Business English

Note: OISE Oxford's in-house tutor, Bill Cheesman, is a specialist in teaching business English. All of the material on this page has been taken from The Essential Guide to Business English, by William E. Cheesman, Barbara A. Cheesman. If you would like to buy a copy, visit www.longwellpress.com/

Essential Expressions for Clarifying Information and Checking Understanding

Basically, there are two ways to make sure that you correctly understand what your colleagues or clients and saying. The first is to clarify by asking specific questions such as "Could you repeat that please?" The second is to summarize in your own words what you think your client means to check that you have understood correctly.

If you are not very confident speaking in English, simply say to your colleague or client: "I'm afraid my English is not very good. Could you speak slowly please?" This is an excellent technique because it deals with the problem immediately.

• Saying that you do not understand

Sorry, I don't understand.
Sorry, I didn't understand that.
Sorry, I don't follow you
Sorry, I didn't catch that (This expression is used when you miss a small bit of information.)

• Asking for repetition 

Could you repeat that please?
Could you say that again please?
Could you go over that again please?
Sorry? Pardon? (Spoken with rising intonation.)

• Asking for repetition again

I'm afraid I still don't understand. Could you say that again?

• Asking a colleague/client to speak slower

Could you speak slowly please? (Use at the beginning of a conversation.)
Could you speak a little slower please?
Could you speak more slowly please? (Use during a conversation when a colleague or client has been speaking too fast.)

• Asking for more precise information

Could you explain that please?
Could you be a little more specific?
Could you explain that in a little more details?
What exactly do you mean by a slight increase?
Could you clarify your position on that?

• Checking by summarizing in your own words

Do you mean that the order still hasn't arrived?
Are you saying that all of the components are defective?
Are you suggesting that we use a different supplier?
If I understand you correctly, you think  that we should terminate the contract immediately. It that correct?

• Reformulating

I probably didn't explain that very well. Let me put it another way.




Essential Expressions for Chairing Meetings:

The letter (F) indicates a rather formal expression; (I) indicates an informal expression. Unmarked expressions are neutral.

• Starting the meeting

- Shall we start? (F)

- Right, let's get started.

- Okay, let's get down to business. (I) ("Shall we" is more formal; "let's" is more informal.)

• Welcoming participants and introducing guests

- Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Thank you all for being here. (F)

- Good morning everyone and thanks for coming.

- Good morning everybody. I'm glad you could all make it. (I)

- We're pleased to welcome Michael from our Frankfurt office.

- I'd like to introduce Didier from Paris.



Source: The Essential Guide to Business English, by William E. Cheesman, Barbara A. Cheesman.