Learn 10 essential phrass for formal discussions in English. These phrases are commonly used in business meetings, negotiations, and formal discussions, so they’ll help you sound more natural and confident in professional settings.
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List of English Phrases
10 Essential Phrases for Formal Discussions in English
Harry
In this lesson, we’ll go through 10 essential English phrases that will help you navigate professional conversations with confidence. These phrases will allow you to disagree politely, introduce your opinion tactfully, and sound more fluent in formal discussions.
If you want to avoid misunderstandings and communicate effectively in professional settings, keep reading—you’ll find plenty of practical examples to help you use these phrases naturally.
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If you don’t mind me saying so…
Use when you politely introduce an opinion or criticism that the listener might not expect or agree with.
Examples:
If you don’t mind me saying so, your report could use a bit more detail.
If you don’t mind me saying so, the project might benefit from more research.
If you don’t mind me saying so, that colour doesn’t really suit you.
If you don’t mind me saying so, I think the presentation is a little too long.
If you don’t mind me saying so, I think you need to focus more on what the product can do for them.
I see where you’re coming from
Use when you want to show you understand someone’s viewpoint, even if you plan to disagree afterwards.
Examples:
I see where you’re coming from, but I think we should consider other options first.
I see where you’re coming from, but I’m not sure that’s the best approach right now.
I understand exactly where you’re coming from, but I might do it a little bit differently.
Look, don’t take this personally…
Use just before you say something critical, sensitive, or potentially upsetting, to show it’s not intended personally.
Examples:
Don’t take this personally, but you might want to double-check those figures.
Don’t take this personally, but you need to be a little bit more aggressive when negotiating the contract.
Look, don’t take this personally, but your emails could be a little shorter.
10 Essential Phrases for Formal Discussions in English
I do take your point, but…
Use when acknowledging someone’s opinion before politely disagreeing or presenting a counterpoint.
Examples:
I do take your point, but we still need to meet the deadline.
I do take your point, but we have to stick to the budget.
I do take your point, but will our clients actually be on board with that?
I beg to differ
Use when you want to politely but clearly disagree with someone’s opinion or statement.
Examples:
I beg to differ. Lowering prices might attract more customers, not fewer.
I beg to differ. The deadline isn’t unrealistic if we divide the tasks properly.
I beg to differ. I think this approach will save us time in the long run.
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No offence intended, but…
Use before making a critical comment to make clear you don’t intend to hurt or upset the listener.
Examples:
No offence intended, but that joke didn’t really land well with everyone.
No offence intended, but I don’t think that strategy will work in the long term.
No offence intended, but your report could be a bit clearer in some areas.
With all due respect
Use to politely introduce disagreement or criticism, especially when speaking to someone senior or when showing respect is important.
Examples:
With all due respect, I’m not quite on the same page as you on this.
With all due respect to you, I think we are going about this the wrong way.
I mean that in the nicest possible way
Use when emphasising your good intentions after making a statement that might sound critical.
Examples:
I mean it in the nicest way possible, but I think your presentation could be clearer if you slow down a bit.
I mean this in the nicest way possible, but we really need to take a completely different approach.
10 Essential Phrases for Formal Discussions in English
I’m afraid I have to say
Use when delivering disappointing or critical information politely but firmly.
Examples:
I’m afraid I have to say the report doesn’t meet the required standards.
I’m afraid I have to say we won’t be able to approve your request this time.
I’m afraid I have to say this report needs some revisions before it goes to the board.
That’s not the way I see it
Use to politely but directly indicate that your opinion differs from what someone else has said.
Examples:
That’s not the way I see it. I think this strategy will actually increase engagement.
That’s not the way I see it. The deadline is tight, but it’s still manageable if we prioritise correctly.
So there you have it—10 essential phrases for formal discussions in English that will help you sound more professional, polite, and confident. These expressions are commonly used in business meetings and professional conversations, and mastering them will make your communication much smoother.
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more information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
Intermediate English travel vocabulary
English vocabulary related to driving
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC and British Council Learn English.
