Feedback on a proposal draft | Learn German in English

About This Lesson

Use Feedback on a proposal draft to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ich habe einen Entwurf für den Vorschlag fertiggestellt.

ikh HAH-buh EYE-nen ENT-voorf fyoor den FOR-shlahk fer-TEE-guh-shtelt. I finished a draft of the proposal.

Ich kann ihn prüfen, bevor du ihn teilst.

ikh kahn een PRUE-fen buh-FOHR doo een TYLEST. I can review it before you share it.

Könntest du den Abschnitt zur Einleitung prüfen?

KUEN-tust doo den AHP-shnits tsoor EYE-n-LYE-toong PRUE-fen? Could you check the introduction section?

Die Hauptidee ist klar.

dee HOWPT-ee-DAY ist klahr. The main idea is clear.

Aber der Abschnitt wirkt zu lang.

AH-buh dair AHP-shnits virkt tsoo lahng. But the section feels too long.

Soll ich einige Details in einen anderen Abschnitt verschieben?

ZOL ikh EYE-ni-guh Duh-TYLES in EYE-nen AHN-duh-ren AHP-shnits fer-SHEE-ben? Should I move some details to another section?

Verschiebe die zusätzlichen Details in den Abschnitt zum Hintergrund.

fer-SHEE-buh dee TSOO-zetz-li-khen Duh-TYLES in den AHP-shnits tsoom HIN-tuh-groont. Put the extra details in the background section.

Ich überarbeite den Entwurf und schicke ihn zurück.

ikh UE-buh-AR-bye-tuh den ENT-voorf oont SHIK-uh een tsoo-RUEK. I will revise the draft and send it back.

Schick die neue Version, wenn sie fertig ist.

SHIK dee NOY-uh ver-ZEE-ohn ven zee FER-tikh ist. Send the new version when it is ready.

Word by Word

Ich “Ich” means “I” and is the speaker referring to themself in “Ich habe einen Entwurf für den Vorschlag fertiggestellt.” It is used as the subject when describing your own action, such as completing or revising a document. You would use it when telling a colleague what you have done.

habe “habe” means “have” here as the helping verb in the completed action “Ich habe einen Entwurf für den Vorschlag fertiggestellt.” Together with “fertiggestellt,” it describes an action that has been completed. This form is useful when reporting completed work to a colleague.

einen “einen” means “a” before the masculine noun “Entwurf” in “einen Entwurf.” It marks the document as the object of the completed action. Use it before a masculine noun when that noun is the object of an action in a similar context.

Entwurf “Entwurf” means “draft,” specifically the unfinished proposal document in “einen Entwurf für den Vorschlag.” It is the document that has been completed, reviewed, and revised in the dialogue. You would use it when discussing an early version of a document at work.

für “für” means “for” and connects “Entwurf” with the proposal in “einen Entwurf für den Vorschlag.” It introduces what the draft is intended for. Use “für” before the person, purpose, or thing that something is meant for.

den “den” means “the” before the masculine noun “Vorschlag” in “für den Vorschlag.” It refers to a specific proposal already understood in the work context. After “für,” this exact form introduces the masculine object of the preposition.

Vorschlag “Vorschlag” means “proposal” in “für den Vorschlag.” It identifies the document or idea that the draft concerns. You would use it when discussing a proposal with a colleague or deciding how to improve it.

fertiggestellt “fertiggestellt” means “finished” or “completed” in “Ich habe einen Entwurf für den Vorschlag fertiggestellt.” It shows that the draft has been brought to a completed state. With “habe,” this form is used to report completed work.

kann “kann” means “can” or “is able to” in “Ich kann ihn prüfen.” It expresses the colleague’s ability or offer to review the draft. After “kann,” the other verb appears in its infinitive form, as in “prüfen.”

ihn “ihn” means “it” here and refers back to the masculine noun “Entwurf” in “Ich kann ihn prüfen.” It is the object being reviewed and shared. Use this form when referring back to that masculine document as the object of an action.

prüfen “prüfen” means “review” or “check” in “Ich kann ihn prüfen.” It describes examining the draft, including its introduction section. After the modal verb “kann,” this infinitive names the action the speaker can perform.

bevor “bevor” means “before” and introduces the action that must happen first in “bevor du ihn teilst.” It connects the review with the later sharing of the draft. Use it to place one action before another in time, especially when introducing a full clause.

du “du” means “you” in “bevor du ihn teilst.” It identifies the colleague who will share the draft. You would use it when addressing one familiar colleague directly.

teilst “teilst” means “share” in “bevor du ihn teilst.” It describes the colleague making the draft available to others. The form appears with “du” in the clause introduced by “bevor,” and you would use it when asking or discussing whether someone will share a document.

Könntest “Könntest” means “could” in the polite request “Könntest du den Abschnitt zur Einleitung prüfen?” It asks the colleague to check a specific section without sounding like a direct command. You would use this form when making a courteous request at work.

Abschnitt “Abschnitt” means “section” in “den Abschnitt zur Einleitung.” It refers to one part of the proposal that should be checked. You would use it when directing feedback to a particular part of a document.

zur “zur” means “to the” in “zur Einleitung” and introduces the topic of the section. It is the contracted form of “zu der,” used here before the feminine noun “Einleitung.” This pattern identifies what a section concerns, as in the introduction section of a document.

Einleitung “Einleitung” means “introduction” in “den Abschnitt zur Einleitung.” It names the opening part or introductory material of the proposal. You would use it when discussing or reviewing the beginning of a document.

Die “Die” means “the” in “Die Hauptidee ist klar.” It introduces the specific feminine noun “Hauptidee” as the subject of the sentence. Use it before a known feminine noun in this subject position.

Hauptidee “Hauptidee” means “main idea” in “Die Hauptidee ist klar.” It identifies the central point of the proposal, which the colleague considers understandable. You would use it when giving feedback on the central message of a document or presentation.

ist “ist” means “is” in “Die Hauptidee ist klar.” It links the main idea with the description “klar.” Use it to state what something is like or what condition it is in.

klar “klar” means “clear” in “Die Hauptidee ist klar.” It gives positive feedback that the central message can be understood. You would use it when telling someone that an idea, explanation, or instruction is easy to understand.

Aber “Aber” means “but” at the start of “Aber der Abschnitt wirkt zu lang.” It introduces a limitation or contrasting piece of feedback after the positive comment about the main idea. You would use it to add a different point without rejecting everything said before.

der “der” means “the” before the masculine noun “Abschnitt” in “der Abschnitt wirkt zu lang.” It marks the specific section as the subject of the sentence. Use it before a known masculine noun in this subject position.

wirkt “wirkt” means “seems” or “comes across as” in “der Abschnitt wirkt zu lang.” It describes the colleague’s impression of the section rather than stating that its length is measured. You would use it when giving an impression about how something appears or feels.

zu “zu” means “too” in “zu lang.” It shows that the section’s length is more than appropriate for the document. This pattern places “zu” directly before an adjective when describing an excessive degree.

lang “lang” means “long” in “der Abschnitt wirkt zu lang.” It describes the section’s length, with “zu” indicating that it is excessive. You would use it when commenting on the length of a section, text, meeting, or other item.

Soll “Soll” means “should” in the question “Soll ich einige Details in einen anderen Abschnitt verschieben?” It asks whether moving the details is the appropriate action. You would use this form to ask a colleague for guidance about what you ought to do.

einige “einige” means “some” or “several” in “einige Details.” It refers to an unspecified number of details, not all of them. Use it before a plural noun when referring to part of a group.

Details “Details” means “details” in “einige Details” and “die zusätzlichen Details.” It refers to the individual pieces of information in the proposal. You would use it when discussing specific information that may need to be reviewed or moved.

in “in” means “into” in “in einen anderen Abschnitt verschieben.” It marks the destination of moving the details. With a movement toward a destination, this pattern is followed by the destination section.

anderen “anderen” means “another” or “different” in “einen anderen Abschnitt.” It identifies a section different from the one currently being discussed. It appears before the masculine noun “Abschnitt” as the destination of the move.

verschieben “verschieben” means “move” in “Soll ich einige Details in einen anderen Abschnitt verschieben?” It describes transferring the details from their current place to another section. After “Soll ich,” this infinitive names the action being considered.

Verschiebe “Verschiebe” means “move” in the instruction “Verschiebe die zusätzlichen Details in den Abschnitt zum Hintergrund.” It tells the colleague to put the extra details in a different part of the proposal. You would use this form when directly instructing one familiar person to move something.

zusätzlichen “zusätzlichen” means “additional” or “extra” in “die zusätzlichen Details.” It identifies the details that are not part of the main section and should be moved. Use it before a plural noun when specifying extra items.

zum “zum” means “to the” in “zum Hintergrund” and introduces the background as the topic of the destination section. It is the contracted form of “zu dem.” This pattern can identify what a section or part is related to.

Hintergrund “Hintergrund” means “background” in “den Abschnitt zum Hintergrund.” It identifies the section where the extra contextual information should go. You would use it when discussing background information that supports the main proposal.

überarbeite “überarbeite” means “revise” in “Ich überarbeite den Entwurf.” It describes making changes to improve the draft after receiving feedback. You would use it when telling a colleague that you are updating a document.

und “und” means “and” in “Ich überarbeite den Entwurf und schicke ihn zurück.” It joins the revision action with the later act of sending the draft back. Use it to connect two related actions or statements.

schicke “schicke” means “send” in “Ich schicke ihn zurück.” It describes sending the revised draft back to the colleague. You would use it when saying that you will transmit a document or other item.

zurück “zurück” means “back” in “schicke ihn zurück.” It shows that the draft is being sent back to the person or place it came from. Use it with an action of sending or returning something to its previous recipient or location.

Schick “Schick” means “send” in the direct instruction “Schick die neue Version.” It asks one familiar person to send the new version. You would use it when giving a short instruction about sending a document or message.

neue “neue” means “new” in “die neue Version.” It distinguishes the revised version from the earlier draft. Use it before a feminine noun such as “Version” when identifying an updated item.

Version “Version” means “version” in “die neue Version.” It refers to the updated form of the draft after revision. You would use it when comparing or sending a newer form of a document.

wenn “wenn” means “when” in “wenn sie fertig ist.” It introduces the condition or time at which the new version should be sent. Use it to connect an action with the point when something is ready or another condition is met.

sie “sie” means “it” here and refers to the feminine noun “Version” in “wenn sie fertig ist.” It is the subject of the clause describing when the version is ready. Use it to refer back to that version instead of repeating the noun.

fertig “fertig” means “ready” or “finished” in “wenn sie fertig ist.” It describes the state the new version must reach before it is sent. You would use it when a document, task, or other piece of work is complete and ready for the next step.

Grammar Points

Partizip II: fertiggestellt

fertiggestellt

fer-TEE-guh-shtelt

finished

The form fertiggestellt is the past participle of fertigstellen and describes a completed action.

Adjektivendung: zusätzlichen Hintergrund

zusätzlichen Hintergrund

TSOO-zetz-li-khen HIN-tuh-groont

additional background

The ending -en in zusätzlichen marks the adjective form before a masculine noun in the accusative.

German Vocabulary

Abschnitt noun

AHP-shnits section

a section of a document

Einleitung noun

EYE-n-LYE-toong introduction

the introduction section

Entwurf noun

ENT-voorf draft

a draft of a proposal

fertigstellen verb

fer-TEEK-shtel-len to finish fertiggestellt

I finished a draft

Hauptidee noun

HOWPT-ee-DAY main idea

the main idea

klar adj

klahr clear

The main idea is clear

lang adj

lahng long

too long

prüfen verb

PRUE-fen to review; to check

to review or check something

teilen verb

TYLE-len to share teilst

before you share it

verschieben verb

fer-SHEE-ben to move; to shift Verschiebe

move details to another section

Vorschlag noun

FOR-shlahk proposal

the proposal

wirken verb

VIR-ken to seem; to appear wirkt

the section seems too long

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

The main idea is clear.

Show Answer

Die Hauptidee ist klar.

But the section feels too long.

Show Answer

Aber der Abschnitt wirkt zu lang.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

clear

Show Answer

klar

to review; to check

Show Answer

prüfen

to share

Show Answer

teilst

section

Show Answer

Abschnitt