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Expert · English at work and interviews · topic 50 of 59 · 16 min

Meetings and video calls

Explanation

In meetings you need a few ready phrases: to start, to give an update, to ask for a turn, to disagree politely and to close with clear action items. On video calls you also need phrases like "You're on mute". Short, clear sentences work best. मीटिंग में बोलने के लिए तैयार वाक्य सीखिए।

Many learners know their work well but stay silent in meetings. The problem is not the topic; it is not knowing how to enter the conversation. Ready-made phrases (बने-बनाए वाक्य) solve this. Learn one phrase for each job below and you will always have a way in.

JobPhrase
StartingShall we get started? / Thanks for joining, everyone.
Giving an updateI've finished... I'm working on... The next step is...
Asking to speakCan I add something? / Could I come in here?
Interrupting politelySorry to interrupt, but...
Disagreeing politelyI see your point, but... / I'm not sure I agree.
Asking for clarificationSorry, could you explain what you mean by...? / So, are you saying that...?
Wrapping upTo sum up... / So the action items are...
Moving a topic out of the meetingLet's take this offline.

The three-part update

I've finished the login page. I'm working on the payment page. The next step is testing.

Say it: aiv FIN-isht the LOG-in payj. aim WURK-ing on the PAY-ment payj. the NEKST step iz TEST-ing

मैंने लॉगिन पेज पूरा कर लिया है। अभी पेमेंट पेज पर काम कर रहा हूँ। अगला क़दम टेस्टिंग है।

Perfect for a stand-up: a short daily team meeting (often fifteen minutes) where each person says what they did, what they will do, and what is blocking them.

Sorry to interrupt, but can I add something?

Say it: SOR-ee to in-ter-RUPT, but kan ai AD SUM-thing?

बीच में बोलने के लिए माफ़ी, क्या मैं कुछ जोड़ सकता हूँ?

Wait for a small pause, then say it. Do not start while someone is in the middle of a sentence.

I see your point, but I think we need more time.

Say it: ai SEE yor POYNT, but ai THINK wee need MOR TYM

मैं आपकी बात समझता हूँ, लेकिन मुझे लगता है हमें और समय चाहिए।

First accept part of the other view, then give yours. This keeps the meeting friendly.

Sorry, could you explain what you mean by 'phase two'?

Say it: SOR-ee, kud yoo ik-SPLAYN wot yoo MEEN by FAYZ TOO?

माफ़ कीजिए, "फ़ेज़ टू" से आपका क्या मतलब है, समझा सकते हैं?

Just to confirm, you need the numbers by Thursday?

Say it: just to kun-FURM, yoo NEED the NUM-berz by THURZ-day?

बस पक्का कर लूँ, आपको आँकड़े गुरुवार तक चाहिए?

Repeating the key point is not weak. It saves everyone from mistakes later.

Video-call phrases

SituationWhat to say
Someone's microphone is offYou're on mute.
You want to share your screenCan you see my screen?
The sound keeps cuttingYou're breaking up. Could you say that again?
There is an echoI'm getting an echo. Could everyone mute when they're not speaking?
You join lateSorry I'm late. I had a network issue.
Checking if people can hear youCan you hear me? (In India "Am I audible?" is common; abroad "Can you hear me?" is more natural.)

You're breaking up. Could you say that again?

Say it: yor BRAYK-ing UP. kud yoo SAY that a-GEN?

आपकी आवाज़ कट रही है। क्या आप फिर से बोल सकते हैं?

Let's take this offline.

Say it: lets TAYK this of-LYN

इस पर बाद में अलग से बात करते हैं।

It means "let's discuss this later, separately, with only the people involved". It has nothing to do with the internet.

So the action items are: Ravi will send the budget, and I'll update the plan by Friday.

Say it: soh the AK-shun EYE-temz aar: RAA-vee wil SEND the BUJ-it, and ail up-DAYT the PLAN by FRY-day

तो तय काम ये हैं: रवि बजट भेजेगा, और मैं शुक्रवार तक प्लान अपडेट करूँगा।

Action items are the tasks people agree to do after the meeting. Always say who, what and by when.

Think of it like this: A meeting is like a game of ludo. Everyone gets a turn. "Can I add something?" is like asking for the dice: you do not snatch it from someone's hand, you ask, then you play your move. The person who never asks for the dice never plays.
Careful: Common habits to change: saying "Yes, yes" when you have not understood (ask "Could you explain that again?" instead); "I will revert" (say "I'll get back to you"); and long stories in a stand-up. Keep your update to three short sentences.
Tip: Before every meeting, write your three-line update: finished, working on, next step. Say it aloud once in thirty seconds. Then plan one phrase you will use to add a point.

Watch the lesson

Meetings and video calls · 1/7

Meetings and video calls

Hello! Today we learn how to speak up in meetings and video calls.

Prefer a video by a teacher? Find free videos on “english phrases for office meetings and video calls in hindi” on YouTube ↗

In real life: A daily stand-up on a video call

Deepa: Good morning, everyone. Shall we get started? Arjun, you go first. Arjun: Sure. Yesterday I finished the login page. Today I'm working on the payment page. No blockers. Deepa: Great. Farah? Farah, I think you're on mute. Farah: Sorry about that! Can you hear me now? Deepa: Yes, loud and clear. Farah: I've fixed two bugs. I'm stuck on the report export, though. I need access to the test server. Arjun: Sorry to interrupt, but I can give you access right after this call. Deepa: Perfect. Let's take the details offline. So, action items: Arjun gives Farah access today. Thanks, everyone!

Practice (0/4 done)

Task 1 · Speak

Give this stand-up update aloud, calmly and clearly.

I've finished the sales report. I'm working on the client slides. The next step is the review.

मैंने सेल्स रिपोर्ट पूरी कर ली है। अभी क्लाइंट स्लाइड्स पर काम कर रहा हूँ। अगला क़दम रिव्यू है।

Press Speak, then say the sentence.
Task 2 · Listen and type

Listen and type the sentence.

Task 3 · Practice

Imagine a team meeting about a project that is running late. Write what you would say: your update, one polite disagreement, one question for clarification and the action items at the end.

Task 4 · Question

Your manager says, "Let's take this offline." What does she mean?

Quick quiz

Question 1

1.Which is a good way to start a meeting?

Question 2

2.On a call, a colleague's voice keeps cutting in and out. You say:

Question 3

3.Which is the most polite way to disagree?

Question 4

4.A good action item says...

Pass the quiz (60% or more) or mark this topic as done when you are ready.

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