a motion

Question

Which is correct? or maby all versions are possible?
to cancel sth/dismiss sb at the request
to cancel sth/dismiss sb for motion
to call a meeting at the request
to call a meeting for motion ??

Thanks in advance!

Nona the brit · Accepted Answer

Motion – noun, meaning a proposal put forward at a meeting for discussion. So you can see that your examples using 'motion' are incorrect. If you can't quite see that, imagine 'paper' (as in an official document) in the same place.

Dominik · Answer

Nona, thank you very much for the explanation.

So using "a motion" can I say: We proposed a motion to dismiss Mr Smith/to cancel the meeting/to call the meeting. ??
or
We proposed a motion that Mr Smith was dismissed/the meeting was canceled/the meeting was called ??? Are these sentences correct? Did I use the right tense after "that"?

Can I say: "to cancel/dismiss sth on a motion" (in meaning that this cancellation is based on a motion)

Sorry for asking so many questions but my dictionaries aren't perfect.

Thanks in advance!

BarbaraPA · Answer

I believe that you would record: We moved that Mr. Smith be dismissed.

However, after a motion, someone "seconds" the motion, and then there is a discussion (usually) and then a vote.

If something gets only to the "motion" phase, the action has not been completed. The motion itself doesn't do anything except allow a vote.

This is a very abbreviated discussion. There can be a motion to discuss, a motion to vote without discussion, etc.

Jim: I move we table the remainging items on the agenda and postpone the remainder of the meeting until next week.

Alice: I second the motion

Chair: There is a motion to postpone. All in favor, say "aye."

Jim, Alice: Peter, Wanda, Danielle: Aye.

Chair: All opposed, say "nay."

[silence]

Chair: The motion carries. We will table all remaining agenda items and resume our meeting next week.

Dominik · Answer

Thank you very much for your explanation and examples.

I understand that "I moved that..."=""I proposed the motion that..."
So, is the sentence "I proposed the motion that Mr Smith be dismissed/the meeting be canceled." correct? Shouldn't I use after "that" - The sequence of tenses?

There is something else.
to submit a motion (AmE)=to table a motion (BrE)
to table a motion (AmE)=to postpone a motion (BrE) Yuck!

What about " to cancel/dismiss sth on a motion" Is this correct?

Regards
Dominik

BarbaraPA · Answer

I'm not familiar with "to submit a motion" but if you "table" something (American) you don't discuss or act on it until the next meeting.

With "I proposed the motion that Mr Smith be dismissed/the meeting be canceled" you would instead say "I moved that Mr. Smith be dismissed." To propose a motion is redundant.

And like I said before, you don't take actions on motions, you take actions after votes. So you would dismiss the person after the vote, not after the motion.

The committee agreed that Mr. Smith should be dismissed by a vote of 5-1. Or whatever.

Dominik · Answer

Thank you very much for the reply.

Grammar GeekI'm not familiar with "to submit a motion"

This is from Langenscheidt Business Phrase Book (2003).

And from Oxford Business:
submit - to give a document, proposal etc to sb in authority so that they can study or consider it; to submit an application/a plan/proposal/report; to submit a bid/claim/an offer/a request.
table - (BrE) to present sth formaly for discussion; The firm tabled a motion to shareholders to reduce the number of board members.
table - (especially AmE) - to leave an idea, a proposal, etc to be discussed at a late date: They voted to table the proposal until the following meeting.
postpone - to arrange for an event, etc. to take place at a later time or date; We'll have to postpone the meeting until next week.

To propose a motion is redundant.
This is also from Lagenscheidt. The language is changing too fast
And like I said before, you don't take actions on motions, you take actions after votes. So you would dismiss the person after the vote, not after the motion.
I understand
Once again thank you very much for your help.

Regards
Dominik

BarbaraPA · Answer

I learned something from this thread too.

If a British firm tables something, they will talk about it, but if an American firm tables something, they won't talk about it (right away). That is indeed very confusing!

I found a good site to look at. I haven't read through it yet, but I dearly hope that I didn't say anything above that is contradictory to what it says here.

Dominik · Answer

Thank you for the link. Maybe I'll get to grips with this difficult text in my free time.

Regards
Dominik

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