Meetings move quickly, and it helps to have a few reliable phrases ready for each stage — from opening the meeting to closing it with clear next steps.
Opening a meeting
- "Thanks everyone for joining. Let's get started."
- "Today we're here to discuss…"
- "Let's go through the agenda quickly before we begin."
Giving your opinion
- "From my perspective, …"
- "I think we should consider…"
- "In my experience, …"
Politely disagreeing
| Phrase | Tone |
|---|---|
| "I see your point, but I'm not sure I fully agree." | Neutral, professional |
| "That's a fair point — though I'd like to offer a different view." | Diplomatic |
| "I understand the reasoning, but have we considered…?" | Redirects without confrontation |
Common mistake: Saying "You're wrong" or "That's not true" directly — even when correct, this can come across as confrontational in professional settings. Soften disagreement with a phrase that acknowledges the other view first.
Interrupting politely
- "Sorry to interrupt, but could I add something here?"
- "Can I just come in on that point?"
- "If I may add to that…"
Asking for clarification
- "Could you clarify what you mean by…?"
- "Sorry, could you repeat that last part?"
- "Just to make sure I understand — are you saying…?"
Closing a meeting
- "Let's summarise the key action points."
- "To recap, [Name] will handle X, and [Name] will follow up on Y."
- "Thanks everyone — I'll send the notes by end of day."
Tip: In international meetings, speaking slightly more slowly and pausing between main points helps everyone follow — regardless of whether English is anyone's first language.
Keep learning: browse more Business English notes or head back to the homepage to explore other subjects.