Business English: Meetings and Discussions

Getting Started

Let’s get started. We need to discuss . . . We need to talk about . . .

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Talking About Discussion Items

The first thing we need to discuss is . . .

The first item on the agenda is . . .

The first thing on the list is . . .

First, we need to talk about . . .

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Presenting Options

We have several alternatives:

We have tow options:

We could either . . .   or . . .

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Moving On

Let’s move on to item 2.

Let’s move on to the next topic.

We need to move on.

The next item (of business) is . . .

We need to go on to the next item.

Shall/Should we move on?

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Stalling the Discussion

Before we move on, I think we should . . .

Wait a minute. We haven’t discussed . . .

Don’t you think we need to . . .

Not so fast. We haven’t (yet) . . .

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Asking for Clarification

What do you mean by . . .

I don’t quite follow you.

I didn’t get what you meant by . . .

Could you clarify that?

Could you elaborate on that?

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Making a Suggestion / Proposal

I think we should . . .

Maybe we should . . .

I suggest . . .

Why don’t we . . .

How about . . .

We could . . .

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Giving Feedback

(I think) that’s a good idea.

You have a good point.

Good idea / point.

I agree

I didagree. I think . . .

Sorry. I don’t agree with you.

You have a good point, but . . .

That’s not such a good idea.

I don’t think that’s a good idea.

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Asking for Opinions

What do you think, George?

What’s your opinion on that, Martha?

Any thoughts on that?

Any ideas?

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Checking for Consensus

Do we all agree (on that)?

Does everyone agree?

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Summarizing

In summary, . . .

The conclusion is . . .

So, we’ve decided to . . .

We’re going to . . . (then)

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Closing the Meeting

That’s all for today.

That’s it then.

(informal)

The meeting is adjourned.

(very formal)

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See also:

Speaking : Discussion Techniques

How to Plan a Meeting