Curso Avanzado de Inglés de Negocios

LOS CURSOS DE INGLES GRATIS PREFERIDOS POR LOS HISPANOHABLANTES

 

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STEP 4

Grammar: Should Have and Could Have

COULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

Look at the following sentences expressing an action and an alternative:

ACTION: She came at 10 o'clock.

ALTERNATIVE: She could have come earlier (but she didn't).

In both examples above the speaker is expressing an opinion about an action that occurred in the past and saying that there were alternative courses of action available at that time but which were not adopted.

SHOULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

This construction is used in two principal ways:

a) In the negative to show that, in the speaker's opinion, a particular past action was a mistake or was regrettable:

-  He shouldn't have taken so long to finish his report (but he did it).

b) In the affirmative to indicate that there was a better alternative to what was done:

-  They should have reduced their prices sooner (but they didn't).
 
 

STEP 5

Grammar: Activity with Answer

 

Marcos Neroni, the director of a small business which produces notebook computers, talks about some of the mistakes he made when he first started his company. Each sentence gives an example of a mistake he made. Indicate using SHOULD HAVE +PAST PARTICIPLE, what better course of action Mr. Neroni might have taken in  each case. Words in bold type will help you find the principal verb you need.

ANSWERS

 

NERONI NOTEBOOKS

 

1.

Before starting my own business, I licensed the technology to

another company, which did not exploit it satisfactorily. I had to wait

two years before being able to buy back the licences.

I     the technology to another

company.

 

2.

We didn't spend enough time and energy on developing a strong dealer network

 

 

and this affected sales.

 

 

We     more time on developing our sales

 

 

network.

 

3.

At first we only targeted the individual consumer without concentrating on the

 

 

business market and users.

 

 

We     on the business market and users.

 

    

 

 

Now, read each introductory pair of sentences below. Then complete the blank space using COULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE. to show what alternative course of action were open to Mr. Neroni. Words in bold type will help you find the principal verb you need.

 

 

4.

The capital of the company consisted entirely of bank loans and my own personal investment. (I received offers from people who asked me to sell them part of the company).

 

 

I     part of the capital to an outside investor.

 

5.

Our offices were too big and on the west side of town where rents are the most expensive. (This type of business can easily be run from a regional and less expensive location).

 

 

I     cheaper offices.

 

6.

My original team was composed of essentially older, highly qualified computer specialists. (At that time there were a lot of talented, young university graduates coming onto the job market and looking for employment).

 

 

I     some recent graduates.
 

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