---
title: "English for Meetings: Phrases to Say Out Loud | Speakeroo"
description: "English phrases for meetings, grouped by moment: opening, giving an update, disagreeing politely, asking for clarification and closing. Say each set out loud and get feedback on pace and clarity."
url: "https://speakeroo.app/english-for-meetings"
---

# English for Meetings

English phrases for meetings, grouped by moment: opening, giving an update, disagreeing politely, asking for clarification, and closing. Written for people who use English as a second language: say each set out loud with feedback on your pace and clarity.

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Meetings in English ask for short, ready-made phrases: how to start, how to give an update, how to disagree without sounding rude, how to ask someone to explain, and how to close. If English is your second language, knowing these in advance means you spend your attention on the point, not the grammar.

Below are phrase sets for each moment of a meeting, with a tip on how to say them. Say each set out loud rather than only reading it. The phrases are the easy part; saying them smoothly under pressure takes practice.

Practising with colleagues? [See Speakeroo for teams](https://speakeroo.app/team).

## Opening the meeting

The first thirty seconds set the tone. Short, steady phrases sound confident even when your sentences are simple.

1. Start the meeting Stress the key word in each phrase: “thanks”, “started”, “decide”, “focused”. Thanks for joining, everyone.Let’s get started.The goal of today’s meeting is to decide on the launch date.We have thirty minutes, so let’s keep it focused. [Say it out loud](https://speakeroo.app/practice?duration=1&mode=impromptu&topic=Open+a+team+meeting.+Say+each+phrase+out+loud+first%2C+then+use+two+of+them+in+your+own+words.%0AYou+should+say%3A%0A-+Thanks+for+joining%2C+everyone.%0A-+Let%E2%80%99s+get+started.%0A-+The+goal+of+today%E2%80%99s+meeting+is+to+decide+on+the+launch+date.%0A-+We+have+thirty+minutes%2C+so+let%E2%80%99s+keep+it+focused.)
2. Introduce the agenda Pause after “first” and “then” so listeners can follow the order. There are three items on the agenda.First, we’ll review last week’s results.Then I’d like to hear your thoughts on the new timeline.Please save your questions until the end of each item. [Say it out loud](https://speakeroo.app/practice?duration=1&mode=impromptu&topic=Walk+the+team+through+the+agenda.+Say+each+phrase+out+loud+first%2C+then+use+two+of+them+in+your+own+words.%0AYou+should+say%3A%0A-+There+are+three+items+on+the+agenda.%0A-+First%2C+we%E2%80%99ll+review+last+week%E2%80%99s+results.%0A-+Then+I%E2%80%99d+like+to+hear+your+thoughts+on+the+new+timeline.%0A-+Please+save+your+questions+until+the+end+of+each+item.)

## Giving an update

A good update says what is done, what is next, and what you need. Lead with the result.

1. Report progress Say “we’ve” and “we’re” as one short sound; do not stretch them into two words. Since last week, we’ve finished the login page.We’re on track to release on Friday.The main thing I wanted to flag is a delay in testing.I’ll send the full summary after the meeting. [Say it out loud](https://speakeroo.app/practice?duration=1&mode=impromptu&topic=Give+a+one-minute+progress+update.+Say+each+phrase+out+loud+first%2C+then+use+two+of+them+in+your+own+words.%0AYou+should+say%3A%0A-+Since+last+week%2C+we%E2%80%99ve+finished+the+login+page.%0A-+We%E2%80%99re+on+track+to+release+on+Friday.%0A-+The+main+thing+I+wanted+to+flag+is+a+delay+in+testing.%0A-+I%E2%80%99ll+send+the+full+summary+after+the+meeting.)
2. Share a blocker Asking for help is normal in meetings. “It would help if…” is polite and direct. I’m blocked on one thing.I’m waiting for approval from the legal team.It would help if someone could review it today.I’ll let you know as soon as it’s resolved. [Say it out loud](https://speakeroo.app/practice?duration=1&mode=impromptu&topic=Tell+the+team+about+something+that+is+holding+your+work+up.+Say+each+phrase+out+loud+first%2C+then+use+two+of+them+in+your+own+words.%0AYou+should+say%3A%0A-+I%E2%80%99m+blocked+on+one+thing.%0A-+I%E2%80%99m+waiting+for+approval+from+the+legal+team.%0A-+It+would+help+if+someone+could+review+it+today.%0A-+I%E2%80%99ll+let+you+know+as+soon+as+it%E2%80%99s+resolved.)

## Disagreeing politely

In English, a disagreement usually starts with something you agree with. Soften the “no”, then give your reason.

1. Disagree gently Let your voice fall on “differently” and rise slightly on “option?”. I see your point, but I see it a little differently.I’m not sure that will work for us, because the timeline is tight.Could we look at another option?I’d like to suggest a different approach. [Say it out loud](https://speakeroo.app/practice?duration=1&mode=impromptu&topic=Disagree+with+a+colleague%E2%80%99s+plan+without+sounding+rude.+Say+each+phrase+out+loud+first%2C+then+use+two+of+them+in+your+own+words.%0AYou+should+say%3A%0A-+I+see+your+point%2C+but+I+see+it+a+little+differently.%0A-+I%E2%80%99m+not+sure+that+will+work+for+us%2C+because+the+timeline+is+tight.%0A-+Could+we+look+at+another+option%3F%0A-+I%E2%80%99d+like+to+suggest+a+different+approach.)
2. Agree with part of it “May” and “might” make a concern sound careful, not negative. I agree with the first part, but I have a concern about the second.That’s a fair point. My worry is the cost.What if we tried it with one team first?I think we may be underestimating the risk. [Say it out loud](https://speakeroo.app/practice?duration=1&mode=impromptu&topic=Agree+with+part+of+a+proposal+and+raise+one+concern.+Say+each+phrase+out+loud+first%2C+then+use+two+of+them+in+your+own+words.%0AYou+should+say%3A%0A-+I+agree+with+the+first+part%2C+but+I+have+a+concern+about+the+second.%0A-+That%E2%80%99s+a+fair+point.+My+worry+is+the+cost.%0A-+What+if+we+tried+it+with+one+team+first%3F%0A-+I+think+we+may+be+underestimating+the+risk.)

## Asking for clarification

Asking again is not a weakness. People in meetings expect it, and a clear question saves everyone time.

1. Ask someone to explain Name the exact word or point you missed. It gets you a faster answer than “Sorry?”. Sorry, could you say that again?Could you explain what you mean by “phase two”?Could you give me an example?I didn’t catch the last part. Could you repeat it? [Say it out loud](https://speakeroo.app/practice?duration=1&mode=impromptu&topic=Ask+a+colleague+to+explain+something+you+did+not+follow.+Say+each+phrase+out+loud+first%2C+then+use+two+of+them+in+your+own+words.%0AYou+should+say%3A%0A-+Sorry%2C+could+you+say+that+again%3F%0A-+Could+you+explain+what+you+mean+by+%E2%80%9Cphase+two%E2%80%9D%3F%0A-+Could+you+give+me+an+example%3F%0A-+I+didn%E2%80%99t+catch+the+last+part.+Could+you+repeat+it%3F)
2. Check you understood Raise your voice at the end of a check question so it sounds like a question. Let me check I’ve got this right.So the next step is for me to send the draft?Do you mean this week or next week?Could you confirm the deadline for me? [Say it out loud](https://speakeroo.app/practice?duration=1&mode=impromptu&topic=Repeat+back+what+you+understood+and+confirm+it.+Say+each+phrase+out+loud+first%2C+then+use+two+of+them+in+your+own+words.%0AYou+should+say%3A%0A-+Let+me+check+I%E2%80%99ve+got+this+right.%0A-+So+the+next+step+is+for+me+to+send+the+draft%3F%0A-+Do+you+mean+this+week+or+next+week%3F%0A-+Could+you+confirm+the+deadline+for+me%3F)

## Closing the meeting

End by saying who does what and by when. Then thank people and let them go.

1. Agree the actions Say the name, the task and the day clearly: “Priya… update the plan… Wednesday”. Let’s go over the action items.Priya will update the plan by Wednesday.Does anyone have anything to add?Thanks, everyone. That’s all from me. [Say it out loud](https://speakeroo.app/practice?duration=1&mode=impromptu&topic=Close+a+meeting+by+confirming+who+does+what.+Say+each+phrase+out+loud+first%2C+then+use+two+of+them+in+your+own+words.%0AYou+should+say%3A%0A-+Let%E2%80%99s+go+over+the+action+items.%0A-+Priya+will+update+the+plan+by+Wednesday.%0A-+Does+anyone+have+anything+to+add%3F%0A-+Thanks%2C+everyone.+That%E2%80%99s+all+from+me.)
2. Follow up “I’ll” is a promise. Say it slowly enough that people hear it. I’ll send out the notes this afternoon.Let’s meet again next Tuesday at ten.If anything changes, please message me.Thanks for your time today. [Say it out loud](https://speakeroo.app/practice?duration=1&mode=impromptu&topic=Say+what+happens+after+the+meeting.+Say+each+phrase+out+loud+first%2C+then+use+two+of+them+in+your+own+words.%0AYou+should+say%3A%0A-+I%E2%80%99ll+send+out+the+notes+this+afternoon.%0A-+Let%E2%80%99s+meet+again+next+Tuesday+at+ten.%0A-+If+anything+changes%2C+please+message+me.%0A-+Thanks+for+your+time+today.)

## How to practise a phrase set

1. 1

   ### Pick one moment

   Choose the moment you find hardest: opening, updating, disagreeing, clarifying, or closing. Start with one set.
2. 2

   ### Say the phrases, then use them

   Press “Say it out loud”. Read each phrase aloud once, slowly. Then give a one-minute answer that uses two of the phrases in your own words.
3. 3

   ### Make it yours and repeat

   Read the feedback on pace and filler words. Replace one phrase with a version you would really say at work, then record again.

## Questions

### How do I practise English for meetings?

Each set on this page has four phrases for one moment of a meeting. Press “Say it out loud” and Speakeroo opens a one-minute practice with those phrases on screen. Say each one, then use two of them in your own words. You get feedback on your pace, filler words, and clarity.

### How do I disagree politely in an English meeting?

Say what you agree with first, then give your concern: “I see your point, but I see it a little differently.” Words like “could”, “may”, and “a little” soften the message. The two disagreeing sets on this page give you phrases to practise.

### Is it okay to ask people to repeat themselves?

Yes. Ask for the exact point you missed: “Could you explain what you mean by phase two?” Check what you understood: “Let me check I’ve got this right.” Both are normal in meetings, and colleagues usually appreciate them.

### Do I need an account to practise these phrases?

No. You can finish a practice session and get its feedback without creating an account. Create one to keep practising for free and to save your sessions.

## Keep going

[Workplace English practice](https://speakeroo.app/workplace-english-practice) [Speakeroo for teams](https://speakeroo.app/team) [Mock interview AI](https://speakeroo.app/mock-interview-ai) [Presentation topics](https://speakeroo.app/presentation-topics) [Filler word tracker](https://speakeroo.app/filler-word-tracker)

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