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.