Business English Vocabulary for Work
The business English vocabulary you need for meetings, email and calls, with ready professional phrases and the habits to avoid, explained with examples.
Workplace English has its own set of words and phrases. Using them correctly makes you sound professional and confident in meetings, email and calls. Here is the vocabulary that matters most, grouped by where you use it.
Meetings
| Phrase | Use it to |
|---|---|
| Let us get started | open the meeting |
| I would like to add | contribute a point politely |
| Could you elaborate on that? | ask for more detail |
| Let us circle back to that | return to a point later |
| To summarise | wrap up the discussion |
Email and calls
| Phrase | Use it to |
|---|---|
| I am writing to follow up on | chase a reply politely |
| Please find attached | point to an attachment |
| At your earliest convenience | ask for a prompt but polite response |
| I will get back to you by | promise a reply time |
| Thank you for your patience | acknowledge a delay |
Useful business words
- Deadline, agenda, priority, deliverable, stakeholder
- Follow up, touch base, align, escalate, on track
To use this vocabulary with confidence in real meetings, our business English classes practise it with you one to one.
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Book a ₹299 Demo ClassFrequently Asked Questions
How can I improve my business English vocabulary?
Focus on the phrases you actually use, for meetings, email and calls, and learn them as ready expressions like could you elaborate or please find attached. Using a small set of polished phrases well is more effective than memorising long word lists.
What business phrases sound unprofessional?
Some habits common in Indian offices, like do the needful, revert back or prepone, can sound dated or unclear to a wider audience. Clear, direct phrasing such as please complete this or please reply is safer and more professional.
How do I sound more polite in work emails?
Use softeners and modals: could you rather than can you, I would suggest rather than you should, and phrases like at your earliest convenience. Politeness in English often signals professionalism, and a tutor can help you calibrate it.
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