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20 Essential English Phrases for the Workplace.
Alison: Hi everyone, welcome back to Effortless English Podcasts.
Alison: I’m Alison.
Will: And I’m Will.
Alison: Before we get started, don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.
Will: And if you need subtitles, just turn on the CC.
Will: We offer them in many different languages.
Alison: That’s right!
Alison: So, Will, tell me this—what’s the most awkward thing you’ve ever said at work?
Will: Hmm, there are many to choose from.
Will: But once, I told my boss, “You’re killing it”—and she thought I meant she was actually doing something wrong.
Alison: Oh no, classic British-American misunderstanding!
Will: Exactly.
Will: That’s why this episode is going to be helpful for so many people.
Alison: Yeah, because let’s be honest—talking in English at work can be hard.
Will: And sometimes it’s not just the words, it’s how we say them.
Alison: Or when to say them.
Will: Right.
Will: So today, we’re diving into twenty of the most useful phrases for everyday workplace conversations.
Alison: These are the kind of things you’ll hear every day—at the office, on calls, or even in the hallway.
Will: We’ll look at them in context, compare how Brits and Americans use them, and explain when to use which.
Alison: So, it won’t just be “Learn this sentence.”
Will: No way.
Will: It’s “Learn this sentence, understand it, and use it naturally.”
Alison: And sometimes, we’ll even tell you what not to say.
Will: Trust me, some things sound polite in London, but pushy in New York.
Alison: Or sound fun in California, but weird in Manchester.
Will: We’ll keep it all clear and easy to follow.
Alison: And we’ll have some fun while we’re at it.
Will: Always.
Alison: So, let’s get started.
Alison: Here’s our first situation: saying hello and making small talk at work.
Will: That’s coming right up.
Alison: So, let’s start with the basics—saying hello at work.
Will: Sounds simple, but it can get tricky fast.
Alison: That’s true.
Alison: Let’s look at five ways people greet each other in a typical office.
Will: First one, easy—“Good morning.”
Alison: Very safe, very polite.
Will: Works with anyone—your boss, your team, even someone you don’t know.
Alison: Right, and you can’t go wrong with it.
Will: Second—“How’s it going?”
Alison: That one’s more casual, right?
Will: Yeah, more friendly.
Will: In the U.S., you might say this to coworkers you know well.
Alison: And in the U.K., people might respond with “Not bad,” even if their day is terrible.
Will: True, “Not bad” is often British for “It’s fine, I’m surviving.”
Alison: Third phrase—“What’s up?”
Will: Very casual.
Will: Usually among close coworkers or friends.
Alison: You wouldn’t say “What’s up?” to your boss.
Will: Unless your boss is super chill and younger than you.
Alison: Fourth—just a simple “Morning!”
Will: I like that one.
Will: It’s short, it’s cheerful, and it works in both the U.K. and U.S.
Alison: Yeah, just don’t forget the smile.
Will: Fifth and last—“Hey there.”
Alison: It’s soft, friendly, and sounds very natural in casual offices.
Will: Agreed.
Will: So let’s break this down a bit more.
Will: In Britain, people often say “Alright?” as a greeting.
Alison: That one confused me so much at first.
Will: It sounds like they’re asking if you’re okay.
Alison: Exactly.
Alison: I thought I looked sick or upset!
Will: But it really just means “Hi, how are you?”
Alison: In the U.S., people don’t say “Alright?” like that.
Will: Nope.
Will: You’re more likely to hear “How are you?” or “How’s everything?”
Alison: And even if they don’t expect a real answer, it’s still polite to ask.
Will: Here’s another thing—tone matters.
Will: “Good morning” with a smile sounds warm.
Will: But if you say it too flat, it sounds like you don’t want to be there.
Alison: Or like you're mad at someone.
Will: That’s never a good start to the day.
Alison: Another note—Americans often say “Hi” even to their boss.
Will: Brits are a bit more formal with their higher-ups.
Will: A simple “Good morning” is safer in that case.
Alison: And remember, in both countries, first impressions count.
Will: So don’t mumble your greeting.
Alison: Say it clearly, with eye contact.
Will: And if you’re not sure what to say, just smile and go with “Good morning.”
Alison: You’ll never go wrong with that.
Will: Now that we’ve warmed up, let’s look at what to say when you need help or want to ask someone for something.
Alison: Let’s talk about asking for help or working with others.
Will: Yup, we all need to do it—but how we ask matters a lot.
Alison: If you sound too direct, it can feel rude.
Will: If you’re too soft, people may ignore you.
Alison: So, we’re going to share four useful ways to make polite and clear requests.
Will: First one—“Could you give me a hand?”
Alison: This one is great when you need help with a task.
Will: It’s friendly, and not too formal or too casual.
Alison: Like when you’re carrying a stack of papers, or trying to set up a room.
Will: Or you need help with a report, and you don’t want to sound like you’re giving an order.
Alison: Next—“Can I run something by you?”
Will: That’s one of my favorites.
Will: It means you want to ask for feedback or get someone’s opinion.
Alison: For example, “Can I run something by you before the client meeting?”
Will: Sounds smart, respectful, and keeps things open.
Alison: Third—“Would you mind taking a look?”
Will: That one’s a bit more polite.
Alison: It’s good for emails or asking someone senior.
Will: “Would you mind taking a look at this report?”
Alison: Much better than just “Check this.”
Will: Yeah, “Check this” can sound bossy or lazy.
Alison: The fourth one—“Do you have a minute?”
Will: A nice way to start any small request.
Will: It lets the other person decide if they’re free.
Alison: You’re showing respect for their time.
Will: And it works for quick talks: “Do you have a minute to talk about the schedule?”
Alison: Now let’s talk about tone and when to use each one.
Will: Sure.
Will: With coworkers at the same level, “Can I run something by you?” or “Do you have a minute?” feels natural.
Alison: But for managers, “Would you mind taking a look?” shows more respect.
Will: And when things are urgent, you can still be polite.
Alison: For example, “Could you give me a hand right now? It’s kind of urgent.”
Will: You can even add a reason—“I’m running out of time.”
Alison: That way, you’re being clear without sounding demanding.
Will: In emails, you can soften things even more.
Will: Like adding “when you have a chance” or “if possible.”
Alison: “Would you mind reviewing this when you have a moment?”
Will: That’s much better than just saying “Please review.”
Alison: In the U.S., people often use a friendly tone even when being direct.
Will: Brits tend to wrap things in soft words like “perhaps” or “if you don’t mind.”
Alison: But the goal is the same—be polite and get things done.
Will: So, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Alison: Just ask in a way that fits the situation.
Will: And now, let’s move from desks to the meeting room.
Alison: Time to learn how to sound sharp in meetings!
Alison: Meetings—some people love them, most people just want them to end fast.
Will: That’s why the words you use in a meeting really matter.
Alison: Right, they help set the tone and keep things moving.
Will: Let’s go over four phrases that you’ll hear in almost every meeting.
Alison: First up—“Let’s get started.”
Will: Clear, simple, and very common.
Alison: You’ll hear this at the beginning of most meetings.
Will: It means “Let’s begin now,” and it gets everyone’s focus.
Alison: In the U.K., you might hear “Shall we begin?”
Will: That sounds a bit more formal, a bit softer.
Alison: Same idea, though—start the meeting.
Will: Second phrase—“Can we circle back to that?”
Alison: That’s a really useful one.
Alison: It means, “Let’s talk about this later.”
Will: It helps you move the meeting forward without skipping a topic forever.
Alison: And it sounds more polite than “Let’s not talk about that now.”
Will: In both countries, this phrase works well.
Will: Though Brits might also say “Let’s come back to that later on.”
Alison: The third phrase—“Any thoughts?”
Will: That one is great for opening up a discussion.
Alison: Instead of saying “What do you think?”, it invites people to speak up.
Will: “Any thoughts on the budget plan?”
Alison: That feels open, friendly, and professional.
Will: Americans use it a lot, even with senior staff.
Alison: Brits might ask, “Any views?” or “What’s your take?”
Will: Same idea, just slightly different style.
Alison: Last one—“Let’s table that for now.”
Will: Ah, this one is tricky.
Will: In the U.S., it means “Let’s stop talking about it.”
Alison: But in the U.K., it can mean the opposite—“Let’s bring it up for discussion.”
Will: Exactly.
Will: So, if you say “Let’s table that” in a British meeting, people might start talking about it more!
Alison: So funny—and a little dangerous.
Will: If you’re not sure, say “Let’s put that on hold” or “Let’s deal with that later.”
Alison: That’s safe in both American and British offices.
Will: One more tip—don’t just copy phrases.
Will: Make sure you understand how they’re used.
Alison: And always watch how others respond.
Will: That helps you learn the rhythm and rules of meetings.
Alison: Use polite, short phrases to keep things smooth.
Will: And now that we’ve survived the meeting, let’s spread some kindness.
Alison: Coming up—how to give compliments and encourage your teammates.
Alison: Everyone likes to feel noticed, right?
Will: Of course—especially at work.
Alison: That’s why knowing how to give a good compliment is so important.
Will: It builds trust, boosts morale, and keeps teams happy.
Alison: Let’s start with three simple ways to give praise.
Will: First one—“Great job!”
Alison: It’s short, direct, and very American.
Will: You can use it after someone finishes a task well.
Alison: “Great job on the report!” or “Great job handling that call.”
Will: Just make sure you mean it.
Will: If you say it too much, it stops sounding real.
Alison: Right. It has to be honest.
Will: Next one—“Nice work on that.”
Alison: A bit softer, but still strong.
Will: This one’s good for emails too.
Alison: “Nice work on that project timeline—very clear and clean.”
Will: It’s polite and shows you noticed the details.
Alison: Third one—“I really liked your idea.”
Will: That one feels very personal.
Will: You’re saying you paid attention and valued their input.
Alison: And if you want to be more specific, you can add why.
Will: “I really liked your idea about starting the client call with a quick poll.”
Alison: That sounds thoughtful and real.
Will: Now, let’s look at how people use praise in different cultures.
Alison: In the U.S., people give compliments often.
Alison: It’s common to hear “Awesome job” or “Well done” even for small things.
Will: Yeah, praise is part of daily life at work.
Alison: It makes people feel good and seen.
Will: In the U.K., praise is still used—but often more subtle.
Will: Brits might say, “Not bad at all,” and that can mean “Excellent.”
Alison: That confused me the first time I heard it.
Will: Me too!
Will: It’s a polite way of giving credit without sounding over the top.
Alison: So if a British colleague says, “That was quite good,” take it as real praise.
Will: Exactly.
Will: Also, the tone really matters.
Will: Even a simple “Nice work” sounds much better when said warmly.
Alison: Flat or cold praise can feel fake.
Will: And timing counts too.
Will: Give praise soon after the good work happens.
Alison: Like right after a great meeting or when a task is finished.
Will: One more tip—don’t always praise big things.
Alison: Little wins matter too.
Will: Like, “Thanks for catching that typo,” or “Appreciate you staying late.”
Alison: Those small comments keep people feeling good.
Will: And that helps everyone do better work.
Alison: Up next—what happens when things go wrong.
Will: Let’s talk about how to give feedback without making it awkward.
Alison: Giving feedback is part of working with others.
Will: But how you say it makes all the difference.
Alison: Let’s look at three phrases that help you give advice without sounding rude.
Will: First up—“One thing you might try is…”
Alison: This one sounds helpful, not pushy.
Will: You’re sharing an idea, not telling someone what to do.
Alison: Like, “One thing you might try is using a shorter opening slide.”
Will: Or, “One thing you might try is asking a few warm-up questions.”
Alison: It’s gentle, but clear.
Will: Second phrase—“Have you considered…?”
Alison: Another great way to suggest a change.
Will: You’re inviting the other person to think about a new option.
Alison: “Have you considered adding a summary at the end?”
Will: Or, “Have you considered sending the report a day early?”
Alison: It feels like you’re working together, not giving orders.
Will: Third one—“Next time, maybe…”
Alison: This one looks ahead.
Will: So it doesn’t sound like blame.
Alison: “Next time, maybe wait a second before jumping in.”
Will: “Next time, maybe we check the numbers first.”
Alison: It shows you want to improve, not criticize.
Will: All three of these phrases are soft, smart, and easy to use.
Alison: Now let’s talk about how different cultures give feedback.
Will: In the U.S., people often speak more directly.
Alison: But they try to stay positive.
Will: So you might hear, “Here’s what I liked, and here’s what could be better.”
Alison: That balance is important.
Will: It keeps the tone helpful, not harsh.
Alison: In the U.K., people often go a bit softer.
Will: Feedback might come with polite language or even a joke.
Alison: Or they’ll ask a question to suggest a change.
Will: Like, “Do you think there’s a better way to show that data?”
Alison: Or “Would it be useful to check that part again?”
Will: That sounds gentle, but it still gets the point across.
Alison: Tone is everything.
Will: And knowing your team helps too.
Alison: Some people want it straight.
Will: Others need time to take it in.
Alison: A good tip—start with something good.
Will: Then give your advice in a calm way.
Alison: And end with support or encouragement.
Will: That makes people feel safe, not attacked.
Alison: Like, “You did well, and next time could be even better.”
Will: That’s real feedback that helps people grow.
Alison: Let’s keep the good vibes going.
Will: Up next—how to deal with common workplace problems using simple, smart language.
Alison: Let’s be real—problems happen.
Will: At work, it’s not “if,” it’s “when.”
Alison: But how you respond makes all the difference.
Will: That’s why we’re sharing three simple phrases to help you handle mistakes.
Alison: First one—“Sorry for the confusion.”
Will: This works great when there’s a mix-up.
Alison: Maybe you sent the wrong time or unclear notes.
Will: Saying “Sorry for the confusion” shows you’re not blaming.
Alison: And it helps calm people down.
Will: You’re not saying, “It’s all my fault,” but you are taking care of the problem.
Alison: In British English, they might say, “Apologies for the mix-up.”
Will: A bit more formal, but same meaning.
Alison: Second phrase—“Let’s fix this together.”
Will: That one is gold.
Will: It turns stress into teamwork.
Alison: Maybe something went wrong with a file or a plan.
Will: Saying “Let’s fix this together” brings people into a solution mode.
Alison: It shows you care about the result, not just who’s to blame.
Will: And it keeps things moving.
Alison: Brits might say, “Shall we sort this out?”
Will: Again, it’s soft and team-focused.
Alison: Third phrase—“Thanks for your patience.”
Will: This one is great when delays or problems happen.
Alison: Let’s say a report is late or a system is down.
Will: Saying “Thanks for your patience” shows respect.
Alison: It’s better than saying “Sorry, sorry, sorry” again and again.
Will: It sounds calm and confident.
Alison: Brits may say, “Thanks for bearing with me.”
Will: Same idea—appreciating their time and calm.
Alison: Now let’s talk about how you say these things.
Will: Words matter, but so does your tone.
Alison: Don’t rush.
Will: Speak with a calm, steady voice.
Alison: Avoid sounding sharp, even if you feel stressed.
Will: Also, don’t jump to deny or blame.
Alison: Like, don’t say “That’s not my fault.”
Will: That can make things worse fast.
Alison: Instead, focus on what can be done.
Will: And keep your body language open.
Alison: Face the person, keep your arms relaxed.
Will: Show you’re ready to listen and help.
Alison: A helpful phrase with that is, “Let’s see what we can do.”
Will: It invites teamwork and lowers tension.
Alison: And when things get heated, pause.
Will: Take a breath before you speak.
Alison: Even a short “Let me check on that” can buy time.
Will: Time to think, not just react.
Alison: Problems test your language and your attitude.
Will: These phrases help with both.
Alison: Stay calm, stay kind, and speak clearly.
Will: That’s how real pros handle rough spots.
Alison: Next—we’ll show you how to say goodbye in style.
Will: Not just “Bye”—but with warmth, care, and connection.
Alison: Ending a conversation well is just as important as starting one.
Will: Absolutely. A good closing leaves a positive impression.
Alison: Let's explore some natural ways to wrap up workplace chats.
Will: First up—“Let’s catch up later.”
Alison: This phrase suggests continuing the conversation another time.
Will: It's casual and shows interest in future discussions.
Alison: For example, after a quick hallway chat, you might say, “Let’s catch up later.”
Will: Or after a meeting, “Let’s catch up later to discuss the details.”
Alison: Next—“Talk soon.”
Will: This is a friendly and informal way to say goodbye.
Alison: It implies ongoing communication without being too specific.
Will: You might use it at the end of an email or a brief call.
Alison: Like, “Thanks for the update. Talk soon.”
Will: Or, “Great chatting with you. Talk soon.”
Alison: Another useful phrase—“Thanks for the chat.”
Will: This one expresses appreciation for the conversation.
Alison: It's polite and works well in both formal and informal settings.
Will: For instance, after a brainstorming session, “Thanks for the chat.”
Alison: Or after a casual discussion, “Thanks for the chat. I’ll think about your suggestions.”
Will: Now, let's consider cultural differences in closing conversations.
Alison: In American English, closings are often direct and upbeat.
Will: Phrases like “Talk soon” or “Catch you later” are common.
Alison: They convey friendliness and a willingness to continue the relationship.
Will: In British English, closings may be more reserved and formal.
Alison: Phrases like “Speak to you soon” or “Kind regards” are typical.
Will: They maintain politeness and a certain level of formality.
Alison: Understanding these nuances helps in cross-cultural communication.
Will: Absolutely. It ensures your message is received as intended.
Alison: Let's look at some examples.
Will: In the U.S., after a meeting, someone might say, “Great job today. Talk soon.”
Alison: In the U.K., it might be, “Well done on the presentation. Speak to you soon.”
Will: Both express appreciation and a desire to continue communication.
Alison: But the tone and formality differ slightly.
Will: It's important to match your closing to the context and the person you're speaking with.
Alison: Yes. Consider the relationship, the setting, and cultural expectations.
Will: That way, your closing feels appropriate and respectful.
Alison: To sum up, effective closings are clear, polite, and considerate of cultural norms.
Will: They leave the door open for future interactions and maintain positive relationships.
Alison: So next time you're ending a conversation, choose your words thoughtfully.
Will: It makes all the difference in professional communication.
Alison: Alright, it’s time for our FAQ segment.
Will: Where we tackle the tricky questions you’ve been wondering about.
Alison: First up—“Can I say ‘I don’t know’ in meetings?”
Will: Great question. And the answer is—yes, but say it the smart way.
Alison: Saying “I don’t know” directly can sound careless.
Will: Instead, try “I’m not sure, but I’ll find out.”
Alison: Or “That’s a great question—I’ll double-check and get back to you.”
Will: These show honesty and responsibility.
Alison: In American English, people often say, “Let me circle back on that.”
Will: Very business-sounding. In the UK, we say “I’ll look into it and get back to you.”
Alison: Both show you’re not guessing—you’re taking action.
Will: Avoid phrases like “I have no idea.”
Alison: They sound careless or unprepared.
Will: Just soften it and show you're engaged.
Alison: On to question two—“What’s a polite way to say ‘I disagree’?”
Will: Oooh, careful ground.
Alison: Instead of saying “I disagree,” try “I see your point, but…”
Will: Or “I have a different view on this.”
Alison: These make your tone more respectful.
Will: You can also say “That’s interesting, but my understanding is…”
Alison: In the U.S., we also hear “I get where you’re coming from, but I’d like to suggest…”
Will: In the UK, we might say “I take your point, though I’d lean another way.”
Alison: It’s all about balance—respect plus clarity.
Will: Avoid blunt lines like “You’re wrong” or “That’s not true.”
Alison: They create conflict and break down teamwork.
Will: Even when you disagree, you want to sound like a partner.
Alison: Last question—“How do I ask someone to repeat without sounding rude?”
Will: Happens to all of us.
Alison: One easy way is “Sorry, could you say that again?”
Will: Or “Would you mind repeating that, please?”
Alison: Add a smile and it sounds very polite.
Will: In American English, we often say “I didn’t catch that—can you repeat it?”
Alison: Or “Sorry, what was that again?”
Will: In the UK, people might say “Pardon?” or “Sorry, would you say that again?”
Alison: We try to sound soft, not demanding.
Will: Avoid sharp phrases like “What?” or “Huh?”
Alison: They can feel rude even if you don’t mean to.
Will: And if it’s a noisy line, you could say “I think the connection cut out—could you repeat that?”
Alison: That gives a reason and keeps it friendly.
Will: Always better to ask again than pretend you understood.
Alison: Communication is about clarity, not guessing.
Will: So ask, but ask with kindness.
Alison: That wraps up our FAQ for today.
Will: Got more questions? Drop them in the comments below.
Alison: We read every single one.
Will: And who knows? Yours might be in the next round.
Alison: Or next podcast.
Will: Either way, keep learning and keep asking.
Alison: Alright, let's do a quick recap of today's episode.
Will: We covered six everyday workplace situations.
Alison: First, greetings. We looked at natural ways to start a conversation.
Will: Like “How’s everything going?” and “How have you been?”
Alison: Second, casual chats.
Will: We showed how to talk about weather, weekends, and office life.
Alison: Third, expressing opinions.
Will: We shared polite ways to say what you think.
Alison: Like “I think we could try...” or “Maybe another option is...”
Will: Fourth, responding in meetings.
Alison: We practiced how to agree, disagree, or ask questions smoothly.
Will: Fifth, wrapping up.
Alison: That’s where “Talk soon” and “Thanks for the chat” came in.
Will: And finally, FAQ time.
Alison: Where we answered tough questions about “I don’t know,” disagreeing, and asking again.
Will: That’s a lot of useful stuff packed into one episode.
Alison: And remember, you can go back and listen to any part again.
Will: Or turn on the subtitles—we support many languages.
Alison: Just click the CC button if you need it.
Will: And we’d love to hear from you.
Alison: Leave a comment below—what's your favorite phrase from today?
Will: Or share one you use that we didn’t mention.
Alison: We read every comment, and we really enjoy hearing your thoughts.
Will: Also, if you haven’t yet, don’t forget to subscribe.
Alison: That way, you won’t miss any future lessons.
Will: And tell your friends or coworkers—they might find this useful too.
Alison: English is all about practice and small steps.
Will: Bit by bit, you’ll get better and more confident.
Alison: And hopefully, have fun along the way.
Will: So until next time—
Alison: Stay curious, stay confident,
Will: And keep speaking Effortless English.
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