Presentation English
Dealing with the Unexpected
How to stay composed when things go off script — technical issues, missing data, curveball questions, and time pressure.
Dialogue Sample
P:
So if we look at this slide — bear with me while I get the right version up. There seem to be two files with the same name.
A:
Take your time.
P:
Thank you. Actually — let me just take a moment to check that figure. It looks different from what I prepared, and I don't want to draw conclusions from the wrong number.
A:
Should we move on and come back to it?
P:
Good idea. In the interest of time, let me summarize this point — the key message is the same regardless. And actually, there's a question here that's not something I anticipated, but let me think through it. I'll follow up on the exact data after the session.
Natural Phrases to Know
To ask for patience
Bear with me while I...
Let me just take a moment to check that.
Give me one second — I want to make sure this is the right version.
To manage time pressure
In the interest of time, let me summarize this point.
I'll skip ahead to the relevant slide.
Let me give you the headline and we can go deeper if there's time.
To handle surprises honestly
That's not something I anticipated, but let me think through it.
I'll follow up on that after the session.
That's a fair challenge — let me be honest about what I know and don't know.
Your Turn — Fill in the Blanks
You are the Presenter. Use the phrases above to complete your lines.
P:
A:
No rush. Actually — we're also running a bit short on time.
P:
A:
Also, why is the Q2 figure missing from the chart?
P: