Work situations
English for meetings: what to say in real discussions
How to join a discussion, ask for input, disagree politely, sum up and close — with the phrases and the reason they work.
What this moment feels like
The discussion is moving. You have a point, but by the time the sentence is ready, the topic has changed. Or you agree to something you wanted to question.
The technique in short
- 01Signal before you speak, so people make room.
- 02Name the point in one sentence.
- 03Link it to what the group needs next.
Example
Colleague:“Can we move on to the next item?”«Можемо перейти до наступного пункту?»
You:“Before we move on, can I add one thing about the timeline?”«Перш ніж ми перейдемо далі, можна додам одне щодо термінів?»
Inside this situation
Opening a meeting
Keeping to the agenda
Asking colleagues for input
Disagreeing respectfully
Summarising actions
Closing clearly