English for Business Presentations

A great presentation isn't just about the slides; it's about the signposting language you use to guide your audience through your ideas.

1. The Introduction

Hook them early and outline your plan.

• "Good morning everyone, thank you for coming."
• "Today, I’d like to talk to you about..."
• "My presentation is divided into three main parts."
• "First, I'll look at... Then, I'll move on to... Finally, I'll conclude with..."

2. Transitioning (Signposting)

Tell the audience when you are moving to a new topic.

3. Describing Data and Trends

If you have charts, you need specific verbs.

• "Sales have increased significantly this quarter."
• "There was a slight decrease in customer retention."
• "The numbers have fluctuated over the last year."
• "This chart illustrates the growth of our user base."

4. Summarizing and Concluding

Reinforce your main message.

• "To sum up..."
• "In conclusion, I’d like to highlight..."
• "So, what does this mean for us?"
• "Thank you for your attention."

5. Handling Q&A

Dealing with questions confidently.

• "I'd be happy to answer any questions now."
• "That's a great question. Let me explain..."
• "If I understand you correctly, you're asking about..."
• "I don't have that figure with me right now, but I can get back to you."