English grammar
Work collocations: reach a decision, give the go-ahead, set in motion, carry out, place emphasis on
Talk about decisions, approvals and plans at work with the right fixed verb + noun pairs.
From the scene Getting the go-ahead
In short
At work, learn verb + noun pairs whole: reach a decision, give the go-ahead, set in motion, carry out, place emphasis on.
Your turn
Which one goes with approving?
Options: I've reached a decision · setting the autumn catalogue in motion · has already given the go-ahead
Show answer
approving → has already given the go-ahead
How it works
Professional English runs on fixed verb + noun pairs, and the verb usually can't be swapped.
Good to know
You make or reach a decision, never do one; reach suggests it came after some thought.
Good to know
Management gives the go-ahead, a plan is set in motion, and a review is carried out.
Good to know
To place emphasis on something is a formal way to say you stress it.
deciding after some thought I've reached a decision
Nuria
Hi, Montse! Yes, I've reached a decision: I'm signing.
¡Hola, Montse! Sí, he tomado una decisión: firmo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Hi, Montse! Yes, (blank): I'm signing.
Options: Has already given the go-ahead · Setting the autumn catalogue in motion · I've reached a decision
Show answer
Nuria
Hi, Montse! Yes, I've reached a decision: I'm signing.
¡Hola, Montse! Sí, he tomado una decisión: firmo.
approving has already given the go-ahead
Nuria
She says the management has already given the go-ahead.
Dice que la dirección ya ha dado el visto bueno.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
She says the management (blank).
Options: has already given the go-ahead · I've reached a decision · setting the autumn catalogue in motion
Show answer
Nuria
She says the management has already given the go-ahead.
Dice que la dirección ya ha dado el visto bueno.
starting a plan setting the autumn catalogue in motion
Nuria
And that we're already setting the autumn catalogue in motion.
Y que ya ponemos en marcha el catálogo de otoño.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And that we're already (blank).
Options: I've reached a decision · has already given the go-ahead · setting the autumn catalogue in motion
Show answer
Nuria
And that we're already setting the autumn catalogue in motion.
Y que ya ponemos en marcha el catálogo de otoño.
doing a task a review must be carried out
Nuria
She says that first a review must be carried out.
Dice que antes hay que llevar a cabo una revisión.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
She says that first (blank).
Options: I've reached a decision · has already given the go-ahead · a review must be carried out
Show answer
Nuria
She says that first a review must be carried out.
Dice que antes hay que llevar a cabo una revisión.
stressing she places great emphasis on punctuality
Nuria
And she places great emphasis on punctuality.
Y hace hincapié en la puntualidad.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank).
Options: she places great emphasis on punctuality · I've reached a decision · has already given the go-ahead
Show answer
Nuria
And she places great emphasis on punctuality.
Y hace hincapié en la puntualidad.
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
| deciding after some thought | I've reached a decision |
|---|---|
| approving | has already given the go-ahead |
| starting a plan | setting the autumn catalogue in motion |
| doing a task | a review must be carried out |
| stressing | she places great emphasis on punctuality |
More lines from the story
- RamónJust a moment. I'm checking the small print.Un momento. Yo miro la letra pequeña.