Lesson

Describing experiences 2

Complex experience narratives

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

Describing experiences: Part 2

This lesson focuses on useful expressions and tones for describing past experiences in professional contexts. You'll learn idiomatic phrases to highlight opportunities, learning outcomes, memorable moments and professional growth.

  • Use specific expressions to show what happened and what you learned.
  • Adjust tone (formal vs. conversational) depending on audience: report, interview, email or casual chat.
  • Sequence events and emphasize results for clarity and impact.

Table

Useful expressions for describing experiences

Expression Meaning Example
I had the opportunity to ... I was able to do something important or useful I had the opportunity to lead a cross‑departmental project.
I got to ... Informal: I had the chance to (often positive) I got to present our findings to the executive team.
The highlight was ... The most memorable or important part The highlight was meeting our clients in person.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience A very rare and special experience Working on the international merger was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
I learned (that) ... / It taught me ... Shows learning or a lesson from the experience The project taught me how to manage tight deadlines.
I was exposed to ... I encountered new ideas, processes or people I was exposed to advanced analytics tools during the project.
I had the chance to network with ... Opportunity to meet professionals and build contacts I had the chance to network with several industry leaders.
What stood out was ... What was most noticeable or important What stood out was the team's resilience under pressure.

Tip

Key rule: Choose phrase + result

When describing an experience, pair the expression with its impact or learning. Mention the context briefly, then the result or lesson.

  • Start with the expression: I had the opportunity to lead the pilot program.
  • Follow with the result: It increased our client retention by 12%.
  • Alternatively, emphasize the learning: The project taught me how to negotiate deadlines.

Be specific: numbers, tools, people or outcomes make your story credible.

Example

Examples in context

I had the opportunity to lead a cross‑departmental pilot that streamlined our onboarding process.

As part of the project, I got to present our strategy to senior management.

The highlight of the year was attending the international trade fair and meeting potential partners.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that taught me how to manage high-stakes negotiations.

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

Learners often make generic or unclear descriptions, or use an inappropriate tone. Avoid these universal errors:

  • Being too vague: Using only 'it was good' or 'it was interesting' without details.
  • Tense inconsistency: mixing past and present awkwardly in the same story.
  • Using overly informal phrases in formal contexts: e.g., 'I had a blast' in a business report.
  • Wrong collocations: 'make an experience' instead of 'have an experience' or 'gain experience'.
  • Neglecting the result: telling what happened but not what you achieved or learned.

Always match vocabulary and tone to your audience and be specific about outcomes.

Quiz

Choose the sentence that best emphasizes what you learned from a past project:

Hint: Look for a phrase that expresses learning and a concrete skill.

Quiz

Complete: During the conference, _____ to speak with three industry leaders.

Hint: Think of a phrase that expresses a past opportunity.

Quiz

Which expression is most appropriate for a formal business report?

Hint: Choose the option with a formal register suitable for reports.

Key Points

Expression

have the opportunity to

expression CEFR B2 //hæv ði ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪti tuː//

to be given the chance to do something

I had the opportunity to work with an international team.

Expression

get to

phrasal verb CEFR B1 //ɡɛt tuː//

informal: to have the chance to do something (usually positive)

I got to present our proposal at the meeting.

Vocabulary

the highlight

noun CEFR B1 //ðə ˈhaɪlaɪt//

the most important, interesting or enjoyable part

The highlight of the conference was the keynote speech.

Expression

once-in-a-lifetime experience

expression CEFR B2 //wʌns ɪn ə ˈlaɪftaɪm ɪkˈspɪəriəns//

an event or opportunity so unique it is unlikely to happen again

Working on the overseas merger was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

GrammarPoint

to be exposed to

verb phrase CEFR B2 //tuː bi ɪkˈspəʊzd tuː//

to experience or encounter something new, such as ideas or techniques

During the internship, I was exposed to advanced data visualization tools.

Expression

what stood out was

phrase CEFR B2 //wɒt stʊd aʊt wəz//

used to point to the most noticeable or memorable aspect

What stood out was the team's creativity under pressure.