Clarifying a Changed Priority | Learn French in English

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Use Clarifying a Changed Priority to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

J'ai rejoint l'appel en m'attendant à examiner la liste de contrôle du lancement.

zhay ruh-ZHWAHN lah-PELL ahn mah-tahn-DAHN ah eg-za-mee-NAY lah LEEST duh kohn-TROHL dew lahn-SMAHN. I joined the call expecting to review the launch checklist.

L'ordre du jour a changé après que le client a soulevé un nouveau problème de conformité.

LOHR-druh dew ZHOOR ah shahn-ZHAY ah-PRAY kuh luh klee-YAHN ah soo-luh-VAY uhn noo-VOH proh-BLEM duh kohn-for-mee-TAY. The agenda changed after the client raised a new compliance concern.

Cela aurait été utile de le savoir avant de préparer les diapositives.

SEH-lah oh-RAY ay-TAY ew-TEEL duh luh sah-VWAHR ah-VAHN duh pray-pah-RAY lay dya-poh-zee-TEEV. That would have been useful to know before preparing slides.

Je suis d'accord, et la mise à jour aurait dû être communiquée plus tôt.

zhuh swee dah-KOHR, ay lah MEEZ ah ZHOOR oh-RAY DEW EH-truh koh-mew-nee-KAY ploo TOH. I agree, and the update should have been shared sooner.

Pourrions-nous clarifier brièvement la nouvelle priorité ?

poo-ree-OHN-noo klah-ree-fee-AY bree-YEV-mahn lah noo-VELL pree-oh-ree-TAY. Could we briefly clarify the new priority?

C'est logique, car sinon chacun risque de discuter de risques différents.

say loh-ZHEEK, kahr see-NOHN shah-KUN REESK duh dees-kew-TAY duh REESK dee-fay-RAHN. That makes sense, since otherwise everyone may discuss different risks.

Je pourrai résumer la liste de contrôle seulement lorsque ce contexte sera clair.

zhuh poo-RAY ray-zew-MAY lah LEEST duh kohn-TROHL suhl-MAHN lohrs-kuh suh kohn-TEHKST suh-RAH KLAIR. I can summarize the checklist only after that context is clear.

Mettons-nous d'accord sur le problème, puis décidons de ce qui peut attendre.

meh-TOHN-noo dah-KOHR sewr luh proh-BLEM, pwee day-see-DOHN duh suh kee puh ah-TAHNDR. Let's align on the concern, then decide what can wait.

Word by Word

J'ai “J'ai” means “I have” here and helps form the completed action “J'ai rejoint l'appel” (“I joined the call”). It is used with a past participle for a completed event, as in “J'ai préparé le rapport” in a new example. Use it when describing something you have done.

rejoint “rejoint” means “joined” in “J'ai rejoint l'appel,” referring to entering or joining the call. With “avoir,” it describes a completed action. Use “rejoindre” with a meeting, call, group, or person when saying that you joined them.

l'appel “l'appel” means “the call,” specifically the remote meeting in this dialogue. The article “l'” appears before the vowel sound at the beginning of “appel.” Use it for a particular call already known in the conversation, as in “Je rejoins l'appel” in a new example.

en “en” introduces the accompanying circumstance in “en m'attendant à examiner,” meaning “while expecting” or “with the expectation of.” Here it links the act of joining the call with the expectation that follows. A common pattern is “en + form ending in -ant” to describe what someone is doing or experiencing at the same time.

m'attendant “m'attendant” means “expecting” in “en m'attendant à examiner la liste de contrôle.” The “m'” refers back to the speaker, so the speaker is the one expecting. The pattern “s'attendre à + infinitive” is used for expecting an action, as in “Je m'attends à recevoir une réponse” in a new example.

à “à” connects “m'attendant” to the action expected: “m'attendant à examiner” means “expecting to review.” In the construction “s'attendre à + infinitive,” it is followed by the action someone expects. Use it before an infinitive in this pattern.

examiner “examiner” means “to review” or “to examine” the launch checklist in this dialogue. It is the action expected after “s'attendant à.” Use “examiner” with a document, checklist, proposal, or issue when looking at it carefully.

la “la” means “the” before the feminine singular noun “liste” in “la liste de contrôle.” It identifies a specific checklist. Use “la” before a known feminine singular noun, as in “la réunion” in a new example.

liste “liste” means “list” in the expression “la liste de contrôle,” the checklist being reviewed. It is followed by “de contrôle” to specify the type of list. Use “une liste de tâches” for a task list in a new example.

de “de” links “liste” with “contrôle” in “liste de contrôle,” meaning a checklist or control list. Here it specifies the purpose or type of the list. A common pattern is “liste de + noun,” such as “liste de tâches” in a new example.

contrôle “contrôle” contributes the idea of checking or control in “liste de contrôle,” which means “checklist” in this context. Its meaning comes from the complete expression, not from the word alone. Use it after “liste de” when naming a checklist in a work context.

du “du” means “of the” in “du lancement,” linking the checklist to the launch. It combines the preposition “de” with the masculine singular article “le.” Use “du” before a masculine singular noun when expressing “of the” or “from the.”

lancement “lancement” means “launch” in “la liste de contrôle du lancement.” It identifies the event that the checklist concerns. Use it with a product, project, service, or campaign when referring to its launch.

L'ordre “L'ordre” means “the order” as part of “L'ordre du jour,” the French expression for “the agenda.” The capital letter appears because it begins the sentence, and “l'” is used before the vowel sound. Use the full expression “L'ordre du jour” when referring to a meeting agenda.

jour “jour” means “day” literally, but in “L'ordre du jour” it contributes to the established expression meaning “the agenda.” The meaning here belongs to the whole expression. Use “ordre du jour” in meetings when naming the topics or sequence to be discussed.

a “a” means “has” in “a changé,” helping describe the completed change to the agenda. It is the auxiliary used with the past participle “changé.” Use “a + past participle” to report a completed action by a third person, as in “Le plan a changé” in a new example.

changé “changé” means “changed” in “L'ordre du jour a changé.” It describes the agenda becoming different after the client’s concern. Use “changer” with an agenda, plan, date, or priority when it becomes different.

après “après” means “after” and introduces the event that followed the agenda change. Here it is followed by “que” and a clause: “après que le client a soulevé...” Use “après + noun” for a time relationship, or “après que + clause” when another action follows.

que “que” connects “après” to the clause “le client a soulevé un nouveau problème de conformité.” It introduces the event that happened before the agenda changed. In a new example, “après que la réunion a commencé” introduces a similar completed event.

le “le” means “the” before the masculine singular noun “client” in “le client.” It identifies the particular client involved in the discussion. Use “le” before a known masculine singular noun.

client “client” means “client” in “le client a soulevé...” and identifies the person or organization that raised the concern. It is the subject of the action in this clause. Use it for a customer or client in a professional conversation.

soulevé “soulevé” means “raised” in “a soulevé un nouveau problème,” where the client brought a concern to the group’s attention. Together with “a,” it describes a completed action. Use “soulever un problème” or “soulever une question” when bringing an issue up for discussion.

un “un” means “a” before “nouveau problème,” introducing one new problem or concern. It is used with a masculine singular noun here. Use “un” when introducing a non-specific masculine singular item.

nouveau “nouveau” means “new” in “un nouveau problème de conformité.” It indicates that the concern was not previously part of the agenda. Use it before a masculine singular noun, as in “un nouveau projet” in a new example.

problème “problème” means “problem” and refers here to the client’s compliance concern. In this sentence, “problème de conformité” specifies the type of problem. Use “problème de + noun” to identify the area involved, such as “problème de sécurité” in a new example.

conformité “conformité” means “compliance” in “problème de conformité,” referring to meeting applicable rules or requirements. The preposition “de” links the problem to its area. Use “conformité” in professional or regulatory discussions about requirements.

Cela “Cela” means “that” and refers to the situation just described, especially the late agenda change. It is the subject of “Cela aurait été utile...” Use “cela” to refer back to an idea, event, or situation rather than a specific noun.

aurait “aurait” contributes the idea of “would have” in “Cela aurait été utile,” describing a possible benefit that did not occur because the information came late. It combines with “été” and “utile.” Use “aurait été + adjective” to comment on what would have been useful or preferable in a past situation.

été “été” means “been” in “aurait été utile,” completing the expression “would have been useful.” It follows “aurait” here. Use “été” with forms of “être” when describing a past state or quality.

utile “utile” means “useful” in “Cela aurait été utile de le savoir,” referring to the value of knowing the change earlier. The full construction says that knowing it would have helped. Use “être utile pour + noun” or “être utile de + infinitive” to describe something helpful.

savoir “savoir” means “to know” in “de le savoir,” referring to knowing about the changed agenda. It follows “de” in this infinitive construction. Use “savoir” for knowing information or facts, as in “Je veux savoir la raison” in a new example.

avant “avant” means “before” and places the preparation after the point at which the information would have been useful. Here it is followed by “de préparer.” Use “avant de + infinitive” when the same person performs the following action.

préparer “préparer” means “to prepare” in “avant de préparer les diapositives.” It refers to creating or getting the presentation slides ready. Use “préparer” with slides, a report, a meeting, or a document.

les “les” means “the” before the plural noun “diapositives” in “les diapositives.” It refers to the specific slides being prepared. Use “les” before known plural nouns, regardless of their gender.

diapositives “diapositives” means “slides” in the presentation context. The plural form refers to more than one presentation slide. Use it with verbs such as “préparer” or “présenter” when discussing presentation materials.

Je “Je” means “I” and identifies the speaker in “Je suis d'accord.” It is the subject of the statement. Use “Je” when expressing your own opinion, action, or state.

suis “suis” means “am” in “Je suis d'accord,” forming the expression “I agree” or “I am in agreement.” It is the form used with “Je” in this expression. Use “Je suis d'accord” to agree with another person’s point.

d'accord “d'accord” means “in agreement” in “Je suis d'accord,” which functions as “I agree.” The complete expression is used to accept or support what someone has said. Use “Je suis d'accord avec vous” in a new example when agreeing with someone.

et “et” means “and” and links the speaker’s agreement with the statement about the update. It joins two related parts of the sentence. Use it to connect ideas, actions, or descriptions.

mise “mise” contributes to the noun expression “la mise à jour,” which means “the update” in this dialogue. Its meaning here comes from the complete expression rather than from “mise” alone. Use “mise à jour” for an update to information, software, or a project.

dû “dû” contributes the idea of obligation in “aurait dû être communiquée,” meaning that the update should have been communicated. It is part of a construction describing an expected action that did not happen soon enough. Use “aurait dû + infinitive” to say what should have happened in the past.

être “être” means “to be” in “être communiquée,” where it helps form the passive idea “be communicated.” It follows “aurait dû” and precedes the communicated action. Use “être + past participle” when focusing on what happens to something rather than who performs the action.

communiquée “communiquée” means “communicated” in “la mise à jour aurait dû être communiquée,” referring to information being shared with the team. It completes the passive construction with “être.” Use “être communiqué” or “être communiquée” with information or an update when it is shared with others.

plus “plus” contributes the comparison in “plus tôt,” making the meaning “sooner” rather than simply “early.” It modifies “tôt” in this expression. Use “plus + time adverb” to say that something happens earlier or later relative to another time.

tôt “tôt” means “early” in “plus tôt,” and the full expression means “sooner” here. It describes when the update should have been shared. Use “tôt” when referring to an early time, as in “Il est arrivé tôt” in a new example.

Pourrions-nous “Pourrions-nous” means “could we” and introduces a polite suggestion or request in “Pourrions-nous clarifier...” The inverted “-nous” identifies the people included in the request. Use “Pourrions-nous + infinitive” to propose an action in a professional discussion.

clarifier “clarifier” means “to clarify” the new priority. It is the action requested after “Pourrions-nous.” Use “clarifier + noun” when asking to make a priority, point, or question clearer.

brièvement “brièvement” means “briefly” and limits the requested clarification to a short explanation. It describes how the team should clarify the priority. Use it with communication verbs such as “expliquer brièvement” or “résumer brièvement.”

nouvelle “nouvelle” means “new” in “la nouvelle priorité,” referring to the priority created by the changed agenda. This exact form is used with the feminine noun “priorité.” Use it before a feminine singular noun when describing something new.

priorité “priorité” means “priority,” the item that now needs attention first. In “la nouvelle priorité,” it refers to the concern that has changed the meeting’s focus. Use “clarifier une priorité” or “définir les priorités” when discussing what should be handled first.

C'est “C'est” means “it is” or “that is” in “C'est logique,” evaluating the suggestion that the priority should be clarified. It introduces the assessment that follows. Use “C'est + adjective” to comment on a situation or proposal.

logique “logique” means “logical” and, in “C'est logique,” expresses that the suggestion makes sense. It evaluates the need to clarify the priority before discussing risks. Use “C'est logique” to agree that an idea follows clearly from the situation.

car “car” means “because” or “since” and introduces the reason why clarifying the priority makes sense. It connects the evaluation with the risk of different discussions. Use “car” to give a direct explanation in a statement.

sinon “sinon” means “otherwise” and introduces the negative consequence that could happen if the priority is not clarified. Here it links the missing clarification to different risk discussions. Use it before a consequence or alternative condition, as in “Dépêchons-nous, sinon nous serons en retard” in a new example.

chacun “chacun” means “each person” or “everyone individually” in “chacun risque de discuter...” It emphasizes the team members separately rather than as one group. Use “chacun + singular verb” when describing what each person may do.

risque “risque” means “risks” or “may” in “chacun risque de discuter,” expressing a possible undesirable result. It is followed by “de” and an infinitive. Use “risquer de + infinitive” to say that someone or something may experience a negative consequence.

discuter “discuter” means “to discuss” in “risque de discuter de risques différents.” The repeated “de” construction indicates the subjects or topics being discussed. Use “discuter de + topic” when talking about discussing an issue.

risques “risques” means “risks” in “discuter de risques différents,” referring to the possible risks each person might discuss. The plural indicates several risks. Use “discuter des risques” when referring to known risks in a new example.

différents “différents” means “different” in “des risques différents,” showing that the team members may focus on risks that are not the same. It describes the plural noun “risques.” Use it after or before a plural noun when distinguishing separate items or viewpoints.

pourrai “pourrai” means “will be able to” in “Je pourrai résumer,” describing the speaker’s ability to summarize once the context is clear. It is followed by the infinitive “résumer.” Use “je pourrai + infinitive” to state what you will be able to do later.

résumer “résumer” means “to summarize” the checklist in “Je pourrai résumer la liste de contrôle.” It refers to presenting the main points briefly. Use “résumer + direct object” with a checklist, report, discussion, or proposal.

seulement “seulement” means “only” and limits when the speaker can summarize the checklist. Here it emphasizes that the summary must wait until the context is clear. Use “seulement lorsque + clause” to express that an action is possible only after a condition is met.

lorsque “lorsque” means “when” and introduces the condition or time at which the context will be clear. It links “sera clair” to “Je pourrai résumer.” Use “lorsque + clause” to refer to a time or condition, especially in a more formal style.

ce “ce” means “this” or “that” before the masculine singular noun “contexte” in “ce contexte.” It points to the meeting situation already being discussed. Use “ce” before a masculine singular noun when referring to a particular item or situation.

contexte “contexte” means “context,” referring to the compliance concern and its effect on the agenda. The phrase “ce contexte sera clair” means that the relevant situation will be understood. Use it when explaining the background needed to interpret a decision or discussion.

sera “sera” means “will be” in “ce contexte sera clair,” describing the context’s future state. It links the subject “ce contexte” with the adjective “clair.” Use “sera + adjective” to describe how something will be later.

clair “clair” means “clear” in “ce contexte sera clair,” meaning that the relevant background will be understood. It describes “contexte” in this sentence. Use “être clair” when information, instructions, or a situation is easy to understand.

Mettons-nous “Mettons-nous” begins the suggestion “Mettons-nous d'accord sur le problème,” meaning “let’s agree on” or “let’s align on the issue.” Together with “nous,” it includes the speaker and the other participants. Use “Mettons-nous d'accord sur + topic” when proposing that a group reach a shared understanding.

sur “sur” means “on” or “about” in “d'accord sur le problème,” identifying the topic on which the participants should agree. It completes the pattern “être d'accord sur + topic.” Use this preposition when expressing agreement about a subject or decision.

puis “puis” means “then” and orders the next action after agreeing on the concern. It connects the two steps in the proposed meeting process. Use it to sequence actions, as in “Nous vérifierons les données, puis nous déciderons” in a new example.

décidons “décidons” means “let’s decide” in “puis décidons de ce qui peut attendre.” It proposes making a decision together. Use “décidons de + noun or clause” when suggesting that a group decide what to do.

qui “qui” contributes the meaning “what” or “that which” in “ce qui peut attendre,” referring to the items or tasks that can wait. It introduces the clause describing those items. Use “ce qui” when referring to an unspecified thing or things that meet the following description.

peut “peut” means “can” or “may” in “ce qui peut attendre,” expressing that something is able or permitted to wait. It is followed by the infinitive “attendre.” Use “peut + infinitive” to describe possibility, ability, or permission.

attendre “attendre” means “to wait” in “ce qui peut attendre,” referring to work that does not need immediate attention. It follows “peut.” Use “attendre” for delaying an action or waiting for a person, event, or decision.

Grammar Points

Mettons-nous d'accord

Mettons-nous d'accord sur la priorité.

meh-TOHN-noo dah-KOHR sewr lah pree-oh-ree-TAY.

Let's agree on the priority.

In the nous imperative, the reflexive pronoun follows the verb and is joined to it with a hyphen.

s'attendre à + nom

Je m'attends à un risque.

zhuh mah-TAHN ah uhn REESK.

I expect a risk.

The verb s'attendre à always takes à before what is expected; the reflexive pronoun changes with the subject.

French Vocabulary

appel noun

ah-PELL call l'appel

changer verb

shahn-ZHAY to change a changé

client noun

klee-YAHN client

conformité noun

kohn-for-mee-TAY compliance

examiner verb

eg-za-mee-NAY to review; to examine

lancement noun

lahn-SMAHN launch

liste de contrôle phrase

LEEST duh kohn-TROHL checklist

ordre du jour phrase

LOHR-druh dew ZHOOR agenda

problème noun

proh-BLEM problem; concern

rejoindre verb

ruh-ZHWAHNDR to join rejoint

s'attendre à verb

sah-TAHNDR ah to expect m'attendant à

soulever verb

soo-luh-VAY to raise a soulevé

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

launch

Show Answer

lancement

client

Show Answer

client

to join

Show Answer

rejoint

to review; to examine

Show Answer

examiner