Explaining Why a Small Task Is Late
The price list is half a day overdue — how to explain a small delay in English factually, with a plan B instead of excuses.
Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test. · Worksheet (PDF)
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Comprehension test
Listen first, then answer. No penalties — every explanation points to the moment in the conversation.
So: as soon as I ___ the numbers, I can finish.
From now on, I'll give you a ___ as soon as something slips.
Transcript
Key phrases
Language notes
In this episode an employee explains to his team lead why a small task is half a day late: stating the status, giving reasons, offering a plan B and promising a change. You learn the key phrases for status updates — and why "bekommen" is never "become" in English (level B1).
"Bekommen" is not "become": the most famous false friend
Daniel's sentence "As soon as I become the numbers from IT" is probably the best-known German mistake in English — famous from the restaurant legend "Can I become a steak?". "To become" means "werden": "She became head of department." For "bekommen", use "to get" (neutral) or "to receive" (more formal). Memory hook: if you become the numbers, you turn into a spreadsheet.
Explaining a delay: facts, not excuses
Daniel's update follows a pattern that works well in English-speaking teams: an honest status line first ("I'm about half a day behind"), then numbered reasons ("Two things. First … Second …"), then the new time ("by four"). The difference between a reason and an excuse matters: a reason arrives with a plan, an excuse arrives alone. Daniel's plan B — delivering the list without the freight column — turns the delay into a solvable detail.
Flag it early: the "no surprises" rule
Martin's only criticism is not the delay itself but the missing warning: "A short message on Monday would have saved me a reminder." British and American teams live by the "no surprises" rule — managers forgive almost any delay, but rarely a surprise. The tools from the dialogue: "to flag the delay" and "to give someone a heads-up".
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 conversation uses typical office English from everyday sales work; all eight key phrases are explained bilingually.
How do I explain a delay in English without sounding unprofessional?
In four steps: state the status honestly ("I'm half a day behind"), number your reasons ("Two things. First …"), commit to a new time ("by four") and offer a plan B. And next time: flag the delay earlier ("give a heads-up").
Is there a transcript to read along?
Yes, the full transcript with German support notes is on this page — listen first, then take the test, then read along.
Where can I practise status updates in English live?
In the online business English courses from Simmonds Language Services (englisch-lehrer.com/online): live lessons with real teachers on Zoom, for companies and individuals across Germany — since 2004. It starts with a free consultation.
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.
Want to practise these phrases in a real conversation?
The podcast trains your ear — in our online lessons you practise the conversation yourself, with real teachers. For companies across Germany since 2004.