Language Focus

1. Vocabulary: distinguishing meaning. Which word in each group is the odd one out? You may need to consult a dictionary to distinguish the differences in meaning.

1. asset dividend equity share

2. irrespective of regardless of conversely despite

3. discretionary mandatory obligatory compulsory

4. entail suggest involve imply

5. consequently therefor therefore accordingly

6. relinquish cede waive postpone

2. Use of prepositions. Complete the sentences below using the prepositions in the box. The sentences are taken from texts in this unit.

by for from in into of on through to under with

1. Initially, company capitalisation takes place ………… the issuance of shares.

2. A company may authorise capital in excess ……… the mandatory minimum share capital but refrain ...................issuing all of it until a later date - or at all.

3. In return ....................the privilege of limited liability ……….law, shareholders’ powers are generally restricted.

4. Someone with ownership rights .............a company can express their disappointment ...................the company’s performance by either getting rid of their shares or in some way expressing their concern.

5. With the Anglo-Saxon one-tier board, managing executives are also represented ................ the board, and all directors, executives as well as non-executives, are appointed ..................the controlling shareholders and must answer ....................the annual meeting.

6. The shares shall be divided ……….preferred, to consist of 5,000 shares having a par value, and common, to consist of 20.000 shares without par value.

3. Adjective formation. Add the prefixes in-, ir-. il-. ab- or un- to each of these words to form its opposite.

1. dependent
2. likely
3. respective
4. legal
5. normal
6. limited
7. restricted
8. direct
9. formal
10. comparable

5. Word formation and meaning. The noun forms of the verbs in the table appear in Readings 1-3. First match the verbs (1-9) with their definitions below (a-i). Then complete the table with the abstract noun form. Consult a dictionary if necessary.

Verb	Abstract Noun
1 issue
2 pre-empt
3 refuse
4 consolidate
5 divide
6 resolve
7 diversify
8 amend
9 rely (on)

a. to become more varied or different

b. to change the words of a text, typically a law or a legal document

c. to make a decision formally

d. to combine several things, especially businesses, so that they become more effective

e. to produce or provide something official

f. to do or say something before someone so that you make their words or actions unnecessary or ineffective

g. to separate into parts or groups

h. to need a particular thing or the help and support of someone or something in order to continue, to work correctly or to succeed

i. to say that you will not do or accept something

5. Understanding legalese Summarise the following text in one sentence.

Please accept without obligation, express or implied, these best wishes for an environmentally safe, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive and gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday as practised within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice (but with respect for the religious or secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or for their choice not to practise religious or secular traditions at all) and further for a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated onset of the generally accepted calendar year (including, but not limited to, the Christian calendar, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures). The preceding wishes are extended without regard to the race, creed, age, physical ability, religious faith or lack thereof, choice of computer platform or sexual preference of the wishee(s).