Useful Phrases

1. SAMPLE PHRASES FOR GETTING STARTED ›› WELCOMING ›› MAKING INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES

·       Right, everyone has arrived now, so let’s get started.

·       If we are all here, let’s start the meeting.

·       Now that everyone is here, shall we begin?

·       Shall we get down to business?

·       Well, since everyone is here, we should get started.

·       Okay, we have a lot to cover today, so we really should get started.

·       Hello everyone. Thank you for coming today.

·       Okay, let’s begin. Firstly, I’d like to welcome you all.

·       Thank you all for coming at such short notice.

·       I really appreciate your attendance to this meeting.

·       For those of you who don’t know me yet, I am …

·       Please join me in welcoming …

·       I’d like to extend a warm welcome to …

·       We are pleased to welcome …

·       Firstly, I’d like to introduce …

·       For anyone who hasn’t met our new … yet, this is …

·       It’s a pleasure for me to welcome …

·       I’d like to take a moment to introduce …

·       I know most of you, but there are a few unfamiliar faces. I am …

·       (Name) has kindly agreed to take the minutes today.

·       (Name) will be presenting the …

·       (Name) has kindly agreed to give us a report on …

·       (Name), would you mind taking notes / taking the minutes today please?

·       (Name) will lead (topic) from the agenda.

·       (Name), would you like to kick off with …?

·       Unfortunately, Margaret cannot join us today. She was called away on urgent business.

·       Mark will be taking the minutes today, as Sarah is at home with a fever.

·       I have received apologies for absence from …

·       If you notice anyone missing, please let Mark know so he can make a note of it.

2. PHRASES TO USE FOR OUTLINING PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES AND INTRODUCING THE AGENDA

·       We are here today to talk about …

·       We are here to discuss …

·       Our main aim today is to …

·       I’ve called this meeting today in order to …

·       As you can see here on the agenda …

·       Firstly, we’ll be talking about …

·       First of all, we’ll discuss …

·       After that, we’ll be looking at …

·       Followed by …

·       If time allows, we will also cover …

·       Then, I’ll be handing it over to … for …

·       Secondly, we’ll look at …

·       Next, I’ll ask you for (feedback, comments, your opinion, your views, suggestions, ideas) on …

·       And finally, we’ll discuss …

3. PHRASES TO USE FOR KEEPING THE MEETING IN AN EFFECTIVE FLOW

·       That’s a valid point but we will discuss that in more detail at a later date.

·       Okay, let’s talk more about that later on.

·       I’m afraid we’ll have to come back to this later.

·       We’re running short on time, so let’s move on to the next topic.

·       We’re running behind now, so let’s skip to the next point on the agenda.

·       I’m afraid we only have 10 minutes left, so let’s move on to….

·       We’ve spent too long on this issue now, let’s discuss it in more detail after this meeting.

·       I think we’ll have to leave that there for now and move on to….

·       We’re pushed for time, so let’s discuss….

·       Let’s try to stay on topic, that can be discussed another time.

·       You can discuss that amongst yourselves after the meeting.

·       This matter is not on today’s agenda, let’s leave it for next time.

·       Let’s save this for another meeting.

·       Getting back to the task at hand….

4. ASKING FOR OR OFFERING SUGGESTIONS OR FEEDBACK

·       I couldn’t agree with you more (I agree)

·       I completely agree with …

·       Could I just say one thing please?

·       If I could just come in here …

·       I would just like to add …

·       May I come in here please?

·       Sorry, could you speak up a little please? I can’t hear you at the back.

·       If I could have a chance to speak for a moment please.

·       I’m glad you brought that up. I’d like to add …

·       I’m afraid I’d have to disagree with you on that.

·       I would just like to say that …

·       Excuse me for interrupting …

·       I really feel that …

·       The way I see things …

·       In my opinion …

·       (Name), could you please tell us how … is progressing?

·       (Name), how is the … coming along?

·       Next, (name) will talk us through …

·       (Name, have you managed to complete the …?

·       (Name), when can we expect to hear about …?

·       Has everyone received a copy of …?

·       (Name), can we have your input on … please?

·       How do you feel about …?

·       Are you positive that …?

·       What do you think about …

·       What are your views on …?

·       Now, I’d like to hand over to (name), who will talk about …

·       This brings us to the next topic on the agenda, which will be introduced by (name).

·       Why don’t we move on to …

·       If no one has anything else to add, let’s move on to …

5. ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION

(When you don’t understand something)

·       I don’t quite follow you. What exactly do you mean?

·       I don’t see what you mean. Could you elaborate please?

·       I’m afraid I don’t quite understand what you’re getting at.

·       Could you please explain to me how that is going to work?

·       Do you mean that …?

·       So what you’re saying is that … (repeat what they said to get confirmation)

·       You did say … didn’t you?

·       Could you spell that please?

·       Would you mind spelling that for me please?

·       (repeat what they said in your own words) … is that what you mean?

·       Is it true that …?

·       Correct me if I’m wrong please, you’re saying … (reiterate what they said)

6. BRING THE MEETING TO A CLOSE

(Ending the meeting)

·       Is there any other business?

·       Does anyone have any other business?

·       Any other business?

·       Would anyone like to make any final points?

·       If there are no further points, I’d like to bring the meeting to a close.

·       Before we close the meeting, I’d like to briefly summarise the main points …

·       Let me quickly go over today’s main points.

·       To sum up …

·       Right, why don’t we summarise what we’ve agreed on today.

·       Shall I go over the main points before we adjourn?

·       I guess that will be all for today, thank you for taking part.

·       I think we should finish here.

·       We seem to have been very efficient today, so let’s wrap up early.

·       We have covered everything on the agenda, so let’s end it here.

·       If there is nothing else to add, I’d like to adjourn the meeting.

·       If there are no other comments, I’d like to wrap this meeting up.

·       It looks like we’ve finished ahead of schedule, so let’s finish up here.

·       I’m afraid we’re going to have to cut this meeting short. I’ve just been informed of an urgent matter that needs to be dealt with immediately.

·       I’m afraid we’ll have to end this meeting here. Let’s rearrange and continue this discussion another time.

·       Thank you all for your input today.

·       Thank you for your participation.

·       Let’s end this here, shall we? I’m sure you all have other important work to get back to.

·       Before you leave, please remember to sign the attendance sheet

·       I almost forgot to mention….

·       I’d like to thank (name) for …

·       Sorry, could I please have your attention for one more moment. I forgot to say…

·       Before we go, let’s put our hands together for (clap or say congratulations)….

·       Most of you probably know this already, but I’d like to formally congratulate….

·       Please don’t forget to hand in your votes by the end of the week.

·       I look forward to receiving emails from you all about your final vote.

·       The minutes of the meeting will be sent to you all by (person’s name and/or time/date) …

·       If anyone has any further questions, or would like to give any feedback privately, then please feel free to email me.