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Speaking up in a meeting in English (advanced)
Advanced English for speaking up in a meeting. Key line: “Hey, before we move on, could I flag one concern?”
Full script
Lin
Hey, before we move on, could I flag one concern?
Them
Sure, go ahead—if it's about the timeline, we're all quietly thinking it.
Lin
It is, actually. We're packing too much into Friday, and that's risky.
Them
Fair point. Which piece would you push back, if you had to choose?
Lin
I'd hold off on the demo; rushing it could turn into live comedy.
Them
Live comedy is fun, but maybe not with senior leaders in the room.
Lin
Exactly. If we buy one more day, we can tighten the story.
Them
All right, let's shift the demo—I'd rather laugh at your joke than the slides.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
concern
✓ flag one concernMention a concern
More natural than raise a concern
delay
✓ push backMove it later
Can also mean oppose; check context
wait
✓ hold off onDo it later
Use with a noun: don't do it yet
more time
✓ buy one more dayGet one more day
Not buy; get more time
Quick answers
concern: what to say in English
Say “flag one concern” — mention a concern. More natural than raise a concern.
delay: what to say in English
Say “push back” — move it later. Can also mean oppose; check context.
wait: what to say in English
Say “hold off on” — do it later. Use with a noun: don't do it yet.
more time: what to say in English
Say “buy one more day” — get one more day. Not buy; get more time.