Business Courses / Course

Common Business Vocabulary & Expressions

Instructor Matthew Hamel

Matt has degrees in Journalism and Business and has taught a variety of courses at high schools and universities around the world.

Surviving in the English-speaking business world can be difficult, especially if English isn't your first language. This lesson presents some common business vocabulary and expressions in use today.

English is so widely used in the business world that it can be difficult to perform many jobs without at least a basic understanding of the English language. In addition to being able to speak to coworkers, managers and clients, English is also important for writing emails and other business correspondence. For all of these reasons, it's important to know common business vocabulary and expressions.

Keep in mind that there are thousands of business terms and expressions and these can vary greatly depending on industry and business type. The following lists focus only on the most common business vocabulary and expressions.

This list includes the names of common business documents.

  • Business plan: a document that details how a business will operate
  • Mission statement: a statement that describes the reason an organization exists
  • Balance sheet: a statement that shows the financial health of a company
  • Meeting minutes: a record of a meeting including who attended the meeting, the items that were discussed, and plans for future actions
  • Invoice: a form that shows the details (quantity, price, etc.) of which products and/or services were purchased
  • Estimate: an educated guess about how much a product or service will cost
  • Timesheet: a form that allows employees to record their working hours
  • Tax forms: the forms that an organization must complete to document and pay local, state and federal taxes
  • Proposal: a document that outlines a potential project or new business
  • Order form: a form that allows individuals to enter the details of an order

This list includes common business terms.

Remember that learning the meanings of the vocabulary and expressions is only half of the process. You also have to be able to use what you have learned correctly in real-world settings. One of the best ways to do this is to practice. The more you practice using the vocabulary and expressions the better able you'll be to use it.

Another tool you can use is observation. If possible, listen to how people around you use business vocabulary and expressions. Listening to native English speakers is one of the best ways to learn how to sound natural when you speak.

Properly and confidently using common business vocabulary and expressions can be a valuable tool in your professional life. When you understand and use business terminology correctly, you'll be able to communicate well with coworkers, managers and clients. If you practice the words you learn and listen to how others use them, you'll be on your way to business speaking success.

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