. Elle a donc demandé à ses collègues de suspendre les félicitations.
Jeudi, la responsable des ressources humaines (confirmer; passé composé, completed fact on Thursday) la nomination d’Aline dans un courriel signé. Le document précise : « Aline (prendre; future simple in the Thursday document) ses fonctions le premier septembre. » Aline (accepter; passé composé, completed fact on Thursday) cette proposition pendant leur entretien du matin. Elle (signer; passé composé, completed fact on Thursday) son contrat juste après.
Le responsable de l’équipe a alors corrigé le premier message. « La nomination (être; present indicative, current confirmed status) désormais confirmée, mais la date de juin était erronée. » Il a distingué ce qui circulait lundi de ce qui avait été décidé jeudi. Les collègues ont enfin pu féliciter Aline et préparer la transition à partir d’informations précises.
Read it in English
On Monday morning, a message circulated within the team. “According to a colleague at head office, Aline has reportedly been chosen to head the department. She would apparently start as early as June.” Another employee added that she had supposedly signed her contract. Nobody attached a document.
On Tuesday, Aline read these messages with surprise. Management had only stated on Monday that the decision would be published on Thursday. It had asked managers to keep the applications confidential. Aline pointed out that she was still waiting for an official reply at that moment. She therefore asked her colleagues to hold off on the congratulations.
On Thursday, the human resources manager confirmed Aline’s appointment in a signed email. The document states: “Aline will take up her duties on 1 September.” Aline accepted the offer during their meeting that morning. She signed her contract immediately afterwards.
The team manager then corrected the first message. “The appointment is now confirmed, but the June date was wrong.” He distinguished what was circulating on Monday from what had been decided on Thursday. The colleagues could finally congratulate Aline and prepare the transition using precise information.