Presenting in English: structure, phrases and mistakes to avoid
A presentation in English works when it follows a clear structure and uses prepared phrases for each stage: opening, agenda, main content, data, closing and questions.
You do not need a C1 level to present well. You need to know exactly what to say at each moment and to have practised it out loud.
This guide gives you the full structure, the phrases you can use as they are, and the mistakes Spanish speakers make most often when presenting in English.
How is a presentation in English structured?
A professional presentation has six stages. Preparing them separately is what allows you to present confidently even at an intermediate level.
| Stage | What you do | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Opening | Introduce yourself and the topic | 30–60 seconds |
| 2. Agenda | Outline the points you will cover | 30 seconds |
| 3. Main content | Develop each point with clear transitions | 60–70% of total |
| 4. Data | Present figures, charts or results | 15–20% of total |
| 5. Closing | Summarise and deliver your final message | 1 minute |
| 6. Questions | Respond to the audience | Variable |
Prepare phrases, not a full script
A memorised text sounds artificial and collapses the moment someone interrupts. What works is preparing the linking phrases for each stage and keeping your content as separate ideas.
That way the language stops consuming your attention: transitions come out automatically and you can focus on your message.
How to start a presentation in English
Introduce yourself, state your topic in one sentence and say how long you will take. Those three things in the first thirty seconds set the audience's expectations.
- Good morning, everyone. My name is [name] and I'm the [role] at [company].
- Thanks for joining today. For those who don't know me, I'm [name] from the [department] team.
- Today I'd like to talk about…
- The purpose of this presentation is to…
- In the next ten minutes, I'll walk you through…
- This will take about fifteen minutes, and we'll have time for questions at the end.
- Feel free to interrupt me if anything isn't clear.
Agenda and transition phrases
Transitions are the part people notice when they are missing. Without them, a presentation sounds like a list of disconnected slides.
Outlining the agenda
- I've divided my presentation into three parts.
- First, I'll cover… Then, I'll move on to… And finally, I'll…
Moving between points
- Let's move on to…
- That brings me to my next point.
- Now that we've seen…, let's look at…
Referring back or emphasising
- As I mentioned earlier…
- Let me come back to this for a second.
- I'd like to emphasise that…
Handing over
- I'll now hand over to [name], who will explain…
How to present data and charts in English
When presenting a figure, say what it represents before you say the number. The audience needs context before data in order to interpret it.
Introducing a chart
- This chart shows…
- If you look at the graph on the left…
- These figures represent…
Describing change
- Sales increased by 12% compared to last year.
- There was a slight decline in the second quarter.
- Revenue remained stable throughout the period.
| Up | Down | Stable |
|---|---|---|
| increase / rise / grow | decrease / fall / drop | remain stable |
| a sharp increase | a slight decrease | level off |
| peak | bottom out | stay flat |
- The key takeaway here is…
- What I'd like you to notice is…
How to close a presentation in English
Close by summarising your main points and finish with a conclusion or a specific request. A clear ending is what the audience remembers.
Summarising
- To sum up, we've looked at…
- Let me quickly recap the main points.
Concluding
- In conclusion, I believe…
- The main message I'd like you to take away is…
Next step
- What we need from you is…
- The next step would be…
Opening the floor
- Thank you for your attention. I'm happy to answer any questions.
How to handle questions in English
The Q&A is the stage that creates the most anxiety, because it is the only one you cannot prepare word for word. You can, however, prepare the phrases that buy you time and ask for clarification.
If you did not understand
- Sorry, could you repeat that, please?
- I'm not sure I understood. Are you asking about…?
- Could you rephrase that?
To buy a few seconds
- That's a good question.
- Let me think about that for a moment.
- So, if I understand correctly, you're asking…
If you do not know
- I don't have that figure with me, but I'll get back to you.
- That's outside my area, but I can check with the team.
Closing an answer
- Does that answer your question?
Saying you do not know something does not damage your credibility. Inventing an answer you cannot defend does.
Common mistakes Spanish speakers make
Most presentation mistakes are not advanced grammar. They are false friends and direct translations from Spanish.
| Common mistake | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Actually, meaning “currently” | Currently | Actually means “in fact” |
| I assist to the meeting | I attend the meeting | Assist means to help |
| I'm agree | I agree | Agree is already a verb |
| Explain me | Explain to me | Explain needs the preposition |
| We discussed about it | We discussed it | Discuss takes no about |
| In the other hand | On the other hand | Fixed preposition |
| We realized the project | We carried out the project | Realize means to become aware |
| Our compromise | Our commitment | Compromise means a trade-off |
| People is | People are | People is plural |
| Informations / advices | Information / advice | Uncountable nouns |
Frequently asked questions about presenting in English
What level of English do I need to give a presentation?
A solid B1 is enough if the content is prepared and the phrases for each stage have been rehearsed. Level matters less than people assume — preparation and speaking out loud beforehand make the real difference.
How do I start a presentation in English?
Introduce yourself, state your topic in one sentence and say how long you will take. For example: Good morning, my name is… Today I'd like to talk about… This will take about ten minutes. Those thirty seconds set expectations and settle your nerves.
What if I do not understand a question?
Ask for it to be repeated or rephrased using a prepared phrase: Sorry, could you repeat that, please? It is a normal professional reaction, not a failure. Answering a question you misunderstood is what actually costs credibility.
How long does it take to prepare a presentation in English?
For a ten-minute presentation, allow four to six hours spread across several days: structure, phrases, vocabulary and three timed rehearsals. Spreading preparation out works better than cramming the day before.
Does your team present in English?
At BEST we rehearse real presentations: your material, your sector and your difficult questions, in live online classes for companies across Spain.