Passive voice
How do you change this to passive voice?
The CEO canceled the event for today.
The event was canceled.
The event was canceled by the CEO.
What’s a polite way to ask someone to repeat something in a meeting?
Possible Answer: “Could you say that again, please?”
Give two examples of phrases you can use to respond to concerns.
I understand where you're coming from...
That's a valid point, but..
...but I think we need to look at the positive side.
I need to "catch up" with my emails.
To do something that needs to be done
We are "back to square one" with this project.
To start something over again because a previous attempt failed
The head of marketing was fired last week.
What should be done?
A new head of marketing should be recruited/hired.
Give one professional way to refuse a request politely.
“I’m afraid I can’t at the moment, but I’ll let you know if that changes.”
What are two phrases to express your concerns?
I am slightly concerned about...
I have some reservations about...
I'm not very happy about...
I will need to "get back" to you on that.
Reply
Many local stores rely on "word of mouth" to get new customers
Something is given or done by people talking about something or telling people about something.
Change this statement to passive and impersonal.
My boss told me that costs are too high.
I've been told that costs are too high.
What phrase could you use to summarize your point in a discussion?
You cannot use: To sum up, to summarize, To conclude
Possible answers: In brief; In short; I'd like to draw everything to a close; etc.
Assurances are pieces of information that help someone who is concerned feel better about the situation.
You need to "run this by" the client.
Tell
Gaining market share in this country will be an uphill battle due to tough competition.
Something that is hard to achieve because of obstacles and difficulties.
Change this statement to be passive and to include the verb decide.
Our new official deadline is January 30th.
It has been decided that January 30th is the new official deadline.
Correct this informal email sentence: “Send me the file ASAP!”
“Could you please send me the file as soon as possible?”
What are two phrases that can help make a team feel involved in a situation?
You are crucial to...
Each one of you has a key role in...
I would encourage all of you to...
You can always "count on" me.
Depend upon
My mid-level managers constantly delayed projects, so I "took the bull by the horns" and fired several of them.
To directly confront a difficult situation in a brave and determined way
The boss wants us to hold a series of seminars for team leaders.
Change this to passive and impersonal by using the verb propose.
It has been proposed that we hold a series of seminars for team leaders.
You’re in a meeting and someone keeps interrupting. What’s a polite way to regain the floor?
“If I could just finish my point…” / “Let me continue for a moment, please.”
Give 2 examples of phrases that distance the speaker from the topic/action, or indicate the information is from other sources.
It has been agreed that...
It is proposed that...
Apparently...
As I understand it...
I don’t know who to "turn to."
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We should have discussed our the lawsuit against our company, but no one wanted to talk about the elephant in the room.
An obvious problem or controversial issue that no one wants to discuss.