Shadowing Practice: Speak More Naturally: 100 Phrases Every Native Speaker Uses - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
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You've got brilliant ideas.
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You know your subject inside and out, and you are ready to contribute.
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But when you try to speak up in an important meeting, the words just don't come out right.
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It feels like your English is holding you back, keeping you from getting the respect you deserve.
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You watch your colleagues share their thoughts so effortlessly, and you can't help but feel a little invisible.
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That is an incredibly frustrating feeling.
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It's like there's a wall between what you know and what you can say.
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It might even be costing you promotions, leadership roles, and the career you've worked so hard for.
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It's tough knowing you're capable of so much more, if only you had the right words.
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But what if I told you
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that learning a specific set of English phrases is like finding the master key that unlocks your confidence?
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These phrases are the tools that will help you dismantle that wall, brick by brick, allowing your ideas to finally flow freely.
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In this video, I'm going to teach you 100 of these essential phrases
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that will completely change how you speak in a professional environment.
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We'll cover everything from high-stakes meetings and presentations to your daily office chats.
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By the end of this video, you'll have the tools you need to speak with authority and finally get the recognition you've earned.
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So get ready to take some notes and more importantly, get ready to practice.
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Let's get started.
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Section 1.
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Phrases for High Stakes Meetings and Presentations.
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When you're in a big meeting or giving a presentation, confidence is everything.
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Your language has to be clear, direct, and professional.
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These phrases will help you take charge, structure your thoughts, and command attention.
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Let's kick things off.
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This is an energetic way to start a meeting, much more dynamic than a simple let's start.
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Use it when you're the one leading the discussion.
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Example.
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Good morning, everyone.
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We have a lot to cover today, so let's kick things off.
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The purpose of this meeting is to...
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This phrase sets a clear goal right away.
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It shows you're organized and that you respect everyone's time.
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Example, the purpose of this meeting is to finalize the budget for the fourth quarter.
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I'd like to hand it over to...
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Use this to smoothly transition to another speaker.
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Think of it like passing the baton in a relay race.
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It's a clean, professional handoff that keeps the momentum going.
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Example, I've covered the marketing update.
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Now, I'd like to hand it over to Sarah, who will walk us through the sales figures.
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Could you elaborate on that?
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This is a polite way to ask for more details.
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It sounds much more professional than just saying, what do you mean?
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That's an interesting point, David.
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Could you elaborate on that for us?
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To piggyback on that, use this when you want to add something that's directly related to what someone just said.
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It's like adding a new, perfectly fitting brick to the structure they just built, showing you're listening and collaborating.
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Example, to piggyback on what Maria said, I think we should also consider the long-term impact.
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Let's circle back to that later.
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This is a great phrase for managing time.
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If a discussion is getting off-topic, it's like putting a bookmark in that page of the conversation.
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You're promising to come back to it, but moving on for now.
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Example, that's a valid concern, but in the interest of time, let's circle back to that later in the Q&A session.
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Let me just table this discussion.
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This means you want to postpone a discussion.
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If circling back is like putting in a bookmark, tabling a discussion is like putting the whole book on a shelf to be picked up another day.
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It signals a more formal pause.
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Example, we don't seem to be making progress here.
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Let's table this discussion and revisit it next week with more data.
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The key takeaway here is use this to summarize the most important point.
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It's like finding the moral of the story in a complex tale.
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It tells everyone they absolutely must remember.
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We've discussed a lot of data, but the key takeaway here is that our user engagement is up by 20%.
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Let me just jump in here.
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This is a polite way to interrupt.
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It's like politely merging into traffic with your blinker on, rather than aggressively cutting someone off.
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Use it gently and when necessary.
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If I may, let me just jump in here to clarify one thing about the timeline.
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I'd like to touch on, this is a softer way to introduce a new topic or a point you want to discuss briefly.
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Before we move on, I'd like to touch on the customer feedback we received this week.
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From my perspective, this is a classic way to introduce your opinion without stating it as an absolute.
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It shows you're open to other views.
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From my perspective, the new design is a huge improvement in user experience.
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Let's move on to the next item on the agenda.
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A clear and direct way to keep the meeting moving forward.
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It shows you're in control of the schedule.
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I think we've covered the budget.
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Let's move on to the next item on the agenda, which is the marketing plan.
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To wrap up, this signals that you're about to conclude the meeting or your presentation.
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It prepares the audience for a summary.
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To wrap up, we've agreed on the main goals for next quarter and assigned key responsibilities.
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In a nutshell, this just means, in summary, or in a few words.
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It's perfect for giving a quick high-level overview.
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Example, so in a nutshell, we need to increase our marketing spend to reach our sales targets.
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Let's put a pin in that.
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Similar to circle back, this is a friendly, informal way to say you'll return to an idea or topic later.
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That's a great idea for a future project.
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Let's put a pin in that for now and focus on the current deadline.
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I'll defer to name on this.
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This is a powerful phrase.
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It's like being a ship's captain and handing the wheel to the local harbor pilot.
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It shows you respect their specific expertise and trust them to guide the conversation.
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When it comes to the technical specifications, I'll defer to our lead engineer, Mark.
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Can you walk us through… name?
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This is a request for someone to explain a process or a series of events step by step.
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Example, Clara, can you walk us through the latest user testing results?
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Let's take a step back.
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Use this when a discussion is getting stuck on minor details.
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It's like stepping back from a single brushstroke to look at the entire painting.
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It helps everyone remember the overall goal.
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Example, we're arguing about minor details, let's take a step back and remember the overall goal of this project.
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What are the next steps?
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This is an essential question at the end of any discussion.
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It makes sure that decisions actually lead to action.
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Example, this has been a productive discussion, so what are the next steps?
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Section 2.
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Phrases for expressing your opinions and disagreeing politely.
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Sharing your opinion and especially disagreeing with someone can be tricky.
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The key is to be assertive without being aggressive.
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These phrases help you handle these conversations with grace.
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I see your point, but this phrase is like a bridge.
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It connects your idea to theirs instead of building a wall between them.
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By acknowledging their point first, you soften any disagreement that follows.
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Example, I see your point about the budget constraints, but I believe this investment will pay off in the long run.
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I have a slightly different take on this.
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A different take is a gentle way of saying a different opinion.
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It sounds collaborative, not confrontational.
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I have a slightly different take on this.
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I think we should prioritize user retention over acquisition right now.
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I'm not sure I follow.
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This is a polite way to say you don't understand.
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It's like saying, I think my radio has some static, instead of accusing them of broadcasting a bad signal.
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puts the responsibility on you and encourages them to clarify.
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I'm not sure I follow your logic.
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Could you explain the connection between those two points again?
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Have we considered...
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Framing your suggestion as a question is a softer approach.
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It's like opening a new door for the conversation to walk through, rather than slamming the previous one shut.
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The current plan seems solid, but have we considered the potential risks involved?
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I'm on the fence about this.
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This means you're undecided and can see both sides of an argument.
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I'm on the fence about whether to launch in May or June.
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Both have their pros and cons.
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I'm inclined to agree with… Use this to support a colleague's point.
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It strengthens their position and shows you're a team player.
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After hearing the data, I'm inclined to agree with Jessica.
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We need to rethink our strategy.
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but… This is a humble way to introduce something you believe is true but want to double check.
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the deadline for this project pushed to next Friday?
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I'm afraid I have to disagree.
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This is a direct, yet still polite way to state your opposition.
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Adding I'm afraid softens the blow.
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With all due respect, I'm afraid I have to disagree with the proposed timeline.
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It seems unrealistic.
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I see where you're coming from, however… This phrase validates the other person's view before you present your counterpoint.
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It's like acknowledging the road they traveled to reach their conclusion before suggesting a different destination.
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I see where you're coming from on the design, however, we need to consider the feedback from our test users.
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Another way to look at it is… This offers an alternative perspective without directly challenging the first one.
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It opens up the conversation.
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You've made a good case for option A.
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Another way to look at it is through the lens of long-term scalability.
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I'm not entirely convinced that… This is a softer way to express doubt than saying, I don't think that's right.
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Example, thank you for the presentation, I'm not entirely convinced that this is the most cost-effective solution.
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Can we find a compromise?
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This phrase shows that you're focused on solutions and want to find a middle ground that works for everyone.
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Example, we seem to have two competing ideas here, can we find a compromise that incorporates the best of both?
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That's a valid point.
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Use this to acknowledge that someone's argument has merit, even if you don't fully agree with their final conclusion.
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That's a valid point about the potential market saturation.
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We should definitely look into that.
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To be honest, I have some reservations.
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This phrase lets you express concerns thoughtfully.
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It's like raising a yellow caution flag, not a red stop sign.
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It signals, let's proceed with care, rather than stop everything.
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The plan looks good on paper, but to be honest, I have some reservations about our ability to execute it on such a tight schedule.
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I think we're on the same page.
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Use this when you feel like you and your colleague have reached a mutual understanding or agreement.
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Great, it sounds like we both agree on the next steps, so I think we're on the same page.
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Alright, we are making great progress!
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If you're finding these phrases helpful, do me a quick favor and hit that like button to let me know.
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And if you haven't already, click subscribe so you don't miss out on more videos designed to help you master professional English and advance your career.
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Now let's get back to it.
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The next section is all about the language you use every single day around the office.
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Section 3.
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Phrases for daily office communication and collaboration.
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Personalism isn't just for big meetings.
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How you communicate in emails, chats, and casual conversations really shapes how your colleagues see you.
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These phrases will help you sound polite, capable, and collaborative every day.
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Let me double check that.
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This phrase turns, I don't know, into a dead end and into a promise.
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It shows you're proactive and willing to go find the right information instead of just stopping.
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Example, I'm not 100% sure about that figure.
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Let me double check that and get back to you.
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Could you give me a hand with this?
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This is a polite and slightly informal way to ask for help.
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It sounds more collaborative than, can you help me?
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Example, this report is more complex than I thought.
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Could you give me a hand with the data analysis?
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I'll get right on it.
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This means I'll start working on this immediately.
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it shows you're efficient and have a can-do attitude.
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Example, manager, I need the latest sales report.
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You, sure, I'll get right on it.
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Keep me in the loop.
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This just means keep me informed or include me in communications about something.
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Example, I won't be in the meetings next week, but please keep me in the loop by emailing me the minutes.
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What's your bandwidth?
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Think of your work capacity like your internet bandwidth.
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If you're already downloading several large files, you can't start another one.
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Asking about someone's bandwidth is a professional way to see if they have the capacity to take on a new task.
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Example.
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I have a new task that needs to be assigned.
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What's your bandwidth like this week?
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I'm a bit tied up at the moment.
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This is the polite do not disturb sign of professional language.
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It tells people you're busy without being rude and implies you'll be available later.
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Example, I'd love to help but I'm a bit tied up at the moment, can we connect this afternoon?
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I hope this email finds you well.
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This is a standard polite opening for a professional email, especially to someone you don't know well.
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Example, Dear Mr. Smith, I hope this email finds you well.
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I'm writing to follow up on our conversation.
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Thank you for your prompt response.
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A polite way to thank someone for replying to your email quickly.
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Example.
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Thank you for your prompt response.
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The information you provided is very helpful.
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Please see the attached document.
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This is the standard phrase to use in an email to point the reader to an attachment.
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Example.
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As discussed, I've completed the draft.
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Please see the attached document for your review.
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I look forward to hearing from you.
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A common and professional way to close an email when you're expecting a reply.
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Example.
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Please let me know if you have any questions.
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I look forward to hearing from you.
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Just to clarify.
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Use this to make sure you understand something correctly or to make your own point even clearer.
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Example.
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Just to clarify, you need this completed by Friday, not Monday.
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Is that correct?
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My apologies for the delay.
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A professional way to say sorry I'm late with your response or your work.
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Example.
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My apologies for the delay in getting back to you.
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I was out of the office.
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Let's touch base next week.
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Touch base means to have a brief check-in.
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Imagine runners in a long race touching a designated spot to show they're still on track.
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It's a quick contact to ensure alignment.
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Example.
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Let's touch base next week to see how the project is progressing.
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Heads up.
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This is an informal but very common way to give someone a warning or some advance notice.
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Just a heads up, the client is coming to visit the office tomorrow morning.
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I'll get back to you on that.
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Another great alternative to I don't know.
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It's a promise to find the answer and follow up.
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That's a good question.
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I don't have the answer right now, but I'll get back to you on that by the end of the day.
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We're on the right track.
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This is an encouraging phrase to let your team know that you're all progressing well toward your goal.
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Example, the initial results are positive.
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I think we're on the right track with this new strategy.
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Let's get the ball rolling.
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This means to start a project or process.
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It's an energetic phrase that signals it's time for action.
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Example, we've done enough planning, it's time to get the ball rolling on the development phase.
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It's on my radar.
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Think of your to-do list like an air traffic control screen.
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Saying it's on my radar means you see the blip, you're tracking it, and you'll deal with it when the time is right.
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Example, thanks for the reminder about the annual review.
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It's on my radar and I plan to address it next week.
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I appreciate the feedback.
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This is a crucial phrase for accepting criticism gracefully.
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It shows you're open to improvement and not defensive.
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Example, thank you for your comments on my draft.
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I appreciate the feedback and will make those changes.
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Let's sync up later.
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Sync up means to get on the same page.
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It's like tuning two instruments to the same note so that when you play together, you're in harmony me.
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It's about aligning your understanding.
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I have a few ideas about the project.
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Let's sync up later this afternoon for 15 minutes.
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Section 4.
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Phrases for job interviews and networking.
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Job interviews and networking events are all about making a great first impression.
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The right phrases can make you sound confident, capable, and like the perfect person for the job.
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It's a pleasure to meet you.
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A classic, polite, and professional greeting.
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Use it with a firm handshake and a warm smile.
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Good morning.
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I'm your name.
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It's a pleasure to meet you.
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Thank you for the opportunity to interview for this role.
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This shows gratitude and enthusiasm right from the very beginning of the interview.
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Thank you for the opportunity to interview for this role.
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I was very excited to learn more about it.
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I'm passionate about… This phrase talks about your love for your industry or specific kinds of work.
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I'm passionate about creating user-centric designs that solve real-world problems.
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In my previous role, I was responsible for… This is a standard and effective way to describe your past job duties.
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In my previous role at XYZ Company, I was responsible for managing the entire social media strategy.
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One of my key achievements was, listing duties is like showing someone the ingredients for a recipe.
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Talking about your achievements is like showing them the delicious cake you baked.
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This phrase helps you serve them the cake.
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Example, one of my key achievements was leading a project that increased customer retention by 15%.
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I'm skilled at, this is a direct and confident way to state your strengths.
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Just be ready to give an example that backs it up.
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Example, I'm skilled at working under pressure and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
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I'm looking to further my career in...
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This phrase shows an interviewer that the job isn't just a random destination for you.
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It's a specific, important stop on your career map that you've purposefully planned to visit.
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Example, I'm looking to further my career in project management and this role seems like the perfect next step.
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That's a great question.
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This phrase is like a little mental pause button.
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It buys you a few precious seconds for your brain to load the perfect answer while also complimenting the interviewer.
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Example, that's a great question.
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Let me think about the best example for that.
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I'd describe myself as a, this is a good way to start your answer to tell me about yourself, by focusing on your professional qualities.
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I'd describe myself as a proactive problem solver who enjoys collaborating with a team.
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Could you tell me more about… Asking thoughtful questions is just as important as answering them.
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This shows you're engaged and genuinely curious.
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Example, the job description mentions team collaboration.
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Could you tell me more about the team dynamics?
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This role aligns with my career goals because this is like showing how two different puzzle pieces,
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you and the company, fit together perfectly to create a single, complete picture.
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It connects your goals with theirs.
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Example, this role aligns with my career goals because I want to specialize in data analytics, which is a key part of this position.
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I thrive in environments.
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Thrive is a strong word that means you perform exceptionally well.
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Use it to describe your ideal work culture.
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Example, I thrive in fast-paced, collaborative environments where I can learn from my colleagues.
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What brings you to this event?
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A simple, open-ended question that's perfect for starting a conversation at a networking event at a networking event.
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Hi, I'm Erin.
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What brings you to this conference today?
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I've heard great things about your work.
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A flattering and effective way to start a conversation with someone you admire or want to connect with.
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Example, it's great to meet you, Ms. Chen.
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I've heard great things about your work in sustainable finance.
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Do you have a business card?
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A classic and still very relevant way to ask for someone's contact information so you can follow up later.
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Example, it's been a pleasure talking with you.
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Do you have a business card so I can stay in touch?
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I'd be thrilled to work for this organization.
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Express genuine excitement.
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This shows the interviewer that you are truly motivated.
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Based on everything I've learned today, I'd be thrilled to work for this organization and contribute to your team.
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I take pride in my ability to.
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This is like an artist proudly signing their finished painting.
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It shows you stand behind your work and have confidence in its quality.
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Example, I take pride in my ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple and understandable way.
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My experience in has allowed me to develop strong skills in.
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This directly connects your past experience with the valuable skills you can bring to the job.
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Example, my experience in customer service has allowed me to develop strong skills in conflict resolution and client management.
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I'm committed to resolving this.
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To cut corners.
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To do something in the easiest, cheapest, or fastest way, which often means sacrificing quality.
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We cannot afford to cut corners on safety testing.
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It's just too important.
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To bring someone up to date.
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Similar to get up to speed, this means to give someone the latest information they missed.
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Example.
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Can someone bring Sarah up to date on what she missed in yesterday's meeting?
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Low-hanging fruit.
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Imagine you're trying to harvest apples from a huge tree.
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Instead of getting a tall ladder for the top branches, you start by picking the fruit that's easiest to reach.
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That's the low-hanging fruit.
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Example.
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Let's tackle the low-hanging fruit first to show some immediate progress on this project.
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To be on the same wavelength.
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To think in a similar way and understand each other very well.
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It's great working with this team.
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We're all on the same wavelength.
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The ball is in your court.
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Think of a tennis match.
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Once you've hit the ball over the net to your opponent, you can't do anything else until they act.
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The ball is in their court.
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Example, we've sent them the proposal.
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Now the ball is in their court.
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A blessing in disguise.
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Something that seems bad at first, but actually results in something good happening later.
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Example, losing that first client was a blessing in disguise because it forced us to diversify our customer base.
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To get your foot in the door.
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To take a low-level position with a company, hoping it will lead to a better job there in the future.
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Example, I'm just happy to get my foot in the door at such a prestigious company.
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Back to the drawing board.
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Imagine an architect whose building design gets going forward.
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A professional phrase used to talk about the future.
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It simply means from now on.
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Going forward, all expense reports must be submitted by the 25th of each month.
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A ballpark figure.
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A rough estimate or an approximate number.
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It's like guessing the number of people in a baseball stadium.
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You don't know the exact count, but you can give a reasonable estimate.
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You're in the right ballpark.
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I don't need the exact cost right now, just give me a ballpark figure figure.
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To raise the bar.
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To set a higher standard for performance.
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This year's sales results have really raised the bar for everyone on the team.
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Let's call it a day.
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A phrase used to say that the workday or a specific task is finished.
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We've been working for 10 hours straight.
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I think it's time to call it a day.
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Conclusion.
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And there you have it.
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100 phrases that will help you sound more like a native speaker and communicate with confidence in any professional setting.
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But remember, just knowing these phrases is the first step.
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The real key is practice.
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Don't be afraid to try them.
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Start with a few that feel comfortable and maybe challenge yourself to use two or three new phrases this week.
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The more you use them, the more natural they'll become.
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You have the ideas, you have the talent, and now you have more of the words.
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It's time to stop letting your English hold you back from the career you deserve.
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Start using these phrases and watch how you gain the respect and recognition you've been working so hard for.
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To help you out, I've created a free downloadable PDF with all 100 phrases from this video.
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You can print it out and keep it on your desk as a handy guide.
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The link is in the description below.
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Go download it now and start practicing today.
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Thank you so much for watching.
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If you found this video helpful, please give it a thumbs up and share it with a colleague who might benefit.
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What's your favorite phrase from this list?
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Let me know in the comments below.
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I'll see you in the next video.
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About This Lesson
You're practicing English with "Speak More Naturally: 100 Phrases Every Native Speaker Uses" using the Shadowing technique — a method originally developed for professional interpreter training.
Focus on sounding like the speaker — not just repeating words. With 15–30 minutes of daily practice, you'll build real-world speaking confidence.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.