Business English Talks

In this part, we’ll explore phrases that help you steer discussions and keep meetings on track. These phrases are essential for managing time, redirecting conversations, and ensuring productivity during meetings. 🎧 Listen to the full episode on my podcast! 1. “ Let’s table this for now.” What It Means : This phrase is a polite way to suggest postponing a discussion without dismissing its importance. It helps maintain focus and ensures the meeting stays on track. When to Use It : When a topic is taking too much time and needs to be revisited later. To prioritize other agenda items. When more information is needed before proceeding. Tone and Equivalents: Formal : “Let’s defer this discussion to a later time.” “We’ll revisit this topic during our next meeting.” Semiformal: “Let’s table this and move on to the next point.” “We can circle back to this later.” Casual : “Let’s put this on hold for now.” “We’ll come back to this later.” Example Dialogue : You: “This is an important discussion...

In the first part of this series, we explored two key phrases—“Let’s align on this” and “To clarify.” Now, we’ll dive into two additional phrases that will help you communicate effectively in meetings. These phrases encourage collaboration and keep the conversation dynamic, making you stand out as a confident communicator. 1. “ Does this align with everyone’s expectations ?” What It Means : This phrase is used to confirm that everyone agrees on a decision, action plan, or direction. It ensures alignment and clarity, giving participants a chance to raise concerns or suggest adjustments. When to Use It: At the end of a discussion to confirm decisions. Before finalizing an action plan. To check for consensus or prevent misunderstandings. Tone and Equivalents: Formal : “Do these next steps align with everyone’s expectations?” “Are we in agreement on the proposed plan?” Semiformal : “Does this align with what everyone had in mind?” “Is everyone okay with this plan?” Casual : “Are we all on ...

 Clarity is the foundation of effective business communication. In this post, we’ll introduce two powerful phrases—along with similar alternatives—to help you speak confidently and professionally in meetings. You’ll also learn when to use these phrases based on their tone: formal, semiformal, or casual. 1. “ Let’s align on this .” What It Means: This phrase ensures everyone understands and agrees on the key points before moving forward. It’s especially useful for setting priorities or clarifying next steps. Tone : Semiformal to Formal – Professional, but approachable enough for everyday workplace use. Why It’s Effective: Demonstrates leadership. Focuses the team’s attention on shared goals. Avoids misunderstandings by confirming priorities upfront. Similar Phrases (with Tone): Formal: “Let’s ensure we’re aligned before proceeding.” “I’d like to confirm our priorities to avoid confusion.” Semiformal: “Let’s get on the same page about this.” “Can we clarify what our main goals are he...

Virtual meetings are a cornerstone of modern business communication. However, they can be challenging if you don’t use the right language or strategies. To help you shine in your next meeting, here are essential phrases and example dialogues for clear, professional, and effective communication. 1. Starting the Meeting Begin the meeting with clarity and professionalism to set a positive tone. Phrases to Use: “Good morning/afternoon, everyone. Let’s get started.” “Thank you for joining. Can everyone hear me clearly?” “Before we begin, let’s quickly review the agenda for today.” “Let’s wait another minute for others to join, then we’ll start.” Example Dialogue: Host (Anna): “Good afternoon, everyone. I hope you’re doing well. Let’s start by ensuring everyone can hear me clearly. Can you all confirm?” Participants: “Yes, we can hear you.” Host (Anna): “Great. Before we dive in, here’s today’s agenda: first, we’ll discuss last week’s progress, then review upcoming tasks, and ...

 Welcome to the final day of our mini-series, 3 Days to Better Business English ! So far, we’ve covered how to start a meeting confidently and navigate difficult conversations. Today, we’ll focus on how to end a meeting professionally . A strong closing ensures everyone leaves with clarity and a positive impression. Here are three essential phrases to wrap up any meeting effectively, along with practical examples to help you use them with ease. 1. “To summarize, we’ve agreed on…” This phrase is perfect for recapping key decisions and ensuring alignment before the meeting ends. Example Dialogue: You (Leader): “To summarize, we’ve agreed on launching the new campaign by February 15th, reallocating the budget to prioritize digital ads, and holding a follow-up meeting next Monday.” Team Member: “Sounds good. I’ll share the updated timeline with the team.” Why It Works: This ensures everyone is clear on the next steps and avoids confusion later. 2. “Does anyone have any final q...

On Day 2 of 3 Days to Better Business English, we tackle one of the most challenging aspects of workplace communication: navigating difficult conversations. Whether it’s disagreeing politely, asking for clarification, or redirecting a tense discussion, these three phrases will help you maintain professionalism and confidence in any situation. Phrases for Day 2 1. “I see your point, but I think… ” Use this phrase to respectfully acknowledge someone’s opinion before sharing your perspective. Example Dialogue: Colleague: “I think we should increase the advertising budget.” You: “I see your point, but I think focusing on product development first might give us more to promote later.” Why It Works: This phrase keeps the conversation collaborative and shows respect while presenting your ideas. 2. “Can you clarify what you mean by…?” This phrase is perfect when you need more information or want to avoid assumptions. Example Dialogue: Manager: “We need to rethink our client onboarding process....

Welcome to 3 Days to Better Business English! This mini-series is designed to help you communicate confidently and effectively in professional settings. Each day, we’ll explore key phrases you can use to navigate common business scenarios. By the end of these three days, you’ll have practical tools to boost your English fluency at work. Let’s start strong with Day 1: How to Open a Meeting Like a Professional. The way you begin sets the tone for the rest of the discussion. Below are three essential phrases you can use to sound confident and create a great first impression, complete with example dialogues. 1. “ Thank you all for joining. Let’s get started.” This is a simple, polite way to start any meeting. It shows respect for everyone’s time and establishes a professional tone. Example Dialogue: You (Leader): “Thank you all for joining. Let’s get started. Today, we’ll be discussing our marketing strategy for Q1.” Colleague: “Sounds good. Should we review last week’s data first?” You: “...

  Whether you're in a meeting or a one-on-one conversation, knowing the right phrases can help you sound more confident and professional. Here are three must-know phrases, along with examples of how to use them effectively. 1. " Let's circle back to this later. " This phrase is perfect when you need to postpone a discussion without dismissing it entirely. Example Dialogue: Manager: “Should we dive into the budget details now?” You: “Good point, but I think we’re short on time. Let’s circle back to this later and focus on the key updates for now.” Why it works: It keeps the conversation focused and shows you're mindful of time. 2. " Can we take this offline?" Use this phrase when a topic requires a more detailed or private discussion. Example Dialogue: Colleague: “I have some concerns about the supplier’s contract terms.” You: “That’s important. Can we take this offline to discuss the specifics after the meeting?” Why it works: It shows professionalism an...

 Building professional relationships is an essential skill in any career, and small talk often plays a big role in making those connections. While small talk might seem trivial, it’s actually a powerful tool for networking, easing tension, and leaving a positive impression. Whether you're attending a conference, meeting a new colleague, or catching up with clients, mastering small talk can set you apart. Here’s a guide to help you navigate small talk in business with confidence, including essential phrases and practical examples. Why Small Talk Matters in Business 1. Builds Rapport: It creates a friendly and approachable atmosphere, making it easier to collaborate. 2. Opens Doors: Great conversations often lead to opportunities. 3. Establishes Trust: Small talk shows genuine interest, fostering strong professional relationships. Essential Small Talk Phrases and Their Uses Starting a Conversation “How’s your day going so far?” (Great for breaking the ice in casual settings.) “What b...

 Winter breaks aren’t just for relaxation—they’re an excellent opportunity to sharpen your Business English skills while enjoying winter sports or cozying up indoors. Whether you're networking on a ski retreat or managing work from a winter cabin here’s how to make the most of the season while enhancing your language skills. 1. Winter Vocabulary to Impress at Networking Events If you’re joining a winter retreat or ski trip with colleagues, knowing the right terms can help you break the ice. Use these phrases to impress and connect with others: Key Phrases and Their Uses: " Hit the slopes ": Go skiing or snowboarding. “After lunch, are you planning to hit the slopes?” “I heard the slopes here are perfect for beginners—have you tried them?” " On thin ice ": In a risky or precarious situation. “We’re on thin ice with this client, so let’s prepare thoroughly for the presentation.” “Taking this approach might put us on thin ice with our stakeholders.” " Cold sna...

 Using idioms and phrases is a great way to make your Business English sound natural and relatable, especially during the winter season. These expressions add color to your communication, help you connect with colleagues, and make you sound more fluent. Below are three winter-themed idioms with practical examples to help you use them effectively in a business context. 1. "Snowed Under" (Extremely Busy) When you’re overwhelmed with tasks, this idiom perfectly conveys your situation. Examples in Context: “I’m snowed under with year-end reports, but I’ll get to this next week.” “Our team has been snowed under with client requests since the holidays.” When to Use: Use this idiom to politely explain why you might need more time to complete a task or to empathize with a colleague's workload. “It sounds like you’re snowed under—let me know if I can help lighten the load.” 2 . "Break the Ice" (Start a Conversation or Reduce Tension) Perfect for networking events, meetin...

I you're looking to sound more polished and professional in business communication, one of the easiest places to start is by refining the phrases you use. Certain phrases may seem harmless but can come across as outdated, overly formal, or even confusing. Let’s dive into three common phrases to ditch—and what to use instead. 1. "I will revert back to you." This phrase is commonly used in business communication, but it’s incorrect and redundant. The word "revert" means to return to a previous state or condition—not to respond to someone. Why Avoid It? It’s grammatically incorrect. It can make you sound careless with language. What to Say Instead: "I will get back to you." "I’ll respond as soon as I have the information." Example: Instead of: "I will revert back to you once I have the report." Say: "I will get back to you with the report soon." This alternative is clear, concise, and professional. 2. " Per our telephoni...

Mistakes in Business English can lead to misunderstandings, lost opportunities, or even damage to your professional image. While minor errors are often forgiven, some common mistakes can have a bigger impact. In this post, we’ll explore realistic examples of Business English mistakes and provide practical tips on how to avoid them. 1. Using the Wrong Word in Professional Contexts Example: Mistake: "I will revert back to you with the information." What’s wrong? The word revert means to return to a previous state, not to reply. The phrase "revert back" is redundant and incorrect in this context. Solution: Correct: "I will get back to you with the information." Why it works: This phrase clearly communicates the intention to follow up without any ambiguity. 2. Overly Formal Language Example: Mistake: "Per our telephonic conversation, I am hereby forwarding the enclosed document." What’s wrong? This sentence is unnecessarily formal and sounds outdated...