Day 23 of 60 · B1 · Speaking

Let's get started: four phrases for meetings in English

Start, join in, change topic and close a meeting with four natural phrases, not word-for-word translations.

The rule

Learn one set phrase for each stage of a meeting: Let's get started (to begin), Can I add something? (to join in), Let's move on to… (to change topic) and So, to sum up… (to close).

Translating word for word from Arabic or French gives I want to say a thing or We pass to the next point. People understand, but it sounds unnatural. Set phrases sound natural and polite.

Examples

✗ Don't say	✓ Say
I want to say a thing.	Can I add something?
We pass to the next point.	Let's move on to the next point.
We start now the meeting.	Let's get started.
To resume, we need more time.	So, to sum up, we need more time.

In a conversation

A: OK, let's get started. First, the new website.

B: Sorry, can I add something? The client wants it in French too.

A: Good point. Let's move on to the dates. Is June OK?

B: Yes. So, to sum up: a French version, ready in June.

Practice

Choose the best answer. The answers are at the end of the lesson.

OK, that's clear. ___ the budget.
- a) Let's pass to
- b) Let's move on to
- c) Let's change to
Sorry, ___
- a) can I add something?
- b) I want to say a thing.
- c) can I tell a thing?
___, we agree on a French version.
- a) To resume
- b) In resume
- c) So, to sum up

Tip

Careful: resume means start again, not sum up. And move on takes to before a noun: Let's move on to the budget.

Answers

b) Let's move on to. To change topic, say Let's move on to.
a) can I add something? “Can I add something?” is the natural, polite way to join in.
c) So, to sum up. Resume means start again; to close, say to sum up.

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The rule

Translating word for word from Arabic or French gives I want to say a thing or We pass to the next point. People understand, but it sounds unnatural. Set phrases sound natural and polite.

✗ Don't say

✓ Say

I want to say a thing.

Can I add something?

We pass to the next point.

Let's move on to the next point.

We start now the meeting.

Let's get started.

To resume, we need more time.

So, to sum up, we need more time.

Practice

Choose the best answer. The answers are at the end of the lesson.

OK, that's clear. ___ the budget.

a) Let's pass to
b) Let's move on to
c) Let's change to

Sorry, ___

a) can I add something?
b) I want to say a thing.
c) can I tell a thing?

___, we agree on a French version.

a) To resume
b) In resume
c) So, to sum up