Professional networking: using tag questions effectively
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Think about these questions before reading the article. Share your ideas with a partner.
- Think about a time you met someone new in a professional or academic situation. What did you talk about to 'break the ice'?
- In your opinion, what is the most difficult part about talking to new people at a professional event, and why?
- Besides finding a new job, what are some other benefits of building a good professional network?
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Networking Follow-Up
Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.
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Answer these questions in your own words. Support your answers with evidence from the article.
01According to the article, for what two reasons do people use tag questions?
Sample answerThey use them to confirm that some information is correct, and also to encourage the person they are talking to to give a reply.
02What are some examples of key vocabulary phrases mentioned in the article for networking?
Sample answerIt mentions phrases like 'build rapport', 'break the ice', and 'make a good impression' as important terms for professional networking.
03What specific real-life scenario does the article say the practical English phrases are for?
Sample answerThe phrases are for a situation where you are at a professional event and you want to start talking to someone you don't know.
04According to the article, why is it important to mention a specific topic in a follow-up email?
Sample answerIt makes the message more personal and helps the other person remember you and the conversation you had.
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Key vocabulary for networking
Vocabulary
These expressions will help you communicate more naturally when you are networking.
Examples
strike up a conversation — to start talking to someone you don't know, often in a friendly and confident way.
Usage note: This is a great alternative to 'start a conversation'. For example, 'It can be difficult to strike up a conversation with a stranger at a big event.'
exchange business cards — to give your professional contact card to someone and receive their card in return.
Usage note: This is a common and formal action at professional events. You can also say 'exchange contact details' for a more modern, digital alternative.
a mutual connection — a person that you and someone else both know.
Usage note: This is very useful for finding common ground. For example, 'I noticed on LinkedIn that we have a mutual connection – we both know David Chen.'
touch base — to contact someone briefly to share updates or just to say hello.
Usage note: This is a friendly and common phrasal verb in professional contexts. It's a little less formal than 'follow up'. For example, 'Let's touch base next week to discuss the project.'
get your foot in the door — to get your first opportunity to work in a particular company or industry.
Usage note: This idiom often refers to starting in a low-level job with the hope of getting a better position later. For example, 'This internship could be a great way to get my foot in the door.'
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Key networking terms
Do you know these useful words and phrases for professional networking?
Match each word or phrase with its correct definition.
Drag or click to match
Definitions
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Grammar: Tag questions
Grammar
Tag questions are short questions we add to the end of a statement. At networking events, they are very useful for starting conversations and confirming information in a friendly, polite way.
Examples
You work in the tech industry, don't you?
Use a negative tag ('don't you?') after a positive statement ('You work...').
We haven't met before, have we?
Use a positive tag ('have we?') after a negative statement ('We haven't...').
That was a great presentation, wasn't it?
The verb in the tag (wasn't) must match the main verb in the statement (was).
Key points
- A positive statement is followed by a negative tag.
- A negative statement is followed by a positive tag.
- The intonation is important: use a falling tone to confirm, and a rising tone to ask a real question.
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Find the error
Each sentence contains one error. Find and correct it.
01You went to the conference last week, don't you?
Corrected version
You went to the conference last week, don't didn't you?
02It's important to do a good impression at networking events.
Corrected version
It's important to do make a good impression at networking events.
03Yesterday, I strike up a conversation with the marketing director.
Corrected version
Yesterday, I strike struck up a conversation with the marketing director.
04Having a mutual connect can make introductions much easier.
Corrected version
Having a mutual connect connection can make introductions much easier.
05He's a very experienced professional, isn't it?
Corrected version
He's a very experienced professional, isn't it? he?
06I'm looking forward to touch base with you next week.
Corrected version
I'm looking forward to touch touching base with you next week.
07That internship could help you get foot in the door.
Corrected version
That internship could help you get a foot in the door.
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Useful phrases: following up after a networking event
Vocabulary
You've met some interesting people at an event. What's next? Sending a follow-up email or message is key to building a professional relationship. Here are some phrases to help you write a clear and effective message.
Examples
It was great to meet you at [Event Name] last week. — to start your message and remind the person where you met.
Register: Neutral/Formal. Use this as the opening line of your email or LinkedIn message within a few days of the event.
I really enjoyed our conversation about [Specific Topic]. — to make your message more personal and help them remember you.
Register: Neutral. Use this right after your opening line. Be specific, for example: '...our conversation about the new marketing trends.'
I was wondering if you might be free for a quick coffee sometime next week? — to politely suggest meeting again to continue the conversation.
Register: Neutral. The phrase 'I was wondering if...' is a soft and indirect way to make a request. You can also suggest a 'quick call'.
As we discussed, I'm attaching [the document] for your reference. — to follow through on something you promised during your conversation.
Register: Formal. This is a direct but polite phrase. Use it when you talked about a specific action, like sending your CV or a report.
Here's that article I mentioned. Thought you might find it interesting. — to add value and be helpful without asking for anything.
Register: Neutral/Informal. This is a great way to stay in touch and be memorable. It shows you were listening and are proactive.
Looking forward to hearing from you. — to politely close your message when you expect a reply.
Register: Neutral/Formal. Use this just before your sign-off (e.g., 'Best regards,'). A slightly more casual alternative is 'Hope to hear from you soon.'
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Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.
Word bank
01It can be difficult to a conversation with a stranger at a big conference, but it's worth the effort.
02After a great conversation, it's a good idea to business cards so you can stay in touch.
03We discovered we had a connection; we both worked with the same manager a few years ago.
04I'll send you a quick email next week just to and see how the project is going.
05This internship isn't my dream job, but it's a great way to get my and start my career in marketing.
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Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.
- In your country, is it more common to exchange business cards at events, or to connect on professional websites like LinkedIn? What are the pros and cons of each method?
- Some people believe that using a mutual connection to get your foot in the door at a company is the best way to find a job. Others think it's unfair. What is your opinion, and why?
- Imagine you met someone important at a networking event a month ago. What would be a good reason to touch base with them now, and how would you start the conversation?