Getting Hired: Interviews & Applications
Everything you need to perform confidently during the hiring process — from writing a strong cover letter to answering tough interview questions in English.
English for Job Interviews: 50+ Phrases and Model Answers
From opening small talk to the STAR method for competency questions — all the language you need to impress in an English-language interview.
English for Job Applications: CVs, Cover Letters & Emails
How to write a professional CV and cover letter in English — structure, key phrases, common mistakes, and sample templates for every industry.
Advanced English for Job Interviews: Vocabulary and Phrases
Take your interview English to C1–C2 level with sophisticated vocabulary and the language strategies that distinguish exceptional candidates at senior interviews.
How to Write a Cover Letter in English: Structure, Phrases & Example
Structure, formal phrases for each paragraph, common mistakes to avoid, and a full example cover letter for job applications in English.
English Vocabulary for Recruitment and Hiring
Essential English vocabulary for recruitment and hiring: candidate, applicant, CV, shortlist, screening, onboarding, probation period and more.
English Vocabulary for Job Promotions and Career Growth
Essential English vocabulary for promotions and career growth: promotion, raise, appraisal, leadership, and phrases for asking for a promotion at work.
Professional Communication: Emails & Presentations
Master the two most important written and spoken communication formats in the modern workplace.
English Email Vocabulary: 80+ Phrases for Professional Emails
Templates and phrase banks for every email type — requests, follow-ups, complaints, apologies, and formal correspondence — with formal and semi-formal options.
English for Presentations: Phrases, Structure & Signposting Language
A complete phrase bank for every part of a professional presentation — openings, transitions, visuals, handling questions, and confident conclusions.
How to Write Professional Business Emails in English
Master business email writing in English with templates, phrases, and examples — from subject lines to sign-offs, a complete guide.
English for Video Calls: Phrases and Vocabulary for Remote Meetings
Master the English phrases and vocabulary you need for professional video calls and remote meetings, from technical issues to presenting ideas clearly online.
English for Remote Work: Key Phrases and Vocabulary Guide
A complete guide to video call phrases, async communication, project updates, and professional email vs chat vocabulary for remote workers.
English for Customer Service: Essential Phrases and Tips
Essential English phrases for customer service roles — greeting customers, handling complaints, solving problems, and professional closings.
Meetings & Business Vocabulary
The phrases and vocabulary you need to run, join, and follow business meetings and phone calls with confidence.
Business English for Meetings: Phrases and Expressions
Essential business English phrases for meetings — how to open, manage, interrupt politely, agree, disagree, and close meetings with confidence.
Essential English Vocabulary for Business Meetings
Vocabulary for business meetings: phrases for opening, agreeing, interrupting, clarifying and closing, plus formal and neutral register tips.
English Phrasal Verbs for Meetings
Master common phrasal verbs used in business meetings: open up, bring up, sum up, run over, put forward and more, with clear examples.
English for Telephoning: Phrases & Vocabulary
Essential English for telephoning: phrases for answering calls, taking messages, spelling names, saying numbers, transferring calls and ending politely.
Advanced English Business Vocabulary: Terms Every Professional Needs
Master advanced business English vocabulary for meetings, reports, negotiations, and strategy — the terms professionals actually use.
Negotiations & Essential Business Phrases
The language of deals, meetings, and professional conversation — from polite disagreement to closing an agreement.
English Negotiation Language: Phrases for Every Stage of a Deal
From opening positions to making concessions and closing agreements — all the diplomatic language you need to negotiate confidently in English.
Essential Business English Phrases: 100+ Expressions for Work
The most important business English phrases organised by situation — meetings, emails, phone calls, negotiations, and small talk — with examples and audio tips.
Business English Idioms: 30 Essential Phrases for the Workplace
30 essential business English idioms and phrases with meaning, examples, and context — perfect for B2–C1 professionals and IELTS candidates.
Advanced English Idioms for Professional Contexts: 30 Essential Phrases
Master 30 advanced English idioms for business and professional settings — the ball is in your court, bite the bullet, tip of the iceberg, and more.
Business English Phrasal Verbs You Need to Know
Master the most common business English phrasal verbs — set up, carry out, follow up, take on, sort out and more — grouped by theme with formal synonyms.
Build Your Business Vocabulary
Practise professional vocabulary with interactive flashcards and quizzes — free, no sign-up.
FAQ: Business English
Frequently Asked Questions
What level of English do I need for business communication?
Most workplace communication requires B1–B2 level English for everyday tasks such as emails, meetings, and phone calls. Senior roles involving negotiations, presentations, and report writing typically demand B2–C1 level. Use our CEFR level test to find your starting point, then work through the relevant guides on this page.
What is business English and how is it different from general English?
Business English is a variety of English used in professional and commercial contexts. It emphasises formal vocabulary, specific genres (emails, reports, presentations, negotiations), and conventions such as hedging language, diplomatic phrasing, and formal register. While the grammar rules are the same, the vocabulary and style differ significantly from everyday conversational English.
How do I write a professional email in English?
A professional English email follows a clear structure: subject line, salutation (Dear Mr Smith / Dear Sarah), opening purpose statement, body paragraphs, closing statement (I look forward to hearing from you), and sign-off (Yours sincerely / Kind regards). Use formal vocabulary, avoid contractions in very formal emails, and keep sentences concise. See the English Email Vocabulary guide for full templates and phrase lists.
What phrases are most useful in a job interview in English?
Key interview phrases include: opening answers with 'I have extensive experience in…' or 'One of my key strengths is…'; using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for competency questions; closing with 'I'm very enthusiastic about this role because…'. The English for Job Interviews guide covers 50+ phrases with model answers for the most common interview questions.
What are the most important business English phrases to learn?
The most essential business English phrases cover: meeting language (Let's get started / Shall we move on?), emails (I am writing with regard to… / Please find attached…), negotiations (I'd like to propose… / That's not quite what we had in mind.), presentations (I'd like to draw your attention to… / To summarise…), and small talk (How was your trip? / Shall we grab a coffee?). See the Business English Phrases guide for a full categorised list.
How do I improve my negotiation skills in English?
Improve English negotiation skills by mastering four phrase categories: making proposals (I'd like to suggest… / How about…?), responding to offers (That sounds reasonable / I'm afraid that doesn't quite work for us.), making concessions (We could consider… / If you could… then we'd be able to…), and reaching agreement (I think we've found common ground / Let's put that in writing.). The English Negotiation Language guide covers all stages with ready-to-use phrases.
How should I structure a presentation in English?
A professional English presentation has four parts: Introduction (greet the audience, state your topic and objectives), Body (2–4 main points with signposting language like 'Moving on to…' and 'Another key point is…'), Conclusion (summarise key takeaways: 'To wrap up…'), and Q&A (Thank you for your question. That's a great point…). The English for Presentations guide provides full phrase banks for each stage.
What is the best way to learn business English vocabulary?
Learn business English vocabulary in context by: reading authentic materials such as business news and company reports; practising with topic-based flashcard sets on LexFizz (/vocabulary/business/); studying collocations (make a proposal, reach an agreement, submit a report) rather than isolated words; and actively using new phrases in writing practice. Aim for 10–15 new collocations per week rather than memorising long word lists.
What is the difference between formal and informal English in the workplace?
Formal English uses full forms (I am, do not), Latinate vocabulary (commence, terminate, endeavour), impersonal structures (It has been decided that…), and avoids contractions or slang. Informal workplace English uses contractions, phrasal verbs, and conversational phrases. The appropriate register depends on your audience: formal for senior management, clients, and official documents; informal for close colleagues and internal messaging.
Can I practise business English interactively on LexFizz?
Yes. LexFizz has a dedicated Business vocabulary set at /vocabulary/business/ with interactive flashcards, quizzes, and word-match exercises — all free, no registration required. The exercises cover essential workplace vocabulary, professional collocations, and email phrases. Visit /exercises/ to browse the full exercise library by topic.