This is the Business English Podcast Episode 286.
Any caveats, stipulations, or limitations with your English?
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Hey, Michelle. How's everything today?
How you feeling? I'm feeling good.
I'm feeling good. How are you?
Excellent. Excellent.
Do we have a question to start off today's episode?
Yes, sure. All right. So, Lindsay, my question is, do you like to warn people ahead of time if you are anticipating something going wrong so that they can make plans?
Yeah, I do, actually. I think it's a very cohesive way of communicating.
You know? I think it's good.
I think it's good to be fair to people.
If you know that something could go wrong and you don't share that, it's kind of unfair and I feel kind of bad for people if I don't warn them.
Definitely. It's always good to have a warning.
So today we're going to talk about a very high level word today.
I just said today twice, but that's okay because Alessandra asked a great question.
So this is going to be, I mean, this is a very high level word.
Don't you think, Lindsay?
Yeah, I love this question because it is perfect for our B2C1 students.
Yeah. All you guys who are using English at work, you're getting promoted, you're getting raises, promotions.
You are using your English as a focal point, as a functional language at work.
Huge step up here and knowing this word is going to be big for this.
So hit that follow button to keep getting amazing tips for business English.
Right? From us. I love it.
Michelle, this question comes in from Antonio Fattore, 22.
We love your questions, guys.
Yes. So send them in to support at allthere'senglish.com.
Yes. Okay. So do you want me to read it?
Yeah, sure. Why not? We're not here.
We go. Hi, Lindsay and Michelle, I've been listening to your podcast for two years.
Oh, I love that. Thank you.
That's a good chunk of time.
Thank you for listening.
Oh, he says you're doing an outstanding job.
Thank you so much. Well, thank you for listening.
Yeah. And thank you for this great question.
This is awesome. So the question is, it's about the use of the word caveat.
Yes. Sending you blessings.
So thank you, Antonio. So much.
We are, we have a lot to talk about with this one.
This is good stuff. But it's so common at this level in native natural English.
I feel like I've heard it recently.
Yeah. A lot. I'm not saying it's trending.
It's just, it's an element of, yeah, kind of, it's an element of articulate speech.
So that's why we're teaching it today.
But first, recommendation guys, go check out episode 274.
Should you call someone inept?
Another very high level word.
We're going to tell you whether you should actually use that word at work or not.
Okay. Good. Yeah. Exactly.
So this word caveat, well, first of all, how do we spell caveat?
Because it's, it's, it's spelled basically caveat.
Right, right. It could be confusing.
So we spell it C-A-V-E-A-T.
So yeah, it looks like caveat, but it's not.
It's pronounced caveat.
Yeah, caveat. Yes. Yeah.
So it's, it's a very professional sounding word.
It's good for your personal life as well as business.
Sure. In my opinion, I, it's, it's especially good for business.
It really can help you get to that next level in business.
Yeah, I agree. But again, you can certainly use it at home in your, you know, at a party, everyday life, talking about important things.
Absolutely. What does the dictionary say?
It means. Okay. Well, I'm going to give two different definitions.
Oh, I thought we're slightly different.
So Cambridge dictionary says, and, and there, there are multiple.
Yes. meanings for this word.
Okay. So a warning to consider something before doing anything more.
And so, and Collins dictionary says, a caveat is a warning of a specific limitation of something such as information or an agreement.
So interesting. So we're talking about warnings.
Yeah. That's, that's the commonality, right?
Yeah, warnings. Exactly.
That's the common denominator is what we see in both of these definitions.
The second definition, I resonate with a bit more.
It's, you know, when you're supplying information or an agreement, there is a limitation to this.
Yes. So I like that one better.
But hey, we're not going to disagree with the dictionary today.
We're here to show our listeners how to bring it from the dictionary into connection and conversation.
Yeah. So let's do that. So there are other definitions, but we're going to focus on these contexts.
Because yeah, this word could get a little confusing and we're not going to let that happen.
So you got it. You got it.
Let's go through it. We got tons and tons of examples for you today.
So Lindsay, what's the first one?
Here we go. We are all ready for the meeting with one caveat.
The agendas can't be printed until 9 a.m.
Important to say that, right?
So caveat, the word serves a very important function.
Yep. Yep. Exactly. So what is a caveat here in this example?
Again, it's one limitation or one one way in which we're actually not fully ready.
Right? Right. Exactly.
Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. Here's another example.
The marketing budget is all set, but there is a caveat.
We can't use it without approval from the team.
Again, a limitation to what you've said, which is the marketing budget is all set.
Okay. Okay. What's the next one?
We do have to include the caveat that some of these stats were taken in different parts of the country.
I like this one because the structure is now a little bit different.
Maybe what came before this is the polling results are in and here's what we expect to see in the election, but we do have to include the caveat that some of these stats were taken in different parts of the country.
So it's almost like a pullback from what you've said.
Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. Right.
I like that a pullback or here's one more.
Keep in mind the caveat, the lack of budget for the tech we need.
I think we can still, oh, wait, no, no, sorry.
I switched it and then I thought it didn't make sense, but it does.
Okay. Here we go. I'm going to start it over.
Keep in mind the caveat, the lack of budget for the tech we need.
I think we can still work hard and get this done.
So it's a limitation. This also might be a little bit of definition one.
You know, you might not be able to move on until you get, you know, and until you consider something more, right?
But this idea is kind of a warning of a limitation.
Yeah. I would say if we were going to boil it down into one, I agree with you.
I do think that the second one was a little bit better.
Yeah. A warning of a limitation.
But I find the construction here really interesting for our high-level listeners, keeping in mind the caveat, the lack of budget for the tech we need.
That's the caveat right there.
I think we can still work hard and get this done.
It's like, you don't need to use a whole other sentence to introduce the caveat.
You're adding it in the middle of the sentence.
Yeah. It's kind of, it's just interesting the way that structure.
Yeah, it is interesting.
Yeah. I mean, this word is very high-level.
But think of it as a piece of caution, maybe an exception, something to keep in mind, maybe in the way or even a rule.
So it's just something that is limiting, basically.
Totally. 100%. Love that.
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All right, so there are, I mean, I first before we go into other ways to say this, I really do think that caveat, everything, there's always a caveat.
Yeah, it's like there's always, and I think that when we go and articulate this word or we share a caveat, it's when it's really necessary, but there's always kind of caveats to everything.
There's always a possibility this information could be wrong, but there's a bar when you share it and when you don't, right?
Interesting. Very common.
Very common for sure. Very common and very useful, especially for the workplace, because plans are always changing or results you present, to me, have some limitations that you just need to say, but having that knowledge, I think, is also key of just knowing when do you share the caveat, and when is it not necessary?
Right. It's interesting.
Right. Every Monday, I meet with Jessica and we talk about, okay, what are some things we need to do this week?
And often it's with the caveat that everything might change on Tuesday after I talk to her.
Yeah, that's a good example.
You know, everything could be completely changed, and that's the nature of a small business, right?
More so than a large company, you could expect that at a small business, be ready to rip up everything and change the entire plan for the week.
Okay. Yeah. But that, yeah, that is, I think, a really good example of this is you're missing some information.
So you're making some decision, but we know we have to be flexible, and that's so key for business.
Things are changing. I mean, maybe not so much in the high level, in the like giant corporations, right?
Maybe things are a little bit more set and stone, I don't know, but especially with startups, and smaller companies, things can change a lot, and some people might really enjoy that.
Some people might be intimidated by that.
But yeah, so there is going to be, but even in like a large corporation, you might experience lots of caveats as well.
So yeah, for sure, everywhere, everywhere.
For sure. That's good. So I think we've made it pretty clear what caveat means it's a warning or a limitation on something.
So there are other ways you might say it, right, Michelle?
Limitation would be one.
Yeah, limitation. I mean, caveat is such a unique word.
It's similar, but these are similar, but caveat is, it's kind of a special word.
It's, I feel like when somebody says the word caveat, it perks everybody's ears up.
I don't know why it's just so smart sounding.
Right. It is, it is smart.
It's elevated. I would say it's elevated language beyond limitation.
Here's limitation. We should be fine, but we have to recognize we do have some limitations regarding staff.
Now, it's slightly different, right?
This is slightly different.
We have some constraints, right?
This is more along the lines of limitations and constraints, which is slightly different from caveat, but same vibe.
Yeah. And then there's stipulation.
So what do you think about this one, Lindsay?
I like it. Also, high level.
All that. Yeah. So there are some stipulations we have to remember with our budget.
Yeah. So some things that could change, that could be held back.
Stipulation. That's a, these are both very high level as well.
Yeah. It's a good question.
And all other English, how do we deal with caveats?
What do you, what do you think we do, Michelle?
What do we do here? I mean, I, I, well, I think you touched on it already.
I think we stay, we stay on our toes.
We stay flexible. We stay ready.
And understand it. Don't get to realize that things might change and enjoy the ride.
It's because things, there's always going to be something new and exciting coming at us.
And so, right, just, just enjoy it.
Yeah. Yeah. And I think what you're saying here is the key is there are certain things at all our English that we know are just non-negotiable.
That just we always publish five episodes a week on all our English.
We always publish three episodes a week on business English.
There is a level of consistency to what we do.
But then there are things, there are priorities around new courses that we want to launch.
Maybe we plan to launch B2, but then something changed because we decided to do a live event instead.
Yeah. Yeah. Priorities are always shifting.
So there are certain things that we can count on.
And then we know there's going to be that variety that's going to keep things interesting as long as we have the right attitude about what we're doing.
Yeah. Yeah. Yep. Exactly.
So, all right. Should we do a role play?
Yes. Here we go. So, we're planning a team meeting here.
Right? Oh, okay. So, I'm going to say, so I think everyone responded that they can come.
Great. We do have some stipulations regarding space.
Oh, I meant to tell you that.
Paul said we could use the larger conference room with the caveat that we have to be out by three at the latest because there's another meeting after us.
Oh, that should be fine.
Oh, great news. It's so hard to deal with the limitation.
Oh, wait, hold on. I want to start that again.
Okay. Okay. Oh, that should be fine.
Great news. It's so hard to deal with the limitations sometimes in these conference rooms.
Oh, I know. Yes. So sometimes it's hard to get a conference room at a big corporation.
That kind of thing. Yeah.
Exactly. Exactly. So, all right.
We're talking about this meeting and I said, great.
We do have some stipulations regarding space.
So, some things that could some constraints.
I like that word as well.
Yeah, some constraints.
And then I like and here we introduce caveats.
He said, oh, I meant to tell you that.
Paul said we could use the larger conference room with the caveat that and here comes the caveat, right?
That we have to be out by three p.m.
So, this is kind of the pullback.
Yes, you can use the room, but you have to be done by three.
Yes. Right, right, right, exactly.
And then I'm very happy about Paul's news.
And I said, so hard to deal with the limitations sometimes in these conference rooms.
Nice. So, with the booking and scheduling, everything can be crazy.
Wow. Such a different world.
Sometimes it would be cool to spend a week working in all these different companies.
Just to see what it's like.
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. A corporation and a tiny company and a midsize company.
Fascinating. How different work can be, right?
Yeah. Definitely. Absolutely.
Well, oh my gosh, this was fun, Lindsey.
This was such a good question about such a high level word that will really help you elevate your English.
Guys, at this level, you are ready to use words like caveats, stipulation, limitation.
These are huge for business.
Yeah, try to use it in your daily life as well as your work life.
You know, maybe try it out first in your daily life with a lower stake situation than work English and see how it works.
Think about, okay, where could I use this?
I'm hosting a party, but maybe the rain, the forecast looks like it could be some rain.
So, we're having it outside with the caveat that if it rains, we'll go inside.
You know, keep that in mind, right?
So, that sort of thing. Yeah.
Yeah. This was great. So, yeah, listen out for this and give it a try and let us know how it goes.
All right, Michelle. Have a good day.
Talk soon. All right. Bye.
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