%20(1).png)
Business English for Meetings: How Professionals Evaluate Ideas (15 Real Phrases)
- Erin West
- Jan 10
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 16
In this article:
In this article, you’ll work with business English phrases that professionals use in meetings and discussions. These aren’t single words or grammar points — they’re short, practical phrases people rely on when they need to be clear at work.
You’ll first see what each phrase means, then practice using it in real work situations, so it feels natural, not memorized.
This is the kind of language that helps you sound clear and professional — and that’s exactly the focus here.
Let’s get started.
A VIABLE OPTION
Something that can realistically work.
That’s still a viable option if the budget gets approved.
It’s not ideal, but it’s a viable option for now.
Given the constraints, this might be our only viable option.
When professionals use it:
They say this when something can work, even if it’s not their first choice. It often means Let’s keep this on the table for now.
ADVERTISEMENT
A SENSIBLE APPROACH
A way of doing things that is reasonable and practical.
Given the timeline, that feels like a sensible approach.
I agree — that’s the most sensible approach right now.
It’s not exciting, but it’s a sensible approach.
When professionals use it:
This is used to support a plan that feels safe and reasonable. It sounds calm and practical.
GRADUAL CHANGE
A slow, controlled change that happens over time.
We’re not changing everything at once. This needs to be a gradual change.
The team can handle it, but the change has to be gradual.
We’ll start small and adjust — the idea is gradual change.
When professionals use it:
They use this when they want to slow things down. It reassures people that nothing drastic will happen all at once.
ADVERTISEMENT
A VALID CONCERN
A worry or issue that deserves to be taken seriously.
That’s a valid concern, and we should address it.
I agree — that’s a valid concern given the timeline.
Security is a valid concern here.
When professionals use it:
This phrase shows respect. It tells the other person that their worry makes sense and deserves attention.
A REALISTIC EXPECTATION
An expectation that matches what is actually possible, not what people hope for.
Let’s set realistic expectations from the start.
That’s not a realistic expectation right now.
We need to agree on what’s a realistic expectation.
When professionals use it:
They say this to bring people back to reality. It’s a polite way to say expectations might be too high.
ADVERTISEMENT
A TENTATIVE DATE
A date that’s been suggested, not confirmed, and may still change.
Okay, let’s say the 12th for now — that’s just a tentative date.
I can do Thursday as a tentative date, but I can’t promise yet.
We’ve set a tentative date. We’ll see how things look next week.
When professionals use it:
This is used when a date is only a placeholder. It clearly signals that the plan can still change.
A STRATEGIC DECISION
A decision made with long-term goals in mind, not just short-term results.
Delaying the launch was a strategic decision. It hurt us, but it made sense long term.
We decided to hire internally. It was a strategic decision to keep the team steady.
Moving into that market was a strategic decision for us. We weren’t looking for quick wins.
When professionals use it:
They use this to explain a choice that looks beyond the short term. It often justifies something difficult or unpopular.
ADVERTISEMENT
A WORKABLE SOLUTION
A solution that may not be perfect, but can realistically be used right now.
It’s not ideal, but this is a workable solution for the next few months.
We couldn’t fix everything, so we agreed on a workable solution.
Until we upgrade the system, this should be a workable solution.
When professionals use it:
This comes up when time or resources are limited. It’s a way of saying This isn’t perfect, but it’s good enough to keep us moving.
A REASONABLE ASSUMPTION
An assumption based on available information, not guesswork.
Demand will slow in Q4? Well, that’s a reasonable assumption.
Based on past results, that’s a reasonable assumption.
I think it’s a reasonable assumption, but we should still confirm it.
When professionals use it:
They use this when they’re making a logical guess based on what they know. It shows they’re thinking carefully.
ADVERTISEMENT
A SIGNIFICANT RISK
A risk serious enough that it needs attention and planning.
Relying on one supplier is a significant risk.
If we skip testing, that’s a significant risk.
Security is a significant risk we can’t ignore.
When professionals use it:
They use this to flag a serious issue that could cause problems later. It’s a clear way to slow things down and make sure the risk is discussed before any decisions are made.
A BOLD MOVE
A decision that involves risk, and goes beyond the safe or usual option.
Launching without a pilot was a bold move, but it paid off.
It was a bold move to cut prices mid-quarter.
Switching suppliers that quickly was a bold move.
When professionals use it:
They use this to describe a risky decision. It’s usually said after the decision is made when the outcome is already clear.
ADVERTISEMENT
A CALCULATED RISK
A risk taken after careful thought.
It’s a calculated risk, but the potential upside is there.
We knew there were risks, but it was a calculated risk.
This isn’t reckless. It’s a calculated risk.
When professionals use it:
They use this to show that a risky decision was thought through. It reassures others that the risk was not careless, it was intentional.
A FAIR POINT
Something that makes sense and deserves consideration.
That’s a fair point — we should take that into account.
You’re right, that’s a fair point about timing.
Given the budget, that’s a fair point.
When professionals use it:
They use this to acknowledge someone’s argument without fully agreeing or committing. It keeps the discussion respectful and balanced.
ADVERTISEMENT
A CREDIBLE ALTERNATIVE
Another option that is realistic and worth serious consideration.
This is one option, but there’s a credible alternative.
Outsourcing could be a credible alternative if hiring takes too long.
That’s a credible alternative. We should keep it in mind.
When professionals use it:
They use this to introduce another option without criticizing the original idea. It allows them to broaden the discussion without creating tension.
A LOW-PRIORITY ITEM
Something that matters, but not right now.
This is a low-priority item for this quarter.
It’s worth addressing, but it’s low priority at the moment.
Let’s park this — it’s a low-priority item.
When professionals use it:
They use this to deprioritize an idea. It helps keep the discussion focused on what matters most right now.
ADVERTISEMENT
Practice: Business English for Meetings — Real Situations
Now it’s time to use the language.
You’ll see short meeting situations and choose the phrase that fits best. Focus on what sounds most natural in context.
1/6. Flagging something serious
The team wants to move forward without testing. You think this could cause problems later. You say:
Skipping testing is _____. If something breaks after launch, we’ll be stuck fixing it for weeks.
A) a fair point
B) a reasonable assumption
C) a significant risk
D) a credible alternative
ADVERTISEMENT
2/6. A potential issue
You’re in a project meeting discussing the final steps before launch. A colleague mentions that the security review hasn’t been fully completed and that this could cause problems later. You agree that this shouldn’t be ignored. You say:
That’s _____, and we need to deal with it.
A) a reasonable assumption
B) a valid concern
C) a credible alternative
D) a workable solution
ADVERTISEMENT
3/6. Focusing on what matters now
You’re in a meeting reviewing next steps. The discussion starts to drift, and a few people suggest changes that are not that urgent. One colleague brings it back to what actually needs to be done now. You agree and say:
That’s probably the most _____ right now. If we go any further than that, we’re going to lose time. And we don't really have it.
A) bold move
B) gradual change
C) tentative date
D) sensible approach
ADVERTISEMENT
4/6. Being honest about timing
A client asks if the results can be ready by next week. You know that timeline doesn’t match the amount of work involved. You want to be clear without sounding rude. You say:
Given where we are, I don't think that’s _____ right now. There’s just more work involved than it might look.
A) a strategic decision
B) a tentative date
C) a low-priority item
D) a realistic expectation
ADVERTISEMENT
5/6. New marketing campaign
You’re in a meeting reviewing a marketing campaign. The budget is tight. The team has two choices: cancel the campaign or run it with a smaller budget. Canceling the campaign would hurt sales. Running a smaller version can work, but only if costs are kept under control. You think the campaign has to be launched, so you say:
I don’t think canceling it is the right move. A smaller campaign is _____, but only if we keep the costs under control.
A) a valid concern
B) a viable option
C) a fair point
D) a reasonable assumption
6/6. What can wait
You’re reviewing the budget. Someone suggests buying new equipment for the team. The team can work without it for now. You say:
Let’s treat this as _____. We can come back to it later.
A) a bold move
B) a low-priority item
C) a significant risk
D) a workable solution
Need language for situations where the answer isn’t clear yet? Take a look at common uncertainty phrases used at work.
Decision-Making Language at Work – PDF Worksheet
Sign up/ sign in to download the PDF.
These phrases help you respond when something needs attention. They’re used to slow things down, show judgment, and keep discussions focused. Now that you know them, start using them in real meetings where clarity matters.
Erin West is a Business English educator, writer, and founder of RealBusinessEnglish.com. She creates practical lessons, quizzes, and learning materials that help professionals use clear, natural, and confident English at work — with just the right amount of fun.
Comments