English Phrases for Running Meetings Confidently
Hosted by Anna BaranWhether you're leading or just trying to contribute, meetings in English require a different set of phrases. This episode covers openings, managing turns, handling interruptions, and closing with clarity.
About this episode
Meetings in English are a daily reality for most international professionals — yet very few receive any formal guidance on the language they need to participate effectively. "Can you repeat that?" and "I think… maybe…" are no longer enough when you're expected to lead, influence, or push back in English.
This episode is structured around the lifecycle of a meeting: opening and setting the agenda, inviting contributions, handling interruptions, redirecting off-topic discussions, summarising decisions, and closing with clear action points. Anna gives you a phrase bank for each stage so you have ready-made language rather than trying to improvise.
Special attention is given to the phrases that signal authority and confidence — the difference between "I was wondering if maybe we could..." and "I'd suggest we focus on X first." Small language changes make a big difference to how you come across in international meetings.
What you'll learn
- Opening a meeting and setting the agenda in English
- Inviting input and managing discussion turns
- Interrupting and handling interruptions politely but firmly
- Redirecting off-topic conversations without offending
- Summarising decisions and closing with clear next steps
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Book a free consultationFrequently Asked Questions
How do I open a meeting professionally in English?
Start with 'Let's get started' or 'Shall we begin?' then state the agenda briefly: 'Today we need to cover X, Y, and Z — I'd like to finish by [time].' This sets expectations and signals you're in control.
How do I stop someone politely who is going off topic in a meeting?
Try: 'That's a good point — can we park that for now and come back to it?' or 'I want to make sure we cover that properly — could we add it to the agenda for next time?' Both redirect without dismissing.
What's the best phrase to invite someone's opinion in a meeting?
'What's your take on this, [name]?' or 'I'd be interested to hear your view on that' are natural and inclusive. They work better than the more formal 'Do you have any comments?' which can feel like a test.
How do I close a meeting clearly in English?
Summarise decisions and assign actions: 'Let me just recap what we've agreed...' then 'So [name] will handle X by [date], and [name] will send the report by [date]. Does that sound right to everyone?'