Business Communication Vocabulary

verb to inform or give notice to someone

• I will apprise the board of directors about the latest financial report.
• I'll make sure to apprise you of any updates regarding the project.
• I'll shoot you a text to apprise you of the plan.
• The sunset apprised us of the end of a beautiful day.

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

adverb a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

• Aside from his impressive academic record, he also excels in extracurricular activities.
• Aside from the rain, the picnic was a success.
• Aside from the drama, the party was lit.
• Aside from the storm raging inside him, he appeared calm on the surface.

verb to wait for or expect something

• The final decision from the board of directors is still awaited.
• We are eagerly awaiting the results of the competition.
• I can't wait to see what she got me for my birthday - the anticipation is killing me!
• The knight awaited his fate in the dragon's lair, unsure if he would emerge victorious.

noun in the interest of; as a representative of

• I am writing this letter on behalf of our organization to express our concerns.
• Can you please pick up the package on my behalf?
• I'll cover for you, just say I did it on your behalf.
• The lawyer spoke eloquently on behalf of his client, painting a compelling picture of innocence.

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence, such as 'briefed' in this case

• The team was briefed on the new project guidelines.
• I quickly briefed my friend on the plan before the meeting.
• I gave my buddy a heads up about the party, just briefed him real quick.
• She was briefed on the dangers of the situation before diving in.

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence

adverb a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

conjunction a word used to connect clauses or sentences or to coordinate words in the same clause

• The situation may call for a formal investigation by the authorities.
• I think this situation calls for a serious talk between us.
• When your friend is in trouble, that's when you need to call for backup.
• The success of the project will call for a lot of hard work and dedication.

noun a telephone call

verb to contact or summon someone by telephone

preposition used to indicate the direction or location of someone being summoned

• I need to call up the client to discuss the details of the project.
• I'll call up my friend to see if he wants to hang out tonight.
• I'll call up my buddy and we'll hit the town.
• The memories of my childhood always call up feelings of nostalgia.

noun The process of making a duplicate copy of something

• The secretary made a carbon copy of the important document for the CEO's records.
• Can you make a carbon copy of this report for me?
• Hey, can you whip up a carbon copy of these notes real quick?
• Her new novel is a carbon copy of her previous bestseller in terms of plot and characters.

noun a serious disagreement or argument

verb to be incompatible or at odds

adjective relating to or characteristic of conflict

preposition in conflict with

• The conflict between the two countries has been ongoing for decades.
• There's a lot of conflict between those two coworkers.
• They're always beefing, there's so much conflict between them.
• The conflict within her own mind was causing her great distress.

noun a meeting or communication between people or groups

verb to communicate or get in touch with someone

adjective used to describe something that is in close proximity or touching something else

• Please ensure you have the correct contact information before reaching out.
• Make sure you have the right contact details before you get in touch.
• Hit me up if you need to get in contact with me.
• In times of need, faith can be a comforting contact for many.

noun a close similarity, connection, or equivalence

• The correspondence between the two companies was conducted through official letters.
• I received your email, but let's continue this correspondence over the phone.
• I'm tired of this back and forth correspondence, let's just meet in person.
• The correspondence of colors in the painting created a harmonious effect.

adverb in a terse and rude manner

• The professor curtly dismissed the student's question during the lecture.
• She just curtly told him to leave her alone.
• He responded curtly with a simple 'whatever'.
• Her words cut through the tension in the room, landing curtly on his ears.

noun a business transaction

verb to engage in commercial or trade activities

• The company is currently dealing with a high volume of customer inquiries.
• I'm tired of dealing with all this drama at work.
• I can't believe I have to deal with this mess.
• She's been dealing with a lot of emotional baggage lately.

adjective modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence

• She appeared diffident during the job interview, lacking confidence in her abilities.
• He's always been a bit diffident around new people, but once you get to know him he opens up.
• Don't be so diffident, just go for it and see what happens!
• The diffident sun peeked out from behind the clouds, unsure if it was welcome to shine.

noun a lack of agreement or harmony; a difference of opinion

adjective disagreeing or characterized by disagreement

• The board members had a disagreement over the proposed budget cuts.
• We had a little disagreement about which movie to watch.
• Me and my friend got into a big disagreement about who won the game.
• Their relationship hit a rough patch due to constant disagreement on major decisions.

verb to make (information) known or reveal

adjective having been made known or revealed

• The company disclosed its financial statements to the public.
• She finally disclosed her secret to her best friend.
• I can't believe he disclosed that juicy gossip to everyone.
• The artist slowly disclosed the hidden layers of meaning in his painting.

noun a question or request for information

• Please submit your enquiry through our official contact form for a prompt response.
• If you have any questions, just shoot me an email and I'll get back to you.
• Hit me up if you've got any enquiries and I'll sort you out.
• Her mind was a constant enquiry into the mysteries of the universe.

noun a social blunder or mistake, especially one that breaks accepted customs or etiquette

• She made a major faux pas by forgetting to address the guest of honor during her speech.
• It's a big faux pas to wear white to a wedding.
• If you don't want to commit a fashion faux pas, make sure to wear matching socks.
• His decision to invest all his money in one risky venture turned out to be a real faux pas.

noun the condition or quality of being formal; adherence to prescribed forms or customs

adjective formal

• The formality of the event required guests to wear black-tie attire.
• We don't need to worry about all the formality, just come as you are.
• Let's skip all the formality and just hang out like old times.
• The formality of the situation made it difficult for them to communicate openly.

noun the way in which something is arranged or set out

verb to arrange or set out something according to a particular format

• The report must be submitted in the prescribed format.
• Make sure you save the document in the right format.
• I can't open this file, it's in some weird format.
• She always follows her own format when giving presentations.

noun a person who serves as the public face or spokesperson for a group or organization

• The front man of the band is responsible for interacting with the audience during performances.
• The front man always knows how to get the crowd hyped up at concerts.
• That front man is a total rockstar on stage!
• In this negotiation, you need to be the front man and take charge of the situation.

noun a person who acts as an intermediary or messenger

verb to act as an intermediary or messenger between two parties

• The mediator acted as a go between for the two parties in the negotiation.
• I'll be the go between for you and Sarah if you need me to pass along a message.
• I can be the go between for you and your crush if you want me to help you out.
• The river served as a natural go between for the two towns on either side.

adverb in or at this place or position; with this document or communication

pronoun used to indicate something that is attached to or being associated with

preposition used to introduce a document or communication

• I am sending the report herewith for your review.
• Here is the report for you to check out.
• Check out the report I'm sending your way.
• Attached herewith is the key to unlocking your success.

adjective not influenced by, showing, or involving personal feelings

• The communication in the business world can sometimes come off as impersonal.
• I don't like how the new manager is so impersonal with everyone.
• The customer service at that store is so impersonal, it's like they don't care at all.
• His writing style is often criticized for being too impersonal and detached from the reader.

noun a person who helps people to understand each other

• The conference hired a professional interpreter to assist with translating the speeches.
• I need an interpreter to help me understand what the doctor is saying.
• I can't believe she's dating that guy, she must be an interpreter because he speaks a different language.
• In a way, an artist can be seen as an interpreter of emotions through their work.

noun the action of making something known, especially in an indirect way

• The letter from the lawyer contained an intimation of legal action if the payment was not made promptly.
• She gave me a subtle intimation that she wanted to break up.
• I got an intimation from my boss that I might be getting a promotion soon.
• The dark clouds gathering in the sky were an intimation of an approaching storm.

noun the act of paying attention to sound or music

verb the act of hearing something with attention

• Active listening is an important skill for effective communication in the workplace.
• I love listening to music while I work out.
• She was totally not listening when I was talking to her.
• Sometimes, truly listening to someone means hearing what they are not saying.

noun a practical or realistic attitude or approach

adjective relating to or characteristic of facts or reality; not fanciful or imaginative

adverb in a straightforward or unemotional manner

• She spoke in a matter-of-fact tone during the business meeting.
• He was very matter-of-fact about the whole situation.
• I like how she's so matter-of-fact about everything.
• His matter-of-fact attitude cut through the confusion like a sharp knife.

verb to intervene in a dispute in order to bring about an agreement or reconciliation

• The mediator was able to successfully mediate the dispute between the two parties.
• I'll try to mediate the argument between my siblings before it gets out of hand.
• Let's get someone to mediate this drama before it blows up.
• Music has the power to mediate our emotions and bring us peace.

noun a person who attempts to make people involved in a conflict come to an agreement; a go-between

• The mediator helped facilitate communication between the two parties during the negotiation.
• The mediator did a great job helping them work things out.
• The mediator was like the middleman in the whole situation.
• The mediator acted as a bridge between the conflicting parties.

noun a gathering of people for a specific purpose, such as discussing business or sharing information

• The board of directors has scheduled a meeting to discuss the company's financial performance.
• Let's grab a coffee before the meeting starts.
• I can't make it to the meeting, can you fill me in later?
• Their minds were like two ships passing in the night, never truly meeting.

noun a written message in business or diplomacy

verb none

adjective none

adverb none

pronoun none

preposition none

conjunction none

interjection none

article none

• The CEO sent out a memo to all employees regarding the new company policy.
• Hey, did you see the memo about the office party next week?
• I totally forgot about the memo for the meeting, oops!
• Her actions were like a memo to the rest of the team, showing them how to handle difficult situations with grace.

verb to interpret or explain incorrectly; to fail to understand or interpret correctly

• It is important to clarify any potential misunderstandings in the contract before signing.
• I think you misunderstood what I meant by that joke.
• Don't trip, she just misunderstood your intentions.
• In the world of art, a piece that is open to interpretation may be easily misunderstood by some viewers.

noun a formal or informal message that provides information or updates on a particular subject

• The notification was sent out to all employees regarding the upcoming meeting.
• I got a notification on my phone about the new software update.
• I'm always getting notifications from that app, it's so annoying.
• The sudden notification of her arrival caught everyone by surprise.

noun a person holding a position of authority or representing an organization

adjective relating to an authority or public body and its duties, actions, and responsibilities

• The official announcement will be made tomorrow.
• The official word will come out tomorrow.
• The legit news will drop tomorrow.
• The official stamp of approval is pending.

noun a style of writing or speaking that is typically used in official documents or by government officials

• The document was filled with complex officialese language that was difficult to understand.
• The report was full of jargon and officialese that made it hard to read.
• I can't stand all the officialese in these government forms.
• Her speech was so full of officialese that it felt like she was speaking a different language.

adverb usually; in a normal or customary manner

• Ordinarily, individuals are expected to follow the rules and regulations set by the organization.
• I don't usually eat breakfast, but I'll make an exception today.
• I ain't normally into that kind of music, but it's actually pretty good.
• She ordinarily keeps her emotions in check, but today she couldn't help but cry.

noun a device used for communication that enables individuals to talk to each other over long distances

verb to make a phone call or contact someone by telephone

• I always make sure to keep my phone fully charged in case of emergencies.
• Hey, can you grab my phone for me? I think I left it on the table.
• I love my new phone, it's so lit!
• She has been glued to her phone all day, she needs to take a break.

noun a facial expression that does not show any emotion, typically used in poker to deceive opponents

• She maintained a stoic poker face throughout the entire business negotiation.
• I can never tell if Sarah is bluffing or not because she always has her poker face on.
• I had my poker face on during the exam so the teacher wouldn't suspect I was cheating.
• Despite the chaos around her, she kept a poker face and remained calm and collected.

noun a formal talk given in front of an audience

adjective relating to or involved in a presentation

• The presentation given by the CEO was well-prepared and informative.
• I thought your presentation at the meeting was really good.
• The presentation was on point, I didn't get bored at all.
• Her presentation of the facts was like a puzzle coming together perfectly.

noun the quality of being prompt or on time

• The promptness of his response to the emergency situation saved many lives.
• I appreciate your promptness in completing the task on time.
• Her promptness in showing up to the party was on point.
• The promptness of the sunrise brought hope to the weary travelers.

noun a group of words taken from a text or speech and repeated by someone other than the original author or speaker

adjective relating to or characteristic of a quotation

• The professor emphasized the importance of citing sources by always including a quotation in your research paper.
• Make sure to put quotation marks around the lyrics when you write them in your notebook.
• I always like to throw in a cool movie quotation when I'm chatting with my friends.
• Her actions were a direct quotation of her mother's behavior, showing just how much influence she had.

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

• I am writing to inquire regarding the status of my application.
• I wanted to ask you about the details regarding the party next week.
• Can you fill me in on what's up regarding the new project?
• The artist's painting left many questions regarding its meaning.

noun the action of repeating something that has already been said or written

• The professor's reiteration of the main points helped reinforce the key concepts for the students.
• I lost count of how many times she said 'I told you so' - it was like a broken record reiteration.
• Stop with the constant reiteration, we get it already!
• Her actions were a reiteration of her commitment to the cause, showing her dedication through repetition.

noun the way in which two or more things are connected

• The company aims to improve its relations with its clients through better communication.
• I heard that John and Sarah's relations have been strained lately.
• I don't want any drama in my relations with my coworkers.
• The delicate balance of power in international relations can be easily disrupted.

noun a brief account of a person's education, qualifications, and previous experience, typically sent with a job application

verb begin to do or pursue (something) again after a pause or interruption

• I will need to review your resume before scheduling an interview.
• Make sure to update your resume before applying for the job.
• I heard she has a killer resume that landed her the job.
• His determination to succeed was like a well-crafted resume, showcasing his skills and experience.

verb to request or summon someone or something to come or be brought to a particular place

• Please send for the doctor immediately.
• Can you send for the pizza delivery guy?
• Yo, send for your crew to come over to the party.
• In times of trouble, it's important to send for help.

noun writing paper and other office materials

adjective not moving or not intended to be moved

• The stationary train sat on the tracks, waiting for the signal to move.
• I love browsing through the stationary section at the store for cute notebooks.
• I can't find my favorite stationary set, it must have disappeared.
• His emotions were stationary, stuck in a state of numbness.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• I need to talk to the manager about the issue.
• I should talk to my friend about what happened.
• I gotta talk to my parents before I can go out.
• Sometimes we need to talk to ourselves to work through our thoughts.

adjective relating to or involving the use of a telephone

• The telephonic conversation with the client was very productive.
• I had a telephonic chat with my friend last night.
• Let's have a telephonic gossip session later.
• The telephonic connection between the two characters in the novel symbolized their emotional bond.

noun a written or printed version of material originally presented in another medium

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The student requested a copy of his academic transcript from the university.
• I need to get a copy of my transcript for my job application.
• I gotta grab my transcript for the scholarship application.
• The transcript of the meeting revealed key insights into the company's future plans.

noun a letter or document that is sent to someone

adjective relating to the act of transmitting or sending something

• The transmittal of important documents must be done securely.
• Can you handle the transmittal of these files for me?
• I'll take care of the transmittal, no worries.
• The transmittal of knowledge from teacher to student is crucial for learning.

adjective having a greasy or oily quality

• The politician's unctuous speech failed to convince the audience of his sincerity.
• I can't stand how unctuous she acts around important people.
• He's so unctuous, always trying to butter up the boss.
• Her unctuous smile hid a deeper sense of betrayal.

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence

article a word that is used with a noun to specify grammatical definiteness of the noun

• It seems that some team members did not get the memo about the updated project deadline.
• I guess Sarah did not get the memo about the dress code for the party.
• Looks like Jake totally didn't get the memo about the meeting being canceled.
• She must not have gotten the memo that we are no longer friends.

noun a system in which a caller must pay for a call to a particular number or area

• The company charges a fee for each toll call made on their network.
• I didn't realize it was a toll call until I saw the charges on my phone bill.
• I avoid making toll calls because they can really add up.
• The toll call of responsibility weighed heavily on his conscience.

noun a person who submits something

• The submittee must adhere to all guidelines outlined in the submission instructions.
• Make sure the submittee follows the rules or their submission may be rejected.
• If the submittee doesn't play by the rules, they're out of luck.
• The submittee is like a player in a game, following the rules to win.

noun a line made up of a series of dots or small dashes

adjective describing the type of line as having dots

• Please sign your name on the dotted line to indicate your agreement.
• Just put your signature on the dotted line, and we're good to go.
• Hey, just scribble your name on the dotted line and we're all set.
• The project's success is just beyond the dotted line of completion.

verb to withdraw an invitation or cancel an invitation previously extended

• The host decided to disinvite the guest from the event due to their inappropriate behavior.
• I heard they had to disinvite John from the party because of his recent actions.
• They had to straight up disinvite him from the gathering because he was causing too much drama.
• Sometimes we need to disinvite negativity from our lives in order to find peace and happiness.

noun a word that refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance, or quality

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

• During the meeting, it is important to make an ask for additional resources to complete the project on time.
• If you need help with your homework, just make an ask and I'll see what I can do.
• I'm going to make an ask for some cash to buy concert tickets.
• In order to succeed in negotiations, you have to be willing to make an ask for what you truly want.

noun a document or file that is sent with an email

verb to fasten or join one thing to another

• Please review the attachment for further details.
• Check out the attachment for more info.
• I'll send you the deets in the attachment.
• The attachment to the project is crucial for its success.

noun a social psychological concept that involves the attempt to influence the perceptions of others

• The CEO emphasized the importance of impression management during the company's public relations campaign.
• She's always worried about impression management when meeting new people.
• I'm all about that impression management when I'm trying to impress someone.
• In the world of politics, impression management is like a carefully choreographed dance.

verb to agree to take or receive

• The company will only accpt applications submitted through the online portal.
• I heard they won't accpt late submissions for the project.
• They're never gonna accpt that excuse for missing the deadline.
• Sometimes you just have to accpt the things you cannot change.

noun a person who sends a message or letter to someone else

pronoun a word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse

• The addressor of the letter must clearly state their intentions in the opening paragraph.
• Make sure the addressor knows where to send the package before they leave.
• Yo, tell the addressor to hit me up with that info ASAP.
• In this painting, the artist is the addressor, communicating their emotions through color and brushstrokes.

noun A difference of opinion

• The board members had a difference of opinion regarding the new company policy.
• We all have a different opinion about where to go for lunch - just a difference of opinion.
• Me and my friend had a beef over something trivial - just a difference of opinion.
• In the world of art, there is often a difference of opinion on what constitutes true beauty.

noun a person who works in advertising, typically in a managerial or executive role

• The adman presented a comprehensive marketing strategy to the client.
• The adman came up with a catchy slogan for the new campaign.
• The adman is a pro at selling products through ads.
• He was an adman in the way he could persuade anyone to do anything.

noun Abbreviation for advertising, the business of promoting products or services

• The company decided to invest in a new advt campaign to increase brand awareness.
• Have you seen the latest advt for that new product?
• I skip through all the advts when watching TV.
• His actions were like a well-crafted advt, designed to deceive and manipulate.

adjective describes a noun or pronoun that has been previously mentioned

adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb by providing more information about the manner, place, time, degree, or frequency of an action

• The aforementioned research study provides valuable insights into the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems.
• I forgot to mention the aforementioned book during our discussion yesterday.
• I can't believe you actually bought the aforementioned dress after all that!
• The aforementioned elephant in the room is becoming harder to ignore as tensions rise within the group.