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Free PDF Worksheet

Informal English (Don’t Say This at Your Job)
Dear English Learner,

Get ready to speak confidently! I recommend reading the worksheet out loud and using
the blank space on the last page to answer my challenge question. Click here to watch
the original video. Thanks so much for learning English with me!

Your teacher,
Vanessa

1. What’s up?
Not offensive, just too informal for work
Formal: How are you?

2. What do you want? or What do you need?

These are casual, but could be considered assertive or rude at work
Formal: How can I help you?

3. Hush or Shush or Shut up!

This can be rude, even when using it casually with friends, so you have to be
careful!
Formal: Please be quiet or Lower your voice.

4. I have to pee.
This is a common phrase for kids to use and even adults use it casually with
each other, but only when you really know each other. You would never want to
say this at work.
Formal: I need to use the restroom.
5. Sorry ‘bout that.
This sounds really casual and like you aren’t really sorry for something, whether
it is bad news or a mistake you made.
Formal: I apologize for that.

6. Does that make sense?

This is not a serious offense, but it is a good one to swap if you want to come
across as more confident.
Formal: What are your thoughts? Or I’d like your opinion on this.

7. Huh? Or What?
For some cultures, this can be annoying or offensive, but for most it just makes
you sound like you don’t know what is going on around you. And that’s never
how you want to present yourself at work.
Formal: Can you repeat that? Or What do you mean by that?

8. Hey!
Don’t use this as a way to get someone’s attention when you’re at work. It can be
seen as rude and disrespectful, or at the very least, unprofessional.
Formal: Excuse me

9. Sweet!
This is extremely common when someone agrees with something or something
good happens. It’s not bad, just unprofessional.
Formal: That’s great! Or That sounds good.

10. Dude, Man, Chick

These are never acceptable to use in a professional setting, but some people
use them all the time with their friends. That’s fine, but never call your boss
“Dude!”
Formal: (nothing) leave it out completely!
 Vanessa’s Challenge Question
Use the space below to write a few sentences answering this question. Use some of the
answers discussed in today’s lesson to guide you. Which of these phrase swaps have
you made at work?

Sample: I have realized that when I say, “Does that make sense?” after I explain an idea
in a meeting, it makes it seem like I am the one who doesn’t really understand what I
am explaining. I never thought about it this way until someone pointed it out to me. So
now, instead of asking that, I say, “I would love to know your thoughts,” or, “What
questions do you have?” It was a simple swap but it makes me sound more
knowledgeable, confident, and professional.

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