Babcock Company Loses Money on New Ships

May 13, 2026, 12:17

Introduction

Babcock is a company that builds ships for the UK government. The company lost 140 million pounds because of mistakes in ship designs.

Main Body

Babcock is building five ships called Type 31. The company had to change the designs. They had to do a lot of work again. This cost more money than they planned. Because of this, the company made less profit. Last year they made 363 million pounds. This year they made 293 million pounds. Other parts of the company are doing well. The plane and nuclear power sections made more money. The company will give 200 million pounds back to its owners.

Conclusion

Babcock has a big problem with the Type 31 ships, but the company still makes money in other areas.

Learning

🟢 The 'Doing' Words

Look at how the story tells us about the company. We use different words for things that happened in the past and things happening now.

Yesterday / Last Year (Past)

Lost (not lose) → "The company lost money."
Had to (not have to) → "They had to change the designs."
Made (not make) → "They made 363 million pounds."

Today / Now (Present)

Is building → "Babcock is building five ships."
Are doing → "Other parts are doing well."

💡 Simple Tip: If you see -ing (building, doing), it usually means the action is happening right now. If the word looks different (lose $\rightarrow$ lost, make $\rightarrow$ made), it is usually a finished action.