Business English vocabulary mistakes
USEFUL FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS
Business English vocabulary mistakes can be painfully hilarious. Have you ever used an English word that looks very similar to a word from your own languageâŠonly to discover it means something different? To avoid any more confusion in your work life (and to save yourself from more cringe moments) I recommend checking the most typical mix-ups in Business English vocabulary.
1. Contract vs Hire
Do you ever say âWe need to contract a new employeeâ Oopsy! What you really want to say here is âWe need to hire a new employeeâ. To hire someone = to employ someone.Â
But that mistake is easily made, becauseâŠcontract is a word in English! New employees sign a contract: a legal document. For example, âI have a permanent contractâ. Just remember that in a business context, we only use the noun (a contract), and not the action (to contract)
Is your head exploding yet? Weâre only getting started!
2. Reunion vs Meeting
âI have a work reunion at 10amâ isâŠsadly incorrect. For a professional get-together, âI have a meeting at 10amâ is a perfect sentence to say.Â
So, does reunion actually exist in English? Yes! But it normally means a collection of people who havenât seen each other in a really long time, who are having a big catch up to reconnect. For example, âLast week was my high school reunionâ or âevery Christmas we have a huge family reunionâ.
When talking about your participation in a meeting or conference, we donât say “assist”.
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3. Clients vs Customers
This is probably one of the most common mistakes with business English vocabulary. Simply put: in a shop or a restaurant, places with cash and credit cards being passed around, you donât receive clientsâŠyou receive customers.Â
We use âclientâ in a different context â normally to talk about someone you engage in services or conduct ongoing business with. For example, a graphic designer makes a logo design for a client.Â
4. Assist vs Attend
When talking about your participation in a meeting or conference, we donât say âassistâ (which means âto helpâ). Instead, we say âattend a meetingâ. For example, âI canât attend the Zoom meeting today, can we reschedule?âÂ
Also, note that the expression is not âattend to a meetingâ. Itâs simply âattend a meetingâ, nice and easy.Â
Ready for more fascinating mysteries of business English vocabulary? Last one, I promise!
5. Partner vs Colleague
That person who sits at the desk opposite yours and steals your soy milk from the office kitchen is your colleague, co-worker, or workmate. But definitely NOT your partner (or your friend, while weâre on the subject). Â
In fact, typical relationships that come to mind when hearing âpartnerâ are: partner-in-crime, romantic partner, class partnerâŠbut nothing related to your desk buddy.
 If you do hear âpartnerâ in a professional context, it normally means the co-owners of a company. For example, âThere is a group of 4 partners in this law firmâ. Or, âThere are 4 partners inTalktips. And Susie is the best oneâ.Â
…NOW BREATHE!
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This is a tough area of English, and these mistakes are easy to slip out, so donât worry if your head is a little fried right now. Remember, if you confuse these words, they are VERY commonâŠyou wonât be the first or the last person to do so! For now, take a moment and appreciate that today youâve read and expanded on your business English vocabulary.
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Susie Shields
I train people to use English in a professional context. In my one-to-one sessions, online course and social media platforms, youâll master tools to flourish in your English-speaking workplace. From job interviews to work meetings to presentations and more, youâll prepare for professional challenges and speak with success.
