Activity IV. Grammar Focus

Exercise 1

The verbs used in the text Business Organizations in the United Kingdom (p. 76-77) are followed by certain nouns (objects).

A) Find out what nouns can be used with the following verbs making verb+object pairs:

(variants are possible).

distribute receive own form transfer control appoint offer limit charge sue

profits shares a company a person a business a share certificate directors liability

B) Practise to construct various passive tense forms of object + verb pairs.

Example:

profits are distributed; profits were distributed; profits have been distributed; profits will be distributed; profits can be distributed.

Exercise 2

Check with the text which verb+object combinations are used in the active or passive voice. Complete the following sentences with the appropriate tense form of these combinations.

Mind the word order.

1. The (distribute profits) to shareholders as dividends.

2. In 1997 (form the company) as a limited liability company.

3. Next week (appoint directors) at the meeting of shareholders.

4. I can confirm that (receive share certificates) already by all shareholders.

5. At the last court hearing (charge the senior partner) with a number of wrongdoings.

6. As they go public their (can / freely / transfer shares).

7. This is a famous restaurant, and (own the business) by an Italian family.

8. The (never offer shares of this company) to the public at the Stock Exchange.

Exercise 3.

Turn sentences with an active voice construction into those with a passive voice one.

1. The ABC holding controls the capital of the three subsidiaries.

2. We call this special kind of partnership a joint stock company.

3. The RDY company manufacturing cars holds 35% of Tyre Super’s equity.

4. In a usual partnership you can transfer the interest only if all the partners agree.

5. In 2001 J. Mitchel and F.Jones formed a partnership to render medical services but later some clients sued them for malpractice and the partnership was terminated.

6. As we are a subsidiary of KJ we will keep about 65% of our share capital in this holding company.

7. You cannot transfer the shares you own in this company without consent of other shareholders.

8. We have recently improved the affiliate’s investment portfolio by investing into a profitable project.

Activity V. Review Business organizations uk

Exercise 1

1. What is the oldest form of business in the UK?

2. Who owns the business in partnership?

3. What does limited liability mean?

4. How many members are there in a private limited company?

5. Can partners be sued and charged? Why or why not?

6. Is there a limit to the total number of a public limited company members?

7. What is the type of a company that doesn’t produce anything but sells and buys for profit?

8. What are the advantages a sole trader business?

9. How are profits distributed in a limited liability company?

10. What is a holding? What’s its role? What is a subsidiary?

11. What does share capital mean?

12. What does the liability by guarantee mean?

13. How are shares transferred in a private limited company?

14. What is a joint stock company?

15. How is interest transferred in partnership?

16. What are the advantages of owning shares?