HOW TO CHANGE TOPICS INFORMALLY

Helpful Phrases:

I don’t want to
I don't want to talk about movies anymore. What are the plans for tonight?
It has just crossed my mind
It has just crossed my mind that Billy won't be able to come.
Changing subject
Changing subject, did you see Dulcy yesterday?
Before I forget
Before I forget, how did Jack and Elena get on?
We've had enough
We've had enough of you talking about furniture. What's the next point?

HOW TO CHANGE TOPICS LESS FORMALLY

Helpful Phrases:

By the way
By the way, it rained quite a bit yesterday.
Can we move onto?
Can we move onto our plans for renovations?
To bring up something else
To bring up something else, Maxwell came to the office yesterday.
Now is time to
Now is the right time to talk about our new website.
There’s another issue we have to deal with
There's another issue we have to deal with – losses in the sales.

HOW TO CHANGE TOPICS FORMALLY

Helpful Phrases:

Incidentally, may I mention that?
Incidentally, may I mention that CDB called today?
An alternative to consider
An alternative point to consider is the effect of this decision on our brand.
While we are on the subject
While we are on the subject, I'd like to inform you that Jo is ill today.
On quite another matter
On quite another matter, battery life is still a major concern.
Could we now deal with?
Could we now deal with our plans for the Delhi project?

HOW TO MOVE THE MEETING FORWARD

Helpful Phrases:

Shall we proceed onto the next point?
Shall we proceed onto the next point? There are ten items on the agenda.
We need to solve it today
We do need to solve it today.
Let's move on
Let's move on. We got no time to waste.
I don’t have all morning
I don't have all morning. Make up your minds now!
Hurry up
Hurry up please. We can't waste more time on this.

HOW TO SLOW DOWN A MEETING

Helpful Phrases:


Before we move on
Before we move on I believe we should hear Jackie's point of view.
Wait a minute
Wait a minute. We haven't discussed the forecast yet.
Shouldn't we postpone?
Shouldn't we postpone the decision till Lindsay is back from her office?
Not so fast
Not so fast. We haven't finished our coffee yet!
Take it easy
Take it easy. What's the hurry? We have the whole weekend ahead of us.

HOW TO PLAY DOWN A POINT

Helpful Phrases:


This is a minor issue
This is a minor issue. Price is the main concern.
This is of secondary importance
This is of secondary importance if we compare it with our real problem.
Who cares?
Who cares about PR when the whole business is in danger?
It’s irrelevant
His view is irrelevant, completely worthless.
It’s not significant
This matter is not significant at all. Let's move onto what is crucial.

HOW TO EMPHASIZE ON A POINT

Helpful Phrases:


This is a key issue
Labor relations are a key issue now.
I’d like to emphasize on
I'd like to emphasize on point three of my presentation.
This is highly significant
Nora's attitude is highly significant. She's certainly against us.
This is vital
Turning a profit this year is vital if we wish to survive.
It’s imperative
It's imperative to solve this problem now.

HOW TO FOCUS ON THE MAIN ISSUE

Helpful Phrases:


The major
The only major problem we need to solve is absenteeism.
Our primary concern is
Our primary concern isn't only increased sales but better quality as well.
What is the real issue?
What's the real issue? Managers are not committed to their jobs.
The most important
The most important hurdle of this negotiation is to convince Mr.Brown.
We really need
We really need to look after our workforce.

HOW TO POSTPONE AN ISSUE

Helpful Phrases:


We’ll defer
We'll defer the matter till we have all relevant information.
Let’s leave
Let's leave this issue aside for the time being.
It’s too late to
It's too late to discuss advertising today. We'll have more time tomorrow.
Shall we leave it for?
Shall we leave the final decision for this afternoon's session?
Let’s postpone
Let's postpone the discussion till everyone has arrived.

HOW TO COME BACK TO A TOPIC

Helpful Phrases:


Now, where were we?
Now, where were we? Yes, prime time ratings.
What were we saying?
What were you saying when Carl interrupted us?
As I was explaining
As I was explaining before lunch, higher prices don't always deter buyers.
Return to
Let's return to point five: Clay Corporation.
This leads us back to
This leads us back to the subject we were discussing yesterday.

HOW TO KEEP A MEETING IN TRACK

Helpful Phrases:


That’s another subject
Finance is another subject altogether. Now we'll just talk about sales.
We can’t discuss that issue
We can't discuss that issue today. It's not on the agenda.
That's outside the scope
That's outside the scope of our meeting so we'll leave it for now.
Let's get back on track
Let's get back on track. We're wasting too much time.
We’re digressing
We're digressing. I want to stick to the main subject.

HOW TO KEEP A MEETING IN ORDER

Helpful Phrases:


We can’t all speak at once.
We can't all speak at once. Hector, you start.
Let’s concentrate on
Let's concentrate on the agenda for the day.
Shall we take turns?
Shall we take turns? We can vote one by one.
Please lower your voice.
Please lower your voice. You won't convince anyone by shouting.
Will you let Maria speak?
Jake, will you let Marian speak? She has important things to say.

HOW TO CORRECT WHAT’S WRONG

Helpful Phrases:


That is not right
Sorry, that is not quite right. Toronto is not the capital of Canada.
It’s wrong
It's all wrong. Can't you see the formula's incorrect?
You've made a mistake
You've made a mistake so it's your turn to set matters right.
That needs correction
Those figures need correction. We need to add maintenance costs.
This is different to
This is different to what we had agreed. You must change it.

HOW TO CORRECT MISUNDERSTANDING

Helpful Phrases:


There’s a misunderstanding
I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding. I said fourteen, not forty.
This isn't what I meant
This isn't quite what I meant. Sales diminished but didn't plummet.
I don’t think you've understood
I don't think you've actually understood me. I am not against you.
It was not my intention
It was not my intention to offend you. I am sorry.
I’m sorry about the confusion
I'm sorry about the confusion. I thought Ms.Taylor was a customer.

HOW TO ASK FOR PRONOUNCEMENT

Helpful Phrases:


Where do you stand?
Where do you stand regarding Leo's attitude? Are you for or against him?
Whose side are you on?
Whose side are you on? Ours or Starbucks'?
Who do you intend to back?
Who do you intend to back? Freddy or Peggy?
Which one do you agree with?
Which line of thought do you agree with, Mac?
Make up your mind, please.
Make up your mind, please. You have to choose between Jenny and me.

HOW TO ASK FOR CONTRIBUTION FROM OTHERS

Helpful Phrases:


What do you think?
What do you think about this proposal?
Would you like to add?
Would you like to add anything, Clive?
Has anyone else got anything?
Has anyone else got anything to contribute?
Are there any more?
Are there any more feedback?
How do you feel?
How do you all feel about this issue?

HOW TO ASK TO COMMENT

Helpful Phrases:


Could I make a point here?
Could I make another point here? Apart from high price, the space is too small.
I’d like to add
I'd like to add that Marlon has generally been right in his forecasts.
Could I say something?
Could I say something about Hugh's proposal?
May I interrupt?
May I interrupt you for a minute, Jess?
I’d like to make a comment.
I'd like to make a quick comment. We need to submit this in ten minutes.

HOW TO ASK FOR CONFIRMATION

Helpful Phrases:


Do you actually mean that?
Do you actually mean that CDB will be taken over?
Is it true that?
Is it true that Jonas is leaving?
Are you certain about this?
Are you completely certain that these numbers are correct?
Is it sure?
Is the takeover sure?
Are you positive?
Are you positive? If so, we'll buy the system.

HOW TO ASK FOR SOLUTIONS

Helpful Phrases:


What should we?
What should we do now?
How can we work it out?
How can we work it out? Do you think we can overcome this?
What’s the way?
What's the best way to contact you?
What is the solution?
What is the solution? Shall we change the system?
How do we?
How do we allow the people to enter?

HOW TO ASK FOR REPETITION

Helpful Phrases:


Sorry, I didn't catch that
Sorry, I didn't catch your last sentence. It's too noisy here.
I missed that. Could you repeat it, please?
I missed your explanation. Could you repeat it, please?
Pardon?
Pardon? I didn't get what you said about Harvey.
Excuse me
Excuse me. Could you read that once again please?
What did you say?
What did you say? I think I understood you wrongly.
What was that again?
What was that again? I'm afraid I'm a bit deaf.

HOW TO ASK FOR AN EXPLANATION

Helpful Phrases:


Could you explain?
Could you explain your reasons for being late?
How can you justify?
How can you justify this increment in price?
I don't understand why
I don't understand why we always have problems with Mark.
Why is it that?
Why is it that you're charging us a commission?
How come?
How come your cheque always gets returned?

HOW TO ASK FOR A SUBSTITUTE

Helpful Phrases:


Could you replace me?
Could you replace me tomorrow? I've got an appointment with the dentist.
Would it be possible for you to take over?
Would it be possible for you to take over from me? I don't feel well.
You might have to stand in for
You might have to stand in for Ben. He has to go to Head office.
We need a substitute
We need a substitute teacher for a few days. Could you come in?
Can you take my place?
Can you take my place for an hour? I'm meeting a client at the station

HOW TO ASK ABOUT THE FUTURE

Helpful Phrases:


What are your plans?
What are your plans for next five years?
What’s your projection?
What's your projection on developments in the field?
What’s your forecast?
What's your forecast for this coming Christmas season?
What do you expect?
What do you expect will happen once the loan is approved?
What do you anticipate?
What do you anticipate? Will the new model outsell the old one?

HOW TO ASK ABOUT PRESENT ACTIVITIES

Helpful Phrases:


What's up?
What's up? Why have the lines stopped production?
What's happening?
What's happening in Glasgow?
What are you working on?
What are you working on now? Still on the CDB project?
Anything new?
Anything new in the Chelsea branch?
What’s the current situation?
What's the current situation in the sales department?

HOW TO ASK ABOUT JOBS

Helpful Phrases:


What do you do?
What do you do? I'm a lawyer.
What business are you in?
What business are you in? IT? Sales?
What’s your line of work?
What's your exact line of work? All I know is that you're a manager.
What’s your job?
What's your job? Are you in the IT world too?
Where do you work?
Where do you work? At City Bank?

HOW TO ASK FOR THE PURPOSE

Helpful Phrases:


Why?
Why do we need to open another branch? We already have forty-one!
What can you use this for?
What can we use this product for?
What does it do?
What does this new software do that makes tasks more efficient?
What the purpose?
What's the purpose of manufacturing bags if demand is slow?
Could you explain the object?
Could you explain the object of calling for yet another meeting?

HOW TO ASK ABOUT PROJECTS

Helpful Phrases:


What are your?
What are your current projects in the solar energy sector?
What are you developing?
What is the R&D department developing nowadays?
What are your initiatives?
What are your initiatives in the field?
What are you up to?
What exactly are you up to? A new type of windmill?
Have you come up with anything?
Have you come up with any exciting new idea recently?

HOW TO ASK FOR HELP LESS POLITELY

Helpful Phrases:


I could use your help.
I could use your help. Can't you see I'm carrying heavy boxes?
I need some help
I need some help. I know you understand this better than I do.
Help!
Help! Can anyone explain Economics to me?
I need a favor
I need a favor. Do you see those books? Can you bring them down?
Could you lend me a hand?
Could you lend me a hand? I tried to fix this by myself but couldn't.

HOW TO ASK FOR HELP POLITELY

Helpful Phrases:

Could you please help me?
Could you please help me with this report?
Would you mind helping me out?
Would you mind helping me out? My math skills are not that good.
Could you possibly assist me?
Could you possibly assist me? I can't understand this ATM.
Can you spare a few minutes?
Can you spare a few minutes? I need a bit of support here.
Could I ask you for a favor?
Could I ask you for a favor? How does this program work?

HOW TO ASK FOR PERMISSION

Helpful Phrases:


Could I?
Could I have a look at the new designs?
May I?
May I use your washroom?
Do you mind?
Do you mind if we borrow your printer for a couple of hours?
Is it okay?
It is OK to bring Sally with me the next time?
Would it be all right?
Would it be all right for Danny to use your car tomorrow?

HOW TO ASK TO BORROW

Helpful Phrases:


Could you lend me?
Could you lend me $100? I'm broke!
May I borrow?
May I borrow your laptop? .
Do you mind if I use?
Do you mind if I use your car this evening?
Will you let me have?
Will you let me have your boat over the weekend?
I would need to use
I would need to use a Mac for the presentation. Do you have one?

HOW TO ASK ABOUT WHAT IS NEEDED

Helpful Phrases:


What do you need?
What do you need a new plotter for?
What are the requisites?
What are the requisites? For instance, can a foreigner buy property here?
What is required?
What documents are required for the whole importation process?
Is this necessary?
Is it necessary to spend so much money in new equipment?
Is it a must?
Is a coffee machine a must? Can't we just all have tea at the office?

HOW TO ASK FOR STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES

Helpful Phrases:


What are their strengths?
What are their mains strengths? Marketing? We can beat them there.
What do you do best?
What do you do best? I need to know before I help you write your CV.
Don’t they have any weak point?
Doesn't this team have any weak point? Are they all great players?
What is she good at?
What is Ben good at? Selling. He's a pro at that.
Aren’t they vulnerable at all?
Aren't they vulnerable at all? What if we reduce all our prices?

HOW TO ASK ABOUT ABILITIES

Helpful Phrases:


Could he?
Could he lead a team of ten experienced salesmen?
Are you able to?
Are you able to work under pressure?
How well do you?
How well do you know the UNIX system?
What about her?
What about her experience in public relations? Could she handle the press?
Do her skills include?
Do her skills include touch typing?

HOW TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS

Helpful Phrases:


Where is?
Excuse me, where is the market?
How can I get?
How can get from Bloor Street to Lambeth Square?
Could you give me directions?
Could you give me direction to the Royal Albert Hall?
What’s the best way to get reach?
What‟s the best way to reach London? On the M1 or the M40?
Which route do you recommend?
Which route do you recommend from Burlington to Boston?

HOW TO ASK ABOUT FACILITIES

Helpful Phrases:


What does it include?
What does the rental contract include?
Is furniture provided?
Is furniture for the stand provided or do we have to bring our own?
Is there?
Is there a crane we could rent? Our machines are very heavy.
Do the facilities have?
Do the facilities have a parking lot?
What features?
What special features does the venue have?

HOW TO ASK FOR A PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Helpful Phrases:

What does it look like?

What does the building look like?

How big is it?

How big are the offices?

How much does it weigh?

How much does this container weigh?

How high is it?

How high is the whole structure?

What’s it made of?

What are the pens made of? Metal or plastic?

HOW TO ASK FOR PAYMENT

Helpful Phrases:


When is your next payment date?
When is your next payment date? I can't wait forever.
When will my cheque be ready?
When will my cheque be ready? On Monday?
According to our records
According to our records you still owe us $ 4,500.
Your instalment is past due
Your monthly instalment is past due. Do you have any problem?
When shall I pass by to collect?
When shall I pass by to collect? I do need the cash.

HOW TO ASK ABOUT PAYMENT TERMS

Helpful Phrases:


What are your payment conditions?
What are your standard payment conditions?
Could we talk about payment terms?
Could we talk about payment terms later? I'm in a hurry now.
How do you normally get paid?
How do you normally get paid? We generally send a cheque.
Would a letter of credit be all right?
Would a letter of credit be all right? It's the best method.
What about paying in installments?
What about paying in installments? We do need some financing.

HOW TO ASK ABOUT DELIVERY TIMES

Helpful Phrases:


When could we receive?
When could we receive the goods?
What are your shortest delivery times?
What are your shortest delivery times for Canada?
How long will it take to arrive?
How long will it take to arrive at our factory?
When can we count on having it?
When can we count on having it ready for shipping?
Could we get it by?
Could we get it into port by next Tuesday?

HOW TO ASK ABOUT WAITING TIMES

Helpful Phrases:


How long will?
How long will it be before you fix the leak?
Is he going to take a long time?
Is the Doctor going to take a long time?
How delayed?
How delayed is the flight?
Do you think we should wait?
Do you think we should wait? It's eleven and nothing has happened yet.
When will?
When will the speech end? I'm tired of sitting here!

HOW TO ASK SOMEONE TO WAIT

Helpful Phrases:


Would you mind waiting?
Would you mind waiting outside, please? There's a couch by the window.
Could you hold on?
Could you hold on? I'll finish this and shall be with you in a minute.
Just a second, please
Just a second, please. Yes, how can I help you?
Could you remain?
Could you remain here for minute, please? I'll get the manager.
Just hang around
Just hang around for a while. I'll try to sneak you in through the back door.

HOW TO ASK ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY

Helpful Phrases:


Who is in charge?
Who is in charge of operations?
Who is running?
Who is running the Asia Pacific division now?
Who is accountable for this?
Who is accountable for this mistake?
Who will be blamed?
Who will be blamed? I'm sure it will be me!
Under whose responsibility?
Under whose responsibility was the test conducted?

HOW TO ASK ABOUT PRICE

Helpful Phrases:


What’s the price?
What's the price for one thousand units?
How much does it cost?
How much does the whole system cost?
What do you charge?
What do you charge for a hundred grams?
Could you give me your fees?
Could you give me your fees for the high season, please?
What are you asking for this?
What are you asking for this vase? It can't be very much…

HOW TO ASK ABOUT A PRODUCT OR SERVICE

Helpful Phrases:


Could you give me some information?
Could you give me some information on your services?
What can you tell me about?
What can you tell me about this dynamo?
What features does it have?
What features does this hydraulic press have?
What are the specifications?
What are the specifications of the switchboard?
Where can I buy it?
Where can I buy the MXC lava lamp?

HOW TO ASK ABOUT A COMPANY

Helpful Phrases:


What does your company do?
What exactly does your company do?
What are your main products?
What are your main products in the detergent category?
Which do you specialize in?
Which sector do you specialize in?
Which services do you provide?
Which services could you provide for us?
Where are you located?
Where are your headquarters located in Europe?

HOW TO ASK FOR OPINION

Helpful Phrases:


Can we get your input?
Can we get your input, Alex?
How do you feel about?
How do you feel about lengthening the contract?
What’s your opinion?
What's your opinion on wearing loafers to the meeting?
What do you think?
What do you think we should do with the Charley's affair?
Do you have any suggestions?
Do you have any suggestions for this committee?

HOW TO ASK SOMEONE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS

Helpful Phrases:


Could you reply to that?
Edith, could you reply to that, please?
Would you care to question?
Would you care to question Mr Jones? He?s better qualified.
I’d rather she answered to that
I'd rather Laura answered to that. Would you mind, Laura?
Why don’t we ask?
Why don't we ask Peter? He is the expert in shipping.
Let’s address this query to
Let's address this query to James. Are you ready, James?

HOW TO ASK SOMEONE TO SPEAK

Helpful Phrases:


Would you like to come to the stand?
Lenny, would you like to come over to the stand?
Allow me to give the floor to
Allow me to give the floor to our next speaker.
I would like to invite
I'd like to invite Professor Reynolds to give us his opinion.
I’d like to call on
I'd like to call on Dr Jacobs. Are you here, Doctor?
I believe someone would like to make a point.
I believe James would like to make a point. What is it, Richard?

HOW TO ASK FOR QUESTIONS

Helpful Phrases:
Would you like to ask?
Would you like to ask anything?
Do you have any query?
Do you have any query on my presentation?
Is it clear?
Is everything clear?
I’m ready to answer
I'm ready to answer any question you might have.
Is there anything you’d like?
Is there anything else you'd like me to explain?