Many of our clients at Redline in Warsaw speak C1-level English. Their grammar is excellent. But in a board meeting with London or Berlin, small habits from Polish make them sound less confident.
Here are the 5 we hear most often — and what to say instead.
1. “I think we should…” when you mean “I recommend…”
In Polish, “Myślę, że powinniśmy” is polite and professional. In English business, “I think” sounds uncertain.
Fix: Say “I recommend we…” or “My proposal is…”. It’s direct, not rude.
2. “We must do it tomorrow” instead of “We need to do it tomorrow”
“Must” in English feels like an order from a boss or a school teacher. Polish “musimy” is softer.
Fix: Use “We need to…” or “We have to…” — it keeps urgency without sounding harsh.
3. Too many long, complex sentences
Polish business style loves long, precise sentences with many subordinate clauses. English executives stop listening after 20 seconds.
Fix: The Redline Rule — One idea = One sentence. Short. Clear. Pause.
4. “Please kindly…”
“Please kindly send the report” is a direct translation of “Bardzo proszę uprzejmie…”. In native English, it sounds overly formal and a little old-fashioned.
Fix: Simple “Please send the report” or “Could you send the report?” is more natural and more professional.
5. Not using softeners for disagreement
Polish “I don’t agree” is honest. In UK/US meetings, it can sound aggressive.
Fix: Soften it: “I see it differently…” or “I understand your point, however…”
At Redline Language Solutions, we don’t teach textbook English. We train executives to sound authoritative, natural, and confident in real international meetings.
Want a free 15-minute audit of your meeting English? Contact us.