How to Professionally Introduce Two People in English – Introduction
Introducing two people in English might seem simple – but doing it well can have a lasting impact. Whether you’re introducing colleagues, clients or team members, a professional introduction sets the tone, builds rapport and shows social intelligence. In this article, I’ll walk you through practical strategies with examples to help you sound natural, confident and polite.
👉 If you’re looking to improve your business communication skills overall, consider joining the community for professionals who use English at work. You’ll find helpful resources, practice opportunities and support from others learning just like you.
Why Does a Professional Introduction Matter?
In business, introductions aren’t just about saying names – they’re about creating a connection.
A thoughtful introduction can:
Help new colleagues feel welcome
Show respect in hierarchical settings
Build trust in cross-cultural teams
Support effective teamwork
Imagine you’re introducing a senior manager to a new intern. The way you do it signals your awareness of roles and your ability to communicate professionally.
The Golden Rule: Understand the Context
Before you introduce anyone, think about:
Who is more senior or experienced?
Who is the host or who knows fewer people in the room?
A common rule is to introduce the less senior person to the more senior one first.
“Mr Gupta, may I introduce you to our new intern, Emily Watson?”
In the UK, introductions are often more formal – especially in traditional business settings. You might hear:
“May I introduce…”, “I’d like you to meet…”
In the US, it’s often quicker and more casual:
“This is Joe, he’s on the marketing team.”
The Simple Formula for Introducing Two People
Here’s a professional structure you can use again and again:
1. Say the names clearly
2. Mention each person’s job or connection to you
3. Add a relevant fact or reason why they should connect
“Anita, this is James Miller, our project lead on the client integration. James, Anita is heading up the data side from London.”
“Alex, meet Rachel from our New York office – she’s just joined the regional strategy team.”
Keep it short, specific, and positive.
Examples by Workplace Setting
👥 In a Face-to-Face Meeting
“Tom, I’d like you to meet Helen. She’s managing our digital transformation project.”
“Helen, this is Tom from the finance team – he’ll be helping with your budget forecasting.”
💻 On a Video Call
“Before we begin, I’d like to introduce Raj – he’s our new analyst supporting this project from the Singapore office.”
“Raj, meet the wider marketing team. Everyone, Raj has experience in brand analytics and campaign tracking.”
📧 In an Email
Subject: Introduction – Jasmine & Karim
Hi both,
Jasmine, meet Karim, our external UX consultant. Karim, Jasmine is leading the design refresh on our side.
I’ll let you two connect directly.
🤝 At a Networking Event
“Zara, I want to introduce you to Chris from EcoTech. Chris, Zara handles our sustainability partnerships – this seems like a natural fit!”
What to Say After the Introduction
It’s polite to include a reason for the introduction to keep the conversation flowing:
“I thought it’d be good for you to connect about the launch timeline.”
“You’re both working on similar things – this could be useful.”
Then, step back and let them continue the conversation without dominating it.
Professional Phrases to Use (and Avoid)
✔️ Polite, Natural Phrases
“I’d like you to meet…”
“Let me introduce you to…”
“Please meet…”
“This is [Name] from [department/company]…”
❌ Phrases to Avoid
“This is my buddy – he’s in IT or something…” → sounds too vague
“Sorry, I don’t remember your name…” → prepare in advance if needed
Being overly formal or robotic: “Allow me to facilitate your acquaintance.” → too stiff!
Cultural Notes: UK vs. US English
Titles & Formality:
In the UK, there’s more attention to hierarchy and titles in some industries (e.g., legal, finance). In the US, first names are typically used earlier.
UK: “Mr Patel, may I introduce…”
US: “Jay, meet…”
Formality in Language:
UK speakers may prefer indirectness and softeners:
“You might like to meet…”, “I thought I’d introduce you to…”
In the US, speech can be more direct:
“I want you to meet…”, “This is…”
Both are correct – you just need to match your tone to the context.
Practice Makes Confident
Start noticing introductions at work – what works, what doesn’t. Try practising with colleagues or inside the community for professionals using English at work. You’ll also find resources on:
The more you practise, the easier it becomes to make people feel valued and connected.
Final Tips
Learn names in advance when possible
Speak clearly and confidently
Make it easy for both people to continue the conversation
Being the person who connects others well shows leadership and confidence. Don’t miss the opportunity!
📚 Want to go further?
You’ll find more practical strategies like this in the learners’ community for professionals.
