SUGGESTED EXPRESSIONS FOR A MEETING

Suggested Language Expressions For
A Formal Meeting

Language Function : Setting the agenda

Language Expressions

 “I've called this meeting in order to…”

 “We’re here today to discuss…”

 “There are [number] items on the agenda. First…”

 “Today I would like to outline our plans for …”

Language Function : To introduce a topic

Language Expressions

 “Thank you for getting here on time. Today we’re here to discuss
about …”

 “We’re here to discuss the progress on [name of project] project.”
 “Due to the issues identified in [project name], we’re here to come

up with a quick resolution.”
 “We’re going to run through the main points of the agenda.”
 “The presentation will cover these [number of points] topics.”

Language Function : To interrupt politely

Language Expressions

 “Sorry, but just to clarify.”
 “Sorry I didn’t quite hear that, can you say it again?”
 “That’s an excellent point [person’s name], what about doing [action

point] as well?”
 “From our departments perspective, it’s a little more complicated. Let

me explain.”
 “I've never thought about it that way before. How does it affect [this

point].”
 “Excuse me for interrupting! ”

Language Function : To ask questions

Language Expressions

 “Can you repeat that please?”
 “Can you run that by me one more time?”
 “Can you repeat that in a simplified way?”

Language Function : For clarification

Language Expressions

 “I don't fully understand what you mean. Could you explain it
from a different angle?”

 “Could you explain to me how that is going to work?”

 “Just to be clear, do you mean this [repeat the explained point in
the way you understand it]”

Language Function : To ask for response/feedback

Language Expressions

 “Are there any more comments?”
 “What do you think about this proposal?”
 “Are there any areas of this project we are not thinking about?”
 “Any final thoughts before we close the meeting?”
 “If you have further questions or want to discuss any of it in more detail,

we can meet privately or you can send me an email.”
 “I’d like to thank everyone for sharing their time today and any feedback

would be valuable”
 “So do we think this is the correct way to proceed?”
 “Are there any objections to what I covered?”

Language Function : To conclude the presentation

Language Expressions

 “To summarize then, let me just run through what we’ve
agreed here.”

 “Before we end, let me just summarize the three main
points.”

 “To sum up what I’ve presented…”

Language Function : To end up a meeting

Language Expressions

 Anyway, I’m afraid I have another meeting in 10 minutes, so we’ll have to
stop there (if you don’t mind).

 Well, I think someone is waiting for this room, so shall we call it a day (if
that’s okay)?

 So, I’d like to be able to discuss this more, but I know (name) has to be
somewhere, so we’ll have to come back to it another time, I’m afraid.

 So/ Okay/ Right (then), let’s call it a day/ wrap it up there (and continue…) (,
shall we?)

 Thanks, that was very useful./ Thanks, that was very productive.
 Thanks for (all) your (great) contributions/ ideas. (They were very helpful).

Best Wishes!