"I Appreciate Your Effort But..."

Hey there 👋

Ready to dive into the art of giving constructive feedback?

In this post, we're exploring how to give feedback in English without sounding too harsh—or too soft! Let's make sure your feedback lands just right, helping others grow while keeping things positive.

Like always, it will only take 5 minutes to nail this topic. So, let’s dive in!

Feedback vs. Constructive Feedback

Giving feedback is all about helping others improve and building better relationships, whether at work, school, or in social settings.

The key? Making it “constructive,” which means it’s positive, specific, and helpful. It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it!

Useful Phrases for Constructive Feedback

Let’s start with some go-to phrases that keep things encouraging and productive.

1. "I really appreciate your effort, and I think we can take it even further by…"

This is a friendly way to acknowledge what someone did right while smoothly introducing what could be improved. It’s perfect for keeping the conversation light and encouraging.

2. "One thing that might make this even better is…"

This phrase is ideal when you’re offering a suggestion without being critical. “Might” softens the language, making it clear that it’s just a recommendation, not a command.

3. "Let’s build on this idea by…"

This is a great way to show that you value the other person’s work and want to contribute. “Build on” implies you’re adding to something already good, not starting over from scratch.

4. "Here’s a thought… what if we tried…"

A more casual approach, this makes it clear you’re brainstorming. Using “what if” invites a sense of collaboration, making your feedback feel like a shared idea.

5. "Maybe we could fine-tune it by…"

“Fine-tune” suggests that only minor adjustments are needed, which can help keep the person’s confidence up. It also makes the feedback feel less overwhelming.

When You Need to Be More Direct… Politely

Sometimes you have to be straightforward—without losing that constructive touch. Here are some phrases that help you be clear but still respectful:

• "It could be worth reconsidering…"
  Use this to suggest a different approach, making it sound like just an option, not a harsh critique.

• "I noticed that…"
  Starting with “I noticed” is a polite way to bring up a point. It focuses on what you observed, so it doesn’t come off as a personal judgment.

• "I’d suggest focusing a bit more on…"
  This is a gentle way to introduce a more specific area for improvement. It shows that you’ve thought carefully about your advice.

Quick Tips for Giving Constructive Feedback

1. Lead with positivity: Start by pointing out what the person did well. This builds a positive tone and shows you’ve noticed their effort.

2. Be specific: Vague feedback like “Good job, but you could improve” doesn’t help anyone. Try to be precise, like, “Your introduction was strong, and adding more examples in the middle would make it even better.”

3. Use “I” statements: Saying “I think…” or “In my experience…” softens the feedback and keeps it from sounding like an accusation. For instance, instead of “You didn’t explain it well,” try “I found it a bit hard to follow here—maybe we could make this part clearer?”

4. Suggest, don’t command: Give your feedback in a way that sounds like a suggestion, not an order. Words like “maybe,” “what if,” and “might” keep the tone collaborative.

5. Offer solutions: Constructive feedback is about more than identifying what could be better—it’s also about helping the person improve. Offering a suggestion makes it actionable, so they know how to adjust.

Do you have any other ideas of how to give constructive feedback? Share in a comment below 🙂