BBC初級商務英語第6期:如何打斷正在進行的會議

Introduction
In business meetings it is sometimes necessary to interrupt a speaker. This is possible but it should be done politely. We'll be looking at some ways you can do this.
在商務會議中，打斷發言人有時在所難免。在今天的節目中，我們就來學習下，如何禮貌地打斷別人。

Sean:First of all, the book re-launch. I just wanted to remind everybody that we will be re-launching the fairy-tales range with new modern covers, and that this is going to happen at the beginning of next month. It's important that we get this right and there have been quite a few…

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John:Actually Sean, can I just ask you – sorry to hold the meeting up – can I ask you about those dates, because I thought that this was going to be published the month after next, and I understand that everybody has got their dates, but I do feel quite strongly that we’re bringing this out too soon.

Sean:Well, any other thoughts before I comment on that?

Carrie:I don’t think we’ve got any choice at all about it. If the radio programmes are going out at the beginning of next month, we’ve got to launch the book at the same time if we’re going to have any sales impact.


First of all 首先

Can I just ask you? 能不能問一下…

Sorry to hold the meeting up 耽擱了會議，真不好意思

I do feel quite strongly that… 我深感…

I don’t think we’ve got any choice at all 我覺得我們沒有任何選擇

Any other thoughts? 還有其它想法嗎？

Instructions: Finish the sentence with the correct phrase.

1. ___________ , I would like to begin by saying that the company profits are up on last year's figures.
A To begin at
B First of all
C And start with
D And for starters

2. ___________ about the plans for next month's meeting?
A Can I hear you
B Can I clarify you
C Can I ask you
D Can I include you

3. ____________ , but I just wanted to clarify a couple of points before continuing.
A Sorry to hold the meeting up
B Sorry to hold the meeting down
C Sorry to hold the meeting around
D Sorry to hold the meeting along

4. ___________ that all of the staff members should have an opportunity to give their opinion about the company review.
A I don't feel very strongly
B I am feeling quite strongly
C I am feeling more strongly
D I do feel quite strongly

Answers
1. ___________ , I would like to begin by saying that the company profits are up on last year's figures.
A To begin at Wrong – you can say 'To begin with' but not 'To begin at'
B First of all Correct – this is one way to start a meeting, speech or presentation
C And start with Wrong – you can say 'To start with' but not 'And start with'
D And for starters Wrong – you don't need 'And' here.

2. ___________ about the plans for next month's meeting?
A Can I hear you Wrong – this is not a way to ask someone a question
B Can I clarify you Wrong – you can clarify a subject but not a person
C Can I ask you Correct – the speaker is asking someone to talk about the plans for next month's meeting
D Can I include you Wrong – you can 'include someone in plans', but you can't 'include someone about plans'

3. ____________ , but I just wanted to clarify a couple of points before continuing.
A Sorry to hold the meeting up Correct – 'to hold up' means 'to delay'. The speaker is apologising for the interruption – this is a polite way to make a point or ask a question.
B Sorry to hold the meeting down Wrong – you can't say 'hold a meeting down'
C Sorry to hold the meeting around Wrong – you can't say 'hold a meeting around'
D Sorry to hold the meeting along Wrong – you can't say 'hold a meeting along'

4. ___________ that all of the staff members should have an opportunity to give their opinion about the company review.
A I don't feel very strongly Wrong – this is grammatically correct, but why would someone speak if they didn't feel strongly about something?
B I am feeling quite strongly Wrong – use the present simple tense for describing your thoughts and feelings
C I am feeling more strongly Wrong – use the present simple tense for describing your thoughts and feelings
D I do feel quite strongly Correct – the speaker is saying this to show that he really believes what he is about to say