In-Depth Tips from Dr English
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Interrupting and Avoiding Commenting in Business Meetings |
16 May 2023
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If you need to interrupt, here are some phrases you may find helpful (and remember to consider your timing when using them, too!):
Other options include:
Complete the following sentences using the words/phrases in bold. add Do you mind I’d rather I’m afraid if I interrupt if you don’t mind interrupt May I just say something Sorry 1) May I _________________ something, here? 2) _________________ I can’t comment on that until I check with our suppliers. 3) _________________, I must just point out that Ms Richards is not on the committee anymore. 4) May I _________________, here? 5) I’m afraid I’d rather not go into detail here, _________________. 6) _________________ if we talk about that later? 7) Do you mind _________________? I think you may have got your figures mixed up. 8) _________________ not say. 9) _________________ something on that point? 10) Sorry, could I just say _________________?
2) I’m afraid I can’t comment on that until I check with our suppliers. 3) Sorry, I must just point out that Ms Richards is not on the committee anymore. 4) May I interrupt, here? 5) I’m afraid I’d rather not go into detail here, if you don’t mind. 6) Do you mind if we talk about that later? 7) Do you mind if I interrupt? I think you may have got your figures mixed up. 8) I’d rather not say. 9) May I just say something on that point? 10) Sorry, could I just say something? |
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In a business meeting, there are two situations in which people often run into difficulties. These are when you want to interrupt someone who is speaking, for whatever reason, and when you are asked to comment on something you don’t want to comment on (either because you don’t have enough information to give your opinion, or because you don’t wish to speak for your own reasons).Subscribe to Workplace English Training E-Platform
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