business english phrases
Useful Business Phrases for ESL Students
Are you desperate to expand into new markets or grow in the company where you are currently working? If that is the case I’m sure you would agree that English is not an option. It is a must. However, if English is your second language, simply attending classes at an ESL school and learning the right vocabulary to do business may not be enough. Using key phrases can give your English a more native sound. Here are popular phrases that can help you do business and sound like a pro.
To be a hitter - Someone powerful within the company. Someone successful.
Bill is incredible; he’s a really big hitter.
Core competencies - This is what you or your company does well.
We need to focus on our core competencies in order to maintain our position in the market.
Customer centric - Centered in the customer, customer driven.
We should be more customer centric from now on.
Cutting edge - The most recent version, often used with technology.
This is cutting edge technology we’re using.
E.T.A. - Short for “expected time of arrival”, in other words, how long it will take to get it finished.
What’s the E.T.A. on this report?
Going forward - In future.
Going forward, you should manage this project with a bit more focus.
High level - Similar to the big picture, an overall view rather than looking at details.
High level thinking is what we need right now.
Leading (market) - To be first, better than the competitors.
I want to develop a market leading proposition.
Low hanging fruit - This refers to things that can be done quickly and easily.
Let’s concentrate on the low hanging fruit first, before looking at the tougher problems.
Manage expectations - Make sure people expect realistic outcomes from a project.
It’s a good idea to manage expectations so that they don’t expect the impossible.
Out of the box - To be creative, original.
If you think out of the box you could generate some amazing ideas
Pro-active - To have initiative and drive. Get things done.
I think we need to be a bit pro-active here.
Quick win - Something that is fairly simple (in terms of time and/or cost) and beneficial.
Some quick wins would really be useful now.
Scalable - When something works for lots of people as well as just a few.
It might work for the local market, but is it scalable?
State of the art - The best, most modern solution.
This is a state of the art solution
To take something offline - Discuss the point further at another time.
That’s a delicate issue, so can you take it offline please?
To take ownership of something - To be responsible for something
You should really take ownership for this work.
To be a team player - Someone who works well with others.
Bill is a great guy; he’s a real team player.
To touch base with someone - To speak to someone about something.
I need to touch base with Fred on this one.
Win-win situation - A situation that is good for people on both sides.
Try and see if you can come up with a win-win situation.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.englishlci.com as the original source).
Phrases that are Usually Used in Business Letters
Writing a business letter correctly is as important for your business image as dressing appropriately or speaking impeccably, and it can be very simple if you know what to say and how to say it.
Are you enrolled in an ESL class? If you are still trying to master business English and regularly have to write letters, don’t worry too much, keep it simple, pay attention to, and employ these phrases that are usually used in professional business letters to ask and talk about different topics:
1.To ask for information
-I am writing to inquire about…
-I am writing in reference to…
-I read/heard… and would like to know…
-Could you please send me… at the address below/above.
-Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to hearing from you.
2.To answer a request
-Thank you for your interest/inquiry.
-Enclosed is the information you requested. You can learn more about this at…
-If you have further questions/If you need assistance, please contact…
-Please feel free to contact me at… if I can be of further help.
3.To make a request
-Could you please send me your most recent brochure?
-Could you fax me the results of the market survey?
-I would like to order ten copies of the book…
-I would really appreciate if you could send me this information.
-Please return the enclosed envelope with your payment.
4.To show you care
-Thank you for your hospitality.
-I enjoyed very much having lunch with you last week when I was in Dallas.
-Congratulations on your promotion to General Manager.
-I wanted to congratulate you on your new position.
-I was very happy to hear that the negotiations went well.
5.To introduce a product or service
-I am writing to tell you about…
-Our new product will be available next month.
-This product/service is designed to help you…
6.To give or ask for an indication
-I am writing in regards to…
-I am writing in reference to…
-Please refer to the enclosed invoice/brochure.
-I hope you have had the opportunity to review the materials we sent you.
7.To confirm something
-I am writing to confirm…
-I would like to confirm what we discussed last Tuesday.
-I would like to confirm the main points we talked about…
8.To notify something
-I am writing to let you know that…
-Please be aware/informed that…
-I would like to inform you about a recent change/happening. I am happy to notify you that your request for funding has been approved.
9.To offer help
-We would be happy to…
-If we can be of assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask.
10.To ask for a payment
-According to our records…
-Our records show that…
-Your monthly payment is past due.
-Please send payment as soon as possible.
Business letters must be concise while at the same time respectful and honest, and you can achieve all that by using these phrases in your day-to-day business communications.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.englishlci.com as the original source).
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