British English can be confusing for non-native speakers because politeness often leads to indirect language, making it hard to know what someone really means for other cultures. Out of respect, Brits might avoid saying “no” directly, using phrases like “I’ll think about it,” which actually means “no.” Their sense of humor relies heavily on irony, understatement, and sarcasm, which can easily be misunderstood. These cultural habits mean that the intended message is often hidden, requiring careful interpretation beyond the literal words.
British English
Beside famous “it’s raining cats and dogs” and other funny idioms easy to understand, one of the most difficult aspect in Professional communication between native and non-native speakers is when the intention is underlying, or with irony for foreign cultures using a much more direct open-mind style.
What sounds positive or encouraging for you (non-Brit) … may be completely the opposite.
The table below is a must-know if you manage international projects or business with native English speakers, Brits especially.
(this is not innovation.world work. Unattributed copies of this table have circulated for at least 15 years. Refer below the table for the original author)
| What the British say | What the British mean | What the foreigners understand |
| I hear what you say | I disagree completely | He accepts my point of view |
| You must come by for dinner sometime | Just being polite; Goodbye! | He will invite me for dinner in the course of time |
| Very interesting | I don’t agree | He likes my idea |
| With the greatest respect | You must be a fool | He respects me/my view |
| I’m sure it’s my fault | It’s your fault! | It is his fault |
| That is an original point of view | You must be crazy | They like the idea |
| I almost agree | I don’t agree | He almost agrees |
| You’ll get there (eventually) | No way you will make it | Encouragement to go on |
| I’ll bear it in mind | I won’t do anything about it | He will use it when appropriate |
| Could we consider some other options | I don’t like your idea | He is still in the process of thinking |
| I would suggest | Do it as I want you to | An open suggestion |
| By the way | The primary purpose is | Not very important |
| Perhaps you could give this some more thought | Don’t do it, it’s a bad idea | Consider possible road blocks |
| Quite good | A bit disappointing | Quite good |
| Not bad | (very) good | Average or poor |
| Please consider | Do it or forget it | He leaves it up to me |
| I have a further suggestion | Take it or leave it | He leaves it up to me |
| The method described is rather original | Bullshit | It’s a good method |
| I have a few preliminary suggestions | I strongly suggest you to follow my suggestions | Don’t change anything until final suggestions have been made |
| Reads well | Really good | Average |
| I am somewhat disturbed by the methodology | I am crossed | He is not feeling too comfortable about it |
| With all due respect | You don’t know what you are doing, I have a better suggestion (polite disagreement) | With the greatest respect |
| A few issues that need to be addressed | A whole lot needs to be changed | 2–3 issues need rewriting |
| An issue that worries me slightly | A great worry | A minor issue |
| I am sorry we have to reject your paper on priority grounds | Your paper sucks | My paper nearly made it |
| I am sorry to disappoint you on this occasion | I could not care less | He is sorry |
© Nannette Ripmeester @Expertise in Labour Mobility, published here with her autorisation
The Emphasis is Everything
Way easier than the British style above as it is common to many (all?) languages, is where you eventually put the emphasis in the sentence. Way easier at least for humans, as an AI LLM will have much more difficulties to understand these. The famous example is:
“I never said she stole my money” = Someone else may have said it, but not me
“I never said she stole my money”= I didn’t make that claim at any point in time
“I never said she stole my money” = I have it implied or thought, but did not say it
“I never said she stole my money” = I never said it was her
“I never said she stole my money” = I may have borrowed or given her the money
“I never said she stole my money” = she stole somebody else money
“I never said she stole my money“ = she stole something else than my money
(like the Brits English above, this is circulating for at least 13 years. If you are or know the original author, we would be glad to credit him/her)
EN 
FR 
DE 
ES 
IT