How to Talk About Deadlines Naturally in...

In this episode of 5-Minute English Talk, Chris and Jane teach you how to discuss deadlines naturally and confidently in Business English.

Learn useful workplace expressions for confirming deadlines, explaining delays, negotiating extensions, and keeping your coworkers updated on project progress.

Important Sentences & Expressions

• “When is this due?” — Ask when a task needs to be completed.
• “When do you need this by?” — Politely confirm a deadline.
• “It's due on Friday.” — State the scheduled due date.
• “We're on track to meet the deadline.” — Explain that work is progressing as planned.
• “Everything's on schedule.” — Say that the project is going according to plan.
• “We're running a little behind schedule.” — Explain a delay professionally.
• “It looks like we'll need an extra day.” — Politely communicate that more time may be necessary.
• “Could we push the deadline back?” — Ask to move the deadline to a later date.
• “Would it be possible to extend the deadline?” — Request additional time professionally.
• “That's a tight turnaround.” — Explain that there is very little time to complete a task.
• “I can have it ready by Friday.” — Offer a clear completion date.

Today's Speaking Tip

Confirm → Update → Adjust

Confirm when the work is due, provide regular progress updates, and communicate any changes to the timeline early.

Remember: Professional communication isn't just about meeting deadlines. It's about setting clear expectations and keeping everyone informed.

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