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.