Guide
English for meetings: phrases, structure and common mistakes
Short answer: to do well in meetings in English you need a few well-chosen phrases for each moment (opening, asking for clarification, disagreeing, buying time and closing), a simple structure for what you say (position, reason, example and request) and practice with the vocabulary of your industry. This guide gives you the phrases, the structure and the most common mistakes of Portuguese speakers, and shows how Hilani Mercadante’s Business English program trains this in one-to-one online lessons.
By Hilani Mercadante
Published 1 October 2026
Which phrases should you use at each moment of a meeting in English?
Memorize a few phrases for each moment of the meeting. They give you confidence and free your mind for the content.
| Moment | Useful phrases |
|---|---|
| Opening | Thanks for joining. Let’s get started. The purpose of today’s meeting is to… |
| Asking for clarification | Could you clarify what you mean by…? Just to make sure I understood, you’re saying that… |
| Asking people to repeat | Sorry, could you repeat that last point? Could you say that a bit more slowly, please? |
| Giving an opinion | In my view… My recommendation is… because… |
| Disagreeing diplomatically | I see your point, but I’d like to offer a different perspective. I partly agree. However… |
| Interrupting politely | Sorry to interrupt, may I add something? |
| Buying time | That’s a good question. Let me think about it for a moment. I’ll need to check and get back to you by Friday. |
| Closing | To summarize, we agreed that… The next steps are… Who will take the action on…? I’ll send a follow-up email today. |
How should you structure what you say in English?
A simple structure keeps you from rambling when your English is not yet fluent. A widely used communication technique is: position (state your conclusion first), reason (one reason), example or data, and request or next step. For example:
- I recommend we postpone the launch to March. The main reason is that testing isn’t complete. For example, two critical bugs are still open. Can we agree on a new date today?
- Use short sentences, one idea per sentence. Short pauses help you organize your answer and sound confident, not hesitant.
- Before the meeting, write down two or three key sentences and the vocabulary of the topic.
What are the most common mistakes Portuguese speakers make in English meetings?
| Common mistake | Correct form | Why |
|---|---|---|
| I’m agree | I agree | Agree is a verb; it does not take to be. |
| Let’s discuss about the budget | Let’s discuss the budget | Discuss takes no preposition. |
| I want to make a question | I want to ask a question | In English you ask a question; you do not make one. |
| Actually, sales are growing (meaning “atualmente”) | Currently, sales are growing | Actually means “in fact”, not “currently”. It is a false friend of the Portuguese atualmente. |
| We will eventually meet on Monday (meaning “eventualmente”) | We may meet on Monday | Eventually means “in the end, over time”, not “possibly”. |
| I work here since March | I’ve worked here since March | An action that started in the past and continues uses the present perfect. |
| We have a reunion at 3 pm | We have a meeting at 3 pm | Reunion means getting together again; a work meeting is a meeting. |
How does Hilani train English for meetings?
The training happens inside the Business English program, in one-to-one 60-minute lessons, live on Microsoft Teams. The content is built from your real meetings, presentations and negotiations. In practice:
- Each lesson has 6 stages (warm-up, new content, controlled practice, free practice, feedback and wrap-up), with at least 20 minutes of protected free speaking.
- Your recurring mistakes go into a personal error log and come back as planned content.
- You receive a vocabulary pack for your industry.
- Every month you get a written progress report, and every three months a new level assessment.
- If you lead or present often, see also English for executives.
How long does it take to feel confident in meetings in English?
It depends on your starting level, how intensively you study and how much you practice outside class. Moving up a full CEFR level takes hundreds of hours, as the guide How long does it take to become fluent in English? explains. Gaining confidence in specific situations, such as a recurring meeting or a presentation, is usually faster, because practice concentrates on what you actually need to say.
How do you get started?
The first step is the free 30-minute diagnostic lesson: Hilani assesses your English, learns in which situations you need it and you receive a written study plan. Business English starts at R$ 840 per month (4 lessons); see the prices in How much do online private English lessons cost?
See also: English for executives · Business English online · English conversation classes · How long to become fluent · English for meetings · How much do online private English lessons cost? · How the free diagnostic lesson works
Who teaches
Every lesson is taught personally by Hilani Mercadante, an English teacher based in São Paulo, Brazil, and co-author, with Viviane Kirmeliene, of the Brick by Brick textbook series published by FTD Educação (Standfor imprint).
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best phrase to ask someone to repeat something in an English meeting?
A good option is “Sorry, could you repeat that last point?” Asking for clarification is normal and professional, and better than pretending you understood. Another useful phrase: “Just to make sure I understood, you’re saying that…”.
How can I disagree in English without sounding rude?
Acknowledge the other person’s point first, then give yours: “I see your point, but I’d like to offer a different perspective.” Or: “I partly agree. However…”.
Do I need advanced English to take part in meetings in English?
It depends on the type of meeting. With key phrases and a simple speaking structure, many people take part well without advanced English. The free diagnostic lesson identifies your level (A1 to C2 on the CEFR) and sets the starting point of your plan.
Does Hilani teach English for meetings?
Yes, within the Business English program: one-to-one 60-minute lessons, live and online, at R$ 840 per month (4 lessons), R$ 1,600 per month (8 lessons) or R$ 220 per single lesson. The 30-minute diagnostic lesson is free.
Limited places
Your next step in English starts with a conversation.
A complimentary 30-minute diagnostic session, ending with a personalized written study plan. Limited places for new students.