Effective communication is a key skill in the modern workplace—especially when English is not your first language. Meetings and presentations can feel challenging, but using the right Business English phrases can help you sound confident, professional, and clear.

In this article, you’ll learn essential Business English phrases commonly used before, during, and after meetings and presentations, with practical examples you can use immediately.

1. Starting a Meeting or Presentation

Opening strongly sets the tone and shows confidence.

Common phrases:

• Good morning everyone. Thank you for joining today.

• Let’s get started.

• The purpose of today’s meeting is to discuss…

• I’ll begin with a brief overview.

Example:

Good afternoon everyone. The purpose of today’s meeting is to review our quarterly results and discuss next steps.

2. Introducing the Agenda

Clarifying the structure helps participants follow easily.

Useful phrases:

• Today’s agenda includes…

• We’ll cover three main points.

• First, I’ll talk about…, then we’ll move on to…

• Does everyone have the agenda?

Example:

We’ll cover three main points today: sales performance, customer feedback, and future goals.

3. Giving Opinions and Making Points

These phrases help you express ideas politely and professionally.

Common phrases:

• In my opinion…

• I believe that…

• From my perspective…

• I’d like to highlight an important point.

Example:

From my perspective, this strategy will help us reduce costs in the long term.

4. Agreeing and Disagreeing Politely

Professional disagreement is a key business skill.

Agreeing:

• I completely agree.

• That’s a good point.

• I see what you mean.

Disagreeing politely:

• I see your point, but…

• I’m not sure I completely agree.

• We may need to look at this from a different angle.

Example:

I see your point, but I think we should also consider the impact on customer satisfaction.

5. Managing Questions and Discussion

Encourage participation and handle questions smoothly.

Useful phrases:

• Any questions so far?

• I’d like to open the floor for discussion.

• That’s a great question.

• Let me clarify that.

Example:

That’s a great question. Let me clarify how the new process will work.

6. Concluding a Meeting or Presentation

End clearly and professionally.

Common closing phrases:

• To summarize…

• In conclusion…

• The key takeaway is…

• Thank you for your time and attention.

Example:

To summarize, we’ve agreed on the budget and set clear deadlines. Thank you all for your time.

Final Tips for Success

• Keep sentences clear and simple

• Practice phrases out loud

• Focus on tone and clarity, not perfection

• Use polite language even when disagreeing

Mastering these Business English phrases will help you participate more confidently in meetings and deliver presentations that sound professional and natural.