Imagine this: you are an ESL student who has studied hard for years with the hopes of getting a corporate job at a multinational company. You get a C1 on your proficiency test, ace your interview, and get hired! But on the first day at work, you realize that the native speakers use a variety of odd business English phrases and words. You struggle to follow the conversation in meetings where it seems like everyone else knows what “low-hanging fruit” or “game-changer” means. It gets to the point where you feel like a C1 outside the office, but once you pass through the doors your level drops down to A1! What is happening?
This is a common experience for many employees whose L2 is English, and unfortunately, changing this corporate culture to use simpler language is unlikely to happen anytime soon. That being said, the enterprising student can prepare themselves beforehand so that they aren’t caught off guard. Let’s take a look at some essential business English phrases that students are most likely to encounter.
First, we should consider the differences between regular English and business English. Since corporations are places with highly-specialized terms that everyone on the inside knows, it is common for a whole new dialect to arise among coworkers. There is also the human impulse to have an “in-group” and an “out-group”, where new employees are “indoctrinated” into the in-group by merit of becoming fluent in these terms. Constantly using this jargon is not necessary, but understanding it is key to flourishing in this environment.
Common Workplace Jargon
Let’s examine a few phrases that are commonly encountered in companies:
- Step up to the plate: to take action when something needs to be done.
- Our sales numbers are terrible! Someone needs to step up to the plate and tell the boss that this strategy isn’t working.
- Low-hanging fruit: something that can be obtained or achieved with little effort.
- Winning back former customers is low-hanging fruit compared to convincing someone to buy for the first time.
- Game-changer: a person or thing that dramatically changes an existing situation.
- Hiring that new social media manager has been a real game-changer! Her posts are going viral on TikTok and we have a ton of new customers.
- KPI (Key Performance Indicator): a measurable indicator of progress over time for a specific objective.
- Can you please send me the data from last month so that I can finish preparing the KPIs?
- Circle back: to discuss something again at a later time.
- Make these changes to the presentation, and I’ll circle back next week to make sure everything looks okay.
- Pinpoint: to find or identify something precisely.
- Our web traffic has been down lately, but it’s been hard to pinpoint why.
The tone and register may also change in an office environment. Most offices have a strict hierarchy, with the C-suite on top and the entry-level positions on the bottom. Communication between workers of different levels will be more formal, whereas coworkers of the same level will inevitably communicate more informally. The degree to which this happens varies depending on the culture, with Americans being more casual and Britons being more formal. There is also a clear emphasis on clarity as opposed to creativity: emails and reports follow predictable structures and meetings follow a set procedure in order to reduce miscommunications.
Business English Phrases for Meetings
Meetings, now that we mention them, are often what most strikes fear into the heart of an ESL employee. But with a few choice business English phrases ready to go, they can head into the meeting room without any fear:
Starting a Meeting
- Let’s get started by reviewing the agenda.
- Before we begin, does anyone have any updates?
Asking for Clarification
- Could you just clarify what you mean by…?
- Just to make sure that we’re on the same page…
Expressing Opinions
- From my perspective…
- I would recommend that…
Disagreeing Politely
- I see your point, but…
- Another way to look at this might be…
Closing the Meeting
- Let’s summarize next steps.
- I’ll follow up with an email.
Business English Phrases for Emails
Another common pain point for ESL employees is emails. How formal are you supposed to be? How am I supposed to set a deadline without sounding too pushy? Here are a few business English phrases to help you fire off emails like a pro:
Openings
- I hope this message finds you well.
- I’m writing to follow up on…
Requests
- Could you please send me…?
- Would it be possible to…?
Sharing Information
- Please find attached…
- For your reference…
Setting Deadlines
- Could you complete this by this Friday?
- We’re aiming to finalize this by…
Closings
- Best regards,
- Looking forward to your response.
Business English Phrases for Presentations
Let’s say things are going well for you at your job, and you have been asked to give a presentation! Take a deep breath and study these business English phrases – it’ll all go fine:
Introducing the Topic
- Today I’ll be walking you through…
- Our goal in this presentation is to…
Structuring Information
- First, let’s look at…
- Let’s move on to…
- To summarize…
Handling Questions
- That’s a great question – here’s what I can tell you. (if you know the answer)
- Let me look into that and get back to you. (if you don’t know the answer)
Perfect Practice Strategies
These are just a sampling of the phrases and words that ESL employees might encounter in the corporate world. Paired with strategies to memorize and understand them, they will quickly become part of their everyday vocabulary.
- Don’t rely so much on materials created for English learners – focus on real-world materials like reports, emails, and company blogs.
- Follow LinkedIn influencers and watch TED Talks to gain a deeper understanding.
- Keep a business English phrasebook, and don’t be afraid to ask coworkers the meaning of a certain word!
- Remember that comfort comes with practice and time – don’t despair if you aren’t immediately fluent.
Mastering business English isn’t about memorizing hundreds of buzzwords – it’s about understanding how professionals communicate, recognizing common patterns, and gradually building confidence in real workplace situations. As you’ve seen, the corporate world has its own rhythm and vocabulary, but with consistent exposure and practice, these phrases will start to feel natural. Remember: even native speakers had to learn them at some point!
If you’re ready to take your workplace communication to the next level, don’t stop here. Follow us on social media (@craving_english on Instagram), and if you want personalized guidance, book a class with one of our teachers – we’ll help you navigate meetings, emails, and presentations with confidence and clarity.
You’ve got this – now go “step up to the plate” and level up your business English!