B1Dialogue3 Min.

Asking for More Time to Review an Offer

A supplier wants a decision — you need one more week. How to ask for time to think it over, professionally, in English.

Editorially reviewed by James Simmonds – English teacher since 2004Published 2 August 2026

SceneSarah calls to follow up on her offer. Stefan likes the package — but before a two-year contract, his finance team has to check the numbers. He asks for one more week.

0:00 / 3 Min.

Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test. · Worksheet (PDF)

✓ To the comprehension test

Stefan — Purchasing manager, engineering companySarah — Sales representative, UK packaging supplier

Listen first, then answer. No penalties — every explanation points to the moment in the conversation.

01Why does Sarah call Stefan?

02Why can't Stefan decide today?

03The offer is valid until the end of the month.

04Sarah refuses to give Stefan more time.

05Which word is missing?

But I need to ___ the numbers with our finance team before we commit.

06Which word is missing?

___ Friday next week — that works for me.

07Put the steps of the conversation in the correct order.

Transcript

The full transcript opens after the comprehension test — so you train real listening instead of reading along.

German support

SarahGood afternoon, Stefan. This is Sarah Miller from Northgate Packaging. I'm calling about the offer we sent you on Monday — have you had a chance to look at it?

StefanHello Sarah, good to hear from you. Yes, I've read it carefully, and the overall package looks interesting. We received three offers this quarter, and yours is definitely one of the stronger ones. But to be honest, I'm not ready to give you an answer today.Ehrlich gesagt kann ich Ihnen heute noch keine Antwort geben.

SarahThat's completely fine — a two-year agreement is a big step. Is there anything in the offer that isn't clear, or anything you'd like me to walk you through?

StefanThe pricing is clear, thank you, and the delivery times look good. But I need to review the numbers with our finance team before we commit. We compare every long-term contract against our budget.Ich muss die Zahlen mit unserer Finanzabteilung prüfen, bevor wir uns festlegen.

SarahOf course. May I ask how much time you need? I only ask because our production team plans capacity at the start of each month.

StefanI understand. Our finance meeting is on Wednesday, so I'd like to ask for more time — one more week, if that's possible. We will send you our decision until Friday next week.Ich möchte um mehr Zeit bitten – eine Woche, wenn möglich.

SarahBy Friday next week — that works for me. And just so you know, the offer is valid until the end of the month, so there's really no pressure.

StefanThank you, that's good to know. One more question while I have you: if we sign for two years, do we get a fixed price for the whole period?

SarahYes, the unit price is fixed for the full term. Only the shipping costs can change, and if that ever happens, we would inform you four weeks in advance.Der Stückpreis ist für die gesamte Laufzeit fest.

StefanUnderstood. Could you confirm that by email? Our finance team will want to see it.

SarahI'll send you a short confirmation this afternoon. And if your colleagues have questions about the numbers, I'm happy to join a call next week.

StefanPerfect. Then we'll get back to you by Friday next week at the latest. Thanks for your patience, Sarah — I appreciate that you're not putting pressure on us.

SarahNo problem at all, Stefan. Take the time you need — speak soon.

Key phrases

to have a chance to look at something

to find time to read or examine something

Have you had a chance to look at the new contract?

to be honest

a polite way to introduce a frank statement

To be honest, the price is higher than we expected.

to review

to check something carefully

Our lawyer will review the agreement before we sign.

to commit

to make a firm decision or promise

We can't commit to a two-year contract without board approval.

to ask for more time

to request extra time before deciding

I'd like to ask for more time to discuss this internally.

valid until

usable or in force up to a certain date

The quotation is valid until the end of September.

a fixed price

a price that does not change during the contract

We agreed a fixed price for the first twelve months.

to get back to you

to contact someone again with an answer

I'll get back to you with our decision on Monday.

Language notes

In this episode a purchasing manager asks for one more week to review a supplier offer: showing interest, giving the reason, promising a concrete date. You learn the key phrases for asking for time in English — and the difference between "by" and "until" (level B1).

"Bis Freitag": by or until?

German "bis" has two English translations. "By" marks a deadline: "We'll get back to you by Friday." "Until" describes a state lasting up to a point: "The offer is valid until the end of the month." Stefan says "We will send you our decision until Friday" — a classic German-speaker mistake. Sarah politely recasts it: "By Friday next week — that works for me." Rule of thumb: deadline → by, duration → until.

Asking for time is professional

Many learners fear that asking for time looks indecisive. The opposite is true — if you deliver three things: an honest signal of interest ("the overall package looks interesting"), a credible reason ("I need to review the numbers with our finance team") and a concrete date ("by Friday next week"). In English business culture the soft framing matters: "to be honest" and "if that's possible" take the edge off the request without making it vague.

Creating commitment: commit, confirm, get back

Three verbs structure this call. "To commit" marks the threshold of a binding yes — before it, checking is legitimate. "To confirm by email" turns spoken promises (here: the fixed price) into writing before finance sees them. And "to get back to you" is the standard formula for "we'll be in touch": neutral, professional, and always combinable with a date. Master these three verbs and you can manage any decision loop in English.

Keep practising: Learn business English online — with real teachers from Simmonds, since 2004.

Frequently asked questions

What language level is this episode for?

Level B1 (CEFR). The phone call uses clear everyday business English; the vocabulary list explains all eight key phrases bilingually.

How do I ask for more time to review an offer in English?

In three steps: signal interest ("The offer looks interesting"), give the reason ("I need to review the numbers with our finance team") and promise a concrete date ("We'll get back to you by Friday").

What is the difference between "by" and "until"?

"By" marks a deadline ("by Friday" = no later than Friday). "Until" describes a continuing state ("valid until the end of the month"). German "bis" covers both, which is why many German speakers wrongly say "until Friday" for a deadline.

Where can I practise these phrases live?

In the online business English courses from Simmonds Language Services (englisch-lehrer.com/online): live lessons with real teachers on Zoom. Simply book a free consultation to discuss your level and goals.

Are the voices real?

Episodes are produced with high-quality AI voices (Hume) and editorially reviewed by our trainer team — the same method as our interactive lessons.

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