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Gap-fill

Reopen a decision in French: a C1 meeting gap-fill

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Complete a French meeting exchange about new information. Practise recalling an earlier decision, explaining the change and limiting what needs review.

In short

Recall the decision, add the new fact, then name the point to revisit: Nous avions retenu cette solution. Or, nous venons d’apprendre que… Je propose donc de réexaminer ce point. A clear request also says which parts of the plan still stand.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

Two organisers inspect a community room closed for repairs, tools neatly set aside.
New travaux mean the presentation needs a different room. Illustration: Atelier

How do you reopen a decision in a French meeting?

Study the sequence before filling the gaps
MoveFrench exampleMeaning
Recall the baselineNous avions fixé la réunion à neuf heures.We had set the meeting for nine.
Add new informationOr, la responsable sera absente ce matin-là.However, the manager will be away that morning.
Request a focused changeJe propose de revoir l’horaire en conservant le même ordre du jour.I suggest reviewing the time while keeping the same agenda.
Assign the next checkLéa vérifiera les disponibilités avant notre décision.Léa will check availability before we decide.

Or introduces a fact that changes the reasoning. Venir de + infinitive marks something just learned: nous venons d’apprendre. Demander que introduces the subjunctive; proposer de takes an infinitive. In the exchange below, complete the eight gaps using the tense or expression in each hint.

Le lieu de la présentation

Nora : Nous (retenir · plus-que-parfait) la salle B pour la présentation de jeudi. Nous venons toutefois (de + apprendre) que les travaux empêcheront son utilisation ce jour-là. Je demande donc que nous (réexaminer · subjonctif présent) le choix du lieu.

Adam : La salle C est libre, mais sa capacité est inférieure à celle de la salle B. Nora : (that is why) je propose de vérifier le nombre d’inscrits avant de la retenir. Il faut que nous (savoir · subjonctif présent) combien de personnes sont attendues.

Adam : Je vérifierai les inscriptions et la capacité exacte de la salle C, puis je vous (soumettre · futur simple) une proposition demain matin. Nora : Merci. La présentation (rester · présent) prévue pour jeudi, sous réserve d’un espace adapté. Le compte rendu indiquera que le lieu est (to be reconsidered).

Read it in English

Nora: We had selected room B for Thursday’s presentation. However, we have just learned that building work will prevent its use that day. So I ask that we reconsider the choice of venue.

Adam: Room C is available, but its capacity is smaller than room B’s. Nora: That is why I suggest checking registration numbers before selecting it. We need to know how many people are expected.

Adam: I’ll check registrations and room C’s exact capacity, then submit a proposal tomorrow morning. Nora: Thank you. Thursday remains the planned date, subject to a suitable space. The minutes will state that the venue needs reconsideration.

Which part of the plan is open?

Question 1No account needed
What triggers Nora’s request to revisit the venue?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

New information that room B cannot be used on Thursday.. The building work affects room B on the planned day, creating a reason to review the venue.

Question 2No account needed
What will Adam do tomorrow morning?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Submit a proposal after checking registrations and capacity.. Demain matin dates Adam’s proposal. Thursday remains the planned presentation date.

Question 3No account needed
Which statement matches the final position?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Le lieu est à revoir ; jeudi reste la date prévue sous condition.. The venue remains open and the planned date depends on finding a suitable space.

Use the same move when a deadline changes

Un délai raccourci
  1. Responsable

    Nous avions prévu une remise vendredi. Le client demande maintenant la version finale jeudi soir.

    We had planned delivery on Friday. The client now wants the final version on Thursday evening.

  2. Vous

    Cette nouvelle échéance nous conduit à revoir le calendrier de validation. Pourrions-nous avancer la relecture à mercredi ?

    This new deadline leads us to review the approval timetable. Could we bring the review forward to Wednesday?

  3. Responsable

    Vérifions d’abord la disponibilité des relecteurs.

    Let’s check the reviewers’ availability first.

Avancer la relecture à mercredi means bringing the review forward to Wednesday. Reporter la relecture à vendredi moves it later. Both identify the action and its new date; revoir le calendrier opens a discussion about the schedule.

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