30 Useful Sentences for a Presentation in English

Following our popular post on 30 useful sentences for a job interview in English, here are the vocabulary and expressions you need to give a presentation in English. Speaking in front of a crowd, big or small, can be nerve-racking, but having a few reliable sentences ready helps you stay focused and sound professional. Whether you’re presenting on Zoom or to a live audience, preparation is what makes the difference. Let’s get started.

Quick takeaway: A clear presentation follows a simple arc: welcome the audience, introduce yourself and your topic, outline your points, then signpost your way through them and close. The 30 sentences below cover the opening, and the bonus phrases that follow carry you through transitions, visuals, your conclusion and the questions at the end. Learn a few from each group and you’ll always have the right words ready.

Starting the presentation and welcoming the audience

These are classic, reliable ways to open and welcome your audience.

Good morning / afternoon / evening.
Welcome to [name of company / presentation / place].
What I’m going to talk about today is…
Today I’m going to discuss…
The topic of my presentation today is…
The aim of this presentation is…
My presentation today is about…
Today I’d like to talk about…

Introducing yourself

Use the start of your presentation to tell the audience who you are and what you do.

My name is [name] and I am from [company], where I’m responsible for…
I’m [name]. I’m a [job position] at [company].
Let me introduce myself. I’m [name] and I work at [company], in the [name of department] department.

Presenting the topic

Now you reach the real start. Be clear about what you’ll present and why.

Today, I’ll be talking about / discussing [topic].
I’m here to illustrate how…
What I’m going to be talking about today is…
The purpose of today’s presentation is…
My objective is to…
In today’s presentation, I’d like to talk to you about / show you / demonstrate…

Outlining the content

Tell the audience the steps you’ll follow, so they can follow you.

In today’s presentation I’m going to cover [three] points:
Firstly, I’ll be looking at…
Secondly, we’ll consider…
Then, I’ll explain how…
And finally, I’ll demonstrate how…
My talk will be in [two, three, four] parts: first,… after that,… then,… finally,…
Firstly,… Secondly,… Thirdly,… Finally,…
I’ll begin by looking at… Then I’ll move on to… Towards the end I’ll…

Introducing the first point

Signposting matters: it keeps your audience with you as you move through your structure.

So let’s start, shall we?
To begin with,…
To start with,…
First of all, I’ll…
Let’s start by [+ verb in -ing form]…

Bonus phrases to carry your presentation through

The opening is only the start. These are the phrases that take you from your first point all the way to the final question, the ones most guides leave out.

Moving between your points (transitions)

That brings me to my next point…
Let’s move on to…
Now, turning to…
Having looked at X, let’s now consider Y.
As I mentioned earlier… / I’ll come back to that point shortly.

Explaining graphs, images and data

As you can see from this chart / slide…
This graph shows…
If you look at this figure, you’ll notice…
Let me draw your attention to…
The numbers speak for themselves:…

Focusing the audience’s attention

I’d like to highlight…
The key point here is…
What’s important to remember is…
Let me emphasise…

Concluding and summarising

To sum up,…
In conclusion,…
Let me recap the main points.
So, to bring it all together,…
The key takeaway is…

Inviting and handling questions

I’d be happy to take any questions.
Does anyone have any questions?
That’s a great question.
If I understand correctly, you’re asking…
That’s a good point, let me get back to you on it.

Watch: presentation phrases in action

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you start a presentation in English?

Greet and welcome the audience, then state your topic clearly: “Good morning, and welcome. Today I’m going to talk about…” Follow with a quick introduction of yourself and an outline of your main points so people know what to expect.

How do you structure a presentation in English?

Use a simple three-part shape: an introduction (welcome, topic, outline), a body with two to four signposted points, and a conclusion that summarises and invites questions. Signposting phrases like “Firstly… Secondly… Finally…” keep the audience with you.

What phrases help you move between points?

Transition phrases such as “That brings me to my next point,” “Let’s move on to…” and “Having looked at X, let’s now consider Y” make your structure clear and your delivery smooth.

How do you handle questions at the end of a presentation?

Invite them (“I’d be happy to take any questions”), acknowledge each one (“That’s a great question”), and check you’ve understood (“If I understand correctly, you’re asking…”). If you don’t know an answer, it’s fine to say you’ll follow up.

How can I feel more confident presenting in English?

Prepare your key messages, learn a handful of signposting phrases for each stage, and rehearse out loud. Practising with a teacher, including the parts you can’t script, like audience questions, is the fastest way to walk in feeling ready.

Have a presentation coming up? Get ready fast.

If you’re presenting in English in the next few days or weeks, our Presentation Express gets you ready quickly: an intensive course where an experienced native teacher helps you fine-tune your content, your slides and your delivery, and rehearse the questions you can’t fully prepare for. Live English has coached over 10,000 professionals since 2007. Your first trial lesson is free, no credit card needed.

No specific presentation on the horizon, but want to become a stronger communicator? Take a look at our Presenting in English workshop, where you build and practise the skills over time.