5 English Phrases That Make You Sound More Confident in Meetings

Unlock the power of effective communication with our latest blog post, "5 English Phrases That Make You Sound More Confident in Meetings." Whether you're presenting ideas to colleagues or negotiating with clients, the right words can significantly enhance your professional presence. Discover how these carefully selected phrases can help you project confidence and authority in any meeting setting. Elevate your communication skills and make a lasting impression with insights that can transform your professional interactions.

SPEAKINGWORK

Maram Ben Rhouma

9/2/20263 min read

four people all on laptops, two men and two women, listen to person talking in a board meeting

5 English Phrases That Make You Sound More Confident in Meetings

If you regularly participate in meetings in English, you may know exactly what you want to say but still struggle to express your ideas confidently.

You might say:

“I think maybe we should…”

Or:

“I'm not sure, but perhaps we could…”

These sentences aren't wrong. However, if you use hesitant language repeatedly, your English may sound less confident than your actual ideas.

The good news is that you don't need advanced vocabulary to sound more confident in English meetings. Often, a few simple changes to the phrases you already use can make a noticeable difference.

Here are five practical English phrases you can start using in your next meeting.

Why confidence in English isn't about using complicated words

Many English learners believe that professional English means using sophisticated vocabulary.

It doesn't.

In a meeting, people generally want to understand:

What you think
Why you think it
What you recommend
What action should be taken
Whether you agree or disagree

Clear English is often more effective than complicated English.

Compare:

“I think perhaps we could potentially consider changing the strategy.”

with:

“I recommend that we change the strategy.”

The second sentence is shorter, clearer, and more decisive.

Professional confidence comes from clarity, not unnecessary complexity.

1. “I recommend that we…”

Use this phrase when you want to make a recommendation.

Instead of:

“I think maybe we should change the strategy.”

Try:

“I recommend that we change the strategy.”

Other examples:

“I recommend that we postpone the launch.”

“I recommend that we focus on customer retention.”

“I recommend that we review the results before making a decision.”

You can also use:

“I'd recommend…”
“I suggest that we…”
“My recommendation is to…”
“I'd suggest considering…”

These expressions are particularly useful when you want to communicate an opinion with confidence.

2. “One option we could consider is…”

Not every situation requires a strong recommendation.

Sometimes you're exploring possibilities with your team.

That's where this phrase works well:

“One option we could consider is…”

For example:

“One option we could consider is launching the campaign in September.”

Or:

“One option we could consider is outsourcing this part of the project.”

This expression is useful because it introduces an idea without presenting it as the only possible solution.

It gives other people room to respond.

3. “If I may add something…”

Meetings can move quickly, and sometimes you need to enter a conversation without interrupting abruptly.

Try:

“If I may add something…”

For example:

“If I may add something, I think we should also consider the customer's perspective.”

You could also say:

“I'd like to add something.”

“I'd like to add one point.”

“Can I add something to that?”

“I'd like to build on that idea.”

These phrases allow you to participate actively without sounding unnecessarily apologetic.

4. “I completely agree.”

You don't need complicated language to agree with someone.

Try:

“I completely agree.”

Other useful alternatives include:

“Absolutely.”

“Exactly.”

“That's a good point.”

“I couldn't agree more.”

“That's exactly how I see it.”

One important point: “I couldn't agree more” means you strongly agree.

It doesn't mean that you disagree.

5. “What would you recommend?”

Good meetings aren't only about expressing your own ideas.

You also need to know how to invite other people's opinions.

Instead of always asking:

“What do you think?”

Try:

“What would you recommend?”

For example:

“We've discussed three possible approaches. What would you recommend?”

This is especially useful when speaking to someone with specific expertise or responsibility.

Confidence doesn't mean being aggressive

There's an important difference between confidence and aggression.

Confident:

“I recommend that we postpone the launch.”

Aggressive:

“We need to postpone the launch. That's obviously the right decision.”

The first communicates your position clearly while leaving room for discussion.

Professional English requires you to balance clarity, politeness, and context.

Practice: Make these phrases more confident

Try improving these sentences:

“I think maybe we should hire someone.”
“Sorry, can I say something?”
“I think this idea is good.”
“What do you think we should do?”
“Maybe we can try another solution.”

Possible answers:

“I recommend that we hire someone.”
“If I may add something…”
“I think this is a strong idea.”
“What would you recommend?”
“One option we could consider is another solution.”

Now say your answers aloud.

Reading a phrase isn't enough. You need to practice retrieving it while speaking.

Frequently asked questions

How can I sound more confident when speaking English in meetings?

Focus on clarity rather than complicated vocabulary. Prepare useful phrases for giving opinions, making recommendations, agreeing, disagreeing, asking questions, and clarifying information.

Do I need perfect English to speak confidently in meetings?

No. Confidence comes from being able to communicate your ideas effectively. Grammar and vocabulary matter, but perfection is not necessary.

Is “I think” unprofessional?

No. “I think” is completely natural professional English. The problem is relying on it for every opinion and combining it unnecessarily with multiple hesitant expressions.