Business EnglishBusiness
The Language of Yes
Grammar: Hedging and softening language
A Business English English lesson exploring business.
businesshedgingsoftening language
What's in this lesson
A Business English ESL lesson on business, practising hedging and softening language. The worksheet has a reading, target vocabulary, a grammar reference with practice and discussion questions.
From the reading: The Language of Yes
A meeting stalls. Someone says 'that won't work.' The room goes quiet. Nobody speaks for ten seconds. Then someone else tries again. 'Could we look at it differently?' The room opens back up. Same problem. Different word. Different result.
Vocabulary
- constructive feedback
- growth mindset
- psychological safety
- solution-focused
- for
- on
- to
- under
- with
Grammar
- Softening with could
- We could try a different approach. — offers an option, not a command
- Tentative might
- It might help to review the numbers first. — gentle suggestion, not certainty
Discussion questions
- Tell me about a time a colleague's tone changed your mood at work.
- When did you last soften bad news before you gave it?
- Describe a meeting where one word changed everything.
The Language of Yes
Grammar: Hedging and softening language
What's in this lesson:
Full lesson plan with reading, grammar, vocabulary, and discussion.
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