Information Sheet 2.3-2

Information Sheet 2.3-2: Completing workplace activities based on expected output

Words and expressions used for imperatives and request

Commonly used expressions

English Workplace Expressions You Can Use

Learning a language brings many benefits. Communication is key. People learn a new language for many different reasons, such as talking with family from abroad, for personal achievement, and, of course, for work opportunities.

Its widely known that although starting from the start with a new difficult, it’s easy to plateau after a certain point with your language skills. We’re here to help you in the workplace and learn a few new phrases that will help you get from fluent conversational to native sounding in the workplace!

Why it’s Important to Learn English Expressions

It’s obvious, but learning new expressions can help you build a rapport with your colleagues. You can join in with the jokes and humor around work, and express your point of view in meetings. These work relationships are vastly important when building your career. Gone are the days when hard work and skills were enough to succeed!

Learning new phrases is also very important to succeed in your current position. Do you ever not understand something in a meeting and then feel behind in the rest of the conversation? Well, don’t worry we’ve got you covered! I bet that our list of workplace expressions will cover a lot of the words said in a meeting.

Besides what English fluency can do for your career, it can also help you a lot personally. A sense of achievement is a powerful feeling. It will boost your confidence and help you grow as a person. You’ll be surprised that these expressions can actually come up in daily life too!

Workplace Expressions to Use

We have compiled 6 of the most common workplace expressions that we think will help to become more bilingual while working. Although these are work orientated, you’ll also be able to use them in your day-to-day life. Enjoy!

1. Multitasking

This means doing more than one thing at the same time, or doing “multiple tasks” at once (hence where the word comes from). This is very common to hear in the workplace when it comes to things such as deadlines and customer service. Most jobs require a good multitasker (adjective variation of multitasking). Because it’s a great attribute to have, a lot of job seekers will put this on their CV/resume as a skill. Here are some examples of how you can use it:

Sarah is good at multitasking because she can prepare for meetings while answering the phone.
David is known to be a great multitasker handling many accounts at once!

2. To Pull Strings

This is a little metaphor that originates from puppets. It means to be able to manipulate to get what you need or want. Puppet masters pull the strings of puppets and have them do dances. This is where the expression comes from. Puppet masters also hide themselves from the audience. This is relevant because pulling strings is also done in a secret way. This may sound a little mischievous, but it’s pretty common to pull strings in the workplace and is not as callous as it sounds. Here are some examples:

Kevin pulled strings to be able to attend a meeting with the senior management.
My boss asked me to pull some strings at my local shop to introduce our new products.
Pulling strings is a vital part of my work as a wedding planner. I get a lot of deals!

3. To Brainstorm

You’ll hear this one a lot in project management in any industry. It is a vital part of planning. To brainstorm is to sit with a group of your peers and think and talk about all the different possibilities of the project or different routes to go down for a certain issue. Yes, you got it, a storm of brains thinking up amazing ideas for the future! Here are some examples:

Every month before the next sale, we all sit around and brainstorm ideas for social media campaigns.
Our team brainstormed ideas all night and finally came up with the perfect resolution to the problem.

4. To Get The Ball Rolling

This expression is quite important as you’ll usually hear it from management during a meeting. It literally means to start something now or soon enough, normally a project or new process. It originates from pushing a ball down the hill to get it rolling. If you hear your boss saying this in a meeting, it’s definitely time to make the project a first priority. Here are a couple of examples to get you started:

My boss said that he wanted to get the ball rolling on the new project.
I am thinking about getting the ball rolling with my promotion.

5. To Think Outside The Box

In the modern world, it’s easy to feel like all the good ideas and intuitive companies are taken already. But, now is the time to think outside the box! So, what does this mean? This means to think of an unusual, creative idea or solution to a problem. To look past the horizon and come up with a new solution. This can be used in both a small and big sense. You can think outside the box for process issues. You can also think outside the box for a new department or even business.

Changing the cash machine to an automatic system was really thinking outside the box.
I need my marketing team to think outside the box to be able to reach the right customers.

6. On the Back Burner

For our final workplace expression, we’ll explain what on the back burner means. In a literal sense, this means that you will be putting a project or task to the side for a while because there are other tasks that are more important right now. This can be said as a command or a decision that you have to make at work. Here are some final examples to leave you with:

Let’s put this project on the back burner for now. We have more important things to get done.
I’d like to put this on the back burner for a while as I have too much on my plate.

Simple direction

Starting Instructions 🚦

“First, let’s begin with…”

Start at the beginning. Make it clear where the journey starts, and ensure you have their full attention.

“To get started, you’ll need to…”

Equip them with what they need. Knowing the prerequisites sets the stage for what’s coming.

Structuring Steps 🪜

“After that, move on to…”

Once the first step is clear, guide them to the next. It’s like laying down stones to cross a stream.

“Once you’ve completed [first step], your next step is to…”

Connect the steps. Show how each action builds on the previous, creating a bridge to their destination.

Highlighting Key Points 🔑

“Remember, it’s important to…”

Some stones are slippery. Highlight the crucial steps where extra care is needed.

“Don’t forget to…”

A gentle reminder for the bits easily missed. It’s like marking a tree on the path to ensure they don’t lose their way.

Offering Tips and Tricks 🌟

“A helpful tip is to…”

Share the secrets of the trail. These insights can turn a weary climb into a scenic journey.

“To make things easier, try…”

Lighten their load. A trick here or there can save time and energy, making the journey more enjoyable.

Encouraging Questions and Clarifications ❓

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

Open the door for them to seek guidance. It’s okay to ask for directions

“Should you need clarification, I’m here to help.”

Be their guide. Offer your lantern to illuminate the parts of the path that are unclear.

Concluding Instructions 🏁

“Finally, once all steps are completed, you should be able to…”

Paint a picture of what awaits at the mountain’s peak. Let them see the view they’re climbing towards.

“To wrap up, let’s review the key steps…”

Before the final ascent, look back at the path taken. A quick review ensures no step was missed.

Notes for Clear Instructions 📝

Use Simple Language: Complex words can cloud the path. Keep your language simple and your instructions clear.
Be Patient and Supportive: Not everyone climbs at the same pace. Offer encouragement and support to keep spirits high.
Practice Makes Perfect: Rehearsing your own instructions can reveal any steps that might trip someone up. Walk the path yourself to ensure it’s clear.

Asking others for help

Common Phrases How to Ask for Help:

When it comes to asking for help professionally in English, having the right phrases at your disposal can make all the difference.

Here are some common phrases that you can use when requesting assistance in the workplace:

1. “Could you please help me with [specific task or problem]?”

2. “I could use some guidance on [specific topic or project]. Could you spare a few minutes to assist me?”

3. “Would it be possible for you to lend a hand with [specific task]? I’m struggling to complete it on my own.”

4. “I’m not quite sure how to proceed with [specific situation]. Could you provide some insight or suggestions?”

5. “I would greatly appreciate your assistance with [specific task]. It would make a big difference in helping me meet my deadlines.”

6. “Do you have any expertise in [specific area]? I could really benefit from your knowledge and input on [related task or project].”

7. “I’m facing some challenges with [specific issue]. Would you be able to offer any guidance or support?”

Remember, when using these phrases, it’s important to be polite, concise, and specific about what kind of help you need. Using clear language and providing context will ensure that your request is understood and received positively.

Example conversations demonstrating polite requests:

In this section, we will provide some example conversations to demonstrate how to ask for help professionally in English.

These conversations are meant to give you a better understanding of how to use the phrases we discussed earlier in real-life situations.

Remember to adapt these examples to your specific needs and the cultural context of your workplace.

Colleague: “Hi Sarah, do you have a moment? I could use some guidance on this report.”

Sarah: “Of course, I’d be happy to help. What specifically do you need assistance with?”

Employee: “Good morning, Mr. Johnson. I’m facing some challenges with the new project. Could you offer any guidance or support?”

Mr. Johnson: “Certainly, I’ll do my best to assist you. Let’s schedule a meeting later today to discuss the project in detail.”

Colleague: “Excuse me, Mark. Would it be possible for you to lend a hand with this presentation? I’m struggling to finalize it on my own.”

Mark: “Sure, I can help you out. Let’s go through it together after lunch.”

Employee: “Hi Alex, I’m not quite sure how to proceed with this client’s request. Could you provide some insight or suggestions?”

Alex: “Absolutely, let’s sit down and go through it together. I might have some ideas to help you out.”

These examples illustrate how to use polite and specific language when asking for help professionally in English. Remember to always adapt the conversation to your specific needs and maintain a polite and respectful tone throughout the interaction.

Personal title

First of all, why is a job title important for you? Well, you need one to put on your resume, LinkedIn and also if you’re looking for a job. A job title is simply a name that describes someone’s job or position at work. It can tell you what job the person does, the level of the position, the employee’s rank, duties and responsibilities. A title on an application means your current or most recent job title. Are you a marketing manager? IT professional? Sales associate? In very rare cases, it can mean Ms. or Mr., but it usually refers to your career. Business titles can be from CEO to receptionist and everything in between. But there are some acronyms that can make us confused. Let’s see some of the C-level business titles: Top Leadership Titles

CEO—Chief Executive Officer
COO—Chief Operating Officer
CFO—Chief Financial Officer
CIO—Chief Information Officer
CTO—Chief Technology Officer
CMO—Chief Marketing Officer
CHRO—Chief Human Resources Officer
CDO—Chief Data Officer
CPO—Chief Product Officer
CCO—Chief Customer Officer

C-Suite job positions aren’t the only fish in the business sea. Here are 20 management job titles: Leadership Titles

Team Leader
Manager
Assistant Manager
Executive
Director
Coordinator
Administrator
Controller
Officer
Organizer
Supervisor
Superintendent
Head
Overseer
Chief
Foreman
Controller
Principal
President
Lead

IT jobs are among the most lucrative job positions. Here are some of the most common types of computer jobs in the IT jobs list: Top Information Technology (IT) Job Titles

Computer Scientist
IT Professional
UX Designer & UI Developer
SQL Developer
Web Designer
Web Developer
Help Desk Worker/Desktop Support
Software Engineer
Data Entry
DevOps Engineer
Computer Programmer
Network Administrator
Information Security Analyst
Artificial Intelligence Engineer
Cloud Architect
IT Manager
Technical Specialist
Application Developer

Sales jobs include all company positions where someone sells something. They range from entry-level sales jobs like cashier all the way up to Director of Sales. Sales job titles

Sales Associate
Sales Representative
Sales Manager
Retail Worker
Store Manager
Sales Representative
Sales Manager
Real Estate Broker
Sales Associate
Cashier
Store Manager
Account Executive
Account Manager
Area Sales Manager
Direct Salesperson
Director of Inside Sales
Outside Sales Manager
Sales Analyst
Market Development Manager
B2B Sales Specialist
Sales Engineer
Merchandising Associate

Every company needs to talk to its customers. These ten job positions fill that vital role. Customer service job titles

Virtual Assistant
Customer Service
Customer Support
Concierge
Help Desk
Customer Service Manager
Technical Support Specialist
Account Representative
Client Service Specialist
Customer Care Associate

Here is where cash is king – job titles in the accounting/finance world. Finance and Accounting job titles

Credit Authorizer
Benefits Manager
Credit Counselor
Accountant
Bookkeeper
Accounting Analyst
Accounting Director
Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk
Auditor
Budget Analyst
Controller
Financial Analyst
Finance Manager
Economist
Payroll Manager
Payroll Clerk
Financial Planner
Financial Services Representative
Finance Director
Commercial Loan Officer

These 20 engineering job positions turn ideas into reality. Engineers apply math and science to create efficient solutions to technical problems. Engineering Job titles

Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Civil Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Assistant Engineer
Chemical Engineer
Chief Engineer
Drafter
Engineering Technician
Geological Engineer
Biological Engineer
Maintenance Engineer
Mining Engineer
Nuclear Engineer
Petroleum Engineer
Plant Engineer
Production Engineer
Quality Engineer
Safety Engineer
Sales Engineer

Healthcare is one of the most important jobs there is, as we have seen amidst of this pandemic. There are jobs in hospitals, clinics, online, and even in fitness centers. Here’s a medical jobs list with some common titles: Healthcare Job titles

Nurse
Travel Nurse
Nurse Practitioner
Doctor
Caregiver
CNA
Physical Therapist
Pharmacist
Pharmacy Assistant
Medical Administrator
Medical Laboratory Tech
Physical Therapy Assistant
Massage Therapy
Dental Hygienist
Orderly
Personal Trainer
Massage Therapy
Medical Laboratory Tech
Phlebotomist
Medical Transcriptionist
Telework Nurse/Doctor
Reiki Practitioner

From paralegals to solicitors and chartered legal executives, the men and women working in the legal sector go by many names and have a variety of different responsibilities. Legal Job Titles

Paralegal
Lawyer / Advocate
Litigation executive
Counsel
Solicitor
Barrister
Judge
Chartered legal executive

The hospitality industry includes hotels, cruise ships, casinos and resorts. The 30 hospitality job positions below keep travel and vacation comfy. Hospitality Job positions

Housekeeper
Flight Attendant
Travel Agent
Hotel Front Door Greeter
Bellhop
Cruise Director
Entertainment Specialist
Hotel Manager
Front Desk Associate
Front Desk Manager
Concierge
Group Sales
Event Planner
Porter
Spa Manager
Wedding Coordinator
Cruise Ship Attendant
Casino Host
Hotel Receptionist
Reservationist
Events Manager
Meeting Planner
Lodging Manager
Director of Maintenance
Valet

The restaurant industry has front-line staff, supervisors, managers, and executive job positions just like any other industry. Food service job titles

Waiter/Waitress
Server
Chef
Fast Food Worker
Barista
Line Cook
Cafeteria Worker
Restaurant Manager
Wait Staff Manager
Bus Person
Restaurant Chain Executive

And last but not least, cosmetologists use nail service, hair styling, makeup application and other talents to help clients look and feel their best. Here are the ten top cosmetology job openings: Cosmetology Job titles

Beautician
Hair Stylist
Nail Technician
Cosmetologist
Salon Manager
Makeup Artist
Esthetician
Skin Care Specialist
Manicurist
Barber

This is already an extremely long article to what we’re used to, but there are many more job titles out there.

Public announcements and reminders

Making an Announcement

Useful Expressions

Listen up, everyone!
I have an important announcement to make.
I am pleased to tell you that…
I am happy to inform you that…
It gives me great pleasure to announce that…
We are excited/delighted to announce that…
Drop whatever you are doing.
We’ve just heard from upstairs that…
It turned out that…

Dialogue

Reminding people to do things

There are many situations when you ask somebody to do something and later you think that they didn’t remember to do it. Here are some phrases that you can use to remind them.

10 expressions to Use in Speaking and Writing:

Don’t forget to do it.
Remember to do it.
You will remember to do it.
You won’t forget to do it, will you?
Can / Could I remind you to…?
I’d like to remind you about…
You haven’t forgotten about __, have you?
I hope you haven’t forgotten to…
Sorry to be a bore but do remember to…
May I remind you / all passengers that…

How to Use These Phrases in Your English?

In phrase 1, the stress is on the word ‘Don’t’ and in phrase 2 the stress is on ‘mem’ in the word ‘remember’.
In phrase 3, you need to put stress on the word ‘will’.
In phrase 4, you need to put stress on the word ‘won’t.
Phrases 5 and 6 are little more polite and could be used with somebody who you don’t know very well.
You use phrases 7 and 8 when you think the other person has forgotten and it is almost too late. If they haven’t forgotten, they may get angry, so be careful.
Phrase 9 has an apology at the beginning which makes it slightly more polite.
Phrase 10 is formal and is safe to use with strangers, with groups of people and in customer service situations.
After phrases 1,2,3,4,5,8,9 we use the infinitive form. For example: Don’t forget to check your grammar.
After phrases 6 and 7, you need to use a noun or a noun phrase. For example: I’d like to remind you about the party tomorrow night.
After phrase 10 we use a clause (mini sentence). For example: May I remind all passengers that smoking is not allowed.

Asking for tools

When drafting a request letter for tools and equipment, clarity and politeness are key. Clearly state your name, employee ID, project details, required equipment, and the deadline. Politely request the issuance of the equipment and provide contact information for any queries.

Sample Request Letter for Issuance of Tools and Equipment

To,
_________ (Recipient Details),
_________, (Company’s name),
__________ (Company’s address)

Date: __/__/____ (Date)

Subject: Request for issuance of equipment

Respected Sir/ Madam,

I am __________ (name) and my employee ID is ___________ (mention employee ID).

Through this letter, I would like to inform you that I am currently working on ____________ (project name) at _____________ (mention location) and for which I will be needing the ______________ (mention name of the tools and equipment) by __/__/____ (date). Therefore, I write this letter to request you to kindly issue the said equipment in my name.

I request you to kindly provide me with the above-mentioned equipment at the earliest in order to prevent any delay in the execution of the project. In case of any query, you may contact me at ________ (contact number).

Thanking you,
Yours truly,
__________ (Signature),
__________ (Your name),
__________ (Employee ID number)

Handling materials and tools

Learning the vocabulary related to tools and equipment is very useful, especially for those working in trades, construction, DIY projects, and even in everyday situations. Here is a list of common tool and equipment vocabulary in English, complete with definitions and example sentences.

Hammer

A hammer is a tool featuring a weighted head fixed to a long handle that is swung to deliver an impact to a small area of an object. Hammers are used for a variety of purposes, including driving nails, breaking up objects, and forging metal.

I need to find my hammer to hang this picture on the wall.

Screwdriver

A screwdriver is a tool with a handle and a shaft ending in a tip the user puts into the screw head to turn it. Screwdrivers come in various shapes and sizes for different screw types.

Can you pass me the Phillips head screwdriver to tighten this screw?

Wrench

A wrench is a tool used to provide grip and mechanical advantage in applying torque to turn objects—typically rotary fasteners, such as nuts and bolts—or keep them from turning.

Use this wrench to loosen the bolt on the bike wheel.

Drill

A drill is a tool with a rotating drill bit used for making round holes or driving fasteners. It is fitted with a bit, either a drill or driver, depending on application, secured by a chuck.

I need to drill some holes in the wall to install the shelves.

Saw

A saw is a tool consisting of a tough blade, wire, or chain with a hard-toothed edge. It is used to cut through material, very often wood though sometimes metal or stone.

We’ll need a hand saw to cut these wooden planks to the right length.

Level

A level is a tool used to establish a horizontal plane. It has a liquid-filled vial with an air bubble that indicates whether a surface is level or plumb.

Make sure the picture is straight by using the level.

Plunger

A plunger is a tool used to clear blockages in pipes and drains. It consists of a rubber suction cup attached to a stick (usually wooden or plastic) that is pushed down and pulled up to create suction.

The sink is clogged; we need to use a plunger to unclog it.

Ladder

A ladder is a vertical or inclined set of rungs or steps used to reach high places. A ladder can be made of various materials, including wood, metal, or fiberglass.

We’ll need the ladder to clean the gutters this weekend.

Measuring Tape

A measuring tape is a flexible ruler used to measure size or distance. It consists of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, or metal with linear-measurement markings.

Before we buy the curtains, we should use the measuring tape to measure the window.

Vice

A vice is a mechanical screw apparatus used for holding or clamping a workpiece to allow work to be performed on it with tools such as saws, drills, or hammers.

We will secure the wood in the vice before we start sawing.

Pliers

Pliers are a hand tool used to hold objects firmly, possibly developed from tongs used to handle hot metal. They are also useful for bending and compressing a wide range of materials.

Could you hand me the pliers so I can twist this wire?

Grinder

A grinder is a power tool or machine tool used for grinding, which is a type of machining using an abrasive wheel as the cutting tool. Grinders are used for various applications including cutting and shaping metal or wood.

We’ll need the grinder to smooth out these rough metal edges.

Each of these tools and pieces of equipment can be essential for different tasks and projects. Knowing their English vocabulary not only helps in communication but also in understanding instructions and safety guidelines for their use.

Making simple computations on quantities, cost, and time

Expressions of Quantity: Special Cases of Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is generally quite straightforward in English. Check any handbook for the general rules. However, with subjects that introduce the idea of quantity, some additional rules of thumb are needed. Here are a few that are useful for academic writing.

With fractions, percentages and indefinite quantifiers (e.g., all, few, many, much, some), the verb agrees with the preceding noun or clause:

With a singular or non-count noun or clause, use a singular verb:

One-third of this article is taken up with statistical analysis.

Much of the book seems relevant to this study.

Half of what he writes is undocumented.

Fifty percent of the job is routine.

All the information is current

With a plural noun, use a plural verb:

One-third of the students have graduate degrees.

Many researchers depend on grants from industry.

Half of his articles are peer-reviewed.

Fifty percent of the computers have CD-ROM drives.

All the studies are current.

With a collective noun, use either a singular or a plural verb, depending on whether you want to emphasize the single group or its individual members:

Half of my family lives/live in Canada.

All of the class is/are here.

Ten percent of the population is/are bilingual.

The words majority and minority are used in a variety of ways:

When majority/minority mean an unspecified number more or less than 50%, use a singular verb:

The majority holds no strong views.

A small minority indicates it supports the proposal.

When majority/minority mean a specific percentage, you may use either a singular or a plural verb:

A 75% majority have/has voted against the measure.

A 10% minority are/is opposed to the measure.

When majority/minority refers to a specified set of persons, use a plural verb:

A majority of Canadians have voted for change.

A minority of the students are willing to pay more.

Expressions of time, money and distance usually take a singular verb:

Ten dollars is a great deal of money to a child.

Ten kilometers is too far to walk.

Six weeks is not long enough.

Adjectives preceded by the and used as plural nouns take a plural verb:

The rich get richer.

The poor face many hardships.

Expressions using the phrase number of depend on the meaning of the phrase:

They take a singular verb when referring to a single quantity:

The number of students registered in the class is 20.

They take plural verbs when they are used as indefinite quantifiers (see rule 1 above):

A number of students were late.

Asking and answering simple questions

Asking Questions

Use questions as a way to make quick, formative assessments, break up the monotony of lecturing, and encourage student engagement.

Tips and Strategies

Be patient. The recommended amount of wait time after asking a question is ten seconds. This will seem like an uncomfortable eternity, but it is important processing time for students. Try counting silently to yourself, before offering a hint or rephrasing the question.
Move from closed to open-ended questions. Starting with simple yes or no questions, or questions that draw on experience rather than knowledge, can help students become comfortable and more willing to take a risk on a deeper question later in the class.
Consider using repetition with questions, asking the same thing throughout class and building upon the answer as instruction progresses.
If students are reluctant to speak, you can ask for a show of hands as response.
Use questions to clarify instructions or summarize a point.
Try to avoid asking, “Does everyone understand?” or “Is that clear?” Students will typically not speak out in a group when they are confused. Instead, try asking something more open, like “what questions do we have about that?”
Experiment with asking questions using Google Forms or Poll Everywhere.

Teaching from Incorrect Responses

It takes courage to answer a question in a group, and you never know what type of response you will get. Avoid labeling a student’s answer as wrong, and use inaccurate responses as teachable moments.

Acknowledge any part of the answer that is correct: “You’re right about X, great job, let’s talk a little bit more about Y.”
Try finding out more about their thought process: “That’s interesting, what makes you think that?”.
If the student’s answer represents a common misconception, point that out and clarify: “Thanks for bringing that up, a lot of people think that. Let’s talk about why that might not be the case.”
Thank the student for their answer, invite more responses, and piece together a correct answer: “Thanks for sharing that. Does anyone else have thoughts on this question?”

Answering Questions

Questions asked by students can help clarify content and provide feedback on your presentation or how the class is progressing.

Tips and Strategies

Paraphrase/Repeat: When someone asks a question, paraphrase or repeat it back so the whole class is sure to have heard it before you answer.
Commend/Appreciate: Thank and acknowledge students for asking questions, “Thanks for bringing that up” or “Great question”.
Be Honest: It’s ok to not have all the answers, and students will appreciate your honesty. Offer to find out the answer and get back to either the whole class or the individual student.
If no one asks any questions, avoid following up with statements like, “No questions? Yeah, it’s pretty easy/simple”. The absence of questions does not necessarily mean that everyone understands. Students may not feel comfortable speaking up or may not know exactly how to frame their question yet. Acknowledge that research is a process, and invite and encourage students to contact you after the session when questions come up.

Casual Questioning and Answering

When we have casual conversations in English, we often use short words to ask and answer questions. In this short dialogue can you see the question word at the end of the Roger’s sentence?

Roger: So you think this new software version is faster than the old one, huh?

Jerry: I sure do! I got my work done faster than ever today!

Roger could have asked “Do you think the new software version is faster than the old one?”

This is a casual conversation between two co-workers, though, so Roger uses a statement instead of a question but ends the sentence with the question word ‘huh?’

Another way to ask a question is to end a sentence with the word ‘right?’ on a rising tone. Let’s look another short dialogue.

Ted: I had a window in my old office. And more space, too.

Susan: You’re saying you don’t like your new office, right?

Ted: It’s ok, but the old office was better.

Susan could have asked “Are you saying you don’t like your new office?” In casual conversations, though, you can use ‘right?’ at the end of a statement to ask the other person if you understood them correctly.

For both words ‘huh?’ and ‘right?’, you use a rising tone to let the listener know you are asking a question.

To answer questions in casual conversation, we often use words like ‘Right’, ‘Sure’, ‘OK, and ‘Got it.’ Check this short exchange.

Fabio: Can you please tell me where the mailroom is?

Lisa: Sure. It’s easy. Go to the end of the hall and turn right.

Fabio: Got it. Thanks.

Lisa answers Fabio’s question about the mailroom by saying ‘Sure’. It’s a very positive, but casual way to tell him she can do what he asked. After she tells him the simple directions, he tells her he understands by saying ‘Got it’.

Here’s another dialogue using “Right” and “OK” to answer questions in casual conversation.

Karim: We have to finish this report by the end of the week.

Erica: OK. That shouldn’t be too hard. We have all the data, right?

Karim: Right. I got the sales figures from Accounting this morning.

Erica says ‘OK’ to let Karim know she understands and agrees with him. When Erica asks if all the data has been received, he answers ‘Right’ to let her know what she has said is correct.

Initiating and responding to simple statements on areas of immediate need

How to respond to a compliment at work

Here are some ways you can react to compliments at work:

1. Smile

Smiling is a great way to show your colleagues and managers how you feel about a compliment or recognition. If you are searching for the right words to help you respond to a compliment, smiling is a great way to immediately show your appreciation before acknowledging it verbally.

2. Give a simple reply

When you receive a compliment at work but are unsure how to respond, keeping your acknowledgment short and simple is OK. If you’re having trouble finding a response, using a simple reply like “Thank you!” is a great way to show your appreciation quickly and efficiently.

3. Stay humble

When responding to a compliment someone gives you at work, it is important to be gracious and humble. Recognizing their praise with a polite response can help you become more noticeable to managers and can help you gain more professional connections for your career. For example, if a manager mentions to you that your work has been beneficial to the company, you can reply with, “Thank you! I’ve been learning a lot from my colleagues

4. Show your appreciation

Along with thanking someone, if a colleague or manager pays you a compliment, it can be helpful to show your appreciation by other means. Verbally mentioning your appreciation or showing your excitement for the compliment through your expressions or body language can help a manager or colleague know how you received their affirmation. For example, extending your hand for a handshake and mentioning how much the compliment means to you are two great ways to express your gratitude further.

5. Comment on the task or project

If your manager’s or colleague’s compliment is directed towards a specific task or project that you completed, consider adding additional comments about the task when responding. This can help demonstrate your job experience and acknowledge the work you put into that specific assignment. For example, if a co-worker tells you that you did an outstanding job on your recent project for the company, you could reply with, “Thank you! The project was challenging, but I think I managed it well!”

6. Mention their acknowledgment

If someone pays you a compliment, another way to respond is to mention and recognize their acknowledgment. Having a manager or colleague take time out of their day to compliment you is a very kind gesture, and it can be good to thank them for their words of affirmation. For example, if a supervisor says you did an outstanding job on your sales numbers last quarter, you can reply with, “Thank you! I appreciate the compliment and the acknowledgment of the work I’ve put into my job.”

7. Acknowledge others

Another great way to respond to a compliment is to give a compliment in return. Giving acknowledgment to your colleagues or the person giving the compliment can help demonstrate your ability to work well with others and acknowledge their hard work. For example, if a manager says you have been doing an excellent job since you started the position, you can reply with, “Thank you, everyone here has been incredibly helpful.”

Examples of responding to a compliment at work

Here are some examples of how to respond to compliments given to you in the workplace:

Example 1

Manager: “Hey! Great job on those reports last week. The detail was excellent, it must have taken you hours.”

Response: “Thank you! I worked hard on those and I appreciate the acknowledgment.”

Example 2

Manager: “Your work on that marketing project was excellent. We should hopefully see more clients thanks to your hard work.”

Response: “Thank you! I couldn’t have done it without my team. I appreciate being allowed to lead them. I’ll let them know you liked it.”

Example 3

Colleague: “Hey! I heard you making those sales calls yesterday. You do a magnificent job talking with clients.”

Response: “Thank you! I appreciate the compliment. I’ve been practicing talking with clients for a while, and it’s nice to know I’m doing better.”

Example 4

Colleague: “I saw that memo you sent out last week; it was very informative and helpful. Great job!”

Response: “Thank you! I thought those things were important to address. I’m glad you thought so, too.”

Reference:
https://everywhereenglish.eu/free-english-lesson/english-workplace-expressions-you-can-use/
https://medium.com/app-to-learn-english/useful-expressions-for-providing-instructions-or-guidelines-in-english-%EF%B8%8F-39dbd429441b
https://learnlaughspeak.com/how-to-ask-for-help/
https://www.brisklanguages.com.br/post/job-titles-a-list
https://engoo.com/app/lessons/making-an-announcement/2zJMpCtgEeeEBkvuz8I7ZQ
https://www.ihbristol.com/useful-english-expressions/example/reminding-people-do-things-1
https://www.lettersinenglish.com/request-letter-for-tools-and-equipment/
https://talkpal.ai/vocabulary/tool-and-equipment-vocabulary-in-english/
https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/english-language/expressions-of-quantity/
https://guides.lib.utexas.edu/c.php?g=619734&p=4544435
https://www.workplace-english-training.com/emagazine/tw/business-speaking-skills/1744-casual-questioning-and-answering.html
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-respond-to-a-compliment-at-work