Speaking to the person who decides your workload takes a particular kind of English: direct about what you need, soft about how you ask.
1. Opening a Short Conversation
Ravi: Do you have a minute, Sarah?
Sarah: Sure. What's up?
Ravi: It's about the Kimura report.
Sarah: Is there a problem?
Ravi: Not yet. I want to check something.
Sarah: Go ahead.
2. Asking for More Time
Ravi: I need two more days.
Sarah: That's tight. Why?
Ravi: The data came in late.
Sarah: I see. Can you send a draft on Friday?
Ravi: Yes. I can do that.
Sarah: Then take the two days.
3. Saying No to Extra Work
Manager: Can you take on the Torres project?
Bea: I'd like to, but I'm full.
Manager: What's on your plate?
Bea: Two reports and the audit.
Manager: Could you start after that?
Bea: Yes. That I can do.
4. Asking for a Day Off
Sara: Could I take Friday off?
Manager: Is everything okay?
Sara: Yes, it's a family thing.
Manager: Who'll cover the calls?
Sara: Priya has agreed.
Manager: Then that's fine. Enjoy your day.
5. Asking for Feedback
Yuki: How did the presentation go, in your view?
Manager: Strong start. The end rushed.
Yuki: What would you change?
Manager: Cut two slides. Slow down.
Yuki: That's useful. Thank you.
Manager: You're getting better each time.
6. Reporting a Problem Early
Ken: I want to flag something early.
Manager: Go on.
Ken: We may miss the July date.
Manager: How likely is that?
Ken: About even. It depends on the supplier.
Manager: Keep me posted weekly.
7. Asking About Pay
Lea: Could we talk about my salary?
Manager: Of course. What's on your mind?
Lea: My role has grown this year.
Manager: That's true. It has.
Lea: I'd like a review.
Manager: Let me look into it and come back to you.
8. The Weekly Check-in
Manager: How's the week looking?
Marc: Busy, but under control.
Manager: Anything blocking you?
Marc: One thing. I need access to the system.
Manager: I'll sort that today.
Marc: Then I'm on track.
Words to know
| tight | with very little time or money That's tight. |
| take on | to accept new work Can you take on the Torres project? |
| full | having no time left for more work I'd like to, but I'm full. |
| on your plate | the work you already have What's on your plate? |
| sort out | to deal with something and finish it I'll sort that today. |
| under control | busy but not in trouble Busy, but under control. |
| blocking | stopping you from making progress Anything blocking you? |
| look into | to check something and find out more Let me look into it. |
Quick practice
Complete each sentence with an expression from the lessons.
1. A: Do you have a ________, Sarah?
B: Sure. What's up?
2. A: I need two more days.
B: That's ________. Why?
3. A: Can you take on this project?
B: I'd like to, but I'm ________.
4. A: Could I take Friday ________?
B: Is everything okay?
5. A: I want to ________ something early.
B: Go on.
6. A: Anything ________ you?
B: One thing. I need system access.
Show the answers
1. minute 2. tight 3. full 4. off 5. flag 6. blocking
Common mistakes
Not: I want two more days.
Say: I need two more days.
At work, need points at the job. Want points at you, and sounds weaker.
Not: I can't do it.
Say: I'd like to, but I'm full until Friday.
A bare refusal ends the conversation. Give a reason and a date and you sound reliable.
Not: Please give me a salary raise.
Say: Could we talk about my salary?
Open the conversation first. Asking for the decision in the first sentence rarely works.
Your turn
Imagine your manager is free for five minutes right now. Say these five things aloud.
- Open the conversation and name the topic in one sentence.
- Ask for two more days on something, and say why.
- Turn down extra work while offering what you can do.
- Ask for feedback on something you did last week.
- Raise a problem early, before anyone else notices it.
Quick review
Pick the hardest of the five tasks above — usually it is saying no, or asking about pay — and say it out loud five times until your voice stops going up at the end. A steady voice does half the work in these conversations, and you can practise that at home for free.