"I can understand the English, and I have something to say. But there's no room to break into the rapid-fire conversation between native speakers." "Even when the discussion goes off-topic, I can't think of a phrase to bring it back without being rude."
This is one of the most common challenges we hear, even from highly proficient business professionals with advanced English qualifications.
Not being able to get the floor in a meeting isn't a problem of English proficiency. It's simply a matter of not knowing the tactics of "Interruption" and "Facilitation".
Expressions like "May I say something?" found in common phrasebooks are seen as timid in a global business environment and can actually diminish your influence.
In this article, we draw on the expertise of our instructor team, which includes former IELTS examiners, to explain advanced English strategies for taking control (Authority) of the room and moving discussions forward in multinational team meetings.
Why Is Your "Polite English" Being Ignored?
Silence Does Not Equal Agreement (The High-Context Trap)
Many professionals come from high-context cultures, where people are expected to "read the air," but global business largely operates in a low-context environment. As Erin Meyer points out in her book The Culture Map, in low-context cultures, silence is often interpreted as having "no opinion (No Value)" or "not understanding."
カルチャー・マップ：世界を8つの指標で理解する DIAMOND ハーバード・ビジネス・レビュー論文
The tendency to "politely wait for a turn to speak," common in many cultures, carries the major risk of being misinterpreted as a "lack of willingness to contribute" in global meetings. It's necessary to interject "politely, yet assertively."
1. The Art of Interruption: Tactics to Enter a Native-Speaker Discussion
The "0.5-second pause" when a native speaker takes a breath is your chance. Use "bridge words" to intervene in this fleeting moment without being rude.
Building on the Context with "Bridge Words"
Instead of abruptly changing the topic, acknowledge the other person's point while transitioning to your turn.
- "Piggybacking on that point, ..." This is a sophisticated, native-like expression for building on the previous speaker's comment.
- "To build on what [Name] said, ..." This respectfully acknowledges the previous speaker while smoothly shifting the focus to your point.
"Power Phrases" for an Urgent Interjection
When a discussion becomes too heated to control or a critical misunderstanding needs correcting, cut in with a stronger expression.
- "Sorry to cut you off, but..." This is a stronger phrase than just "interrupt." Use it only in urgent situations, and follow up with "Thank you for letting me interject" as a professional courtesy.
2. Killer Facilitation Phrases to Control the Discussion
To increase meeting productivity, you need the courage to cut off discussions that drag on.
Correcting Digressions with the "Parking Lot Method"
This is a technique to end someone's off-topic monologue without causing offense.
- "That’s an interesting point. Let’s put it in the 'parking lot' for now and come back to it later." This is a powerful method to get agreement on not dealing with the topic *now* without invalidating the person's opinion. Depending on the company culture, you could rephrase it as "Let's note that down..."
Using "Time Constraints" to End a Discussion
- "In the interest of time, I suggest we move on." By making it about "the time's interest" and not "my interest," you can end the discussion objectively and decisively.
Securing Action Items with "Alignment"
- "Let's align on the next steps." Align is a power word favored by management in global companies. Always end the meeting with this phrase to clarify who will do what.
3. Handling Problems Specific to Online Meetings
When You Speak Over Someone Due to Audio Lag
Speaking over each other is unavoidable on Zoom or Teams. If you always yield, your turn will never come.
- "Please, go ahead. I'll follow up right after." The key is not just to yield, but to reserve your spot to speak next.
The "Intelligent" Way to Respond When You Didn't Hear Something
Just saying "Pardon?" can make you seem unconfident. Show your understanding while asking for clarification.
- "Just to clarify, are you suggesting that...?" By summarizing and repeating back what you think the other person said, you can demonstrate both your effort to understand and your intelligence at the same time.
Words to Avoid: Phrases That Undermine Your Authority
Highly skilled professionals, in an effort to be polite, often fall into the trap of using "timid English." Try to avoid the following expressions in meetings.
- ❌ "May I say something?" Asking for permission is seen as a lack of leadership. Jump in by declaring, "Let me just add..."
- ❌ "I think maybe we should possibly..." This reveals a lack of confidence. Even if you're not certain, use "In my view..." or "I believe..."
- ❌ "I'm not an expert, but..." Unnecessary modesty (self-discounting) is an act of devaluing your own contribution.
Conclusion: It's More About Structure and Mindset Than English Proficiency
In global meetings, what gets valued is not fluent pronunciation but contributions that move the discussion forward.
The phrases we introduced, like "Piggybacking" and "In the interest of time," are communicative templates used daily at global firms like McKinsey and Goldman Sachs.
By mastering these as tools and breaking out of the shell of hesitation, your business presence will dramatically improve.
At ELT, Professionals Assess Your "Meeting English"
"I'm worried about how my English sounds to native speakers." "I want to practice interrupting in a realistic meeting role-play."
If this sounds like you, please take advantage of ELT's "Free Trial Lesson." Our native instructors with extensive business experience will assess your persuasiveness and authority and provide a roadmap to elevate you to a global level.
