#81 Receiving Performance Feedback｜English Business Phrases
Izumi English Morning
#90 Conducting Data Analysis｜English Business Phrases
Izumi
In business settings, there are many situations in which sales figures, customer behavior, or survey results need to be analyzed and the findings shared or explained.
When discussing data analysis in English, it is important to explain clearly and logically what was analyzed, what trends were identified, and what conclusions can be drawn from the data.
In this article, I explain useful English expressions for conducting data analysis, along with conversation examples and key grammar points.
Contents
Dialogue
I’ve finished analyzing last quarter’s sales data.
What trends did you notice?
Overall sales increased, especially in the online segment.
Did anything stand out in particular?
Yes, repeat customers accounted for a much higher percentage than before.
That’s interesting. How should we use these insights going forward?
We should focus more on retention strategies rather than new customer acquisition.
1. Saying That the Analysis Is Complete
When talking about data analysis, it is common to use the present perfect tense, as shown below.
Example
- I’ve finished analyzing last quarter’s sales data.
The present perfect tense is used to indicate that an action was completed in the past and that its result is relevant to the present.
Compared to simply saying “I analyzed ～,” this structure clearly conveys the nuance that the analysis has already been completed and that the results are ready to be shared.
Related Expressions
- I’ve completed the analysis of customer data.
- I’ve finished reviewing the survey results.
2. Explaining Overall Trends
When explaining analysis results, it is effective to start with the big picture before going into detailed numbers.
Example
- Overall sales increased.
The word “overall” means “when looking at the whole picture” and is useful for introducing a general trend before adding details.
Another commonly used word in data analysis is “trend.”
Example
- What trends did you notice?
The word “trend” refers to a pattern or direction observed over a certain period of time, rather than a temporary change, which makes it especially suitable in data analysis contexts.
3. Highlighting Key Points
When emphasizing particularly important findings in the data, the phrase “stand out” is very useful.
Example
- Did anything stand out in particular?
“Stand out” means “to be noticeable compared to others” and is ideal for highlighting key findings.
To explain proportions or composition ratios, the phrase “account for” is commonly used.
Example
- Repeat customers accounted for a much higher percentage.
Since expressions involving numbers are frequent in business contexts, remembering “stand out” together with “account for” is especially practical.
4. Explaining How to Use the Results
Data analysis becomes valuable only when the results are applied effectively. In this context, the word “insights” is often used.
Example
- How should we use these insights going forward?
“Insights” refers to meaningful findings or implications derived from data, emphasizing their role as a basis for decision-making rather than just numerical information.
Example
- We should focus more on retention strategies rather than new customer acquisition.
The phrase “focus on ～” is frequently used in strategic discussions. By combining it with “rather than ～,” you can clearly express priorities.
Summary
Key English Phrases
- I’ve finished analyzing ～
→ Used to indicate that the analysis is complete and the results are ready to be shared. - What trends did you notice?
→ A common question for asking about overall tendencies in the data. - stand out / account for ～
→ Useful expressions for highlighting important points and proportions. - How should we use these insights?
→ A question that connects analysis results to future actions.
