15 Ways to Say “No” Professionally and Politely
Saying no can be difficult in any language, but it is especially challenging for those learning English as a second language.
When someone catches you off-guard with a request at work, it can be nerve-wracking to try to decline in a polite and confident manner.
To help make this process easier, it is helpful to have a few go-to phrases ready. These can be used in conversations, emails, or texts to decline a request in a polite and professional way.
Be prepared and practice using these expressions:
I wish I could, but I’m swamped today.
Sorry, but I’m slammed, and I can’t right now.
I’m not taking on any new projects at the moment.
Thanks for thinking of me, but I can’t.
No thanks. I’m really busy.
Unfortunately, now is not a good time.
Sorry, but not this time.
Sounds tempting, but I’ll have to pass.
I’ve got too much on my plate right now.
I wish I could make it work, but now is not a good time.
If only I could, but I don’t have enough time to add something else to my plate.
I’d love to, but I can’t.
I’m not taking on anything else right now.
Under different circumstances, I’d love to, but right now, I can’t.
It sounds like a great opportunity, but I’ll have to pass.
Remember, it is important to be polite and confident when saying no. Pay attention to your intonation and body language to ensure that you are communicating your message effectively.
Communication Is Key
Technical skills get you hired, but soft skills get you promoted. Interpersonal communication, in particular, is a soft skill that plays a crucial role in career advancement.
Invest in your future by investing time and effort to improve your communication skills. You got this!
Get Coaching That Gets Results
Click here for a 1:1 coaching program that will help you achieve your career goals faster through customized communication training designed for non-native speakers.
“Tannia is a very authentic person and is able to provide clients powerful and versatile communication tools that can be employed in daily conversations, in negotiations or in meetings. Recently, an American client told me that she’s really impressed with my English. It felt awesome. Thanks, Tannia, for your support!” —Chris G.