English grammar
Proposing politely: what I propose is that… / how would you feel if…?
Put a concrete proposal on the table and float an idea politely, using what I propose is that… and how would you feel if…?.
From the scene What I propose is that…
In short
Propose with What I propose is that + present simple. Float an idea with How would you feel if + past?
Your turn
Which one goes with the clause after it: present simple, not will?
Options: what I propose is that you give us a discount · how would you feel if we paid you six months in advance? · …is that you give us a discount
Show answer
the clause after it: present simple, not will → …is that you give us a discount
How it works
What I propose is that… is a fixed way to put a specific proposal on the table, followed by a clause in the present simple (you give us a discount, not you will give).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
And how would she (blank) if we named a cake after her?
Options: felt · feel · feels
Show answer
And how would she feel if we named a cake after her?
¿Y qué le parecería que le pusiéramos su nombre a una tarta?
Good to know
How would you feel if…? is a softer way to float an idea before committing to it, and the if-clause takes the past simple, just as in an ordinary hypothetical question.
putting a specific proposal on the table what I propose is that you give us a discount
Nuria
What I propose is that you give us a discount for the first year.
Lo que le propongo es que nos haga una rebaja el primer año.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) for the first year.
Options: What I propose is that you give us a discount · How would you feel if we paid you six months in advance · The monthly rent
Show answer
Nuria
What I propose is that you give us a discount for the first year.
Lo que le propongo es que nos haga una rebaja el primer año.
the clause after it: present simple, not will …is that you give us a discount
Nuria
What I propose is that you give us a discount for the first year.
Lo que le propongo es que nos haga una rebaja el primer año.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
What I propose (blank) for the first year.
Options: is that you give us a discount · how would you feel if we paid you six months in advance · the monthly rent
Show answer
Nuria
What I propose is that you give us a discount for the first year.
Lo que le propongo es que nos haga una rebaja el primer año.
floating an idea gently, before committing how would you feel if we paid you six months in advance?
Nuria
How would you feel if we paid you six months in advance?
¿Qué le parecería que le pagáramos seis meses por adelantado?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)?
Options: Is that you give us a discount · How would you feel if we paid you six months in advance · What I propose is that you give us a discount
Show answer
Nuria
How would you feel if we paid you six months in advance?
¿Qué le parecería que le pagáramos seis meses por adelantado?
the rent paid every month the monthly rent
Your turn
What goes with the monthly rent?
Options: the rent paid every month · putting a specific proposal on the table · the clause after it: present simple, not will
Show answer
the monthly rent → the rent paid every month
accepting a proposal (reported) she's fine with it
Common mistake
Not will give or would give here. A bare present after is that, not will.
What I propose is that you give us a discount for the first year.
Lo que le propongo es que nos haga una rebaja el primer año.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| putting a specific proposal on the table | what I propose is that you give us a discount |
|---|---|
| the clause after it: present simple, not will | …is that you give us a discount |
| floating an idea gently, before committing | how would you feel if we paid you six months in advance? |
| the rent paid every month | the monthly rent |
| accepting a proposal (reported) | she's fine with it |
More lines from the story
- RamónAnd how would she feel if we named a cake after her?¿Y qué le parecería que le pusiéramos su nombre a una tarta?
- NuriaShe says she doesn't do sales, she isn't a shop.Dice que ella no hace rebajas, que no es una tienda.
- NuriaShe says yes! A Pilar cake, and two thousand five hundred a month.¡Dice que sí! Tarta Pilar, y dos mil quinientos al mes.
- TomásOffer her six months in advance.Ofrécele seis meses por adelantado.