How to Say Negative Things Positively at Work
In business, strong relationships are essential for success. So in situations when you have something negative to say, it's a good idea to find a more positive way to communicate your thoughts.
This time, we'll look at euphemisms, softer words used instead of others that may be too direct or unpleasant. Euphemisms are common in many situations, but this article will focus on a few that are especially useful in business.
Common Business Euphemisms
Instead of "Long"...
For things like meetings and presentations, "long" often sounds negative. A good alternative is "thorough" or "in-depth."
Scott's speech was certainly thorough; he covered every detail.
The team submitted a very in-depth market analysis report.
(Be careful not to confuse "thorough" with "through" — they look similar, but their spelling, pronunciations and meanings are all different!)
Instead of "Hard"...
"Challenging" has a more positive nuance than adjectives like "hard" and "difficult" because it implies an opportunity to become better and eventually succeed.
My supervisor put me in charge of a really challenging task, but he's confident that I can handle it.
The exam was really challenging, but I was able to pass it with help from my tutor!
Instead of "Problem"...
To give an unfortunate situation a less negative feeling, try "issue," "setback" or "challenge" instead of "problem."
Our team is dealing with several issues on this project.
We have to postpone our delivery date due to unforeseen setbacks.
Challenges with our supply chain will affect our ability to deliver on time.
Instead of "Fire"...
Companies usually don't like to say directly that they've fired someone. Instead, "lay off" and "let go" are more commonly used.
Due to financial difficulties, we unfortunately had to lay off a small portion of our workforce.
Many company employees are worried they will be let go in the coming months.
Related article: "You're Fired!" Expressions for Joining and Leaving Companies
Instead of "Unemployed"...
Someone who has lost their job has become "unemployed." This word, however, can include negative nuances such as laziness or a lack of ambition, which may not actually be true.
A more neutral way to express this is to say someone is "out of work."
He's been out of work for about four months.
An even more positive alternative is "between jobs." Here, the nuance is that even though someone lost their previous job, they're actively moving toward the next one.
I'm in between jobs right now, so I'm doing a lot of networking to find new opportunities.
Instead of "Fire"...
Terms like "fire," "lay off" and "let go" can refer to either individuals or groups. But there's another set of euphemisms that are often used when talking about changes that affect the whole company.
"Downsizing" is reducing the total number of workers, which is a nicer way of saying a significant amount of employees are being fired.
We'll be downsizing in order to be more competitive in the current market.
"Restructuring" is used in a similar way; it refers to fundamental changes that could result in workers moving to new roles or losing their jobs completely.
The leadership believes restructuring is necessary to improve the company's profitability.
Instead of "Quit"...
Of course, some workers leave a company or position because of their own choice. "Quit," however, sounds quite direct and harsh. A softer alternative is "resign."
After serving as a board member for many years, Johnson decided to resign in order to spend more time with his family.
Note that people can also be forced to resign, which is actually another way of saying they're being fired.
The leader was pressured to resign when the scandal became a big news story.
"Step down" has a similar meaning and is often used when someone leaves a job or position because of pressure from others.
The public called for the politician to step down due to his controversial remarks.
Instead of "Worried"...
When problems appear, people often avoid saying how serious they are, especially when making public statements.
In these situations, "concerned" is a common euphemism for "worried." "Concerned" implies that the problem is being taken seriously and that everyone is calmly working on a solution.
These unexpected developments are cause for concern.
Management is concerned about the lack of progress on this project.
Instead of "Pay"...
Money is a very sensitive topic for many people. Even though "pay" as a noun isn't a negative word, in business, it's often substituted for words like "salary" or "compensation."
It's the company's policy for employees to not discuss details of their salary with one another.
What kind of compensation can I expect if I accept this position with your organization?
The term "compensation package" includes things beyond money, such as benefits and other perks.
We're prepared to offer you a very generous compensation package.
Wrap-up
Euphemisms are present everywhere in English communication, but they're especially common in the business world.
Using these words effectively first requires you to understand the context in order to determine what's best for the situation. Observe carefully, then respond appropriately!
Want to practice with these words in a real conversation? Book a lesson with Engoo! A one-on-one Engoo lesson is only 25 minutes, and we have friendly instructors from around the world available 24 hours a day. Give it a try!
