Do you ever feel nervous or unsure when you speak English at work? You’re not alone. Many learners say they worry about making mistakes, not finding the right words, or sounding unprofessional. But here’s the good news: with the right phrases and a bit of practice, you can speak English more confidently at work.
Whether you’re working in an international office, on Zoom with colleagues from around the world, or writing professional emails in English, this post will help you find your voice. Today, I’ll share useful workplace phrases that you can start using right away, plus some tips to help you speak with more confidence.
Let’s get started!
At work, you don’t just need English to chat with colleagues. You also use it to:
Share ideas clearly in meetings
Write polite and professional emails
Ask for help or clarification
Express disagreement respectfully
Give feedback or updates
Build good relationships with clients or coworkers
That’s why it’s so important to have useful phrases ready—and to understand how and when to use them.
Beginning a conversation at work can feel awkward, especially in English. But having a few simple phrases can make it easier.
“Hi [Name], how’s your day going?”
“Did you have a good weekend?”
“Can I ask you something quickly?”
“Do you have a moment to talk?”
These are great for both face-to-face and virtual conversations.
👉 Tip: Don’t be afraid to start small. A friendly question can open the door to a good conversation.
Meetings can be one of the most intimidating situations, especially if English isn’t your first language. But with a few key expressions, you can join in confidently.
“I’d like to add something here.”
“Can I just jump in for a second?”
“That’s an interesting point. I’d like to build on that.”
“From my perspective, it looks like…”
“Could you clarify what you meant by…?”
“Sorry, could you repeat that?”
“I didn’t quite catch that—can you say it again, please?”
“What do you mean by ‘X’?”
👉 Tip: It’s okay to ask questions or ask someone to slow down. Native speakers do this too!
Expressing your ideas politely and clearly is an important skill at work. These phrases will help you sound professional and respectful.
“In my opinion, we should…”
“I believe this approach might work better.”
“One suggestion could be to…”
“Have we considered doing it this way?”
“I’d recommend trying…”
👉 Tip: Use softening phrases like “I think,” “perhaps,” or “maybe” when giving opinions. This makes your tone sound polite, especially in formal settings.
It’s important to agree or disagree in a way that is professional and respectful.
“That’s a great point.”
“I completely agree with you.”
“Yes, that makes sense.”
“I see your point, but I think…”
“I’m not sure I agree. Could we also consider…”
“That’s one way to look at it, but…”
👉 Tip: Use “I understand where you’re coming from” before disagreeing to show respect and openness.
Asking for help shows that you’re engaged and want to do things correctly. Don’t worry—it doesn’t make you look weak. It shows you care about your work.
“Could you help me understand this task better?”
“I’m not sure how to proceed—can you guide me?”
“Just to double-check, do you mean that…”
“Can you show me how to do this?”
👉 Tip: Use these phrases with a confident tone. Asking questions is part of good communication.
If you want to sound polite and confident, use phrases that are both clear and courteous.
“Could you please send me the report by Friday?”
“Would it be possible to reschedule our meeting?”
“Can I ask you to take a look at this?”
“Would you like me to take care of that?”
“Let me know if you need any help.”
“I can support you with that if you’d like.”
👉 Tip: “Could” and “would” are polite modal verbs. They help you sound more professional than just saying “can” or “will.”
You’ll often need to update your manager or team about your progress. Here are some ways to do that clearly.
“Just to update you, the task is 80% complete.”
“We’re on track to meet the deadline.”
“I’ve completed the first part and will start the next tomorrow.”
“You did a great job with the presentation.”
“One thing we could improve is the timing.”
“I appreciate your effort on this project.”
👉 Tip: Keep your language clear and constructive, especially when giving feedback.
Many people feel unsure about how to write professional emails in English. Here are a few useful phrases you can use in different parts of your email:
“I hope this email finds you well.”
“I’m writing to follow up on…”
“Just a quick note to…”
“Could you please confirm…?”
“Would you mind sending…?”
“I’d appreciate it if you could…”
“Looking forward to hearing from you.”
“Please let me know if you have any questions.”
“Best regards,”
“Kind regards,”
👉 Tip: Always check for grammar and spelling. It helps you look professional and polished.
Learning the right phrases is a great start, but how can you feel more confident using them?
Practice out loud: Say the phrases at home so you feel more comfortable using them.
Listen and repeat: Watch business-related videos or podcasts and repeat what you hear.
Use role play: Practise situations with a friend, tutor, or even by yourself.
Record yourself: Listening back can help you hear your strengths and areas to improve.
Don’t aim for perfection: Focus on being clear and polite. Fluency comes with practice!
Remember, speaking English at work doesn’t mean you have to sound like a native speaker. It means communicating clearly, politely, and professionally. The more you use these phrases, the more natural they’ll feel.
Start by choosing 5–10 phrases from this blog post and try using them this week. Little by little, you’ll build your confidence—and your colleagues will notice the difference!
Have you faced challenges using English at work? Which phrases do you find most useful? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
Until next time,
Janet 🌼
English with Janet
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