Workplace English rarely requires sophisticated vocabulary - it requires ready-made phrases for repeatable situations: replying to a client, giving a status update, reporting a slipped deadline, flagging a problem. When you don’t have them, you build every sentence from scratch, and that is exactly when you freeze. Below are 25 phrases that cover most office communication - from everyday messages to negotiation. Each one links to a free micro-lesson where you practice it out loud before you need it on a real call.
Everyday team communication
Eight phrases that carry most day-to-day workplace exchanges: replying, availability, status updates, and reminders.
to get back
A2It can mean to return or to contact someone later with an answer. At work, "I'll get back to you" is very common.
„I'll get back to you tomorrow.”
Practice it aloud →available
A2Use it for times, rooms, products and people. Say "I'm available on Monday".
„Are you available after lunch?”
Practice it aloud →update
B1Use it for new information about progress, a project or a situation.
„Do you have an update?”
Practice it aloud →reminder
B1Use it for something that helps someone remember a task or deadline.
„Thanks for the helpful reminder.”
Practice it aloud →request
B1Use it for something someone asks for, especially in work or services.
„I have one small request.”
Practice it aloud →colleague
B1Use it for a person you work with. It is more professional than "work friend".
„My colleague helped me today.”
Practice it aloud →to work from home
B1Use it when someone does their job at home instead of at the office.
„I work from home on Mondays.”
Practice it aloud →schedule
B1Use it for a plan of times: work, meetings, travel or classes.
„My schedule is full today.”
Practice it aloud →Tasks, problems, and deadlines
When something breaks or a deadline looms, you need language to name the problem and propose a fix - calmly and specifically.
deadline
B1Collocations: "meet a deadline", "miss a deadline", "a tight deadline".
„The deadline is on Friday.”
Practice it aloud →issue
B1It means a problem, matter or topic. At work it often sounds softer than "problem".
„We have an issue with the app.”
Practice it aloud →solution
B1Use it for an answer to a problem. Common phrases: "find a solution" and "come up with a solution".
„We need a simple solution.”
Practice it aloud →delay
B1Use it when something happens later than planned: transport, a project or a reply.
„There was a short delay.”
Practice it aloud →pressure
B1Use it when someone feels stress or expectations. Say "under pressure".
„I work badly under pressure.”
Practice it aloud →to figure out
B1It means to understand or solve something after thinking about it: "I need to figure out how…".
„I can't figure out how this app works.”
Practice it aloud →to sort out
B1It means to fix, arrange or organize something — a problem, documents, a misunderstanding. Very British and very useful: "I'll sort it out".
„Don't worry, I'll sort it out.”
Practice it aloud →to set up
B1Use it for arranging a meeting, creating an account or preparing equipment.
„Can we set up a call?”
Practice it aloud →Meetings and discussions
Taking the floor, raising a topic, pointing out a risk - these phrases make you present in a meeting instead of just listening.
to bring up
B1At work it means to mention a topic or issue in a conversation or meeting.
„Can I bring up one issue?”
Practice it aloud →to come up with
B1It means to think of an idea, a plan, a solution or an excuse. A classic in meetings and brainstorms: "we need to come up with a plan".
„She came up with a great idea.”
Practice it aloud →to point out
B2It means to draw attention to something. Perfect in discussions: "I'd like to point out that…". More polite than telling someone they're wrong.
„She pointed out a mistake in the report.”
Practice it aloud →to raise a point
B2Use it when you introduce an issue or argument into a discussion.
„Can I raise one point?”
Practice it aloud →to be in charge of
B1Use it when someone is responsible for a task, team or area.
„Who's in charge of this project?”
Practice it aloud →priority
B2It means something more important than other things. Common phrases: "top priority" and "set priorities".
„This task is our top priority.”
Practice it aloud →Level up: negotiation and difficult conversations (B2)
Three phrases that separate functional English from professional English: giving early warnings, meeting in the middle, and not promising too much.
to give someone a heads-up
B2Use it when you warn or inform someone in advance.
„Thanks for the early heads-up.”
Practice it aloud →to meet halfway
B2Use it when both sides make concessions to reach an agreement.
„Can we meet halfway here?”
Practice it aloud →to overpromise
B2Use it when someone promises more than they can realistically deliver.
„Don't overpromise to the client.”
Practice it aloud →From list to reflex: how to practice work phrases
The best time to practice a phrase is the day BEFORE the situation where you need it. Got a stand-up or a client call tomorrow? Pick two phrases from this list today, run the micro-lesson, and say your own sentence aloud. A phrase spoken once in calm conditions is far easier to produce under pressure.
For a structured path, see the speaking practice guide or start a focus plan for business meetings.