I have put together 16 business English sentences and phrases to use if you work remotely or are interested in remote work.. These English phrases have helped my colleagues and me improve our online business communication, and I believe they will do the same for you in your job.
Additionally, they will help you feel confident in remote work while improving your English vocabulary.
Some Important Takeaways
- Remote work has had a positive impact on employee happiness and productivity.
- Effective communication is important for successful virtual collaboration.
- Learning business English phrases can very much improve a person’s online meeting efficiency and presentation skills.
- Clear and concise language helps prevent misunderstandings in digital communication.
- Changing how you talk and work with people is important when working remotely.
1. “Let’s touch base” – A Business English phrase for Checking in With People
“Let’s touch base” is a common English phrase used for short meetings (Typically shorter than 20 minutes) with colleagues.
“Let’s touch base” has become a popular way to suggest a quick meeting. It is less formal than saying, “Let’s schedule a meeting,” but it still sounds professional. This phrase works well for remote teams that want to stay in touch without long meetings.
When to use this Business English phrase
“Let’s touch base” is versatile. You can use it to:
- Follow up on the progress of a project.
- Check in with a team member.
- Arrange a brief catch-up with a client.
- Suggest a quick discussion on a specific topic.
“Let’s touch base” is more than just a phrase; it is a tool for fostering collaboration and maintaining strong professional relationships.
Effective corporate communication is not just about what you say. It is also about how you say it. Using phrases like “Let’s touch base” shows you’re committed to clear, concise, and collaborative professional writing.
2. “I’m experiencing technical difficulties” – A Classic Business English Sentence Used in Remote Work.
Expressions like “I’m experiencing technical difficulties” are now common in remote work settings. They help avoid awkward silences and misunderstandings in online meetings.
When to use this Business English phrase
Imagine you’re in one of those very important video calls, and your internet goes down or your microphone stops working. These problems need a quick, professional answer, and that’s where this phrase can help.
- During video calls, when your audio or video cuts out.
- If your screen sharing isn’t working right.
- When you’re having trouble joining a virtual meeting (I know this one all too well).
“Clear communication is 100% important in remote work. Letting others know about technical issues helps maintain smooth collaboration between people.”
Technical problems are common in remote work; we’ve all experienced them. Get good at phrases like this, and you will confidently handle most online meetings.
3. “Can everyone see my screen?” – An Important Business English Question for Online Collaboration
This is a meme at this point and a question that speaks perfectly to the day-to-day realities of remote work. But despite being cliche, this simple question matters for working together online.
Making sure people can actually see you
Asking “Can everyone see my screen?” is a part of working effectively online:
- It checks if everything is working well on your side.
- It makes sure people can join the meeting.
- It prevents problems caused by things like unseen images, content, or slides.
| Benefits of Asking this question | Potential Issues if Question is Not Asked |
|---|---|
| Ensures people participants are on the same page | Some attendees may miss useful visual information |
| Helps resolve technical problems | Time wasted as presenter continues unaware of issues |
| Promotes active engagement from all attendees | Participants may disengage if they can’t see the content |
I always have this Business English question ready to go to make sure I am being heard by the people I work with. I believe it helps with better teamwork online.
4. “Let’s take this offline” – A Business English Phrase for Focused Conversations
It is so easy to get distracted by topics that are not urgent or important in online meetings. The phrase “Let’s take this offline” helps teams stay on topic and not get distracted by less important topics.
When to use this business English sentence
This phrase is perfect when you want to talk about something that doesn’t involve everyone. It works well in these situations:
- A side topic emerges that only concerns a few people.
- The conversation veers off-track from the main agenda.
- A complex issue comes up that needs more in-depth discussion.
- Time is running short in a meeting with many agenda items to be covered.
| Benefits | Examples |
|---|---|
| Keeps meetings focused | “Let’s take this budget discussion offline to stay on today’s agenda.” |
| Respect everyone’s time | “We can take this project detail offline to avoid holding up the team.” |
| Allows for deeper discussions | “Let’s take this technical issue offline for a more detailed review.” |
Add this phrase to your professional language toolkit to improve your team’s productivity.
5. “I’ll send a follow-up email” – A Business English Phrase to get or Give Clarity
I cannot stress enough how important clear workplace communication is when working virtually. The sentence “I’ll send a follow-up email” is a perfect way to improve communication. I use it to show I’m serious about being clear and committed in my work.
When to use this business English phrase
This sentence is perfect when you need to give more information or clear up any confusion after a call, for example. It is used a lot in work emails to ensure that important points are not missed.
Here’s why it’s so important for remote teams:
- It shows you care about communicating clearly.
- It keeps track of what needs to be done.
- It lets team members look over information when they can.
“A well-crafted follow-up email can make the difference between a productive meeting and a forgotten conversation.”
Learning to use sentences like this will help you work well in virtual teams. It is a simple but effective way to practice English writing skills and help your team work better together from afar.
6. “Are we all on the same page?” – A Business English Phrase to get People Focused
How do you ensure everyone is on the same page? You ask them the same question, of course. The phrase “Are we all on the same page?” is a way to check in and help people focus on the important things.
When to use this business English phrase
I’ve used this phrase to let me know and be sure people understand what I was saying to them. Use it in these situations:
- After sharing complicated and difficult information.
- Before starting a new topic.
- When ending a meeting.
- If there is confusion or disagreement among people.
Using “Are we all on the same page?” in business English for remote teams helps avoid mix-ups. It gives people the confidence to ask questions and clear up any confusion they may have, which matters more when you can’t see each other’s body language.
| Benefits | Examples in virtual settings |
|---|---|
| Encourages open communication | “Are we all on the same page about the project timeline?” |
| Spots misunderstandings early | “Before we end the call, are we all on the same page regarding our roles?” |
| Promotes team consensus | “Are we all on the same page about the new strategy?” |
Add this phrase to your business English to sharpen your communication skills. You will find that your team in sync, even when you’re not in the same room.
7. “Let’s circle back to this later” – A Business English Sentence for Time Management
in online meetings, when you want to use time wisely and focus on what matters, this is the English to use.
When to use this business English phrase
Personally, I have used this sentence to put off less important topics. You can use it in these situations:
- When a discussion goes off-topic.
- If time is running out in a meeting.
- When you need more information before making a decision.
- To keep a meeting focused.
| Benefits | Impact on Remote Work |
|---|---|
| Improved focus | Reduces meeting fatigue |
| Efficient use of time | Increases productivity |
| Better prioritization | Enhances team alignment |
| Respectful communication | Strengthens professional relationships |
Add this to your vocabulary toolkit to manage online meetings effectively. If used correctly, it will save you and your colleagues time and ensure that all important issues are addressed.
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8. “I’d like to chime in” – A Polite Business English Phrase for Group Discussions
I enjoy saying, “I’d like to chime in;” it just makes you sound smart.
Politely interjecting in group conversations
It can be hard to jump in and speak in some online meetings. You can wait for the right moment to speak up and not get it. This phrase allows you to share your thoughts without interrupting others. It keeps meetings respectful, and everyone gets a chance to speak, which is important.
| Scenario | Example Usage | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| During a lively discussion | “I’d like to chime in with a different perspective.” | Introduces new ideas without interrupting others |
| When you have relevant information | “I’d like to chime in with some data on that point.” | Adds value to the conversation |
| To support a colleague’s point | “I’d like to chime in to support Sarah’s suggestion.” | Builds team cohesion |
It is important to remember to speak up only when you have something important to say. This way, your input will add value to the discussion.
9. “Can you hear me now?” – A Common Business English Question in Virtual Meetings
It has happened to me more than once, when I call someone only for them to not hear what I am saying. “Can you hear me now?” is a way for you to make sure you are clear to others.
Checking audio connection after resolving technical issues
When tech problems affect your virtual meeting, this phrase is a lifesaver. After fixing audio issues, ask this to make sure everyone’s ready to continue with the meeting. It is not just about checking the sound; it’s also a way to let others know you are ready to continue.
Without clear audio, communication in online meetings cannot happen. Checking sound quality helps avoid misunderstandings and keeps conversations going. This is especially important in big virtual meetings where audio problems might not be easy to spot.
As remote work continues to become popular, I encourage you to use these business English phrases as a way to improve your workplace communication.
10. “Let’s put a pin in that” – A Business English Phrase to Prioritize Certain Discussions
“Let’s put a pin in that” is a phrase I have learned is used for managing meetings and setting priorities. It keeps online discussions on track and focused.
When to use this business English phrase
Use this phrase when you need to set a topic aside for later. By using this phrase, you can:
- Keep meetings on track and focused on very specific topics.
- Acknowledge important points without derailing the current discussion.
- Cover important topics within the allotted time.
I have seen discussions go off track very easily while working remotely. “Let’s put a pin in that” stops people from focusing on less important topics.
| Situation | Example Usage |
|---|---|
| Off-topic discussion arises | “That’s an interesting point, but let’s put a pin in that for now and return to our main agenda.” |
| Time constraints | “We’re running short on time. Let’s put a pin in this topic and revisit it in our next meeting.” |
| Complex issue emerges | “This requires more in-depth discussion. Let’s put a pin in it and schedule a separate meeting to address it fully.” |
11. “I’m going to share my screen” – A Business English Sentence for Work Presentations Online
No digital meeting is complete without someone saying they’re going to share their screen, am I right? This phrase sets the stage for presentations and is used as a way to get people focused on the information that is about to be shared.
The importance of screen sharing in virtual communication
Saying, “I’m going to share my screen,” tells others what you are doing and helps them get ready for what you are going to share in a meeting.
When and how to use this phrase effectively:
- Before starting your presentation.
- When switching from discussion to visual content.
- To focus people’s attention on your shared content.
If you work remotely, you must use this business English sentence to improve your online meetings and collaboration with colleagues.
12. “I’ll need to get back to you on that” – A Business English Phrase for Professional Workplace Responses
When I want to tell someone I cannot give them an answer right away, I say, ” I’ll need to get back to you on that.” This is a polite way to say you can’t answer right away. I have used it when I needed more time to give accurate information to someone.
When to use this business English phrase
This phrase is best used when you are not ready to give an answer or are not quite sure, and you need to find more information to have a clear answer. By saying this, you can:
- Show honesty and commitment to finding things out.
- Manage expectations in virtual meetings.
- Maintain professionalism in business English for remote teams.
| Scenario | Example Response |
|---|---|
| Asked about project timeline | “I’ll need to get back to you on that after checking with the team.” |
| Requested for budget details | “I’ll need to get back to you on that once I review the latest figures.” |
| Inquired about client feedback | “I’ll need to get back to you on that after our next client meeting.” |
giving accurate answers is very important especially working at home. You build trust with your colleagues, bosses and clients when you do so. It is an important part of doing well in business English for remote teams.
13. “Let’s schedule a virtual coffee chat” – A Business English Phrase for Team Building
When you want to have casual conversations with the people you work with, use phrases like “Let’s schedule a virtual coffee chat.” These phrases help with informal team talks and fight off the feeling of being alone for people who work remotely
Building team connections through virtual coffee chats
I recommend virtual coffee chats and meetups to keep team spirits up and build good working relationships. They are exactly like the water cooler chats we have in offices where we gossip and catch up with coworkers.
- It strengthens team relationships.
- Reduces feelings of isolation for remote workers.
- Encourages open communication.
- Positively affects team morale and productivity.
Tips for successful virtual coffee chats
To get the most from your virtual coffee chats, try these phrases for team building:
| Phrase | Purpose |
|---|---|
| “How’s everyone doing today?” | Icebreaker to start conversations |
| Encourage sharing of personal updates | |
| “Any exciting plans for the weekend?” | For casual, non-work-related discussions |
| “I’d love to hear more about that!” | Show interest and keep the conversation going |
Not every remote meeting needs to be serious; this phrase is used when you want to relax and talk casually with people. Keep it relaxed and enjoyable, just like a real coffee break!
14. “I’m going to mute myself” – A considerate Business English sentence Useful in virtual meetings
When I don’t have anything to say and am listening to someone else speak, I mute myself. Mistakes happen; you can cough, sneeze, or mistakenly talk out of turn and disturb others; muting yourself will help to avoid this.
When it makes sense to mute yourself
- You are in a noisy environment.
- Someone enters your workspace unexpectedly.
- You need to cough or sneeze.
- You have not spoken for a while.
“I’m going to mute myself” is a sign of respect for your colleagues’ time and attention during virtual meetings.
15. “Can we leverage the chat function for questions?” – A Business English Phrase for Managing Meetings Better
I have been in online meetings with many people asking questions at the same time. It is very chaotic. This business English phrase tells people to use the chat function for questions to keep meetings tidy and efficient.
Making virtual meetings simple
Here’s why the chat function is useful for online meetings:
- It lets people ask questions without interrupting the speaker.
- Questions get answered in order, so everyone gets a turn.
- The meeting stays on track.
- It helps shy or quiet team members join in the meeting as well.
| Without chat function | With chat function |
|---|---|
| Frequent interruptions | Smooth presentation flow |
| Missed questions | All questions answered |
| Dominant speakers | Equal participation |
| Time management issues | Efficient use of time |
16. “Let’s do a virtual brainstorming session” – A Business English Sentence When you Want to Collaborate Remotely
How do you say, “I want to brainstorm and get everyone’s ideas and opinions” as someone who works remotely? You guessed it, by using this phrase and letting people know you are interested in digital collaboration.
When to use this business English phrase
I have used this business phrase at the start of projects or when solving complex problems and needed help from people to find solutions.
Virtual brainstorming sessions enable team members from different places to share their ideas. Everyone gets to have a say and bring interesting and useful ideas. By proposing these sessions, you create a place where everyone’s ideas are valued, no matter where they are.
