Business English Essentials for Professionals (and Not-So-Professionals Too)

Cami
Jul 31
5 min read

Hey there!

Today, we are introducing a topic that may feel slightly intimidating to some: Business English.

And no, Business English is not just for “businesspeople”. We know, it sounds very formal, but really it just means English for work-related contexts - any work, for that matter. Think of it, how many “non-businessy” jobs are there that might require the use of English? Many.

There are a lot of non-professionals who often need to sound more “professional” when using English. To give you an idea, there are freelancers, students, teachers, hospitality workers, the list goes on!

Business English classes or courses should help you learn phrases, usage of tone or the confidence you need to sound professional in English - whether you are in a corporate role or just need English for a simple exchange of sentences. And this is what we will be covering in today’s email.

What “Business English” really looks like in practice

Phrases for sounding professional (even if you're not in a “professional” job)

You don’t need to work in an office to speak in a way that feels polished. We spoke about it in our newsletter 2 weeks ago (How to sound more polite in English) - there are many ways to express yourself in a natural, polite and refined way (which, to some, might be considered professional).

These are just a few example phrases that can be used in almost any work situation:

“Would you be able to…?”
“I just wanted to check…”
“Thanks in advance for your help”

Sometimes it’s not about the wording, but the tone and potentially even the facial expression you use. Remember, body language can also say a lot.

How to make requests politely and clearly

Speaking about tone - this can make or break what you’re trying to say. It’s important to be direct. We don’t want you to have to sugarcoat things all the time, but softening your requests can make a big difference in tone. This is especially important when emailing, messaging or speaking to either clients or colleagues.

Be honest, which email would you rather receive:

Send me the presentation before the meeting.
When you have a moment, could you please share the presentation with me before we have the meeting?

Or imagine you worked in a coffee shop and a customer said, “I want an iced latte with lots of ice”. Wouldn’t it be nicer if they said, “I’d like an iced latte, and would it be possible to add extra ice?”? You are being direct, but still polite and keeping a professional tone (and see, you can even apply this to everyday situations - not just work 😉).

Handling conversations: meetings, calls, or quick check-ins

Most jobs require human interactions, whether it is with your manager, a client or a colleague. And most of the time, they happen in the form of meetings or calls. Some moments might seem “awkward”, like the beginning or when you want to finish and you’re not sure how to do it without coming across as rude or uninterested.

Here are some phrases that might help when you want things to run smoothly:

“Shall we begin?” (A clear and polite way to start a meeting.)
“Can I just add something here?” (Very useful when someone has been talking for ages and you just want to join the conversation without interrupting.)
“Let’s pick this up tomorrow” (A great way to postpone a discussion or avoid making the meeting longer than it has already been…)
“Just to clarify…” (Sometimes people talk and talk, and you might lose track of what they are trying to say. This is a great phrase to use to double-check or confirm something.)
“Thanks for raising that. Let’s look into it” (Excellent alternative to when you cannot give an immediate answer, but still want to show the other person that you acknowledge their concern or question.)

Sounding polite when giving opinions or suggestions

In a lot of cases, being polite helps keep things respectful, which is crucial when communicating with others, no matter the situation. And, sounding polite isn’t about using super-long sentences or complex words. It’s about tone (yes, this one again 🫣), awareness and choosing your phrasing carefully. Being polite helps you come across as thoughtful, confident and even culturally aware, which is essential in professional and academic settings (but also in casual ones!).

So, why don’t you try using any of these next time you’re giving your opinion or a suggestion?

“I’d suggest we try…”
“One option could be…”
“It might be worth considering…”

Casual but still appropriate: informal phrases that still work at work

Now, let’s be honest… in many workplaces (especially modern or creative ones), there is no need for keeping a super professional or extra polite tone 👔.

Especially when it comes to chatting or messaging with your colleagues. Oftentimes, keeping things light is perfectly fine as well.

Try one of these:

“No worries at all” (The relaxed alternative to “That's not a problem" or "Don't worry about it”)
“Sounds good to me” (Great (and informal) way to show agreement or approval. And so much better than just sending a thumbs up 😩)
“Appreciate it!” (Short, warm, and professional way to say thank you.)

We hope that you remember one thing after this email: Business English is less about sounding “fancy” and more about being clear, polite and confident. It is something you will definitely need in work situations, but also in everyday life (whether it is studying, going to a restaurant or talking to people at the airport or on a plane).

If you want to practise your business English in real conversations, check out our group classes at The English Life Academy. They are designed for all kinds of professionals (and not-so-professionals too). Just reply to this email with “ME” and we’ll give you all the information you need.

We would also love to hear more about your experience! You can share with us if you have ever had any situations at work in which you have had to use English.

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