the Business English podcast for professionals

on the move

in this business English Pod episode will be looking at ways to give

and ask for opinion. We'll be looking both more formal

or careful language as well as more informal

or direct language. Giving and asking for opinions

is a very important part of meetings and discussions of all types.

first let's listen to more formal situation

we'll be listening to part of a meeting at Digi Soft

a multinational software company. Sheila,

a vice president, is talking to Walt

George and Bruce, 3 software engineers, about the deadline for the new software

release.

Release here means "Launch"

that is bring the product onto the market

so let's move on to the topic of

release date.Gentleman when do you think we'll be able to launch this product?

Walt? Well, I tend to feel that

we should probably be able to start testing the product

In April that means that if all goes well

we can have the first release in May or

June I say thank you walt

what's your reaction to that group May or June

well from my point of view that sounds about right excuse me

may I come in here I wonder if I could say something go ahead george

what would you like to add well it seems to me that may is much much too early

actually we are still having some pretty major problems with bugs in the update

engine

and I just don't see how we will be able to fix those books

okay now let's listen to george

Bruce on wall walk into the break room right after the meeting

Sheila their boss is not here this

is a more informal situation hey guys

did you see the Chelsea Liverpool game last night what did you think

all quite I gave her Chelsea look pretty good

cue always have to rub it in turns you bruise

you know unlivable fan have that you jewish

actually that was one of the greatest games ever see

but the way you guys keep telling the boss we can finish the product by May

none of us are going to have time to watch in world football games

we're all going to be working overtime every night burning the midnight oil

so now you've heard both formal and informal conversations

first let's look at the form conversation

How does Sheila ask for her employees' opinions?

Sheila is in charge she is the boss

and the chairperson of the meeting one way for her to ask for an employee's

opinion

is simply to say his name with the rising intonation

work home gentleman when do you think we will be able to launch this product

what she'll also use some other ways

to ask firm place opinions all these ways are relatively formal

the signal that this is a formal meeting

she says I say thank you walt

what's your reaction to that Bruce and

go ahead george what would you like to add

together with the speakers try some other form of races

for asking for an opinion how do you feel about that

Cecilia

could you please share your thoughts on that fair

what's your view on this Richard

Tony what's your feelings on the 8th

now let's look at the language wall Bruce and George use

to express their opinions informal situation lot says

well I tend to feel that we should be able to start testing the product

EN April this language

I tend to feel that shows careful

formal tone what uses the stone

because he is talking to his boss and perhaps because he's not sure

whether or not the others will agree with them let's keep listening

I say thank you walt

what's your reaction to that group May or June

well from my point of view that sounds about right

Bruce likewise uses more formal careful language

well from my point of view this makes him some more polite

since he's talking to his boss in addition

begins in time to think giving yourself time to think

is another reason to use these phrases haha George

how did he offer his opinion excuse me

may I come in here I wonder if I could say something go ahead george

what would you like to add well it seems to me that may is much much too early

think about the ways to George users to express his opinion

I wonder if I could say something and

well it seems to me that these

ways expression are quite careful George has a good reason to be careful doesn t

he disagrees with his colleagues now let's practice some

further formal were careful phrases for expressing your opinion

I have the impression that

he didn't really want to come

don't you think that that's a little early

I tend to feel it's a bit too early to start

next let's turn

a more informal discussion between will Bruce and George

remember there in the breakroom

right after the meeting Bruce ass georgian Walt

hey guys did you see the Chelsea luv all-gay

last night what the debate will quiet gave her

Chelsea look for a ticket this is an informal relaxed discussion among

colleagues

you can tell it's informal because Bruce uses the informal word

guys to address george wall also

he says what do you think this is an informal way to ask for an opinion

what says cue always have to read the tendency to bruise

you know am a Liverpool fan to rub something in

is an Indian it means to remind someone on purpose

something that is uncomfortable or painful here

it's done as a joke it sounds like Walt is a Liverpool fan

and he's unhappy because Chelsea won the game

let's keep listening how bad you jewish actually

that was one of the greatest games ever see how about you

is another direct way to ask for an opinion next

notice how George start a sentence with actually

actually is a direct or informal way to state an opinion

it shows us the George has something new

were surprising decide with George

practice more direct ways to state an opinion the point

ease we doing very well in this market

the way I see it we're heading for trouble

obviously his only one choice

basically I think we have two options

finally let's listen to the and the dialogue again

have that you jewish actually that was one of the greatest games ever see

but the way you guys keep telling the boss we can finish the product by May

numbers are going to have time to watch him win football games

George means that Bruce on wall keep telling the boss

that they can meet the may deadline everyone is going to have to work very

hard in fact

they're going to have to work so hard that they won't have any time to watch

football games