B2–C1 · 10 patterns

Problem-solving and risk phrases in advanced English

Frame a problem around an actionable response, name uncertainty, and choose safeguards that match the actual level of risk.

01 · Use it when you need to

Communication goals

01
describe a problem without stopping at the complaint
02
state a risk without pretending certainty
03
propose a proportionate precaution or fallback

02 · Study sets

Study the topic from these validated sets

01Problem-solvingFrame a problem around a practical response. · SOL 02Risk and precautionsName uncertainty and choose a proportionate safeguard. · RSK 03Probability and predictionDiscuss likelihood, risk, and uncertainty. · PRB

03 · Pattern examples

Start with a reusable structure

This is an editorial sample. The linked study sets contain the complete topic collection.

01The most practical response would be to check whether [X]The most practical response would be to check whether the team needs another day to decide. · DE: Die praktischste Reaktion wäre zu prüfen, ob das Team einen weiteren Tag für die Entscheidung braucht.02One way to address this is to establish why [X]One way to address this is to establish why the team needs another day to decide. · DE: Eine Möglichkeit, dies anzugehen, ist zu klären, warum das Team einen weiteren Tag für die Entscheidung braucht.03If [X], we can reduce the impact by acting earlyIf the team needs another day to decide, we can reduce the impact by acting early. · DE: Wenn das Team einen weiteren Tag für die Entscheidung braucht, können wir die Auswirkungen verringern, indem wir früh handeln.04The issue can be resolved by deciding whether [X]The issue can be resolved by deciding whether the team needs another day to decide. · DE: Die Frage kann gelöst werden, indem wir entscheiden, ob das Team einen weiteren Tag für die Entscheidung braucht.05There is a risk that [X]There is a risk that the team needs another day to decide. · DE: Es besteht das Risiko, dass das Team einen weiteren Tag für die Entscheidung braucht.06To reduce the risk, we should check whether [X]To reduce the risk, we should check whether the team needs another day to decide. · DE: Um das Risiko zu verringern, sollten wir prüfen, ob das Team einen weiteren Tag für die Entscheidung braucht.07We should not assume that [X]We should not assume that the team needs another day to decide. · DE: Wir sollten nicht annehmen, dass das Team einen weiteren Tag für die Entscheidung braucht.08A contingency plan is needed if [X]A contingency plan is needed if the team needs another day to decide. · DE: Ein Notfallplan wird benötigt, wenn das Team einen weiteren Tag für die Entscheidung braucht.09There is a realistic chance that [X] if [Y]There is a realistic chance that the river will reach the lower flood barrier if the rain continues through the night. · DE: Es besteht eine realistische Chance, dass der Fluss die untere Hochwasserschutzmauer erreicht, wenn der Regen die ganze Nacht anhält.10The most likely explanation is that [X]**The most likely explanation is that** the message arrived after the SLA window. · DE: **Die wahrscheinlichste Erklärung ist, dass** die Nachricht nach dem SLA-Fenster angekommen ist.

04 · Related paths

Continue by communication goal

01Planning, priorities, and deadlinesSequence work, state goals, name what matters most, and ask about timing so plans become concrete rather than aspirational.02Argumentation and evidenceBuild claims, connect them to evidence, and explain causes and consequences with reusable B2–C1 sentence patterns.03Modality, obligation, and recommendationExpress necessity, permission, recommendation, possibility, and degrees of commitment with more control than a single modal verb gives you.

Continue learning

Choose the next useful route.

Pattern PracticeFind a pattern you can reuseContinue through a canonical Metkagram learning surface already linked from this page.Pattern AtlasB2–C1 Pattern Atlas for advanced English and GermanContinue through a canonical Metkagram learning surface already linked from this page.Pattern PracticeProblem-solvingContinue through a canonical Metkagram learning surface already linked from this page.