Meeting Language Focus

Language Focus: Chairing a meeting or speaking at a meeting

Starting the meeting

   1. Shall we get started/get down to business?

   2. Now that every one is here, I’d like to call

       the meeting to order.

   3. This morning we’re going to discuss three

       problems.

Proceeding to the next item

   1. Shall we move on to the next item on the

       agenda?

   2. Let’s turn to the second problem.

   3. How about proceeding to the next

      question?

Guiding people in the discussion

First, I’d like Mr. Hunter to briefly introduce the situation.

Could you elaborate on that?

Miss Brown, can we have your report now?

Would you take the minutes of the meeting, Miss Jones?

Would you wind up your statement? We’re running out of time.

Whose turn is it to take the floor?

Coming to the main point

   1. I think we are getting side-tracked.

   2. Shall we get back to the main point?

   3. I’m afraid we’re getting a bit off the point.

   4. Please don’t digress from the subject.

   5. I’m afraid you’re straying from the main

       point.

   6. I see your point, but can we please stick

       to the main subject here?

Interrupting

   1. I’m sorry to interrupt you, but I’d just like

      to say that…

   2. If I could make a point here…

   3. Excuse me. I would like to break in here.

   4. May I cut in here?

   5. I’m sorry to cut you off.

   6. Sally, you’ll have a chance to give us your

       point of view in a second. Let John finish

       first.

Checking understanding

   1. Am I  making sense here?

   2. Are you with me on this?

   3. Do you see what I mean?

   4. Are there any questions so far?

Asking for clarification

   1. I’m sorry I didn’t quite understand you

      about…

   2. What do you mean by…?

   3. I’m not quite with you.

   4. I’m sorry. Could you please say that again?

       I didn’t quite follow/catch what you said…

Checking agreement

   1. Are we all agreed (on this)?

   2. A: Does everyone support me on this?

       B: You have my full backing on this./ I’m

           fully behind you on this.

   3. Are we all for this plan?

   4. Are we all in favor of this decision?

   5. Has anyone got any objection to this proposal?

   6. Are you for or against this motion?

   7. Those in favor, raise your hands.

   8. Those against, put up your hands.

   9. Are you abstaining, Mr. Jones?

Declaring results or decisions

   1. I declare the meeting adjourned.

   2. I declare the motion carried by a slender

       majority of eight to six.

   3. I declare the motion lost.

   4. Let’s put it to a vote.

   5. Let me take a minute to sum up the main points

       of this discussion.

   6. if nobody wants to add anything, we can draw the

       meeting to a close.

Asking for an opinion

What do you think of this?

How do you feel about/like/find this?

What’s your opinion about this?

Is there any other view on this?

What does everyone think about this?

Could you elaborate on this?

Could we have your comments, Mr. Black?

Have you got anything to say about this?

Whose turn is it to take the floor?

Giving an opinion and introducing ideas

I think…

In my opinion,…

Personally,…

As far as I’m concerned,…

As I see it,…

My view is that…

I propose/move that…

Could I make one additional recommendation?