12 phrases you can copy
Teamwork comments that say what the person did, not what they are like.
Exceeds what the role needs
- Helps colleagues without being asked: for example, [WHAT THEY DID AND FOR WHOM].
- Shares what they know and teaches others: for example, [WHAT THEY TAUGHT].
- Steadies the team when things are tense: for example, [THE SITUATION].
- Gives others credit for their work: for example, [WHEN THEY DID THIS].
Meets what the role needs
- Works well with the team day to day: for example, [A RECENT PIECE OF TEAMWORK].
- Does their share of the work: for example, [TASK].
- Helps others when asked: for example, [THE CASE].
- Takes part in team meetings and listens to other views: for example, [MEETING].
Below what the role needs
- Tends to work alone, and the team has missed their input: for example, [PROJECT].
- Has not yet shared information that colleagues needed: for example, [WHAT AND WHEN].
- Disagreements with [COLLEAGUE OR TEAM] have slowed the work: for example, [WHAT HAPPENED]. We agreed [WHAT].
- Some tasks have been left for others: for example, [TASK AND WHO DID IT].
How to use these
- Pick the phrase that matches what you saw.
- Replace every [BRACKET] with a real fact: a date, a number or the name of the piece of work.
- If you cannot think of an example, leave the phrase out.
- Read the finished review once as the person who will receive it.
What to avoid
- Do not write "not a team player". Write what happened: "Did not share [INFORMATION] with [WHO], so [WHAT HAPPENED]."
- Do not compare the person with a named colleague. Compare with the standard for the role.
- Do not write "people say" unless you can say who said what, and they are happy for you to use it. If not, leave it out.
The law in many places protects people from unfair treatment linked to things like age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Do not mention these in a review, and do not guess at them.
Official pages. Not legal or HR advice. If a formal step, a warning, a pay dispute or a complaint is involved, stop and speak to HR first.
- Acas: Reviews and appraisals (what a review is for), read 5 October 2026
- EEOC: Prohibited employment policies and practices (pointer only, for US readers), read 5 October 2026
UK readers: the free Acas helpline is on its contact page. US readers: see the EEOC page and your employer's HR team.
What the full kit adds
This page shows 12 of them. The kit has the rest, and the files you fill in.
Performance review phrases: what to write for every rating
297 plain phrases for a review, at three levels, with five outlines to fill in and wording for the hard parts. Each phrase has a gap for a real example.
What is in it
- All 297 phrases: 9 areas at 3 levels each (this page shows 12 of them)
- 5 review outlines in Word (strong, steady, struggling, new starter, self-review) and 3 finished examples
- Wording for the hard parts: a rating lower than expected, no pay rise, an early talk about expectations
- Words to avoid, with what to write instead, and a 16-point checklist before sending
$9, one price, no subscription. 30-day refund. Works with no AI.
Questions people ask
How do I write about a problem between two colleagues?
Describe what happened and what you agreed, as in the phrase about disagreements slowing the work. Compare with the standard for the role, not with a named colleague.
What do I do with the [BRACKETS]?
Replace each one with a real fact: a date, a number or the name of the piece of work. If you cannot think of an example, leave the phrase out.
How many phrases are in the full kit?
297, in nine areas at three levels each. This page shows only a few of them.
Is this legal or HR advice?
No. It is general wording. If a formal step, a warning, a pay dispute or a complaint is involved, stop and speak to HR first. In the UK, Acas explains the steps.
More
- Performance review phrases for communication: 12 examples by rating
- Performance review phrases for needs improvement: 12 fair ways to say it
- All the words for managing people
- Free: 20 opening lines for hard conversations
General wording, not legal or HR advice. For anything formal, speak to HR. In the UK, Acas explains the steps. Official pages read 5 October 2026.