The importance of Business English

English is the global language of business and those who have not mastered it are at a distinct disadvantage. Going further, there is a sub-category of English even more vital to business, and that is Business English.

The Merriam-Webster definition of Business English is:

1: The study and practice of composition with emphasis on correctness, propriety, spelling, punctuation, and the forms of business correspondence.

2: English…that emphasize (s) its commercial rather than its cultural importance…normally designed to produce conversational fluency within a limited vocabulary.

Business English provides a strong foundation in terms of the vocabulary one requires in order to effectively communicate in that specific sphere. Business English language mastery ensures that one is able to express oneself clearly and quickly in order to save time and money for maximum productivity.

Business English is not poetic, flowery or beautiful. Instead, it is specifically designed to be functional and to maintain focus on the issue at hand. It is brief, to the point and designed to facilitate clarity of purpose in all forms of business communication. It is almost blunt, abrupt and clinical, so as to minimise misunderstanding, distractions and individual cross-cultural differences. It is practical, minimalistic and is focused on achieving results, rather than on eliciting an emotional response. Despite all that, it is never rude, impolite or overly emotional, as these are viewed as being unprofessional. Being perceived as unprofessional in business is to be avoided at all costs, as it suggests being ignorant, uneducated and / or inexperienced.

Business English instruction should always include the appropriate use of the Business English vocabulary for that specific business situation. It should consider the target audiences needs and seek to address them. For example, when requesting approval for a new project: a finance team would most often prefer financial numbers presented in spreadsheets, graphs and charts, whereas the HR team would prefer to be informed of how the project will impact staff members and their wellbeing.

Knowing your business audience and how to give them what they require will get you what you need quickly, so that you can be as productive and successful, as possible.

The ultimate sin in business is to waste time, money and productivity. Business English is the best way to avoid those pitfalls, so that you can achieve optimum success.

Do you want to know more about what Business English is? Watch this video next:

Next, check out our Infographic entitled: ‘The Art of Business English versus Standard English’

Links to other related content:

  1. Business Emails
  2. Business Meetings
  3. Business Presentations
  4. Business English Tests
  5. Business Lessons Learned
  6. Videos

Want to see more? View our other Business English articles by clicking on this link

Subscribe to our YouTube channel by clicking on this link

If you would like to receive an email every time we publish a new article…please complete the below form and click ‘Submit Form’:

Email me each time Optimum Business English publishes a new post

Posted by optimumbusines

Lyn has worked in various business areas of large, internationally-recognised, multinational telecommunication corporate organisations since 2004, gaining significant expertise in the business language of each. Her role regularly combined the functions of internal communications, training and change management on large projects and other strategic initiatives. She also has specific experience in: – Creating HR policies and procedures – Talent recruitment lead creation procedures – Process creation, optimisation and re-engineering in AP, sourcing and HR – Migrating and managing SOX and EWC compliance, and implementations – Global and regional Shared Service Centre management and implementations – Bid Management – EcoMetric assessment training and certification procedures – Internship creation and management – Full SAP, IFRS15, Concur and S4 Hana implementations QUALIFICATIONS She has a four-year Higher Diploma in Education from the University of Natal, in secondary (high school) second language teaching. She also has a Bachelor of Arts degree, from the University of South Africa (UNISA), majoring in Psychology. She is a certified EcoMetrist and has an Advanced 120 Hour TEFL certificate. Her combination of international business experience provides practical, professional know-how, combined with excellent qualifications, ensures an effective all-round, expert approach to training.

Reader interactions

925 Replies to “The importance of Business English”

  1. Very good article.Thanks Again. Will read on

    Reply

  2. I really like your writing style, great information, regards for putting up : D.

    Reply

  3. Normally I do not read post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do so! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, very nice article.

    Reply

  4. Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to your blog before but after browsing through a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m certainly happy I discovered it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!

    Reply

  5. It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of info.I’m glad that you simply shared this useful information with us.Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

  6. I needed to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every bit of it. I have you bookmarked to look at new things you postÖ

    Reply

  7. I do believe all the concepts you’ve introduced in yourpost. They’re very convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are too short for starters.May you please lengthen them a bit from next time? Thank you for the post.

    Reply

  8. Hey There. I found your blog the usage of msn. Thisis a very well written article. I’ll be sure tobookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info.Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.

    Reply

  9. Thanks for the blog article.Much thanks again. Will read on

    Reply

  10. When someone writes an piece of writing he/she maintainsthe image of a user in his/her mind that how a user can understand it.So that’s why this piece of writing is great. Thanks!

    Reply

  11. Greetings! Very useful advice within this post! It is the little changes that produce the biggest changes. Many thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  12. This is one awesome article post.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.

    Reply

  13. What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve foundIt absolutely helpful and it has helped me out loads.I hope to contribute & assist other users like its helped me.Good job.

    Reply

  14. I read this article completely regarding the difference of latest and earlier technologies, it’s amazing article.

    Reply

  15. I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I absolutely loved every bit of it. I have got you bookmarked to look at new things you postÖ

    Reply

  16. It’s really a nice and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  17. Really informative blog post.Really thank you! Keep writing.

    Reply

  18. I value the blog post.Much thanks again. Cool.

    Reply

  19. I value the article.Thanks Again. Great.

    Reply

  20. I really like and appreciate your blog post.Much thanks again. Fantastic.

    Reply

  21. Im grateful for the post.Really thank you! Much obliged.

    Reply

  22. Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. And he just bought me lunch because I found it for him smile Therefore let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!

    Reply

  23. Say, you got a nice blog post.

    Reply

  24. Really informative blog.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.

    Reply

  25. Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic article. Really Cool.

    Reply

  26. My relatives always say that I am wasting my time here at net,however I know I am getting familiarity every day by reading such good articles.

    Reply

  27. Thanks so much for the blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.

    Reply

  28. This was really good content. Thanks for creating it. You made a long-term fan and I’ll return to read more. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  29. Hi there, yeah this article is genuinely pleasant and I havelearned lot of things from it on the topic of blogging.thanks.

    Reply

  30. I want to to thank you for this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you saved as a favorite to check out new stuff you post…

    Reply

  31. I truly appreciate this post.Really thank you! Want more.

    Reply

  32. Your style is really unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this blog.

    Reply

  33. Im grateful for the article post.Really thank you! Awesome.

    Reply

  34. I think this is a real great article. Want more.

    Reply

  35. Kudos to you, We learned something new. Give thanks anyone so much. My partner and i look forward to working with you.

    Reply

  36. Im obliged for the article post.Thanks Again. Much obliged.

    Reply

  37. It’s difficult to find educated people in this particular topic, however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks

    Reply

  38. Thank you for your post.Really thank you!

    Reply

  39. I really enjoy the blog post.Much thanks again. Great.

    Reply

  40. I think this is a real great blog.Really thank you! Really Great.

    Reply

  41. I wanted to thank you for this wonderful read!! I absolutely enjoyed every little bit of it. I’ve got you bookmarked to look at new things you postÖ

    Reply

  42. Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thank you, However I am encountering issues with yourRSS. I don’t know why I cannot join it. Is there anyone else having similar RSS issues?Anyone that knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanks!!

    Reply

    1. Dear Savannah
      I have a form at the end of every article where you can sign up to receive an email update every time I post a new article.
      However, as you seem to have missed it, I have signed you up for it myself, according to your wishes expressed in your message.
      I hope that is ok?

      Reply

  43. Awesome blog article.Much thanks again. Will read on…

    Reply

  44. Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this content together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!

    Reply

  45. I really like and appreciate your blog post.Thanks Again. Really Cool.

    Reply

  46. Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blogand I’m impressed! Very helpful information particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this particular info fora very long time. Thank you and good luck.

    Reply

  47. Thanks for every other excellent post. The placeelse may anybody get that type of info in such an ideal wayof writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m on the search for such info.

    Reply

  48. There is certainly a lot to learn about this issue. I love all of the points you’ve made.

    Reply

  49. Excellent blog you have got here.. It’s difficult to find good quality writing like yours these days. I seriously appreciate people like you! Take care!!

    Reply

  50. Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Thank you

    Reply

    1. Hi Frank
      Not at all.
      Thank you for your support.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *