Are you an international businessperson striving to polish your business English skills? Fear not! You're in good company. Countless people grapple with slip-ups while navigating the professional world's linguistic labyrinth.

And, as a professional English-language writer, let me tell you something. Everyone needs an editor. If you’re writing it, read it. Write it, read it back. Even the greatest writers needed editors. If you don’t have one, take the time to read your work after you’ve written it. If you’re worried about speaking, practice. You think seasoned business leaders don’t practice their speeches and delivery? You’d be wrong. So, there's no reason you can't practice in advance of a Zoom call.

Finally, nobody expects you to be perfect. As a native English speaker, my command of other languages is pretty lacking, I certainly don’t expect a non-native speaker to be perfect. And there are always going to be cultural miscommunications. But don't worry, it's all par for the course.

Now, let’s delve into some of the most common business English problems and figure out how to sidestep them.

Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

Ah, the cardinal sin of business communication: neglecting to proofread your work. While it may seem trivial, this oversight can have serious consequences. Take a moment to read your writing, ensuring there are no spelling and grammatical mistakes. Clarity and precision are king, after all.

Proofreading also highlights areas that can be refined. Hunt down awkward phrases, unearth unclear statements, and verify the accuracy of your facts. Sure, it may demand extra time, but the payoff is worth its weight in gold: immaculate, error-free communication. And, in fact, it doesn’t take too long at all, provided you worked hard on the first version.

Here's a tricky #businessenglish and #toeic question. Best of luck!

121. Please refer to the attached flowchart, which details the ___ of responsibilities amongst
department heads.

a) division
b) support
c) attention
d) statement#toeictips #passtoeic #toeic990 #toeiconline

— Common ESL Mistakes (@TristanDreyer8) February 5, 2024

Lexical Lapses: Using the Wrong Vocabulary

In navigating the labyrinth of the English lexicon you might become lost in the shadows. That’s a ridiculous sentence to offer up to non-native speakers. What I mean is that understanding how to use your vocabulary is important. The key? Precision, relevance, and professionalism in your choice of words. Perfect your use and understanding of industry-specific jargon and wield it with skill and accuracy.

When in doubt, harness the power of research. Explore linguistic nuances, consult experienced colleagues, and use a dictionary if you’re not clear. Remember, practice makes perfect and nobody knows what you’re getting up to in your spare time. Proofreading is your trusty ally in the battle against blunders.

Grammatical Gaffes

Grammar, the unsung hero of language and comms. Beware the perils of misused articles, improper verb tenses, and discordant subject-verb agreements. These landmines can derail your communication efforts faster than you can say "syntax", which is a fancy way of saying “how words are arranged”.

The only way to improve is to practice, practice, practice. Speak, use your English as often as possible and also outside of work. Enlist the help of grammar-checking software or get a second pair of eyes to look at your writing. Remember: Attention to grammatical detail will set you apart from the crowd.

The Devil in the Details

In the world of business communication, precision is key, so, you have to pay attention when you’re using your second language. Before handing in your work or sending that important email, conduct a thorough audit. Scrutinize every line for accuracy, check your punctuation, and ensure your tone is right. Never underestimate the power of a second opinion: A fresh perspective can unearth hidden flaws and refine your communication to perfection.

Precision in Practice: 6 Techniques for Crafting Concise and Exact Language#Englishgrammar #grammar #writing pic.twitter.com/kvwHCAEJsQ

— English Grammar (@GrammarUpdates) February 8, 2024

Instruction Infractions

Above all, you need to understand what you’re being asked to do. From reports to emails, failure to pay attention to directions can prove catastrophic. Always read your instructions carefully, ensuring you've dotted every "i" and crossed every "t."

Remember: Clarity, conciseness, and compliance Compliance In finance, banking, investing, and insurance compliance refers to following the rules or orders set down by the government regulatory authority, either as providing a service or processing a transaction. Compliance concerning finance would also be a state of being following established guidelines or specifications. This designation can also encompass efforts to ensure that organizations are abiding by both industry regulations and government legislation. Understanding ComplianceCompliance is a In finance, banking, investing, and insurance compliance refers to following the rules or orders set down by the government regulatory authority, either as providing a service or processing a transaction. Compliance concerning finance would also be a state of being following established guidelines or specifications. This designation can also encompass efforts to ensure that organizations are abiding by both industry regulations and government legislation. Understanding ComplianceCompliance is a Read this Term are the cornerstones of effective communication. In plain English, that means be clear, don’t write or talk too much, and understand your instructions. Prioritize precision, and your communication will result in great things.

To conclude, the most common mistakes in business communications are a failure to understand what you’re being asked to do. A failure to re-read your work. A failure of vocabulary and an inability to get the grammar right. Most of this can be solved by slowing down and checking your work. Always re-check your work.

The only other thing you can do is practice. Find an English speaker outside of work and talk to them, it doesn't always have to be about forex Forex Foreign exchange or forex is the act of converting one nation’s currency into another nation’s currency (that possesses a different currency); for example, the converting of British Pounds into US Dollars, and vice versa. The exchange of currencies can be done over a physical counter, such as at a Bureau de Change, or over the internet via broker platforms, where currency speculation takes place, known as forex trading.The foreign exchange market, by its very nature, is the world’s largest tradi Foreign exchange or forex is the act of converting one nation’s currency into another nation’s currency (that possesses a different currency); for example, the converting of British Pounds into US Dollars, and vice versa. The exchange of currencies can be done over a physical counter, such as at a Bureau de Change, or over the internet via broker platforms, where currency speculation takes place, known as forex trading.The foreign exchange market, by its very nature, is the world’s largest tradi Read this Term. Don’t worry, it could be about anything, just talk. The more you do this, the more relaxed and confident you’ll become and that’ll show in your work communications, especially when you’re talking or presenting.