Mastering Professional Communication in Pharma: The Power of Indirect Questions

If you work in pharmaceuticals, especially in R&D, clinical trials, QA, or regulatory affairs, you're asking questions daily—about processes, data, deadlines, or project statuses. How you phrase these questions matters more than you might think.

Let's face it: direct questions can sometimes come across as abrupt or demanding, potentially affecting your relationships with colleagues, managers, or stakeholders. Indirect questions offer a solution by enhancing professionalism, politeness, and clarity in your communication.

In this article, we'll dive into how indirect questions work, how to form them correctly, and when they're most effective in your pharma career.

First Things First: Direct vs. Indirect Questions

A direct question is straightforward:

• "Where is the report?"

• "Did you complete the experiment?"

• "What chemicals does this analysis require?"

These questions are clear and concise, but in professional contexts—such as emails, meetings, or formal discussions—they can sometimes seem too blunt or demanding.

Here's where indirect questions shine. They rephrase your question, making it softer and more professional:

• "Could you tell me where the report is?"

• "Do you know if the experiment has been completed?"

• "Could you clarify what chemicals this analysis requires?"

Notice how the indirect question maintains clarity while adding a layer of politeness and professionalism.

Two Essential Rules for Indirect Questions

Indirect questions follow specific grammatical rules:

Top 5 English idioms pharma professionals often use at meetings

These are a few examples of English idioms that pharma professionals use during meetings to communicate effectively and efficiently with their colleagues.

Get the ball rolling

This idiom means to initiate or start a process.

For example, a pharma professional might say, "Let's get the ball rolling on the clinical trial protocol."

Cut to the chase

This means getting to the point or to skip unnecessary details.

"Let's cut to the chase and discuss the potential side effects of the drug."

In the same boat

This idiom means to be in a similar situation or facing the same challenges.

"We're all in the same boat when it comes to meeting the regulatory requirements."

Put all our cards on the table

This means being open and honest about everything.

'' Let's put all our cards on the table and discuss the potential risks and benefits of the drug."

Cross that bridge when we come to it

This means dealing with a problem only when it becomes necessary.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it and address any safety concerns that arise during the clinical trial."

Here's an example dialogue where pharma professionals use English idioms at a meeting:

Participants:

John, a pharmaceutical scientist

Maria, a regulatory affairs specialist

Tom, a clinical trial manager

Setting: A conference room at a pharmaceutical company headquarters

John: Let's get the ball rolling on the development of the new drug. We need to start discussing the preclinical studies.

Maria: I agree. We need to cut to the chase and identify any potential regulatory hurdles we may face.

Tom: We're all in the same boat when it comes to meeting the regulatory requirements. But let's put all our cards on the table and make sure we're not overlooking any key issues.

John: That's a good point. We need to cross that bridge when we come to it, but we should be proactive in addressing any concerns that arise during the clinical trial.

Maria: Absolutely. And we need to make sure we're communicating effectively with the regulatory agencies to avoid any surprises down the road.

Tom: Agreed. Let's keep our eye on the ball and focus on developing a safe and effective drug for patients.

Now, try to use them at work and let me know how it goes.

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Download the list of 100 common English idioms that pharma professionals use at the meetings

➡️ https://www.eglitium-courses.com/100-idioms