5 ways to politely say no in business English

Pearson Languages
Four business people sat at a desk, one is on a laptop and another is pointing at whats in front of them

Knowing how to say no politely and professionally is important in the business world. Whether you're declining a job offer, rejecting a sales pitch, or turning down a project, saying no can be difficult. Especially if English is not your native language and you're new to learning business English.

However, using the right phrases can make all the difference in maintaining positive relationships and avoiding misunderstandings. This blog post will explore five phrases to say no in business English politely.

 

5 ways to politely say no in business English
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree Pearson can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

"Thank you for considering me, but I must respectfully decline."

This phrase expresses appreciation for the opportunity while also firmly declining. It shows that you value the other person's time and effort, but that you have made a decision that cannot be changed. This is handy when declining job offers or business proposals.

"I appreciate your interest, but unfortunately, I'm unable to commit at this time."

This saying acknowledges the other person's interest while being clear and direct about your decision. It shows that you are taking their request seriously but cannot fulfill their request at the moment. This phrase is helpful when declining invitations or business proposals.

"I understand where you're coming from, but I don't think it's the right fit for me."

This is a polite way to decline a business proposal or sales pitch. It acknowledges the other person's effort and interest. At the same time, it is honest about your decision. This one is helpful for declining a product or service that doesn't meet your needs or expectations.

"Thank you for the opportunity, but I'm afraid it's not something I can take on right now."

This expression is an excellent way to decline a business request, such as a speaking engagement or additional projects. It shows that you appreciate the offer but cannot accept it now. This is particularly useful when you're declining an opportunity that you may be interested in in the future.

"Thank you for thinking of me, but I'm afraid I won't be able to."

This phrase is a straightforward way to decline an offer. It's important to remember that this phrase should be used sparingly and only in situations where a longer explanation is unnecessary. This is good for declining a small request or a minor opportunity.


Saying no in business can be tricky. However, these phrases can help you decline politely and professionally while still preserving positive relationships. Show appreciation and thankfulness. Explain the logic behind your decision and be courteous.

These steps will help to avoid confusion and hurt feelings. By using these phrases, you can improve your communication skills and effectively say no in business English. Being able to navigate around saying no politely can also help you learn English in general, working on negotiation and explanations, as well as your corporate English learning.

Want to improve your business English? Have a look at our business English courses or our language learning app Mondly. 

Learn about Mondly

More blogs from Pearson

  • business people in a board room with a graph on the wall behind

    Language proficiency and succession planning: Developing future leaders

    By Berenice Lopez
    Reading time: 7 minutes

    In today’s fast-paced business landscape, proactive succession planning is essential for HR professionals. Preparing the next generation of leaders is a business-critical initiative, to ensure organizational continuity, agility and long-term success.

    Succession planning is often high up on the HR agenda, as it also promotes progression, reduces business disruption, and attracts top talent. There are many components to effective succession planning, including skills development, but one skill that’s often overlooked in this process is communication. One often overlooked yet highly influential component of effective succession planning is language proficiency.

    At Pearson ELL, we believe strongly in the power of language and have designed our succession planning strategy with this in mind. The focus is on creating multilingual leaders who are not only proficient in their respective fields but also have a deep understanding of global culture and market dynamics.

    In this blog post, we explore how communication skills and specifically language proficiency plays a pivotal role in succession planning and the development of future leaders. We’ll also provide actionable insights for HR professionals and managers on integrating language development into their succession strategies. As well as some insights from our very own ELL HR team.

  • Two coworkers discussing some sticky notes on a class window

    Local to global: How English skills unlock a career in leadership

    By Samantha Yates
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Of the 1.5 billion English speakers in the world, over half learned it as a second or additional language.

    The “language of business”, English has become a foundational skill for anyone looking to work in an international business or at a leadership level, and many English as a Second Language (ESL) speakers find themselves working in English on a daily basis.

    But working in your second or third language comes with a unique set of challenges and opportunities.

    We spoke to five global leaders about the role English has played in their careers, the challenges of being an ESL speaker, and how businesses can create a culture where everyone has a voice.

  • A woman sat in a library reading books at a table

    Master English with fun and effective exercises

    By Pearson Languages
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Learning English can be a rewarding yet challenging journey. Whether you're aiming to improve your language skills for travel, work, or personal growth, using the right resources will make all the difference. 

    Types of English exercises you should try

    Grammar exercises

    Grammar is the backbone of any language. Worksheets focusing on grammar can help you understand sentence structure, verb tenses and other essential rules. Look for exercises that cover:

    • Verb conjugation: Practice different verb forms and understand when to use each.
    • Sentence structure: Learn how to construct sentences correctly.
    • Punctuation: Understand the importance of punctuation marks and how to use them properly.

    Vocabulary building

    Expanding your vocabulary is crucial for effective communication. Worksheets can help you learn new words and phrases, as well as their meanings and usage. Try exercises like:

    • Word matching: Match words with their definitions.
    • Fill-in-the-blanks: Complete sentences using appropriate vocabulary.
    • Synonyms and antonyms: Identify words with similar or opposite meanings.

    Reading comprehension

    Improving your reading skills involves understanding and interpreting written texts. Worksheets designed for reading comprehension can help you practice:

    • Short stories: Read short passages and answer questions about the content.
    • Articles: Analyze articles to identify main ideas and supporting details.
    • Inference: Draw conclusions based on the information provided in the text.

    Writing practice

    Writing exercises help you articulate your thoughts clearly and coherently. Worksheets can guide you through different writing styles and formats:

    • Essay writing: Practice writing essays on various topics.
    • Letter writing: Learn how to write formal and informal letters.
    • Storytelling: Create your own stories using prompts or randomly selected features.