Business English: In business, clear communication is very important. Knowing the right words to use can help you share your ideas, ask questions, and understand others better. This post gives you simple phrases you can use to join the conversation, give opinions, and ask questions in meetings. With these phrases, you’ll feel more confident speaking up and sharing your thoughts.
Learning these phrases will make your meetings easier and more effective. You will be able to understand what others are saying and respond in a polite, professional way. You’ll also find it easier to agree, disagree, and give advice. This post will help you sound more natural and prepared, even if English is not your first language. By practicing these phrases, you’ll improve your business English and feel more comfortable in meetings.
29 Useful Phrases to Use During Business Meetings
- May I have a word?
- If I may, I think…
- Excuse me for interrupting.
- I (really) feel that…
- In my opinion…
- The way I see things…
- Do you (really) think that…
- (name of participant) can we get your input?
- How do you feel about…?
- I’ve never thought about it that way before.
- Good point!
- I get your point. I see what you mean.
- Up to a point I agree with you, but…
- (I’m afraid) I can’t agree.
- We should…
- Why don’t you….
- How/What about…
- I suggest/recommend that…
- (Statement) Have I made that clear?
- (Statement) Do you see what I’m getting at?
- Let me put this another way (statement)
- I’d just like to repeat that (statement)
- Exactly!
- That’s (exactly) the way I feel.
- I have to agree with (name of participant).
- I didn’t catch that.
- Could you repeat that, please?
- I missed that. Could you say it again, please?
- Could you run that by me one more time?
1. Interrupting
May I have a word?
- May I have a word? I have an idea.
- May I have a word? I want to add something.
- May I have a word? I think it’s important.
If I may, I think…
- If I may, I think we can finish by tomorrow.
- If I may, I think this plan could work.
- If I may, I think we should try another way.
Excuse me for interrupting.
- Excuse me for interrupting, but I have a question.
- Excuse me for interrupting, can I say something?
- Excuse me for interrupting, but this is important.
2. Giving Opinions
I (really) feel that…
- I feel that we should talk more.
- I really feel that this is the best idea.
- I feel that we are making good progress.
In my opinion…
- In my opinion, this plan is good.
- In my opinion, we need more time.
- In my opinion, this will help us.
The way I see things…
- We need to change the way I see things.
- The way I see things, this is a good idea.
- The way I see things, we should try harder.
3. Asking for Opinions
Do you (really) think that…
- Do you think that this will work?
- Do you really think that we can do it?
- Do you think that this idea is good?
(Name of participant), can we get your input?
- Maria, can we get your input on this?
- John, can we get your input here?
- Alex, can we get your input about this plan? [business english]
How do you feel about…?
- How do you feel about this change?
- How do you feel about our progress?
- How do you feel about the plan?
4. Commenting on Opinions
I’ve never thought about it that way before.
- I’ve never thought about it that way before. That’s interesting.
- I’ve never thought about it that way before. Good point.
- I’ve never thought about it that way before. Thanks for sharing.
Good point!
- Good point! That makes sense.
- Good point! I agree with you.
- Good point! Let’s discuss it more.
I get your point. I see what you mean.
- I get your point. I understand now.
- I see what you mean. Let’s consider it.
- I get your point. That could work.
Also Read: 20 Business Phrases | Business English Expressions
5. Disagreeing With Other Opinions
Up to a point I agree with you, but…
- Up to a point I agree with you, but we need more time.
- Up to a point I agree with you, but it may be too risky.
- Up to a point I agree with you, but we should plan first.
(I’m afraid) I can’t agree.
- I can’t agree with this idea.
- I’m afraid I can’t agree with this change.
- I can’t agree because it may not work. [business english]
Also Read: 101 Business English Conversation: Questions and Answers
6. Advising and Suggesting
We should…
- We should think about this more.
- We should try a new plan.
- We should check the numbers again.
Why don’t you…
- Why don’t you talk to the team?
- Why don’t you try another method?
- Why don’t you ask for feedback?
How/What about…
- How about we start next week?
- What about asking for more time?
- How about we make a list first?
I suggest/recommend that…
- I suggest that we try again.
- I recommend that we review the details.
- I suggest that we ask for help.
7. Clarifying
(Statement) Have I made that clear?
- We need to focus on sales. Have I made that clear?
- We will start on Monday. Have I made that clear?
- The goal is to finish by Friday. Have I made that clear?
(Statement) Do you see what I’m getting at?
- This report is important. Do you see what I’m getting at?
- We need to save time. Do you see what I’m getting at?
- We must avoid mistakes. Do you see what I’m getting at?
Let me put this another way (statement)
- Let me put this another way. We need more help.
- Let me put this another way. This is a priority.
- Let me put this another way. We need to finish soon.
I’d just like to repeat that (statement)
- I’d just like to repeat that this is urgent.
- I’d just like to repeat that we need more people.
- I’d just like to repeat that we start on Monday.
Also Read: 18 English Phrases for Conference Calls
8. Agreeing
Exactly!
- Exactly! I think so too.
- Exactly! That’s my thought.
- Exactly! We’re on the same page.
That’s (exactly) the way I feel.
- That’s the way I feel about this too.
- That’s exactly the way I feel about this project.
- That’s the way I feel; we should keep going.
I have to agree with (name of participant).
- I have to agree with Sam on this.
- I have to agree with Lisa about the plan.
- I have to agree with Paul; it’s a good idea. [business english]
9. Asking for Repetition
I didn’t catch that.
- I didn’t catch that. Can you say it again?
- I didn’t catch that. Can you repeat it?
- I didn’t catch that. Could you speak up?
Could you repeat that, please?
- Could you repeat that, please? I missed it.
- Could you repeat that, please? It was unclear.
- Could you repeat that, please? I want to understand.
I missed that. Could you say it again, please?
- I missed that. Could you say it again, please?
- I missed that. Could you say it once more?
- I missed that. Could you repeat it, please?
Could you run that by me one more time?
- Could you run that by me one more time? I need details.
- Could you run that by me one more time? I didn’t hear.
- Could you run that by me one more time? I wasn’t ready.