“Sorry, My English Is Not Good”: Why You Should Never Say This Again

Let’s paint the scene:
You’re in a meeting. All eyes turn to you. You share your idea, then immediately blurt out—

“Sorry, my English is not good.”

Maybe it’s habit. Maybe it’s nerves. Maybe you think it’s polite. But here’s the truth: it’s doing you zero favors. In fact, it’s quietly costing you respect, authority, and opportunities—whether you realize it or not.

It’s time to drop the apology and step into real confidence. Let’s talk about why you do it, how it’s hurting you, and exactly what to say instead.

Why Do We Say “Sorry, My English Is Not Good”?

1. Old Habits Die Hard:
Maybe you were taught to be “humble” about your language skills, or maybe you got used to apologizing to teachers. But what works in a classroom is a disaster in a boardroom.

2. Fear of Judgment:
You assume people are critiquing your accent or grammar, so you try to “preempt” criticism by apologizing first.

3. It Feels Polite:
You don’t want to be seen as arrogant. You want people to know you’re aware of your “weakness.” Spoiler: nobody likes false humility in the workplace.

The Hidden Cost of Apologizing for Your English

1. It Undermines Your Authority
Every time you say, “Sorry, my English is not good,” you plant a seed of doubt. People begin to wonder: Is this person qualified? Can I trust them to handle clients, lead projects, or represent the team? If you don’t believe in yourself, why should they?

2. It Distracts from Your Message
Instead of listening to your ideas, listeners get stuck on your “confession.” Your apology becomes the headline, not your insight.

3. It Reinforces Negative Stereotypes
You risk reinforcing the “foreigner as outsider” narrative—even in multicultural, global companies. You want to be seen as a contributor, not an exception.

4. It’s Not Actually True
Your English might not be “perfect,” but if you’re working, networking, and problem-solving in English daily, it’s definitely “good enough.” Give yourself credit!

The Professional Reality: Nobody Cares About Your Grammar

If you’re in business, results matter. Leadership cares about:

Can you solve problems?
Do you move the project forward?
Are you clear and actionable in your communication?

Not:

“Did he split an infinitive?”
“Did she pronounce ‘statistics’ perfectly?”

Think about your own experience: When a non-native colleague shares a great idea, do you grade their grammar, or do you appreciate the contribution? You already know the answer.

What Should You Say Instead?

You don’t have to ignore mistakes, and you don’t have to pretend you’re a native speaker. But you do need to shift your self-talk and public statements.

Try These:

“Let me rephrase that for clarity.”
“If I’m unclear, let me know and I’ll explain further.”
“Let me share my thoughts on this.”
(Or… just say your idea and stop. You don’t need a disclaimer!)

And if you make a mistake? Just correct it and keep going. No drama, no apology.

Level Up: Confidence Isn’t Arrogance

It’s not about pretending to be perfect. It’s about owning your expertise and treating your English as a professional tool.
Real confidence says:

“This is my voice. This is my idea. I’m here to contribute.”

What if someone comments on your English?
Handle it with grace:

“Thanks for your patience. Let me explain that another way.”
Or,
“Glad you pointed that out. Here’s what I meant.”

You steer the conversation back to your value—not your accent.

The Best Communicators… Aren’t Perfect

Here’s a secret: the best leaders—native or not—make mistakes, fumble words, and mispronounce things all the time. The difference? They don’t apologize for existing. They keep moving forward, stay focused on results, and expect others to do the same.

Your goal:
Stop apologizing for “not being perfect.” Start owning your strengths, contributing your expertise, and letting the occasional error roll off your back.

Your Action Plan

Ban the “Sorry, my English is not good” line from your vocabulary.
Prepare a few confident replacement phrases (see above).
Practice speaking up—without disclaimers—at least once per meeting.
Reflect after each meeting: Did anyone really care about your grammar? (They didn’t.)
Get feedback from a trusted mentor or coach. Sometimes your “mistakes” aren’t even noticed by others.

Ready to Upgrade Your Confidence—and Your Career?

Stop apologizing and start communicating.
If you want expert feedback on your English and real support to speak like a leader, book your free Accent Success Call with us. We’ll help you leave apologies behind and focus on what really matters: clear, confident, results-driven English.

👉 Book your free Accent Success Call

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