Phrases for criticizing people exercise

I am afraid I have to disagree:
(phrase) This is basically a formal and polite way of telling somebody 'I'm sorry, but what you've just told me is wrong'. It is used after the person being criticised has given a reason why the mistake/thing done badly happened (e.g. 'it's not my responsibility to check the report') or what their opinion is about what you have just told them (e.g. 'I think the report is fine, it doesn't need to be changed'). The phrase should be followed by explanation of why you disagree, e.g. 'I am afraid I have to disagree. The report is too short and doesn't include anything about last month's sales'. In Spanish: "me temo que tengo que discrepar".

I am afraid I have to disagree:

How do you think it could be improved:
(phrase) This phrase is neutral (it can be used in both formal/informal situations). In some situations when you have to tell somebody that their work or behaviour isn't good, it is more productive/better to get the other person to identify the mistake(s)/problem(s) themselves, rather than directly tell them what they didn't do well (e.g. 'the graph doesn't look very good' or 'you should speak louder when giving the presentation'). You can use 'how do you think it could be improved?' to do this. If after this, they don't identify the problem, then you should either tell or show them where the mistakes are. In this situation, you should be polite and use verbs like 'I feel/think' or 'just have a look' to do this (e.g. 'I think that the graph could be better'). In Spanish: "cómo piensas que puede mejorarse".

How do you think it could be improved:

We have received a complaint about you:
(phrase) This is a formal and direct phrase that is used to tell a person that somebody (it can be a work colleague or a customer) has made a complaint about them. This is mostly used when you have to criticise somebody's behaviour or conduct (e.g. being late, insulting somebody etc...) and the problem/mistake is serious. In these situations, this phrase should be one of the first things you say. It is normal to let the person respond/answer after saying it, e.g. 'we have received a complaint about you' 'really, about what?'. Then you can either tell them what the complaint is or ask them what they think the complaint is, e.g. 'can you think why that is?'. In Spanish: "hemos recibido una queja sobre ti".

We have received a complaint about you:

If it happens again, we'll have to:
(phrase) This is a very formal and direct phrase that warns somebody what the consequences will be if they make the same mistake or behave in the same way again. This phrase should only be used for serious issues (e.g. insulting a customer/work colleague, not doing something important they should have etc...) or when they have done the same mistake a lot of times. After the phrase you should say what the consequences will be (e.g. 'give you a written warning', 'remove you from the project' etc...). For example, 'If it happens again, we'll have to remove you from the project'. In Spanish: "si la situación se vuelve a repetir, tendremos que".

If it happens again, we'll have to:

Just be more careful in the future:
(phrase) This phrase is informal and should be used for small mistakes/problems. It is a very good phrase to use in these situations, because although it is basically a warning (like saying 'don't do it again'), it sounds more like you are giving the person you are criticizing advice. When using with phrase, it is important to say it slowly in a kind way or caring way. If you say it quickly, it can sound like an order. It should be used at the end of the conversation. In Spanish: "ten más cuidado en el futuro por favor".

Just be more careful in the future:

I appreciate that, but:
(phrase) This is a polite and formal phrase. In this context it is used as an answer when the person being criticised is trying to not accept the criticism and has given a reason why they made the mistake/did something wrong. You use 'I appreciate that, but' to explain to them why the reason they have given doesn't justify or isn't a good reason for what they have done. This phrase should always be followed by a reason or an opinion of why you don't agree with what they have said (e.g. 'that doesn't justify insulting her' 'you have to write the report' etc...). For example, 'I appreciate that, but you can't come to work late three times a week'. In Spanish: "lo entiendo, pero / soy consciente de ello, pero".

I appreciate that, but:

Just have a look at:
(phrase) This phrase is neutral (it can be used in both formal/informal situations). It is used to show somebody a mistake(s) that they have made in something they have written (e.g. report, email, presentation etc...). It's a politer and less aggressive way of saying 'this is wrong' or 'this doesn't make sense'. Rather than directly criticising something they have done (which makes some people angry or depressed), you let the other person find their own mistake, which seems like you're helping rather than criticising. This phrase is used after you have told them there are some mistakes. The phrase is followed by telling them where the mistake(s) is in the text, e.g. 'this part', 'the bottom'. For example, 'just have a look at the introduction'. In Spanish: "echar un vistazo a".

Just have a look at:

Overall, it's good. But there are a few things that could be improved:
(phrase) This phrase is neutral (it can be used in both formal/informal situations). This phrase is basically a very polite way of telling somebody 'you've made some mistakes/done something wrong'. It's polite because at the beginning you compliment them by using 'Overall, it's good' and you use 'that could be improved' rather than 'that are wrong'. This phrase should be used at the beginning of the conversation. After saying this, you let them reply/answer and then tell or show them the mistakes that they have made. In Spanish: "en general, es bueno. Pero hay cosas se pueden mejorar".

Overall, it's good. But there are a few things that could be improved:

You leave me no alternative but to:
(phrase) This is a formal and very direct phrase which means 'because of how you're behaving I have to punish you' that is used when you have to punish somebody because during the conversation they are very aggressive and/or refuse to accept the criticism for their behaviour or mistakes. Normally, this phrase follows 'if that's your attitude'. The phrase is followed by what the punishment will be (e.g. 'give you a written warning', 'terminate your contract', 'remove you from the project' etc...). For example, 'if that's your attitude, you leave me no alternative but to remove you from the project'. In Spanish: "no me dejes más alternativa que".

You leave me no alternative but to:

If you're unsure in the future, just ask me:
(phrase) This phrase is neutral (it can be used in both formal/informal situations). It's a way of telling somebody that you'll help them in the future so they don't make any more mistakes. It's a good phrase to use because it shows that you care both about them and the work they do. In Spanish: "si no estás seguro en el futuro, me pidas".

If you're unsure in the future, just ask me:

How do you account for:
(phrase) This is a formal and direct phrase which basically means 'how do you explain'. This phrase should only be used when somebody is either denying that they did something or refusing to accept the blame/fault for the mistake/problem. This phrase asks them to explain why the mistake/problem happened (e.g. 'how do you account for the complaint?') or to tell them some other information that you have that shows that they did something (e.g. 'how do you account for Sally seeing you in the office when the report disappeared?'). In Spanish: "cómo justificas".

How do you account for:

I've done the same myself:
(phrase) This is an informal phrase that should only be used when the mistake/thing done wrong is not very serious. It's basically like saying 'everybody makes mistakes at times'. When people are being criticised, they can often feel nervous or worried and this phrase is used to make feel better by telling them you have made the same mistake. This phrase should follow a sentence where you tell them the situation which caused the mistake/problem (e.g. 'it's easy to say the wrong thing when you're stressed'). For example, 'when you're busy, it's easy to write the wrong thing. I've done the same myself'. In Spanish: "he hecho lo mismo".

I've done the same myself:

Can you think why that is:
(phrase) This is a formal phrase that is used when the mistake/thing done wrong is serious. It basically means 'tell me what you have done wrong'. This phrase should only be used after you have said 'we have received a complaint about you' and the person being criticised has responded to that (e.g. 'really', 'what about?' etc...). The purpose is to get people to admit to mistakes/things they've done wrong. This phrase can often make people nervous/worried (this phrase is used by the police when interviewing suspects). So if the problem isn't very serious, it's better to tell them what the complaint is, e.g. 'Simon said that you were late yesterday'. In Spanish: "puedes pensar por qué es asi".

Can you think why that is:

Don't take this the wrong way, but:
(phrase) This phrase is neutral (it can be used in both formal/informal situations) which is used when you are going to tell the person being criticised something they are not going to be happy to hear. It is used to tell them as a consequence of the mistake/thing done badly you going to make a change that affects them (e.g. 'Simon is going to be in charge of the project now') or they have to do something (e.g. 'you need to rewrite the report'). For example, 'don't take this the wrong way, but I've asked Jim to do the presentation now'. In Spanish: "no te lo tomes a mal, pero".

Don't take this the wrong way, but:

Can I have a quick word:
(phrase) This is an informal and common way to say 'can I speak to you'. It is not only used for when you are going to criticise somebody, but also when you want to speak or tell somebody something in private. Another phrase that has a similar meaning but is formal and is only used when you're going to criticise somebody for something serious or give somebody some bad news is 'would you mind coming into my office for few moments'. In Spanish: "puedo hablar contigo un momento".

Can I have a quick word: