AULAFYCurso abierto de inglés C1
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Finance, Investment & RiskL02
grammar

Grammar Focus

Detailed explanation, examples and controlled practice for the unit grammar point.

60 minC1c1grammarfinance-investment-riskperformative verbsreportingfinanceassert

Lesson objectives

  • Recognise and control Performative verbs and metalinguistic reporting.
  • Notice common errors Spanish-speaking learners make at advanced level.
  • Apply the structure in exam-style sentences related to finance, investment & risk.

Explicación (en español)

En el nivel C1 Advanced, el uso de verbos performativos (performative verbs) es esencial para demostrar control sobre el lenguaje formal. Un verbo performativo es aquel que no solo describe una acción, sino que realiza la acción en el momento en que se dice. Por ejemplo, al decir "I promise" (prometo), no solo estás comunicando una idea, estás ejecutando el acto de prometer. En contextos de finanzas, esto es vital para formalizar decisiones, acuerdos o advertencias.

El "metalinguistic reporting" se refiere al uso de verbos para comentar, reportar o estructurar el discurso sobre lo que se está diciendo o decidiendo. En lugar de simplemente dar información, usamos verbos como suggest, propose, claim, assert, o concede para dar matices de autoridad, duda o acuerdo. Estos verbos permiten al hablante posicionarse respecto a la información que está comunicando, algo fundamental en negociaciones de alto nivel.

Un error muy común entre los hispanohablantes es intentar traducir literalmente estructuras de "reporting" del español. En español, solemos usar el presente de indicativo para todo, pero en inglés, estos verbos a menudo requieren estructuras específicas (como el uso de that-clauses o el subjuntivo implícito). Además, los estudiantes tienden a usar verbos demasiado simples (como say o tell) cuando un nivel C1 requiere verbos más precisos como stipulate, assert, o advise.

Es importante recordar que los verbos performativos suelen utilizarse en la primera persona (I suggest, we propose) para dar validez al acto comunicativo. En documentos legales o financieros, también pueden aparecer en tercera persona para referirse a entidades (The board decides...). La clave es entender que el verbo es la acción misma.

Form — estructura

Verb Type Structure Example Context
Direct Performative Subject + Performative Verb + Object "I authorize the transfer."
Reporting (that-clause) Subject + Reporting Verb + that + Clause "The auditor claims that the funds are safe."
Reporting (Infinitive) Subject + Verb + Object + to-infinitive "The CEO is expected to resign."
Suggestive/Proposal Subject + Verb + (that) + Subject + (should) + Base Form "I suggest that we diversify our portfolio."

Examples

  1. I hereby authorize the immediate release of the investment funds. (Por la presente, autorizo la liberación inmediata de los fondos de inversión.)
  2. The board proposes that the company undergoes a full audit. (La junta propone que la empresa se someta a una auditoría completa.)
  3. We assert that the current market volatility is temporary. (Afirmamos que la volatilidad actual del mercado es temporal.)
  4. The analyst suggests diversifying into emerging markets. (El analista sugiere diversificar hacia mercados emergentes.)
  5. I promise to mitigate all potential risks associated with this venture. (Prometo mitigar todos los riesgos potenciales asociados con este proyecto.)
  6. They claim that the assets were undervalued. (Ellos afirman que los activos estaban infravalorados.)
  7. The contract stipulates that interest is paid monthly. (El contrato estipula que los intereses se pagan mensualmente.)
  8. We concede that there is a significant risk involved in this trade. (Concedemos que existe un riesgo significativo involucrado en esta operación.)

Contrast

  1. ✗ I am saying that we should invest. / ✓ I suggest that we invest. (In a formal context, 'suggest' is more precise and performative than 'saying'.)
  2. ✗ The manager told that the budget was approved. / ✓ The manager announced that the budget was approved. ('Tell' requires a direct object like 'us'; 'announced' is a proper reporting verb.) holder 3. ✗ I propose to that we change the strategy. / ✓ I propose that we change the strategy. (We do not use 'to' before a 'that-clause'.)
  3. ✗ We suggest to invest more. / ✓ We suggest investing more. (After 'suggest', we use the -ing form or a 'that-clause', never a 'to-infinitive'.)

Mini-quiz — 10 preguntas

Part 1: Sentence Transformation (Rewrite the sentence using the word in bold so that it has a similar meaning).

  1. We think it's a good idea to increase our capital. (SUGGEST) We __________ our capital.

  2. The bank says the interest rates will rise. (CLAIMS) The bank __________ interest rates will rise.

  3. It is necessary for the contract to state the terms clearly. (STIPULATES) The contract __________ the terms clearly.

Part 2: Multiple Choice (Choose the correct option a, b, or c).

  1. The committee __ that the merger proceed immediately. a) suggests b) suggesting c) suggest

  2. I __ to sign the agreement under these conditions. a) am refusing b) refuse c) refusing

  3. He __ that the loss was due to market fluctuations. a) asserted b) asserting c) asserts to

  4. The CFO __ the shareholders to remain calm. a) advised b) advised that c) advised to

Part 3: Gap Fill (Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in brackets).

  1. The auditor __ (insist) that all documents be provided by Friday.

  2. We __ (propose) that a new risk management policy be implemented.

  3. They __ (claim) to have discovered a loophole in the tax law.

Respuestas: 1. suggest increasing / suggest that we increase 2. claims that 3. stipulates 4. a 5. b 6. a 7. a 8. insists 9. propose 10. claim