Business English Meetings: 68 useful phrases to use in your next meeting
Never be stuck for words in a meeting with these 68 essential Business English phrases!!
Unit 1 | Phrases to open a meeting
Get everybody’s attention
· Okay, let’s get the ball rolling.
· Alright, I think it’s time to get down to business.
· Okay folks. Let’s get started, shall we?
· All right everyone, it’s getting late. Time to get this show on the road.
Welcome and thank everyone for coming
· Thanks for getting here on time.
· I appreciate you all being here.
· Thank you all for coming.
· We are still waiting on a couple of people, but we really have to start.
Explain the objectives of the meeting
· The purpose of today’s meeting is to discuss the issues we are facing with the local
government in Shanghai.
· We called this meeting to work out how best to proceed with the Samsung deal.
· As you already know, we are here to talk about the proposed takeover.
· We have several topics to discuss so we better get started.
The agenda
· Does everyone have a copy of the agenda?
· So, as you can see, the agenda has been divided into three parts.
· Let’s take a look at the agenda. There are five issues up for discussion…
Kick off the meeting
· We have a lot to get through. James, could you kick us off with item 1 please?
· Maria, could you get the ball rolling there please?
· Peter, could you start please?
Unit 2 – Asking for Opinions
· What does everyone think?
· What are your views on that?
· Jane, I’d like to get your opinion on these figures.
· I’d like to get some feedback from the group on this? What do you think we should do?
· Does anyone have anything to add?
Unit 3- Expressing Opinion
Strong Opinion
· I’m positive that we can make this work.
· I really think that this would be a step in the wrong direction.
· I’m certain that this is the best possible option on the table.
· I have no doubt that there is potential in the Asian market for this product.
Normal Opinion
· Well, from my point of view, that timeline is too ambitious.
· I feel that we are moving in the right direction.
· In my opinion, Sam would be perfect for the job.
Weak Opinion
· I tend to think that our marketing budget is not the real issue here.
· It seems that the main hold up is with the plant in China.
· It’s possible that we may have to scrap the entire project.
Unit 4 | Agreeing and Disagreeing
Agreement
· I agree with what Paul has said.
· You’re right Ken. The whole situation is very suspicious.
· That’s how I see it too. If we don’t act now it will be too late.
· I’m with Joanna on this.
· Exactly!
Partial Agreement
· I agree with what Paul has said, to a point.
· I think a lot of what you said was spot on, but…
· I’m with you to a point, but …
Disagreement
· Well to be honest, I’d have a different view…
· I’d have to disagree with you there.
· I see it differently.
· I’m sorry, but I completely disagree with that (strong disagreement)
Unit 5 | Interruptions
Interrupt Politely
· Sorry folks / Paul, can I just come in here?
· Sorry to interrupt you there, but I think we had agreed on $12,000, not 10.
· Sorry, if I could just jump in here… What’s the timeline with this phase exactly?
· Excuse me for the interruption but could you guys just speak a little slower?
· Sorry, could I just say one thing?
Resist interruption
· Sorry, I haven’t finished what I was saying.
· Sorry, could I just finish?
· Just let me finish please, I’m almost done.
· I’ll come to that in a minute, but just to finish the point I’m making, I don’t think…
Unit 6 | Clarification
Request Clarification
· Sorry, I’m not following you here Eddie, could you repeat that again?
· Sorry, I don’t think I’m with you here Jane, what exactly are you saying?
· Sorry, I don’t quite get what you mean. Can you run through it again slowly please?
· What do you mean by that exactly?
Clarify what you mean
· What I’m trying to say is that I just don’t see this being completed by the 5th.
· Well, in a nutshell, what I’m saying is that I don’t think Paul is up to the job.
· What I’m saying is that if we continue making these losses, we won’t survive the year.
Unit 7 | Asking someone to repeat
· Sorry John, I didn’t catch that… Could you repeat it please?
· I didn’t hear that properly. Would you mind speaking just a little slower for me, please?
· Sorry? What was that? I couldn’t hear you.
· Sorry, I’m afraid I didn’t hear that. Could you say it again?
Unit 8 | Signal the end of the meeting
· Ok, I think that’s about everything. Let’s wrap it up for today. Any questions?
· I think that covers everything, we’ve done enough for one day.
· We are out of time, let’s call it a day.
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5 février 2019
