Vocabulary · TIME MANAGEMENT
Plans, deadlines and progress
Plans change, but your explanation can stay clear. Learn eight useful expressions for organising a busy week and discussing progress.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Listen and repeat
Each item has a British and an American button. Listen to the word and example, repeat them, then make your own sentence. Both tracks use the same eight items.
British English · Libby
Open or download british MP3American English · Amanda
Open or download american MP3Choose an accent on any word below.
Choose what matters
Start with the task, its importance and the time available.
deadline
countable noun
The latest time or date when a task must be finished.
The deadline for our project is Friday.
meet a deadline / miss a deadline / a deadline for something
A deadline is the final limit, not necessarily the time you plan to start.
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
priority
countable noun
Something you consider more important than other things and deal with first.
Finishing the report is my main priority.
a main priority / make something a priority
A long list of tasks does not explain your priorities. Say which task matters most and why.
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
manageable
adjective
Possible to deal with using the time, effort or resources you have.
The task feels manageable now.
a manageable task / a manageable amount of work
Manageable does not mean effortless. A task can be difficult but still possible to handle.
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
run out of
phrasal verb
To use all of something so that none remains.
We are running out of time.
run out of time / run out of paper
We are running out of time means little time remains. We have run out of time means no time remains.
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
Speak now: Speak for 30 seconds. Imagine you have a report, a phone call and some reading to do. Choose your priority, give a deadline and explain how to make the work manageable.
Possible model response
The report is my priority because the deadline is Thursday. I will write one section today, which makes the task manageable.
Solo: repeat with a different priority. Tutor: ask, 'What could wait until tomorrow?'
Explain a change and report progress
Make it clear whether an event moves earlier or later, and whether work is progressing as planned.
put off
phrasal verb
To delay an activity or event until a later time.
We put off the meeting until Thursday.
put off a meeting / put it off / put off doing something
Use an -ing form after put off when naming an action: put off writing. A postponed event is delayed, not necessarily cancelled.
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
bring forward
phrasal verb
To move an event to an earlier date or time.
We brought the meeting forward to Monday.
bring a meeting forward / bring it forward to Monday
This scheduling use is especially common in British English. State the new date explicitly: from Wednesday to Monday is earlier.
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
catch up
phrasal verb
To do work you did not do earlier so that you are no longer behind.
I need to catch up on my reading.
catch up on work / catch up on reading
Here catch up concerns unfinished work. Catch up with a friend can instead mean share recent news.
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
on track
expression
Progressing in a way that is likely to achieve the intended result.
We are on track to finish tomorrow.
be on track to finish / get back on track
On track describes progress towards a goal. It does not mean the work is already complete.
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
Speak now: Speak for 30 seconds. Move a meeting from Wednesday to Monday, explain which work you need to catch up on and say whether you expect to finish on time.
Possible model response
We brought the meeting forward to Monday. I need to catch up on my reading, but I am on track to finish it on Sunday.
Solo: change the dates and speak again. Tutor: ask, 'What would put the plan at risk?'
Try it in context
Say each answer aloud before opening the explanation.
1. A meeting moves from Tuesday to Thursday. Did you bring it forward or put it off?
Check answer 1
You put it off until Thursday.
Thursday is later than Tuesday. Bringing it forward would move it to an earlier time.
2. Repair: I keep putting off to write the introduction.
Check answer 2
I keep putting off writing the introduction.
Use put off followed by an -ing form when describing the delayed action.
3. Your deadline is Friday. Half the work is done on Wednesday, and the rest should take one day. Give a progress update.
Check answer 3
We are on track to finish before Friday.
The estimate suggests the plan is achievable. This is a reasonable model, not a guarantee that nothing will change.
Solo: explain one real or imaginary change of plan. Tutor: ask for both the old date and the new date.
Check and use your learning
Mastery quiz · 8 questions
Progress update · 45 seconds
Speak for 45 seconds. Your group must finish a presentation by Friday. The planning meeting moves from Wednesday to Tuesday. Give the new date, state your priority, mention some unfinished work and explain whether Friday is still realistic. Use at least four expressions.
Our priority is… / The deadline is… / We brought… forward to… / We are on track to…
Possible model response
The deadline is Friday. We brought the meeting forward to Tuesday. Our priority is choosing the examples. I need to catch up on the reading, but the remaining work is manageable. We are on track to finish on Thursday.
Solo: repeat as a less optimistic update and explain what needs to change. Tutor: ask, 'What will you do first, and why?'
Make the words yours
Tomorrow, give a short update about a real or imaginary task. Include a priority, a deadline and a comment on progress.
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