Office English: Meetings, Mistakes & Missing Coffee

01 Getting clear

DanielWelcome back! Today we're talking about office English. Meetings, emails, deadlines… and the person who takes your lunch from the fridge.

MayaThat's a difficult conversation in any language.

DanielExactly. I'm Daniel, and joining me is Maya, our English teacher. She's here to help me sound professional when my brain is saying, “Help!”

MayaA very useful workplace skill. What happened this week?

DanielMonday morning. My manager explained a task. I understood every word, but somehow… not the task. So I smiled.

MayaAh, the dangerous smile.

DanielThen I said, “Absolutely.” Very confident. Absolutely no idea.

MayaNext time, try: “Could you walk me through that?” To “walk someone through” something means to explain it step by step.

Daniel“Could you walk me through the process?”

MayaExactly. Or, if you understood most of it, check one detail: “Just to clarify, do you need the full report or just a summary?”

DanielThat sounds much better than, “Sorry, what is happening?”

MayaAnd it shows you're paying attention. Asking a clear question is professional.

02 Speaking up

DanielOkay. Tuesday: a meeting. Someone suggested another weekly meeting. I disagreed deeply, in my heart.

MayaBut what did you say?

Daniel“Interesting.” Which, in this case, meant “Please, no.” How do I actually disagree politely?

MayaAcknowledge the idea, then explain your concern. “I see your point, but I'm concerned about the time involved. Could we send a short update instead?”

DanielSo I offer an alternative. Can I say, “I want to bring up a problem”?

MayaYes. “Bring up” means to introduce a topic. A softer option is: “Could I bring up one concern?”

Daniel“Could I bring up one concern? We now have a meeting to prepare for another meeting.”

MayaThat is a concern worth bringing up.

03 Following up

DanielWednesday. I emailed a colleague, but they didn't reply. Can I write, “Hello? Are you alive?”

MayaLet's save that for a close friend.

DanielFine. Professional Daniel is listening.

MayaTry: “Hi Alex, I'm following up on my email about the budget. Could you send me your figures by Thursday?”

DanielWhat's the difference between “follow up” and “chase”?

MayaHere, “follow up” means to contact someone again about something. “Chase” can mean to keep trying to get a reply or result. You might hear, “I'll chase that up,” especially in British English. “I'm following up on…” is a useful, neutral choice for your email.

DanielAnd I should give an actual deadline?

MayaYes, if there is one. “By Thursday” is clearer than “soon.” You can add why: “I need them to finish the report.”

DanielRight. My “soon” means this afternoon. My colleague's “soon” apparently means next winter.

MayaDifferent calendars. Very common.

04 Making time

DanielThursday brings a small problem. I've got too much work, and I can't finish everything on time. Do I say, “I'm very busy,” and hide behind my screen?

MayaTempting, but try being specific: “I'm working on the sales report today. If this new task is urgent, which one should I prioritize?”

DanielOoh. Let the manager help choose.

MayaExactly. And if you're late with something, say: “I'm running behind on the report. Could we move the deadline to Friday?”

Daniel“Running behind” means I'm taking longer than planned?

MayaYes. Explain the reason briefly and suggest a realistic next step.

DanielCould I say, “Let's put off the report”?

Maya“Put off” means postpone. But that sentence is vague. Say what you want to delay and until when: “Could we put off the review until Friday?”

DanielSadly, we can't put off Friday until Monday. I need the weekend.

MayaFinally, a scheduling decision we agree on.

05 Fixing mistakes

DanielLast situation. I've sent a client the wrong attachment. Should I close my laptop and start a new life?

MayaStart with a new email. “Sorry, I attached the wrong file. Please use this version instead.”

DanielShort. Honest. Slightly painful.

MayaAnd useful. If you need time to fix a problem, say: “I'll look into it and get back to you this afternoon.”

DanielTwo expressions! “Look into” means investigate?

MayaExactly. And “get back to someone” means contact them again with an answer or update. Just make sure you actually do it.

DanielLet's check what I've learned. Confusing task: “Could you walk me through it?” No email reply: “I'm following up on my email.” A problem: “I'll look into it and get back to you.”

MayaPerfect. Listeners, choose one of those phrases and say it out loud. Then imagine using it at work.

06 Coffee, please

DanielMy phrase is, “Could I bring up one concern?”

MayaWhat's your concern?

DanielSomeone's taken my coffee.

MayaI'll look into it.

DanielMaya… you're drinking it.

MayaInvestigation complete. I'll get you another one.

DanielNow that's a professional response. Thanks for listening, everyone!