Business English¶
Practical sentence patterns¶
Making request¶
Would it be possible to ...
Would it be possible to extend the deadline by a few days?
Would it be possible to schedule a meeting for next week?
Can you help me with ...?
Can you help me with the presentation?
Can you help me with the logistics of this event?
Could you please ...?
Could you please send me the report by the end of the day?
Could you please send me the updated schedule?
Giving Updates¶
Just to let you know ...
Just to let you know, I've completed the first draft of the proposal.
Just to let you know, I've submitted the report to the client.
I've made some progress on ...
I've made some progress on the research for the project.
I've made some progress on the coding for the software.
Invite for Opinions¶
What's your opinion on ...?
What's your opinion on the new project proposal?
What's your opinion on the current market trends?
Do you have any views on ...?
Do you have any views on how we can improve our customer service?
Do you have any views on the effectiveness of our current marketing campaign?
I'd like to get your feedback on ...
I'd like to get your feedback on the latest marketing campaign.
I'd like to get your feedback on the new product design.
Expressing Agreement¶
I couldn't agree with you more.
I think we're on the same page.
That's exactly what I was thinking.
Expressing disagreement¶
I see what you're saying, but I think there's a better solution.
That's a valid point, but I have a different opinion on this matter.
I understand where you're coming from, but I'm not sure that's the best approach.
Asking for clarification¶
Could you clarify what you mean by ...
Could you clarify what you mean by "ROI"? I'm not familiar with that term.
Could you clarify what you mean by your previous message?
Can you provide more details about ...?
Can you provide more details about the feature of this software?
Can you provide more details about the benefits of this product?
Making suggestions¶
Have you considered ...?
Have you considered using social media to promote the product?
Have you considered adding a FAQ section to the website?
Perhaps we could ...
Perhaps we could arrange a team build activity to improve morale.
Perhaps we could schedule a meeting to discuss this issue further.
I suggest that we ...
I suggest that we schedule a weekly team meeting to stay on track.
I suggest that we invest in new technology to stay competitive in the industry.
It might be a good idea to ...
It might be a good idea to conduct a customer survey to gather feedback.
It might be a good idea to explore new markets to expand our customer base.
Giving Instructions¶
Please make sure to ...
Please make sure to attend the meeting on time and bring your notes.
Please make sure to send out the meeting agenda to all participants.
Don't forget to ...
Don't forget to thank your colleagues for their hard work and support.
Don't forget to proofread your work before submitting it to the client.
Offering Assistance¶
Is there anything I can help with?
Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
I'm happy to assist in any way I can.
Expressing Gratitude¶
Thank you for your help.
I realy appreciate your assistance.
I'm grateful for your support.
Negotiating¶
Let's see if we can find a compromise.
Can we explore other options?
I think we can find a solution that works for both of us.
Apologizing¶
I apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Please accept my apologies.
I'll take full responsibility and ensure it doesn't happen again.
Closing a Conversation¶
Maybe this is a good place to stop.
Thank you for taking the time to meeting with me today.
It was a pleasure speaking with you. Have a great day.
Online Meeting¶
Beginning¶
- Let's get started.
- Can everyone hear me okay?
- Could you speak up a little?
- Sorry, I didn't catch that.
- Can you repeat that, please?
- I'm sorry, I'm having trouble with my connection.
- Can you hear me now?
- Let's move on to the next item.
- Do you have any questions so far?
- Is everyone following along?
- Can I share my screen?
Discussion and Decision-Making¶
- What are your thoughts on this?
- Let's hear from someone else.
- I agree with you.
- I see your point, but...
- That's a good idea.
- I'm not sure I understand.
- Could you clarify that for me?
- Can we move on to the next item?
- I have a question about the last item.
- Can you give me more information about that?
- Let's make a decision on this.
- I propose that we...
- That sounds reasonable.
- I'm not sure I agree with that.
- Can we explore some other options?
- Let's weigh the pros and cons.
- I'm in favor of that.
- I'm opposed to that.
- Let's put it to a vote.
- The motion carries.
- The motion is defeated.
Project Updates and Status Reports¶
- Can you give us an update on the project?
- How are we doing on the timeline?
- Can we get a status report on that?
- Let's review the budget.
- What's the next step?
- Who's responsible for that?
- Can we delegate that to someone else?
- I'll follow up on that.
- Let's set a deadline for that.
- Can we get an estimate on the cost?
- What are the deliverables for this project?
- Can we get an update on the risks and issues?
Brainstorming and Exploring Options¶
- Let's brainstorm some solutions.
- Can we get some input from the stakeholders?
- Can we get some more details on that proposal?
- Let's explore some alternatives.
- What are the potential risks and rewards?
- Let's evaluate the options.
- Can we get some more data to make an informed decision?
- Let's consider the long-term implications.
- Can we get some input from the subject matter experts?
- Let's assess the feasibility.
- Can we get some feedback from the users?
- Let's finalize the proposal.
- Can we get some buy-in from the stakeholders?
- Let's develop an implementation plan.
- Can we get some input from the project team?
- Let's identify the potential roadblocks.
- Can we get some feedback from the customers?
- Let's create a contingency plan.
- Can we get some input from the executive team?
- Let's review the project plan.
- Can we get some feedback from the end users?
- Let's identify the critical success factors.
- Can we get some input from the external experts?
- Let's review the project budget.
- Can we get some feedback from the internal stakeholders?
Closing¶
- I'll just send the file to everyone.
- Let's take a five minute break.
- Can we reconvene at 2pm?
- I'm sorry, I have to leave early.
- Can you take over for me?
- I'll send out the meeting notes afterwards.
- Let's schedule a follow-up meeting.