Office English sentences: 100 examples for work

11. Good morning, everyone.
12. Sorry I'm late. The traffic was terrible.
13. Let me check my emails first.
14. What's on the agenda today?
15. I have three meetings back to back.
16. I'll be working from home today.
17. Can we catch up after lunch?
18. I need to finish this report by noon.
19. My laptop is really slow this morning.
20. Is the printer working?

21. Shall we get started?
22. Can everyone hear me?
23. You're on mute.
24. Could you share your screen?
25. I'd like to add something.
26. Sorry, could you repeat that?
27. Let's move on to the next point.
28. I agree with you up to a point.
29. I see what you mean, but I'm not sure that will work.
30. Let's discuss this in more detail next week.Note: Discuss takes no preposition: not "discuss about this".
31. Can we wrap up in five minutes?
32. I'll send the notes after the meeting.

33. Do you have a minute?
34. Could you give me a hand with this?
35. Can you take a look at this when you're free?
36. I'll get back to you on that.
37. Let me know if you need anything.
38. Thanks for your help with the presentation.
39. Who's working on this project?
40. I'm swamped today. Can it wait until tomorrow?
41. Great job on the launch!
42. I'll cover for you while you're on leave.
43. Let's grab a coffee.
44. Could you copy me in on that email?

45. I'm writing to follow up on our call.
46. I've attached the file.Note: Write it out in formal emails rather than "PFA".
47. Could you send it to me by Friday?
48. The deadline is tomorrow at five.
49. I'm afraid I need a bit more time.
50. Could we push the deadline back to Monday?
51. I've finished the first draft.
52. I'll have it ready by this afternoon.
53. Sorry for the delay in replying.Note: In British English, "revert" means to go back to an earlier state. To answer an email, say reply.
54. Just a quick reminder about tomorrow's meeting.
55. I'll keep you posted.
56. I look forward to hearing from you.

57. The system is down.
58. I've run into a problem with the client.
59. We're behind schedule.
60. I made a mistake in the figures. I'll fix it now.
61. The client isn't happy with the design.
62. We're short-staffed this week.
63. Can we talk about my workload?
64. I think there's been a misunderstanding.
65. Let's find a solution together.
66. I'll raise this with my manager.

67. I'd like to take a day off next Friday.
68. I'm on leave until Monday.
69. I'm not feeling well, so I'll take sick leave today.
70. I have to work overtime this week.
71. I work nine to six, Monday to Friday.
72. We get paid at the end of the month.
73. I'm hoping to get a pay rise this year.Note: Pay rise is British; raise is American.
74. I'm applying for a promotion.
75. Can I leave early today? I have a doctor's appointment.
76. Can we bring the meeting forward to ten?Note: Bring forward is the international phrase. "Prepone" is understood mainly in India.
77. I have flexible working hours.
78. Can I work remotely on Thursday?

79. I'm looking for a new job.
80. I have an interview tomorrow.
81. Thank you for inviting me to this interview.
82. I have five years of experience in sales.Note: Experience of work is uncountable: not "five years experiences".
83. My greatest strength is that I'm well organised.
84. I'm good at working under pressure.
85. I'd like to develop my leadership skills.
86. I left my last job because I wanted more responsibility.
87. Could you tell me more about the team?
88. When can I expect to hear back?
89. I've been offered the job!
90. I'm handing in my notice next week.

91. How was your weekend?
92. Any plans for the holidays?
93. Is it Friday yet?
94. How's the new project going?
95. It's been a long week.
96. Are you coming to the team lunch?
97. Congratulations on your promotion!
98. Welcome to the team.
99. See you tomorrow.
100. Have a good evening.

• Wrong: Kindly revert back by EOD.

  Right: Could you reply by the end of the day, please?

  Revert doesn't mean reply in British or American English, and "back" repeats the idea.

• Wrong: Let's discuss about the budget.

  Right: Let's discuss the budget.

  Discuss takes a direct object. "Talk about" does need about.

• Wrong: Please do the needful.

  Right: Please could you send the form today?

  Say exactly what you need. "Do the needful" sounds old-fashioned outside India.

• Wrong: I have five years experiences.

  Right: I have five years of experience.

  Experience of work is uncountable, and years needs of.

Explain what you do at work or college in about one minute, as if to a new colleague.

• Start with your role: I work as, or I'm studying.
• Describe two or three tasks in the present simple.
• Finish with what you enjoy or find hard about it.

Preparing for IELTS? Try these Part 1 style questions

IELTS Speaking Part 1 lasts 4 to 5 minutes, and the examiner asks general questions about familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies and interests (ielts.org). Answer each question below in two or three sentences, using phrases from this page.

1. Do you work or are you a student?
2. What do you like most about your job?
3. Would you prefer to work from home or in an office?
4. What job would you like to do in the future?

• Phone calls and messages
• Polite requests, apologies and thanks
• Daily routine
• All topics
• English grammar lessons