Attending a Meeting in English - Useful Phrases for Meetings - Business English

Summary

This lesson from Oxford Online English is a comprehensive guide for English-speaking professionals preparing for business meetings. It covers essential phrases for self-introduction, expressing opinions on suggestions, and asking questions. The script advises on the use of modal verbs for making suggestions and offers polite ways to disagree or ask for clarification. It also discusses how to show commitment to post-meeting actions using future tense expressions and how to politely decline tasks. The goal is to enhance participants' ability to contribute effectively in English business meetings.

Takeaways

• 😀 Introduce yourself in English meetings by stating your name, job title, and responsibilities.
• 👋 Use 'My name is _____' for a formal introduction or 'Hi, I’m _____' for a more casual setting.
• 🏢 Specify if you are 'the' only person with your job title or 'a' one among others in the company.
• 📍 Mention the department you work in with the preposition 'in' to clarify your role within the company.
• 📋 Describe your responsibilities using verbs like 'manage', 'be responsible for', or 'handle' to give a clear picture of your role.
• 💡 Use modal verbs like 'should', 'ought to', and 'might want to' to make suggestions without imposing obligation.
• 📉 Express obligations with 'have to' and 'need to' when discussing necessary actions in the meeting.
• 🤝 Show agreement with suggestions using phrases like 'I agree with _______.', 'That sounds good.', or 'Let’s go with this idea.'
• 👎 Professionally disagree with suggestions by starting with 'To be honest, I’m not sure about this idea.' or 'I see your point, however…', followed by your reasoning.
• ❓ Ask questions or seek clarification during meetings using polite phrases like 'Excuse me, how will...?' or 'Can you clarify...?'
• 📅 Offer to take action post-meeting with phrases like 'I’ll...' for immediate actions or 'I’m going to...' for pre-planned actions.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video script?

The main purpose of the video script is to teach viewers how to effectively introduce themselves, respond to suggestions, and ask questions in a business meeting conducted in English.

What are the three key elements to include when introducing oneself in a meeting?

The three key elements to include in a self-introduction are: stating your name, mentioning your job title, and describing your responsibilities.

How should you introduce your name in a formal setting according to the script?

In a formal setting, you should introduce your name by saying, 'My name is _____' or in a more informal setting, 'Hi, I’m _____'.

What is the difference between using 'the' and 'a' when mentioning your job title?

Use 'the' before your job title if you are the only person with that title in the company, and 'a' if there are others with the same job title.

Can you provide an example of how to mention your department using a preposition?

You can mention your department by using the preposition 'in' followed by the department name, such as 'I’m in the engineering department.' or 'I work in the marketing department.'

What are some verbs and phrases that can be useful when describing your responsibilities?

Useful verbs and phrases include 'manage', 'be responsible for', and 'handle' to describe your responsibilities effectively.

How can you express a suggestion that is not an obligation but a good idea?

You can use modal verbs like 'should', 'ought to', or 'might want to' to express a suggestion that is a good idea but not an obligation.

What phrases can you use to express agreement with a suggestion made by someone else in the meeting?

To express agreement, you can use phrases like 'I agree with _______.', 'That sounds good.', or 'Let’s go with this idea.'

How can you professionally disagree with a suggestion in a meeting?

You can professionally disagree by using phrases such as 'To be honest, I’m not sure about this idea.', 'Good suggestion, but I can see a few problems…', or 'I see your point, however…' followed by your point of view.

What are some polite ways to ask for clarification during a meeting?

Polite ways to ask for clarification include 'I didn’t understand…', 'Can you elaborate on…?', or 'Can you clarify…?'

How can you offer to take action after a meeting decision has been made?

You can offer to take action by using phrases such as 'I’ll call the client tomorrow.', 'I’m going to get a team together for this project.', or 'I can contact the supplier next week if we need to.'

What should you say if you are asked to do something that you cannot do?

If you cannot do something, you can politely respond with phrases like 'I’m afraid I can’t…', 'I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can…', or 'Unfortunately, I won’t be able to…'.